3723results about "Franking apparatus" patented technology

The invention can enable monitoring of the display of content by a computer system. Moreover, the invention can enable monitoring of the displayed content to produce monitoring information from which conclusions may be deduced regarding the observation of the displayed content by an observer. The invention can also enable monitoring of the display at a content display site of content that is provided by a content provider site over a network to the content display site. Additionally, the invention can enable the expeditious provision of updated and/or tailored content over a network from a content provider site to a content display site so that the content provider's current and appropriately tailored content is always displayed at the content display site. Aspects of the invention related to transfer of content over a network are generally applicable to any type of network. However, it is contemplated that the invention can be particularly useful with a computer network, including private computer networks (e.g., America Online TM ) and public computer networks (e.g., the Internet). In particular, the invention can be advantageously used with computer networks or portions of computer networks over which video and/or audio content are transferred from one network site to another network site for observation, such as the World Wide Web portion of the Internet.

A method and system is provided for storing and manipulating customer purchase information received from a plurality of sources. A computer system may be used comprising a storage device for storing the customer purchase information and a processor for processing the customer purchase information. The method may include receiving the customer purchase information; organizing the customer purchase information within a predetermined organizational structure; creating a customer preference based at least in part on the customer purchase information; and aggregating customer purchases for merchant classes based on the customer purchase information so as to generate aggregated customer purchase information. The method may further include generating marketing information based on at least one of the customer preference and the aggregated customer purchase information.

A virtual pooled account is used in operating a system having multiple financial partners. In a specific implementation, the system is a mobile banking system. Instead of maintaining separate general ledgers for each financial institution, the system will keep one general virtual pooled account. This will reduce the settlement and operational costs of the system. The owner of the virtual pooled account will receive the float on the virtual pooled account, and this float will be distributed to the multiple financial partners according to a formula.

Processing systems and methods receive events, such as a transaction to an account, and converts the events into messages. Each message then invokes one or more rules which are executed by a rules engine. The execution of these rules may invoke the execution of additional rules. After all rules have executed, the account associated with the event is updated, such as by projecting the account. The rules have their parameters defined in a repository so that the parameters can be easily changed without any need to recompile. The processing systems receive authorizations and other transactions and runs in real-time as transactions arrive. As a result, balances are updated continuously and accounts are read and updated only when there is activity. Hierarchy is user configurable, including multiple hierarchy to any depth. System operations are controlled by rules and their parameters and most modifications can be accomplished without access to source code.

A system and method for processing a wireless electronic payment transaction is described. One embodiment comprises receiving a transaction authorization request for an electronic payment transaction from a customer, the authorization request submitted from a mobile communication device of the customer; authenticating the transaction authorization request; authorizing the transaction authorization request and transmitting an authorization code to the mobile communication device, the authorization code being communicated to a merchant from the customer; receiving a transaction approval request from the merchant, the transaction approval request submitted from a virtual terminal associated with the merchant, the virtual terminal being a wireless communication device having a point of sale processing application installed therein; authenticating the transaction approval request; approving the transaction approval request and transmitting an approval code to the virtual terminal; and generating and executing transaction settlement instructions between a financial account of the customer and a financial account of the merchant.

The present invention is a system comprising image capture device, such as a scanner or digital camera connected to a computer processor that is able to capture and store images, and method of using the same for storing and processing expense receipts. The computer processor analyzes the images of the receipts, converts the images to text, analyzes the data, extracts expense data, and puts the data into an expense report. The end user can review the captured expense data, correct it or add to it. Preferably, the system displays the image of the receipt side-by-side with the captured expense data to make review and editing easier. In a preferred embodiment the image capture device is portable, such as a handheld scanner or digital camera, so that a user can scan receipts while traveling and discard the receipt. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the images are encrypted to prevent tampering by the user or a third party, and thereby preserve the integrity of the receipt image. In one preferred embodiment, receipt images or uploaded via the Internet an intranet, or other network to a remote data storage facility to further protect the images, both from tampering and from loss.

A method and system for transferring electronic funds over the Internet wherein a sender provides payment information to a transfer processing system. The sender may choose from a plurality of different types of funds transfer, such as wire transfer, Western Union money transfer, various types of checks, and transfers to ATM debit/credit cards. The transfer processing system sends an electronic payment message to a recipient indicating the transfer of funds and a transfer message to a financial institution providing instructions to debit the sender's account and make those funds available to the recipient. If the recipient has an account with a financial institution that is affiliated with the transfer processing system of the present invention, the funds are credited to the recipient's account wherein the payment message serves as a confirmation message. If the recipient does not have such an account, the recipient may access the transfer processing system to access the funds made available by the system wherein the payment message serves as a payment availability message.

A system and method for detecting duplicate checks during processing. The duplicate detection may be performed by a financial institution, such as a bank. The method may be implemented on a computer based system. The duplicate detection method may be automated. The method may be applied to incoming check files prior to processing of the check data to prevent processing of duplicate checks. The system and method may use a function, such as a hash function, to perform the duplicate detection. Other functions, such as a Bloom filter which may use multiple hash functions, may be used to perform the duplicate detection.

The present invention provides methods, systems and transaction cards or identification systems, using transaction network comprising proprietary card network, EFT, ACH, or ATM, for end user management of a global financial account by manual or automatic prepaying, prepaying, paying or unpaying, debiting or crediting, or readjustment or presetting, using parameters relating to portions of paid or unpaid financial transactions or account balance amounts in multiple credit, cash or other existing, or end user created, financial accounts or sub-accounts in said global financial account that is optionally subject to financial account issuer transaction or readjustment fees from end users and merchants, including optional use for financial transactions as a credit transaction card requiring merchant credit card interchange or other fees, and optional end user fees, as additional revenue to the global account issuer.

A customer computer connects to an online service provider by phone, Internet, or other telecommunications link. The link gives the customer access to additional processing and storage resources such as virtual storage, processing power and/or additional software or data through interaction between the customer computer and an online service provider computer over the link. The additional resources made available to the customer computer enhance the customers' local needs through access to virtual storage, a more powerful processor of similar type for program execution, and/or online support services such as software rental, software sales, release update services, anti-viral services, data backup and recovery services, diagnostic services and/or repair services.

Methods and apparatus for determining a value of a commercial market that can be supported by an electronic payment solution, forecasting a growth of the commercial market, and using the commercial expenditure value are disclosed. The value of the commercial market can be estimated using auditable economic data that forms part of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) calculation. The commercial market can be estimated using intermediate inputs, inventory purchase, private fixed investments, and government expenditures. A market growth can then be estimated from the commercial expenditure value and other economic data. The commercial expenditure value can be used in a number of resource allocation and market solution processes.