Abstract:
A method for facilitating transactions, conducted over networked computer systems, between customers and merchants, using an intermediary to complete the transactions. The customer establishes an account with the intermediary, and the intermediary subsequently issues customer user information to the customer. The customer may then access the intermediary's website, possessing a plurality of links to merchants' websites. After the customer has selected the items he wishes to purchase, he signals the intermediary instead of using the merchant's checkout system. Alternatively, if the merchant does not have a link on the intermediary's website, the customer can signal the intermediary to complete the transaction by e-mailing the URL to the intermediary. The transaction is completed by the intermediary by logging on to the merchant's website and completing the checkout process for the customer's order, giving the intermediary's credit card number and delivery address.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zur Informationsübermittlung von Daten des Posteingangs und ggf. -ausgangs, insbesondere bei postfächern, welche(s) die Daten von einer zentralen Postsammelstelle an den/die Empfänger via öffentlich zugänglicher Telekommunikationskanäle (Mobil- oder Festnetztelefon, Kabel, Satellit, etc) manuell oder automatisch ausgelöst übermittelt. Der Vorteil für den Nutzer besteht insbesondere in der Wege- und Zeitersparnis, welche einen erheblichen Kostenvorteil bietet.
Abstract:
A franking machine control panel and its associated method provide users with touch screen (120) displays in which the main screens (320) contain history tabs (332). When a history tab is pressed, the display reverts to the previous status of the category of interest, and allows the user to make changes if desired. In the preferred embodiment, the history tabs (332) allow users to view and modify information which is mandatory to the franking process, such as the mail class and postage rates. Another aspect of the present invention allows the user to configure the more actively used buttons of touch screen on one side or the other, depending on the dominant side of the user's body.
Abstract:
A method of converting a signature into an authorization for an item of value in lieu of cash, the method including the steps of transmitting a request, comprising a digitized signature and an amount requested by the user, to a service provider with whom the user has an account; validating the request; and generating for the user an authorization wherein the authorization may be used in lieu of money in the amount authorized.
Abstract:
A method and system for creating a personalized delivery payment coding includes selecting from a set of designs for the delivery payment coding, calculating an appropriate fee, paying an appropriate fee, and printing a selected design on delivery payment coding product paper.
Abstract:
Payment indicia (14) generating schemes are described that enable users to customize the appearance of the payment indicium (14) and to accommodate a wide variety of validation processing environments, while providing a substantial defense against fraudulent photocopy attack. In some embodiments,a corroborative digital token is generated from payment information (12), and a base image (22) is modulated with a graphical encoding of the corroborative digital token to produce a payment indicium (14). In some embodiments, a payment indicium (14) containing embedded payment information (12) is rendered on a printing surface with a printing characteristic that degrades with photographic reproductions such that the embedded payment information (12) is extractable from an original rendering of the payment indicium (14) but is un-extractable from a photographic reproduction of an original rendering of the payment indicium (14). In some embodiments, payment information (12) is encoded into a corroborative digital token based at least in part upon one or more variable encoding parameters, and a payment indicium (14) containing the encoded payment information (12) is rendered.
Abstract:
A system and method is disclosed for providing confirmation relating to the distribution of a mailpiece (14) within an international mailing system. The invention includes a determination of postal data required for performing value-added services desired for the mailpiece. (14) The value-added services data includes addressing information for a return receipt from an intended mailpiece recipient (30) through a final handling postal authority (205) and a first postal authority (105) to the original mailer (16). A machine readable mark (12) is created which includes return data and value-added services data. During the delivery process, the value-added service is captured by the final handling postal authority (205), the mailpiece (14) is delivered to the intended recipient (30), the value-added service is performed, and the data related to the delivery is captured by the final handling postal authority (205). The final handling postal authority (205) then transmits this information to the first handling postal authority (105) who then communicates the information to the original mailer (16). The invention is practiced such that the identity of the mailer (16) is disclosed only to the original postal authority and not to subsequent handling postal authorities.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and system for delivering packages to a depot delivery destination selected by a customer for package pickup. Participating home shopping merchants allow customers to purchase goods at home and to ship their purchases to a nearby depot delivery destination to be picked up when convenient. The packages from the home-shopping merchants are stored in a secure unit at the depot's customer service center until customer pickup. The delivery system of the present invention is designed to provide consumers with package security from order to final delivery. The delivery system present invention may also provide the customers with the ability to track their orders at any time without the intervention of merchant customer service personnel.
Abstract:
A system for authenticating software is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention is utilized in conjunction with a gaming machine to authenticate the software utilized by the gaming machine or loaded onto the gaming machine. To achieve authentication, one exemplary mode of operation is used to authenticate the contents of a removable media (224), the removable media being used to per form any desired operation on the gaming machine. Use of a removable media (224) provides means to store large amounts of software on a single media to thereby access and perform numerous tasks including software install, software update, diagnosis, authentication, or configure.