A method is provided for selecting eligible nodes and item assignments to those nodes for fulfillment based on satisfaction of a reward constraint and fulfillment cost. This method includes several steps, including determining by a computer processor of the fulfillment engine whether each of the plurality of assignments to the plurality of nodes satisfies a reward constraint based on a first customer loyalty reward level of the plurality of customer loyalty reward levels, identifying by a computer processor of the fulfillment engine one or more satisfactory assignments to nodes by identifying which of the one or more assignments is both associated with an order fulfillment cost that is less than the maximum fulfillment cost and satisfies the reward constraint and automatically generating by a computer processor of the fulfillment engine a node order assignment assigning the current order to the one or more satisfactory nodes.

Methods and server systems for facilitating sharing of reward points between users are disclosed. Information related to linked one or more social IDs of a first user to a payment account of the first user is received and stored in a mapping file. A request for reward points redemption is initiated by the second user in response to an offer to redeem a fixed number of reward points posted by the first user on a social media platform. A social ID used by the second user to initiate the request on the social media platform is identified. A transfer of the fixed number of reward points from the first user to the second user is facilitated based on the mapping file and the social ID of the second user.

A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for distributing and redeeming manufacturer coupons for a product purchase in a retail environment. The data processing system of a retailer (hereinafter the loyalty coupon system) receives an electronic coupon from a manufacturer. The loyalty coupon system links the product to the inventory control system of the retail environment. The loyalty coupon system then targets the electronic coupon to customers that have subscribed to the loyalty coupon system. The coupon system provides for the communication of the product coupon directly to each subscribed customer on the list. Upon a customer selecting the coupon, the loyalty coupon system configures a customer reward. Upon the customer purchasing the product using their loyalty card, the loyalty coupon system disburses the customer reward at the point of sale. The manufacturer is billed for the redeemed coupon.

The present invention provides a portable processing device comprising a journey type determining module, a journey length determining module and a communication module. The journey type determining module is operable to determine whether a journey undertaken by a person carrying the portable processing device is an environmentally-friendly journey comprising a journey undertaken in an environmentally-friendly vehicle, a journey undertaken using self-propelled means or a journey undertaken on foot. The journey length determining module is operable to determine a length of a said environmentally-friendly journey under-taken by the person carrying the portable processing device. The communication module is operable to transmit journey data to record management apparatus defining the length of the environmentally-friendly journey undertaken by the person carrying the portable processing device.

In general, intelligent fuel dispensers are provided. In at least some implementations, an intelligent fuel dispenser can determine customer identities and/or other characteristics and provide customized fueling sessions based on the determined customer identities and/or other characteristics. In at least some implementations, the fuel dispenser includes a touchless interface allowing customers to complete fueling sessions with minimal physical contact with the fuel dispenser.

Described herein are apparatus and methods for collecting and manipulating transaction data. For example, presented herein is an apparatus including: a first I/O port; a second I/O port of a same type as the first I/O port, wherein the second I/O port is connected to the first I/O port such that data passed into the first I/O port is allowed to pass through the apparatus to the second I/O port unimpeded in at least a first operating mode; a processor; and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions thereon wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to: collect information passed from a first computing device connected to the first I/O port to a second computing device connected to the second I/O port, identify, from the information, transaction data; and provide, to a third computing device, the transaction data.

A computer system for ranking potential attended delivery/pickup locations is disclosed. In various embodiments, a user or computer system identifies an area in which to establish at least one attended delivery/pickup location. In a particular embodiment, the system receives data associated with potential attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., attended delivery/pickup location candidates), including the specific characteristics of those candidates. The system then, based at least in part on the characteristics of each of the attended delivery/pickup location candidates, ranks the attended delivery/pickup location candidates and displays the rankings to a user for use in selecting the most suitable candidate for the area.

A method for managing reward value related to a transaction account is described. The method includes receiving a redemption request; generating a reward cost based on at least a conversion rate and a transaction amount; updating a reward value in an account profile to place a hold on an amount of the reward value equivalent to the reward cost; and deducting a deduction amount from the reward value.

A loyalty reward point system that utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of network such as a credit card network. A user makes a purchase at a merchant using a token such as a credit card. The user is awarded loyalty points from the merchant based on the amount of the purchase (e.g. 100 points for a $100 purchase). The reward points, which are specific to the merchant and the user, are stored in a database at the issuing bank, the acquiring bank, or a central reward server. The user may redeem the reward points earned from the transaction with the merchant at a later time, or may redeem the points with another merchant in the same marketing cluster, or may aggregate those reward points with those of other merchants into a reward point exchange account, and then redeem the aggregated reward points for goods or services from any approved merchant on the network, depending on the configuration of the system.

There are provided a point management system and a point management method allowing effective use of points acquired by a customer, etc., and prevention of a waste in points. Therefore, exchange for various points or points having acquired a digital ticket is possible, exchange using foreign currency is possible, and the number of points desired to be traded for each type of currency, and a rate as a standard for exchange of each type of currency to one point are displayed on an exchanging currency selection screen. A standard number of points converted to one US dollar, one European euro, and one Chinese yuan, for example, is displayed, making it easy to understand transaction conditions under succeeding sales transaction status. Moreover, for example, point exchange conditions are displayed as a list and confirmed, thereby allowing specification of one's own exchange conditions, and allowing exchange of points etc. based on specification of accepted exchange conditions.