Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for enabling gift card recipients to redeem gift card amounts using existing accounts such as a credit/debit card. A system practicing the method identifies a giver and recipient of a gift card amount and associated accounts. A policy is established which governs how the gift card is redeemed, such as a specific merchant or item. When the recipient makes a purchase using an existing credit/debit card according to the policy, the gift card amount is applied to the transaction. No special codes, separate physical gift cards, or printable coupons are necessary for redemption. The recipient makes purchases using their normal purchasing credit/debit card via a qualifying purchase according to the policy, and the gift card is applied automatically. The recipient credit/debit card becomes a combination of an open-looped card and a closed-loop card. Thus, no money is wasted or lost.

System and method for processing gift cards

Systems, apparatuses and methods for enabling a group of people to share the cost of an event, such as a meal, the purchase of a gift, or the rental of a car. Embodiments of the invention provide the tools needed to enable a group to participate in a shared event or activity, where one of the participants pays for the event or activity using their payment device and the other members of the group pay their portion of the cost to the participant who made the payment. Embodiments of the invention provide an ecosystem where a person can pay for an event, goods, or services using a single payment device (such as a credit or debit card) and then settle the amounts owed to them by other members of a group using the tools provided by the invention.

Systems and Methods of Aggregating Split Payments Using a Settlement Ecosystem

Various techniques are provided for the gifting between multiple electronic devices of media content provided by an online digital media provider. An offer and acceptance of a selected gift file is accomplished between a gifter device and a receiving giftee device using a near-field communication (NFC) connection. If a connection to the online provider is available, the gifter device may transmit a gift request by which the gifter's account is charged for the gift file. Thereafter, a gift file created using DRM keys associated with the giftee's account may be downloaded to the giftee device. If a network connection is unavailable, the giftee device may transfer a locked gift file and a corresponding gift license to the giftee device using a peer-to-peer connection. The giftee device may authenticate the license and unlock the gift file once a connection to the online provider is available.

System and method for processing media gifts

A computer-implemented method includes generating a communication to be sent from a sender to a recipient who are related to one another by blood or employment; and scheduling delivery of the communication to the recipient based on a future location of the recipient. The content of the communication and the future location of the recipient are determined from an analysis of electronically-accessible resources by or about the sender, the recipient, or both.

Location-based communications

Systems, methods and software applications for providing an identity and age-appropriate verification registry. A system for providing an identity and age-sensitive information registry includes various modules. In one implementation, system may include a registration module configured to allow parents and their children to register an account with the registry; and a request processing module configured to enable third parties to query the registry to see if any individual is registered and has authority or consent to access age-sensitive content, products or services or share data that could become publicly available by the third party.

Systems, methods, and software applications for providing and identity and age-appropriate verification registry

A system and method that allows for a group of individuals to easily contribute to the same gift card is disclosed. The gift card can be a traditional physical card or an electronic card. In one embodiment, an account administrator establishes a group enabled gift card account for self-consumption or for a specified gift recipient. The administrator engages potential group gift card contributors through various electronic communication mechanisms who can then add funds to the account. The contribution period may remain open based on criteria supplied by the administrator. Once the account is closed, the collected amount is transferred to a designated gift card and sent to the recipient.

Social network enabled group gift card

Systems and methods are disclosed herein which that enable a first party, such as a child, to selected one or more items offered by an online retailer and to send a request to a second party, such as a parent or guardian, to request that the second party purchase the item or items for the first party. The systems and methods provide the second party with the ability to view requests received from the first party, to set limits on the number of requests and the amounts of the requests that the first party may make. The second party may also designate the parties to whom the first party may submit purchase requests. The child may also submit request to one or more non-parental contributors who may contribute money toward the purchase the one or more items for the child.

James Collas

Papers

Social network enabled group gift card

Party payment system

Related party payment system