BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7 ; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19 ; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/170,781, filed Jun.","1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.U.S.","patent application Ser.","Nos.","15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.","TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.","BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.","DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer cam ne maintained by a first financial institution.","The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.","The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Turning to the drawings, FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.","System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.","7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.","The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.","In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.","In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).","In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.","In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.","In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.","In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).","For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.","In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.","For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.","In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.","For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.","In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).","This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.","In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.","In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).","In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.","In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.","For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.","For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.","For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.","As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.","In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.","In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.","In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).","In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.","In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.","In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.","The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.","For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.","The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.","For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.","In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.","In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.","In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.","In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.","For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.","For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.","By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.","In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).","In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.","In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.","In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.","In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.","In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.","In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.","In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.","The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.","As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.","In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.","In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.","In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.","For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.","For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.","In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.","In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.","In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.","In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.","In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.","In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.","In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.","In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.","In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.","In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.","In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.","Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.","In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.","In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.","22 and described below.","In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.","For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.","In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.","In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.","129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).","In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).","In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.","In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.","For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.","In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.","For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.","For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.","Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.","Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.","In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.","In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.","In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.","In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.","For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.","In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.","For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.","In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.","In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.","The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.","In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.","In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.","The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.","In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.","In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.","In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.","In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.","For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.","In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.","In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.","In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.","In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.","In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.","In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.","In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.","1)).","User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.","For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.","1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.","In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), such as Checking Account A.","When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) to use for the payment transaction.","In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve the transaction using the account.","In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to decline the transaction using the account.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.","User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.","Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.","In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.","In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.","In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.","User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.","In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.","In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), such as a new loan.","In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.","1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.","When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.","1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.","21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed.","User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), title bar 2001 (FIG.","20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.","If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.","In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.","1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.","5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.","9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.","16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.","5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.","9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.","16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.","16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.","9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.","4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.","4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.","13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.","13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.","4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.","10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.","10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.","10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.","13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.","13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.","In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.","10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.","13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.","13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.","11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.","11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.","14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.","14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.","2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.","2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.","2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.","14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.","3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.","3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.","15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.","15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.","3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.","12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.","15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.","3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.","In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.","6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.","6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.","6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), financial institution 150 (FIG.","1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.","2), method 300 (FIG.","3), method 400 (FIG.","4), method 500 (FIG.","5), method 600 (FIG.","6), method 900 (FIG.","9), method 1000 (FIG.","10), method 1100 (FIG.","11), method 1200 (FIG.","12), method 1300 (FIG.","13), method 1400 (FIG.","14), method 1500 (FIG.","15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.","16).","Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.","8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.","8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.","8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.","Continuing with FIG.","8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).","Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.","7) to a functional state after a system reset.","In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).","In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.","7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7-8).","In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.","The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.","Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.","As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.","In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.","8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/O devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.","7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.","7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.","8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.","Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.","7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.","7) of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.","7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7 and 8).","In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.","In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.","7) or USB port 712 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).","Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.","7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.","Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.","7) need not be discussed herein.","When computer 700 in FIG.","7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.","8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.","8).","A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.","In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.","Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.","7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.","In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.","In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.","Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.","Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.","It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.","For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.","1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.","For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.","Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.","The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.","Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"SECURE REAL-TIME TRANSACTIONS\",\n \"A method including receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Other embodiments are provided.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform: receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, the transaction code comprising a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature; verifying the digital signature for the transaction code; and sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"2.The system of claim 1, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"3.The system of claim 1, wherein receiving, at the mobile device, the transaction code comprises: using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"4.The system of claim 1, wherein receiving, at the mobile device, the transaction code comprises: receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"5.The system of claim 1, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"6.The system of claim 1, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"7.The system of claim 1, wherein the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed.\",\n \"8.The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction system is called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"9.The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction code further comprises one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"10.The system of claim 1, wherein the computing instructions are further configured to perform, before sending the request to pay: receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.\",\n \"11.A method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the method comprising: receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, the transaction code comprising a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature; verifying the digital signature for the transaction code; and sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 11, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"13.The method of claim 11, wherein receiving, at the mobile device, the transaction code comprises: using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 11, wherein receiving, at the mobile device, the transaction code comprises: receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 11, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 11, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"17.The method of claim 11, wherein the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed.\",\n \"18.The method of claim 11, wherein the transaction system is called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"19.The method of claim 11, wherein the transaction code further comprises one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"20.The method of claim 11, further comprising, before sending the request to pay: receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7 ; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19 ; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/170,781, filed Jun.\",\n \"1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.U.S.\",\n \"patent application Ser.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.\",\n \"BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer cam ne maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.\",\n \"The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Turning to the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.\",\n \"The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.\",\n \"In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).\",\n \"In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.\",\n \"In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.\",\n \"In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).\",\n \"For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.\",\n \"For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.\",\n \"In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).\",\n \"This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.\",\n \"As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.\",\n \"In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.\",\n \"In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).\",\n \"In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.\",\n \"For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.\",\n \"The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.\",\n \"For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.\",\n \"In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.\",\n \"The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.\",\n \"As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.\",\n \"In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.\",\n \"In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.\",\n \"For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.\",\n \"In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.\",\n \"In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.\",\n \"Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.\",\n \"In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.\",\n \"22 and described below.\",\n \"In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.\",\n \"For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.\",\n \"In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.\",\n \"129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).\",\n \"In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.\",\n \"For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.\",\n \"Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.\",\n \"For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.\",\n \"The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.\",\n \"In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.\",\n \"The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.\",\n \"In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.\",\n \"For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), such as Checking Account A.\",\n \"When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve the transaction using the account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to decline the transaction using the account.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.\",\n \"Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), such as a new loan.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.\",\n \"When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.\",\n \"If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.\",\n \"In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.\",\n \"2), method 300 (FIG.\",\n \"3), method 400 (FIG.\",\n \"4), method 500 (FIG.\",\n \"5), method 600 (FIG.\",\n \"6), method 900 (FIG.\",\n \"9), method 1000 (FIG.\",\n \"10), method 1100 (FIG.\",\n \"11), method 1200 (FIG.\",\n \"12), method 1300 (FIG.\",\n \"13), method 1400 (FIG.\",\n \"14), method 1500 (FIG.\",\n \"15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.\",\n \"16).\",\n \"Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.\",\n \"8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.\",\n \"8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.\",\n \"8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).\",\n \"Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) to a functional state after a system reset.\",\n \"In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8).\",\n \"In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.\",\n \"The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.\",\n \"Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.\",\n \"As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/O devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.\",\n \"8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.\",\n \"Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.\",\n \"7) of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8).\",\n \"In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.\",\n \"In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) or USB port 712 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).\",\n \"Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.\",\n \"Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.\",\n \"7) need not be discussed herein.\",\n \"When computer 700 in FIG.\",\n \"7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.\",\n \"8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.\",\n \"In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.\",\n \"Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.\",\n \"7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.\",\n \"Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.\",\n \"Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.\",\n \"For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.\",\n \"1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.\",\n \"For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.\",\n \"Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.\",\n \"The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.\",\n \"Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873440"}}},{"rowIdx":4494347,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["VIDEO COMPOSITION BY DYNAMIC LINKING","A computer receives one or more media content source locations.","The computer determines two or more media content items associated with the one or more received media content source locations.","The computer negotiates digital rights associated with the two or more media content items.","The computer pre-fetches the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations.","The computer determines at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items.","The computer resamples the first media content item of the two or more media content items.","The computer publishes a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics."],["1.A method for media content composition from distributed sources, the method comprising the steps of: determining, by one or more computer processors, two or more media content items associated with one or more media content source locations; determining, by one or more computer processors, at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the determining at least one of the two or more media content items further comprises the step of determining, by the one or more computer processors, a segment of the at least one of the two or more media content items based on a received time index and duration; responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, resampling, by the one or more computer processors, the first media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the resampling the first media content of the two or more media content items comprises resampling the first media content item to a lowest common denominator of each of the at least one digital characteristics; and publishing, by the one or more computer processors, a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics.","2.The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the one or more media content source locations, wherein the receiving further comprises the step of receiving, by the one or more computer processors, a time index and duration associated with at least one of the two or more media content items associated with the one or more content source locations.","3.The method of claim 1, wherein resampling the first media content item of the two or more media content items comprises the step of editing, by the one or more computer processors, the first media content item such that the two or more media content items have uniform digital characteristics.","4.The method of claim 1, wherein a media content item includes at least one of a video, a video segment, an audio recording, and an audio segment.","5.The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: responsive to publishing a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics, receiving, by the one or more computer processors, a notification that at least one of the two or more media content items has changed; and determining, by the one or more computer processors, to update the one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics with the at least one changed media content item.","6.The method of claim 1, further comprising negotiating digital rights associated with the two or more media content items, wherein the negotiating the digital rights comprises the steps of: negotiating, by the one or more computer processors, one or more rights to the two or more media content items; and negotiating, by the one or more computer processors, pricing associated with the one or more rights to the two or more media content items.","7.The method of claim 1, further comprising pre-fetching the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations, wherein the pre-fetching comprises the steps of: locating, by the one or more computer processors, the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; downloading, by the one or more computer processors, the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; and storing, by the one or more computer processors, the two or more media content items from the one or more content source locations.","8.A computer program product for media content composition from distributed sources, the computer program product comprising: one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to determine two or more media content items associated with one or more received media content source locations; program instructions to determine at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the determining at least one of the two or more media content items further comprises the step of determining, by the one or more computer processors, a segment of the at least one of the two or more media content items based on a received time index and duration; responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, program instructions to resample the first media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the resampling the first media content of the two or more media content items comprises resampling the first media content item to a lowest common denominator of each of the at least one digital characteristics; and program instructions to publish a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics.","9.The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising program instructions to receive the one or more media content source locations, wherein the program instruction to receive the one or more media content source locations further comprises program instructions to receive a time index and duration associated with at least one of the two or more media content items associated with the one or more content source locations.","10.The computer program product of claim 8, wherein program instructions to resample the first media content item of the two or more media content items comprises program instructions to edit the first media content item such that the two or more media content items have uniform digital characteristics.","11.The computer program product of claim 8, wherein a media content item includes at least one of a video, a video segment, an audio recording, and an audio segment.","12.The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising: responsive to publishing a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics, program instructions to receive a notification that at least one of the two or more media content items has changed; and program instructions to determine to update the one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics with the at least one changed media content item.","13.The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising program instructions to negotiate digital rights associated with the two or more media content items, wherein the program instructions to negotiate digital rights further comprises: program instructions to negotiate one or more rights to the two or more media content items; and program instructions to negotiate pricing associated with the one or more rights to the two or more media content items.","14.The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising program instructions to pre-fetch the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations, wherein the program instructions to pre-fetch the two or more media content items further comprises: program instructions to locate the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; program instructions to download the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; and program instructions to store the two or more media content items from the one or more content source locations.","15.A computer system for media content composition from distributed sources, the computer system comprising: one or more computer processors; one or more computer readable storage media; program instructions stored on the computer readable storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more processors, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to determine two or more media content items associated with one or more media content source locations; program instructions to determine at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the determining at least one of the two or more media content items further comprises the step of determining, by the one or more computer processors, a segment of the at least one of the two or more media content items based on a received time index and duration; responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, program instructions to resample the first media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the resampling the first media content of the two or more media content items comprises resampling the first media content item to a lowest common denominator of each of the at least one digital characteristics; and program instructions to publish a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics.","16.The computer system of claim 15, further comprising program instructions to receive the one or more media content source locations, wherein the program instructions to receive the one or more media content source locations further comprises program instructions to receive a time index and duration associated with at least one of the two or more media content items associated with the one or more content source locations.","17.The computer system of claim 15, wherein program instructions to resample the first media content item of the two or more media content items comprises program instructions to edit the first media content item such that the two or more media content items have uniform digital characteristics.","18.The computer system of claim 15, wherein a media content item includes at least one of a video, a video segment, an audio recording, and an audio segment.","19.The computer system of claim 15, further comprising: responsive to publishing a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics, program instructions to receive a notification that at least one of the two or more media content items has changed; and program instructions to determine to update the one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics with the at least one changed media content item.","20.The computer system of claim 15, further comprising program instructions to pre-fetch the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations, wherein the program instructions to pre-fetch the two or more media content items further comprises: program instructions to locate the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; program instructions to download the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; and program instructions to store the two or more media content items from the one or more content source locations."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of streaming media, and more particularly to dynamically linking video from distributed sources.","Consumers are continually demanding increased flexibility in viewing streaming and other forms of media.","Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a provider.","The term “streaming media” can apply to media other than video and audio such as live closed captioning, ticker tape, and real-time text, which are all considered “streaming text”.","Whereas television viewing traditionally involved watching imagery received on a broadcast signal on a conventional television set, modern media experiences allow media content to be provided via broadcast, cable, satellite, portable media (e.g., DVD) and other sources.","Further, the Internet and other relatively high-bandwidth networks now allow media content to be streamed or otherwise delivered to any number of devices (e.g., wireless phones, computers, tablets, etc.)","that previously were not typically used for viewing media content.","Consumers are therefore able to view media content on a wide variety of devices and in a wide variety of locations.","The advent of digital media and analog/digital conversion technologies, especially those that are usable on mass-market general-purpose personal computers, has vastly increased the concerns of copyright-dependent individuals and organizations, especially within the music and movie industries, because these individuals and organizations are partly or wholly dependent on the revenue generated from such works.","Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a class of technologies that hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders, and individuals use with the intent to control the use of digital content and devices after sale.","The intent of DRM is to control executing, viewing, copying, printing and altering of works or devices.","DRM technologies attempt to give control to the seller of digital content or devices after a consumer purchase.","For digital content this means preventing the consumer access, or denying the user the ability to copy the content or to convert the content to other formats."],[" SUMMARY According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for media content composition from distributed sources is provided.","The method may include a computer processor receiving one or more media content source locations.","The computer processor determines two or more media content items associated with the one or more media content source locations.","The computer processor negotiates digital rights associated with the two or more media content items.","The computer processor, responsive to negotiating digital rights associated with the two or more media content items, pre-fetches the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations.","The computer processor determines at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item that does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items.","The computer processor, responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item that does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, resamples the first media content item of the two or more media content items.","The computer processor publishes a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics."],["BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of streaming media, and more particularly to dynamically linking video from distributed sources.","Consumers are continually demanding increased flexibility in viewing streaming and other forms of media.","Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a provider.","The term “streaming media” can apply to media other than video and audio such as live closed captioning, ticker tape, and real-time text, which are all considered “streaming text”.","Whereas television viewing traditionally involved watching imagery received on a broadcast signal on a conventional television set, modern media experiences allow media content to be provided via broadcast, cable, satellite, portable media (e.g., DVD) and other sources.","Further, the Internet and other relatively high-bandwidth networks now allow media content to be streamed or otherwise delivered to any number of devices (e.g., wireless phones, computers, tablets, etc.)","that previously were not typically used for viewing media content.","Consumers are therefore able to view media content on a wide variety of devices and in a wide variety of locations.","The advent of digital media and analog/digital conversion technologies, especially those that are usable on mass-market general-purpose personal computers, has vastly increased the concerns of copyright-dependent individuals and organizations, especially within the music and movie industries, because these individuals and organizations are partly or wholly dependent on the revenue generated from such works.","Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a class of technologies that hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders, and individuals use with the intent to control the use of digital content and devices after sale.","The intent of DRM is to control executing, viewing, copying, printing and altering of works or devices.","DRM technologies attempt to give control to the seller of digital content or devices after a consumer purchase.","For digital content this means preventing the consumer access, or denying the user the ability to copy the content or to convert the content to other formats.","SUMMARY According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for media content composition from distributed sources is provided.","The method may include a computer processor receiving one or more media content source locations.","The computer processor determines two or more media content items associated with the one or more media content source locations.","The computer processor negotiates digital rights associated with the two or more media content items.","The computer processor, responsive to negotiating digital rights associated with the two or more media content items, pre-fetches the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations.","The computer processor determines at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item that does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items.","The computer processor, responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item that does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, resamples the first media content item of the two or more media content items.","The computer processor publishes a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a video data processing environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","2 is a flow diagram depicting the interaction of operational components of a linked asset composer program on a server computer within the video data processing environment of FIG.","1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","3 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a linked asset composer program, on a server computer within the video data processing environment of FIG.","1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG.","4 depicts a block diagram of components of the server computer within the video data processing environment of FIG.","1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION As current events evolve, the media coverage of the events may be continuously updated.","Companies in the media industry often invest resources in recording, processing, and editing media content as an event evolves.","In addition, there is often a high cost associated with storing video content (including backup and resiliency abilities).","Many organizations also do periodic updates, recording content at a certain frequency or based on events.","There is a need for a systematic means of recording content once and replacing segments that become outdated over time.","Often, when video segments are linked, there is a lag between the playing of one video to another.","Even if there is no lag, the user is generally aware of a new video being played.","Embodiments of the present invention recognize that efficiency can be gained by implementing a method of dynamically linking video segments from distributed sources by pre-fetching and resampling the video segments to produce one video that plays seamlessly for a user.","Implementation of embodiments of the invention may take a variety of forms, and exemplary implementation details are discussed subsequently with reference to the Figures.","FIG.","1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a video data processing environment, generally designated 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","1 provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented.","Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as recited by the claims.","Video data processing environment 100 includes client computing device 104 and server computer 108, interconnected over network 102.Network 102 can be, for example, a telecommunications network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, or a combination of the three, and can include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections.","Network 102 may include one or more wired and/or wireless networks that are capable of receiving and transmitting data, voice, and/or video signals, including multimedia signals that include voice, data, and video information.","Client computing device 104 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a specialized computer server, a smart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with server computer 108 via network 102 and with various components and devices within video data processing environment 100.Client computing device 104 may be a wearable computer.","Wearable computers are miniature electronic devices that may be worn by the bearer under, with or on top of clothing, as well as in glasses, hats, or other accessories.","Wearable computers are especially useful for applications that require more complex computational support than just hardware coded logics.","In general, client computing device 104 represents any programmable electronic device or combination of programmable electronic devices capable of executing machine readable program instructions and communicating with other computing devices via a network, such as network 102.Client computing device 104 includes user interface 106.User interface 106 is a program that provides an interface between a user of client computing device 104 and server computer 108.A user interface, such as user interface 106, refers to the information (such as graphic, text, and sound) that a program presents to a user and the control sequences the user employs to control the program.","There are many known types of user interfaces.","In one embodiment, user interface 106 is a graphical user interface.","A graphical user interface (GUI) is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices, such as a computer keyboard and mouse, through graphical icons and visual indicators, such as secondary notation, as opposed to text-based interfaces, typed command labels, or text navigation.","In computing, GUIs were introduced in reaction to the perceived steep learning curve of command-line interfaces which require commands to be typed on the keyboard.","The actions in GUIs are often performed through direct manipulation of the graphical elements.","User interface 106 enables a user of client computing device 104 to communicate specific information to server computer 108 regarding media content items the user wants to link together.","Server computer 108 may be a management server, a web server, or any other electronic device or computing system capable of receiving and sending data.","In other embodiments, server computer 108 may represent a server computing system utilizing multiple computers as a server system, such as in a cloud computing environment.","In another embodiment, server computer 108 may be a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with client computing device 104 via network 102.In another embodiment, server computer 108 represents a computing system utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources.","Server computer 108 includes linked asset composer program 110 and database 112.In an exemplary embodiment, linked asset composer program 110 dynamically links media content items, for example video segments, from distributed sources such that the composition of the video segments appears as a single, seamless video to a viewer.","In another embodiment, linked asset composer program 110 may dynamically link other media content items, such as audio segments, from distributed sources.","Audio segments may include journalistic audio segments and recorded music.","Distributed sources refers to different origins of the media content items, for example, linked asset composer program 110 may upload an existing video or link to and download other videos, either locally or on a plurality of websites on the Internet.","Linked asset composer program 110 receives a request from a user to link video segments from various sources.","The user defines the sources as well as the time index and duration of the desired segment.","Linked asset composer program 110 receives the user's request and negotiates the rights and/or pricing via digital rights management (DRM).","Linked asset composer program 110 pre-fetches and resamples the video segments such that the segments have the same visual attributes, for example, dimensions, frame rate, and quality.","Linked asset composer program 110 links the segments and publishes the video.","Linked asset composer program 110 is depicted and described in further detail with respect to FIGS.","2 and 3.Database 112 resides on server computer 108.In another embodiment, database 112 may reside on client computing device 104, or elsewhere in the environment.","A database is an organized collection of data.","Database 112 can be implemented with any type of storage device capable of storing data that may be accessed and utilized by server computer 108, such as a database server, a hard disk drive, or a flash memory.","In other embodiments, database 112 can represent multiple storage devices within server computer 108.Database 112 stores the fetched video segments as well as the final, published video composition.","Database 112 may also store the links to the video segment sources in addition to the resampling information.","Database 112 may also store the DRM history and associated negotiations.","FIG.","2 is a flow diagram depicting the interaction of operational components of linked asset composer program 110 on server computer 108 within video data processing environment 100 of FIG.","1, providing linked asset composer program 110 with the capability to dynamically link video segments from distributed sources, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.","Flow diagram 200 includes content location module 210, DRM module 220, and linked asset composer module 230.Content location module 210 includes content location database 212 and content locator 214.Content locator 214 allows linked asset composer program 110 to receive a request from a user to locate one or more media content items, such as videos, video segments, audio recordings, or audio segments, and locates the media content item.","A video or audio location may be represented by a URL that may be found in third party content providers 216.A video or audio location may also be represented by an address on client computing device 104 or on server computer 108.Content location database 212 stores addresses of the content.","DRM module 220 includes DRM negotiator 224, DRM tracker 226, and DRM history database 228.DRM negotiator 224 is the computer system component that allows linked asset composer program 110 to receive content locations from content locator 214, and to contact DRM provider 222 to negotiate the DRM governance, i.e., the usage rights and pricing of the requested content.","DRM tracker 226 tracks the usage of the content in order to confirm that usage rights are current, and notifies DRM negotiator 224 when negotiated usage rights are nearing expiration, allowing DRM negotiator 224 to re-negotiate rights, if needed, in a timely manner.","DRM history database 228 stores the negotiations and transactions between DRM negotiator 224 and DRM provider 222 for use in later negotiations.","Linked asset composer module 230 includes pre-fetcher 232, resampler 234, publisher 236, and linked asset database 238.Upon confirmation from DRM negotiator 224 that DRM governance is in place, pre-fetcher 232 accesses content location database 212 to pre-fetch the requested content, for example, video segments, for dynamic linking.","Pre-fetching may include locating, downloading, and storing the content.","Resampler 234 resamples the pre-fetched content and edits each video such that all of the videos in the final, linked asset have the same visual characteristics.","Resampler 234 enables the final, linked asset to appear as one, seamless video.","Publisher 236 publishes the linked asset such that a user with proper authorization, such as user 240, may access the linked asset for viewing.","Linked asset database 238 stores the final, linked asset for future viewing or editing.","For example, a user wants to compose a video describing a current event in the news.","The user provides URLs for three video segments to link together.","Each video segment is located at a different URL on the Internet.","Content locator 214 receives the three URLs and stores them in content location database 212.Content locator 214 also passes the three content locations to DRM negotiator 224.DRM negotiator 224 contacts DRM provider 222 for each of the video segments associated with the three URLs and negotiates usage rights and pricing.","DRM negotiator 224 passes the negotiated rights and pricing to DRM tracker 226.DRM tracker 226 tracks the usage of the three video segments to confirm the usage is within the negotiated rights.","As the term of the negotiated rights nears an end, DRM tracker 226 contacts DRM negotiator 224 to initiate further negotiations.","DRM tracker 226 also stores the record of the usage of each of the three videos and the associated negotiated rights.","Responsive to successful DRM negotiations, pre-fetcher 232 pre-fetches the three videos using the addresses stored in content location database 212.Resampler 234 reviews a plurality of visual characteristic attributes of the three video segments.","Attributes of video segment A and video segment B, such as frame rate and quality, are the same, but the frame rate and quality of video segment C are lower than those of video segments A and B. Resampler 234 resamples video segments A and B to reduce the frame rate and quality to equal the level of video C such that the frame rate and quality of all three video segments match.","Publisher 236 links the resampled video segments A, B and C, and publishes the linked video as one video with uniform digital characteristics.","The publishing of the video may take many forms.","In this example, publisher 236 posts a hyperlink to the video on a website of the user's choosing.","Publisher 236 stores the final video in linked asset database 238.FIG.","3 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of linked asset composer program 110, on server computer 108 within video data processing environment 100 of FIG.","1, for dynamically linking video segments from distributed sources, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","3 refers to components of server computer 108 as depicted in FIG.","1.Linked asset composer program 110 receives content source location (step 302).","A user can compose a video by either uploading existing videos or by linking to videos by specifying a local address or a direct URL to the video on the Internet.","In addition, if the user does not want to link the full video, then the user may specify the time index (i.e., the duration with which to offset the linked video) and the duration of the linked video segment to be played.","Linked asset composer program 110 receives the source of the video and any associated time index and duration information from the user via user interface 106.This information may be stored in database 112.For example, linked asset composer program 110 receives the URL “newsonvid.com” with a time index of 2 minutes and a duration of 30 seconds.","In this example, the user wants to link the segment that starts at 2 minutes after the beginning of the video and continues for 30 seconds.","Linked asset composer program 110 negotiates access rights to the content via DRM (step 304).","Linked asset composer program 110 parses each video or video segment specified by the target URL or local address to obtain the video and negotiates the access, or usage, rights.","Linked asset composer program 110 uses a known DRM system, for example OpenDRM, in which a license may be encoded in a digital data file that defines usage rules, or usage expressions, such as range of criteria, frequency of access, expiration date, restriction of transfer to other devices, etc.","As part of DRM negotiation, an agreement may be established on “initial” use of the video segments.","For example, the initial agreement may be for a certain number of views, or for a certain time period, or any combination of attributes specified in the usage rules.","Thereafter, as the usage limit nears, the DRM process starts again using the historical data in context to negotiate for better rights.","Access rights information may be stored in database 112.Linked asset composer program 110 determines whether the access rights negotiation is successful (decision block 306).","If the access rights negotiation is not successful (“no” branch, decision block 306), then the content is not used, and linked asset composer program 110 returns to step 302 to receive the next content source location.","In one embodiment, if the access rights negotiation is not successful, then linked asset composer program 110 may display an error message, via user interface 106.If the access rights negotiation is successful (“yes” branch, decision block 306), then linked asset composer program 110 negotiates pricing via DRM (step 308).","DRM negotiations for pricing vary by content provider.","For example, a content provider may create a pricing structure based on a number of views of the video.","In another example, a content provider may create a pricing structure based on an elapsed period of time.","In a further example, a content provider may create a pricing structure based on the type of content.","Pricing information may be stored in database 112.Linked asset composer program 110 determines whether the pricing negotiation is successful (decision block 310).","If the pricing negotiation is not successful (“no” branch, decision block 310), then the content is not used, and linked asset composer program 110 returns to step 302 to receive the next content source location.","In one embodiment, if the pricing negotiation is not successful, then linked asset composer program 110 may display an error message, via user interface 106.If the pricing negotiation is successful (“yes” branch, decision block 310), then linked asset composer program 110 determines whether the user requests additional content (decision block 312).","Via user interface 106, linked asset composer program 110 queries the user to determine whether the user wants to add additional video segments.","If the user requests additional content (“yes” branch, decision block 312), then linked asset composer program 110 returns to step 302 to receive the next content source location.","If the user does not request additional content (“no” branch, decision block 312), then linked asset composer program 110 pre-fetches content (step 314).","Responsive to receiving the location of requested content sources and DRM governance completion, linked asset composer program 110 pre-fetches the requested content, such as video segments, from the associated locations.","In one embodiment, pre-fetching video segments includes locating and downloading the video segments.","In one embodiment, if a video is not found at the identified location, then linked asset composer program 110 may display an error message, via user interface 106.Linked asset composer program 110 may store the pre-fetched video segments in database 112.Linked asset composer program 110 resamples the content (step 316).","Linked asset composer program 110 performs a process of resampling on all successfully fetched videos or video segments.","Resampling may be performed using a known tool, for example, VirtualDub.","The process of resampling transforms the video segments to appear as one video with uniform digital characteristics once the segments are linked together.","Videos from distributed source locations may not use the same codecs as the user, or as each other.","In addition, the videos may have different attributes or characteristics, such as dimensions, frame rate, quality, audio frequency, etc.","Resampling the segments runs them through a set of codecs to stabilize, resize, and smooth the transition from one segment to another, ensuring that the desired characteristics match from one segment to another.","The resampling process may employ one or more codecs to decode, transform, and re-encode the video segments.","As part of the transformation, resampling does not modify the original content, but resampling may modify the representation of the content.","For example, linked asset composer program 110 may perform the resampling by reducing each video to the lowest common denominator of each of the attributes.","Linked asset composer program 110 publishes the linked video (step 318).","Linked asset composer program 110 makes the video available for viewing by authorized users.","For example, linked asset composer program 110 may add a hyperlink to the video on a website.","The usage expressions, extracted during the DRM process, step 304, may be displayed at either the beginning or the end of the linked video.","Usage expressions are the provider's rules for using the content, for example, the number of times a video may be viewed for the negotiated price.","Linked asset composer program 110 determines whether a notification of changes to the content is received (decision block 320).","Through the life of the linked video, parties in the DRM ecosystem may be notified of any changes to the content for which rights have been negotiated.","If linked asset composer program 110 determines that a notification of changes to content is not received (“no” branch, decision block 320), then the program ends.","If linked asset composer program 110 determines that a notification of changes to content is received (“yes” branch, decision block 320), then the program determines whether to update the linked video (decision block 322).","In one embodiment, linked asset composer program 110 notifies the user that updated content is available, and the user makes a decision as to whether or not to instruct the program to receive and resample the updated content.","In another embodiment, linked asset composer program 110 determines whether or not to link to the updated content automatically.","For example, linked asset composer program 110 may be capable of determining an error in a video, and if so, linking to the updated content automatically.","In another example, if the license negotiated through DRM includes an agreement that the content provider provides all content pertaining to a particular subject or from a particular feed, then linked asset composer program 110 may automatically receive all updates with no user intervention.","In another embodiment, linked asset composer program 110 checks with the provider of each of the segments periodically, for example, once a day, to determine whether updated content is available.","If linked asset composer program 110 determines not to update the linked video (“no” branch, decision block 322), then the program ends.","A user may receive notification of updates to the content provided earlier, but the user does not want to obtain the updates to the content because the cost outweighs the value.","For example, if the change to the content is only a change to the visual characteristics, and the original content is already resampled to match other segments, then the cost of the updated content may outweigh the value.","If linked asset composer program 110 determines to update the linked video (“yes” branch, decision block 322), then the program returns to step 302 to receive the new content source location, and proceeds with the remaining steps to publish an updated linked video.","A user may receive notification of updates to the content provided earlier, and the user does want to obtain the updates to the content because the value outweighs the cost.","For example, if there is an error in the content of the original video, such as an incorrect name stated, the value to update the video may outweigh the cost.","FIG.","4 depicts a block diagram of components of server computer 108 within video data processing environment 100 of FIG.","1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.","It should be appreciated that FIG.","4 provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented.","Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made.","Server computer 108 includes communications fabric 402, which provides communications between computer processor(s) 404, memory 406, persistent storage 408, communications unit 410, and input/output (I/O) interface(s) 412.Communications fabric 402 can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.","), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system.","For example, communications fabric 402 can be implemented with one or more buses.","Memory 406 and persistent storage 408 are computer readable storage media.","In this embodiment, memory 406 includes random access memory (RAM) 414 and cache memory 416.In general, memory 406 can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media.","Linked asset composer program 110 and database 112 are stored in persistent storage 408 for execution and/or access by one or more of the respective computer processor(s) 404 via one or more memories of memory 406.In this embodiment, persistent storage 408 includes a magnetic hard disk drive.","Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage 408 can include a solid-state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, or any other computer readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information.","The media used by persistent storage 408 may also be removable.","For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 408.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto another computer readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage 408.Communications unit 410, in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices, including resources of client computing device 104.In these examples, communications unit 410 includes one or more network interface cards.","Communications unit 410 may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links.","Linked asset composer program 110 and database 112 may be downloaded to persistent storage 408 through communications unit 410.I/O interface(s) 412 allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to server computer 108.For example, I/O interface(s) 412 may provide a connection to external device(s) 418 such as a keyboard, a keypad, a touch screen, a microphone, a digital camera, and/or some other suitable input device.","External device(s) 418 can also include portable computer readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards.","Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., linked asset composer program 110 and database 112, can be stored on such portable computer readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage 408 via I/O interface(s) 412.I/O interface(s) 412 also connect to a display 420.Display 420 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor.","The programs described herein are identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention.","However, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.","The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product.","The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.","The computer readable storage medium can be any tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device.","The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.","A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing.","A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.","Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.","The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers.","A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.","Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.","The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server.","In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).","In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.","Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention.","It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.","These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.","These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.","The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.","The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention.","In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s).","In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures.","For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.","It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.","The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed.","Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.","The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiment, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"VIDEO COMPOSITION BY DYNAMIC LINKING\",\n \"A computer receives one or more media content source locations.\",\n \"The computer determines two or more media content items associated with the one or more received media content source locations.\",\n \"The computer negotiates digital rights associated with the two or more media content items.\",\n \"The computer pre-fetches the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations.\",\n \"The computer determines at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items.\",\n \"The computer resamples the first media content item of the two or more media content items.\",\n \"The computer publishes a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method for media content composition from distributed sources, the method comprising the steps of: determining, by one or more computer processors, two or more media content items associated with one or more media content source locations; determining, by one or more computer processors, at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the determining at least one of the two or more media content items further comprises the step of determining, by the one or more computer processors, a segment of the at least one of the two or more media content items based on a received time index and duration; responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, resampling, by the one or more computer processors, the first media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the resampling the first media content of the two or more media content items comprises resampling the first media content item to a lowest common denominator of each of the at least one digital characteristics; and publishing, by the one or more computer processors, a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics.\",\n \"2.The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the one or more media content source locations, wherein the receiving further comprises the step of receiving, by the one or more computer processors, a time index and duration associated with at least one of the two or more media content items associated with the one or more content source locations.\",\n \"3.The method of claim 1, wherein resampling the first media content item of the two or more media content items comprises the step of editing, by the one or more computer processors, the first media content item such that the two or more media content items have uniform digital characteristics.\",\n \"4.The method of claim 1, wherein a media content item includes at least one of a video, a video segment, an audio recording, and an audio segment.\",\n \"5.The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: responsive to publishing a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics, receiving, by the one or more computer processors, a notification that at least one of the two or more media content items has changed; and determining, by the one or more computer processors, to update the one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics with the at least one changed media content item.\",\n \"6.The method of claim 1, further comprising negotiating digital rights associated with the two or more media content items, wherein the negotiating the digital rights comprises the steps of: negotiating, by the one or more computer processors, one or more rights to the two or more media content items; and negotiating, by the one or more computer processors, pricing associated with the one or more rights to the two or more media content items.\",\n \"7.The method of claim 1, further comprising pre-fetching the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations, wherein the pre-fetching comprises the steps of: locating, by the one or more computer processors, the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; downloading, by the one or more computer processors, the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; and storing, by the one or more computer processors, the two or more media content items from the one or more content source locations.\",\n \"8.A computer program product for media content composition from distributed sources, the computer program product comprising: one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to determine two or more media content items associated with one or more received media content source locations; program instructions to determine at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the determining at least one of the two or more media content items further comprises the step of determining, by the one or more computer processors, a segment of the at least one of the two or more media content items based on a received time index and duration; responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, program instructions to resample the first media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the resampling the first media content of the two or more media content items comprises resampling the first media content item to a lowest common denominator of each of the at least one digital characteristics; and program instructions to publish a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics.\",\n \"9.The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising program instructions to receive the one or more media content source locations, wherein the program instruction to receive the one or more media content source locations further comprises program instructions to receive a time index and duration associated with at least one of the two or more media content items associated with the one or more content source locations.\",\n \"10.The computer program product of claim 8, wherein program instructions to resample the first media content item of the two or more media content items comprises program instructions to edit the first media content item such that the two or more media content items have uniform digital characteristics.\",\n \"11.The computer program product of claim 8, wherein a media content item includes at least one of a video, a video segment, an audio recording, and an audio segment.\",\n \"12.The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising: responsive to publishing a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics, program instructions to receive a notification that at least one of the two or more media content items has changed; and program instructions to determine to update the one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics with the at least one changed media content item.\",\n \"13.The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising program instructions to negotiate digital rights associated with the two or more media content items, wherein the program instructions to negotiate digital rights further comprises: program instructions to negotiate one or more rights to the two or more media content items; and program instructions to negotiate pricing associated with the one or more rights to the two or more media content items.\",\n \"14.The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising program instructions to pre-fetch the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations, wherein the program instructions to pre-fetch the two or more media content items further comprises: program instructions to locate the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; program instructions to download the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; and program instructions to store the two or more media content items from the one or more content source locations.\",\n \"15.A computer system for media content composition from distributed sources, the computer system comprising: one or more computer processors; one or more computer readable storage media; program instructions stored on the computer readable storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more processors, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to determine two or more media content items associated with one or more media content source locations; program instructions to determine at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the determining at least one of the two or more media content items further comprises the step of determining, by the one or more computer processors, a segment of the at least one of the two or more media content items based on a received time index and duration; responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, program instructions to resample the first media content item of the two or more media content items, wherein the resampling the first media content of the two or more media content items comprises resampling the first media content item to a lowest common denominator of each of the at least one digital characteristics; and program instructions to publish a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics.\",\n \"16.The computer system of claim 15, further comprising program instructions to receive the one or more media content source locations, wherein the program instructions to receive the one or more media content source locations further comprises program instructions to receive a time index and duration associated with at least one of the two or more media content items associated with the one or more content source locations.\",\n \"17.The computer system of claim 15, wherein program instructions to resample the first media content item of the two or more media content items comprises program instructions to edit the first media content item such that the two or more media content items have uniform digital characteristics.\",\n \"18.The computer system of claim 15, wherein a media content item includes at least one of a video, a video segment, an audio recording, and an audio segment.\",\n \"19.The computer system of claim 15, further comprising: responsive to publishing a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics, program instructions to receive a notification that at least one of the two or more media content items has changed; and program instructions to determine to update the one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics with the at least one changed media content item.\",\n \"20.The computer system of claim 15, further comprising program instructions to pre-fetch the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations, wherein the program instructions to pre-fetch the two or more media content items further comprises: program instructions to locate the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; program instructions to download the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations; and program instructions to store the two or more media content items from the one or more content source locations.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of streaming media, and more particularly to dynamically linking video from distributed sources.\",\n \"Consumers are continually demanding increased flexibility in viewing streaming and other forms of media.\",\n \"Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a provider.\",\n \"The term “streaming media” can apply to media other than video and audio such as live closed captioning, ticker tape, and real-time text, which are all considered “streaming text”.\",\n \"Whereas television viewing traditionally involved watching imagery received on a broadcast signal on a conventional television set, modern media experiences allow media content to be provided via broadcast, cable, satellite, portable media (e.g., DVD) and other sources.\",\n \"Further, the Internet and other relatively high-bandwidth networks now allow media content to be streamed or otherwise delivered to any number of devices (e.g., wireless phones, computers, tablets, etc.)\",\n \"that previously were not typically used for viewing media content.\",\n \"Consumers are therefore able to view media content on a wide variety of devices and in a wide variety of locations.\",\n \"The advent of digital media and analog/digital conversion technologies, especially those that are usable on mass-market general-purpose personal computers, has vastly increased the concerns of copyright-dependent individuals and organizations, especially within the music and movie industries, because these individuals and organizations are partly or wholly dependent on the revenue generated from such works.\",\n \"Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a class of technologies that hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders, and individuals use with the intent to control the use of digital content and devices after sale.\",\n \"The intent of DRM is to control executing, viewing, copying, printing and altering of works or devices.\",\n \"DRM technologies attempt to give control to the seller of digital content or devices after a consumer purchase.\",\n \"For digital content this means preventing the consumer access, or denying the user the ability to copy the content or to convert the content to other formats.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for media content composition from distributed sources is provided.\",\n \"The method may include a computer processor receiving one or more media content source locations.\",\n \"The computer processor determines two or more media content items associated with the one or more media content source locations.\",\n \"The computer processor negotiates digital rights associated with the two or more media content items.\",\n \"The computer processor, responsive to negotiating digital rights associated with the two or more media content items, pre-fetches the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations.\",\n \"The computer processor determines at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item that does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items.\",\n \"The computer processor, responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item that does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, resamples the first media content item of the two or more media content items.\",\n \"The computer processor publishes a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics.\"\n ],\n [\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of streaming media, and more particularly to dynamically linking video from distributed sources.\",\n \"Consumers are continually demanding increased flexibility in viewing streaming and other forms of media.\",\n \"Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a provider.\",\n \"The term “streaming media” can apply to media other than video and audio such as live closed captioning, ticker tape, and real-time text, which are all considered “streaming text”.\",\n \"Whereas television viewing traditionally involved watching imagery received on a broadcast signal on a conventional television set, modern media experiences allow media content to be provided via broadcast, cable, satellite, portable media (e.g., DVD) and other sources.\",\n \"Further, the Internet and other relatively high-bandwidth networks now allow media content to be streamed or otherwise delivered to any number of devices (e.g., wireless phones, computers, tablets, etc.)\",\n \"that previously were not typically used for viewing media content.\",\n \"Consumers are therefore able to view media content on a wide variety of devices and in a wide variety of locations.\",\n \"The advent of digital media and analog/digital conversion technologies, especially those that are usable on mass-market general-purpose personal computers, has vastly increased the concerns of copyright-dependent individuals and organizations, especially within the music and movie industries, because these individuals and organizations are partly or wholly dependent on the revenue generated from such works.\",\n \"Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a class of technologies that hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders, and individuals use with the intent to control the use of digital content and devices after sale.\",\n \"The intent of DRM is to control executing, viewing, copying, printing and altering of works or devices.\",\n \"DRM technologies attempt to give control to the seller of digital content or devices after a consumer purchase.\",\n \"For digital content this means preventing the consumer access, or denying the user the ability to copy the content or to convert the content to other formats.\",\n \"SUMMARY According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for media content composition from distributed sources is provided.\",\n \"The method may include a computer processor receiving one or more media content source locations.\",\n \"The computer processor determines two or more media content items associated with the one or more media content source locations.\",\n \"The computer processor negotiates digital rights associated with the two or more media content items.\",\n \"The computer processor, responsive to negotiating digital rights associated with the two or more media content items, pre-fetches the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations.\",\n \"The computer processor determines at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item that does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items.\",\n \"The computer processor, responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item that does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items, resamples the first media content item of the two or more media content items.\",\n \"The computer processor publishes a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a video data processing environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"2 is a flow diagram depicting the interaction of operational components of a linked asset composer program on a server computer within the video data processing environment of FIG.\",\n \"1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"3 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a linked asset composer program, on a server computer within the video data processing environment of FIG.\",\n \"1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG.\",\n \"4 depicts a block diagram of components of the server computer within the video data processing environment of FIG.\",\n \"1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION As current events evolve, the media coverage of the events may be continuously updated.\",\n \"Companies in the media industry often invest resources in recording, processing, and editing media content as an event evolves.\",\n \"In addition, there is often a high cost associated with storing video content (including backup and resiliency abilities).\",\n \"Many organizations also do periodic updates, recording content at a certain frequency or based on events.\",\n \"There is a need for a systematic means of recording content once and replacing segments that become outdated over time.\",\n \"Often, when video segments are linked, there is a lag between the playing of one video to another.\",\n \"Even if there is no lag, the user is generally aware of a new video being played.\",\n \"Embodiments of the present invention recognize that efficiency can be gained by implementing a method of dynamically linking video segments from distributed sources by pre-fetching and resampling the video segments to produce one video that plays seamlessly for a user.\",\n \"Implementation of embodiments of the invention may take a variety of forms, and exemplary implementation details are discussed subsequently with reference to the Figures.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a video data processing environment, generally designated 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented.\",\n \"Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as recited by the claims.\",\n \"Video data processing environment 100 includes client computing device 104 and server computer 108, interconnected over network 102.Network 102 can be, for example, a telecommunications network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, or a combination of the three, and can include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections.\",\n \"Network 102 may include one or more wired and/or wireless networks that are capable of receiving and transmitting data, voice, and/or video signals, including multimedia signals that include voice, data, and video information.\",\n \"Client computing device 104 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a specialized computer server, a smart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with server computer 108 via network 102 and with various components and devices within video data processing environment 100.Client computing device 104 may be a wearable computer.\",\n \"Wearable computers are miniature electronic devices that may be worn by the bearer under, with or on top of clothing, as well as in glasses, hats, or other accessories.\",\n \"Wearable computers are especially useful for applications that require more complex computational support than just hardware coded logics.\",\n \"In general, client computing device 104 represents any programmable electronic device or combination of programmable electronic devices capable of executing machine readable program instructions and communicating with other computing devices via a network, such as network 102.Client computing device 104 includes user interface 106.User interface 106 is a program that provides an interface between a user of client computing device 104 and server computer 108.A user interface, such as user interface 106, refers to the information (such as graphic, text, and sound) that a program presents to a user and the control sequences the user employs to control the program.\",\n \"There are many known types of user interfaces.\",\n \"In one embodiment, user interface 106 is a graphical user interface.\",\n \"A graphical user interface (GUI) is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices, such as a computer keyboard and mouse, through graphical icons and visual indicators, such as secondary notation, as opposed to text-based interfaces, typed command labels, or text navigation.\",\n \"In computing, GUIs were introduced in reaction to the perceived steep learning curve of command-line interfaces which require commands to be typed on the keyboard.\",\n \"The actions in GUIs are often performed through direct manipulation of the graphical elements.\",\n \"User interface 106 enables a user of client computing device 104 to communicate specific information to server computer 108 regarding media content items the user wants to link together.\",\n \"Server computer 108 may be a management server, a web server, or any other electronic device or computing system capable of receiving and sending data.\",\n \"In other embodiments, server computer 108 may represent a server computing system utilizing multiple computers as a server system, such as in a cloud computing environment.\",\n \"In another embodiment, server computer 108 may be a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with client computing device 104 via network 102.In another embodiment, server computer 108 represents a computing system utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources.\",\n \"Server computer 108 includes linked asset composer program 110 and database 112.In an exemplary embodiment, linked asset composer program 110 dynamically links media content items, for example video segments, from distributed sources such that the composition of the video segments appears as a single, seamless video to a viewer.\",\n \"In another embodiment, linked asset composer program 110 may dynamically link other media content items, such as audio segments, from distributed sources.\",\n \"Audio segments may include journalistic audio segments and recorded music.\",\n \"Distributed sources refers to different origins of the media content items, for example, linked asset composer program 110 may upload an existing video or link to and download other videos, either locally or on a plurality of websites on the Internet.\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 receives a request from a user to link video segments from various sources.\",\n \"The user defines the sources as well as the time index and duration of the desired segment.\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 receives the user's request and negotiates the rights and/or pricing via digital rights management (DRM).\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 pre-fetches and resamples the video segments such that the segments have the same visual attributes, for example, dimensions, frame rate, and quality.\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 links the segments and publishes the video.\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 is depicted and described in further detail with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 3.Database 112 resides on server computer 108.In another embodiment, database 112 may reside on client computing device 104, or elsewhere in the environment.\",\n \"A database is an organized collection of data.\",\n \"Database 112 can be implemented with any type of storage device capable of storing data that may be accessed and utilized by server computer 108, such as a database server, a hard disk drive, or a flash memory.\",\n \"In other embodiments, database 112 can represent multiple storage devices within server computer 108.Database 112 stores the fetched video segments as well as the final, published video composition.\",\n \"Database 112 may also store the links to the video segment sources in addition to the resampling information.\",\n \"Database 112 may also store the DRM history and associated negotiations.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a flow diagram depicting the interaction of operational components of linked asset composer program 110 on server computer 108 within video data processing environment 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1, providing linked asset composer program 110 with the capability to dynamically link video segments from distributed sources, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"Flow diagram 200 includes content location module 210, DRM module 220, and linked asset composer module 230.Content location module 210 includes content location database 212 and content locator 214.Content locator 214 allows linked asset composer program 110 to receive a request from a user to locate one or more media content items, such as videos, video segments, audio recordings, or audio segments, and locates the media content item.\",\n \"A video or audio location may be represented by a URL that may be found in third party content providers 216.A video or audio location may also be represented by an address on client computing device 104 or on server computer 108.Content location database 212 stores addresses of the content.\",\n \"DRM module 220 includes DRM negotiator 224, DRM tracker 226, and DRM history database 228.DRM negotiator 224 is the computer system component that allows linked asset composer program 110 to receive content locations from content locator 214, and to contact DRM provider 222 to negotiate the DRM governance, i.e., the usage rights and pricing of the requested content.\",\n \"DRM tracker 226 tracks the usage of the content in order to confirm that usage rights are current, and notifies DRM negotiator 224 when negotiated usage rights are nearing expiration, allowing DRM negotiator 224 to re-negotiate rights, if needed, in a timely manner.\",\n \"DRM history database 228 stores the negotiations and transactions between DRM negotiator 224 and DRM provider 222 for use in later negotiations.\",\n \"Linked asset composer module 230 includes pre-fetcher 232, resampler 234, publisher 236, and linked asset database 238.Upon confirmation from DRM negotiator 224 that DRM governance is in place, pre-fetcher 232 accesses content location database 212 to pre-fetch the requested content, for example, video segments, for dynamic linking.\",\n \"Pre-fetching may include locating, downloading, and storing the content.\",\n \"Resampler 234 resamples the pre-fetched content and edits each video such that all of the videos in the final, linked asset have the same visual characteristics.\",\n \"Resampler 234 enables the final, linked asset to appear as one, seamless video.\",\n \"Publisher 236 publishes the linked asset such that a user with proper authorization, such as user 240, may access the linked asset for viewing.\",\n \"Linked asset database 238 stores the final, linked asset for future viewing or editing.\",\n \"For example, a user wants to compose a video describing a current event in the news.\",\n \"The user provides URLs for three video segments to link together.\",\n \"Each video segment is located at a different URL on the Internet.\",\n \"Content locator 214 receives the three URLs and stores them in content location database 212.Content locator 214 also passes the three content locations to DRM negotiator 224.DRM negotiator 224 contacts DRM provider 222 for each of the video segments associated with the three URLs and negotiates usage rights and pricing.\",\n \"DRM negotiator 224 passes the negotiated rights and pricing to DRM tracker 226.DRM tracker 226 tracks the usage of the three video segments to confirm the usage is within the negotiated rights.\",\n \"As the term of the negotiated rights nears an end, DRM tracker 226 contacts DRM negotiator 224 to initiate further negotiations.\",\n \"DRM tracker 226 also stores the record of the usage of each of the three videos and the associated negotiated rights.\",\n \"Responsive to successful DRM negotiations, pre-fetcher 232 pre-fetches the three videos using the addresses stored in content location database 212.Resampler 234 reviews a plurality of visual characteristic attributes of the three video segments.\",\n \"Attributes of video segment A and video segment B, such as frame rate and quality, are the same, but the frame rate and quality of video segment C are lower than those of video segments A and B. Resampler 234 resamples video segments A and B to reduce the frame rate and quality to equal the level of video C such that the frame rate and quality of all three video segments match.\",\n \"Publisher 236 links the resampled video segments A, B and C, and publishes the linked video as one video with uniform digital characteristics.\",\n \"The publishing of the video may take many forms.\",\n \"In this example, publisher 236 posts a hyperlink to the video on a website of the user's choosing.\",\n \"Publisher 236 stores the final video in linked asset database 238.FIG.\",\n \"3 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of linked asset composer program 110, on server computer 108 within video data processing environment 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1, for dynamically linking video segments from distributed sources, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 refers to components of server computer 108 as depicted in FIG.\",\n \"1.Linked asset composer program 110 receives content source location (step 302).\",\n \"A user can compose a video by either uploading existing videos or by linking to videos by specifying a local address or a direct URL to the video on the Internet.\",\n \"In addition, if the user does not want to link the full video, then the user may specify the time index (i.e., the duration with which to offset the linked video) and the duration of the linked video segment to be played.\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 receives the source of the video and any associated time index and duration information from the user via user interface 106.This information may be stored in database 112.For example, linked asset composer program 110 receives the URL “newsonvid.com” with a time index of 2 minutes and a duration of 30 seconds.\",\n \"In this example, the user wants to link the segment that starts at 2 minutes after the beginning of the video and continues for 30 seconds.\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 negotiates access rights to the content via DRM (step 304).\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 parses each video or video segment specified by the target URL or local address to obtain the video and negotiates the access, or usage, rights.\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 uses a known DRM system, for example OpenDRM, in which a license may be encoded in a digital data file that defines usage rules, or usage expressions, such as range of criteria, frequency of access, expiration date, restriction of transfer to other devices, etc.\",\n \"As part of DRM negotiation, an agreement may be established on “initial” use of the video segments.\",\n \"For example, the initial agreement may be for a certain number of views, or for a certain time period, or any combination of attributes specified in the usage rules.\",\n \"Thereafter, as the usage limit nears, the DRM process starts again using the historical data in context to negotiate for better rights.\",\n \"Access rights information may be stored in database 112.Linked asset composer program 110 determines whether the access rights negotiation is successful (decision block 306).\",\n \"If the access rights negotiation is not successful (“no” branch, decision block 306), then the content is not used, and linked asset composer program 110 returns to step 302 to receive the next content source location.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the access rights negotiation is not successful, then linked asset composer program 110 may display an error message, via user interface 106.If the access rights negotiation is successful (“yes” branch, decision block 306), then linked asset composer program 110 negotiates pricing via DRM (step 308).\",\n \"DRM negotiations for pricing vary by content provider.\",\n \"For example, a content provider may create a pricing structure based on a number of views of the video.\",\n \"In another example, a content provider may create a pricing structure based on an elapsed period of time.\",\n \"In a further example, a content provider may create a pricing structure based on the type of content.\",\n \"Pricing information may be stored in database 112.Linked asset composer program 110 determines whether the pricing negotiation is successful (decision block 310).\",\n \"If the pricing negotiation is not successful (“no” branch, decision block 310), then the content is not used, and linked asset composer program 110 returns to step 302 to receive the next content source location.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the pricing negotiation is not successful, then linked asset composer program 110 may display an error message, via user interface 106.If the pricing negotiation is successful (“yes” branch, decision block 310), then linked asset composer program 110 determines whether the user requests additional content (decision block 312).\",\n \"Via user interface 106, linked asset composer program 110 queries the user to determine whether the user wants to add additional video segments.\",\n \"If the user requests additional content (“yes” branch, decision block 312), then linked asset composer program 110 returns to step 302 to receive the next content source location.\",\n \"If the user does not request additional content (“no” branch, decision block 312), then linked asset composer program 110 pre-fetches content (step 314).\",\n \"Responsive to receiving the location of requested content sources and DRM governance completion, linked asset composer program 110 pre-fetches the requested content, such as video segments, from the associated locations.\",\n \"In one embodiment, pre-fetching video segments includes locating and downloading the video segments.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if a video is not found at the identified location, then linked asset composer program 110 may display an error message, via user interface 106.Linked asset composer program 110 may store the pre-fetched video segments in database 112.Linked asset composer program 110 resamples the content (step 316).\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 performs a process of resampling on all successfully fetched videos or video segments.\",\n \"Resampling may be performed using a known tool, for example, VirtualDub.\",\n \"The process of resampling transforms the video segments to appear as one video with uniform digital characteristics once the segments are linked together.\",\n \"Videos from distributed source locations may not use the same codecs as the user, or as each other.\",\n \"In addition, the videos may have different attributes or characteristics, such as dimensions, frame rate, quality, audio frequency, etc.\",\n \"Resampling the segments runs them through a set of codecs to stabilize, resize, and smooth the transition from one segment to another, ensuring that the desired characteristics match from one segment to another.\",\n \"The resampling process may employ one or more codecs to decode, transform, and re-encode the video segments.\",\n \"As part of the transformation, resampling does not modify the original content, but resampling may modify the representation of the content.\",\n \"For example, linked asset composer program 110 may perform the resampling by reducing each video to the lowest common denominator of each of the attributes.\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 publishes the linked video (step 318).\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 makes the video available for viewing by authorized users.\",\n \"For example, linked asset composer program 110 may add a hyperlink to the video on a website.\",\n \"The usage expressions, extracted during the DRM process, step 304, may be displayed at either the beginning or the end of the linked video.\",\n \"Usage expressions are the provider's rules for using the content, for example, the number of times a video may be viewed for the negotiated price.\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 determines whether a notification of changes to the content is received (decision block 320).\",\n \"Through the life of the linked video, parties in the DRM ecosystem may be notified of any changes to the content for which rights have been negotiated.\",\n \"If linked asset composer program 110 determines that a notification of changes to content is not received (“no” branch, decision block 320), then the program ends.\",\n \"If linked asset composer program 110 determines that a notification of changes to content is received (“yes” branch, decision block 320), then the program determines whether to update the linked video (decision block 322).\",\n \"In one embodiment, linked asset composer program 110 notifies the user that updated content is available, and the user makes a decision as to whether or not to instruct the program to receive and resample the updated content.\",\n \"In another embodiment, linked asset composer program 110 determines whether or not to link to the updated content automatically.\",\n \"For example, linked asset composer program 110 may be capable of determining an error in a video, and if so, linking to the updated content automatically.\",\n \"In another example, if the license negotiated through DRM includes an agreement that the content provider provides all content pertaining to a particular subject or from a particular feed, then linked asset composer program 110 may automatically receive all updates with no user intervention.\",\n \"In another embodiment, linked asset composer program 110 checks with the provider of each of the segments periodically, for example, once a day, to determine whether updated content is available.\",\n \"If linked asset composer program 110 determines not to update the linked video (“no” branch, decision block 322), then the program ends.\",\n \"A user may receive notification of updates to the content provided earlier, but the user does not want to obtain the updates to the content because the cost outweighs the value.\",\n \"For example, if the change to the content is only a change to the visual characteristics, and the original content is already resampled to match other segments, then the cost of the updated content may outweigh the value.\",\n \"If linked asset composer program 110 determines to update the linked video (“yes” branch, decision block 322), then the program returns to step 302 to receive the new content source location, and proceeds with the remaining steps to publish an updated linked video.\",\n \"A user may receive notification of updates to the content provided earlier, and the user does want to obtain the updates to the content because the value outweighs the cost.\",\n \"For example, if there is an error in the content of the original video, such as an incorrect name stated, the value to update the video may outweigh the cost.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 depicts a block diagram of components of server computer 108 within video data processing environment 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that FIG.\",\n \"4 provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented.\",\n \"Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made.\",\n \"Server computer 108 includes communications fabric 402, which provides communications between computer processor(s) 404, memory 406, persistent storage 408, communications unit 410, and input/output (I/O) interface(s) 412.Communications fabric 402 can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.\",\n \"), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system.\",\n \"For example, communications fabric 402 can be implemented with one or more buses.\",\n \"Memory 406 and persistent storage 408 are computer readable storage media.\",\n \"In this embodiment, memory 406 includes random access memory (RAM) 414 and cache memory 416.In general, memory 406 can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media.\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 and database 112 are stored in persistent storage 408 for execution and/or access by one or more of the respective computer processor(s) 404 via one or more memories of memory 406.In this embodiment, persistent storage 408 includes a magnetic hard disk drive.\",\n \"Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage 408 can include a solid-state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, or any other computer readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information.\",\n \"The media used by persistent storage 408 may also be removable.\",\n \"For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 408.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto another computer readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage 408.Communications unit 410, in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices, including resources of client computing device 104.In these examples, communications unit 410 includes one or more network interface cards.\",\n \"Communications unit 410 may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links.\",\n \"Linked asset composer program 110 and database 112 may be downloaded to persistent storage 408 through communications unit 410.I/O interface(s) 412 allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to server computer 108.For example, I/O interface(s) 412 may provide a connection to external device(s) 418 such as a keyboard, a keypad, a touch screen, a microphone, a digital camera, and/or some other suitable input device.\",\n \"External device(s) 418 can also include portable computer readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards.\",\n \"Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., linked asset composer program 110 and database 112, can be stored on such portable computer readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage 408 via I/O interface(s) 412.I/O interface(s) 412 also connect to a display 420.Display 420 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor.\",\n \"The programs described herein are identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention.\",\n \"However, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.\",\n \"The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product.\",\n \"The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.\",\n \"The computer readable storage medium can be any tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device.\",\n \"The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.\",\n \"A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing.\",\n \"A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.\",\n \"Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.\",\n \"The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers.\",\n \"A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.\",\n \"Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.\",\n \"The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server.\",\n \"In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).\",\n \"In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.\",\n \"Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.\",\n \"These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.\",\n \"These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.\",\n \"The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.\",\n \"The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention.\",\n \"In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s).\",\n \"In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures.\",\n \"For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.\",\n \"It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.\",\n \"The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed.\",\n \"Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.\",\n \"The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiment, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873446"}}},{"rowIdx":4494348,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["System and Workstation for the Design, Fabrication and Assembly of Bio-Material Constructs","A bioassembly system having a tissue/object modeling software component fully and seamlessly integrated with a robotic bioassembly workstation component for the computer-assisted design, fabrication and assembly of biological and non-biological constructs.","The robotic bioassembly workstation includes a six-axis robot providing the capability for oblique-angle printing, printing by non-sequential planar layering, and printing on print substrates having variable surface topographies, enabling fabrication of more complex bio-constructs including tissues, organs and vascular trees."],["1.A bioassembly system comprising a tissue modeling component and a robotic bioassembly workstation component, the tissue modeling component comprising a user interface, at least one suite of tools for performing an object operation selected from creating, editing, modeling, transforming, image property modulating, sketching, print supporting, simulating, material testing and combinations thereof, a material database, and software executable by a machine to facilitate a method for designing a volumetric model of a biological construct at the user interface, the tissue modeling component being operationally linked to the robotic bioassembly workstation component, the robotic bioassembly workstation component comprising a framed housing comprising r m n r a multi-axis robot comprising a robotic arm having a robotic arm effector component, a robotic controller, a material storage unit, a material dispensing system, and an adjustable print stage, wherein the material storage unit comprises: at least one syringe barrel holder, each syringe barrel holder comprising multiple syringe barrels and at least one displacement sensor for ensuring correct seating of syringe barrels in the holder.","2.The bioassembly system according to claim 27, wherein adding an object to the object modeling environment comprises selecting at least one object from a panel of stored objects.","3.The bioassembly system according to claim 2, wherein the panel of stored objects comprises one or more of a cube, a cylinder, a sphere and a pyramid.","4.The bioassembly system according to claim 27, wherein adding an object to the object modeling environment comprises creating an object by to at least one of: sketching a 2-dimensional bounded construct and extruding a boundary to form a model volumetric object; sketching a 2-dimensional bounded construct on at least two different planes, connecting the boundaries of the constructs by straight or lofted contours to form a model volumetric object; sketching an unbounded curve and selecting a diameter to form a model tube object; and selecting input parameters to form a model vascular tree.","5.The bioassembly system according to claim 4, wherein the input parameters for form a model vascular tree comprise starting diameter, order length, ratio, number of orders, and ending diameter.","6.The bioassembly system according to claim 27, wherein adding an object to the object modeling environment comprises importing an object by importing model files created in external programs, wherein the imported model files define medical images generated from a medical imaging technology.","7.The bioassembly system according to claim 6, wherein the medical imaging technology is selected from magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography, X-ray radiography, medical ultrasound, endoscopy, elastography, tactile imaging, thermography, medical photography and positron emission tomography.","8.The bioassembly system according to claim 6, wherein the medical images are specific to a patient and the rendered object model is personalized to specific needs of the patient.","9.The bioassembly system according to claim 27, wherein after transmitting and prior to printing the rendered object model, a simulation operation is performed on the rendered object model.","10.The bioassembly system according to claim 27, wherein after transmitting and prior to printing the rendered object model, at least one materials test print is conducted and information derived from the test print is applied to guide the printing and may be stored for future printing applications.","11.","(canceled) 12.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the framed housing is operationally accessible to a user from multiple angles and provides at least one real-time observation access.","13.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-axis robot comprises a six-axis robot.","14.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the material dispensing system comprises extrusion syringe dispensers adapted for direct-writing a biomaterial onto a substrate.","15.The bioassembly system according to claim 14, wherein dispensing from the material dispensing system may be effectuated at an angle oblique to a plane of a surface of a print substrate.","16.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the robotic arm effector component comprises one or more effectors selected from printing tools, staging and assembling tools, and sensors, and the system further comprises automatic tool exchange functionality for effectuating automated exchange of tools at the effector component as dictated by a print and/or assembly command.","17.The bioassembly system according to claim 16, wherein printing tools are selected from a gripper, a syringe barrel adapting holder and a dispenser, and wherein the staging and assembling tools are selected from picking, placing, and positioning tools, and wherein the sensors are selected from a laser displacement sensor and a photoelectric sensor.","18.The bioassembly system according to claim 17, wherein the robotic arm effector comprises a laser displacement sensor and the adjustable print stage comprises a leveling mechanism comprising a manual component enhanced by feedback from the laser displacement sensor.","19.The bioassembly system according to claim 28, wherein staging comprises picking and positioning a print substrate onto the print stage and the method comprises at least one step of staging and printing onto the print substrate.","20.The bioassembly system according to claim 19, wherein the print substrate comprises variable surface topography.","21.The bioassembly system according to claim 19, wherein assembling comprises picking and positioning a first printed construct relative to a second construct, the second construct selected from a second printed construct and a provided construct.","22.The bioassembly system according to claim 19, wherein the material dispensing system comprises multiple syringes, each syringe containing comprises one material or bio-material, wherein dispensing from a syringe comprises dispensing one material or biomaterial at a time.","23.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the material storage unit further comprises and at least one needle detection sensor for detecting needle size and tip deflection.","24.A robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus comprising: a robotic arm and a robotic arm end effector, the end effector configured to grip and secure a syringe barrel, wherein the robotic arm provides movement of a syringe along at least six axes; a material storage and dispensing system comprising at least one syringe barrel holder, each barrel holder comprising multiple syringes; and an adjustable print stage, wherein the apparatus is contained within a housing.","25.A method of fabricating a 3-D biological construct comprising utilizing the robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus according to claim 24 to direct-write dispense one or more biomaterials onto a print substrate by non-sequential planar layering.","26.A method of fabricating a 3-D biological construct comprising utilizing the robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus according to claim 24 to direct-write dispense one or more biomaterials onto a 3-D print substrate, wherein the robotic arm end effector positions the dispensing syringe at an angle normal to all desired surface positions of the 3-D print substrate.","27.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises: adding at least one object to an object modeling environment at the user interface, wherein adding comprises selecting, creating, importing or a combination thereof, and further wherein each added object is associated with an object list comprising material parameters; performing one or more operations on the one or more objects in the modeling environment to render a desired volumetric model; transmitting the rendered volumetric model to the robotic bioassembly workstation with a print and/or assembly command; and printing and/or assembling a bioconstruct in accordance with the rendered volumetric model.","28.The bioassembly system according to claim 18, wherein the method comprises: adding at least one object to an object modeling environment at the user interface, wherein adding comprises selecting, creating, importing or a combination thereof, and further wherein each added object is associated with an object list comprising material parameters; performing one or more operations on the one or more objects in the modeling environment to render a desired volumetric model; transmitting the rendered volumetric model to the robotic bioassembly workstation with a print and/or assembly command; and printing and/or assembling a bioconstruct in accordance with the rendered volumetric model."],[" BACKGROUND Tissue engineering via 3-D biomaterial dispenser-based precision deposition is a fast-evolving technology that has gone from provocative science fiction to the realization of 3-D “bioprinted” functional organ slivers in just a little over a decade.","For simplicity, as used herein “bio-printing” refers broadly to any biomaterial dispensing technology utilizing three-dimensional, precise deposition of biomaterials via methodology that is compatible with an automated, computer-aided, three-dimensional prototyping device (a bioprinter).","Computer assisted design (CAD)-facilitated 3-D bioprinters are now available as retail products, and companies engaged in commercializing bioprinters and bio-printed products are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.","The rapid growth in the 3-D tissue engineering industry is in large part due to a demand for transplantable organs and organ repair tissues that is increasing at a faster rate than the supply.","Hence, the prospect for urgent time-frame, large volume fabrication of synthetic biological constructs, including functional tissues and organs, has wide-spread appeal and has achieved significant private and government resource commitment.","Bioprinting and bioprinters have advanced significantly in recent years; however a stand-alone bioprinter still has very little useful functionality.","End-users must often develop their own software and set up suitable workstations—tasks requiring expertise in computer-assisted-design, electronics and related materials engineering, as well as in the relevant biological science.","Hence, without resources for and access to a team of experts, designing and bioprinting biological constructs such as tissues and organs remains the province of large well-funded research organizations and entities.","Conventional tissue engineering systems based on bioprinting technologies also typically require large work spaces because design, printing and assembly are typically effectuated on different platforms.","State-of-the-art bioprinters offer a wide variety of functionality, in particular at the dispensing end, where consumers may choose from single to multi nozzle print heads and from a wide range of biomaterial dispensing mechanisms.","Contact-based deposition techniques such as soft lithography and non-contact based deposition techniques such as pressure-actuated ink jetting and laser-guided direct writing, have all been exploited in bioprinter design.","Most bioprinters, however, rely on movement of the print head along three axes, which achieves precise deposition in two dimensional planar coordinates, but which limits building complex tissue and organ constructs to a layer-by-layer protocol, resulting in build support complications and other build challenges in multi-tissue constructs.","There remains a need for a technologically comprehensive tissue design and fabrication workstation fully integrated with tissue modeling and operational software to provide user-friendly functionality for CAD-assisted tissue engineering, and a need for workstation designs which achieve modeling, fabrication and assembly in a more compact work space.","Further, there remains a need for bioprinter designs that provide greater flexibility in build protocols."],[" SUMMARY Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide an intuitive, user-friendly tissue structure design and fabrication system, referred to herein as a bioassembly system, facilitated by software that seamlessly integrates the design and fabrication modalities.","The bioassembly system comprises two major components: (i) software for “Tissue Structure Information Modeling” (TSIM) and (ii) hardware for staging, printing and assembling bio-constructs, referred to as the “Robotic Bioassembly Workstation” (RBW).","The RBW provides a compact, and in some embodiments, a mobile workspace, in which print/fabrication and assembly may take place on the same platform.","The robotic aspect is capable of switching between different modalities including staging, printing and assembling.","Greater build versatility is achieved by utilization of a robotic arm capable of movement along at least six different axes, thus providing capability of dispensing biomaterial by non-sequential planar layering and by providing capability of dispensing on 3-D surfaces of variable surface topographies.","One embodiment of the invention provides a bioassembly system comprising a tissue modeling component and a robotic bioassembly workstation component.","The tissue modeling component comprises a user interface, at least one suite of tools for performing an object operation selected from the operation categories of creating, editing, modeling, transforming, image property modulating, sketching, print supporting, simulating, material testing and combinations thereof, a material database, and software executable by a machine to facilitate a method for designing a volumetric model of a biological construct at the user interface.","The tissue modeling component is operationally linked to a robotic bioassembly workstation component and the method comprises: adding at least one object to an object modeling environment at the TSIM-user interface, wherein adding comprises selecting, creating, importing and combinations thereof, and further wherein each added object may be associated with an object list comprising material and/or environmental build parameters; performing one or more operations on the one or more objects in the modeling environment to render a desired volumetric model; transmitting the rendered volumetric model to the robotic bioassembly workstation with a print and/or assembly command; and printing and/or assembling the modeled object as a bioconstruct.","According to some embodiments, a simulation or materials test may be conducted prior to effectuating the printing/fabricating command.","Another embodiment is directed to a robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus comprising a robotic arm and a robotic arm end effector.","The end effector is configured to grip and secure a dispensing syringe and the robotic arm provides movement of the syringe along at least six axes.","Other embodiments are directed to the bio-constructs designed, fabricated and assembled utilizing the bioassembly system and according to the inventive methods.","These and other embodiments will be more clearly understood and appreciated by reference to the figures and detailed disclosure set forth below."],["PRIORITY CLAIM This application claims priority to U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/889,856, filed on Oct. 11, 2013 and U.S.","Provisional No.","62/016,815 filed on Jun.","25, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by this reference.","TECHNICAL FIELD The disclosure relates to computer-assisted design of tissue structure models, robotic fabrication and bioassembly, and a workstation for the design, fabrication and assembly of complex biological constructs.","The bioassembly system enables users to design/model, fabricate and/or analyze complex tissue structures facilitated by novel Tissue Structure Information Modeling (TSIM) software.","BACKGROUND Tissue engineering via 3-D biomaterial dispenser-based precision deposition is a fast-evolving technology that has gone from provocative science fiction to the realization of 3-D “bioprinted” functional organ slivers in just a little over a decade.","For simplicity, as used herein “bio-printing” refers broadly to any biomaterial dispensing technology utilizing three-dimensional, precise deposition of biomaterials via methodology that is compatible with an automated, computer-aided, three-dimensional prototyping device (a bioprinter).","Computer assisted design (CAD)-facilitated 3-D bioprinters are now available as retail products, and companies engaged in commercializing bioprinters and bio-printed products are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.","The rapid growth in the 3-D tissue engineering industry is in large part due to a demand for transplantable organs and organ repair tissues that is increasing at a faster rate than the supply.","Hence, the prospect for urgent time-frame, large volume fabrication of synthetic biological constructs, including functional tissues and organs, has wide-spread appeal and has achieved significant private and government resource commitment.","Bioprinting and bioprinters have advanced significantly in recent years; however a stand-alone bioprinter still has very little useful functionality.","End-users must often develop their own software and set up suitable workstations—tasks requiring expertise in computer-assisted-design, electronics and related materials engineering, as well as in the relevant biological science.","Hence, without resources for and access to a team of experts, designing and bioprinting biological constructs such as tissues and organs remains the province of large well-funded research organizations and entities.","Conventional tissue engineering systems based on bioprinting technologies also typically require large work spaces because design, printing and assembly are typically effectuated on different platforms.","State-of-the-art bioprinters offer a wide variety of functionality, in particular at the dispensing end, where consumers may choose from single to multi nozzle print heads and from a wide range of biomaterial dispensing mechanisms.","Contact-based deposition techniques such as soft lithography and non-contact based deposition techniques such as pressure-actuated ink jetting and laser-guided direct writing, have all been exploited in bioprinter design.","Most bioprinters, however, rely on movement of the print head along three axes, which achieves precise deposition in two dimensional planar coordinates, but which limits building complex tissue and organ constructs to a layer-by-layer protocol, resulting in build support complications and other build challenges in multi-tissue constructs.","There remains a need for a technologically comprehensive tissue design and fabrication workstation fully integrated with tissue modeling and operational software to provide user-friendly functionality for CAD-assisted tissue engineering, and a need for workstation designs which achieve modeling, fabrication and assembly in a more compact work space.","Further, there remains a need for bioprinter designs that provide greater flexibility in build protocols.","SUMMARY Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide an intuitive, user-friendly tissue structure design and fabrication system, referred to herein as a bioassembly system, facilitated by software that seamlessly integrates the design and fabrication modalities.","The bioassembly system comprises two major components: (i) software for “Tissue Structure Information Modeling” (TSIM) and (ii) hardware for staging, printing and assembling bio-constructs, referred to as the “Robotic Bioassembly Workstation” (RBW).","The RBW provides a compact, and in some embodiments, a mobile workspace, in which print/fabrication and assembly may take place on the same platform.","The robotic aspect is capable of switching between different modalities including staging, printing and assembling.","Greater build versatility is achieved by utilization of a robotic arm capable of movement along at least six different axes, thus providing capability of dispensing biomaterial by non-sequential planar layering and by providing capability of dispensing on 3-D surfaces of variable surface topographies.","One embodiment of the invention provides a bioassembly system comprising a tissue modeling component and a robotic bioassembly workstation component.","The tissue modeling component comprises a user interface, at least one suite of tools for performing an object operation selected from the operation categories of creating, editing, modeling, transforming, image property modulating, sketching, print supporting, simulating, material testing and combinations thereof, a material database, and software executable by a machine to facilitate a method for designing a volumetric model of a biological construct at the user interface.","The tissue modeling component is operationally linked to a robotic bioassembly workstation component and the method comprises: adding at least one object to an object modeling environment at the TSIM-user interface, wherein adding comprises selecting, creating, importing and combinations thereof, and further wherein each added object may be associated with an object list comprising material and/or environmental build parameters; performing one or more operations on the one or more objects in the modeling environment to render a desired volumetric model; transmitting the rendered volumetric model to the robotic bioassembly workstation with a print and/or assembly command; and printing and/or assembling the modeled object as a bioconstruct.","According to some embodiments, a simulation or materials test may be conducted prior to effectuating the printing/fabricating command.","Another embodiment is directed to a robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus comprising a robotic arm and a robotic arm end effector.","The end effector is configured to grip and secure a dispensing syringe and the robotic arm provides movement of the syringe along at least six axes.","Other embodiments are directed to the bio-constructs designed, fabricated and assembled utilizing the bioassembly system and according to the inventive methods.","These and other embodiments will be more clearly understood and appreciated by reference to the figures and detailed disclosure set forth below.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1.Depicts an illustrative robotic bioassembly workstation (RBW).","FIG.","2.Depicts an illustrative RBW robotic arm effector gripping a syringe barrel loaded with biomaterial and positioning the syringe for printing over printing stage.","FIG.","3.Depicts exemplary printing of biomaterial via direct-write dispensing from a biomaterial-loaded syringe.","FIG.","4.4A depicts an exemplary object modeling environment at the TSIM user interface; 4B depicts an exemplary TSIM operations tool panel in the object modeling environment.","FIG.","5.5A depicts an exemplary volumetric object menu showing display of an object list once an object is selected; 5B depicts an exemplary modeling environment displaying an object list materials selection.","FIG.","6.Depicts a specific modeling environment screen illustrating an exemplary transformation operation panel.","FIG.","7.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating creating a box; 7A depicts setting the base of a box; 7B depicts setting the height of the box; 7C depicts a final volumetric box.","FIG.","8.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating creating a sphere; 8A shows setting the diameter of a sphere; 8B shows a final volumetric sphere.","FIG.","9.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating creating a cylinder.","9A shows setting the base of a cylinder; 9B shows setting the height of the cylinder; 9C shows a final volumetric cylinder.","FIG.","10.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating creating a pyramid; 10A shows setting the base of a pyramid; 10B shows setting a height of the pyramid; 10C shows a final volumetric pyramid.","FIG.","11.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating a simple addition operation; 11A select first object; 11B select second object; 11C click addition operation icon to form unified object.","FIG.","12.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating a simple difference operation; 12A select active object first; 12B select inactive object next; 12C click difference operation icon to leave portion of active object that does not intersect with inactive object.","FIG.","13.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating an intersection operation; 13A select active object as first object; 13B select second object; 13C click intersection operation icon to leave portion of active object that intersects with first and second objects.","FIG.","14.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating an alignment operation; 14A select a point on desired face of first object; 14B select point on desired face of second object; 14C click align operation icon and first object will move such that points on selected faces align.","FIG.","15.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating two more TSIM operations; 15A dragging; and 15B measuring.","FIG.","16.Depicts a specific modeling environment screen illustrating adjusting the volume of a DICOM image imported into the object modeling environment.","FIG.","17.Depicts a specific modeling environment screen illustrating an extrusion operation to convert a sketch into a volumetric model.","FIG.","18.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating creation of new volumetric objects by lofting contours; 18A lofting contours of a solid T-form; 18B sketches setting base and top surfaces to create a volumetric object; and 18C lofting contours of the volumetric object to create a new object.","FIG.","19.Depicts a specific modeling environment screen illustrating the “create a tube” operation; 19A depicts selecting a radius for an unbounded sketch in the modeling environment; and 19B click the “create a tube” operation icon to form a volumetric tube.","FIG.","20.Depicts a specific modeling environment screen for creation of a vascular tree and an exemplary vascular tree.","FIG.","21.Depicts a very specific exemplary print screen at the TSIM-UI.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.","All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.","As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a.” “an.” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.","Any reference to “or” herein is intended to encompass “and/or” unless otherwise stated.","As used herein, “biomaterial” means a liquid, semi-solid, or solid composition comprising a plurality of cells, cell solutions, cell aggregates, multicellular forms or tissues, and in all cases may include support material such as gels, hydrogels, alginate or non-cellular materials that provide specific biomechanical properties that enable biomaterial printing.","As used herein, “cartridge” means any object that is capable of receiving (and holding) a biomaterial and/or a support material and used interchangeably with “syringe barrel.” A bioassembly system comprising a tissue modeling component and a robotic bioassembly workstation component is disclosed and detailed herein.","The bioassembly system is an integrated solution for tissue structure modeling, fabrication and assembly comprising a software component referred to herein as Tissue Structure Information Modeling or TSIM, and a hardware component referred to herein as a Robotics BioAssembly Workstation, or RBW.","TSIM permits clinicians and scientists to design, visualize, simulate, and analyze three dimensional (3-D) computer models of complex biological constructs, including tissue structures created from traditional sources of medical imaging technology.","TSIM provides a computer-assisted-design (CAD) platform that is particularly suited for end-users without specific expertise in conventional CAD software.","Generally, TSIM comprises software and a user interface comprising an object modeling environment.","TSIM comprises several suites of tools for performing one or more object operations.","Object modeling tools include but are not limited to tool suites for creating, editing, modeling, transforming, image property modulating, sketching, print supporting, simulating, material testing and combinations thereof.","In some embodiments a materials database is provided, and in specific embodiments objects stored in an object list are associated with specific materials and material use parameters.","FIG.","4B depicts an exemplary object list displayed in association with a selected object.","The TSIM software is executable by a machine to facilitate methods for designing volumetric models of biological constructs at the TSIM-user interface in what is referred to herein as an object modeling environment.","TSIM is operationally linked to the robotic bioassembly workstation component such that once a user has completed a modeling task, the user may send a print command (see FIG.","21 for an exemplary print command screen at the TSIM-UI) to the RBW to initiate printing/fabrication/assembly.","For purposes of the following disclosure, reference to a particular Example and/or Figure is made to provide additional illustration/detail and explanation of the functionality/operation.","When integrated in a work flow, the bioassembly system designs, fabricates and assembles complex three-dimensional biomaterial constructs, including but not limited to cellular systems, tissues, organs, and implantable medical devices and jigs.","The RBW aspect comprises a material storage unit including a syringe holder and multiple cartridges (syringe barrels) each with a set of syringes, and a robotic arm component with an end effector capable of gripping, holding, and connecting specialized syringe, and a dispenser.","According to specific embodiments the bioassembly system ultimately achieves CAD-based extrusion dispensing of biomaterials.","Suitable materials include but are not limited to biomaterials such as cells, biosupport materials such as gels, and non-biological materials, for example in the design and fabrication of implantable jigs.","Combinations of biomaterials, biosupport materials and non-biological materials may be utilized in the same fabrication.","As used herein.","“dispensing of biomaterials” may be effectuated by any bioprinting technique including but not limited to inkjet, extrusion/microextrusion, and laser-assisted printing.","Thermal inkjet printers electrically heat the printhead to produce air-pressure pulses that force droplets from the nozzle, while acoustic printers use pulses formed by piezoelectric or ultrasound pressure.","Extrusion printers typically rely on pneumatic or mechanical (piston or screw) dispensing mechanisms to extrude continuous beads or filaments of biomaterial (or non-biomaterial).","Laser-assisted printers use lasers focused on an absorbing substrate to generate pressures that propel cell-containing materials onto the substrate.","According to preferred embodiments, the robotically controlled bioprinting of the RBW comprises extrusion dispensing onto a substrate.","According to particular embodiments, a user at the TSIM-UI may “add” one or more objects to an object modeling environment.","An exemplary TSIM-UI screen showing an object modeling environment along with an operations tool panel is set forth in FIGS.","4A and 4B, respectively.","Adding may be effectuated by different functional capabilities.","An object may be added by selecting from a panel linked to a stored database of pre-existing objects (FIG.","5A).","In specific embodiments the panel comprises one or more of a cube, a cylinder, a sphere and a pyramid as basic shapes.","The shapes may be edited and/or transformed and stored as new objects on the panel for future applications.","In specific embodiments, other objects may be added to the stored panel and it is contemplated that a user will add/create and import objects to yield a customized menu/panel of stored objects from which to select for addition to the object modeling environment.","In other embodiments, objects may be created directly in the object modeling environment.","As illustrated in Example 1, by using the basic cube/box (FIG.","7), sphere (FIG.","8), cylinder (FIG.","9) and/or pyramid (FIG.","10) operations, a user may create basic shapes/objects and then manipulate, modify, edit, transform, add, intersect, e.g.","the objects to derive a number of novel volumetric objects.","The term “volumetric” is used herein to mean solid, three-dimensional forms.","In specific embodiments, an object may be created in the modeling environment by sketching and then performing operations on the sketch.","Basic sketching functionality is illustrated in Example 5.A user may also sketch a 2-dimensional (2-D) bounded construct and perform an extrude operation (Example 6 and FIG.","17) in at least one direction to form a novel model volumetric object.","A user may sketch bounded constructs on multiple planes in xyz space and connect particular boundaries to form novel objects, and a user may loft one or more of the contours of any object or sketch to varying degrees to further create new volumetric objects (Example 7 and FIG.","18).","One specific embodiment exemplified in FIG.","19 and Example 9 provides a tube operation whereby a user creates a curve in two or three-dimensional space, selects a radius, and performs a tube operation to yield a tube.","Tubes, like all other object models, may be edited, transformed, modified, combined with other objects, and the like.","According to another specific embodiment, a user may create a vascular tree model by performing a vascular tree operation by setting a parameter profile as exemplified in Table 2 (FIG.","20 and Example 8).","Non-limiting examples of input parameters for formation of a model vascular tree comprise starting diameter, order length, ratio, number of orders, and ending diameter.","A vascular tree may be fabricated on a print substrate having variable surface topographies to provide a highly intricate and embedded vascular construct for fabrication into more complex bio-constructs such as tissues and organs.","According to other embodiments, an object may be added to the modeling environment by importing an object from an external file.","Users may open existing model files created in external programs and import them directly through TSIM.","Exemplary importable file formats include STL, NIfTI and DICOM.","Specific embodiments illustrating importing in each of these file formats are set forth in Example 3.External files derived from any medical imaging technology may be imported, although in certain specific embodiments, adaptation or conversion of the file may be necessary.","Non-limiting examples of medical imaging technology from which importable images may be derived include magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray radiography, medical ultrasound, endoscopy, elastography, tactile imaging, thermography, medical photography and positron emission tomography.","Data generated from medical imaging technology is imported to TSIM, analyzed, and used to generate 3-D models or model scaffolds and/or tissue constructs customized to be patient-specific.","In certain embodiments, tissues, organs, medical devices and medical jigs may be modeled and fabricated clinically in situ based on specific needs of a patient.","The bioassembly system includes a TSIM user interface which permits user input to guide the model-generation process.","3-D models may be combined with pre-loaded “tissue engineering recipes” containing necessary material and/or cell types, assembly parameters, and an assembly instruction sequences.","TSIM may also include functionality for simulation testing.","The RBW may further comprise an environmental sensing system including visualization capability, and in some embodiments is capable of providing verification feedback to a user during the assembly process.","In some cases assembly may include integration of biological with non-biological constructs.","The RBW allows users to sub-assemble and assemble complex tissue structures, and to assemble tissue constructs into higher order biological constructs including organs.","According to some embodiments, material cartridges/barrels are loaded manually into the RBW by the user, and are placed in the syringe barrel holders.","The RBW user-interface may assist the user throughout the process of loading the material cartridges.","In specific embodiments the RBW comprises a plurality of syringe barrels containing different materials that can be changed automatically or manually.","Other than space constraints, there is no limit to the number of barrels which may be loaded into the RBW for specific uses.","In very specific embodiments the robotic workstation comprises between 2 and 12 syringe barrels.","In even more specific embodiments the robotic workstation comprises 12 syringe barrels.","The RBW is capable of conducting a change in tooling using an interlocking mechanism of the barrel adapter and an interchangeable component.","A material storage system stores the interchangeable components in a fixed orientation when not in use.","A gripper temporarily immobilizes the interchangeable component relative to the gripper, while a robotic joint (J6) performs a twisting motion of the barrel adapter to lock or unlock the mechanism.","When in the locked position, the tool can be used as needed.","To load material cartridges for printing, the robot moves to the appropriate storage rack location for pickup.","After aligning with the syringe position, the robot moves the adapter head of the end effector directly onto the top of the syringe barrel.","The robot gripper engages and raises the syringe barrel out of the holder.","Next, the robot's J6 motor locks the syringe barrel into the adapter head to prepare for assembly, after which the gripper disengages and the robot returns into the home position.","Once the appropriate material cartridge has been prepared, loaded and positioned for printing, the material is dispensed onto the RBW print stage based on the print/assembly path specified from TSIM.","Depending on the materials needed to produce a complex tissue structure, the robot swaps material cartridges as needed.","In order to periodically clean the nozzles and ensure quality prints, the robot may migrate over to a cleaning surface and clean the needle tip.","A dispensing syringe may be fitted with needles of varying sizes and lengths, according to particular project demands.","The RBW is an integrated workstation comprised of a multi-axis robot and controller, integrated cell and material cartridge containment and dispensing aspect, an environmental control aspect and intelligent visual aspect, configured to provide a compact convenient table-top workstation for bioconstruct assembly needs.","TSIM and the RBW operate together to provide a comprehensive integrated software and hardware technology platform including medical imaging analysis, biological construct modeling, physical simulation, fabrication and assembly.","According to one exemplary embodiment, TSIM is used to effectuate importing patient-specific tissue structures and combining them into a 3-D biological computer models with corresponding Tissue Engineering Recipes (e.g., a heart valve, ear lobe, etc.)","that contain bill of material and/or cell types, assembly specifications (e.g., environmental control) and assembly sequence (e.g., apply cell type 1 and then integrate a vascular network).","In this manner, a properly engineered tissue structure can be applied to specific patient biometrics to achieve a solution that is viable and practical for medical replacement/implantation utilities or, for example, laboratory testing of medicines and medical devices.","TSIM includes the capability to simulate a wide range of real world variables to analyze resulting outcomes.","Simulation modules include, but are not limited to, material viscosity and assembled shape deformation, tissue structure analysis, vascular fluid dynamics, and the like.","The RBW is integrated seamlessly with TSIM to allow a user to obtain a fully assembled bioconstruct or physical tissue structure of the 3-D models developed within the software program.","The multi-axis robot receives assembly steps and information from the TSIM software that includes material types and appropriate environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, UV light, humidity, etc.).","The robotic visual system provides real time feedback to both the user and TSIM to intelligently detect assembly quality and for verification of design specifications.","In some embodiments, an automated materials/configuration testing protocol is provided prior to fabrication.","In certain embodiments the user configures each syringe barrel or cartridge to provide unique dispensing characteristics for each object or object feature printed.","Prior to actual fabrication, test applications may be effectuated whereby a configuration may be adapted through observation or automatic indication via feedback to TSIM of the quality of printing.","A test pattern may include, for example, an appropriate two-dimensional or three-dimensional pattern to test and tune the print quality such as start/stop/delay, line width, speed, pressure, and acceleration.","In specific embodiments a user is able to stop a test print at any time, for example upon real-time observation or indication of an error.","Once fine-tuned, final configurations may be saved and transferred into TSIM for future applications.","The RBW comprises a closed-loop cartridge dispensing system.","“Cartridges” may be any material containment and dispensing article and may be custom-engineered or purchased and contain specific material including specific cell types, biological or non-biological structural support material, and other materials as appropriate/desired for particular assembly applications.","A cartridge may also be referred to herein as a syringe barrel.","The RBW permits loading or retrieval of a specific material/cell cartridge that corresponds to what is specified in the TSIM-generated 3-D modeling protocol.","When a TSIM 3-D model is ready to be “printed,” the user loads the cartridges containing the material/cell types specified in the model into the robotic workstation.","According to specific embodiments user-error is substantially controlled through the workstation visualization and sensing system.","For example, the workstation robot may scan a bar code affixed on the cartridge to verify and validate vital information such as material type, lot number, date, temperature etc.","Laser displacement sensors may be used to ensure that syringe barrels are properly seated and secured in the material storage unit.","Once verification has been completed, the robot employs a specially designed end effector to grip and secure the cartridge and move to the print/assembly stage within the workstation.","End effectors may comprise the capability to load multiple cartridges at one time to enhance assembly time.","The workstation robot then executes the assembly instructions and steps that it receives from TSIM.","Biological models are created with TSIM using different workflows.","According to a first workflow, users can choose to build a model by importing medical images and then performing operations on the model to shape and refine the final 3-D model to be used for printing.","A model may be refined further by defining objects using the acquired 2-D image set in an Advanced User 2-D Image Editor module.","According to a second workflow, users create models using basic shapes.","In one aspect of the second workflow, a basic set of geometric shapes is available to users (e.g., cube, cylinder, sphere, pyramid), all of which can be selected and placed directly into the object modeling environment and combined, stretched and deformed to meet specific application needs.","In addition, manipulation commands such as *Difference.","*Intersect, and *Union are available for the user to create a desired shape.","Once created, users may run simulations on a model to determine whether or not the constructed output will be structurally sound after printing.","After simulations confirm the structural integrity of a printed structure, the user selects the Print command.","Once activated, the Print command sends information to the RBW for object fabrication and assembly.","In very specific embodiments, TSIM utilizes Insight Toolkit (ITK), a C++ library, in order to perform data registration and segmentation.","In certain embodiments, data used by TSIM may be found in digitally sampled representations of tissue (i.e., images acquired from medical instrumentation such as CT and MRI machines).","Segmentation is the process of identifying and classifying the data found in digitally sampled representations.","Registration is the task of aligning or developing correspondences between data sets.","For example, a CT scan can be aligned with an MRI scan in order to combine the information contained in both representations.","ITK will allow TSIM to consume medical data and then combine different data sets to provide the most complete representation of a tissue structure to the user.","(ITK was originally developed by the US National Library of Medicine.","A consortium was put together to manage the project, called the Insight Software Consortium.","ITK is licensed under the Apache 2.0 license and the ITK Press Kit may be found at the following link: http://www.itk.org/ITK/proiect/press kit.html.)","Data Visualization and Modeling In specific embodiments, TSIM utilizes Visualization Toolkit (VTK) for image processing, modeling, and volume rendering.","This toolkit easily interfaces with ITK, allowing images analyzed using ITK to be modeled in 3-D. VTK, like ITK, is a C++ library.","Thus, users are able to import images into TSIM (powered by ITK), edit imported images, and visualize constructed 3-D models of tissue structure(s) (powered by VTK).","(VTK is licensed under the BSD (3-Clause) License, which allows the commercial use, modification, distribution, and sublicensing of the code, and the VTK press kit is located at http://www.vtk.org/VTK/proiect/press kit.html.)","Medical Image File Format Support.","In very specific embodiments.","TSIM supports a variety of standard imaging formats including DICOM, NlfTI, and the FLUOVIEW FV1000 Version 2 OIF file format for importing medical imaging data and associated metadata.","The DICOM file format is the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine standard for handling, storing, printing, and transmitting information in medical imaging.","It includes a file format definition with a set of tags that contain information such as pixel format, modality, and patient information.","Images stored in the DICOM format can be stored as a series of DICOM files in which each contains a single image plane.","The NlfTI file format stems from the Neuroimaging Informatics Technology Initiative, a working group sponsored by the National Institute of Health.","The file includes a header and data.","The header includes such information as the pixel format and depth, pixel spacing, and X, Y, Z, T image dimensions.","If multiple image planes are saved, NlfTI files store the data as one all-encompassing file.","The FLUOVIEW FV 1000 Version 2 OIF file format is a specific confocal microscopy format that contains header information within the OIF (Original Imaging Format) file and within the individual PTY files.","This format also saves Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) image files and the PTY files reference the TIFF images and contain the pixel data and dimensioning to be used when reconstructing the image stack.","This file format is capable of storing multiple channels of data.","In certain embodiments TSIM uses the first channel.","Imported Image Quality.","TSIM provides users the option to import medical imaging data at full or lower resolution.","The user is presented with a quality sliding bar, that when adjusted either increases or decreases the resolution of a preview image.","For comparison, the original full quality image may also be previewed.","Below the preview images, a thumbnail slider may be available so that the user can view the effects of the quality changes on multiple portions of the image set.","The added value of this functionality is that it will free up RAM for additional computing power that can be used for other TSIM operations.","3-D Model Editor—Loaded Volume After importing an image set, a set of preview images is presented to the user, each of which has a different preset filter applied.","The user selects the most desirable image according to the needs of the application.","The user will then be presented with another set of preview images that have the first filter they selected applied but now with an additional filter applied.","The user will then pick the most desirable image, and this process will continue for multiple, for example 3, total iterations.","After the process is over, a 3-D model is generated using the preset filters indirectly chosen by the user.","This 3-D model can then be edited to show the data that the user is most interested in capturing.","Initial 3-D model editing may be done using TSIM tools.","Tools available in TSIM to the user for creating, editing and transforming objects in the object modeling environment are set forth below.","Spline Tool: This tool will allow the user to define splines within the 3-D model.","These splines may be used as reference lines.","A user draws splines to define the boundary of objects within the 3-D model and these are used in the generation of the final solid 3-D model.","If the model has been constructed using imaging data, while utilizing the spline tool the user will be able to use the mouse scroll wheel to scroll up and down the model through the 2-D image stack as can be seen in the heart model of Figures x.","The user is able to scroll to a desired image in the stack and snap their splines to that image plane in order to better define tissue structures.","Region of Interest Tool: This tool can be used by the user to define a region of interest within the 3-D model by creating a closed loop (ends are connected) free form spline around a desired portion of the 3-D model.","The user must orient the model into the desired view before making the spline.","After the region has been defined by the user, the spline will extend infinitely in the z direction.","The 3-D model will then update and exclude all data that wasn't included in the region of interest (Figure x).","Eraser Tool: This tool turns the user's mouse cursor into an eraser in the shape of a sphere within the 3-D rendering window.","After selecting the tool, the user can erase image data by clicking and holding the left mouse button.","Additionally, the eraser size can be changed to facilitate the erasure of smaller or larger features.","The user can then switch the tool off and the 3-D model will update automatically.","Cube Tool: This tool permits users to create cubes in model space.","Once selected, a standard cube may be generated in the model space that can be resized and moved using manipulators located on the cube.","In addition, input will be available for coordinate positioning, for example, X, Y, and Z positioning, and for scale of the object.","Cylinder Tool: This tool allows users to create cylinders in model space.","Once selected, a standard cylinder will be generated in the model space that can be resized and moved using manipulators located on the cylinder.","In addition, input will be available for coordinate positioning, for example, X, Y, and Z positioning, and for scale of the object.","Sphere Tool: This tool allows users to create spheres in model space.","Once selected, a standard sphere will be generated in the model space that can be resized and moved using manipulators located on the sphere.","In addition, input will be available for coordinate positioning, for example, X, Y. and Z positioning, and for scale of the object.","Exemplary 3-D Modeling Tools Pan—This tool is used to shift the viewing angle of a modeling space left, right, up or down.","Rotate—This tool is used to rotate the 3D model about, for example, a 3-dimensional axes (X, Y, Z).","Zoom—This tool is used to magnify or de-magnify a model as it is presented on the computer screen.","Intersection—This tool is used to define a region boundary based on the intersection of two splines/objects.","Difference—This tool is used to define a region boundary based on the subtraction of an actively selected object from an inactive object.","Union—This tool is used to define a region boundary based on the addition of two object volumes (FIG.","9).","Object Map—Defined boundaries may be tracked and defined objects may be presented to the user in a color coded object map.","This allows the user to easily visualize the individual components of their 3-D model.","Annotation—A text annotation tool may be added to the application.","The text annotation tool permits a user to add text notes to a selected edge or filled region.","An option exists added for leader lines to point out the area of interest for a note that is added.","Measurement—This tool allows users to draw point to point measurement lines on both a 2-D image slice and within a 3-D model.","This may be useful, for example, when the user is dimensioning the 3-D model for printing.","In addition, a scale bar and a reference object (such as a coffee cup) may be supplied in the 3-D modeling environment.","Advanced User 2-D Image Editor User Interface—This interface presents data to a user as a sequence of grayscale two-dimensional slices, with intensity determined by the density of the tissue.","Structures are identified and isolated using the varying intensity as a guide.","Isolation of a structure is accomplished by creating free-form bounded regions on each slice, which are then connected together between the slices to calculate an isolated volume.","TSIM also provides different tools for controlling image properties, such as brightness and contrast, and for image editing (e.g., annotations and object definitions).","A loaded image set will be displayed below the image workspace using scrollable image previews.","Within the image workspace, a 3-D rendering of the image set will be displayed with three image views that can be collapsed.","Exemplary views include axial, sagittal and coronal views which, for example, may be located in the upper left corner, bottom left corner, and bottom middle of the screen when restored.","Exemplary Image Property Control Tools: Brightness, for increasing or decreasing the tonal values of the image Contrast, for expanding or shrinking the overall range of tonal values in the image.","Window Midpoint which may be represented as a dial that can be used to adjust the midpoint of the density mapping into grayscale for the image being viewed.","Window Range for expanding or shrinking the visible density range of the image being viewed.","Filters numerous filter presets may be available for the user to apply to the image set.","2D Rectangle Inclusion Tool permits the user to define a rectangular region of interest within a 2D image.","After the region has been defined by the user, the 3D model will then update and exclude all data that was not included in the region of interest.","Image Reset Tool reverts the image processing to the original 2D image levels.","2D Boundary Definition Tools Point Spline—This tool is used to define a region boundary from a closed spline created from a series of control points.","Each input within the image area will add a new control point.","If desired, TSIM will automatically adjust control points to better fit the boundary to nearby detected edges.","After the boundary has been completed, the user may directly adjust the position and parameters of any control point, as well as add or remove control points.","Once the user is satisfied, they can confirm the boundary and a region object will be created.","The Point Spline Tool acts as an editor if the user would like to make changes to these region objects in the future.","Free Form—This tool allows the user to create a spline from a free-form sketch.","After creating a sketch, the software fits a spline to the sketch.","The user may draw over this spline to refine the shape.","Once the user is satisfied, they can confirm the boundary and a region object will be created.","The Point Spline Tool acts as an editor if the user would like to make changes to these region objects in the future.","Duplicate—This tool copies bounded regions from one image slice to another.","This tool may be used to avoid the effort of creating regions when the differences between image slices are minimal.","After duplicating regions, the user may use the Point Spline Tool to make any necessary corrections.","The TSIM User Interface (UI) The TSIM UI displays the planned print path of the 3-D model and the current print head location along the path in real time.","In addition, the printer's current state regarding the parameters of active nozzle, pressure, and speed is displayed along with an active print duration.","A chart showing the amount of material used by the printer may be displayed on the right-hand side of the UI.","Below the print path, a scrollable timeline may be generated that allows the user to track the progression of the printed material throughout the print cycle.","Dialog boxes may pop up if an error is encountered in the printing process.","For example, if the printer runs out of material in a cartridge, a dialog box will pop up on screen that says, “Fill Reservoir 2 with Gel 2.” A TSIM object modeling screen provides a 3-D environment for designing/creating models, or for importing existing models for the purpose of printing/fabricating via the robotic workstation.","Complex models may be created using a basic set of geometric shapes.","An illustrative provided set of geometric objects comprises box, cylinder, sphere and pyramid shapes.","Manipulation tools include, but are not limited to providing functionality of combining, aligning, sketching, volume-rendering, surface-rendering, and the like.","Models may be opened for solid modeling in a variety of standard imaging formats, including for example STL, DICOM and NIfTI formats.","An Exemplary TSIM operations panel is depicted in Figure X.","Each object added to the object modeling environment is associated with an object property list such that the object property list is displayed upon adding a selected object to the modeling environment, and a composite object property list is displayed comprising an objected property list for each object added to the modeling environment.","Figure X depicts an exemplary modeling environment including four selected objects and a corresponding composite object property list.","The objects are selected from cube, cylinder, sphere and pyramid.","Selected or created objects may be given unique identifiers by the user.","Key Frame Automatic Bounding Support.","TSIM includes a Key Frame Automatic Bounding Protocol in which intermediate region boundaries will be extrapolated between two non-adjacent image slices.","Typically, these two images will provide the clearest views of objects within the images that the user wants to define.","The user will select two non-adjacent image slices as key frames and execute the EIrtrapolate command.","This command tells the program to extrapolate those defined features through the images in between the defined key frames using the edge detection algorithm.","Extrusion Material Assignment Tool.","This tool allows the user to specify a set extrusion material for defined objects in the 3-D model or to define regions of the 3-D model as consisting of a certain material.","For the first case, the user selects the tool, the extrusion material, and then the desired object(s).","For the second case, the user may define areas using existing splines or by drawing a spline and then selecting the tool.","The user may then either specify the program to define a material region from a spline using a specified thickness or by extending the region to another spline.","Printing Support.","Assembly Monitoring—This functionality allows the user to monitor the assembly of tissue constructs using a mounted camera located within the printer.","Once this option is enabled, a video feed appears in TSIM that streams until the printing process is finished.","Digital Prototyping—Simulation Tools—A suite of simulation tools are available within the Simulation module of TSIM.","There is a tool for estimated print time (Print Time tool), required volume for extrusion (Volume tool), and structural analysis of the 3-D model (Structural Analysis tool).","Print Time Tool—This tool estimates and displays the time (in minutes) that it will take to print the created 3-D model.","Volume Tool—This tool estimates and displays the volume of extrusion material that is required to print the user's 3D model.","Structural Analysis Tool—This tool allows the user to perform a structural analysis assessment on the 3-D model to estimate its stability once printed.","This tool is based on the principles of smooth particle hydrodynamics.","Material Database A materials database is available and defines what extrusion materials are available to the user when modeling tissue constructs.","Users are able to find their desired materials by searching all of the available materials, browsing all of the available materials, or searching available materials by application.","This materials database permits users to add or edit entries, with delete functionality reserved to the Local Database of the user.","In addition to pictures of the materials, information stored for the materials will include parameters such as material type, viscosity, weight percent (in solution), Young's modulus, stress, and strain.","Local Database.","A local database comprises a basic materials database including pre-set materials.","The user may then expand upon this database and save new entries on a local machine.","A specific fabrication material may be assigned to each object, and each material is associated with a dispensing needle type (length, diameter) and operational parameters including pressure, speed, acceleration, on/off delay and cure methods.","Once assigned, a material selection and material details may be edited in accordance with test print feedback and/or specific application needs.","In the alternative, a user may create a custom materials menu adapted to specific application needs.","Once added to the modeling screen, an object may be transformed.","In specific embodiments, a transform function selection panel is provided.","In very specific embodiments the object may be transformed by moving the object and/or modifying the center coordinates of the object.","Other examples of transforming functionality include rotating an object about its center coordinates, for example by dragging individual roll, pitch or yaw sliders or by dragging an individual block in a desired direction, and scaling an object, for example by scaling via a uniform xyz scale factor or by scaling along an individual axis.","In very specific embodiments transforming functionalities are reversible.","Once designed, models to be printed/fabricated are sent to the RBW using the TSIM software.","The RBW comprises a tabletop workstation including a multi-axis robot that facilitates 3-D tissue printing of composite volumetric shapes and assembly of biological constructs.","The robot comprises at least six axes of fabrication orientation making it particularly suitable for the level of precision required to assemble functional tissue structures.","According to one embodiment, the RBW comprises a multi-axis robot, a robotic controller (in preferred embodiments the controller is located outside the RBW housing or is separately contained within the RBW housing), a frame defining a housing, a print stage, at least one robot end effector, at least one material storage unit, and a unit interface (in preferred embodiments the RBW-UI is located outside the RBW housing).","In specific embodiments the robot comprises an arm having at least a six-axis range of motion.","In very specific embodiments the robot is selected from an EPSON C3 series compact 6-axis robot compatible with a PC based controller and or the EPSON RC180 and RC620+PC based controllers.","A frame may comprise one or more of the following features: a Bosch aluminum T-slot, doors, floor, ceiling, roof, paneling, and lighting.","A print stage may be constructed of any suitable material and in specific embodiments comprises a leveling mechanism.","In preferred embodiments, the robot is situated over and above the print stage.","A Robot end effector comprises one or more of a pneumatic gripper, syringe barrel holder, camera, laser displacement sensor, auto-leveling chuck, and cable management.","In specific embodiments a material storage unit comprises a syringe holder, displacement sensors and a station mount.","The electrical design includes a pneumatic feed line and an electrical power cable.","The workstation may be provided in mobile form, for example on a cart.","The RBW User Interface (UI) comprises a status screen which provides the user with information relating to the current state of the workstation.","From the status screen a user may, for example, monitor the proper functioning of the RBW's components, such as the controller, dispenser and microcontroller, view a streaming video feed of print jobs, and follow-up on any alarms indicating attention required before proceeding.","The RBW-UI further permits a user to make offsets, which is a minor modification made in real-time based on empirical observation.","Offsets may be made for pressure, vacuum, speed and Z-height and acceleration values, for example.","Features of the robotic bioassembly workstation are described now with reference to specific embodiments depicted in FIGS.","1, 2 and 3.It should be noted that this discussion is for illustrative purposes, and a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.","As depicted in FIG.","1, an RBW comprises a framed housing 1 comprising a multi-axis robot 2 comprising a robotic arm 3 having a robotic arm effector component 4, a robotic controller 5, a material storage unit 6, a material dispensing system 7, an adjustable print stage 8, and a user interface 9.In preferred embodiments the framed housing is operationally accessible to a user from multiple angles and provides at least one real-time observation access.","The RBW may also be fitted with a camera 10 as part of an intelligent visual feedback system to supplement empirical observation and/or to provide remote viewing options, as well as the ability to stop a print/assembly process and make adjustments.","The bioassembly system comprises a multi-axis robot 2 and in preferred embodiments is a six-axis robot.","In specific embodiments the material dispensing system 7 comprises extrusion syringe dispensers 11 adapted for direct-writing a biomaterial 12 onto a substrate.","Due to the increased degree of freedom of the six-axis system, dispensing of biomaterial may be effectuated at an angle oblique to a plane of a surface of a printing substrate.","In specific embodiments, the robotic arm effector component 4 comprises one or more effectors selected from printing tools, staging and assembling tools, and sensors, and the system further comprises automatic tool exchange functionality for effectuating automated exchange of tools at the effector component as dictated by the print and/or assembly command.","According to specific embodiments, printing tools are selected from a gripper, a syringe barrel 13 adapting holder 14 and a dispenser 11.Staging and assembling tools are selected from picking, placing, and positioning tools, and sensors are selected from a laser displacement sensor and a photoelectric sensor.","In certain embodiments the RBW comprises a print stage 8 leveling mechanism.","In specific embodiments, a laser displacement sensor is located on the robotic arm effector 4.The laser displacement sensor enhances a manual leveling protocol.","Staging in accordance with certain embodiments may include picking and placing a print substrate onto the print stage.","Printing is then effectuated on the substrate, which in very specific embodiments may include variable surface topographies designed according to needs of specialized constructs.","Assembling an ultimate bioconstruct may be effectuated by, for example, picking and positioning a first printed construct relative to a second construct, the second construct selected from a second printed construct and a provided construct.","The print stage 8 may be partitioned into areas, for example a print area and an assembly area, and non biological constructs may be included for assembly with biological constructs.","Medical devices and jigs may be comprised entirely of non-biological materials; however fabrication may proceed similarly and advantages conferred by the bioassembly system for the fabrication of biological constructs also generally apply to non-biological constructs.","Generally, the material dispensing system 7 comprises multiple syringes 11, each syringe containing one material or bio-material 12, and dispensing from a syringe 11 comprises dispensing one material or biomaterial 12 at a time.","The material storage unit 6 comprises at least one syringe barrel holder 14.Each syringe barrel holder 14 comprises multiple syringe barrels 13.The material storage unit 6 may also include at least one displacement sensor for ensuring correct seating of syringe barrels 13 in the holder 14; and at least one needle detection sensor for detecting needle 16 size and tip deflection.","One embodiment is directed to a robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus comprising a robotic arm and a robotic arm end effector, the end effector configured to grip and secure a dispensing syringe, wherein the robotic arm provides movement of the syringe along at least six axes.","The ability to move along six axes permits novel functionality, in particular with respect to printing on 3-D print substrates.","Bio-constructs may be fabricated, for example, by dispensing biomaterial onto a print substrate without being restricted to sequential layering as with conventional bioprinter designs, which rely on fabricating complex constructs such as tissues and organs layer by layer.","With six axes, biomaterials may be dispensed by non-sequential planar layering such that the robot effector may return to a prior layer and add more biomaterial after dispensing a subsequent layer.","Further, the robotic effector is capable of aligning a dispenser/syringe tip at an angle normal to any point on a contoured surface.","This provides a higher degree of 3-D printing versatility and permits a wider variety of surface contours to completed constructs, and with respect to objects derived from medical imaging, provides potential for construction from a radial geometry, utilization of polar or hybrid polar coordinate systems, and therefore greater 3-D precision.","Specific embodiments are directed to methods of fabricating a 3-D biological construct comprising direct-write dispensing of one or more biomaterials onto a 3-D print substrate utilizing the robotic biomaterial apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the robotic arm end effector positions the dispensing syringe at an angle normal to all positions on a surface of the 3-D print substrate.","EXAMPLES The Following Examples are set forth to illustrate certain aspects, features and advantages of embodiments of the instant invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.","Example 1 This example illustrates creation of simple objects in the object modeling environment.","A.","Create a box (FIG.","7) 1.Click on the Create a Box icon.","2.Click the location on the modeling environment to begin placing the Box.","3.The size of the Box's base can be adjusted by moving the mouse accordingly.","To accept, click the left-mouse button to set the base.","4.Moving the mouse vertically sets the height of the Box.","To accept, click to set the height.","Further refinements to the dimensions of the Box can be made by manually editing the center's coordinates or changing the length/depth/height of the Box.","B.","Create a Sphere in the Modeling Environment (FIG.","8).","1.Click on the Create a Sphere icon.","2.Click the location in the modeling environment on which to place the sphere.","3.The size of the sphere can be adjusted by moving the mouse.","To set the size, click once more.","The sphere may be further refined by manually entering the center's coordinates or changing the value of the radius.","4.To accept the final shape, click the Create Solid button on the Sphere menu.","C. Create a Cylinder in the Modeling Environment (FIG.","9) 1.Click on the Create a Cylinder icon.","2.Click the location in the modeling environment on which to place the cylinder.","3.The size of the cylinder's base can be adjusted by moving the mouse.","To accept, click to set the base.","4.Next, adjust the height of the cylinder by moving the mouse and clicking once more to set it.","Dimensions of the cylinder may be further refined by manually entering the center's coordinates or the value of the radius or the height.","5.To accept the final shape, click the Create Solid.","D. Create a Pyramid in the Modeling Environment (FIG.","10) 1.Click on the Pyramid Tool icon.","2.Click the location in the modeling environment on which to place the pyramid.","3.The size of the pyramid's base can be adjusted by moving the mouse.","To accept, click to set the base.","4.Next, set the height of the pyramid by moving the mouse.","To accept, click to set the model.","5.The dimensions of the pyramid can be further refined by manually entering the center coordinates or the value of the radius or height.","6.To accept the final shape, click the Create Solid.","Example 2 This Example illustrates manipulation of the objects in the object modeling environment.","The objects added to the object modeling environment may be further manipulated, for example by combining, moving or aligning objects.","In particular embodiments, objects may be combined to form unique/customized shapes.","Operations for combining may include adding (union), subtracting (difference) and/or intersecting objects in the modeling environment.","A Union/Combine operation comprises merging together two separate object volumes so that their boundaries will be defined as a single region.","A union operation is illustrated in FIG.","11.A different operation is used to define a region boundary based on the subtraction of an actively selected object from an inactive object.","A difference operation is illustrated in FIG.","12.An intersection operation is used to define a region boundary based on the intersection of two objects.","An intersection operation is illustrated in FIG.","13.Functionality for aligning objects in the modeling environment is also provided.","In specific embodiments, two faces on different objects may be aligned based on a point selected on each shape, as illustrated in FIG.","14.In other specific embodiments, objects may be aligned along the y-axis, x-axis or z-axis based on center points of selected facades/sides.","A move operation permits movement of objects into different positions without necessarily aligning (FIG.","15A).","A dragging operation, as illustrated in FIG.","15B, permits moving a selected shape in different directions relative to the “ground”, which is determined based on a camera angle.","In one specific example, in a default view, dragging a model will move a shape in the xy-plane.","A measuring operation permitting point to point measurement lines on both the 2-D image slices and within a 3-D model is also provided and illustrated in FIG.","15B.","Example 3 This example illustrates importing objects directly into the modeling environment from other programs.","Users may open existing model files created in external programs.","Exemplary importable file formats include STL, NIfTI and DICOM.","Importing an STL File.","1.Click on the Import STL icon in the Import section.","2.Navigate to the folder containing the STL files.","3.Highlight the desired file and click the ‘Open’ button to import the model.","4.The object will appear in the modeling environment.","As in the case of shapes created in TSIM, modification of the imported object is via the Objects menu on the right-hand side.","B.","Importing a NIfTI file.","1.Click on the Import NIfTI icon in the Import section.","2.Navigate to the folder containing the NIfTI files 3.Highlight the desired file and click the ‘Open’ button to import the model.","4.The object will appear in the modeling environment.","As in the case of shapes created in TSIM, modification of the imported object is via the Objects menu on the right-hand side.","C. Importing a DICOM File.","An example of an imported DICOM image is depicted in FIG.","16.1.Click on the DICOM icon in the Import section.","2.Navigate to the folder containing the DICOM files.","3.Click ‘Select Folder’ to import the model.","Example 4 This Example, taken with FIG.","16, illustrates a volume operation, which permits further analysis of a volumetric model (e.g.","NIfTI or DICOM) by adjusting density or opacity values.","The spacing values for each axis may be modified as well.","Import the volumetric file Click on the Volume icon Click on the imported model to highlight it.","The Adjust Volume menu will now be displayed on the right hand side.","By adjusting the individual sliders, you can change the respective value, which in turn updates the model.","The viewing angle may be changed while making adjustments to the volume.","Example 5 This example illustrates a sketch operation according to specific embodiments.","1.Click on the Create a sketch icon 2.The three individual planes will appear in yellow.","To choose the plane onto which a sketch will be drawn, click on a desired plane.","3.The chosen plane will now appear highlighted in blue together with the interaction widgets.","The plane may be moved or rotated.","4.Click on the Create button to begin working on a sketch.","5.If selection of a different plane is desired, choose the Select a New Plane button to return to Step 2.6.The selected plane will now be displayed as a grid and the Sketch menu will appear.","Custom shapes may be drawn by using curves, circles, points, rectangles, etc.","7.Once a shape drawing is completed, right-click to stop drawing and click on the Select tool to return back to the Solid Modeling screen.","Sketches may also be modified and managed.","More complicated shapes may comprise a collection of sketches made on different planes.","Managing operations permit users to modify, move, delete or hide individual sketches in a collection.","Sketches may be interacted with individually via the sketches menu.","Example 6 This example illustrates extrusion of a sketch into a 3-D model (FIG.","17).","1.Begin with an overhead view of the sketch.","2.Next, hold the CTRL key and click on each of the individual sides of the sketch.","Selected sides will be highlighted in blue.","3.A wire frame of the shape is displayed when all sides are connected.","The Extrude menu on the right side will now be active and allows adjustment of both the length and resolution of the extrusion.","4.Click on the Extrude button to create the final shape.","Example 7 As shown in FIG.","18, new shapes may be created by connecting boundaries of sketches rendered on different planes, with further modification possible by lofting contours.","Example 8 This example illustrates utilization of the TSIM functionality to model a vascular tree (FIG.","20), which may then be fabricated via the RBW.","According to one specific embodiment, the method comprises entering in a set of input parameters such as those set forth in Table 1.TABLE 1 Starting diameter (μm) Diameter of the largest vessel at the initiation end.","Order length (μm) length of an order.","Ratio Determines the decrease in size by ratio of diameter from one order to the next.","Number of orders The number of steps down in the branching pattern Ending diameter (μm) Diameter of the largest vessel at the terminal end.","Once a model is generated, specific materials may be assigned to each order of the vascular tree.","In specific embodiments, the RBW stages the print stage with a mold or other subsrate having a variable surface topography on which to print a vascular tree.","Printing of other complex tissue constructs may also require staging by picking and positioning substrates as printing surfaces into the print stage.","In some specific embodiments, a print stage may be divided into a print area and an assembly area so that a bio-construct may be assembled as it is printed on a component by component basis.","Example 9 This example illustrates modeling of a 3-D tube from a sketched curve, further as depicted in FIG.","19.Radius and resolution of a generated tube may be directed and modified.","Example 10 This example, taken with FIG.","21, illustrates initiation of printing by the robotic bioassembly workstation.","Print job is chosen from the list.","A preview is available under the Project Preview, Press Start After a successful password prompt, a material loading process can begin.","In very specific embodiments, once a print job has been chosen and started, the UI will prompt the user to physically load the individual barrels into specific slots on the material storage unit.","Once loaded, the user confirms before moving on to the next material.","Visual indicators may be present to provide a status update of each of the material holder bays.","Table 2 is illustrative of this concept.","TABLE 2 Color Meaning Grey The specific bay is occupied with a barrel.","Green Load the material in this bay Red Incorrect material placed in the bay.","A “Move” operation permits manual adjustment of positioning of the robot to place it into a desired position via the RBW-UI screen.","The robot may be adjusted along any axis and the robot may be restored to a “home” position.","Other control operations may include resetting power to a controller, adjusting and turning on the pressure (psi), turning off individual joint brakes (J1 through J6, one J for each movement axis).","A calibration menu ensures that the workstation is setup accordingly ahead of any prints made.","Example 11 This Example illustrates an embodiment of a materials testing protocol prior to printing/fabrication.","When utilizing a material for the first time or under unique condition parameters, it is important to test printing quality at various needle diameters, speeds, pressure, etc.","Exemplary steps to conducting a material test include: 1) Manually attach a syringe with a new material to the robot's end effector.","2) On the RBW-UI, press the Material Test option under Calibration.","3) A grid of the printing platform will be displayed.","To begin, press one of the cells in the grid to select it.","4) Increment or decrement the desired parameter value for that cell by pressing the respective plus or minus sign.","Alternatively, click in the value box for a parameter and use the on-screen keyboard to enter desired values.","5) Press Save to set the values for the selected cell.","6) If desired, choose another cell and repeat steps 4-5.7) When ready to print, press Start.","Please note, the Start command does not appear until values for at least one cell are saved.","A completed print will be lines printed with the material and it can be determined which group of settings best meets specific application needs.","Example 12 This example illustrates print stage/platform leveling functionality.","A level print stage is intrinsic to producing quality prints.","In specific embodiments, the RBW-UI provides feedback relating to the degree to which the stage is level and what modifications may need to be made to perfect leveling.","To begin leveling: 1) Press the Leveling option located under Calibration.","2) Press Start to begin the leveling test.","3) As the robot moves to a position near each stage bolt, the height of the print platform is determined.","At the conclusion of the test, a user is prompted with the exact adjustment to raise or lower the individual corners.","The distance from the top of the robotic arm to the center of the stage must also be calibrated.","A tip sensor is detected and position is determined.","An offset of barrel to sensor is determined and a pressure displacement curve is calculated.","Example 13 This example illustrates exemplary components and component-associated functionality of a very specific embodiment of the RBW according to the disclosure.","Reference is to elements designated in FIGS.","1, 2 and 3.Housing Frame: According to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment the frame is an aluminum T-slot Frame.","For example, the RBW physical frame may be constructed using a combination of Bosch T-Slot Profiles, Doors: The doors of the RBW are constructed using Bosch T-Slot Profiles with clear, scratch-resistant polycarbonate inserts to provide users with visibility of the inside of the station.","Floor: The RBW floor may be a solid ⅛″ thick aluminum sheet with three holes for mounting and adjusting the print stage.","Ceiling: The RBW ceiling may be a solid ¼″ thick aluminum sheet.","Roof: The RBW roof may be a solid ¼″ thick dove-grey acrylic sheet.","Fascia Paneling: The fascia paneling of the RBW can be constructed using ¼″ thick dove-grey acrylic sheets.","In preferred embodiments, panels utilize M5 black knurled head thumb screws to fasten to the frame.","Panels are removable to allow users access to the station control panel.","Lighting: The RBW may have four white LED lights (IP68 rated) mounted in the four corners of the station to enable a camera on the robot end effector to achieve a desired resolution.","2.Print Stage Material of construction: The RBW print stage may be comprised of a solid sheet of acrylic.","It may comprise three counterbore holes for recessing the bolt heads of the stage leveling bolts.","In very specific embodiments, a leveling the bolts may be effectuated manually with a ratchet wrench.","Leveling mechanism: According to specific embodiments, the RBW print stage comprises three leveling bolts that insert into the through-holes of the three counterbore holes of the stage and extend down into three tapped mounting holes located in the channels of the support profiles below the floor of the station.","A spring is wrapped around each bolt in-between the print stage and station floor.","The diameter of the counterbore hole is such that a tool can be inserted to tighten or loosen the stage bolts.","Robot End Effector: The robot end of arm tooling, herein designated as an “end effector,” comprises components that attach to J5 and J6 (of the 6-axis robot) and includes print tools, assembly tools and sensors.","Print tools include, e.g.","a syringe barrel adapter holder and gripper.","Pneumatic gripper.","According to specific embodiments, the robotic end effector comprises a pneumatic gripper mounted on its end, with gripping fingers oriented perpendicular to the centerline of the robot's J6 axis of rotation.","The air feed to the gripper may be controlled by a solenoid valve that is turned on and off by the RBW control software.","The gripper is used to grip one material syringe barrel at a time for the purpose of loading and unloading the barrels from the materials storing unit.","Syringe barrel holder: In very specific embodiments, a second piece of the RBW end effector connects a dispenser to syringe barrels, for example a Norson EFD Ultimus V dispenser to Nordson EFD 30 syringe barrels using an adapter assembly from Nordson EFD.","This piece houses the adapter assembly from Nordson EFD on the end of axis J6 of the robot, allowing syringe barrels to be screwed into the assembly and extrusion to be controlled using Ultimus V dispensers.","Automatic tool change: According to particular embodiments, the RBW is capable of auto-changing from print/dispensing tools to specifically designed end-effector tools for pick and place of receptacles such as molds or containers to facilitate specific print applications.","The auto tool change capability also enables the selection of tooling from the tool holder and used for assembling individual printed structures into more complex structures.","Camera: This element allows the user to monitor the printing of tissue constructs using a mounted camera located within the housing.","Once this option is enabled, a video feed appears in TSIM and at the RBW user interface (RBW-UI) that streams until the printing process is finished.","Laser displacement sensor: In some embodiments, a laser displacement sensor is mounted on the end effector in parallel with the pneumatic gripper and syringe barrel adapter holder.","This laser sensor is used to measure the distance between the print stage and end effector during the stage leveling process.","Photoelectric Sensor: A photoelectric sensor may be mounted on the end effector which allows the robot to detect placement of barrel holders when it is near.","In addition, the sensor detects that the barrels are correctly picked up from the respective holder.","Material Storage Unit Syringe holder: According to a specific illustrative embodiment, RBW houses four syringe holders and each holder contains three material cartridges for a total of 12 syringes.","Displacement sensors: The through beam sensor runs along the top of the material storage unit and checks to ensure the correct seating of the syringe barrels.","In this exemplary embodiment there are eight through beam sensors located on the front and back side of each of the barrel holders.","A stand-alone sensor (needle detection sensor), located at the bottom of the material storage unit, is used to detect the size of the needles and needle tip deflection for each of the syringe barrels.","Computer/Touchscreen (RBW-UI) Location: In certain embodiments, the RBW-UI is comprised of a touchscreen computer mounted on a swivel arm located on an exterior part of the physical frame of the workstation.","Interface: The RBW-UI provides information about the printer's current state regarding the parameters of pressure and speed.","A chart showing the amount of material used by the printer is displayed on the UI.","The user is notified upon completion of print job.","Dialog boxes pop up if an error is encountered in the assembly/bioassembly process.","For example, if the RBW runs out of material in a cartridge, a dialog box will pop up on screen that says, “Fill Reservoir 2 with Gel 2.” The interface's Status option allows the user to check the status of the RBW by viewing the existing print jobs, a history, and a video feed of the assembly/bioassembly stage.","The interface's Direct Control option provides the ability to job the robot to a desired location via the touchscreen.","In exemplary embodiments, the Leveling option may have the robot check one position near each stage leveling bolt and determines how level the print stage is using values obtained from the laser displacement sensor at each position.","The Offsets option allows the user to manually set offsets.","The Materials Testing option allows for the testing of materials with different parameters.","Controls Designs Safety: Safety features comprise an emergency stop to shut down the robot entirely.","Additionally, door locks may be included an added safety mechanism.","Door locks halt operation in the event the door is opened during fabrication.","Safety information for the EPSON C3 robot series can be found at http://robots.epson.com/product-detail/10.Controls container: The controls container is securely mounted onto the RBW in the overhead controls area and serves as housing for the microcontroller.","Layout of overhead controls area: The overhead controls area consists of the controller, for example an RC180 controller, the controls container, the Nordson EFT Ultimus V dispenser, a 220v step up transformer and associated components.","Microcontroller: Together with the printed circuit board (PCB) daughter board, the microcontroller interfaces between the HMI and the IO monitoring.","Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 7.Electrical Design Pneumatic feed line: According to very specific embodiments, a single pneumatic quick connect receptacle is located on the right side of the RBW.","Users connect input air line here.","This line runs internally through the RBW to a regulator that then splits and feeds the line to the dispenser and solenoid valve.","In an illustrative embodiment, three pneumatic feed lines may then be routed to the robot.","Two lines are used by the gripper.","The remaining feed line is used to depress the barrel piston for dispensing.","Electrical Power Cable 8.Accessories Mobile cart: In some embodiments, the RBW is housed on a mobile instrument cart.","In very specific exemplary embodiment, the dimensions of the cart include two steel shelves 30″×40″ with 1½″ retaining lips, the overall cart height is 29″ with a 27½″ top shelf surface height and there are two swivel and two rigid 8″×2″ phenolic wheels with wheel lock brakes on the swivel casters."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"System and Workstation for the Design, Fabrication and Assembly of Bio-Material Constructs\",\n \"A bioassembly system having a tissue/object modeling software component fully and seamlessly integrated with a robotic bioassembly workstation component for the computer-assisted design, fabrication and assembly of biological and non-biological constructs.\",\n \"The robotic bioassembly workstation includes a six-axis robot providing the capability for oblique-angle printing, printing by non-sequential planar layering, and printing on print substrates having variable surface topographies, enabling fabrication of more complex bio-constructs including tissues, organs and vascular trees.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A bioassembly system comprising a tissue modeling component and a robotic bioassembly workstation component, the tissue modeling component comprising a user interface, at least one suite of tools for performing an object operation selected from creating, editing, modeling, transforming, image property modulating, sketching, print supporting, simulating, material testing and combinations thereof, a material database, and software executable by a machine to facilitate a method for designing a volumetric model of a biological construct at the user interface, the tissue modeling component being operationally linked to the robotic bioassembly workstation component, the robotic bioassembly workstation component comprising a framed housing comprising r m n r a multi-axis robot comprising a robotic arm having a robotic arm effector component, a robotic controller, a material storage unit, a material dispensing system, and an adjustable print stage, wherein the material storage unit comprises: at least one syringe barrel holder, each syringe barrel holder comprising multiple syringe barrels and at least one displacement sensor for ensuring correct seating of syringe barrels in the holder.\",\n \"2.The bioassembly system according to claim 27, wherein adding an object to the object modeling environment comprises selecting at least one object from a panel of stored objects.\",\n \"3.The bioassembly system according to claim 2, wherein the panel of stored objects comprises one or more of a cube, a cylinder, a sphere and a pyramid.\",\n \"4.The bioassembly system according to claim 27, wherein adding an object to the object modeling environment comprises creating an object by to at least one of: sketching a 2-dimensional bounded construct and extruding a boundary to form a model volumetric object; sketching a 2-dimensional bounded construct on at least two different planes, connecting the boundaries of the constructs by straight or lofted contours to form a model volumetric object; sketching an unbounded curve and selecting a diameter to form a model tube object; and selecting input parameters to form a model vascular tree.\",\n \"5.The bioassembly system according to claim 4, wherein the input parameters for form a model vascular tree comprise starting diameter, order length, ratio, number of orders, and ending diameter.\",\n \"6.The bioassembly system according to claim 27, wherein adding an object to the object modeling environment comprises importing an object by importing model files created in external programs, wherein the imported model files define medical images generated from a medical imaging technology.\",\n \"7.The bioassembly system according to claim 6, wherein the medical imaging technology is selected from magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography, X-ray radiography, medical ultrasound, endoscopy, elastography, tactile imaging, thermography, medical photography and positron emission tomography.\",\n \"8.The bioassembly system according to claim 6, wherein the medical images are specific to a patient and the rendered object model is personalized to specific needs of the patient.\",\n \"9.The bioassembly system according to claim 27, wherein after transmitting and prior to printing the rendered object model, a simulation operation is performed on the rendered object model.\",\n \"10.The bioassembly system according to claim 27, wherein after transmitting and prior to printing the rendered object model, at least one materials test print is conducted and information derived from the test print is applied to guide the printing and may be stored for future printing applications.\",\n \"11.\",\n \"(canceled) 12.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the framed housing is operationally accessible to a user from multiple angles and provides at least one real-time observation access.\",\n \"13.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-axis robot comprises a six-axis robot.\",\n \"14.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the material dispensing system comprises extrusion syringe dispensers adapted for direct-writing a biomaterial onto a substrate.\",\n \"15.The bioassembly system according to claim 14, wherein dispensing from the material dispensing system may be effectuated at an angle oblique to a plane of a surface of a print substrate.\",\n \"16.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the robotic arm effector component comprises one or more effectors selected from printing tools, staging and assembling tools, and sensors, and the system further comprises automatic tool exchange functionality for effectuating automated exchange of tools at the effector component as dictated by a print and/or assembly command.\",\n \"17.The bioassembly system according to claim 16, wherein printing tools are selected from a gripper, a syringe barrel adapting holder and a dispenser, and wherein the staging and assembling tools are selected from picking, placing, and positioning tools, and wherein the sensors are selected from a laser displacement sensor and a photoelectric sensor.\",\n \"18.The bioassembly system according to claim 17, wherein the robotic arm effector comprises a laser displacement sensor and the adjustable print stage comprises a leveling mechanism comprising a manual component enhanced by feedback from the laser displacement sensor.\",\n \"19.The bioassembly system according to claim 28, wherein staging comprises picking and positioning a print substrate onto the print stage and the method comprises at least one step of staging and printing onto the print substrate.\",\n \"20.The bioassembly system according to claim 19, wherein the print substrate comprises variable surface topography.\",\n \"21.The bioassembly system according to claim 19, wherein assembling comprises picking and positioning a first printed construct relative to a second construct, the second construct selected from a second printed construct and a provided construct.\",\n \"22.The bioassembly system according to claim 19, wherein the material dispensing system comprises multiple syringes, each syringe containing comprises one material or bio-material, wherein dispensing from a syringe comprises dispensing one material or biomaterial at a time.\",\n \"23.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the material storage unit further comprises and at least one needle detection sensor for detecting needle size and tip deflection.\",\n \"24.A robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus comprising: a robotic arm and a robotic arm end effector, the end effector configured to grip and secure a syringe barrel, wherein the robotic arm provides movement of a syringe along at least six axes; a material storage and dispensing system comprising at least one syringe barrel holder, each barrel holder comprising multiple syringes; and an adjustable print stage, wherein the apparatus is contained within a housing.\",\n \"25.A method of fabricating a 3-D biological construct comprising utilizing the robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus according to claim 24 to direct-write dispense one or more biomaterials onto a print substrate by non-sequential planar layering.\",\n \"26.A method of fabricating a 3-D biological construct comprising utilizing the robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus according to claim 24 to direct-write dispense one or more biomaterials onto a 3-D print substrate, wherein the robotic arm end effector positions the dispensing syringe at an angle normal to all desired surface positions of the 3-D print substrate.\",\n \"27.The bioassembly system according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises: adding at least one object to an object modeling environment at the user interface, wherein adding comprises selecting, creating, importing or a combination thereof, and further wherein each added object is associated with an object list comprising material parameters; performing one or more operations on the one or more objects in the modeling environment to render a desired volumetric model; transmitting the rendered volumetric model to the robotic bioassembly workstation with a print and/or assembly command; and printing and/or assembling a bioconstruct in accordance with the rendered volumetric model.\",\n \"28.The bioassembly system according to claim 18, wherein the method comprises: adding at least one object to an object modeling environment at the user interface, wherein adding comprises selecting, creating, importing or a combination thereof, and further wherein each added object is associated with an object list comprising material parameters; performing one or more operations on the one or more objects in the modeling environment to render a desired volumetric model; transmitting the rendered volumetric model to the robotic bioassembly workstation with a print and/or assembly command; and printing and/or assembling a bioconstruct in accordance with the rendered volumetric model.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Tissue engineering via 3-D biomaterial dispenser-based precision deposition is a fast-evolving technology that has gone from provocative science fiction to the realization of 3-D “bioprinted” functional organ slivers in just a little over a decade.\",\n \"For simplicity, as used herein “bio-printing” refers broadly to any biomaterial dispensing technology utilizing three-dimensional, precise deposition of biomaterials via methodology that is compatible with an automated, computer-aided, three-dimensional prototyping device (a bioprinter).\",\n \"Computer assisted design (CAD)-facilitated 3-D bioprinters are now available as retail products, and companies engaged in commercializing bioprinters and bio-printed products are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.\",\n \"The rapid growth in the 3-D tissue engineering industry is in large part due to a demand for transplantable organs and organ repair tissues that is increasing at a faster rate than the supply.\",\n \"Hence, the prospect for urgent time-frame, large volume fabrication of synthetic biological constructs, including functional tissues and organs, has wide-spread appeal and has achieved significant private and government resource commitment.\",\n \"Bioprinting and bioprinters have advanced significantly in recent years; however a stand-alone bioprinter still has very little useful functionality.\",\n \"End-users must often develop their own software and set up suitable workstations—tasks requiring expertise in computer-assisted-design, electronics and related materials engineering, as well as in the relevant biological science.\",\n \"Hence, without resources for and access to a team of experts, designing and bioprinting biological constructs such as tissues and organs remains the province of large well-funded research organizations and entities.\",\n \"Conventional tissue engineering systems based on bioprinting technologies also typically require large work spaces because design, printing and assembly are typically effectuated on different platforms.\",\n \"State-of-the-art bioprinters offer a wide variety of functionality, in particular at the dispensing end, where consumers may choose from single to multi nozzle print heads and from a wide range of biomaterial dispensing mechanisms.\",\n \"Contact-based deposition techniques such as soft lithography and non-contact based deposition techniques such as pressure-actuated ink jetting and laser-guided direct writing, have all been exploited in bioprinter design.\",\n \"Most bioprinters, however, rely on movement of the print head along three axes, which achieves precise deposition in two dimensional planar coordinates, but which limits building complex tissue and organ constructs to a layer-by-layer protocol, resulting in build support complications and other build challenges in multi-tissue constructs.\",\n \"There remains a need for a technologically comprehensive tissue design and fabrication workstation fully integrated with tissue modeling and operational software to provide user-friendly functionality for CAD-assisted tissue engineering, and a need for workstation designs which achieve modeling, fabrication and assembly in a more compact work space.\",\n \"Further, there remains a need for bioprinter designs that provide greater flexibility in build protocols.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide an intuitive, user-friendly tissue structure design and fabrication system, referred to herein as a bioassembly system, facilitated by software that seamlessly integrates the design and fabrication modalities.\",\n \"The bioassembly system comprises two major components: (i) software for “Tissue Structure Information Modeling” (TSIM) and (ii) hardware for staging, printing and assembling bio-constructs, referred to as the “Robotic Bioassembly Workstation” (RBW).\",\n \"The RBW provides a compact, and in some embodiments, a mobile workspace, in which print/fabrication and assembly may take place on the same platform.\",\n \"The robotic aspect is capable of switching between different modalities including staging, printing and assembling.\",\n \"Greater build versatility is achieved by utilization of a robotic arm capable of movement along at least six different axes, thus providing capability of dispensing biomaterial by non-sequential planar layering and by providing capability of dispensing on 3-D surfaces of variable surface topographies.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention provides a bioassembly system comprising a tissue modeling component and a robotic bioassembly workstation component.\",\n \"The tissue modeling component comprises a user interface, at least one suite of tools for performing an object operation selected from the operation categories of creating, editing, modeling, transforming, image property modulating, sketching, print supporting, simulating, material testing and combinations thereof, a material database, and software executable by a machine to facilitate a method for designing a volumetric model of a biological construct at the user interface.\",\n \"The tissue modeling component is operationally linked to a robotic bioassembly workstation component and the method comprises: adding at least one object to an object modeling environment at the TSIM-user interface, wherein adding comprises selecting, creating, importing and combinations thereof, and further wherein each added object may be associated with an object list comprising material and/or environmental build parameters; performing one or more operations on the one or more objects in the modeling environment to render a desired volumetric model; transmitting the rendered volumetric model to the robotic bioassembly workstation with a print and/or assembly command; and printing and/or assembling the modeled object as a bioconstruct.\",\n \"According to some embodiments, a simulation or materials test may be conducted prior to effectuating the printing/fabricating command.\",\n \"Another embodiment is directed to a robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus comprising a robotic arm and a robotic arm end effector.\",\n \"The end effector is configured to grip and secure a dispensing syringe and the robotic arm provides movement of the syringe along at least six axes.\",\n \"Other embodiments are directed to the bio-constructs designed, fabricated and assembled utilizing the bioassembly system and according to the inventive methods.\",\n \"These and other embodiments will be more clearly understood and appreciated by reference to the figures and detailed disclosure set forth below.\"\n ],\n [\n \"PRIORITY CLAIM This application claims priority to U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/889,856, filed on Oct. 11, 2013 and U.S.\",\n \"Provisional No.\",\n \"62/016,815 filed on Jun.\",\n \"25, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by this reference.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD The disclosure relates to computer-assisted design of tissue structure models, robotic fabrication and bioassembly, and a workstation for the design, fabrication and assembly of complex biological constructs.\",\n \"The bioassembly system enables users to design/model, fabricate and/or analyze complex tissue structures facilitated by novel Tissue Structure Information Modeling (TSIM) software.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Tissue engineering via 3-D biomaterial dispenser-based precision deposition is a fast-evolving technology that has gone from provocative science fiction to the realization of 3-D “bioprinted” functional organ slivers in just a little over a decade.\",\n \"For simplicity, as used herein “bio-printing” refers broadly to any biomaterial dispensing technology utilizing three-dimensional, precise deposition of biomaterials via methodology that is compatible with an automated, computer-aided, three-dimensional prototyping device (a bioprinter).\",\n \"Computer assisted design (CAD)-facilitated 3-D bioprinters are now available as retail products, and companies engaged in commercializing bioprinters and bio-printed products are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.\",\n \"The rapid growth in the 3-D tissue engineering industry is in large part due to a demand for transplantable organs and organ repair tissues that is increasing at a faster rate than the supply.\",\n \"Hence, the prospect for urgent time-frame, large volume fabrication of synthetic biological constructs, including functional tissues and organs, has wide-spread appeal and has achieved significant private and government resource commitment.\",\n \"Bioprinting and bioprinters have advanced significantly in recent years; however a stand-alone bioprinter still has very little useful functionality.\",\n \"End-users must often develop their own software and set up suitable workstations—tasks requiring expertise in computer-assisted-design, electronics and related materials engineering, as well as in the relevant biological science.\",\n \"Hence, without resources for and access to a team of experts, designing and bioprinting biological constructs such as tissues and organs remains the province of large well-funded research organizations and entities.\",\n \"Conventional tissue engineering systems based on bioprinting technologies also typically require large work spaces because design, printing and assembly are typically effectuated on different platforms.\",\n \"State-of-the-art bioprinters offer a wide variety of functionality, in particular at the dispensing end, where consumers may choose from single to multi nozzle print heads and from a wide range of biomaterial dispensing mechanisms.\",\n \"Contact-based deposition techniques such as soft lithography and non-contact based deposition techniques such as pressure-actuated ink jetting and laser-guided direct writing, have all been exploited in bioprinter design.\",\n \"Most bioprinters, however, rely on movement of the print head along three axes, which achieves precise deposition in two dimensional planar coordinates, but which limits building complex tissue and organ constructs to a layer-by-layer protocol, resulting in build support complications and other build challenges in multi-tissue constructs.\",\n \"There remains a need for a technologically comprehensive tissue design and fabrication workstation fully integrated with tissue modeling and operational software to provide user-friendly functionality for CAD-assisted tissue engineering, and a need for workstation designs which achieve modeling, fabrication and assembly in a more compact work space.\",\n \"Further, there remains a need for bioprinter designs that provide greater flexibility in build protocols.\",\n \"SUMMARY Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide an intuitive, user-friendly tissue structure design and fabrication system, referred to herein as a bioassembly system, facilitated by software that seamlessly integrates the design and fabrication modalities.\",\n \"The bioassembly system comprises two major components: (i) software for “Tissue Structure Information Modeling” (TSIM) and (ii) hardware for staging, printing and assembling bio-constructs, referred to as the “Robotic Bioassembly Workstation” (RBW).\",\n \"The RBW provides a compact, and in some embodiments, a mobile workspace, in which print/fabrication and assembly may take place on the same platform.\",\n \"The robotic aspect is capable of switching between different modalities including staging, printing and assembling.\",\n \"Greater build versatility is achieved by utilization of a robotic arm capable of movement along at least six different axes, thus providing capability of dispensing biomaterial by non-sequential planar layering and by providing capability of dispensing on 3-D surfaces of variable surface topographies.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention provides a bioassembly system comprising a tissue modeling component and a robotic bioassembly workstation component.\",\n \"The tissue modeling component comprises a user interface, at least one suite of tools for performing an object operation selected from the operation categories of creating, editing, modeling, transforming, image property modulating, sketching, print supporting, simulating, material testing and combinations thereof, a material database, and software executable by a machine to facilitate a method for designing a volumetric model of a biological construct at the user interface.\",\n \"The tissue modeling component is operationally linked to a robotic bioassembly workstation component and the method comprises: adding at least one object to an object modeling environment at the TSIM-user interface, wherein adding comprises selecting, creating, importing and combinations thereof, and further wherein each added object may be associated with an object list comprising material and/or environmental build parameters; performing one or more operations on the one or more objects in the modeling environment to render a desired volumetric model; transmitting the rendered volumetric model to the robotic bioassembly workstation with a print and/or assembly command; and printing and/or assembling the modeled object as a bioconstruct.\",\n \"According to some embodiments, a simulation or materials test may be conducted prior to effectuating the printing/fabricating command.\",\n \"Another embodiment is directed to a robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus comprising a robotic arm and a robotic arm end effector.\",\n \"The end effector is configured to grip and secure a dispensing syringe and the robotic arm provides movement of the syringe along at least six axes.\",\n \"Other embodiments are directed to the bio-constructs designed, fabricated and assembled utilizing the bioassembly system and according to the inventive methods.\",\n \"These and other embodiments will be more clearly understood and appreciated by reference to the figures and detailed disclosure set forth below.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1.Depicts an illustrative robotic bioassembly workstation (RBW).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2.Depicts an illustrative RBW robotic arm effector gripping a syringe barrel loaded with biomaterial and positioning the syringe for printing over printing stage.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3.Depicts exemplary printing of biomaterial via direct-write dispensing from a biomaterial-loaded syringe.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4.4A depicts an exemplary object modeling environment at the TSIM user interface; 4B depicts an exemplary TSIM operations tool panel in the object modeling environment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5.5A depicts an exemplary volumetric object menu showing display of an object list once an object is selected; 5B depicts an exemplary modeling environment displaying an object list materials selection.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6.Depicts a specific modeling environment screen illustrating an exemplary transformation operation panel.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating creating a box; 7A depicts setting the base of a box; 7B depicts setting the height of the box; 7C depicts a final volumetric box.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating creating a sphere; 8A shows setting the diameter of a sphere; 8B shows a final volumetric sphere.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating creating a cylinder.\",\n \"9A shows setting the base of a cylinder; 9B shows setting the height of the cylinder; 9C shows a final volumetric cylinder.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating creating a pyramid; 10A shows setting the base of a pyramid; 10B shows setting a height of the pyramid; 10C shows a final volumetric pyramid.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating a simple addition operation; 11A select first object; 11B select second object; 11C click addition operation icon to form unified object.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating a simple difference operation; 12A select active object first; 12B select inactive object next; 12C click difference operation icon to leave portion of active object that does not intersect with inactive object.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating an intersection operation; 13A select active object as first object; 13B select second object; 13C click intersection operation icon to leave portion of active object that intersects with first and second objects.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating an alignment operation; 14A select a point on desired face of first object; 14B select point on desired face of second object; 14C click align operation icon and first object will move such that points on selected faces align.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"15.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating two more TSIM operations; 15A dragging; and 15B measuring.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"16.Depicts a specific modeling environment screen illustrating adjusting the volume of a DICOM image imported into the object modeling environment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17.Depicts a specific modeling environment screen illustrating an extrusion operation to convert a sketch into a volumetric model.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"18.Depicts specific modeling environment screens illustrating creation of new volumetric objects by lofting contours; 18A lofting contours of a solid T-form; 18B sketches setting base and top surfaces to create a volumetric object; and 18C lofting contours of the volumetric object to create a new object.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"19.Depicts a specific modeling environment screen illustrating the “create a tube” operation; 19A depicts selecting a radius for an unbounded sketch in the modeling environment; and 19B click the “create a tube” operation icon to form a volumetric tube.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20.Depicts a specific modeling environment screen for creation of a vascular tree and an exemplary vascular tree.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"21.Depicts a very specific exemplary print screen at the TSIM-UI.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.\",\n \"All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a.” “an.” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.\",\n \"Any reference to “or” herein is intended to encompass “and/or” unless otherwise stated.\",\n \"As used herein, “biomaterial” means a liquid, semi-solid, or solid composition comprising a plurality of cells, cell solutions, cell aggregates, multicellular forms or tissues, and in all cases may include support material such as gels, hydrogels, alginate or non-cellular materials that provide specific biomechanical properties that enable biomaterial printing.\",\n \"As used herein, “cartridge” means any object that is capable of receiving (and holding) a biomaterial and/or a support material and used interchangeably with “syringe barrel.” A bioassembly system comprising a tissue modeling component and a robotic bioassembly workstation component is disclosed and detailed herein.\",\n \"The bioassembly system is an integrated solution for tissue structure modeling, fabrication and assembly comprising a software component referred to herein as Tissue Structure Information Modeling or TSIM, and a hardware component referred to herein as a Robotics BioAssembly Workstation, or RBW.\",\n \"TSIM permits clinicians and scientists to design, visualize, simulate, and analyze three dimensional (3-D) computer models of complex biological constructs, including tissue structures created from traditional sources of medical imaging technology.\",\n \"TSIM provides a computer-assisted-design (CAD) platform that is particularly suited for end-users without specific expertise in conventional CAD software.\",\n \"Generally, TSIM comprises software and a user interface comprising an object modeling environment.\",\n \"TSIM comprises several suites of tools for performing one or more object operations.\",\n \"Object modeling tools include but are not limited to tool suites for creating, editing, modeling, transforming, image property modulating, sketching, print supporting, simulating, material testing and combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some embodiments a materials database is provided, and in specific embodiments objects stored in an object list are associated with specific materials and material use parameters.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4B depicts an exemplary object list displayed in association with a selected object.\",\n \"The TSIM software is executable by a machine to facilitate methods for designing volumetric models of biological constructs at the TSIM-user interface in what is referred to herein as an object modeling environment.\",\n \"TSIM is operationally linked to the robotic bioassembly workstation component such that once a user has completed a modeling task, the user may send a print command (see FIG.\",\n \"21 for an exemplary print command screen at the TSIM-UI) to the RBW to initiate printing/fabrication/assembly.\",\n \"For purposes of the following disclosure, reference to a particular Example and/or Figure is made to provide additional illustration/detail and explanation of the functionality/operation.\",\n \"When integrated in a work flow, the bioassembly system designs, fabricates and assembles complex three-dimensional biomaterial constructs, including but not limited to cellular systems, tissues, organs, and implantable medical devices and jigs.\",\n \"The RBW aspect comprises a material storage unit including a syringe holder and multiple cartridges (syringe barrels) each with a set of syringes, and a robotic arm component with an end effector capable of gripping, holding, and connecting specialized syringe, and a dispenser.\",\n \"According to specific embodiments the bioassembly system ultimately achieves CAD-based extrusion dispensing of biomaterials.\",\n \"Suitable materials include but are not limited to biomaterials such as cells, biosupport materials such as gels, and non-biological materials, for example in the design and fabrication of implantable jigs.\",\n \"Combinations of biomaterials, biosupport materials and non-biological materials may be utilized in the same fabrication.\",\n \"As used herein.\",\n \"“dispensing of biomaterials” may be effectuated by any bioprinting technique including but not limited to inkjet, extrusion/microextrusion, and laser-assisted printing.\",\n \"Thermal inkjet printers electrically heat the printhead to produce air-pressure pulses that force droplets from the nozzle, while acoustic printers use pulses formed by piezoelectric or ultrasound pressure.\",\n \"Extrusion printers typically rely on pneumatic or mechanical (piston or screw) dispensing mechanisms to extrude continuous beads or filaments of biomaterial (or non-biomaterial).\",\n \"Laser-assisted printers use lasers focused on an absorbing substrate to generate pressures that propel cell-containing materials onto the substrate.\",\n \"According to preferred embodiments, the robotically controlled bioprinting of the RBW comprises extrusion dispensing onto a substrate.\",\n \"According to particular embodiments, a user at the TSIM-UI may “add” one or more objects to an object modeling environment.\",\n \"An exemplary TSIM-UI screen showing an object modeling environment along with an operations tool panel is set forth in FIGS.\",\n \"4A and 4B, respectively.\",\n \"Adding may be effectuated by different functional capabilities.\",\n \"An object may be added by selecting from a panel linked to a stored database of pre-existing objects (FIG.\",\n \"5A).\",\n \"In specific embodiments the panel comprises one or more of a cube, a cylinder, a sphere and a pyramid as basic shapes.\",\n \"The shapes may be edited and/or transformed and stored as new objects on the panel for future applications.\",\n \"In specific embodiments, other objects may be added to the stored panel and it is contemplated that a user will add/create and import objects to yield a customized menu/panel of stored objects from which to select for addition to the object modeling environment.\",\n \"In other embodiments, objects may be created directly in the object modeling environment.\",\n \"As illustrated in Example 1, by using the basic cube/box (FIG.\",\n \"7), sphere (FIG.\",\n \"8), cylinder (FIG.\",\n \"9) and/or pyramid (FIG.\",\n \"10) operations, a user may create basic shapes/objects and then manipulate, modify, edit, transform, add, intersect, e.g.\",\n \"the objects to derive a number of novel volumetric objects.\",\n \"The term “volumetric” is used herein to mean solid, three-dimensional forms.\",\n \"In specific embodiments, an object may be created in the modeling environment by sketching and then performing operations on the sketch.\",\n \"Basic sketching functionality is illustrated in Example 5.A user may also sketch a 2-dimensional (2-D) bounded construct and perform an extrude operation (Example 6 and FIG.\",\n \"17) in at least one direction to form a novel model volumetric object.\",\n \"A user may sketch bounded constructs on multiple planes in xyz space and connect particular boundaries to form novel objects, and a user may loft one or more of the contours of any object or sketch to varying degrees to further create new volumetric objects (Example 7 and FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"One specific embodiment exemplified in FIG.\",\n \"19 and Example 9 provides a tube operation whereby a user creates a curve in two or three-dimensional space, selects a radius, and performs a tube operation to yield a tube.\",\n \"Tubes, like all other object models, may be edited, transformed, modified, combined with other objects, and the like.\",\n \"According to another specific embodiment, a user may create a vascular tree model by performing a vascular tree operation by setting a parameter profile as exemplified in Table 2 (FIG.\",\n \"20 and Example 8).\",\n \"Non-limiting examples of input parameters for formation of a model vascular tree comprise starting diameter, order length, ratio, number of orders, and ending diameter.\",\n \"A vascular tree may be fabricated on a print substrate having variable surface topographies to provide a highly intricate and embedded vascular construct for fabrication into more complex bio-constructs such as tissues and organs.\",\n \"According to other embodiments, an object may be added to the modeling environment by importing an object from an external file.\",\n \"Users may open existing model files created in external programs and import them directly through TSIM.\",\n \"Exemplary importable file formats include STL, NIfTI and DICOM.\",\n \"Specific embodiments illustrating importing in each of these file formats are set forth in Example 3.External files derived from any medical imaging technology may be imported, although in certain specific embodiments, adaptation or conversion of the file may be necessary.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples of medical imaging technology from which importable images may be derived include magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray radiography, medical ultrasound, endoscopy, elastography, tactile imaging, thermography, medical photography and positron emission tomography.\",\n \"Data generated from medical imaging technology is imported to TSIM, analyzed, and used to generate 3-D models or model scaffolds and/or tissue constructs customized to be patient-specific.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, tissues, organs, medical devices and medical jigs may be modeled and fabricated clinically in situ based on specific needs of a patient.\",\n \"The bioassembly system includes a TSIM user interface which permits user input to guide the model-generation process.\",\n \"3-D models may be combined with pre-loaded “tissue engineering recipes” containing necessary material and/or cell types, assembly parameters, and an assembly instruction sequences.\",\n \"TSIM may also include functionality for simulation testing.\",\n \"The RBW may further comprise an environmental sensing system including visualization capability, and in some embodiments is capable of providing verification feedback to a user during the assembly process.\",\n \"In some cases assembly may include integration of biological with non-biological constructs.\",\n \"The RBW allows users to sub-assemble and assemble complex tissue structures, and to assemble tissue constructs into higher order biological constructs including organs.\",\n \"According to some embodiments, material cartridges/barrels are loaded manually into the RBW by the user, and are placed in the syringe barrel holders.\",\n \"The RBW user-interface may assist the user throughout the process of loading the material cartridges.\",\n \"In specific embodiments the RBW comprises a plurality of syringe barrels containing different materials that can be changed automatically or manually.\",\n \"Other than space constraints, there is no limit to the number of barrels which may be loaded into the RBW for specific uses.\",\n \"In very specific embodiments the robotic workstation comprises between 2 and 12 syringe barrels.\",\n \"In even more specific embodiments the robotic workstation comprises 12 syringe barrels.\",\n \"The RBW is capable of conducting a change in tooling using an interlocking mechanism of the barrel adapter and an interchangeable component.\",\n \"A material storage system stores the interchangeable components in a fixed orientation when not in use.\",\n \"A gripper temporarily immobilizes the interchangeable component relative to the gripper, while a robotic joint (J6) performs a twisting motion of the barrel adapter to lock or unlock the mechanism.\",\n \"When in the locked position, the tool can be used as needed.\",\n \"To load material cartridges for printing, the robot moves to the appropriate storage rack location for pickup.\",\n \"After aligning with the syringe position, the robot moves the adapter head of the end effector directly onto the top of the syringe barrel.\",\n \"The robot gripper engages and raises the syringe barrel out of the holder.\",\n \"Next, the robot's J6 motor locks the syringe barrel into the adapter head to prepare for assembly, after which the gripper disengages and the robot returns into the home position.\",\n \"Once the appropriate material cartridge has been prepared, loaded and positioned for printing, the material is dispensed onto the RBW print stage based on the print/assembly path specified from TSIM.\",\n \"Depending on the materials needed to produce a complex tissue structure, the robot swaps material cartridges as needed.\",\n \"In order to periodically clean the nozzles and ensure quality prints, the robot may migrate over to a cleaning surface and clean the needle tip.\",\n \"A dispensing syringe may be fitted with needles of varying sizes and lengths, according to particular project demands.\",\n \"The RBW is an integrated workstation comprised of a multi-axis robot and controller, integrated cell and material cartridge containment and dispensing aspect, an environmental control aspect and intelligent visual aspect, configured to provide a compact convenient table-top workstation for bioconstruct assembly needs.\",\n \"TSIM and the RBW operate together to provide a comprehensive integrated software and hardware technology platform including medical imaging analysis, biological construct modeling, physical simulation, fabrication and assembly.\",\n \"According to one exemplary embodiment, TSIM is used to effectuate importing patient-specific tissue structures and combining them into a 3-D biological computer models with corresponding Tissue Engineering Recipes (e.g., a heart valve, ear lobe, etc.)\",\n \"that contain bill of material and/or cell types, assembly specifications (e.g., environmental control) and assembly sequence (e.g., apply cell type 1 and then integrate a vascular network).\",\n \"In this manner, a properly engineered tissue structure can be applied to specific patient biometrics to achieve a solution that is viable and practical for medical replacement/implantation utilities or, for example, laboratory testing of medicines and medical devices.\",\n \"TSIM includes the capability to simulate a wide range of real world variables to analyze resulting outcomes.\",\n \"Simulation modules include, but are not limited to, material viscosity and assembled shape deformation, tissue structure analysis, vascular fluid dynamics, and the like.\",\n \"The RBW is integrated seamlessly with TSIM to allow a user to obtain a fully assembled bioconstruct or physical tissue structure of the 3-D models developed within the software program.\",\n \"The multi-axis robot receives assembly steps and information from the TSIM software that includes material types and appropriate environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, UV light, humidity, etc.).\",\n \"The robotic visual system provides real time feedback to both the user and TSIM to intelligently detect assembly quality and for verification of design specifications.\",\n \"In some embodiments, an automated materials/configuration testing protocol is provided prior to fabrication.\",\n \"In certain embodiments the user configures each syringe barrel or cartridge to provide unique dispensing characteristics for each object or object feature printed.\",\n \"Prior to actual fabrication, test applications may be effectuated whereby a configuration may be adapted through observation or automatic indication via feedback to TSIM of the quality of printing.\",\n \"A test pattern may include, for example, an appropriate two-dimensional or three-dimensional pattern to test and tune the print quality such as start/stop/delay, line width, speed, pressure, and acceleration.\",\n \"In specific embodiments a user is able to stop a test print at any time, for example upon real-time observation or indication of an error.\",\n \"Once fine-tuned, final configurations may be saved and transferred into TSIM for future applications.\",\n \"The RBW comprises a closed-loop cartridge dispensing system.\",\n \"“Cartridges” may be any material containment and dispensing article and may be custom-engineered or purchased and contain specific material including specific cell types, biological or non-biological structural support material, and other materials as appropriate/desired for particular assembly applications.\",\n \"A cartridge may also be referred to herein as a syringe barrel.\",\n \"The RBW permits loading or retrieval of a specific material/cell cartridge that corresponds to what is specified in the TSIM-generated 3-D modeling protocol.\",\n \"When a TSIM 3-D model is ready to be “printed,” the user loads the cartridges containing the material/cell types specified in the model into the robotic workstation.\",\n \"According to specific embodiments user-error is substantially controlled through the workstation visualization and sensing system.\",\n \"For example, the workstation robot may scan a bar code affixed on the cartridge to verify and validate vital information such as material type, lot number, date, temperature etc.\",\n \"Laser displacement sensors may be used to ensure that syringe barrels are properly seated and secured in the material storage unit.\",\n \"Once verification has been completed, the robot employs a specially designed end effector to grip and secure the cartridge and move to the print/assembly stage within the workstation.\",\n \"End effectors may comprise the capability to load multiple cartridges at one time to enhance assembly time.\",\n \"The workstation robot then executes the assembly instructions and steps that it receives from TSIM.\",\n \"Biological models are created with TSIM using different workflows.\",\n \"According to a first workflow, users can choose to build a model by importing medical images and then performing operations on the model to shape and refine the final 3-D model to be used for printing.\",\n \"A model may be refined further by defining objects using the acquired 2-D image set in an Advanced User 2-D Image Editor module.\",\n \"According to a second workflow, users create models using basic shapes.\",\n \"In one aspect of the second workflow, a basic set of geometric shapes is available to users (e.g., cube, cylinder, sphere, pyramid), all of which can be selected and placed directly into the object modeling environment and combined, stretched and deformed to meet specific application needs.\",\n \"In addition, manipulation commands such as *Difference.\",\n \"*Intersect, and *Union are available for the user to create a desired shape.\",\n \"Once created, users may run simulations on a model to determine whether or not the constructed output will be structurally sound after printing.\",\n \"After simulations confirm the structural integrity of a printed structure, the user selects the Print command.\",\n \"Once activated, the Print command sends information to the RBW for object fabrication and assembly.\",\n \"In very specific embodiments, TSIM utilizes Insight Toolkit (ITK), a C++ library, in order to perform data registration and segmentation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, data used by TSIM may be found in digitally sampled representations of tissue (i.e., images acquired from medical instrumentation such as CT and MRI machines).\",\n \"Segmentation is the process of identifying and classifying the data found in digitally sampled representations.\",\n \"Registration is the task of aligning or developing correspondences between data sets.\",\n \"For example, a CT scan can be aligned with an MRI scan in order to combine the information contained in both representations.\",\n \"ITK will allow TSIM to consume medical data and then combine different data sets to provide the most complete representation of a tissue structure to the user.\",\n \"(ITK was originally developed by the US National Library of Medicine.\",\n \"A consortium was put together to manage the project, called the Insight Software Consortium.\",\n \"ITK is licensed under the Apache 2.0 license and the ITK Press Kit may be found at the following link: http://www.itk.org/ITK/proiect/press kit.html.)\",\n \"Data Visualization and Modeling In specific embodiments, TSIM utilizes Visualization Toolkit (VTK) for image processing, modeling, and volume rendering.\",\n \"This toolkit easily interfaces with ITK, allowing images analyzed using ITK to be modeled in 3-D. VTK, like ITK, is a C++ library.\",\n \"Thus, users are able to import images into TSIM (powered by ITK), edit imported images, and visualize constructed 3-D models of tissue structure(s) (powered by VTK).\",\n \"(VTK is licensed under the BSD (3-Clause) License, which allows the commercial use, modification, distribution, and sublicensing of the code, and the VTK press kit is located at http://www.vtk.org/VTK/proiect/press kit.html.)\",\n \"Medical Image File Format Support.\",\n \"In very specific embodiments.\",\n \"TSIM supports a variety of standard imaging formats including DICOM, NlfTI, and the FLUOVIEW FV1000 Version 2 OIF file format for importing medical imaging data and associated metadata.\",\n \"The DICOM file format is the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine standard for handling, storing, printing, and transmitting information in medical imaging.\",\n \"It includes a file format definition with a set of tags that contain information such as pixel format, modality, and patient information.\",\n \"Images stored in the DICOM format can be stored as a series of DICOM files in which each contains a single image plane.\",\n \"The NlfTI file format stems from the Neuroimaging Informatics Technology Initiative, a working group sponsored by the National Institute of Health.\",\n \"The file includes a header and data.\",\n \"The header includes such information as the pixel format and depth, pixel spacing, and X, Y, Z, T image dimensions.\",\n \"If multiple image planes are saved, NlfTI files store the data as one all-encompassing file.\",\n \"The FLUOVIEW FV 1000 Version 2 OIF file format is a specific confocal microscopy format that contains header information within the OIF (Original Imaging Format) file and within the individual PTY files.\",\n \"This format also saves Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) image files and the PTY files reference the TIFF images and contain the pixel data and dimensioning to be used when reconstructing the image stack.\",\n \"This file format is capable of storing multiple channels of data.\",\n \"In certain embodiments TSIM uses the first channel.\",\n \"Imported Image Quality.\",\n \"TSIM provides users the option to import medical imaging data at full or lower resolution.\",\n \"The user is presented with a quality sliding bar, that when adjusted either increases or decreases the resolution of a preview image.\",\n \"For comparison, the original full quality image may also be previewed.\",\n \"Below the preview images, a thumbnail slider may be available so that the user can view the effects of the quality changes on multiple portions of the image set.\",\n \"The added value of this functionality is that it will free up RAM for additional computing power that can be used for other TSIM operations.\",\n \"3-D Model Editor—Loaded Volume After importing an image set, a set of preview images is presented to the user, each of which has a different preset filter applied.\",\n \"The user selects the most desirable image according to the needs of the application.\",\n \"The user will then be presented with another set of preview images that have the first filter they selected applied but now with an additional filter applied.\",\n \"The user will then pick the most desirable image, and this process will continue for multiple, for example 3, total iterations.\",\n \"After the process is over, a 3-D model is generated using the preset filters indirectly chosen by the user.\",\n \"This 3-D model can then be edited to show the data that the user is most interested in capturing.\",\n \"Initial 3-D model editing may be done using TSIM tools.\",\n \"Tools available in TSIM to the user for creating, editing and transforming objects in the object modeling environment are set forth below.\",\n \"Spline Tool: This tool will allow the user to define splines within the 3-D model.\",\n \"These splines may be used as reference lines.\",\n \"A user draws splines to define the boundary of objects within the 3-D model and these are used in the generation of the final solid 3-D model.\",\n \"If the model has been constructed using imaging data, while utilizing the spline tool the user will be able to use the mouse scroll wheel to scroll up and down the model through the 2-D image stack as can be seen in the heart model of Figures x.\",\n \"The user is able to scroll to a desired image in the stack and snap their splines to that image plane in order to better define tissue structures.\",\n \"Region of Interest Tool: This tool can be used by the user to define a region of interest within the 3-D model by creating a closed loop (ends are connected) free form spline around a desired portion of the 3-D model.\",\n \"The user must orient the model into the desired view before making the spline.\",\n \"After the region has been defined by the user, the spline will extend infinitely in the z direction.\",\n \"The 3-D model will then update and exclude all data that wasn't included in the region of interest (Figure x).\",\n \"Eraser Tool: This tool turns the user's mouse cursor into an eraser in the shape of a sphere within the 3-D rendering window.\",\n \"After selecting the tool, the user can erase image data by clicking and holding the left mouse button.\",\n \"Additionally, the eraser size can be changed to facilitate the erasure of smaller or larger features.\",\n \"The user can then switch the tool off and the 3-D model will update automatically.\",\n \"Cube Tool: This tool permits users to create cubes in model space.\",\n \"Once selected, a standard cube may be generated in the model space that can be resized and moved using manipulators located on the cube.\",\n \"In addition, input will be available for coordinate positioning, for example, X, Y, and Z positioning, and for scale of the object.\",\n \"Cylinder Tool: This tool allows users to create cylinders in model space.\",\n \"Once selected, a standard cylinder will be generated in the model space that can be resized and moved using manipulators located on the cylinder.\",\n \"In addition, input will be available for coordinate positioning, for example, X, Y, and Z positioning, and for scale of the object.\",\n \"Sphere Tool: This tool allows users to create spheres in model space.\",\n \"Once selected, a standard sphere will be generated in the model space that can be resized and moved using manipulators located on the sphere.\",\n \"In addition, input will be available for coordinate positioning, for example, X, Y. and Z positioning, and for scale of the object.\",\n \"Exemplary 3-D Modeling Tools Pan—This tool is used to shift the viewing angle of a modeling space left, right, up or down.\",\n \"Rotate—This tool is used to rotate the 3D model about, for example, a 3-dimensional axes (X, Y, Z).\",\n \"Zoom—This tool is used to magnify or de-magnify a model as it is presented on the computer screen.\",\n \"Intersection—This tool is used to define a region boundary based on the intersection of two splines/objects.\",\n \"Difference—This tool is used to define a region boundary based on the subtraction of an actively selected object from an inactive object.\",\n \"Union—This tool is used to define a region boundary based on the addition of two object volumes (FIG.\",\n \"9).\",\n \"Object Map—Defined boundaries may be tracked and defined objects may be presented to the user in a color coded object map.\",\n \"This allows the user to easily visualize the individual components of their 3-D model.\",\n \"Annotation—A text annotation tool may be added to the application.\",\n \"The text annotation tool permits a user to add text notes to a selected edge or filled region.\",\n \"An option exists added for leader lines to point out the area of interest for a note that is added.\",\n \"Measurement—This tool allows users to draw point to point measurement lines on both a 2-D image slice and within a 3-D model.\",\n \"This may be useful, for example, when the user is dimensioning the 3-D model for printing.\",\n \"In addition, a scale bar and a reference object (such as a coffee cup) may be supplied in the 3-D modeling environment.\",\n \"Advanced User 2-D Image Editor User Interface—This interface presents data to a user as a sequence of grayscale two-dimensional slices, with intensity determined by the density of the tissue.\",\n \"Structures are identified and isolated using the varying intensity as a guide.\",\n \"Isolation of a structure is accomplished by creating free-form bounded regions on each slice, which are then connected together between the slices to calculate an isolated volume.\",\n \"TSIM also provides different tools for controlling image properties, such as brightness and contrast, and for image editing (e.g., annotations and object definitions).\",\n \"A loaded image set will be displayed below the image workspace using scrollable image previews.\",\n \"Within the image workspace, a 3-D rendering of the image set will be displayed with three image views that can be collapsed.\",\n \"Exemplary views include axial, sagittal and coronal views which, for example, may be located in the upper left corner, bottom left corner, and bottom middle of the screen when restored.\",\n \"Exemplary Image Property Control Tools: Brightness, for increasing or decreasing the tonal values of the image Contrast, for expanding or shrinking the overall range of tonal values in the image.\",\n \"Window Midpoint which may be represented as a dial that can be used to adjust the midpoint of the density mapping into grayscale for the image being viewed.\",\n \"Window Range for expanding or shrinking the visible density range of the image being viewed.\",\n \"Filters numerous filter presets may be available for the user to apply to the image set.\",\n \"2D Rectangle Inclusion Tool permits the user to define a rectangular region of interest within a 2D image.\",\n \"After the region has been defined by the user, the 3D model will then update and exclude all data that was not included in the region of interest.\",\n \"Image Reset Tool reverts the image processing to the original 2D image levels.\",\n \"2D Boundary Definition Tools Point Spline—This tool is used to define a region boundary from a closed spline created from a series of control points.\",\n \"Each input within the image area will add a new control point.\",\n \"If desired, TSIM will automatically adjust control points to better fit the boundary to nearby detected edges.\",\n \"After the boundary has been completed, the user may directly adjust the position and parameters of any control point, as well as add or remove control points.\",\n \"Once the user is satisfied, they can confirm the boundary and a region object will be created.\",\n \"The Point Spline Tool acts as an editor if the user would like to make changes to these region objects in the future.\",\n \"Free Form—This tool allows the user to create a spline from a free-form sketch.\",\n \"After creating a sketch, the software fits a spline to the sketch.\",\n \"The user may draw over this spline to refine the shape.\",\n \"Once the user is satisfied, they can confirm the boundary and a region object will be created.\",\n \"The Point Spline Tool acts as an editor if the user would like to make changes to these region objects in the future.\",\n \"Duplicate—This tool copies bounded regions from one image slice to another.\",\n \"This tool may be used to avoid the effort of creating regions when the differences between image slices are minimal.\",\n \"After duplicating regions, the user may use the Point Spline Tool to make any necessary corrections.\",\n \"The TSIM User Interface (UI) The TSIM UI displays the planned print path of the 3-D model and the current print head location along the path in real time.\",\n \"In addition, the printer's current state regarding the parameters of active nozzle, pressure, and speed is displayed along with an active print duration.\",\n \"A chart showing the amount of material used by the printer may be displayed on the right-hand side of the UI.\",\n \"Below the print path, a scrollable timeline may be generated that allows the user to track the progression of the printed material throughout the print cycle.\",\n \"Dialog boxes may pop up if an error is encountered in the printing process.\",\n \"For example, if the printer runs out of material in a cartridge, a dialog box will pop up on screen that says, “Fill Reservoir 2 with Gel 2.” A TSIM object modeling screen provides a 3-D environment for designing/creating models, or for importing existing models for the purpose of printing/fabricating via the robotic workstation.\",\n \"Complex models may be created using a basic set of geometric shapes.\",\n \"An illustrative provided set of geometric objects comprises box, cylinder, sphere and pyramid shapes.\",\n \"Manipulation tools include, but are not limited to providing functionality of combining, aligning, sketching, volume-rendering, surface-rendering, and the like.\",\n \"Models may be opened for solid modeling in a variety of standard imaging formats, including for example STL, DICOM and NIfTI formats.\",\n \"An Exemplary TSIM operations panel is depicted in Figure X.\",\n \"Each object added to the object modeling environment is associated with an object property list such that the object property list is displayed upon adding a selected object to the modeling environment, and a composite object property list is displayed comprising an objected property list for each object added to the modeling environment.\",\n \"Figure X depicts an exemplary modeling environment including four selected objects and a corresponding composite object property list.\",\n \"The objects are selected from cube, cylinder, sphere and pyramid.\",\n \"Selected or created objects may be given unique identifiers by the user.\",\n \"Key Frame Automatic Bounding Support.\",\n \"TSIM includes a Key Frame Automatic Bounding Protocol in which intermediate region boundaries will be extrapolated between two non-adjacent image slices.\",\n \"Typically, these two images will provide the clearest views of objects within the images that the user wants to define.\",\n \"The user will select two non-adjacent image slices as key frames and execute the EIrtrapolate command.\",\n \"This command tells the program to extrapolate those defined features through the images in between the defined key frames using the edge detection algorithm.\",\n \"Extrusion Material Assignment Tool.\",\n \"This tool allows the user to specify a set extrusion material for defined objects in the 3-D model or to define regions of the 3-D model as consisting of a certain material.\",\n \"For the first case, the user selects the tool, the extrusion material, and then the desired object(s).\",\n \"For the second case, the user may define areas using existing splines or by drawing a spline and then selecting the tool.\",\n \"The user may then either specify the program to define a material region from a spline using a specified thickness or by extending the region to another spline.\",\n \"Printing Support.\",\n \"Assembly Monitoring—This functionality allows the user to monitor the assembly of tissue constructs using a mounted camera located within the printer.\",\n \"Once this option is enabled, a video feed appears in TSIM that streams until the printing process is finished.\",\n \"Digital Prototyping—Simulation Tools—A suite of simulation tools are available within the Simulation module of TSIM.\",\n \"There is a tool for estimated print time (Print Time tool), required volume for extrusion (Volume tool), and structural analysis of the 3-D model (Structural Analysis tool).\",\n \"Print Time Tool—This tool estimates and displays the time (in minutes) that it will take to print the created 3-D model.\",\n \"Volume Tool—This tool estimates and displays the volume of extrusion material that is required to print the user's 3D model.\",\n \"Structural Analysis Tool—This tool allows the user to perform a structural analysis assessment on the 3-D model to estimate its stability once printed.\",\n \"This tool is based on the principles of smooth particle hydrodynamics.\",\n \"Material Database A materials database is available and defines what extrusion materials are available to the user when modeling tissue constructs.\",\n \"Users are able to find their desired materials by searching all of the available materials, browsing all of the available materials, or searching available materials by application.\",\n \"This materials database permits users to add or edit entries, with delete functionality reserved to the Local Database of the user.\",\n \"In addition to pictures of the materials, information stored for the materials will include parameters such as material type, viscosity, weight percent (in solution), Young's modulus, stress, and strain.\",\n \"Local Database.\",\n \"A local database comprises a basic materials database including pre-set materials.\",\n \"The user may then expand upon this database and save new entries on a local machine.\",\n \"A specific fabrication material may be assigned to each object, and each material is associated with a dispensing needle type (length, diameter) and operational parameters including pressure, speed, acceleration, on/off delay and cure methods.\",\n \"Once assigned, a material selection and material details may be edited in accordance with test print feedback and/or specific application needs.\",\n \"In the alternative, a user may create a custom materials menu adapted to specific application needs.\",\n \"Once added to the modeling screen, an object may be transformed.\",\n \"In specific embodiments, a transform function selection panel is provided.\",\n \"In very specific embodiments the object may be transformed by moving the object and/or modifying the center coordinates of the object.\",\n \"Other examples of transforming functionality include rotating an object about its center coordinates, for example by dragging individual roll, pitch or yaw sliders or by dragging an individual block in a desired direction, and scaling an object, for example by scaling via a uniform xyz scale factor or by scaling along an individual axis.\",\n \"In very specific embodiments transforming functionalities are reversible.\",\n \"Once designed, models to be printed/fabricated are sent to the RBW using the TSIM software.\",\n \"The RBW comprises a tabletop workstation including a multi-axis robot that facilitates 3-D tissue printing of composite volumetric shapes and assembly of biological constructs.\",\n \"The robot comprises at least six axes of fabrication orientation making it particularly suitable for the level of precision required to assemble functional tissue structures.\",\n \"According to one embodiment, the RBW comprises a multi-axis robot, a robotic controller (in preferred embodiments the controller is located outside the RBW housing or is separately contained within the RBW housing), a frame defining a housing, a print stage, at least one robot end effector, at least one material storage unit, and a unit interface (in preferred embodiments the RBW-UI is located outside the RBW housing).\",\n \"In specific embodiments the robot comprises an arm having at least a six-axis range of motion.\",\n \"In very specific embodiments the robot is selected from an EPSON C3 series compact 6-axis robot compatible with a PC based controller and or the EPSON RC180 and RC620+PC based controllers.\",\n \"A frame may comprise one or more of the following features: a Bosch aluminum T-slot, doors, floor, ceiling, roof, paneling, and lighting.\",\n \"A print stage may be constructed of any suitable material and in specific embodiments comprises a leveling mechanism.\",\n \"In preferred embodiments, the robot is situated over and above the print stage.\",\n \"A Robot end effector comprises one or more of a pneumatic gripper, syringe barrel holder, camera, laser displacement sensor, auto-leveling chuck, and cable management.\",\n \"In specific embodiments a material storage unit comprises a syringe holder, displacement sensors and a station mount.\",\n \"The electrical design includes a pneumatic feed line and an electrical power cable.\",\n \"The workstation may be provided in mobile form, for example on a cart.\",\n \"The RBW User Interface (UI) comprises a status screen which provides the user with information relating to the current state of the workstation.\",\n \"From the status screen a user may, for example, monitor the proper functioning of the RBW's components, such as the controller, dispenser and microcontroller, view a streaming video feed of print jobs, and follow-up on any alarms indicating attention required before proceeding.\",\n \"The RBW-UI further permits a user to make offsets, which is a minor modification made in real-time based on empirical observation.\",\n \"Offsets may be made for pressure, vacuum, speed and Z-height and acceleration values, for example.\",\n \"Features of the robotic bioassembly workstation are described now with reference to specific embodiments depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and 3.It should be noted that this discussion is for illustrative purposes, and a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.\",\n \"As depicted in FIG.\",\n \"1, an RBW comprises a framed housing 1 comprising a multi-axis robot 2 comprising a robotic arm 3 having a robotic arm effector component 4, a robotic controller 5, a material storage unit 6, a material dispensing system 7, an adjustable print stage 8, and a user interface 9.In preferred embodiments the framed housing is operationally accessible to a user from multiple angles and provides at least one real-time observation access.\",\n \"The RBW may also be fitted with a camera 10 as part of an intelligent visual feedback system to supplement empirical observation and/or to provide remote viewing options, as well as the ability to stop a print/assembly process and make adjustments.\",\n \"The bioassembly system comprises a multi-axis robot 2 and in preferred embodiments is a six-axis robot.\",\n \"In specific embodiments the material dispensing system 7 comprises extrusion syringe dispensers 11 adapted for direct-writing a biomaterial 12 onto a substrate.\",\n \"Due to the increased degree of freedom of the six-axis system, dispensing of biomaterial may be effectuated at an angle oblique to a plane of a surface of a printing substrate.\",\n \"In specific embodiments, the robotic arm effector component 4 comprises one or more effectors selected from printing tools, staging and assembling tools, and sensors, and the system further comprises automatic tool exchange functionality for effectuating automated exchange of tools at the effector component as dictated by the print and/or assembly command.\",\n \"According to specific embodiments, printing tools are selected from a gripper, a syringe barrel 13 adapting holder 14 and a dispenser 11.Staging and assembling tools are selected from picking, placing, and positioning tools, and sensors are selected from a laser displacement sensor and a photoelectric sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments the RBW comprises a print stage 8 leveling mechanism.\",\n \"In specific embodiments, a laser displacement sensor is located on the robotic arm effector 4.The laser displacement sensor enhances a manual leveling protocol.\",\n \"Staging in accordance with certain embodiments may include picking and placing a print substrate onto the print stage.\",\n \"Printing is then effectuated on the substrate, which in very specific embodiments may include variable surface topographies designed according to needs of specialized constructs.\",\n \"Assembling an ultimate bioconstruct may be effectuated by, for example, picking and positioning a first printed construct relative to a second construct, the second construct selected from a second printed construct and a provided construct.\",\n \"The print stage 8 may be partitioned into areas, for example a print area and an assembly area, and non biological constructs may be included for assembly with biological constructs.\",\n \"Medical devices and jigs may be comprised entirely of non-biological materials; however fabrication may proceed similarly and advantages conferred by the bioassembly system for the fabrication of biological constructs also generally apply to non-biological constructs.\",\n \"Generally, the material dispensing system 7 comprises multiple syringes 11, each syringe containing one material or bio-material 12, and dispensing from a syringe 11 comprises dispensing one material or biomaterial 12 at a time.\",\n \"The material storage unit 6 comprises at least one syringe barrel holder 14.Each syringe barrel holder 14 comprises multiple syringe barrels 13.The material storage unit 6 may also include at least one displacement sensor for ensuring correct seating of syringe barrels 13 in the holder 14; and at least one needle detection sensor for detecting needle 16 size and tip deflection.\",\n \"One embodiment is directed to a robotic biomaterial dispensing apparatus comprising a robotic arm and a robotic arm end effector, the end effector configured to grip and secure a dispensing syringe, wherein the robotic arm provides movement of the syringe along at least six axes.\",\n \"The ability to move along six axes permits novel functionality, in particular with respect to printing on 3-D print substrates.\",\n \"Bio-constructs may be fabricated, for example, by dispensing biomaterial onto a print substrate without being restricted to sequential layering as with conventional bioprinter designs, which rely on fabricating complex constructs such as tissues and organs layer by layer.\",\n \"With six axes, biomaterials may be dispensed by non-sequential planar layering such that the robot effector may return to a prior layer and add more biomaterial after dispensing a subsequent layer.\",\n \"Further, the robotic effector is capable of aligning a dispenser/syringe tip at an angle normal to any point on a contoured surface.\",\n \"This provides a higher degree of 3-D printing versatility and permits a wider variety of surface contours to completed constructs, and with respect to objects derived from medical imaging, provides potential for construction from a radial geometry, utilization of polar or hybrid polar coordinate systems, and therefore greater 3-D precision.\",\n \"Specific embodiments are directed to methods of fabricating a 3-D biological construct comprising direct-write dispensing of one or more biomaterials onto a 3-D print substrate utilizing the robotic biomaterial apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the robotic arm end effector positions the dispensing syringe at an angle normal to all positions on a surface of the 3-D print substrate.\",\n \"EXAMPLES The Following Examples are set forth to illustrate certain aspects, features and advantages of embodiments of the instant invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.\",\n \"Example 1 This example illustrates creation of simple objects in the object modeling environment.\",\n \"A.\",\n \"Create a box (FIG.\",\n \"7) 1.Click on the Create a Box icon.\",\n \"2.Click the location on the modeling environment to begin placing the Box.\",\n \"3.The size of the Box's base can be adjusted by moving the mouse accordingly.\",\n \"To accept, click the left-mouse button to set the base.\",\n \"4.Moving the mouse vertically sets the height of the Box.\",\n \"To accept, click to set the height.\",\n \"Further refinements to the dimensions of the Box can be made by manually editing the center's coordinates or changing the length/depth/height of the Box.\",\n \"B.\",\n \"Create a Sphere in the Modeling Environment (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"1.Click on the Create a Sphere icon.\",\n \"2.Click the location in the modeling environment on which to place the sphere.\",\n \"3.The size of the sphere can be adjusted by moving the mouse.\",\n \"To set the size, click once more.\",\n \"The sphere may be further refined by manually entering the center's coordinates or changing the value of the radius.\",\n \"4.To accept the final shape, click the Create Solid button on the Sphere menu.\",\n \"C. Create a Cylinder in the Modeling Environment (FIG.\",\n \"9) 1.Click on the Create a Cylinder icon.\",\n \"2.Click the location in the modeling environment on which to place the cylinder.\",\n \"3.The size of the cylinder's base can be adjusted by moving the mouse.\",\n \"To accept, click to set the base.\",\n \"4.Next, adjust the height of the cylinder by moving the mouse and clicking once more to set it.\",\n \"Dimensions of the cylinder may be further refined by manually entering the center's coordinates or the value of the radius or the height.\",\n \"5.To accept the final shape, click the Create Solid.\",\n \"D. Create a Pyramid in the Modeling Environment (FIG.\",\n \"10) 1.Click on the Pyramid Tool icon.\",\n \"2.Click the location in the modeling environment on which to place the pyramid.\",\n \"3.The size of the pyramid's base can be adjusted by moving the mouse.\",\n \"To accept, click to set the base.\",\n \"4.Next, set the height of the pyramid by moving the mouse.\",\n \"To accept, click to set the model.\",\n \"5.The dimensions of the pyramid can be further refined by manually entering the center coordinates or the value of the radius or height.\",\n \"6.To accept the final shape, click the Create Solid.\",\n \"Example 2 This Example illustrates manipulation of the objects in the object modeling environment.\",\n \"The objects added to the object modeling environment may be further manipulated, for example by combining, moving or aligning objects.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, objects may be combined to form unique/customized shapes.\",\n \"Operations for combining may include adding (union), subtracting (difference) and/or intersecting objects in the modeling environment.\",\n \"A Union/Combine operation comprises merging together two separate object volumes so that their boundaries will be defined as a single region.\",\n \"A union operation is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"11.A different operation is used to define a region boundary based on the subtraction of an actively selected object from an inactive object.\",\n \"A difference operation is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"12.An intersection operation is used to define a region boundary based on the intersection of two objects.\",\n \"An intersection operation is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13.Functionality for aligning objects in the modeling environment is also provided.\",\n \"In specific embodiments, two faces on different objects may be aligned based on a point selected on each shape, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"14.In other specific embodiments, objects may be aligned along the y-axis, x-axis or z-axis based on center points of selected facades/sides.\",\n \"A move operation permits movement of objects into different positions without necessarily aligning (FIG.\",\n \"15A).\",\n \"A dragging operation, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"15B, permits moving a selected shape in different directions relative to the “ground”, which is determined based on a camera angle.\",\n \"In one specific example, in a default view, dragging a model will move a shape in the xy-plane.\",\n \"A measuring operation permitting point to point measurement lines on both the 2-D image slices and within a 3-D model is also provided and illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"15B.\",\n \"Example 3 This example illustrates importing objects directly into the modeling environment from other programs.\",\n \"Users may open existing model files created in external programs.\",\n \"Exemplary importable file formats include STL, NIfTI and DICOM.\",\n \"Importing an STL File.\",\n \"1.Click on the Import STL icon in the Import section.\",\n \"2.Navigate to the folder containing the STL files.\",\n \"3.Highlight the desired file and click the ‘Open’ button to import the model.\",\n \"4.The object will appear in the modeling environment.\",\n \"As in the case of shapes created in TSIM, modification of the imported object is via the Objects menu on the right-hand side.\",\n \"B.\",\n \"Importing a NIfTI file.\",\n \"1.Click on the Import NIfTI icon in the Import section.\",\n \"2.Navigate to the folder containing the NIfTI files 3.Highlight the desired file and click the ‘Open’ button to import the model.\",\n \"4.The object will appear in the modeling environment.\",\n \"As in the case of shapes created in TSIM, modification of the imported object is via the Objects menu on the right-hand side.\",\n \"C. Importing a DICOM File.\",\n \"An example of an imported DICOM image is depicted in FIG.\",\n \"16.1.Click on the DICOM icon in the Import section.\",\n \"2.Navigate to the folder containing the DICOM files.\",\n \"3.Click ‘Select Folder’ to import the model.\",\n \"Example 4 This Example, taken with FIG.\",\n \"16, illustrates a volume operation, which permits further analysis of a volumetric model (e.g.\",\n \"NIfTI or DICOM) by adjusting density or opacity values.\",\n \"The spacing values for each axis may be modified as well.\",\n \"Import the volumetric file Click on the Volume icon Click on the imported model to highlight it.\",\n \"The Adjust Volume menu will now be displayed on the right hand side.\",\n \"By adjusting the individual sliders, you can change the respective value, which in turn updates the model.\",\n \"The viewing angle may be changed while making adjustments to the volume.\",\n \"Example 5 This example illustrates a sketch operation according to specific embodiments.\",\n \"1.Click on the Create a sketch icon 2.The three individual planes will appear in yellow.\",\n \"To choose the plane onto which a sketch will be drawn, click on a desired plane.\",\n \"3.The chosen plane will now appear highlighted in blue together with the interaction widgets.\",\n \"The plane may be moved or rotated.\",\n \"4.Click on the Create button to begin working on a sketch.\",\n \"5.If selection of a different plane is desired, choose the Select a New Plane button to return to Step 2.6.The selected plane will now be displayed as a grid and the Sketch menu will appear.\",\n \"Custom shapes may be drawn by using curves, circles, points, rectangles, etc.\",\n \"7.Once a shape drawing is completed, right-click to stop drawing and click on the Select tool to return back to the Solid Modeling screen.\",\n \"Sketches may also be modified and managed.\",\n \"More complicated shapes may comprise a collection of sketches made on different planes.\",\n \"Managing operations permit users to modify, move, delete or hide individual sketches in a collection.\",\n \"Sketches may be interacted with individually via the sketches menu.\",\n \"Example 6 This example illustrates extrusion of a sketch into a 3-D model (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"1.Begin with an overhead view of the sketch.\",\n \"2.Next, hold the CTRL key and click on each of the individual sides of the sketch.\",\n \"Selected sides will be highlighted in blue.\",\n \"3.A wire frame of the shape is displayed when all sides are connected.\",\n \"The Extrude menu on the right side will now be active and allows adjustment of both the length and resolution of the extrusion.\",\n \"4.Click on the Extrude button to create the final shape.\",\n \"Example 7 As shown in FIG.\",\n \"18, new shapes may be created by connecting boundaries of sketches rendered on different planes, with further modification possible by lofting contours.\",\n \"Example 8 This example illustrates utilization of the TSIM functionality to model a vascular tree (FIG.\",\n \"20), which may then be fabricated via the RBW.\",\n \"According to one specific embodiment, the method comprises entering in a set of input parameters such as those set forth in Table 1.TABLE 1 Starting diameter (μm) Diameter of the largest vessel at the initiation end.\",\n \"Order length (μm) length of an order.\",\n \"Ratio Determines the decrease in size by ratio of diameter from one order to the next.\",\n \"Number of orders The number of steps down in the branching pattern Ending diameter (μm) Diameter of the largest vessel at the terminal end.\",\n \"Once a model is generated, specific materials may be assigned to each order of the vascular tree.\",\n \"In specific embodiments, the RBW stages the print stage with a mold or other subsrate having a variable surface topography on which to print a vascular tree.\",\n \"Printing of other complex tissue constructs may also require staging by picking and positioning substrates as printing surfaces into the print stage.\",\n \"In some specific embodiments, a print stage may be divided into a print area and an assembly area so that a bio-construct may be assembled as it is printed on a component by component basis.\",\n \"Example 9 This example illustrates modeling of a 3-D tube from a sketched curve, further as depicted in FIG.\",\n \"19.Radius and resolution of a generated tube may be directed and modified.\",\n \"Example 10 This example, taken with FIG.\",\n \"21, illustrates initiation of printing by the robotic bioassembly workstation.\",\n \"Print job is chosen from the list.\",\n \"A preview is available under the Project Preview, Press Start After a successful password prompt, a material loading process can begin.\",\n \"In very specific embodiments, once a print job has been chosen and started, the UI will prompt the user to physically load the individual barrels into specific slots on the material storage unit.\",\n \"Once loaded, the user confirms before moving on to the next material.\",\n \"Visual indicators may be present to provide a status update of each of the material holder bays.\",\n \"Table 2 is illustrative of this concept.\",\n \"TABLE 2 Color Meaning Grey The specific bay is occupied with a barrel.\",\n \"Green Load the material in this bay Red Incorrect material placed in the bay.\",\n \"A “Move” operation permits manual adjustment of positioning of the robot to place it into a desired position via the RBW-UI screen.\",\n \"The robot may be adjusted along any axis and the robot may be restored to a “home” position.\",\n \"Other control operations may include resetting power to a controller, adjusting and turning on the pressure (psi), turning off individual joint brakes (J1 through J6, one J for each movement axis).\",\n \"A calibration menu ensures that the workstation is setup accordingly ahead of any prints made.\",\n \"Example 11 This Example illustrates an embodiment of a materials testing protocol prior to printing/fabrication.\",\n \"When utilizing a material for the first time or under unique condition parameters, it is important to test printing quality at various needle diameters, speeds, pressure, etc.\",\n \"Exemplary steps to conducting a material test include: 1) Manually attach a syringe with a new material to the robot's end effector.\",\n \"2) On the RBW-UI, press the Material Test option under Calibration.\",\n \"3) A grid of the printing platform will be displayed.\",\n \"To begin, press one of the cells in the grid to select it.\",\n \"4) Increment or decrement the desired parameter value for that cell by pressing the respective plus or minus sign.\",\n \"Alternatively, click in the value box for a parameter and use the on-screen keyboard to enter desired values.\",\n \"5) Press Save to set the values for the selected cell.\",\n \"6) If desired, choose another cell and repeat steps 4-5.7) When ready to print, press Start.\",\n \"Please note, the Start command does not appear until values for at least one cell are saved.\",\n \"A completed print will be lines printed with the material and it can be determined which group of settings best meets specific application needs.\",\n \"Example 12 This example illustrates print stage/platform leveling functionality.\",\n \"A level print stage is intrinsic to producing quality prints.\",\n \"In specific embodiments, the RBW-UI provides feedback relating to the degree to which the stage is level and what modifications may need to be made to perfect leveling.\",\n \"To begin leveling: 1) Press the Leveling option located under Calibration.\",\n \"2) Press Start to begin the leveling test.\",\n \"3) As the robot moves to a position near each stage bolt, the height of the print platform is determined.\",\n \"At the conclusion of the test, a user is prompted with the exact adjustment to raise or lower the individual corners.\",\n \"The distance from the top of the robotic arm to the center of the stage must also be calibrated.\",\n \"A tip sensor is detected and position is determined.\",\n \"An offset of barrel to sensor is determined and a pressure displacement curve is calculated.\",\n \"Example 13 This example illustrates exemplary components and component-associated functionality of a very specific embodiment of the RBW according to the disclosure.\",\n \"Reference is to elements designated in FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and 3.Housing Frame: According to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment the frame is an aluminum T-slot Frame.\",\n \"For example, the RBW physical frame may be constructed using a combination of Bosch T-Slot Profiles, Doors: The doors of the RBW are constructed using Bosch T-Slot Profiles with clear, scratch-resistant polycarbonate inserts to provide users with visibility of the inside of the station.\",\n \"Floor: The RBW floor may be a solid ⅛″ thick aluminum sheet with three holes for mounting and adjusting the print stage.\",\n \"Ceiling: The RBW ceiling may be a solid ¼″ thick aluminum sheet.\",\n \"Roof: The RBW roof may be a solid ¼″ thick dove-grey acrylic sheet.\",\n \"Fascia Paneling: The fascia paneling of the RBW can be constructed using ¼″ thick dove-grey acrylic sheets.\",\n \"In preferred embodiments, panels utilize M5 black knurled head thumb screws to fasten to the frame.\",\n \"Panels are removable to allow users access to the station control panel.\",\n \"Lighting: The RBW may have four white LED lights (IP68 rated) mounted in the four corners of the station to enable a camera on the robot end effector to achieve a desired resolution.\",\n \"2.Print Stage Material of construction: The RBW print stage may be comprised of a solid sheet of acrylic.\",\n \"It may comprise three counterbore holes for recessing the bolt heads of the stage leveling bolts.\",\n \"In very specific embodiments, a leveling the bolts may be effectuated manually with a ratchet wrench.\",\n \"Leveling mechanism: According to specific embodiments, the RBW print stage comprises three leveling bolts that insert into the through-holes of the three counterbore holes of the stage and extend down into three tapped mounting holes located in the channels of the support profiles below the floor of the station.\",\n \"A spring is wrapped around each bolt in-between the print stage and station floor.\",\n \"The diameter of the counterbore hole is such that a tool can be inserted to tighten or loosen the stage bolts.\",\n \"Robot End Effector: The robot end of arm tooling, herein designated as an “end effector,” comprises components that attach to J5 and J6 (of the 6-axis robot) and includes print tools, assembly tools and sensors.\",\n \"Print tools include, e.g.\",\n \"a syringe barrel adapter holder and gripper.\",\n \"Pneumatic gripper.\",\n \"According to specific embodiments, the robotic end effector comprises a pneumatic gripper mounted on its end, with gripping fingers oriented perpendicular to the centerline of the robot's J6 axis of rotation.\",\n \"The air feed to the gripper may be controlled by a solenoid valve that is turned on and off by the RBW control software.\",\n \"The gripper is used to grip one material syringe barrel at a time for the purpose of loading and unloading the barrels from the materials storing unit.\",\n \"Syringe barrel holder: In very specific embodiments, a second piece of the RBW end effector connects a dispenser to syringe barrels, for example a Norson EFD Ultimus V dispenser to Nordson EFD 30 syringe barrels using an adapter assembly from Nordson EFD.\",\n \"This piece houses the adapter assembly from Nordson EFD on the end of axis J6 of the robot, allowing syringe barrels to be screwed into the assembly and extrusion to be controlled using Ultimus V dispensers.\",\n \"Automatic tool change: According to particular embodiments, the RBW is capable of auto-changing from print/dispensing tools to specifically designed end-effector tools for pick and place of receptacles such as molds or containers to facilitate specific print applications.\",\n \"The auto tool change capability also enables the selection of tooling from the tool holder and used for assembling individual printed structures into more complex structures.\",\n \"Camera: This element allows the user to monitor the printing of tissue constructs using a mounted camera located within the housing.\",\n \"Once this option is enabled, a video feed appears in TSIM and at the RBW user interface (RBW-UI) that streams until the printing process is finished.\",\n \"Laser displacement sensor: In some embodiments, a laser displacement sensor is mounted on the end effector in parallel with the pneumatic gripper and syringe barrel adapter holder.\",\n \"This laser sensor is used to measure the distance between the print stage and end effector during the stage leveling process.\",\n \"Photoelectric Sensor: A photoelectric sensor may be mounted on the end effector which allows the robot to detect placement of barrel holders when it is near.\",\n \"In addition, the sensor detects that the barrels are correctly picked up from the respective holder.\",\n \"Material Storage Unit Syringe holder: According to a specific illustrative embodiment, RBW houses four syringe holders and each holder contains three material cartridges for a total of 12 syringes.\",\n \"Displacement sensors: The through beam sensor runs along the top of the material storage unit and checks to ensure the correct seating of the syringe barrels.\",\n \"In this exemplary embodiment there are eight through beam sensors located on the front and back side of each of the barrel holders.\",\n \"A stand-alone sensor (needle detection sensor), located at the bottom of the material storage unit, is used to detect the size of the needles and needle tip deflection for each of the syringe barrels.\",\n \"Computer/Touchscreen (RBW-UI) Location: In certain embodiments, the RBW-UI is comprised of a touchscreen computer mounted on a swivel arm located on an exterior part of the physical frame of the workstation.\",\n \"Interface: The RBW-UI provides information about the printer's current state regarding the parameters of pressure and speed.\",\n \"A chart showing the amount of material used by the printer is displayed on the UI.\",\n \"The user is notified upon completion of print job.\",\n \"Dialog boxes pop up if an error is encountered in the assembly/bioassembly process.\",\n \"For example, if the RBW runs out of material in a cartridge, a dialog box will pop up on screen that says, “Fill Reservoir 2 with Gel 2.” The interface's Status option allows the user to check the status of the RBW by viewing the existing print jobs, a history, and a video feed of the assembly/bioassembly stage.\",\n \"The interface's Direct Control option provides the ability to job the robot to a desired location via the touchscreen.\",\n \"In exemplary embodiments, the Leveling option may have the robot check one position near each stage leveling bolt and determines how level the print stage is using values obtained from the laser displacement sensor at each position.\",\n \"The Offsets option allows the user to manually set offsets.\",\n \"The Materials Testing option allows for the testing of materials with different parameters.\",\n \"Controls Designs Safety: Safety features comprise an emergency stop to shut down the robot entirely.\",\n \"Additionally, door locks may be included an added safety mechanism.\",\n \"Door locks halt operation in the event the door is opened during fabrication.\",\n \"Safety information for the EPSON C3 robot series can be found at http://robots.epson.com/product-detail/10.Controls container: The controls container is securely mounted onto the RBW in the overhead controls area and serves as housing for the microcontroller.\",\n \"Layout of overhead controls area: The overhead controls area consists of the controller, for example an RC180 controller, the controls container, the Nordson EFT Ultimus V dispenser, a 220v step up transformer and associated components.\",\n \"Microcontroller: Together with the printed circuit board (PCB) daughter board, the microcontroller interfaces between the HMI and the IO monitoring.\",\n \"Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 7.Electrical Design Pneumatic feed line: According to very specific embodiments, a single pneumatic quick connect receptacle is located on the right side of the RBW.\",\n \"Users connect input air line here.\",\n \"This line runs internally through the RBW to a regulator that then splits and feeds the line to the dispenser and solenoid valve.\",\n \"In an illustrative embodiment, three pneumatic feed lines may then be routed to the robot.\",\n \"Two lines are used by the gripper.\",\n \"The remaining feed line is used to depress the barrel piston for dispensing.\",\n \"Electrical Power Cable 8.Accessories Mobile cart: In some embodiments, the RBW is housed on a mobile instrument cart.\",\n \"In very specific exemplary embodiment, the dimensions of the cart include two steel shelves 30″×40″ with 1½″ retaining lips, the overall cart height is 29″ with a 27½″ top shelf surface height and there are two swivel and two rigid 8″×2″ phenolic wheels with wheel lock brakes on the swivel casters.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873453"}}},{"rowIdx":4494349,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REPLACING MEDIA CONTENT","Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a first tuning state of a media processor of a subscriber.","The first tuning state includes a satellite service channel, wherein the satellite service channel provides a first media content item that is processed by the media processor for presentation.","A terrestrial service channel is identified that provides a second media content item.","Access to the terrestrial service channel is provided by control of a switch.","Subsequent processing of the second media content item by the media processor is facilitated by replacing the first media content item, responsive to the determining of an unavailability of the satellite service channel Other embodiments are disclosed."],["1.A system, comprising: a switch; a buffer memory; a processing system including a processor in communication with the switch and the buffer memory; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: receiving a channel indicator of a media processing device of a subscriber, wherein the channel indicator corresponds to a satellite service channel of a plurality of satellite service channels, wherein the satellite service channel provides a first version of a media content item, wherein the first version of the media content item is processed by the media processing device for presentation; identifying a terrestrial service channel of a plurality of terrestrial service channels providing a second version of the media content item, wherein control of the switch provides access to the terrestrial service channel; buffering a portion of the second version of the media content item to obtain a buffered second version within the buffer memory; and detecting an unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device, wherein the buffered second version of the media content item is subsequently processed by the media processing device for presentation in place of the first version of the media content item responsive to the detecting of the unavailability of the satellite service channel.","2.The system of claim 1, wherein the detecting the unavailability is based on a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio correction, or a combination thereof, and wherein the second version of the media content item is not processed, prior to the control of the switch, by the media processing device for presentation.","3.The system of claim 2, wherein the operations further comprise: determining a relative delay between a presentation of the first version of the media content item and a scheduled presentation of the second version of the media content item; and determining a buffer depth based on the relative delay, wherein a transition at the media processing device from the first version to the buffered second version occurs synchronously.","4.The system of claim 1, wherein the identifying of the terrestrial service channel comprises: identifying the first version of the media content item based on the channel indicator and a scheduled presentation time.","5.The system of claim 1, wherein the detecting of the unavailability is based on a performance measure of a satellite signal comprising the plurality of satellite service channels, wherein the performance measure comprises an effective isotropic radiated power, a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, a measure of error correction or a combination thereof.","6.The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: determining a re-availability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device of the subscriber, after the determining of the unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device of the subscriber; and providing the first version of the media content item to the media processing device in place of the second version of the media content item, responsive to the determining of the re-availability of the satellite service channel.","7.The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise predicting the unavailability of the satellite service channel at a future time based on a weather forecast or a solar fade evaluation, wherein the identifying of the terrestrial service channel is responsive to the predicting of the unavailability.","8.A method, comprising: detecting, by a device comprising a processing system including a processor, a first tuning state of a media processing device of a subscriber, wherein the first tuning state comprises a satellite service channel of a plurality of satellite service channels, wherein the satellite service channel presents a media content item, wherein the media content item is presented to the media processing device; determining, by the device, a terrestrial service channel of a plurality of terrestrial service channels providing a substitute media content item, wherein control of a switch provides access to the terrestrial service channel; buffering a portion of the substitute media content item to obtain a buffered substitute media content item; and detecting, by the device, an unavailability of the satellite service channel for presentation to the media processing device, wherein the substitute media content item is subsequently processed by the media processing device for presentation in place of the media content item, responsive to the detecting of the unavailability of the satellite service channel.","9.The method of claim 8, further comprising buffering, by the device, a portion of the substitute media content item within a buffer memory to obtain a buffered substitute media content item, wherein the providing of the substitute media content item comprises providing the buffered substitute media content item.","10.The method of claim 9, further comprising: determining, by the device, a relative delay between the presentation of the media content item and a scheduled presentation of the substitute media content item; and determining, by the device, a buffer depth based on the relative delay, wherein a transition at the media processing device from the media content item to the substitute media content item occurs synchronously.","11.The method of claim 8, wherein the media content item is streamed according to a first protocol, and wherein the substitute media content item is streamed according to a second protocol.","12.The method of claim 8, wherein the determining of the unavailability is based on a performance measure of a satellite signal comprising the plurality of satellite service channels, wherein the performance measure comprises an effective isotropic radiated power, a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, a measure of error correction or a combination thereof.","13.The method of claim 8, wherein the detecting the unavailability is based on a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, or a combination thereof, and wherein the substitute media content item is not processed, prior to the control of the switch, by the media processing device for presentation.","14.The method of claim 8, further comprising predicting, by the device, the unavailability of the satellite service channel at a future time based on a weather forecast or a solar fade evaluation, wherein the determining of the terrestrial service channel is responsive to the predicting of the unavailability.","15.A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: determining a first tuning state of a media processor, wherein the first tuning state comprises a satellite service channel providing a first media content item, wherein the first media content item is processed by the media processor for presentation; identifying a terrestrial service channel providing a second media content item, wherein control of a switch provides access to the terrestrial service channel; buffering a portion of the second media content item to obtain a buffered second media content item; and determining an unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processor, wherein the second media content item is subsequently processed by the media processor for presentation in place of the first media content item responsive to the determining of the unavailability of the satellite service channel 16.The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the determining the unavailability is based on a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, or a combination thereof, and wherein the second media content item is not processed, prior to the control of the switch, by the media processor for presentation.","17.The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise: determining a relative delay between a presentation of the first media content item and a scheduled presentation of the second media content item; and determining a buffer depth based on the relative delay, wherein a transition at the media processor from the first media content item to the buffered second media content item occurs synchronously.","18.The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the determining of the unavailability is based on a performance measure of a satellite signal comprising the satellite service channel, wherein the performance measure comprises an effective isotropic radiated power, a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, a measure of error correction or a combination thereof.","19.The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise: determining a re-availability of the satellite service channel to the media processor, after the determining of the unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processor; and facilitating a replacing of the second media content item with the first media content item to the media processor, responsive to the determining of the re-availability of the satellite service channel 20.The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise: predicting the unavailability of the satellite service channel at a future time based on a weather observation or a celestial calculation, wherein the identifying of the terrestrial service channel is responsive to the predicting of the unavailability."],[" FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The subject disclosure relates to automated media content replacement."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.","1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a direct broadcast satellite system; FIG.","2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a terrestrial portion of the direct broadcast satellite system described in FIG.","1 ; FIG.","3 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a terrestrial portion of the direct broadcast satellite system described in FIG.","1 ; FIG.","4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portions of the system described in FIGS.","1-3 ; FIG.","5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system that supports replacement media content to the direct broadcast satellite system of FIGS.","1-3 ; FIG.","6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal for interacting with the communication systems of FIGS.","1-3 ; and FIG.","7 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?"],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","14/919,373, filed Oct. 21, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The subject disclosure relates to automated media content replacement.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.","1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a direct broadcast satellite system; FIG.","2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a terrestrial portion of the direct broadcast satellite system described in FIG.","1; FIG.","3 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a terrestrial portion of the direct broadcast satellite system described in FIG.","1; FIG.","4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portions of the system described in FIGS.","1-3; FIG.","5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system that supports replacement media content to the direct broadcast satellite system of FIGS.","1-3; FIG.","6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal for interacting with the communication systems of FIGS.","1-3; and FIG.","7 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments for an intelligent multi-switch that reacts to an impairment in reception of original media content from a satellite and/or terrestrial media feed by applying substitute media content from another source, such as a corresponding Internet feed.","The multi-switch can also react to a resumption in availability of the original media content by returning to the satellite/terrestrial feed.","The multi-switch can be IP enabled and include discrete signal detection to accurately predict impairments to received media content services.","Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.","One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a system including a switch, a processor in communication with the switch and a memory that stores executable instruction.","The instructions, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations that include receiving a channel indicator of a media processing device of a subscriber.","The channel indicator corresponds to a satellite service channel of a number of satellite service channels, wherein the satellite service channel provides a first version of a media content item processed by the media processing device for presentation.","A terrestrial service channel of a number of terrestrial service channels is identified, that presents a second version of the media content item.","Unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device is detected.","The switch is controlled to the terrestrial service channel of the number of terrestrial service channels, wherein the second version of the media content item is not, prior to the controlling of the switch, processed by the media processing device for presentation.","Subsequent processing of the second version of the media content item by the media processing device is facilitated by replacing the first version, responsive to the detecting of the unavailability of the satellite service channel.","One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a process that detects, by a device comprising a processor, a first tuning state of a media processing device of a subscriber.","The first tuning state includes a satellite service channel of a number of satellite service channels, wherein the satellite service channel presents a media content item.","The media content item is presented to the media processing device.","A terrestrial service channel of a number of terrestrial service channels is determined that provides a substitute media content item.","The terrestrial service channel of the number of terrestrial service channels is accessed.","An unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device of the subscriber is detected and subsequent processing of the substitute media content item by the media processing device is facilitated by replacing the media content item, responsive to the detecting of the unavailability of the satellite service channel.","One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readable storage medium, having executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitate performance of operations.","The operations include determining a first tuning state of a media processing device of a subscriber, wherein the first tuning state includes a satellite service channel of a number of satellite service channels, wherein the satellite service channel presents a first media content item.","The first media content item is processed by the media processing device for presentation.","A terrestrial service channel of a number of terrestrial service channels is identified that provides a second media content item.","The terrestrial service channel of the number of terrestrial service channels is accessed, wherein the second media content item is not initially processed by the media processing device for presentation.","An unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device is determined and facilitation of subsequent processing of the second media content item by the media processing device by replacing the first media content item, responsive to the determining of the unavailability of the satellite service channel.","FIG.","1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) system 100, sometimes referred to as a Broadcasting Satellite Service (BSS).","The system 100 includes or more artificial satellites 102 providing satellite service to one or more geographical regions.","Each satellite 102 includes one or more transponders that transmit satellite service signals 104 wirelessly to the target geographical region(s).","Under certain conditions, the satellite signals 104 can be received by a satellite terminal 106.Namely, the satellite terminal 106 is positioned within a target geographical region, without interference that might otherwise degrade or prevent reception of the satellite signal 104.By way of non-limiting example, DirecTV® and Dish Network®, are American DBS service providers.","They transmit digital satellite television and audio to households and businesses in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean.","DBS is also considered a direct competitor of cable television providers.","DirecTV® and Dish Network® are registered trademarks of DirecTV, LLC and Dish Network LLC, respectively.","These providers emit their core programming from satellite in geostationary orbits at locations between 100 W and 120 W western longitudes.","One such means of interference is related to the sun 114.The satellite terminal 106 typically has a highly directional antenna that is aimed at a location of the satellite 102.Under certain astronomical conditions, the sun may fall within the same region covered by the satellite terminal 106 antenna.","Namely, the satellite falls on a line connecting the satellite antenna and the sun.","This can be referred to as sun fade, sun transit, sun outage or solar conjunction.","Such conditions can occur multiple times per year, for a period of about several minutes or more during which reception of the satellite signal is impeded, degraded or otherwise unavailable.","In some instances, e.g., depending upon antenna mis-pointing, link margin, actual element performance and so forth, the durations of any single outage can be greater than 10 minutes.","Fortunately, sun fade can be predicted with a high degree of precision based on locations of the satellite 102 and the satellite terminal 106.Sun interference prediction calculators are readily available, such as a calculator available online from INTELSAT, at http://www.intelsat.com/tools-resources/satellite-data-tools/sun-interface-calculator/.","It is generally understood that adverse weather conditions can also affect the quality of satellite signal reception.","For example, heavy rains 112 can attenuate the satellite signal enough to result in noticeable degradation of image quality.","In extreme cases, the reception can be effectively disrupted.","Satellite signal reception quality also can be affected by water or snow/ice accumulating over the surface of the satellite terminal antenna.","In more detail, the satellite terminal 106 includes a satellite dish antenna 105 and a low-noise amplifier/block down-converter (LNB) 107.The dish antenna 105 is typically mounted external to a subscriber's premises and receives RF signals 104 from one or more satellites.","The received satellite signals 104 are passed to the LNB 107, and an amplified, filtered and down-converted, e.g., removing an RF carrier.","The down-converted signals 109 are provided to a satellite receiver, typically within the subscriber's premises.","Some premises can include multiple receivers or set-top boxes (STBs) 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d (generally 110) receiving the down-converted signals 109 from an RF distribution device.","If the satellite terminal 106 provides a single output, the RF distribution device can include an RF splitter.","More typically, the satellite terminal 106 provides multiple outputs.","In the illustrative example, a multi-switch 108 is provided to route the down-converted signals to the appropriate STB 110.It is generally understood that the same dish antenna can receive satellite signals 104 from more than one satellite.","Alternatively or in addition, the same premises can have more than one satellite antennas, e.g., pointing to different satellites and/or operating in different frequency bands.","In such situations, each of the inputs of the multi-switch 108 is dedicated to a respective one of the received satellite signals 104.In some embodiments, one of the inputs of the multi-switch can receive inputs from a terrestrial antenna, e.g., receiving a local terrestrial wireless broadcast of television programming For example, a “3 In-4 Out” multi-switch can receive inputs from two block-down-converted satellite signals 109 and one local terrestrial wireless broadcast signal (not shown).","The multi-switch 108 provides four output terminals that can support up to four satellite receivers, or STBs 110, as shown.","The satellite receiver or STB 110 can include one or more of a de-scrambler or decryption module to unlock or otherwise provide access to media content offered by a satellite service provider.","The STB 110 can include a tuner that responds to an input from a user that tunes the STB 110 to one of a number of available satellite service channels.","In some instances, the block down-conversion of the LNB 107 provides multiple satellite service channels to each STB 110, allowing for selection of a particular channel to occur within the STB 110.A decoder decodes encoded channel signals, e.g., converting digital MPEG-2, H.264 or MPEG-4 signals to another format, such as analog NTCS format, HDTV format, and the like.","It is understood that the down-converted RF signal can support multiple channels simultaneously, e.g., being distributed by the RF distribution network for processing by multiple satellite receivers.","In the illustrative embodiment, the system 100 also includes an intelligent multi-switch 116.The intelligent multi-switch 116 receives media content from one or more alternate sources 118 and selectively provides the alternative media content to one or more of the STBs 110.For example, the intelligent multi-switch 116 provides the alternative media content 118 to the STBs 110 during occurrences of interference that might otherwise degrade or prevent reception of the satellite signal 104.In some embodiments, the intelligent multi-switch 116 identifies alternate media content based on the particular media content being consumed or otherwise presented to the STBs 110.Indication of media content being presented to the STBs 110 can be determined from one or more of a channel indicator, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), a program recording schedule for STBs 110 that include Digital Video Recorders (DVR), and the like.","In some embodiments, the intelligent multi-switch 116 is IP enabled and has discrete signal detection that applies the content from a corresponding internet feed 118 (fed to IP multi-switch) and switches back to the satellite/terrestrial feed 109 when certain impairments come and go.","Typically this type detection can be a signal frequency detector.","The accuracy associated with the prediction of rain fade at one frequency based on the rain fade measured at another frequency is on the order of +/−2 dB.","Thus effective fade detection requires fade measurements at only one frequency.","However there are several detection methods to accomplish the switch, such as indication of a signal to noise ratio, a bit error rate, an error correction performance metric, and so forth.","FIG.","2 depicts another embodiment of a terrestrial portion 200 of the direct broadcast satellite system 100 described in FIG.","1.The terrestrial portion 200 includes a satellite terminal 206 having a satellite dish antenna 205 and a low-noise amplifier/block down-converter (LNB) 207.The dish antenna 205 is typically mounted external to a subscriber's premises and receives RF signals 204 from one or more satellites.","The received satellite signals 204 are passed to the LNB 207, where they are amplified, filtered and down-converted.","The down-converted signals are provided to one or more STBs 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d (generally 210) of a subscriber's premises through an RF distribution network 208.The RF distribution network 208 can include one or more switches, one or more signal splitters, or a combination of one or more switch and one or more signal splitters, e.g., directing a particular RF output of the LNB 207 to one or more STBs 210.The terrestrial portion 200 also includes an intelligent multi-switch 216.The intelligent multi-switch 216 is in communication with one or more of the STBs 210 and one or more network-accessible alternate content sources 218.Alternatively or in addition, the intelligent multi-switch 216 is in communication with one or more of a program schedule and/or service directory 224, a weather service 226 and a solar calculator 227.The STBs 210, in turn, include an RF input terminal 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d (generally 220), and a network interface 222a, 222b, 222c, 222d (generally 222).","The RF input terminals 220 are in communication with the RF distribution network 208, receiving the down-converted RF signals from the LNB 207.The network interfaces 222 are in communication with the intelligent multi-switch 216, e.g., receiving alternative media content from one of the network-accessible alternate content sources 218.In some embodiments, the multi-switch 216 is in communication with one or more of the satellite terminal 206 and the RF distribution network 208.In operation, any operational STBs 210 that are actively receiving satellite media content from the satellite signal 204, would be tuned to a channel associated with particular media content provided on that channel It is generally understood that the satellite service media content can be provided in a broadcast mode, e.g., according to a program lineup or schedule.","Under such conditions, the program lineup can be identified by an electronic program guide identifying channels, time slots and programed media content.","Accordingly, knowledge of a tuned channel and a time is sufficient to allow for an identification of a media content item being presented on display equipment attached to the STB 210 and/or recorded at a DVR.","Alternatively or in addition, the satellite signal includes metadata that includes identifying information.","Different metadata can be provided for each programmed channel of the satellite service lineup, such that access to metadata of a tuned channel can identify a media content being presented on the display equipment attached to the STB 210 and/or recorded at a DVR.","It is also understood that in some embodiments, satellite service media content can be provided on a pay-per view basis and/or as an on demand basis.","The intelligent multi-switch 216 can identify what media content items are being delivered to any active STBs 210, and further identify alternative media content items.","The alternative media content items can include, without limitation, other versions of the same media content items.","For example, a direct broadcast satellite service provider may offer some or all of their channel lineups in an ancillary service for delivery over terrestrial networks.","The ancillary service can include, so-called, small screen versions of the media content items, generally intended for consumption on mobile devices.","Thus, a high-definition version, including ultra-high-definition or “4K” version of a media content item might be delivered by the satellite service according to the satellite signal 204; whereas, a standard definition, low-definition or otherwise small-screen version can be provided via a cable service and/or via an IP media stream.","The intelligent multi-switch 216 can identify an impairment in delivery of media content by way of the satellite signal 204, and in response, direct the alternative media content 219 to the STBs 210 by way of the network interface 222.The alternative media content can take the form of a packet stream, e.g., a media stream according to a streaming protocol, such as MPEG-2 or MPEG-4, MP-3, and the like.","The media content and the alternative media content can include, without limitation, one or more of video content, audio content, data, text, images, and the like.","In some embodiments, the media content can include social media content, gaming content, e.g., multiplayer including massively multiplayer games.","It is also generally understood that any media content or alternative media content can include metadata that can include descriptive information about the media content item.","Descriptive information can include, without limitation, a program identifier, a program title, a program source, e.g., studio, actors in the program, a genre, viewer and/or critical reviews, an industry standard rating, e.g., general audience, mature content, language, nudity, violence, start time, end time, duration, and the like.","The intelligent multi-switch 116 detects a particular channel to which one of the STBs 110 is tuned.","The intelligent multi-switch 116 can include a clock, or otherwise obtain a local time, such that the media content item or program can be determined from the channel and the time with reference to the EPG.","The intelligent multi-switch 216 can identify an impairment as a complete loss of the satellite signal 204, a reduction in RF power of the satellite signal, e.g., due to a signal attenuation as might be experienced during heavy precipitation conditions.","Alternatively or in addition, the impairment can be identified by an increase in a Bit Error Rate (BER) and/or a measure of error correction performance, e.g., an increase of forward error correction.","Interjection by the multi-switch 216 to provide the alternative content to the STB 210, can occur in a reactionary manner, when the signal loss and/or error performance reaches or exceeds an intolerable level.","Such scenarios might result in a loss of picture and/or audio, a reduced resolution, a blank screen, and the like.","Alternatively or in addition, interjection by the multi-switch 216 can occur in a predictive manner in which a trend in performance can be used to predict a future loss of signal, or increase in error performance.","Such predictions can be determined from one or more of trends of measured performance, weather sensory data, weather forecasts, and or predictions, e.g., from solar calculators to predict sun fades.","Weather data and/or weather forecasts can be obtained from a weather service provider, such as the National Weather Service, a local news outlet and/or weather application programs or apps', such as The Weather Channel®.","The Weather Channel® is a registered trademark of The Weather Channel, Inc.","In some embodiments, the weather information can be obtained from a local weather station or weather sensor, such as a rain gauge, a hydrometer, a barometer, or the like provided at the subscriber premises.","In some instances, the STB 210 provides an indicator that the signal loss/error performance is intolerable.","This might include an application that flashes a billboard or similar message to presentation equipment indicating loss of signal and/or technical difficulties.","Alternatively or in addition, one or more of the LNB 207 and the STB 210 provides a performance indicator related to the satellite signal 204 and or individual channels tuned to by the STBs 210.The signal indications can include Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), BER, error corrections, and the like.","The multi-switch 216 can be programed or otherwise include logic to act upon such signal indications in order to determine when to switch between satellite service media content and any alternative media content.","The programming and/or logic can implement one or more rules that determine aspects of any transitions, such as when and under what conditions to switch between the regular and alternate content.","The rules can include further restrictions, such as allowed alternative content sources, blocked alternative content sources, user preferences, and the like.","It is understood that in at least some instances, the same programming content may not be available from other network sources depending on one or more of the program, the time, available sources, etc.","In such instances, the multi-switch 216 can be configured to provide a suitable replacement alternative content item.","Such suitable replacement content can be determined according to one or more of a genre, actor(s), producer, studio, rating, and the like.","For example, if the multi-switch 216 determines that an STB 210 is tuned to a particular episode of “Modern Family,” the multi-switch can search a schedule and/or directory 224 of alternate media content to identify a suitable replacement.","The suitable replacement in the illustrative example might include another episode of “Modern Family.” The other episode can be selected based on further detail, such as another episode from the same season, or close to the same season.","Another episode dealing with similar subject matter, such as a story that focuses on one of the same actors can be selected, as well as other shows that may include the same actors, other family shows, and the like.","It is envisioned in at least some instances that suitable replacement content can include advertising content.","The selection of any particular advertising content to be substituted during outages can be based on perceived user demographics based on the particular content tuned to by the STB 210 at the time of the outage.","Alternatively or in addition, the selection of alternative content that includes advertising can be based on one or more of user preference, subscriber demographics, past viewing history, and the like.","In some embodiments, the multi-switch 216 includes a buffer, such as a circular buffer, that accepts a portion of the alternative content item.","The buffer can be used to synchronize a transition between the particular media content item being presented at the STB 210 and the alternate content.","For example, the buffer depth can be selected to store enough streamed media content to account for a greatest anticipated difference in timing between a satellite service presentation of a program, and a terrestrial service, “small-screen” presentation of the same show.","Such delays can range from a few seconds, to tens of seconds, or more.","The multi-switch can include circuitry and/or programing steps to detect or otherwise determine a time delay or time offset between the original and alternate media content items.","The time delay or offset can be used to adjust the circular buffer such that alternate media content at an output of the circular buffer is approximately synchronized with the original media content presented to the STB 210.Having established synchronization, the multi-switch 216 can switch or otherwise instruct the STB 210 to switch between the original content item and the alternate content item.","Such a switch can occur within the same frame, e.g., within the same “I frame” of an MPEG media stream.","FIG.","3 depicts another embodiment of a terrestrial portion 300 of the direct broadcast satellite system 100 described in FIG.","1.The terrestrial portion 300 includes a satellite terminal 306 having a satellite dish antenna 305 and a low-noise amplifier/block down-converter (LNB) 307.The received satellite signals 304 are passed to the LNB 307, where they are amplified, filtered and down-converted.","The down-converted signals are provided to one or more STBs 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d (generally 310) of a subscriber's premises through an RF distribution network 308.The terrestrial portion 300 also includes an intelligent multi-switch 316 in communication with one or more of the STBs 310 and one or more network-accessible alternate content sources 318.Alternatively or in addition, the intelligent multi-switch 316 is in communication with one or more of a program schedule and/or service directory 324, a weather service 326 and a solar calculator 327.The STBs 310, in turn, include an RF input terminal 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d (generally 320) that receive the down-converted satellite signals provided by the RF distribution network 308.The system 300 also includes one or more modulators 328 and RF switches or signal combiners 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d (generally 330).","The modulator 328 is in communication with the intelligent multi-switch 316 and the RF switches/combiners 330.In operation, the intelligent multi-switch 316 accesses alternate media content, e.g., as described above in relation to FIG.","2.The alternate media content can be packetized content, e.g., obtained from a network-accessible source.","For example, the media content can be in the form of an IP multicast stream.","The multicast stream can include “small-screen” versions of the satellite service media content items that may suffer an interruption in delivery.","Alternatively or in addition, the multicast stream can include any of the other alternative media content disclosed herein.","The modulator 328 receives the multicast stream, or in some instances, an analog signal comprising the alternate media content.","The modulator 328 modulates the alternate media content stream onto an RF signal that can replicate the RF output signal received from the LNB 307, by way of the RF distribution network 308.In this manner the RF modulated alternate media content can be directed to one or more of the STBs 310 during any outage periods in which the original satellite service content may be degraded or otherwise unavailable.","In some embodiments, the modulator 328 or another device, such as a wireless modem (not shown) can provide the alternate content wirelessly to the STBs 310.For applications in which the RF switches/combiners 330 include controllable switches, the switches 330 can receive a control signal, e.g., from the multi-switch and/or another control device to actuate a switch to the alternate content during an interruption to the satellite service and a switch back to the original content when the satellite service has been restored.","In the illustrative embodiment, the intelligent multi-switch 316 obtains alternate content for each of the set-top boxes 310.Accordingly, the intelligent multi-switch 316 provides up to four IP streams (multicast or unicast for video on demand), to the modulator 328.Although separate RF switches/combiners 330 are illustrated, it is understood that any switching to/from alternate media content could be accommodated by the RF distribution network 308.Namely, instead of a 1×4 RF switch, the RF distribution network 308 can include a 2×4 switch capable of switching either the satellite RF signal from the LNB 307 or the alternate media content RF signal from the modulator 328 to one or more of the STBs 310.Although the modulator 328 is illustrated as having four independent RF outputs, it is understood that the modulator can modulate multiple IP packet streams onto a single RF signal, e.g., with the alternate content occupying corresponding frequency spectra to the satellite RF signal content being replaced.","In this manner, the STB 310 is able to process the original satellite media content or the alternate media content without having to retune.","Alternatively, in some embodiments, in which the down-converted RF satellite signal from the LNB 307 includes encryption or scrambling, it is understood that the modulator 328 can include an encryption and/or scrambling circuitry or program steps to encrypt and/or scramble the alternate content in the same manner as applied to the original down-converted RF satellite signal.","Accordingly, the STB 310 can continue to process the alternate content in a like manner, including channel tuning, decryption and/or descrambling.","In other embodiments, it is understood that the alternate content can be provided without encryption and/or scrambling, even though the original signal is encrypted and/or scrambled.","In such instances, the STB 310 can be programmed to detect a change in encryption and/or scrambling of the signal and process the signal accordingly.","A control signal indicating whether encryption and/or scrambling should be applied can be generated with the STB 310, e.g., upon a detection that the signal is/is not encrypted/scrambled.","Alternatively or in addition, such a control signal could be provided to the STB by another device, such as the modulator 328, the multi-switch 316 or some other controlling device that is aware of switchover/switchback events to/from alternate media content.","An example system comprising coordination of back-up media services is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application, entitled “System and Method for Coordinating Back-Up Services for Land Based Content Subscribers,” having attorney docket no.","2015-0388_7785-120, and assigned application Ser.","No.","14/919,356, filed on Oct. 21, 2015, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","FIG.","4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a process 400 used in portions of the system described in FIGS.","1-3.A satellite channel indicator is received at 402.The channel indicator can include a tuning status or channel indicator provided by the STB 110, 210, 310, and/or by a remote control that operates user equipment, e.g., including the STBs.","Alternatively or in addition, the satellite channel indicator can be determined by a detecting a frequency or channel of a particular transponder to which the STB is tuned to.","For applications, e.g., when backing up a DVR, the tuning status can be obtained from a pre-programmed recording schedule that can include channel names, frequencies, times, and the like.","A satellite channel media content item is identified at 404.A particular media content item being watched or otherwise presented or recorded on user equipment, can be identified by any of the techniques disclosed herein, including reference to an EPG based on the tuning status/channel and local time, metadata associated or otherwise provided with the media content item, and in some instances, by sampling the media content item itself.","A sampling of images, textual content, and/or audio of the original media content item can be obtained and used for identification purposes.","A corresponding media content item of terrestrial channel is identified at 406.Generally, the system knows which primary service has been subscribed to for a given premises.","For instances in which a companion service is available, such as the so-called “small screen” or mobile versions of a given service are available, these services can be identified as a source for corresponding or alternate media content items.","In other instances, particular broadcast program might also be available as an on-demand content item.","In such instances, the on-demand version can be identified as a source of a corresponding or alternate media content item.","If on-demand content is used, an offset can be monitored or otherwise provided, e.g., as a pointer to a portion of the content item being presented at the time of an outage.","The offset can be used to adjust download and/or playback of the on-demand content item to synchronize a transition from the broadcast to the on-demand content item in the event of an interruption.","As disclosed herein, alternative content can be identified, e.g., if corresponding version of the same content is not available.","The alternative content can be identified by relationships of one or more parameters to the original content item.","Such parameters can include title, characters, actors, musical scores, genre, author, producer, studio, ratings, and the like.","A satellite channel performance indicator is measured or otherwise received at 414.The satellite performance indicator can include one or more of a signal strength of the received satellite signal, a signal to noise ratio of the received signal or the down-converted signal at the LNB, and/or some other measure of performance, such as a BER, error correction performance factor and the like.","A determination is made at 416 as to whether an impairment to satellite channel has occurred.","To the extent it is determined that an impairment, e.g., a loss of signal, has occurred, a switch to the alternate content, e.g., terrestrial channel, occurs at 418.Otherwise, the performance indicator continues at 414, until such time as a signal impairment is detected, if at all.","In some embodiments, a satellite channel outage forecast is obtained at 410 (shown in phantom).","The forecast can include results of a solar conjunction calculation, and or a weather forecast based on locations of the satellite terminal and the corresponding satellite.","It is understood that forecast can include identification of regularly scheduled maintenance, and the like.","It is understood that, in some embodiments, a prediction of a loss of satellite signal can be obtained at 412 (shown in phantom).","To the extent that a loss or impairment of the satellite signal is determined at 412, a switch to the alternate content occurs at 418.Otherwise, the process continues at 414, monitoring channel performance and reacting at 416 as appropriate.","In some embodiments, a portion of the corresponding media content item is buffered at 408 (shown in phantom).","The buffering can be accomplished, as disclosed herein, to support a synchronization during a switch between original and alternate media content.","It is understood that the buffering can be applied continuously, e.g., according to a circular buffer, such that the alternative content is available to respond to an unexpected signal outage.","Alternatively, the buffering can be applied in anticipation of a scheduled and/or predicted outage.","During period when an outage is not expected, there would be no need to obtain the alternate content, thereby preserving network resources.","In some embodiments, a determination is made at 420 (shown in phantom) as to whether the original satellite channel available at 420.To the extent it is determined that the original satellite channel is available, a switch back to the original satellite channel occurs at 422.While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.","4, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.","Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.","FIG.","5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communication system 500 for delivering media content.","The communication system 500 can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.","Communication system 500 can be overlaid or operably coupled with the satellite communication systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.","1, 2 and/or 3 as another representative embodiment of communication system 500.For instance, one or more devices illustrated in the communication system 500 of FIG.","5 can determine a first tuning state of a STB 506.The first tuning state includes a satellite service channel of a number of channels, including a first media content item that is processed by the STB 506 for presentation to equipment a subscriber 508.A terrestrial service channel is identified, for example by the intelligent multi-switch 570 and/or by the backup service server 530 that includes a second media content item.","The terrestrial service channel is accessed by the intelligent multi-switch after not having been initially processed by the STB 506 for presentation to the equipment 208 of the subscriber.","An unavailability is determined of the satellite service channel to the media processor, e.g., by the intelligent multi-switch 570 and/or by the backup service server 530 and the second media content item is provided to the STB 506 in place of the first, responsive to the determining of the unavailability of the satellite service channel The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 510 with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 511 which receives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems.","In the present context, media content can represent, for example, audio content, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games, virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.","The SHS server 511 can forward packets associated with the media content to one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 514 via a network of video head-end offices (VHO) 512 according to a multicast communication protocol.","The VHS 514 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an access network 518 to commercial and/or residential buildings 502 housing a gateway 504 (such as a residential or commercial gateway).","The access network 518 can represent a group of digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service area interface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links or copper twisted pairs 519 to buildings 502.The gateway 504 can use communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to media processors 506 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn present broadcast channels to media devices 508 such as computers or television sets managed in some instances by a media controller 507 (such as an infrared or RF remote controller).","The gateway 504, the media processors 506, and media devices 508 can utilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerline or phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocol such as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other present or next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.","By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invoked between the media processors 506 and subsystems of the IPTV media system for services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronic programming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.","A satellite broadcast television system 529 can be used in the media system of FIG.","5.The satellite broadcast television system can be overlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system 500.In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 515 that include media content can be received by a satellite dish receiver 531 coupled to the building 502.Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver 531 can be transferred to the media processors 506 for demodulating, decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the media devices 508.The media processors 506 can be equipped with a broadband port to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 532 to enable interactive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.","In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcast distribution system such as cable TV system 533 can be overlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satellite TV system as another representative embodiment of communication system 500.In this embodiment, the cable TV system 533 can also provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services.","System 500 enables various types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV, cable and/or satellite.","The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generation over-the-air and/or landline media content services system.","Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled to one or more computing devices 530, a portion of which can operate as a web server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 532 to wireline media devices 508 or wireless communication devices 516.In some embodiments the computing devices 530 include a backup service server 530 that is programmed to implement server backup service functionality 562.The server backup service functionality 562 can implement one or more of the features disclosed herein, such as the features associated with the process 400 described in FIG.","4.The backup service server 530 can operate alone or in combination with the intelligent multi-switch 570.Accordingly, the intelligent multi-switch 570 is programmed to implement switch backup service functionality 564.The switch backup service functionality 564 can implement one or more of the features disclosed herein, such as the features associated with the process 400 described in FIG.","4.When both the backup service server 530 and the intelligent multi-switch 570 are provided, backup service functionality can be shared or otherwise distributed across both devices 530, 570.It is envisioned that in some embodiments, backup service functionality can be included in one or more other devices and systems, such as the satellite receiver 531, the STB 507, the residential gateway 504, and the like.","Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices over landline technologies such as those described above.","Additionally, media services can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless access base station 517 operating according to common wireless access protocols such as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal Mobile Telecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave or WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and so on.","Other present and next generation wide area wireless access network technologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.","FIG.","6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 602 of a communication system 600.Communication system 600 can be overlaid or operably coupled with systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.","1, 2 and/or 3 and/or communication system 500 as another representative embodiment of systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.","1, 2 and/or 3 and/or communication system 500.The web portal 602 can be used for managing services of systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.","1, 2 and/or 3 and communication systems 500.A web page of the web portal 602 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with an Internet browser using an Internet-capable communication device such as those described in FIGS.","1, 2 and/or 3 and FIG.","5.The web portal 602 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 506 and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.)","stored at the media processor 506.The web portal 602 can also be used for provisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.","The web portal 602 can further be utilized to manage and provision software applications 562-564 to adapt these applications as may be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.","1, 2 and/or 3, and communication system 500.For instance, users of the services provided by intelligent multi-switches 116, 216, 316, 570 and/or server 530 can log into their on-line accounts and multi-switches 116, 216, 316, 570 and/or server 530 with features that a user may want to program such as loss of signal triggers, alternate content preferences, user identity and/or account information, user profiles, providing contact information to server to enable it to communication with the STBs 110, 210, 310, 506 described in FIGS.","1-3 and 5, and so on.","Service providers can log onto an administrator account to provision, monitor and/or maintain the systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.","1, 2 and/or 3 or server 530.FIG.","7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 700.Communication device 700 can serve in whole or in part as an illustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.","1, 2 and/or 3, and FIG.","5 and can be configured to perform portions of the process 400 of FIG.","4.Communication device 700 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 702 (herein transceiver 702), a user interface (UI) 704, a power supply 714, a location receiver 716, a motion sensor 718, an orientation sensor 720, and a controller 706 for managing operations thereof.","The transceiver 702 can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively).","Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise.","The transceiver 702 can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.","), and combinations thereof.","The UI 704 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 708 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device 700.The keypad 708 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device 700 or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®.","The keypad 708 can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys.","The UI 704 can further include a display 710 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the communication device 700.In an embodiment where the display 710 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad 708 can be presented by way of the display 710 with navigation features.","The display 710 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a user interface for detecting user input.","As a touch screen display, the communication device 700 can be adapted to present a user interface with graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger.","The touch screen display 710 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display.","This sensing information can be used to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the user interface.","The display 710 can be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device 700 or an independent device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.","The UI 704 can also include an audio system 712 that utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation).","The audio system 712 can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user.","The audio system 712 can also be used for voice recognition applications.","The UI 704 can further include an image sensor 713 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.","The power supply 714 can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device 700 to facilitate long-range or short-range portable applications.","Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering technologies.","The location receiver 716 can utilize location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device 700 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services such as navigation.","The motion sensor 718 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the communication device 700 in three-dimensional space.","The orientation sensor 720 can utilize orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device 700 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).","The communication device 700 can use the transceiver 702 to also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements.","The controller 706 can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementioned components of the communication device 700.Other components not shown in FIG.","7 can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.","For instance, the communication device 700 can include a reset button (not shown).","The reset button can be used to reset the controller 706 of the communication device 700.In yet another embodiment, the communication device 700 can also include a factory default setting button positioned, for example, below a small hole in a housing assembly of the communication device 700 to force the communication device 700 to re-establish factory settings.","In this embodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paper clip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.","The communication device 700 can also include a slot for adding or removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.","SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.","Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of the claims described below.","For example, the content replacement techniques disclosed herein for DBS satellite service can be applied to other services, as well, including terrestrial services.","Outages experienced in such services can be detected and/or predicted and backed up in a similar manner.","That is, an intelligent switch can be provided, e.g., at customer premises, or at some other location upstream, such as at a DSLAM, VRAD, central office, or even a head end.","The intelligent switch, in response to a loss of signal and/or loss of content, can provide alternate content according to the techniques disclosed herein.","Consider, for example, a cable service, or other terrestrial service, such as FiOS or U-Verse that experiences a loss of signal and/or content.","Substitute content obtained from an Internet version of the service, e.g., providing the same or comparable channel lineup, and provided to subscriber equipment during the detected outage.","Alternatively or in addition, alternative or replacement content can be obtained from subscribe premises equipment, such as a DVR.","Other alternate of replacement content can include alerts, such as weather alerts and/or emergency broadcast network content that may or may not relate to an outage being experienced.","Other embodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.","In some embodiments, it is envisioned that one satellite service can be replaced with another satellite service.","Such substitutions can be available for installations having multiple satellite terminals, e.g., pointing to different satellites at different orbital positions.","Thus, when one satellite terminal may be experiencing a solar fade associated with a first satellite, the other satellite terminal may not be experiencing a solar fade, thus being available for service.","Without limitation, transponder resources of the two different satellites may be providing satellite services of the same satellite service provider, different providers, or both.","For situations in which substitute media is obtained from a different service provider, it is understood that such substitutions may require agreements for temporary provisioning of services, authorizations, assessments of fees, billing, etc.","In some embodiments, it is envisioned that one satellite service can be replaced with another satellite service of the same satellite.","For example, a satellite terminal might include one dish antenna equipped with multiple feeds.","The feeds can be distinguished by one or more of polarizations, frequency bands, focal positions, and the like.","Consider services provided at a first frequency band and/or polarization that might be impacted by a weather event, such as precipitation.","To the extent that the other service operates at a different frequency band and/or polarization, the other service may not be impacted by the same weather event, such that it would be available as a replacement.","It is also understood that one dish antenna can include multiple feeds positioned at different focal locations that can point to different satellites.","Accordingly, an interruption of service from one of the feeds of a first satellite can be replaced by service from another feed of another satellite.","Once again, such substitutions may require agreements for temporary provisioning of services, authorizations, assessments of fees, billing, etc.","It should be understood that devices described in the exemplary embodiments can be in communication with each other via various wireless and/or wired methodologies.","The methodologies can be links that are described as coupled, connected and so forth, which can include unidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless paths and/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols or methodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g., no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediary processing device such as a router).","FIG.","7 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system 700 within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described above.","One or more instances of the machine can operate, for example, as the intelligent multi-switch 116, 216, 316, 570 the STB 110, 21, 310, 506, the residential gateway 570, the schedule/directory 224, 324, the weather service 226, 326, the backup service server 530, the media processor 506 and other devices of FIGS.","1-3 and 5-6.In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network 726) to other machines.","In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.","The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.","It will be understood that a communication device of the subject disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.","Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.","The computer system 700 may include a processor (or controller) 702 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory 704 and a static memory 706, which communicate with each other via a bus 708.The computer system 700 may further include a display unit 710 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display).","The computer system 700 may include an input device 712 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 714 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 716, a signal generation device 718 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device 720.In distributed environments, the embodiments described in the subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 710 controlled by two or more computer systems 700.In this configuration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shown in a first of the display units 710, while the remaining portion is presented in a second of the display units 710.The disk drive unit 716 may include a tangible computer-readable storage medium 722 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 724) embodying any one or more of the methods or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.","The instructions 724 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 704, the static memory 706, and/or within the processor 702 during execution thereof by the computer system 700.The main memory 704 and the processor 702 also may constitute tangible computer-readable storage media.","Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein.","Application specific integrated circuits and programmable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executing state machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments of the subject disclosure.","Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems.","Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.","Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.","In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, the operations or methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs or instructions running on or executed by a computer processor or other computing device, and which may include other forms of instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logic components in an application specific integrated circuit or field programmable gate array.","Furthermore, software implementations (e.g., software programs, instructions, etc.)","including, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein.","It is further noted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or other suitable device for executing instructions to perform operations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.","While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 722 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions.","The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable of storing or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods of the subject disclosure.","The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitory computer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives, devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.","The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.","Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored.","Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols.","Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art.","Such standards are from time-to-time superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.","Wireless standards for device detection (e.g., RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee), and long-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used by computer system 700.The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein.","Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.","The exemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or steps from multiple embodiments.","Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.","Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale.","Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.","Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments described or shown by the subject disclosure.","The subject disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.","Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.","For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can be combined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments.","In one or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can also be negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or without replacement by another structural and/or functional feature.","The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed in any order.","The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions of the subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from other steps that have not been described in the subject disclosure.","Further, more than or less than all of the features described with respect to an embodiment can also be utilized.","Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to the exemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more of the exemplary embodiments.","Further, the use of numerical terms to describe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second, third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or function unless expressly stated so.","The use of the terms first, second, third and so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components, steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise.","Additionally, one or more devices or components described with respect to the exemplary embodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating (e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection) can include less than every step needed to perform the function or can include all of the steps needed to perform the function.","In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controller or circuit) has been described that performs various functions.","It should be understood that the processor can be multiple processors, which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in a single machine or multiple machines.","The processor can be used in supporting a virtual processing environment.","The virtual processing environment may support one or more virtual machines representing computers, servers, or other computing devices.","In such virtual machines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may be virtualized or logically represented.","The processor can include a state machine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmable gate array including a Field PGA.","In one or more embodiments, when a processor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this can include the processor performing the operations directly and/or facilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or component to perform the operations.","The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.","In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.","This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.","Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.","Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REPLACING MEDIA CONTENT\",\n \"Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a first tuning state of a media processor of a subscriber.\",\n \"The first tuning state includes a satellite service channel, wherein the satellite service channel provides a first media content item that is processed by the media processor for presentation.\",\n \"A terrestrial service channel is identified that provides a second media content item.\",\n \"Access to the terrestrial service channel is provided by control of a switch.\",\n \"Subsequent processing of the second media content item by the media processor is facilitated by replacing the first media content item, responsive to the determining of an unavailability of the satellite service channel Other embodiments are disclosed.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A system, comprising: a switch; a buffer memory; a processing system including a processor in communication with the switch and the buffer memory; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: receiving a channel indicator of a media processing device of a subscriber, wherein the channel indicator corresponds to a satellite service channel of a plurality of satellite service channels, wherein the satellite service channel provides a first version of a media content item, wherein the first version of the media content item is processed by the media processing device for presentation; identifying a terrestrial service channel of a plurality of terrestrial service channels providing a second version of the media content item, wherein control of the switch provides access to the terrestrial service channel; buffering a portion of the second version of the media content item to obtain a buffered second version within the buffer memory; and detecting an unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device, wherein the buffered second version of the media content item is subsequently processed by the media processing device for presentation in place of the first version of the media content item responsive to the detecting of the unavailability of the satellite service channel.\",\n \"2.The system of claim 1, wherein the detecting the unavailability is based on a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio correction, or a combination thereof, and wherein the second version of the media content item is not processed, prior to the control of the switch, by the media processing device for presentation.\",\n \"3.The system of claim 2, wherein the operations further comprise: determining a relative delay between a presentation of the first version of the media content item and a scheduled presentation of the second version of the media content item; and determining a buffer depth based on the relative delay, wherein a transition at the media processing device from the first version to the buffered second version occurs synchronously.\",\n \"4.The system of claim 1, wherein the identifying of the terrestrial service channel comprises: identifying the first version of the media content item based on the channel indicator and a scheduled presentation time.\",\n \"5.The system of claim 1, wherein the detecting of the unavailability is based on a performance measure of a satellite signal comprising the plurality of satellite service channels, wherein the performance measure comprises an effective isotropic radiated power, a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, a measure of error correction or a combination thereof.\",\n \"6.The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: determining a re-availability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device of the subscriber, after the determining of the unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device of the subscriber; and providing the first version of the media content item to the media processing device in place of the second version of the media content item, responsive to the determining of the re-availability of the satellite service channel.\",\n \"7.The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise predicting the unavailability of the satellite service channel at a future time based on a weather forecast or a solar fade evaluation, wherein the identifying of the terrestrial service channel is responsive to the predicting of the unavailability.\",\n \"8.A method, comprising: detecting, by a device comprising a processing system including a processor, a first tuning state of a media processing device of a subscriber, wherein the first tuning state comprises a satellite service channel of a plurality of satellite service channels, wherein the satellite service channel presents a media content item, wherein the media content item is presented to the media processing device; determining, by the device, a terrestrial service channel of a plurality of terrestrial service channels providing a substitute media content item, wherein control of a switch provides access to the terrestrial service channel; buffering a portion of the substitute media content item to obtain a buffered substitute media content item; and detecting, by the device, an unavailability of the satellite service channel for presentation to the media processing device, wherein the substitute media content item is subsequently processed by the media processing device for presentation in place of the media content item, responsive to the detecting of the unavailability of the satellite service channel.\",\n \"9.The method of claim 8, further comprising buffering, by the device, a portion of the substitute media content item within a buffer memory to obtain a buffered substitute media content item, wherein the providing of the substitute media content item comprises providing the buffered substitute media content item.\",\n \"10.The method of claim 9, further comprising: determining, by the device, a relative delay between the presentation of the media content item and a scheduled presentation of the substitute media content item; and determining, by the device, a buffer depth based on the relative delay, wherein a transition at the media processing device from the media content item to the substitute media content item occurs synchronously.\",\n \"11.The method of claim 8, wherein the media content item is streamed according to a first protocol, and wherein the substitute media content item is streamed according to a second protocol.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 8, wherein the determining of the unavailability is based on a performance measure of a satellite signal comprising the plurality of satellite service channels, wherein the performance measure comprises an effective isotropic radiated power, a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, a measure of error correction or a combination thereof.\",\n \"13.The method of claim 8, wherein the detecting the unavailability is based on a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, or a combination thereof, and wherein the substitute media content item is not processed, prior to the control of the switch, by the media processing device for presentation.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 8, further comprising predicting, by the device, the unavailability of the satellite service channel at a future time based on a weather forecast or a solar fade evaluation, wherein the determining of the terrestrial service channel is responsive to the predicting of the unavailability.\",\n \"15.A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: determining a first tuning state of a media processor, wherein the first tuning state comprises a satellite service channel providing a first media content item, wherein the first media content item is processed by the media processor for presentation; identifying a terrestrial service channel providing a second media content item, wherein control of a switch provides access to the terrestrial service channel; buffering a portion of the second media content item to obtain a buffered second media content item; and determining an unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processor, wherein the second media content item is subsequently processed by the media processor for presentation in place of the first media content item responsive to the determining of the unavailability of the satellite service channel 16.The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the determining the unavailability is based on a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, or a combination thereof, and wherein the second media content item is not processed, prior to the control of the switch, by the media processor for presentation.\",\n \"17.The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise: determining a relative delay between a presentation of the first media content item and a scheduled presentation of the second media content item; and determining a buffer depth based on the relative delay, wherein a transition at the media processor from the first media content item to the buffered second media content item occurs synchronously.\",\n \"18.The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the determining of the unavailability is based on a performance measure of a satellite signal comprising the satellite service channel, wherein the performance measure comprises an effective isotropic radiated power, a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, a measure of error correction or a combination thereof.\",\n \"19.The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise: determining a re-availability of the satellite service channel to the media processor, after the determining of the unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processor; and facilitating a replacing of the second media content item with the first media content item to the media processor, responsive to the determining of the re-availability of the satellite service channel 20.The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise: predicting the unavailability of the satellite service channel at a future time based on a weather observation or a celestial calculation, wherein the identifying of the terrestrial service channel is responsive to the predicting of the unavailability.\"\n ],\n [\n \" FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The subject disclosure relates to automated media content replacement.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.\",\n \"1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a direct broadcast satellite system; FIG.\",\n \"2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a terrestrial portion of the direct broadcast satellite system described in FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"3 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a terrestrial portion of the direct broadcast satellite system described in FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portions of the system described in FIGS.\",\n \"1-3 ; FIG.\",\n \"5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system that supports replacement media content to the direct broadcast satellite system of FIGS.\",\n \"1-3 ; FIG.\",\n \"6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal for interacting with the communication systems of FIGS.\",\n \"1-3 ; and FIG.\",\n \"7 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/919,373, filed Oct. 21, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The subject disclosure relates to automated media content replacement.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.\",\n \"1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a direct broadcast satellite system; FIG.\",\n \"2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a terrestrial portion of the direct broadcast satellite system described in FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"3 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a terrestrial portion of the direct broadcast satellite system described in FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portions of the system described in FIGS.\",\n \"1-3; FIG.\",\n \"5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system that supports replacement media content to the direct broadcast satellite system of FIGS.\",\n \"1-3; FIG.\",\n \"6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal for interacting with the communication systems of FIGS.\",\n \"1-3; and FIG.\",\n \"7 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments for an intelligent multi-switch that reacts to an impairment in reception of original media content from a satellite and/or terrestrial media feed by applying substitute media content from another source, such as a corresponding Internet feed.\",\n \"The multi-switch can also react to a resumption in availability of the original media content by returning to the satellite/terrestrial feed.\",\n \"The multi-switch can be IP enabled and include discrete signal detection to accurately predict impairments to received media content services.\",\n \"Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.\",\n \"One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a system including a switch, a processor in communication with the switch and a memory that stores executable instruction.\",\n \"The instructions, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations that include receiving a channel indicator of a media processing device of a subscriber.\",\n \"The channel indicator corresponds to a satellite service channel of a number of satellite service channels, wherein the satellite service channel provides a first version of a media content item processed by the media processing device for presentation.\",\n \"A terrestrial service channel of a number of terrestrial service channels is identified, that presents a second version of the media content item.\",\n \"Unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device is detected.\",\n \"The switch is controlled to the terrestrial service channel of the number of terrestrial service channels, wherein the second version of the media content item is not, prior to the controlling of the switch, processed by the media processing device for presentation.\",\n \"Subsequent processing of the second version of the media content item by the media processing device is facilitated by replacing the first version, responsive to the detecting of the unavailability of the satellite service channel.\",\n \"One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a process that detects, by a device comprising a processor, a first tuning state of a media processing device of a subscriber.\",\n \"The first tuning state includes a satellite service channel of a number of satellite service channels, wherein the satellite service channel presents a media content item.\",\n \"The media content item is presented to the media processing device.\",\n \"A terrestrial service channel of a number of terrestrial service channels is determined that provides a substitute media content item.\",\n \"The terrestrial service channel of the number of terrestrial service channels is accessed.\",\n \"An unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device of the subscriber is detected and subsequent processing of the substitute media content item by the media processing device is facilitated by replacing the media content item, responsive to the detecting of the unavailability of the satellite service channel.\",\n \"One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readable storage medium, having executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitate performance of operations.\",\n \"The operations include determining a first tuning state of a media processing device of a subscriber, wherein the first tuning state includes a satellite service channel of a number of satellite service channels, wherein the satellite service channel presents a first media content item.\",\n \"The first media content item is processed by the media processing device for presentation.\",\n \"A terrestrial service channel of a number of terrestrial service channels is identified that provides a second media content item.\",\n \"The terrestrial service channel of the number of terrestrial service channels is accessed, wherein the second media content item is not initially processed by the media processing device for presentation.\",\n \"An unavailability of the satellite service channel to the media processing device is determined and facilitation of subsequent processing of the second media content item by the media processing device by replacing the first media content item, responsive to the determining of the unavailability of the satellite service channel.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) system 100, sometimes referred to as a Broadcasting Satellite Service (BSS).\",\n \"The system 100 includes or more artificial satellites 102 providing satellite service to one or more geographical regions.\",\n \"Each satellite 102 includes one or more transponders that transmit satellite service signals 104 wirelessly to the target geographical region(s).\",\n \"Under certain conditions, the satellite signals 104 can be received by a satellite terminal 106.Namely, the satellite terminal 106 is positioned within a target geographical region, without interference that might otherwise degrade or prevent reception of the satellite signal 104.By way of non-limiting example, DirecTV® and Dish Network®, are American DBS service providers.\",\n \"They transmit digital satellite television and audio to households and businesses in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean.\",\n \"DBS is also considered a direct competitor of cable television providers.\",\n \"DirecTV® and Dish Network® are registered trademarks of DirecTV, LLC and Dish Network LLC, respectively.\",\n \"These providers emit their core programming from satellite in geostationary orbits at locations between 100 W and 120 W western longitudes.\",\n \"One such means of interference is related to the sun 114.The satellite terminal 106 typically has a highly directional antenna that is aimed at a location of the satellite 102.Under certain astronomical conditions, the sun may fall within the same region covered by the satellite terminal 106 antenna.\",\n \"Namely, the satellite falls on a line connecting the satellite antenna and the sun.\",\n \"This can be referred to as sun fade, sun transit, sun outage or solar conjunction.\",\n \"Such conditions can occur multiple times per year, for a period of about several minutes or more during which reception of the satellite signal is impeded, degraded or otherwise unavailable.\",\n \"In some instances, e.g., depending upon antenna mis-pointing, link margin, actual element performance and so forth, the durations of any single outage can be greater than 10 minutes.\",\n \"Fortunately, sun fade can be predicted with a high degree of precision based on locations of the satellite 102 and the satellite terminal 106.Sun interference prediction calculators are readily available, such as a calculator available online from INTELSAT, at http://www.intelsat.com/tools-resources/satellite-data-tools/sun-interface-calculator/.\",\n \"It is generally understood that adverse weather conditions can also affect the quality of satellite signal reception.\",\n \"For example, heavy rains 112 can attenuate the satellite signal enough to result in noticeable degradation of image quality.\",\n \"In extreme cases, the reception can be effectively disrupted.\",\n \"Satellite signal reception quality also can be affected by water or snow/ice accumulating over the surface of the satellite terminal antenna.\",\n \"In more detail, the satellite terminal 106 includes a satellite dish antenna 105 and a low-noise amplifier/block down-converter (LNB) 107.The dish antenna 105 is typically mounted external to a subscriber's premises and receives RF signals 104 from one or more satellites.\",\n \"The received satellite signals 104 are passed to the LNB 107, and an amplified, filtered and down-converted, e.g., removing an RF carrier.\",\n \"The down-converted signals 109 are provided to a satellite receiver, typically within the subscriber's premises.\",\n \"Some premises can include multiple receivers or set-top boxes (STBs) 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d (generally 110) receiving the down-converted signals 109 from an RF distribution device.\",\n \"If the satellite terminal 106 provides a single output, the RF distribution device can include an RF splitter.\",\n \"More typically, the satellite terminal 106 provides multiple outputs.\",\n \"In the illustrative example, a multi-switch 108 is provided to route the down-converted signals to the appropriate STB 110.It is generally understood that the same dish antenna can receive satellite signals 104 from more than one satellite.\",\n \"Alternatively or in addition, the same premises can have more than one satellite antennas, e.g., pointing to different satellites and/or operating in different frequency bands.\",\n \"In such situations, each of the inputs of the multi-switch 108 is dedicated to a respective one of the received satellite signals 104.In some embodiments, one of the inputs of the multi-switch can receive inputs from a terrestrial antenna, e.g., receiving a local terrestrial wireless broadcast of television programming For example, a “3 In-4 Out” multi-switch can receive inputs from two block-down-converted satellite signals 109 and one local terrestrial wireless broadcast signal (not shown).\",\n \"The multi-switch 108 provides four output terminals that can support up to four satellite receivers, or STBs 110, as shown.\",\n \"The satellite receiver or STB 110 can include one or more of a de-scrambler or decryption module to unlock or otherwise provide access to media content offered by a satellite service provider.\",\n \"The STB 110 can include a tuner that responds to an input from a user that tunes the STB 110 to one of a number of available satellite service channels.\",\n \"In some instances, the block down-conversion of the LNB 107 provides multiple satellite service channels to each STB 110, allowing for selection of a particular channel to occur within the STB 110.A decoder decodes encoded channel signals, e.g., converting digital MPEG-2, H.264 or MPEG-4 signals to another format, such as analog NTCS format, HDTV format, and the like.\",\n \"It is understood that the down-converted RF signal can support multiple channels simultaneously, e.g., being distributed by the RF distribution network for processing by multiple satellite receivers.\",\n \"In the illustrative embodiment, the system 100 also includes an intelligent multi-switch 116.The intelligent multi-switch 116 receives media content from one or more alternate sources 118 and selectively provides the alternative media content to one or more of the STBs 110.For example, the intelligent multi-switch 116 provides the alternative media content 118 to the STBs 110 during occurrences of interference that might otherwise degrade or prevent reception of the satellite signal 104.In some embodiments, the intelligent multi-switch 116 identifies alternate media content based on the particular media content being consumed or otherwise presented to the STBs 110.Indication of media content being presented to the STBs 110 can be determined from one or more of a channel indicator, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), a program recording schedule for STBs 110 that include Digital Video Recorders (DVR), and the like.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the intelligent multi-switch 116 is IP enabled and has discrete signal detection that applies the content from a corresponding internet feed 118 (fed to IP multi-switch) and switches back to the satellite/terrestrial feed 109 when certain impairments come and go.\",\n \"Typically this type detection can be a signal frequency detector.\",\n \"The accuracy associated with the prediction of rain fade at one frequency based on the rain fade measured at another frequency is on the order of +/−2 dB.\",\n \"Thus effective fade detection requires fade measurements at only one frequency.\",\n \"However there are several detection methods to accomplish the switch, such as indication of a signal to noise ratio, a bit error rate, an error correction performance metric, and so forth.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 depicts another embodiment of a terrestrial portion 200 of the direct broadcast satellite system 100 described in FIG.\",\n \"1.The terrestrial portion 200 includes a satellite terminal 206 having a satellite dish antenna 205 and a low-noise amplifier/block down-converter (LNB) 207.The dish antenna 205 is typically mounted external to a subscriber's premises and receives RF signals 204 from one or more satellites.\",\n \"The received satellite signals 204 are passed to the LNB 207, where they are amplified, filtered and down-converted.\",\n \"The down-converted signals are provided to one or more STBs 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d (generally 210) of a subscriber's premises through an RF distribution network 208.The RF distribution network 208 can include one or more switches, one or more signal splitters, or a combination of one or more switch and one or more signal splitters, e.g., directing a particular RF output of the LNB 207 to one or more STBs 210.The terrestrial portion 200 also includes an intelligent multi-switch 216.The intelligent multi-switch 216 is in communication with one or more of the STBs 210 and one or more network-accessible alternate content sources 218.Alternatively or in addition, the intelligent multi-switch 216 is in communication with one or more of a program schedule and/or service directory 224, a weather service 226 and a solar calculator 227.The STBs 210, in turn, include an RF input terminal 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d (generally 220), and a network interface 222a, 222b, 222c, 222d (generally 222).\",\n \"The RF input terminals 220 are in communication with the RF distribution network 208, receiving the down-converted RF signals from the LNB 207.The network interfaces 222 are in communication with the intelligent multi-switch 216, e.g., receiving alternative media content from one of the network-accessible alternate content sources 218.In some embodiments, the multi-switch 216 is in communication with one or more of the satellite terminal 206 and the RF distribution network 208.In operation, any operational STBs 210 that are actively receiving satellite media content from the satellite signal 204, would be tuned to a channel associated with particular media content provided on that channel It is generally understood that the satellite service media content can be provided in a broadcast mode, e.g., according to a program lineup or schedule.\",\n \"Under such conditions, the program lineup can be identified by an electronic program guide identifying channels, time slots and programed media content.\",\n \"Accordingly, knowledge of a tuned channel and a time is sufficient to allow for an identification of a media content item being presented on display equipment attached to the STB 210 and/or recorded at a DVR.\",\n \"Alternatively or in addition, the satellite signal includes metadata that includes identifying information.\",\n \"Different metadata can be provided for each programmed channel of the satellite service lineup, such that access to metadata of a tuned channel can identify a media content being presented on the display equipment attached to the STB 210 and/or recorded at a DVR.\",\n \"It is also understood that in some embodiments, satellite service media content can be provided on a pay-per view basis and/or as an on demand basis.\",\n \"The intelligent multi-switch 216 can identify what media content items are being delivered to any active STBs 210, and further identify alternative media content items.\",\n \"The alternative media content items can include, without limitation, other versions of the same media content items.\",\n \"For example, a direct broadcast satellite service provider may offer some or all of their channel lineups in an ancillary service for delivery over terrestrial networks.\",\n \"The ancillary service can include, so-called, small screen versions of the media content items, generally intended for consumption on mobile devices.\",\n \"Thus, a high-definition version, including ultra-high-definition or “4K” version of a media content item might be delivered by the satellite service according to the satellite signal 204; whereas, a standard definition, low-definition or otherwise small-screen version can be provided via a cable service and/or via an IP media stream.\",\n \"The intelligent multi-switch 216 can identify an impairment in delivery of media content by way of the satellite signal 204, and in response, direct the alternative media content 219 to the STBs 210 by way of the network interface 222.The alternative media content can take the form of a packet stream, e.g., a media stream according to a streaming protocol, such as MPEG-2 or MPEG-4, MP-3, and the like.\",\n \"The media content and the alternative media content can include, without limitation, one or more of video content, audio content, data, text, images, and the like.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the media content can include social media content, gaming content, e.g., multiplayer including massively multiplayer games.\",\n \"It is also generally understood that any media content or alternative media content can include metadata that can include descriptive information about the media content item.\",\n \"Descriptive information can include, without limitation, a program identifier, a program title, a program source, e.g., studio, actors in the program, a genre, viewer and/or critical reviews, an industry standard rating, e.g., general audience, mature content, language, nudity, violence, start time, end time, duration, and the like.\",\n \"The intelligent multi-switch 116 detects a particular channel to which one of the STBs 110 is tuned.\",\n \"The intelligent multi-switch 116 can include a clock, or otherwise obtain a local time, such that the media content item or program can be determined from the channel and the time with reference to the EPG.\",\n \"The intelligent multi-switch 216 can identify an impairment as a complete loss of the satellite signal 204, a reduction in RF power of the satellite signal, e.g., due to a signal attenuation as might be experienced during heavy precipitation conditions.\",\n \"Alternatively or in addition, the impairment can be identified by an increase in a Bit Error Rate (BER) and/or a measure of error correction performance, e.g., an increase of forward error correction.\",\n \"Interjection by the multi-switch 216 to provide the alternative content to the STB 210, can occur in a reactionary manner, when the signal loss and/or error performance reaches or exceeds an intolerable level.\",\n \"Such scenarios might result in a loss of picture and/or audio, a reduced resolution, a blank screen, and the like.\",\n \"Alternatively or in addition, interjection by the multi-switch 216 can occur in a predictive manner in which a trend in performance can be used to predict a future loss of signal, or increase in error performance.\",\n \"Such predictions can be determined from one or more of trends of measured performance, weather sensory data, weather forecasts, and or predictions, e.g., from solar calculators to predict sun fades.\",\n \"Weather data and/or weather forecasts can be obtained from a weather service provider, such as the National Weather Service, a local news outlet and/or weather application programs or apps', such as The Weather Channel®.\",\n \"The Weather Channel® is a registered trademark of The Weather Channel, Inc.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the weather information can be obtained from a local weather station or weather sensor, such as a rain gauge, a hydrometer, a barometer, or the like provided at the subscriber premises.\",\n \"In some instances, the STB 210 provides an indicator that the signal loss/error performance is intolerable.\",\n \"This might include an application that flashes a billboard or similar message to presentation equipment indicating loss of signal and/or technical difficulties.\",\n \"Alternatively or in addition, one or more of the LNB 207 and the STB 210 provides a performance indicator related to the satellite signal 204 and or individual channels tuned to by the STBs 210.The signal indications can include Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), BER, error corrections, and the like.\",\n \"The multi-switch 216 can be programed or otherwise include logic to act upon such signal indications in order to determine when to switch between satellite service media content and any alternative media content.\",\n \"The programming and/or logic can implement one or more rules that determine aspects of any transitions, such as when and under what conditions to switch between the regular and alternate content.\",\n \"The rules can include further restrictions, such as allowed alternative content sources, blocked alternative content sources, user preferences, and the like.\",\n \"It is understood that in at least some instances, the same programming content may not be available from other network sources depending on one or more of the program, the time, available sources, etc.\",\n \"In such instances, the multi-switch 216 can be configured to provide a suitable replacement alternative content item.\",\n \"Such suitable replacement content can be determined according to one or more of a genre, actor(s), producer, studio, rating, and the like.\",\n \"For example, if the multi-switch 216 determines that an STB 210 is tuned to a particular episode of “Modern Family,” the multi-switch can search a schedule and/or directory 224 of alternate media content to identify a suitable replacement.\",\n \"The suitable replacement in the illustrative example might include another episode of “Modern Family.” The other episode can be selected based on further detail, such as another episode from the same season, or close to the same season.\",\n \"Another episode dealing with similar subject matter, such as a story that focuses on one of the same actors can be selected, as well as other shows that may include the same actors, other family shows, and the like.\",\n \"It is envisioned in at least some instances that suitable replacement content can include advertising content.\",\n \"The selection of any particular advertising content to be substituted during outages can be based on perceived user demographics based on the particular content tuned to by the STB 210 at the time of the outage.\",\n \"Alternatively or in addition, the selection of alternative content that includes advertising can be based on one or more of user preference, subscriber demographics, past viewing history, and the like.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the multi-switch 216 includes a buffer, such as a circular buffer, that accepts a portion of the alternative content item.\",\n \"The buffer can be used to synchronize a transition between the particular media content item being presented at the STB 210 and the alternate content.\",\n \"For example, the buffer depth can be selected to store enough streamed media content to account for a greatest anticipated difference in timing between a satellite service presentation of a program, and a terrestrial service, “small-screen” presentation of the same show.\",\n \"Such delays can range from a few seconds, to tens of seconds, or more.\",\n \"The multi-switch can include circuitry and/or programing steps to detect or otherwise determine a time delay or time offset between the original and alternate media content items.\",\n \"The time delay or offset can be used to adjust the circular buffer such that alternate media content at an output of the circular buffer is approximately synchronized with the original media content presented to the STB 210.Having established synchronization, the multi-switch 216 can switch or otherwise instruct the STB 210 to switch between the original content item and the alternate content item.\",\n \"Such a switch can occur within the same frame, e.g., within the same “I frame” of an MPEG media stream.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 depicts another embodiment of a terrestrial portion 300 of the direct broadcast satellite system 100 described in FIG.\",\n \"1.The terrestrial portion 300 includes a satellite terminal 306 having a satellite dish antenna 305 and a low-noise amplifier/block down-converter (LNB) 307.The received satellite signals 304 are passed to the LNB 307, where they are amplified, filtered and down-converted.\",\n \"The down-converted signals are provided to one or more STBs 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d (generally 310) of a subscriber's premises through an RF distribution network 308.The terrestrial portion 300 also includes an intelligent multi-switch 316 in communication with one or more of the STBs 310 and one or more network-accessible alternate content sources 318.Alternatively or in addition, the intelligent multi-switch 316 is in communication with one or more of a program schedule and/or service directory 324, a weather service 326 and a solar calculator 327.The STBs 310, in turn, include an RF input terminal 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d (generally 320) that receive the down-converted satellite signals provided by the RF distribution network 308.The system 300 also includes one or more modulators 328 and RF switches or signal combiners 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d (generally 330).\",\n \"The modulator 328 is in communication with the intelligent multi-switch 316 and the RF switches/combiners 330.In operation, the intelligent multi-switch 316 accesses alternate media content, e.g., as described above in relation to FIG.\",\n \"2.The alternate media content can be packetized content, e.g., obtained from a network-accessible source.\",\n \"For example, the media content can be in the form of an IP multicast stream.\",\n \"The multicast stream can include “small-screen” versions of the satellite service media content items that may suffer an interruption in delivery.\",\n \"Alternatively or in addition, the multicast stream can include any of the other alternative media content disclosed herein.\",\n \"The modulator 328 receives the multicast stream, or in some instances, an analog signal comprising the alternate media content.\",\n \"The modulator 328 modulates the alternate media content stream onto an RF signal that can replicate the RF output signal received from the LNB 307, by way of the RF distribution network 308.In this manner the RF modulated alternate media content can be directed to one or more of the STBs 310 during any outage periods in which the original satellite service content may be degraded or otherwise unavailable.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the modulator 328 or another device, such as a wireless modem (not shown) can provide the alternate content wirelessly to the STBs 310.For applications in which the RF switches/combiners 330 include controllable switches, the switches 330 can receive a control signal, e.g., from the multi-switch and/or another control device to actuate a switch to the alternate content during an interruption to the satellite service and a switch back to the original content when the satellite service has been restored.\",\n \"In the illustrative embodiment, the intelligent multi-switch 316 obtains alternate content for each of the set-top boxes 310.Accordingly, the intelligent multi-switch 316 provides up to four IP streams (multicast or unicast for video on demand), to the modulator 328.Although separate RF switches/combiners 330 are illustrated, it is understood that any switching to/from alternate media content could be accommodated by the RF distribution network 308.Namely, instead of a 1×4 RF switch, the RF distribution network 308 can include a 2×4 switch capable of switching either the satellite RF signal from the LNB 307 or the alternate media content RF signal from the modulator 328 to one or more of the STBs 310.Although the modulator 328 is illustrated as having four independent RF outputs, it is understood that the modulator can modulate multiple IP packet streams onto a single RF signal, e.g., with the alternate content occupying corresponding frequency spectra to the satellite RF signal content being replaced.\",\n \"In this manner, the STB 310 is able to process the original satellite media content or the alternate media content without having to retune.\",\n \"Alternatively, in some embodiments, in which the down-converted RF satellite signal from the LNB 307 includes encryption or scrambling, it is understood that the modulator 328 can include an encryption and/or scrambling circuitry or program steps to encrypt and/or scramble the alternate content in the same manner as applied to the original down-converted RF satellite signal.\",\n \"Accordingly, the STB 310 can continue to process the alternate content in a like manner, including channel tuning, decryption and/or descrambling.\",\n \"In other embodiments, it is understood that the alternate content can be provided without encryption and/or scrambling, even though the original signal is encrypted and/or scrambled.\",\n \"In such instances, the STB 310 can be programmed to detect a change in encryption and/or scrambling of the signal and process the signal accordingly.\",\n \"A control signal indicating whether encryption and/or scrambling should be applied can be generated with the STB 310, e.g., upon a detection that the signal is/is not encrypted/scrambled.\",\n \"Alternatively or in addition, such a control signal could be provided to the STB by another device, such as the modulator 328, the multi-switch 316 or some other controlling device that is aware of switchover/switchback events to/from alternate media content.\",\n \"An example system comprising coordination of back-up media services is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application, entitled “System and Method for Coordinating Back-Up Services for Land Based Content Subscribers,” having attorney docket no.\",\n \"2015-0388_7785-120, and assigned application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/919,356, filed on Oct. 21, 2015, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a process 400 used in portions of the system described in FIGS.\",\n \"1-3.A satellite channel indicator is received at 402.The channel indicator can include a tuning status or channel indicator provided by the STB 110, 210, 310, and/or by a remote control that operates user equipment, e.g., including the STBs.\",\n \"Alternatively or in addition, the satellite channel indicator can be determined by a detecting a frequency or channel of a particular transponder to which the STB is tuned to.\",\n \"For applications, e.g., when backing up a DVR, the tuning status can be obtained from a pre-programmed recording schedule that can include channel names, frequencies, times, and the like.\",\n \"A satellite channel media content item is identified at 404.A particular media content item being watched or otherwise presented or recorded on user equipment, can be identified by any of the techniques disclosed herein, including reference to an EPG based on the tuning status/channel and local time, metadata associated or otherwise provided with the media content item, and in some instances, by sampling the media content item itself.\",\n \"A sampling of images, textual content, and/or audio of the original media content item can be obtained and used for identification purposes.\",\n \"A corresponding media content item of terrestrial channel is identified at 406.Generally, the system knows which primary service has been subscribed to for a given premises.\",\n \"For instances in which a companion service is available, such as the so-called “small screen” or mobile versions of a given service are available, these services can be identified as a source for corresponding or alternate media content items.\",\n \"In other instances, particular broadcast program might also be available as an on-demand content item.\",\n \"In such instances, the on-demand version can be identified as a source of a corresponding or alternate media content item.\",\n \"If on-demand content is used, an offset can be monitored or otherwise provided, e.g., as a pointer to a portion of the content item being presented at the time of an outage.\",\n \"The offset can be used to adjust download and/or playback of the on-demand content item to synchronize a transition from the broadcast to the on-demand content item in the event of an interruption.\",\n \"As disclosed herein, alternative content can be identified, e.g., if corresponding version of the same content is not available.\",\n \"The alternative content can be identified by relationships of one or more parameters to the original content item.\",\n \"Such parameters can include title, characters, actors, musical scores, genre, author, producer, studio, ratings, and the like.\",\n \"A satellite channel performance indicator is measured or otherwise received at 414.The satellite performance indicator can include one or more of a signal strength of the received satellite signal, a signal to noise ratio of the received signal or the down-converted signal at the LNB, and/or some other measure of performance, such as a BER, error correction performance factor and the like.\",\n \"A determination is made at 416 as to whether an impairment to satellite channel has occurred.\",\n \"To the extent it is determined that an impairment, e.g., a loss of signal, has occurred, a switch to the alternate content, e.g., terrestrial channel, occurs at 418.Otherwise, the performance indicator continues at 414, until such time as a signal impairment is detected, if at all.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a satellite channel outage forecast is obtained at 410 (shown in phantom).\",\n \"The forecast can include results of a solar conjunction calculation, and or a weather forecast based on locations of the satellite terminal and the corresponding satellite.\",\n \"It is understood that forecast can include identification of regularly scheduled maintenance, and the like.\",\n \"It is understood that, in some embodiments, a prediction of a loss of satellite signal can be obtained at 412 (shown in phantom).\",\n \"To the extent that a loss or impairment of the satellite signal is determined at 412, a switch to the alternate content occurs at 418.Otherwise, the process continues at 414, monitoring channel performance and reacting at 416 as appropriate.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a portion of the corresponding media content item is buffered at 408 (shown in phantom).\",\n \"The buffering can be accomplished, as disclosed herein, to support a synchronization during a switch between original and alternate media content.\",\n \"It is understood that the buffering can be applied continuously, e.g., according to a circular buffer, such that the alternative content is available to respond to an unexpected signal outage.\",\n \"Alternatively, the buffering can be applied in anticipation of a scheduled and/or predicted outage.\",\n \"During period when an outage is not expected, there would be no need to obtain the alternate content, thereby preserving network resources.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a determination is made at 420 (shown in phantom) as to whether the original satellite channel available at 420.To the extent it is determined that the original satellite channel is available, a switch back to the original satellite channel occurs at 422.While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.\",\n \"4, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.\",\n \"Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communication system 500 for delivering media content.\",\n \"The communication system 500 can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.\",\n \"Communication system 500 can be overlaid or operably coupled with the satellite communication systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and/or 3 as another representative embodiment of communication system 500.For instance, one or more devices illustrated in the communication system 500 of FIG.\",\n \"5 can determine a first tuning state of a STB 506.The first tuning state includes a satellite service channel of a number of channels, including a first media content item that is processed by the STB 506 for presentation to equipment a subscriber 508.A terrestrial service channel is identified, for example by the intelligent multi-switch 570 and/or by the backup service server 530 that includes a second media content item.\",\n \"The terrestrial service channel is accessed by the intelligent multi-switch after not having been initially processed by the STB 506 for presentation to the equipment 208 of the subscriber.\",\n \"An unavailability is determined of the satellite service channel to the media processor, e.g., by the intelligent multi-switch 570 and/or by the backup service server 530 and the second media content item is provided to the STB 506 in place of the first, responsive to the determining of the unavailability of the satellite service channel The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 510 with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 511 which receives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems.\",\n \"In the present context, media content can represent, for example, audio content, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games, virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"The SHS server 511 can forward packets associated with the media content to one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 514 via a network of video head-end offices (VHO) 512 according to a multicast communication protocol.\",\n \"The VHS 514 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an access network 518 to commercial and/or residential buildings 502 housing a gateway 504 (such as a residential or commercial gateway).\",\n \"The access network 518 can represent a group of digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service area interface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links or copper twisted pairs 519 to buildings 502.The gateway 504 can use communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to media processors 506 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn present broadcast channels to media devices 508 such as computers or television sets managed in some instances by a media controller 507 (such as an infrared or RF remote controller).\",\n \"The gateway 504, the media processors 506, and media devices 508 can utilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerline or phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocol such as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other present or next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.\",\n \"By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invoked between the media processors 506 and subsystems of the IPTV media system for services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronic programming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.\",\n \"A satellite broadcast television system 529 can be used in the media system of FIG.\",\n \"5.The satellite broadcast television system can be overlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system 500.In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 515 that include media content can be received by a satellite dish receiver 531 coupled to the building 502.Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver 531 can be transferred to the media processors 506 for demodulating, decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the media devices 508.The media processors 506 can be equipped with a broadband port to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 532 to enable interactive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcast distribution system such as cable TV system 533 can be overlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satellite TV system as another representative embodiment of communication system 500.In this embodiment, the cable TV system 533 can also provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services.\",\n \"System 500 enables various types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV, cable and/or satellite.\",\n \"The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generation over-the-air and/or landline media content services system.\",\n \"Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled to one or more computing devices 530, a portion of which can operate as a web server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 532 to wireline media devices 508 or wireless communication devices 516.In some embodiments the computing devices 530 include a backup service server 530 that is programmed to implement server backup service functionality 562.The server backup service functionality 562 can implement one or more of the features disclosed herein, such as the features associated with the process 400 described in FIG.\",\n \"4.The backup service server 530 can operate alone or in combination with the intelligent multi-switch 570.Accordingly, the intelligent multi-switch 570 is programmed to implement switch backup service functionality 564.The switch backup service functionality 564 can implement one or more of the features disclosed herein, such as the features associated with the process 400 described in FIG.\",\n \"4.When both the backup service server 530 and the intelligent multi-switch 570 are provided, backup service functionality can be shared or otherwise distributed across both devices 530, 570.It is envisioned that in some embodiments, backup service functionality can be included in one or more other devices and systems, such as the satellite receiver 531, the STB 507, the residential gateway 504, and the like.\",\n \"Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices over landline technologies such as those described above.\",\n \"Additionally, media services can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless access base station 517 operating according to common wireless access protocols such as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal Mobile Telecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave or WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and so on.\",\n \"Other present and next generation wide area wireless access network technologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 602 of a communication system 600.Communication system 600 can be overlaid or operably coupled with systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and/or 3 and/or communication system 500 as another representative embodiment of systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and/or 3 and/or communication system 500.The web portal 602 can be used for managing services of systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and/or 3 and communication systems 500.A web page of the web portal 602 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with an Internet browser using an Internet-capable communication device such as those described in FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and/or 3 and FIG.\",\n \"5.The web portal 602 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 506 and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.)\",\n \"stored at the media processor 506.The web portal 602 can also be used for provisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.\",\n \"The web portal 602 can further be utilized to manage and provision software applications 562-564 to adapt these applications as may be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and/or 3, and communication system 500.For instance, users of the services provided by intelligent multi-switches 116, 216, 316, 570 and/or server 530 can log into their on-line accounts and multi-switches 116, 216, 316, 570 and/or server 530 with features that a user may want to program such as loss of signal triggers, alternate content preferences, user identity and/or account information, user profiles, providing contact information to server to enable it to communication with the STBs 110, 210, 310, 506 described in FIGS.\",\n \"1-3 and 5, and so on.\",\n \"Service providers can log onto an administrator account to provision, monitor and/or maintain the systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and/or 3 or server 530.FIG.\",\n \"7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 700.Communication device 700 can serve in whole or in part as an illustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in systems 100, 200, 300 of FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and/or 3, and FIG.\",\n \"5 and can be configured to perform portions of the process 400 of FIG.\",\n \"4.Communication device 700 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 702 (herein transceiver 702), a user interface (UI) 704, a power supply 714, a location receiver 716, a motion sensor 718, an orientation sensor 720, and a controller 706 for managing operations thereof.\",\n \"The transceiver 702 can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively).\",\n \"Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise.\",\n \"The transceiver 702 can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.\",\n \"), and combinations thereof.\",\n \"The UI 704 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 708 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device 700.The keypad 708 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device 700 or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®.\",\n \"The keypad 708 can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys.\",\n \"The UI 704 can further include a display 710 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the communication device 700.In an embodiment where the display 710 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad 708 can be presented by way of the display 710 with navigation features.\",\n \"The display 710 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a user interface for detecting user input.\",\n \"As a touch screen display, the communication device 700 can be adapted to present a user interface with graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger.\",\n \"The touch screen display 710 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display.\",\n \"This sensing information can be used to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the user interface.\",\n \"The display 710 can be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device 700 or an independent device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.\",\n \"The UI 704 can also include an audio system 712 that utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation).\",\n \"The audio system 712 can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user.\",\n \"The audio system 712 can also be used for voice recognition applications.\",\n \"The UI 704 can further include an image sensor 713 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.\",\n \"The power supply 714 can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device 700 to facilitate long-range or short-range portable applications.\",\n \"Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering technologies.\",\n \"The location receiver 716 can utilize location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device 700 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services such as navigation.\",\n \"The motion sensor 718 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the communication device 700 in three-dimensional space.\",\n \"The orientation sensor 720 can utilize orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device 700 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).\",\n \"The communication device 700 can use the transceiver 702 to also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements.\",\n \"The controller 706 can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementioned components of the communication device 700.Other components not shown in FIG.\",\n \"7 can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.\",\n \"For instance, the communication device 700 can include a reset button (not shown).\",\n \"The reset button can be used to reset the controller 706 of the communication device 700.In yet another embodiment, the communication device 700 can also include a factory default setting button positioned, for example, below a small hole in a housing assembly of the communication device 700 to force the communication device 700 to re-establish factory settings.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paper clip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.\",\n \"The communication device 700 can also include a slot for adding or removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.\",\n \"SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.\",\n \"Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of the claims described below.\",\n \"For example, the content replacement techniques disclosed herein for DBS satellite service can be applied to other services, as well, including terrestrial services.\",\n \"Outages experienced in such services can be detected and/or predicted and backed up in a similar manner.\",\n \"That is, an intelligent switch can be provided, e.g., at customer premises, or at some other location upstream, such as at a DSLAM, VRAD, central office, or even a head end.\",\n \"The intelligent switch, in response to a loss of signal and/or loss of content, can provide alternate content according to the techniques disclosed herein.\",\n \"Consider, for example, a cable service, or other terrestrial service, such as FiOS or U-Verse that experiences a loss of signal and/or content.\",\n \"Substitute content obtained from an Internet version of the service, e.g., providing the same or comparable channel lineup, and provided to subscriber equipment during the detected outage.\",\n \"Alternatively or in addition, alternative or replacement content can be obtained from subscribe premises equipment, such as a DVR.\",\n \"Other alternate of replacement content can include alerts, such as weather alerts and/or emergency broadcast network content that may or may not relate to an outage being experienced.\",\n \"Other embodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.\",\n \"In some embodiments, it is envisioned that one satellite service can be replaced with another satellite service.\",\n \"Such substitutions can be available for installations having multiple satellite terminals, e.g., pointing to different satellites at different orbital positions.\",\n \"Thus, when one satellite terminal may be experiencing a solar fade associated with a first satellite, the other satellite terminal may not be experiencing a solar fade, thus being available for service.\",\n \"Without limitation, transponder resources of the two different satellites may be providing satellite services of the same satellite service provider, different providers, or both.\",\n \"For situations in which substitute media is obtained from a different service provider, it is understood that such substitutions may require agreements for temporary provisioning of services, authorizations, assessments of fees, billing, etc.\",\n \"In some embodiments, it is envisioned that one satellite service can be replaced with another satellite service of the same satellite.\",\n \"For example, a satellite terminal might include one dish antenna equipped with multiple feeds.\",\n \"The feeds can be distinguished by one or more of polarizations, frequency bands, focal positions, and the like.\",\n \"Consider services provided at a first frequency band and/or polarization that might be impacted by a weather event, such as precipitation.\",\n \"To the extent that the other service operates at a different frequency band and/or polarization, the other service may not be impacted by the same weather event, such that it would be available as a replacement.\",\n \"It is also understood that one dish antenna can include multiple feeds positioned at different focal locations that can point to different satellites.\",\n \"Accordingly, an interruption of service from one of the feeds of a first satellite can be replaced by service from another feed of another satellite.\",\n \"Once again, such substitutions may require agreements for temporary provisioning of services, authorizations, assessments of fees, billing, etc.\",\n \"It should be understood that devices described in the exemplary embodiments can be in communication with each other via various wireless and/or wired methodologies.\",\n \"The methodologies can be links that are described as coupled, connected and so forth, which can include unidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless paths and/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols or methodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g., no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediary processing device such as a router).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system 700 within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described above.\",\n \"One or more instances of the machine can operate, for example, as the intelligent multi-switch 116, 216, 316, 570 the STB 110, 21, 310, 506, the residential gateway 570, the schedule/directory 224, 324, the weather service 226, 326, the backup service server 530, the media processor 506 and other devices of FIGS.\",\n \"1-3 and 5-6.In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network 726) to other machines.\",\n \"In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.\",\n \"The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.\",\n \"It will be understood that a communication device of the subject disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.\",\n \"Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.\",\n \"The computer system 700 may include a processor (or controller) 702 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory 704 and a static memory 706, which communicate with each other via a bus 708.The computer system 700 may further include a display unit 710 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display).\",\n \"The computer system 700 may include an input device 712 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 714 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 716, a signal generation device 718 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device 720.In distributed environments, the embodiments described in the subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 710 controlled by two or more computer systems 700.In this configuration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shown in a first of the display units 710, while the remaining portion is presented in a second of the display units 710.The disk drive unit 716 may include a tangible computer-readable storage medium 722 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 724) embodying any one or more of the methods or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.\",\n \"The instructions 724 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 704, the static memory 706, and/or within the processor 702 during execution thereof by the computer system 700.The main memory 704 and the processor 702 also may constitute tangible computer-readable storage media.\",\n \"Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein.\",\n \"Application specific integrated circuits and programmable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executing state machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments of the subject disclosure.\",\n \"Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems.\",\n \"Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.\",\n \"Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.\",\n \"In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, the operations or methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs or instructions running on or executed by a computer processor or other computing device, and which may include other forms of instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logic components in an application specific integrated circuit or field programmable gate array.\",\n \"Furthermore, software implementations (e.g., software programs, instructions, etc.)\",\n \"including, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein.\",\n \"It is further noted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or other suitable device for executing instructions to perform operations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.\",\n \"While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 722 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions.\",\n \"The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable of storing or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods of the subject disclosure.\",\n \"The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitory computer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives, devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.\",\n \"The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.\",\n \"Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored.\",\n \"Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols.\",\n \"Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art.\",\n \"Such standards are from time-to-time superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.\",\n \"Wireless standards for device detection (e.g., RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee), and long-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used by computer system 700.The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein.\",\n \"Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.\",\n \"The exemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or steps from multiple embodiments.\",\n \"Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.\",\n \"Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale.\",\n \"Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.\",\n \"Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments described or shown by the subject disclosure.\",\n \"The subject disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.\",\n \"Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.\",\n \"For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can be combined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can also be negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or without replacement by another structural and/or functional feature.\",\n \"The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed in any order.\",\n \"The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions of the subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from other steps that have not been described in the subject disclosure.\",\n \"Further, more than or less than all of the features described with respect to an embodiment can also be utilized.\",\n \"Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to the exemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more of the exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"Further, the use of numerical terms to describe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second, third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or function unless expressly stated so.\",\n \"The use of the terms first, second, third and so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components, steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise.\",\n \"Additionally, one or more devices or components described with respect to the exemplary embodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating (e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection) can include less than every step needed to perform the function or can include all of the steps needed to perform the function.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controller or circuit) has been described that performs various functions.\",\n \"It should be understood that the processor can be multiple processors, which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in a single machine or multiple machines.\",\n \"The processor can be used in supporting a virtual processing environment.\",\n \"The virtual processing environment may support one or more virtual machines representing computers, servers, or other computing devices.\",\n \"In such virtual machines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may be virtualized or logically represented.\",\n \"The processor can include a state machine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmable gate array including a Field PGA.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, when a processor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this can include the processor performing the operations directly and/or facilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or component to perform the operations.\",\n \"The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.\",\n \"In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.\",\n \"This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.\",\n \"Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.\",\n \"Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873457"}}},{"rowIdx":4494350,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE WITH A TUB RING","A tub ring mountable to an upper end of a liquid holding tub in a laundry treating appliance may include a circumferential side wall, a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall, and a plurality of radial stiffening ribs extending between the top wall and the side wall.","The ribs may have a bottom edge with at least a portion inclined relative to horizontal.","At least a portion of the bottom edge may also be complementary to a top wall of a balance ring."],["1.A tub ring mountable to an upper end of a liquid holding tub in a laundry treating appliance for overlying a balance ring having a top edge positioned on a rotatable drum located within the liquid holding tub, the tub ring comprising: a circumferential side wall; a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall terminating at an inner edge, with the inner edge configured to terminate radially exterior of the top edge of the balance ring; and a plurality of radial stiffening ribs extending between the top wall and the side wall, the stiffening ribs having a bottom edge with at least a portion of the bottom edge inclined relative to horizontal defining an upper edge and a lower edge for the bottom edge; wherein at least a portion of the top wall is configured to overlie at least a portion of the balance ring, and the upper edge is configured to locate above the balance ring top edge and the lower edge is configured to located below the balance ring top edge, relative to the horizontal.","2.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the side wall is generally vertical, and the top wall is generally horizontal and annular and is joined to the side wall at a substantially right angle.","3.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the bottom edge is inclined upward in a direction moving radially inward along the bottom edge.","4.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the stiffening ribs terminate at one end at the inner edge of the top wall.","5.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the top wall is formed by a plurality of flat sections and a plurality of inclined sections, wherein the flat sections and the inclined sections alternate circumferentially around the tub ring.","6.The tub ring according to claim 5 wherein the stiffening ribs comprise a generally horizontal top edge, and the top wall flat sections join the upper edges of adjacent stiffening ribs, and the top wall inclined sections join the lower edges of adjacent stiffening ribs such that each stiffening rib joins to one of the flat sections at the rib upper edge and to one of the inclined sections at the rib lower edge.","7.The tub ring according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the inclined sections, the adjacent stiffening ribs joined by the at least one of the inclined sections, and the side wall between the adjacent stiffening ribs joined by the at least one of the inclined sections form a treating chemistry cavity, and the at least one of the inclined sections includes at least one aperture for releasing treating chemistry from the treating chemistry cavity.","8.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the tub ring top wall is annular with an outer, inclined portion joined to the side wall and an inner, flat portion, and the side wall and the inclined portion form a circumferential channel extending around the tub ring adjacent to the flat portion of the top wall.","9.The tub ring according to claim 8 wherein the inclined portion of the tub ring top wall includes at least one drainage opening for the circumferential channel.","10.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the stiffening ribs are triangular.","11.A tub ring mountable to an upper end of a tub in a laundry treating appliance, the tub ring comprising: a circumferential side wall configured to mount to the upper end of the tub; a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall; and a plurality of stiffening ribs extending between the top wall and the side wall, the plurality of stiffening ribs having a side edge extending along the side wall of the tub ring and a top edge extending along the top wall of the tub ring, with the plurality of stiffening ribs having a bottom edge inclined relative to the horizontal extending from the side edge to the top edge; wherein the side edge, the top edge, and the bottom edge of the stiffening ribs form a triangle.","12.The tub ring according to claim 11 wherein the side wall is generally vertical, and the top wall is generally horizontal and annular and is joined to the side wall at a substantially right angle.","13.The tub ring according to claim 11 wherein the at least a portion of the bottom edge is inclined upward in a direction moving radially inward along the bottom edge.","14.The tub ring according to claim 11 wherein the top wall extends radially from an outer edge, where the top wall joins the side wall, to an inner edge, and the top edge of the plurality of stiffening ribs terminates at one end at the top wall inner edge.","15.The tub ring according to claim 11 wherein the top wall is formed by a plurality of flat sections and a plurality of inclined sections, wherein the flat sections and the inclined sections alternate circumferentially around the tub ring.","16.The tub ring according to claim 15 wherein the top edge of the plurality of stiffening ribs is generally horizontal, and the top wall flat sections join the top edges of adjacent stiffening ribs, and the top wall inclined sections join the bottom edges of adjacent stiffening ribs such that each stiffening rib joins to one of the flat sections at the top edge and to one of the inclined sections at the bottom edge.","17.The tub ring according to claim 16 wherein at least one of the inclined sections, the adjacent stiffening ribs joined by the at least one of the inclined sections, and the side wall between the adjacent stiffening ribs joined by the at least one of the inclined sections form a treating chemistry cavity, and the at least one of the inclined sections includes at least one aperture for releasing treating chemistry from the treating chemistry cavity.","18.The tub ring according to claim 11 wherein the top wall is annular with an outer, inclined portion joined to the side wall at an inner, flat portion, and the side wall and the inclined portion form a circumferential channel extending around the tub ring adjacent to the flat portion of the top wall.","19.The tub ring according to claim 18 wherein the inclined portion of the tub ring top wall includes at least one drainage opening for the circumferential channel."],[" BACKGROUND Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, may have a configuration based on a rotating basket that defines a treating chamber in which laundry items are placed for treating.","In a vertical axis washing machine having a basket and a tub, both the basket and tub typically have an upper opening at their respective upper ends.","A balance ring can be coupled with the upper end of the basket to counterbalance a load imbalance that may occur within the treating chamber during a cycle of operation.","A tub ring extending from the upper end of the tub can be provided for hiding the balance ring from view and preventing the user from accidentally placing clothes between the tub and the basket during loading of the laundry items."],[" BRIEF SUMMARY A laundry treating appliance according to one embodiment may comprise a tub having a peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an opening to an interior of the tub for holding liquid; a basket located at least partially within the interior of the tub and having a peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an opening to an interior of the basket for receiving laundry for treatment; a balance ring mounted to the upper edge of the basket and having a top wall with at least a portion inclined relative to horizontal; and a tub ring having a circumferential side wall mounted to the upper edge of the tub, a top wall overlying at least a portion of the balance ring top wall, and a plurality of stiffening ribs extending between the side wall and the top wall and having a bottom edge at least partially complementary to the top wall of the balance ring.","A tub ring mountable to an upper end of a liquid holding tub in a laundry treating appliance may comprise a circumferential side wall; a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall; and a plurality of radial stiffening ribs extending between the top wall and the side wall, the ribs having a bottom edge with at least a portion inclined relative to horizontal."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) This application claims priority to and is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/639,457, filed Mar.","5, 2015, presently allowed with notice of allowance mailed on Nov. 9, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","BACKGROUND Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, may have a configuration based on a rotating basket that defines a treating chamber in which laundry items are placed for treating.","In a vertical axis washing machine having a basket and a tub, both the basket and tub typically have an upper opening at their respective upper ends.","A balance ring can be coupled with the upper end of the basket to counterbalance a load imbalance that may occur within the treating chamber during a cycle of operation.","A tub ring extending from the upper end of the tub can be provided for hiding the balance ring from view and preventing the user from accidentally placing clothes between the tub and the basket during loading of the laundry items.","BRIEF SUMMARY A laundry treating appliance according to one embodiment may comprise a tub having a peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an opening to an interior of the tub for holding liquid; a basket located at least partially within the interior of the tub and having a peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an opening to an interior of the basket for receiving laundry for treatment; a balance ring mounted to the upper edge of the basket and having a top wall with at least a portion inclined relative to horizontal; and a tub ring having a circumferential side wall mounted to the upper edge of the tub, a top wall overlying at least a portion of the balance ring top wall, and a plurality of stiffening ribs extending between the side wall and the top wall and having a bottom edge at least partially complementary to the top wall of the balance ring.","A tub ring mountable to an upper end of a liquid holding tub in a laundry treating appliance may comprise a circumferential side wall; a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall; and a plurality of radial stiffening ribs extending between the top wall and the side wall, the ribs having a bottom edge with at least a portion inclined relative to horizontal.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG.","1 is a schematic sectional view of a laundry treating appliance in the form of a washing machine.","FIG.","2 is a schematic view of a control system for the laundry treating appliance of FIG.","1.FIG.","3 is a perspective view of a tub with a tub ring and basket with a balance ring for the laundry treating appliance of FIG.","1 according to one embodiment.","FIG.","4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG.","3.FIGS.","4A and 4B are enlarged views of the regions labeled IV-A and IV-B, respectively, in FIG.","4.FIG.","5 is a sectional view similar to FIG.","4 with the tub ring exploded from the tub.","FIG.","6 is a sectional view of a tub ring according to an alternative embodiment.","FIG.","7 is a sectional view of a tub ring according to another alternative embodiment.","FIG.","8 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG.","7.DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG.","1 is a schematic view of a laundry treating appliance according to an exemplary embodiment.","The laundry treating appliance may be any appliance that performs a cycle of operation to clean or otherwise treat items placed therein, non-limiting examples of which include a horizontal or vertical axis clothes washing machine, a combination washing machine and dryer, a tumbling or stationary refreshing/revitalizing machine, an extractor, a non-aqueous washing apparatus, and a revitalizing machine.","The laundry treating appliance of FIG.","1 is illustrated as a vertical axis washing machine 10, which may include a structural support system comprising a cabinet 12 that defines a housing within which a laundry holding system resides.","The cabinet 12 may be a housing having a chassis and/or a frame, defining an interior receiving components typically found in a conventional washing machine, such as motors, pumps, fluid lines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like.","Such components will not be described further herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the invention.","The laundry holding system of the illustrated exemplary washing machine 10 may include a watertight tub 14 installed in the cabinet 12.The tub 14 may have a generally cylindrical side or peripheral wall 16 closed at its bottom end by a base 18 that may at least partially define a sump.","An upper edge 20 of the peripheral wall 16 may define an opening to an interior of the tub 14 for holding liquid, and a tub ring 22 may be mounted to the tub 14 at or near the upper edge 20.A perforated basket 24 may be mounted in the tub 14 for rotation about an axis of rotation, such as, for example, a central, vertical axis extending through the center of a laundry mover 26 in the form of an impeller, as an example, located within the basket 24.Other exemplary types of laundry movers include, but are not limited to, an agitator, a wobble plate, and a hybrid impeller/agitator.","The basket 24 may have a generally cylindrical side or peripheral wall 28 closed at its bottom end by a base 30 to form an interior at least partially defining a laundry treating chamber 32 receiving a load of laundry items for treatment.","The peripheral wall 28 may include a plurality of perforations or apertures 34 such that liquid supplied to the basket 24 may flow through the perforations 34 to the tub 14.A balance ring 36 may be coupled with an upper edge 38 of the basket peripheral wall 28 to counterbalance a load imbalance that may occur within the treating chamber 32 during a cycle of operation.","While the washing machine 10 may employ any type of balance ring 36, an exemplary balance ring is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","US20110247373, filed Jan. 31, 2011, whose disclosure is incorporated by reference in its entirety.","The illustrated balance ring 36 may include a chamfered or inclined top wall 40 on an upper portion of the balance ring 36.The chamfer or incline of the top wall 40 may be approximately 35 degrees from a horizontal plane.","As illustrated, the entire top wall 40 is inclined, but it is contemplated that alternatively only a portion of the top wall 40 is inclined relative to the horizontal, as shown and described in the aforementioned and incorporated '373 publication.","The top of the cabinet 12 may include a selectively openable lid 42 to provide access into the laundry treating chamber 32 through an open top of the basket 24.A drive system including a drive motor 44, which may or may not include a gear case, may be utilized to rotate the basket 24 and the laundry mover 26.The motor 44 may rotate the basket 24 at various speeds, including at a spin speed wherein a centrifugal force at the inner surface of the basket peripheral wall 28 is 1 g or greater; spin speeds are commonly known for use in extracting liquid from the laundry items in the basket 24, such as after a wash or rinse step in a treating cycle of operation.","The motor 44 may also oscillate or rotate the laundry mover 26 about its axis of rotation during a cycle of operation in order to provide movement to the load contained within the laundry treating chamber 32.The illustrated drive system for the basket 24 and the laundry mover 26 is provided for exemplary purposes only and is not limited to that shown in the drawings and described above; the particular drive system is not germane to the invention.","A suspension system 46 may dynamically hold the tub 14 within the cabinet 12.The suspension system 46 may dissipate a determined degree of vibratory energy generated by the rotation of the basket 24 and/or the laundry mover 26 during a treating cycle of operation.","Together, the tub 14, the basket 24, and any contents of the basket 24, such as liquid and laundry items, define a suspended mass for the suspension system 46.The suspension system 46 may be any type of suspension system and is not germane to the invention.","The washing machine 10 may be fluidly connected to a liquid supply 50 through a liquid supply system including a liquid supply conduit 52 having a valve assembly 54 that may be operated to selectively deliver liquid, such as water, to the tub 14 through a liquid supply outlet 56, which is shown by example as being positioned at one side of the tub 14.The washing machine 10 may further include a recirculation and drain system having a pump assembly 58 that may pump liquid from the tub 14 back into the tub 14 through a recirculation conduit 60 for recirculation of the liquid and/or to a drain conduit 62 to drain the liquid from the machine 10.The illustrated liquid supply system and recirculation and drain system for the washing machine 10 are provided for exemplary purposes only and are not limited to those shown in the drawings and described above; the particular liquid supply system and recirculation and drain system are not germane to the invention.","The washing machine 10 may also be provided with a dispensing system for dispensing treating chemistry to the basket 24, either directly or mixed with water from the liquid supply system, for use in treating the laundry according to a cycle of operation.","The dispensing system may include a dispenser 64 which may be a single use dispenser, a bulk dispenser, or a combination of a single use and bulk dispenser.","Water may be supplied to the dispenser 64 from the liquid supply conduit 52 by directing the valve assembly 54 to direct the flow of water to the dispenser 64 through a dispensing supply conduit 66.The washing machine 10 may also be provided with a heating system (not shown) to heat liquid provided to the treating chamber 32.In one example, the heating system can include a heating element provided in the sump 18 to heat liquid that collects in the sump 18.Alternatively, the heating system may be in the form of an in-line heater that heats the liquid as it flows through the liquid supply, dispensing and/or recirculation systems.","The liquid supply, dispensing, and recirculation and drain systems may differ from the configuration shown in FIG.","1, such as by inclusion of other valves, conduits, treating chemistry dispensers, sensors, such as water level sensors and temperature sensors, and the like, to control the flow of liquid through the washing machine 10 and for the introduction of more than one type of treating chemistry.","For example, the liquid supply system and/or the dispensing system may be configured to supply liquid into the interior of the tub 14 not occupied by the basket 24 such that liquid may be supplied directly to the tub 14 without having to travel through the basket 24.The washing machine 10 may further include a control system for controlling the operation of the washing machine 10 to implement one or more treating cycles of operation.","The control system may include a controller 70 located within a console 72 or elsewhere, such as within the cabinet 12, and a user interface 74 that is operably coupled with the controller 70.The user interface 74 may include one or more knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens and the like for communicating with the user, such as to receive input and provide output.","The user may enter different types of information including, without limitation, cycle selection and cycle parameters, such as cycle options.","The controller 70 may include the machine controller and any additional controllers provided for controlling any of the components of the washing machine 10.For example, the controller 70 may include the machine controller and a motor controller.","Many known types of controllers may be used for the controller 70.The specific type of controller is not germane to the invention.","It is contemplated that the controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various working components to effect the control software.","As an example, proportional control (P), proportional integral control (PI), and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combination thereof, a proportional integral derivative control (PID control), may be used to control the various components.","As illustrated in FIG.","2, the controller 70 may be provided with a memory 76 and a central processing unit (CPU) 78.The memory 76 may be used for storing the control software that is executed by the CPU 78 in completing a treating cycle of operation using the washing machine 10 and any additional software.","Examples, without limitation, of treating cycles of operation include: wash, heavy duty wash, delicate wash, quick wash, pre-wash, refresh, rinse only, and timed wash.","The memory 76 may also be used to store information, such as a database or table, and to store data received from one or more components of the washing machine 10 that may be communicably coupled with the controller 70.The database or table may be used to store the various operating parameters for the one or more cycles of operation, including factory default values for the operating parameters and any adjustments to them by the control system or by user input.","The controller 70 may be operably coupled with one or more components of the washing machine 10 for communicating with and controlling the operation of the component to complete a cycle of operation.","For example, the controller 70 may be operably coupled with the motor 44, the valve assembly 54, the pump 58, the dispenser 64, and any other additional components that may be present such as a steam generator and/or a sump heater (not shown) to control the operation of these and other components to implement one or more of the cycles of operation.","The controller 70 may also be coupled with one or more sensors 80 provided in one or more of the systems of the washing machine 10 to receive input from the sensors, which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity.","Referring now to FIG.","3, which is a perspective view of the tub 14 with the tub ring 22 and the basket 24 with the balance ring 36, the tub ring 22 is annular and has a generally circular configuration in accordance with the peripheral wall of the tub 14.As best seen in the sectional view of FIG.","4, the tub ring 22 covers at least a portion of the balance ring 36 and prevents accidental loading of laundry into the space between the tub 14 and the basket 24.FIG.","4A provides an enlarged view of the right side of the rub ring 22 (with respect to the orientation of FIG.","4).","The tub ring 22 includes a circumferential side wall 90 that may extend in a generally vertical direction between a lower end 92 and an upper end 94.An L-shaped lip 96 may extend radially outward and downward from the side wall 90 at a location near the lower end 92 so as to form, with the side wall 90, a downwardly facing slot sized to receive the tub upper edge 20.The lip 96 may extend circumferentially around the entire tub ring 22 for receipt of the entire upper edge 20 of the tub 14, if desired.","A plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs 98 (also seen in FIG.","3) depending from the lip 96 may be configured to receive corresponding circumferentially spaced detents 100 or other mating structures on the tub 14 to mount and secure the tub ring 22 to the tub 14.A top wall 102 of the tub ring 22 extends radially inward from an outer edge 104, where the top wall 102 joins the side wall 90, to an inner edge 106 a distance sufficient to overlie at least a portion of the balance ring top wall 40.In the illustrated embodiment, the top wall 102 includes an inclined portion 108 that begins at the outer edge 104 and transitions to a generally horizontal or flat portion 110 that terminates at the inner edge 106.The outer edge 104 may be spaced a distance below the upper end 94 of the side wall 90 so as to form an open-top V-shaped channel 112, defined between the side wall 90 and the top wall inclined portion 108, around the tub ring 22 adjacent the top wall flat portion 110 (also shown in FIG.","3).","The channel 112 advantageously may catch liquid that splashes onto the top wall flat portion 110, and the liquid may drain downward into the tub 14.To facilitate draining, the inclined portion 108 of the top wall 102 may include drainage openings 114 at or near the bottom of the channel 112.The drainage openings 114 may be configured to direct the drained liquid into the space between the tub 14 and the basket 24.In contrast, liquid splashed onto a tub ring without such a channel may spill over the tub ring and down the side of the tub 14 onto the floor upon which the washing machine 10 rests.","As seen in FIG.","4B, which is an enlarged view of the left of the rub ring 22 (with respect to the orientation of FIG.","4), a plurality of radial ribs 120 may be circumferentially spaced around the tub ring 22.The ribs 120 generally extend between the side wall 90 and the top wall 102 of the tub ring 22 to stiffen the tub ring 22 and thereby reduce the likelihood of the tub ring buckling.","In particular, each rib 120 extends radially inward from side wall 90 through the channel 112, passes through the inclined portion 108 (shown in phantom) of the top wall 102, extends along the flat portion 110 of the top wall 102, and terminates at or near the top wall inner edge 106.A top edge 122 of the rib 120 joins with the top wall flat portion 110, except for a portion that is exposed in the area between the side wall 90 and the top wall flat portion 110 (i.e., the region of the inclined portion 108).","A bottom edge 124 of the rib 120, or at least a portion thereof, may be inclined in a manner similar to the top wall 40 of the balance ring 36 so as to be complementary to the balance ring top wall 40.In the illustrated embodiment, the entire bottom edge 124 is inclined upward along a direction moving radially inward from the side wall 90, and the ribs 120 each have a generally triangular configuration, specifically a right-triangular configuration with the bottom edge 124 forming the hypotenuse of the triangle.","Referring now to FIG.","5, which is similar to FIG.","4 but with the tub ring 22 shown exploded from the tub 14, the ribs 120 may be disposed around the entire tub ring 22, half of which can be seen in FIG.","5.Any suitable number of ribs 120 may be spaced around the tub ring 22 to provide a desired stiffness, and the illustrated tub ring 22, as an example, includes about 32 of the ribs 120 with a spacing of about 65 mm (2.5 in.)","between adjacent ribs.","As an example, the bottom edge 124 of the rib 120 is inclined at about 35 degrees to complement the balance ring top wall 40.While the rib bottom edge 124 and the balance ring top wall 40 may have identical angles of inclination, it is not necessary for the inclination angles to match exactly to be complementary.","The flat disc configuration of the top wall 102 provides resistance to ovalization of the tub ring 22 during high speed rotation of the basket 24, such as during spinning, and the ribs 120 extending between the side wall 90 and the top wall 102 increase stiffness to resist buckling.","Such a design increases the natural frequency of the suspended mass, which, in turn, permits an increase in maximum spin speed.","For example, a natural frequency increase of about 2 Hz, which is a reasonable increase for the tub ring 22, would allow the maximum spin speed to be increased as much as about 120 rpm for a basket having a diameter of about 63 cm (24.8 in.).","The actual amount of maximum spin speed increase can be a function of several factors, including the size of the basket 24.These performance benefits are realized without sacrificing capacity of the basket 24 as a result of the complementary inclined portions of the tub ring rib bottom edge 124 and the balance ring top wall 40.In comparison, if the balance ring top wall 40 were flat or horizontal by raising the outer edge of the of the balance ring top wall 40, the tub ring top wall 102 would need to be shifted upwards (i.e., increase the vertical height of the side wall 90) to provide sufficient spacing between the balance ring top wall 40 and the ribs 120.Increasing the vertical height of the side wall 90 consumes valuable vertical space within the cabinet 12, which is typically limited to industry standard sizing, which depends on several factors, because it can necessitate a reduction in the vertical height of the basket 24 and, thus, cause a decrease in load capacity.","However, the ribs 120 of the tub ring 22 illustrated above provide needed structural rigidity while fitting nicely into the space formed between the inclined balance ring top wall 40 and the tub ring top wall 102 without having to increase the vertical height of the side wall 90.FIG.","6 presents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the tub ring 22′, where elements similar to those in the previous embodiment are identified with the same reference numeral bearing a prime symbol (′).","The tub ring 22′ is substantially identical to the tub ring 22 in FIGS.","3-5, except that the top wall 102′ includes only the flat portion 110′, which joins to the side wall 90′ in a generally perpendicular configuration, by example, at the upper end 94′ of the side wall 90′.","Consequently, the top edges 122′ of the ribs 120′ are completely covered by the top wall 102′ as they extend radially inward from the side wall 90′.","FIG.","7 presents a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the tub ring 22″, where elements similar to those in the previous embodiments are identified with the same reference numeral bearing a double prime symbol (“).","The tub ring 22” is substantially identical to the tub ring 22′ in FIG.","6, except that the top wall 102″ is formed by flat sections 130 and inclined sections 132 that alternate circumferentially around the tub ring 22″.","The flat sections 130 have the same general configuration as the top wall 102′ in FIG.","6 and extend circumferentially between adjacent ribs 120″, connecting the top edges 122″ of the adjacent ribs 120″.","The inclined sections 132 extend radially inward from the side wall 90″, just like the flat sections 130, but the outer edge 104″ joins with the side wall 90″ at a location shifted downward from the upper end 94″ a distance about equal to the height of the rib 120″ at its connection to the side wall 90″.","The inclined sections 132 may be inclined upward, moving radially inward, at an angle substantially equal to the inclination angle of the rib bottom edge 124″, connecting the bottom edges 124″ of adjacent ribs 120″.","Because the flat and inclined sections 130, 132 alternate circumferentially, each rib 120″ joins to one of the flat sections 130 at the top edge 122″ and to one of the inclined sections 132′ at the lower edge 124″.","Consequently, as one moves circumferentially around the tub ring 22″, the top wall 102″ transitions between the flat sections 130 and the inclined sections 132 at the ribs 120″, and the ribs 120″ can be considered as steps for the top wall 102″.","For example, starting at a flat section 130, a first rib 120″ is a step down as the top wall 102″ transitions from the flat section 130 to an inclined section 132, then a second rib 120″ is a step up as the inclined section 132 transitions to the next flat section 130, then a third rib 120″ is a step down as that flat section 130 transitions to the next inclined section 132, and so on.","The configuration of the top wall 102″ in the embodiment of FIG.","7 facilitates formation of one or more treating chemistry cavities in the tub ring 22″.","For example, the area bounded by two adjacent ribs 120″, the side wall 90″ between the adjacent ribs 120″, and one of the inclined sections 132 joining the adjacent ribs 120″ may define a treating chemistry cavity 134, identified in phantom in FIG.","7 and shown more clearly in the sectional view of FIG.","8.The treating chemistry cavity 134 may be sized to receive a desired type and/or dosage of treating chemistry and may be employed in addition to or in lieu of the dispenser 64.The treating chemistry may have any form, including, but not limited to a solid block, a powder, a gel, a liquid, an encased solid, powder, liquid, etc.","(i.e., a pod), and so on.","The treating chemistry may be any type of treating chemistry, non-limiting examples of which include one or more of the following: water, detergents, bleach, enzymes, fragrances, stiffness/sizing agents, wrinkle releasers/reducers, softeners, antistatic or electrostatic agents, stain repellants, water repellants, energy reduction/extraction aids, antibacterial agents, medicinal agents, vitamins, moisturizers, shrinkage inhibitors, and color fidelity agents, and combinations thereof.","The inclined section 132 of the top wall 102″ may include one or more apertures 136 for dispensing of the treating chemistry into the tub 14 and/or the basket 24.The size, number, pattern, and orientation of the apertures 136 may vary depending on the type and/or form of the treating chemistry and the particular location for dispensing the treating chemistry.","Optionally, the apertures 136 may fluidly communicate with a conduit or similar structure for directing the treating chemistry to a particular area of the tub 14 and/or the basket 24.As another option, the treating chemistry cavity 134 may be open at the top, as in the illustrations, or may be selectively closed by a movable lid.","The tub ring may be modified in any suitable manner, including combining features of the different embodiments disclosed above as desired.","For example, the tub ring may be mounted to the tub with structure other than the tabs and detents.","Additionally, the bottom edges of the tub ring ribs may have only portions inclined, rather than the entire bottom edge being inclined, as shown in the Figures.","As an example, the balance ring in the aforementioned and incorporated '373 publication has a top wall with only a portion thereof inclined, and the tub ring can have a bottom edge with only a portion inclined to be complementary to inclined portion of the balance ring top wall.","For the embodiment with the alternating flat and inclined top wall sections, the seconds can be arranged in any desired pattern and need not be in an alternating pattern.","While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE WITH A TUB RING\",\n \"A tub ring mountable to an upper end of a liquid holding tub in a laundry treating appliance may include a circumferential side wall, a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall, and a plurality of radial stiffening ribs extending between the top wall and the side wall.\",\n \"The ribs may have a bottom edge with at least a portion inclined relative to horizontal.\",\n \"At least a portion of the bottom edge may also be complementary to a top wall of a balance ring.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A tub ring mountable to an upper end of a liquid holding tub in a laundry treating appliance for overlying a balance ring having a top edge positioned on a rotatable drum located within the liquid holding tub, the tub ring comprising: a circumferential side wall; a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall terminating at an inner edge, with the inner edge configured to terminate radially exterior of the top edge of the balance ring; and a plurality of radial stiffening ribs extending between the top wall and the side wall, the stiffening ribs having a bottom edge with at least a portion of the bottom edge inclined relative to horizontal defining an upper edge and a lower edge for the bottom edge; wherein at least a portion of the top wall is configured to overlie at least a portion of the balance ring, and the upper edge is configured to locate above the balance ring top edge and the lower edge is configured to located below the balance ring top edge, relative to the horizontal.\",\n \"2.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the side wall is generally vertical, and the top wall is generally horizontal and annular and is joined to the side wall at a substantially right angle.\",\n \"3.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the bottom edge is inclined upward in a direction moving radially inward along the bottom edge.\",\n \"4.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the stiffening ribs terminate at one end at the inner edge of the top wall.\",\n \"5.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the top wall is formed by a plurality of flat sections and a plurality of inclined sections, wherein the flat sections and the inclined sections alternate circumferentially around the tub ring.\",\n \"6.The tub ring according to claim 5 wherein the stiffening ribs comprise a generally horizontal top edge, and the top wall flat sections join the upper edges of adjacent stiffening ribs, and the top wall inclined sections join the lower edges of adjacent stiffening ribs such that each stiffening rib joins to one of the flat sections at the rib upper edge and to one of the inclined sections at the rib lower edge.\",\n \"7.The tub ring according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the inclined sections, the adjacent stiffening ribs joined by the at least one of the inclined sections, and the side wall between the adjacent stiffening ribs joined by the at least one of the inclined sections form a treating chemistry cavity, and the at least one of the inclined sections includes at least one aperture for releasing treating chemistry from the treating chemistry cavity.\",\n \"8.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the tub ring top wall is annular with an outer, inclined portion joined to the side wall and an inner, flat portion, and the side wall and the inclined portion form a circumferential channel extending around the tub ring adjacent to the flat portion of the top wall.\",\n \"9.The tub ring according to claim 8 wherein the inclined portion of the tub ring top wall includes at least one drainage opening for the circumferential channel.\",\n \"10.The tub ring according to claim 1 wherein the stiffening ribs are triangular.\",\n \"11.A tub ring mountable to an upper end of a tub in a laundry treating appliance, the tub ring comprising: a circumferential side wall configured to mount to the upper end of the tub; a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall; and a plurality of stiffening ribs extending between the top wall and the side wall, the plurality of stiffening ribs having a side edge extending along the side wall of the tub ring and a top edge extending along the top wall of the tub ring, with the plurality of stiffening ribs having a bottom edge inclined relative to the horizontal extending from the side edge to the top edge; wherein the side edge, the top edge, and the bottom edge of the stiffening ribs form a triangle.\",\n \"12.The tub ring according to claim 11 wherein the side wall is generally vertical, and the top wall is generally horizontal and annular and is joined to the side wall at a substantially right angle.\",\n \"13.The tub ring according to claim 11 wherein the at least a portion of the bottom edge is inclined upward in a direction moving radially inward along the bottom edge.\",\n \"14.The tub ring according to claim 11 wherein the top wall extends radially from an outer edge, where the top wall joins the side wall, to an inner edge, and the top edge of the plurality of stiffening ribs terminates at one end at the top wall inner edge.\",\n \"15.The tub ring according to claim 11 wherein the top wall is formed by a plurality of flat sections and a plurality of inclined sections, wherein the flat sections and the inclined sections alternate circumferentially around the tub ring.\",\n \"16.The tub ring according to claim 15 wherein the top edge of the plurality of stiffening ribs is generally horizontal, and the top wall flat sections join the top edges of adjacent stiffening ribs, and the top wall inclined sections join the bottom edges of adjacent stiffening ribs such that each stiffening rib joins to one of the flat sections at the top edge and to one of the inclined sections at the bottom edge.\",\n \"17.The tub ring according to claim 16 wherein at least one of the inclined sections, the adjacent stiffening ribs joined by the at least one of the inclined sections, and the side wall between the adjacent stiffening ribs joined by the at least one of the inclined sections form a treating chemistry cavity, and the at least one of the inclined sections includes at least one aperture for releasing treating chemistry from the treating chemistry cavity.\",\n \"18.The tub ring according to claim 11 wherein the top wall is annular with an outer, inclined portion joined to the side wall at an inner, flat portion, and the side wall and the inclined portion form a circumferential channel extending around the tub ring adjacent to the flat portion of the top wall.\",\n \"19.The tub ring according to claim 18 wherein the inclined portion of the tub ring top wall includes at least one drainage opening for the circumferential channel.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, may have a configuration based on a rotating basket that defines a treating chamber in which laundry items are placed for treating.\",\n \"In a vertical axis washing machine having a basket and a tub, both the basket and tub typically have an upper opening at their respective upper ends.\",\n \"A balance ring can be coupled with the upper end of the basket to counterbalance a load imbalance that may occur within the treating chamber during a cycle of operation.\",\n \"A tub ring extending from the upper end of the tub can be provided for hiding the balance ring from view and preventing the user from accidentally placing clothes between the tub and the basket during loading of the laundry items.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF SUMMARY A laundry treating appliance according to one embodiment may comprise a tub having a peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an opening to an interior of the tub for holding liquid; a basket located at least partially within the interior of the tub and having a peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an opening to an interior of the basket for receiving laundry for treatment; a balance ring mounted to the upper edge of the basket and having a top wall with at least a portion inclined relative to horizontal; and a tub ring having a circumferential side wall mounted to the upper edge of the tub, a top wall overlying at least a portion of the balance ring top wall, and a plurality of stiffening ribs extending between the side wall and the top wall and having a bottom edge at least partially complementary to the top wall of the balance ring.\",\n \"A tub ring mountable to an upper end of a liquid holding tub in a laundry treating appliance may comprise a circumferential side wall; a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall; and a plurality of radial stiffening ribs extending between the top wall and the side wall, the ribs having a bottom edge with at least a portion inclined relative to horizontal.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) This application claims priority to and is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/639,457, filed Mar.\",\n \"5, 2015, presently allowed with notice of allowance mailed on Nov. 9, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, may have a configuration based on a rotating basket that defines a treating chamber in which laundry items are placed for treating.\",\n \"In a vertical axis washing machine having a basket and a tub, both the basket and tub typically have an upper opening at their respective upper ends.\",\n \"A balance ring can be coupled with the upper end of the basket to counterbalance a load imbalance that may occur within the treating chamber during a cycle of operation.\",\n \"A tub ring extending from the upper end of the tub can be provided for hiding the balance ring from view and preventing the user from accidentally placing clothes between the tub and the basket during loading of the laundry items.\",\n \"BRIEF SUMMARY A laundry treating appliance according to one embodiment may comprise a tub having a peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an opening to an interior of the tub for holding liquid; a basket located at least partially within the interior of the tub and having a peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an opening to an interior of the basket for receiving laundry for treatment; a balance ring mounted to the upper edge of the basket and having a top wall with at least a portion inclined relative to horizontal; and a tub ring having a circumferential side wall mounted to the upper edge of the tub, a top wall overlying at least a portion of the balance ring top wall, and a plurality of stiffening ribs extending between the side wall and the top wall and having a bottom edge at least partially complementary to the top wall of the balance ring.\",\n \"A tub ring mountable to an upper end of a liquid holding tub in a laundry treating appliance may comprise a circumferential side wall; a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall; and a plurality of radial stiffening ribs extending between the top wall and the side wall, the ribs having a bottom edge with at least a portion inclined relative to horizontal.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG.\",\n \"1 is a schematic sectional view of a laundry treating appliance in the form of a washing machine.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a schematic view of a control system for the laundry treating appliance of FIG.\",\n \"1.FIG.\",\n \"3 is a perspective view of a tub with a tub ring and basket with a balance ring for the laundry treating appliance of FIG.\",\n \"1 according to one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG.\",\n \"3.FIGS.\",\n \"4A and 4B are enlarged views of the regions labeled IV-A and IV-B, respectively, in FIG.\",\n \"4.FIG.\",\n \"5 is a sectional view similar to FIG.\",\n \"4 with the tub ring exploded from the tub.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a sectional view of a tub ring according to an alternative embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a sectional view of a tub ring according to another alternative embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG.\",\n \"7.DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG.\",\n \"1 is a schematic view of a laundry treating appliance according to an exemplary embodiment.\",\n \"The laundry treating appliance may be any appliance that performs a cycle of operation to clean or otherwise treat items placed therein, non-limiting examples of which include a horizontal or vertical axis clothes washing machine, a combination washing machine and dryer, a tumbling or stationary refreshing/revitalizing machine, an extractor, a non-aqueous washing apparatus, and a revitalizing machine.\",\n \"The laundry treating appliance of FIG.\",\n \"1 is illustrated as a vertical axis washing machine 10, which may include a structural support system comprising a cabinet 12 that defines a housing within which a laundry holding system resides.\",\n \"The cabinet 12 may be a housing having a chassis and/or a frame, defining an interior receiving components typically found in a conventional washing machine, such as motors, pumps, fluid lines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like.\",\n \"Such components will not be described further herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the invention.\",\n \"The laundry holding system of the illustrated exemplary washing machine 10 may include a watertight tub 14 installed in the cabinet 12.The tub 14 may have a generally cylindrical side or peripheral wall 16 closed at its bottom end by a base 18 that may at least partially define a sump.\",\n \"An upper edge 20 of the peripheral wall 16 may define an opening to an interior of the tub 14 for holding liquid, and a tub ring 22 may be mounted to the tub 14 at or near the upper edge 20.A perforated basket 24 may be mounted in the tub 14 for rotation about an axis of rotation, such as, for example, a central, vertical axis extending through the center of a laundry mover 26 in the form of an impeller, as an example, located within the basket 24.Other exemplary types of laundry movers include, but are not limited to, an agitator, a wobble plate, and a hybrid impeller/agitator.\",\n \"The basket 24 may have a generally cylindrical side or peripheral wall 28 closed at its bottom end by a base 30 to form an interior at least partially defining a laundry treating chamber 32 receiving a load of laundry items for treatment.\",\n \"The peripheral wall 28 may include a plurality of perforations or apertures 34 such that liquid supplied to the basket 24 may flow through the perforations 34 to the tub 14.A balance ring 36 may be coupled with an upper edge 38 of the basket peripheral wall 28 to counterbalance a load imbalance that may occur within the treating chamber 32 during a cycle of operation.\",\n \"While the washing machine 10 may employ any type of balance ring 36, an exemplary balance ring is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"US20110247373, filed Jan. 31, 2011, whose disclosure is incorporated by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"The illustrated balance ring 36 may include a chamfered or inclined top wall 40 on an upper portion of the balance ring 36.The chamfer or incline of the top wall 40 may be approximately 35 degrees from a horizontal plane.\",\n \"As illustrated, the entire top wall 40 is inclined, but it is contemplated that alternatively only a portion of the top wall 40 is inclined relative to the horizontal, as shown and described in the aforementioned and incorporated '373 publication.\",\n \"The top of the cabinet 12 may include a selectively openable lid 42 to provide access into the laundry treating chamber 32 through an open top of the basket 24.A drive system including a drive motor 44, which may or may not include a gear case, may be utilized to rotate the basket 24 and the laundry mover 26.The motor 44 may rotate the basket 24 at various speeds, including at a spin speed wherein a centrifugal force at the inner surface of the basket peripheral wall 28 is 1 g or greater; spin speeds are commonly known for use in extracting liquid from the laundry items in the basket 24, such as after a wash or rinse step in a treating cycle of operation.\",\n \"The motor 44 may also oscillate or rotate the laundry mover 26 about its axis of rotation during a cycle of operation in order to provide movement to the load contained within the laundry treating chamber 32.The illustrated drive system for the basket 24 and the laundry mover 26 is provided for exemplary purposes only and is not limited to that shown in the drawings and described above; the particular drive system is not germane to the invention.\",\n \"A suspension system 46 may dynamically hold the tub 14 within the cabinet 12.The suspension system 46 may dissipate a determined degree of vibratory energy generated by the rotation of the basket 24 and/or the laundry mover 26 during a treating cycle of operation.\",\n \"Together, the tub 14, the basket 24, and any contents of the basket 24, such as liquid and laundry items, define a suspended mass for the suspension system 46.The suspension system 46 may be any type of suspension system and is not germane to the invention.\",\n \"The washing machine 10 may be fluidly connected to a liquid supply 50 through a liquid supply system including a liquid supply conduit 52 having a valve assembly 54 that may be operated to selectively deliver liquid, such as water, to the tub 14 through a liquid supply outlet 56, which is shown by example as being positioned at one side of the tub 14.The washing machine 10 may further include a recirculation and drain system having a pump assembly 58 that may pump liquid from the tub 14 back into the tub 14 through a recirculation conduit 60 for recirculation of the liquid and/or to a drain conduit 62 to drain the liquid from the machine 10.The illustrated liquid supply system and recirculation and drain system for the washing machine 10 are provided for exemplary purposes only and are not limited to those shown in the drawings and described above; the particular liquid supply system and recirculation and drain system are not germane to the invention.\",\n \"The washing machine 10 may also be provided with a dispensing system for dispensing treating chemistry to the basket 24, either directly or mixed with water from the liquid supply system, for use in treating the laundry according to a cycle of operation.\",\n \"The dispensing system may include a dispenser 64 which may be a single use dispenser, a bulk dispenser, or a combination of a single use and bulk dispenser.\",\n \"Water may be supplied to the dispenser 64 from the liquid supply conduit 52 by directing the valve assembly 54 to direct the flow of water to the dispenser 64 through a dispensing supply conduit 66.The washing machine 10 may also be provided with a heating system (not shown) to heat liquid provided to the treating chamber 32.In one example, the heating system can include a heating element provided in the sump 18 to heat liquid that collects in the sump 18.Alternatively, the heating system may be in the form of an in-line heater that heats the liquid as it flows through the liquid supply, dispensing and/or recirculation systems.\",\n \"The liquid supply, dispensing, and recirculation and drain systems may differ from the configuration shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, such as by inclusion of other valves, conduits, treating chemistry dispensers, sensors, such as water level sensors and temperature sensors, and the like, to control the flow of liquid through the washing machine 10 and for the introduction of more than one type of treating chemistry.\",\n \"For example, the liquid supply system and/or the dispensing system may be configured to supply liquid into the interior of the tub 14 not occupied by the basket 24 such that liquid may be supplied directly to the tub 14 without having to travel through the basket 24.The washing machine 10 may further include a control system for controlling the operation of the washing machine 10 to implement one or more treating cycles of operation.\",\n \"The control system may include a controller 70 located within a console 72 or elsewhere, such as within the cabinet 12, and a user interface 74 that is operably coupled with the controller 70.The user interface 74 may include one or more knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens and the like for communicating with the user, such as to receive input and provide output.\",\n \"The user may enter different types of information including, without limitation, cycle selection and cycle parameters, such as cycle options.\",\n \"The controller 70 may include the machine controller and any additional controllers provided for controlling any of the components of the washing machine 10.For example, the controller 70 may include the machine controller and a motor controller.\",\n \"Many known types of controllers may be used for the controller 70.The specific type of controller is not germane to the invention.\",\n \"It is contemplated that the controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various working components to effect the control software.\",\n \"As an example, proportional control (P), proportional integral control (PI), and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combination thereof, a proportional integral derivative control (PID control), may be used to control the various components.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2, the controller 70 may be provided with a memory 76 and a central processing unit (CPU) 78.The memory 76 may be used for storing the control software that is executed by the CPU 78 in completing a treating cycle of operation using the washing machine 10 and any additional software.\",\n \"Examples, without limitation, of treating cycles of operation include: wash, heavy duty wash, delicate wash, quick wash, pre-wash, refresh, rinse only, and timed wash.\",\n \"The memory 76 may also be used to store information, such as a database or table, and to store data received from one or more components of the washing machine 10 that may be communicably coupled with the controller 70.The database or table may be used to store the various operating parameters for the one or more cycles of operation, including factory default values for the operating parameters and any adjustments to them by the control system or by user input.\",\n \"The controller 70 may be operably coupled with one or more components of the washing machine 10 for communicating with and controlling the operation of the component to complete a cycle of operation.\",\n \"For example, the controller 70 may be operably coupled with the motor 44, the valve assembly 54, the pump 58, the dispenser 64, and any other additional components that may be present such as a steam generator and/or a sump heater (not shown) to control the operation of these and other components to implement one or more of the cycles of operation.\",\n \"The controller 70 may also be coupled with one or more sensors 80 provided in one or more of the systems of the washing machine 10 to receive input from the sensors, which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity.\",\n \"Referring now to FIG.\",\n \"3, which is a perspective view of the tub 14 with the tub ring 22 and the basket 24 with the balance ring 36, the tub ring 22 is annular and has a generally circular configuration in accordance with the peripheral wall of the tub 14.As best seen in the sectional view of FIG.\",\n \"4, the tub ring 22 covers at least a portion of the balance ring 36 and prevents accidental loading of laundry into the space between the tub 14 and the basket 24.FIG.\",\n \"4A provides an enlarged view of the right side of the rub ring 22 (with respect to the orientation of FIG.\",\n \"4).\",\n \"The tub ring 22 includes a circumferential side wall 90 that may extend in a generally vertical direction between a lower end 92 and an upper end 94.An L-shaped lip 96 may extend radially outward and downward from the side wall 90 at a location near the lower end 92 so as to form, with the side wall 90, a downwardly facing slot sized to receive the tub upper edge 20.The lip 96 may extend circumferentially around the entire tub ring 22 for receipt of the entire upper edge 20 of the tub 14, if desired.\",\n \"A plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs 98 (also seen in FIG.\",\n \"3) depending from the lip 96 may be configured to receive corresponding circumferentially spaced detents 100 or other mating structures on the tub 14 to mount and secure the tub ring 22 to the tub 14.A top wall 102 of the tub ring 22 extends radially inward from an outer edge 104, where the top wall 102 joins the side wall 90, to an inner edge 106 a distance sufficient to overlie at least a portion of the balance ring top wall 40.In the illustrated embodiment, the top wall 102 includes an inclined portion 108 that begins at the outer edge 104 and transitions to a generally horizontal or flat portion 110 that terminates at the inner edge 106.The outer edge 104 may be spaced a distance below the upper end 94 of the side wall 90 so as to form an open-top V-shaped channel 112, defined between the side wall 90 and the top wall inclined portion 108, around the tub ring 22 adjacent the top wall flat portion 110 (also shown in FIG.\",\n \"3).\",\n \"The channel 112 advantageously may catch liquid that splashes onto the top wall flat portion 110, and the liquid may drain downward into the tub 14.To facilitate draining, the inclined portion 108 of the top wall 102 may include drainage openings 114 at or near the bottom of the channel 112.The drainage openings 114 may be configured to direct the drained liquid into the space between the tub 14 and the basket 24.In contrast, liquid splashed onto a tub ring without such a channel may spill over the tub ring and down the side of the tub 14 onto the floor upon which the washing machine 10 rests.\",\n \"As seen in FIG.\",\n \"4B, which is an enlarged view of the left of the rub ring 22 (with respect to the orientation of FIG.\",\n \"4), a plurality of radial ribs 120 may be circumferentially spaced around the tub ring 22.The ribs 120 generally extend between the side wall 90 and the top wall 102 of the tub ring 22 to stiffen the tub ring 22 and thereby reduce the likelihood of the tub ring buckling.\",\n \"In particular, each rib 120 extends radially inward from side wall 90 through the channel 112, passes through the inclined portion 108 (shown in phantom) of the top wall 102, extends along the flat portion 110 of the top wall 102, and terminates at or near the top wall inner edge 106.A top edge 122 of the rib 120 joins with the top wall flat portion 110, except for a portion that is exposed in the area between the side wall 90 and the top wall flat portion 110 (i.e., the region of the inclined portion 108).\",\n \"A bottom edge 124 of the rib 120, or at least a portion thereof, may be inclined in a manner similar to the top wall 40 of the balance ring 36 so as to be complementary to the balance ring top wall 40.In the illustrated embodiment, the entire bottom edge 124 is inclined upward along a direction moving radially inward from the side wall 90, and the ribs 120 each have a generally triangular configuration, specifically a right-triangular configuration with the bottom edge 124 forming the hypotenuse of the triangle.\",\n \"Referring now to FIG.\",\n \"5, which is similar to FIG.\",\n \"4 but with the tub ring 22 shown exploded from the tub 14, the ribs 120 may be disposed around the entire tub ring 22, half of which can be seen in FIG.\",\n \"5.Any suitable number of ribs 120 may be spaced around the tub ring 22 to provide a desired stiffness, and the illustrated tub ring 22, as an example, includes about 32 of the ribs 120 with a spacing of about 65 mm (2.5 in.)\",\n \"between adjacent ribs.\",\n \"As an example, the bottom edge 124 of the rib 120 is inclined at about 35 degrees to complement the balance ring top wall 40.While the rib bottom edge 124 and the balance ring top wall 40 may have identical angles of inclination, it is not necessary for the inclination angles to match exactly to be complementary.\",\n \"The flat disc configuration of the top wall 102 provides resistance to ovalization of the tub ring 22 during high speed rotation of the basket 24, such as during spinning, and the ribs 120 extending between the side wall 90 and the top wall 102 increase stiffness to resist buckling.\",\n \"Such a design increases the natural frequency of the suspended mass, which, in turn, permits an increase in maximum spin speed.\",\n \"For example, a natural frequency increase of about 2 Hz, which is a reasonable increase for the tub ring 22, would allow the maximum spin speed to be increased as much as about 120 rpm for a basket having a diameter of about 63 cm (24.8 in.).\",\n \"The actual amount of maximum spin speed increase can be a function of several factors, including the size of the basket 24.These performance benefits are realized without sacrificing capacity of the basket 24 as a result of the complementary inclined portions of the tub ring rib bottom edge 124 and the balance ring top wall 40.In comparison, if the balance ring top wall 40 were flat or horizontal by raising the outer edge of the of the balance ring top wall 40, the tub ring top wall 102 would need to be shifted upwards (i.e., increase the vertical height of the side wall 90) to provide sufficient spacing between the balance ring top wall 40 and the ribs 120.Increasing the vertical height of the side wall 90 consumes valuable vertical space within the cabinet 12, which is typically limited to industry standard sizing, which depends on several factors, because it can necessitate a reduction in the vertical height of the basket 24 and, thus, cause a decrease in load capacity.\",\n \"However, the ribs 120 of the tub ring 22 illustrated above provide needed structural rigidity while fitting nicely into the space formed between the inclined balance ring top wall 40 and the tub ring top wall 102 without having to increase the vertical height of the side wall 90.FIG.\",\n \"6 presents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the tub ring 22′, where elements similar to those in the previous embodiment are identified with the same reference numeral bearing a prime symbol (′).\",\n \"The tub ring 22′ is substantially identical to the tub ring 22 in FIGS.\",\n \"3-5, except that the top wall 102′ includes only the flat portion 110′, which joins to the side wall 90′ in a generally perpendicular configuration, by example, at the upper end 94′ of the side wall 90′.\",\n \"Consequently, the top edges 122′ of the ribs 120′ are completely covered by the top wall 102′ as they extend radially inward from the side wall 90′.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 presents a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the tub ring 22″, where elements similar to those in the previous embodiments are identified with the same reference numeral bearing a double prime symbol (“).\",\n \"The tub ring 22” is substantially identical to the tub ring 22′ in FIG.\",\n \"6, except that the top wall 102″ is formed by flat sections 130 and inclined sections 132 that alternate circumferentially around the tub ring 22″.\",\n \"The flat sections 130 have the same general configuration as the top wall 102′ in FIG.\",\n \"6 and extend circumferentially between adjacent ribs 120″, connecting the top edges 122″ of the adjacent ribs 120″.\",\n \"The inclined sections 132 extend radially inward from the side wall 90″, just like the flat sections 130, but the outer edge 104″ joins with the side wall 90″ at a location shifted downward from the upper end 94″ a distance about equal to the height of the rib 120″ at its connection to the side wall 90″.\",\n \"The inclined sections 132 may be inclined upward, moving radially inward, at an angle substantially equal to the inclination angle of the rib bottom edge 124″, connecting the bottom edges 124″ of adjacent ribs 120″.\",\n \"Because the flat and inclined sections 130, 132 alternate circumferentially, each rib 120″ joins to one of the flat sections 130 at the top edge 122″ and to one of the inclined sections 132′ at the lower edge 124″.\",\n \"Consequently, as one moves circumferentially around the tub ring 22″, the top wall 102″ transitions between the flat sections 130 and the inclined sections 132 at the ribs 120″, and the ribs 120″ can be considered as steps for the top wall 102″.\",\n \"For example, starting at a flat section 130, a first rib 120″ is a step down as the top wall 102″ transitions from the flat section 130 to an inclined section 132, then a second rib 120″ is a step up as the inclined section 132 transitions to the next flat section 130, then a third rib 120″ is a step down as that flat section 130 transitions to the next inclined section 132, and so on.\",\n \"The configuration of the top wall 102″ in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"7 facilitates formation of one or more treating chemistry cavities in the tub ring 22″.\",\n \"For example, the area bounded by two adjacent ribs 120″, the side wall 90″ between the adjacent ribs 120″, and one of the inclined sections 132 joining the adjacent ribs 120″ may define a treating chemistry cavity 134, identified in phantom in FIG.\",\n \"7 and shown more clearly in the sectional view of FIG.\",\n \"8.The treating chemistry cavity 134 may be sized to receive a desired type and/or dosage of treating chemistry and may be employed in addition to or in lieu of the dispenser 64.The treating chemistry may have any form, including, but not limited to a solid block, a powder, a gel, a liquid, an encased solid, powder, liquid, etc.\",\n \"(i.e., a pod), and so on.\",\n \"The treating chemistry may be any type of treating chemistry, non-limiting examples of which include one or more of the following: water, detergents, bleach, enzymes, fragrances, stiffness/sizing agents, wrinkle releasers/reducers, softeners, antistatic or electrostatic agents, stain repellants, water repellants, energy reduction/extraction aids, antibacterial agents, medicinal agents, vitamins, moisturizers, shrinkage inhibitors, and color fidelity agents, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"The inclined section 132 of the top wall 102″ may include one or more apertures 136 for dispensing of the treating chemistry into the tub 14 and/or the basket 24.The size, number, pattern, and orientation of the apertures 136 may vary depending on the type and/or form of the treating chemistry and the particular location for dispensing the treating chemistry.\",\n \"Optionally, the apertures 136 may fluidly communicate with a conduit or similar structure for directing the treating chemistry to a particular area of the tub 14 and/or the basket 24.As another option, the treating chemistry cavity 134 may be open at the top, as in the illustrations, or may be selectively closed by a movable lid.\",\n \"The tub ring may be modified in any suitable manner, including combining features of the different embodiments disclosed above as desired.\",\n \"For example, the tub ring may be mounted to the tub with structure other than the tabs and detents.\",\n \"Additionally, the bottom edges of the tub ring ribs may have only portions inclined, rather than the entire bottom edge being inclined, as shown in the Figures.\",\n \"As an example, the balance ring in the aforementioned and incorporated '373 publication has a top wall with only a portion thereof inclined, and the tub ring can have a bottom edge with only a portion inclined to be complementary to inclined portion of the balance ring top wall.\",\n \"For the embodiment with the alternating flat and inclined top wall sections, the seconds can be arranged in any desired pattern and need not be in an alternating pattern.\",\n \"While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873462"}}},{"rowIdx":4494351,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["SECURE REAL-TIME TRANSACTIONS","A method including receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","Other embodiments are provided."],["1.A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform: receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request comprising a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, the transaction system being in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant, the transaction system being maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, the consumer using a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction, the mobile device receiving a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store, the transaction code comprising a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature, and the transaction code being verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code; determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database; sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution; receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, the payment information comprising the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier; sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","2.The system of claim 1, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","3.The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device receives the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","4.The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device receives the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","5.The system of claim 1, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","6.The system of claim 1, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","7.The system of claim 1, wherein the digital certificate of the transaction code is cryptographically signed.","8.The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction system is called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.","9.The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction code further comprises one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","10.The system of claim 1, wherein the first entity is at least one of the first financial institution, the mobile device being used by the consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","11.A method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the method comprising: receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request comprising a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, the transaction system being in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant, the transaction system being maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, the consumer using a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction, the mobile device receiving a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store, the transaction code comprising a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature, and the transaction code being verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code; determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database; sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution; receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, the payment information comprising the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier; sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","12.The method of claim 11, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","13.The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile device receives the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","14.The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile device receives the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","15.The method of claim 11, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","16.The method of claim 11, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","17.The method of claim 11, wherein the digital certificate of the transaction code is cryptographically signed.","18.The method of claim 11, wherein the transaction system is called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.","19.The method of claim 11, wherein the transaction code further comprises one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","20.The method of claim 11, wherein the first entity is at least one of the first financial institution, the mobile device being used by the consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer."],[" BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7 ; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19 ; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/170,781, filed Jun.","1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.U.S.","patent application Ser.","Nos.","15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.","TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.","BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.","DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer cam ne maintained by a first financial institution.","The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.","The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Turning to the drawings, FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.","System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.","7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.","The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.","In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.","In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).","In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.","In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.","In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.","In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).","For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.","In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.","For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.","In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.","For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.","In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).","This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.","In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.","In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).","In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.","In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.","For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.","For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.","For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.","As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.","In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.","In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.","In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).","In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.","In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.","In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.","The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.","For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.","The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.","For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.","In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.","In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.","In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.","In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.","For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.","For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.","By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.","In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).","In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.","In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.","In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.","In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.","In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.","In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.","In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.","The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.","As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.","In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.","In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.","In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.","For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.","For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.","In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.","In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.","In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.","In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.","In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.","In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.","In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.","In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.","In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.","In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.","In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.","Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.","In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.","In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.","22 and described below.","In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.","For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.","In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.","In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.","129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).","In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).","In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.","In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.","For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.","In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.","For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.","For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.","Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.","Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.","In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.","In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.","In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.","In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.","For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.","In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.","For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.","In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.","In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.","The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.","In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.","In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.","The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.","In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.","In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.","In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.","In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.","For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","in some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.","In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.","In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.","In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.","In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.","In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.","In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.","In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.","1)).","User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.","For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.","1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.","In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), such as Checking Account A.","When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) to use for the payment transaction.","In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve the transaction using the account.","In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to decline the transaction using the account.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.","User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.","Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.","In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.","In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.","In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.","User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.","In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.","In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), such as a new loan.","In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.","1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.","When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.","1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.","21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed.","User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), title bar 2001 (FIG.","20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.","If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.","In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.","1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.","5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.","9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.","16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.","5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.","9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.","16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.","16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.","9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.","4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.","4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.","13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.","13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.","4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.","10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.","10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.","10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.","13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.","13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.","In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.","10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.","13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.","13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.","11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.","11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.","14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.","14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.","2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.","2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.","2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.","14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.","3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.","3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.","15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.","15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.","3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.","12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.","15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.","3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.","In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.","6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.","6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.","6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), financial institution 150 (FIG.","1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.","2), method 300 (FIG.","3), method 400 (FIG.","4), method 500 (FIG.","5), method 600 (FIG.","6), method 900 (FIG.","9), method 1000 (FIG.","10), method 1100 (FIG.","11), method 1200 (FIG.","12), method 1300 (FIG.","13), method 1400 (FIG.","14), method 1500 (FIG.","15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.","16).","Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.","8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.","8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.","8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.","Continuing with FIG.","8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).","Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.","7) to a functional state after a system reset.","In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).","In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.","7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7-8).","In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.","The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.","Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.","As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.","In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.","8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/O devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.","7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.","7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.","8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.","Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.","7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.","7) of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.","7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7 and 8).","In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.","In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.","7) or USB port 712 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).","Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.","7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.","Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.","7) need not be discussed herein.","When computer 700 in FIG.","7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.","8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.","8).","A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.","In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.","Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.","7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.","In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.","In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.","Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.","Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.","It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.","For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.","1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.","For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.","Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.","The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.","Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"SECURE REAL-TIME TRANSACTIONS\",\n \"A method including receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"Other embodiments are provided.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform: receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request comprising a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, the transaction system being in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant, the transaction system being maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, the consumer using a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction, the mobile device receiving a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store, the transaction code comprising a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature, and the transaction code being verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code; determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database; sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution; receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, the payment information comprising the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier; sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"2.The system of claim 1, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"3.The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device receives the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"4.The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device receives the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"5.The system of claim 1, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"6.The system of claim 1, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"7.The system of claim 1, wherein the digital certificate of the transaction code is cryptographically signed.\",\n \"8.The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction system is called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.\",\n \"9.The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction code further comprises one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"10.The system of claim 1, wherein the first entity is at least one of the first financial institution, the mobile device being used by the consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"11.A method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the method comprising: receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request comprising a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, the transaction system being in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant, the transaction system being maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, the consumer using a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction, the mobile device receiving a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store, the transaction code comprising a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature, and the transaction code being verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code; determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database; sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution; receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, the payment information comprising the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier; sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 11, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"13.The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile device receives the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile device receives the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 11, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 11, wherein the notification of the payment is received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"17.The method of claim 11, wherein the digital certificate of the transaction code is cryptographically signed.\",\n \"18.The method of claim 11, wherein the transaction system is called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.\",\n \"19.The method of claim 11, wherein the transaction code further comprises one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"20.The method of claim 11, wherein the first entity is at least one of the first financial institution, the mobile device being used by the consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7 ; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19 ; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/170,781, filed Jun.\",\n \"1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.U.S.\",\n \"patent application Ser.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.\",\n \"BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer cam ne maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.\",\n \"The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Turning to the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.\",\n \"The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.\",\n \"In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).\",\n \"In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.\",\n \"In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.\",\n \"In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).\",\n \"For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.\",\n \"For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.\",\n \"In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).\",\n \"This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.\",\n \"As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.\",\n \"In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.\",\n \"In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).\",\n \"In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.\",\n \"For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.\",\n \"The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.\",\n \"For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.\",\n \"In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.\",\n \"The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.\",\n \"As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.\",\n \"In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.\",\n \"In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.\",\n \"For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.\",\n \"In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.\",\n \"In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.\",\n \"Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.\",\n \"In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.\",\n \"22 and described below.\",\n \"In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.\",\n \"For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.\",\n \"In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.\",\n \"129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).\",\n \"In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.\",\n \"For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.\",\n \"Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.\",\n \"For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.\",\n \"The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.\",\n \"In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.\",\n \"The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"in some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.\",\n \"In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.\",\n \"For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), such as Checking Account A.\",\n \"When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve the transaction using the account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to decline the transaction using the account.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.\",\n \"Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), such as a new loan.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.\",\n \"When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.\",\n \"If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.\",\n \"In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.\",\n \"2), method 300 (FIG.\",\n \"3), method 400 (FIG.\",\n \"4), method 500 (FIG.\",\n \"5), method 600 (FIG.\",\n \"6), method 900 (FIG.\",\n \"9), method 1000 (FIG.\",\n \"10), method 1100 (FIG.\",\n \"11), method 1200 (FIG.\",\n \"12), method 1300 (FIG.\",\n \"13), method 1400 (FIG.\",\n \"14), method 1500 (FIG.\",\n \"15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.\",\n \"16).\",\n \"Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.\",\n \"8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.\",\n \"8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.\",\n \"8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).\",\n \"Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) to a functional state after a system reset.\",\n \"In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8).\",\n \"In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.\",\n \"The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.\",\n \"Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.\",\n \"As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/O devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.\",\n \"8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.\",\n \"Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.\",\n \"7) of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8).\",\n \"In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.\",\n \"In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) or USB port 712 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).\",\n \"Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.\",\n \"Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.\",\n \"7) need not be discussed herein.\",\n \"When computer 700 in FIG.\",\n \"7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.\",\n \"8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.\",\n \"In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.\",\n \"Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.\",\n \"7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.\",\n \"Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.\",\n \"Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.\",\n \"For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.\",\n \"1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.\",\n \"For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.\",\n \"Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.\",\n \"The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.\",\n \"Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873463"}}},{"rowIdx":4494352,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["Temperature-Compensated Analyte Monitoring Devices, Systems, and Methods Thereof","Methods of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor, the method comprising detecting a first temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the first temperature measurement using an offset term.","The method may also include receiving a sensor signal from an in vivo analyte sensor; and determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature."],["1.A method of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor, the method comprising: detecting a first temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the first temperature measurement using an offset term.","2.The method of claim 1, comprising: receiving a sensor signal from an in vivo analyte sensor; and determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.","3.The method of claim 2, wherein the analyte is glucose.","4.The method of claim 2, wherein the in vivo analyte sensor is a subcutaneous analyte sensor.","5.The method of claim 1, comprising: detecting a second temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the rate of change of skin temperature between the first temperature measurement and the second temperature measurement using an offset term.","6.The method of claim 5 wherein the ambient-compensated temperature is determined using a combination of the rate of change of skin temperature between the first temperature measurement and the second temperature measurement and the second temperature measurement.","7.The method of claim 1, wherein the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. 8.An analyte monitoring device, comprising: a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; wherein an in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor; wherein a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor; and memory communicably coupled to the processor, wherein the memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.","9.The analyte monitoring device of claim 8, wherein the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.","10.The analyte monitoring device of claim 8, wherein the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. 11.The method of claim 9, wherein the analyte is glucose.","12.The method of claim 9, wherein the in vivo analyte sensor is a subcutaneous analyte sensor.","13.An analyte monitoring system, comprising: an on-body unit, comprising: a first processor and first memory communicably coupled to the first processor; an in vivo analyte sensor communicably coupled to the first processor; a temperature sensor communicably coupled to the first processor; and, a receiver configured to communicate with the on-body unit, the receiver comprising: a second processor and second memory communicably coupled to the second processor; wherein at least one of the first memory and second memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by at least one of the first and second processors, cause the at least one first and second processor to: detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.","14.The analyte monitoring system of claim 13, wherein the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. 15.The method of claim 13, wherein the analyte is glucose.","16.The method of claim 13, wherein the in vivo analyte sensor is a subcutaneous analyte sensor."],[" BACKGROUND In vivo analyte monitoring systems include an in vivo analyte sensor.","At least a portion of the sensor is positioned beneath the skin surface of a user to contact bodily fluid to monitor one or more analytes in the fluid over a period of time.","This is also referred to as continuous analyte monitoring in that the sensor remains positioned in the user for a continuous period of time.","Analyte sensors may have temperature dependencies and the sensor signals produced by the sensors are may then be affected by temperature changes.","An error caused by temperature measurement may lead to an associated error in analyte measurements, such as blood glucose measurements."],[" SUMMARY Aspects of the present disclosure relate to analyte monitoring systems, devices, and methods thereof related to temperature compensation, such as temperature compensated glucose values.","Included are devices, computer-implemented methods, and systems that determine temperature of an environment surrounding an in vivo glucose sensor, and whether the temperature adversely affects the in vivo analyte sensor glucose data, e.g., the temperature is too high and/or too low.","If the temperature may adversely affect the glucose data, the system may be responsive to the temperature information so that erroneous glucose information is not presented to the user.","Determined glucose values may be modified or not depending on the temperature and/or glucose values may be displayed to a user or not depending on the temperature.","Temperature data may be in vivo temperature data (e.g., obtained at the location of a working electrode of an in vivo analyte sensor during a sensing process such as on or near the body-inserted sensor portion) and/or may be ambient temperature, and/or may be temperature of a processor of a sensor electronics unit such as a sensor control unit and/or may be skin surface temperature.","In certain embodiments, a processor of a glucose monitoring system may always compensate in vivo glucose sensor data based on temperature, but a display device will not display the temperature-compensated glucose values if the temperature is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold, or a processor of a glucose monitoring system will only compensate in vivo glucose sensor data based on temperature if temperature is determined to be within a predetermined range, and a display device will display temperature uncompensated glucose values if the temperature is determined to be within a first range predetermined range and will display temperature-compensated glucose values if temperature is determined to be in a second range.","Embodiments include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, obtaining temperature data from one or more temperature sensors, comparing the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and determining a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not determining a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.","Certain embodiments may include not compensating for temperature if the temperature data is within a predetermined range.","In other words, glucose values may be adjusted or not based on temperature data obtained at the same or substantially same time as the glucose data.","Embodiments include methods that include displaying information responsive to obtained temperature data.","Embodiments include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, obtaining temperature data from one or more temperature sensors, comparing the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and displaying on a user interface device a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not displaying a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.","In such embodiments, glucose values may be determined or not, but in any event are not communicated to a user if a temperature threshold is exceeded.","Embodiments include computer systems that analyze temperature data for its affects to a glucose sensor.","Certain embodiments include an in vivo glucose sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives glucose data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives glucose data from the electronics unit.","A display may be included with the sensor electronics unit or receiver unit.","At least one processor of the electronics unit and/or the receiver unit includes instructions to process temperature data of the at least one temperature sensor and in vivo analyte sensor data of the in vivo analyte sensor, and compare the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and determine a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not determine a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.","The at least one processor may include instructions to not compensate for temperature if the temperature data is within a predetermined range.","In other words, it may cause glucose values to be adjusted or not based on temperature data obtained at the same or substantially same time as the glucose data.","In display embodiments, the one or more processors may include instructions to cause the display to display or not to display information responsive to obtained temperature data.","At least one processor includes instructions to process temperature data of the at least one temperature sensor and in vivo analyte sensor data of the in vivo glucose sensor in include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, and compare the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and display on the display a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not display a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.","In such embodiments, the one or more processors may cause glucose values to be determined or not, but in any event are not communicated to a user on a display device if a temperature threshold is exceeded.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of detecting and/or determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a temperature sensor (e.g., coupled to an in vivo analyte sensor) are provided.","The methods includes receiving a sensor signal (e.g., sensor information, such as current, voltage, etc.)","derived from an in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; determining, with a processor, whether a temperature threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determining, with the processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.","Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; determine whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.","Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor are provided that include detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors are provided that include sampling at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperature measurements from a first temperature sensor on an on-body sensor; determining, with a processor, first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determining, with a processor, final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.","In some aspects of the present disclosure analyte monitoring device are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor are communicably coupled to the processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperatures measured from a first temperature sensor on the housing; determine first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determine final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, in vivo analyte sensors are provided that include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer, and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer.","The electrode layer includes a sensing area, and the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent the sensing area.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; electronic circuitry coupled to the housing, the electronic circuitry including a processor; and an in vivo analyte sensor electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry and extending from the housing.","The in vivo analyte sensor include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer; and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer, the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent a sensing area.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte sensor devices are provided that include a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into skin of a subject, electrodes disposed on the body, and a temperature sensor coupled to the body.","The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include coupling an analyte sensor device to a skin of a subject and inserting a temperature sensor within the skin of the subject.","The temperature sensor is disposed within the central tunnel.","The sensor coupling device includes a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into the skin of a subject, and electrodes disposed on the body.","The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include receiving a first sensor signal from a first electrode on an in vivo analyte sensor on an on-body sensor; receiving a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor, and determining, with a processor, a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.","The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and the in vivo analyte sensor includes two working electrodes.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a first sensor signal from a first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; detect a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.","The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.","§ 119(e) to U.S.","Provisional Patent Application No.","61/497,821 filed Jun.","16, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.","INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE The following patents, applications and/or publications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes: U.S. Pat.","No.","7,041,468; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,356,786; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,175,752; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,560,471; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,262,035; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,881,551; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,121,009; U.S. Pat.","No.","7,167,818; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,270,455; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,161,095; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,918,603; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,144,837; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,601,435; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,822,715; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,899,855; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,071,391; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,120,676; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,143,164; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,299,757; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,338,790; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,377,894; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,600,997; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,773,671; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,514,460; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,592,745; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,628,890; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,820,551; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,736,957; U.S. Pat.","No.","4,545,382; U.S. 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Structures and Methods of Using Same”; U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","12/698,124, filed Feb. 1, 2010, entitled “Compact On-Body Physiological Monitoring Devices and Methods Thereof”; U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","12/698,129, filed Feb. 1, 2010, entitled “Analyte Sensor And Apparatus For Insertion Of The Sensor”; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","US2004/0186365; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2007/0095661; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2006/0091006; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2006/0025662; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2008/0267823; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2007/0108048; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2008/0102441; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2008/0066305; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2007/0199818; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2008/0148873; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2007/0068807; US patent Application Publication No.","2010/0198034; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2010/0325868; and U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/149,639 titled “Compact On-Body Physiological Monitoring Device and Methods Thereof”; U.S.","Provisional Patent Application No.","61/368,553, filed Jul.","28, 2010, entitled, “Analyte Sensors Having Temperature Independent Membranes”; U.S.","Provisional Patent Application No.","61/415,174, filed Nov. 18, 2010, entitled, “Adaptor for On-Body Self-Powered Analyte Monitoring System”; and U.S.","Provisional Patent Application No.","61/421,371, filed Dec. 9, 2010, entitled, “Analyte Sensors with Reduced Sensitivity Variation”, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.","BACKGROUND In vivo analyte monitoring systems include an in vivo analyte sensor.","At least a portion of the sensor is positioned beneath the skin surface of a user to contact bodily fluid to monitor one or more analytes in the fluid over a period of time.","This is also referred to as continuous analyte monitoring in that the sensor remains positioned in the user for a continuous period of time.","Analyte sensors may have temperature dependencies and the sensor signals produced by the sensors are may then be affected by temperature changes.","An error caused by temperature measurement may lead to an associated error in analyte measurements, such as blood glucose measurements.","SUMMARY Aspects of the present disclosure relate to analyte monitoring systems, devices, and methods thereof related to temperature compensation, such as temperature compensated glucose values.","Included are devices, computer-implemented methods, and systems that determine temperature of an environment surrounding an in vivo glucose sensor, and whether the temperature adversely affects the in vivo analyte sensor glucose data, e.g., the temperature is too high and/or too low.","If the temperature may adversely affect the glucose data, the system may be responsive to the temperature information so that erroneous glucose information is not presented to the user.","Determined glucose values may be modified or not depending on the temperature and/or glucose values may be displayed to a user or not depending on the temperature.","Temperature data may be in vivo temperature data (e.g., obtained at the location of a working electrode of an in vivo analyte sensor during a sensing process such as on or near the body-inserted sensor portion) and/or may be ambient temperature, and/or may be temperature of a processor of a sensor electronics unit such as a sensor control unit and/or may be skin surface temperature.","In certain embodiments, a processor of a glucose monitoring system may always compensate in vivo glucose sensor data based on temperature, but a display device will not display the temperature-compensated glucose values if the temperature is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold, or a processor of a glucose monitoring system will only compensate in vivo glucose sensor data based on temperature if temperature is determined to be within a predetermined range, and a display device will display temperature uncompensated glucose values if the temperature is determined to be within a first range predetermined range and will display temperature-compensated glucose values if temperature is determined to be in a second range.","Embodiments include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, obtaining temperature data from one or more temperature sensors, comparing the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and determining a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not determining a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.","Certain embodiments may include not compensating for temperature if the temperature data is within a predetermined range.","In other words, glucose values may be adjusted or not based on temperature data obtained at the same or substantially same time as the glucose data.","Embodiments include methods that include displaying information responsive to obtained temperature data.","Embodiments include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, obtaining temperature data from one or more temperature sensors, comparing the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and displaying on a user interface device a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not displaying a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.","In such embodiments, glucose values may be determined or not, but in any event are not communicated to a user if a temperature threshold is exceeded.","Embodiments include computer systems that analyze temperature data for its affects to a glucose sensor.","Certain embodiments include an in vivo glucose sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives glucose data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives glucose data from the electronics unit.","A display may be included with the sensor electronics unit or receiver unit.","At least one processor of the electronics unit and/or the receiver unit includes instructions to process temperature data of the at least one temperature sensor and in vivo analyte sensor data of the in vivo analyte sensor, and compare the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and determine a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not determine a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.","The at least one processor may include instructions to not compensate for temperature if the temperature data is within a predetermined range.","In other words, it may cause glucose values to be adjusted or not based on temperature data obtained at the same or substantially same time as the glucose data.","In display embodiments, the one or more processors may include instructions to cause the display to display or not to display information responsive to obtained temperature data.","At least one processor includes instructions to process temperature data of the at least one temperature sensor and in vivo analyte sensor data of the in vivo glucose sensor in include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, and compare the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and display on the display a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not display a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.","In such embodiments, the one or more processors may cause glucose values to be determined or not, but in any event are not communicated to a user on a display device if a temperature threshold is exceeded.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of detecting and/or determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a temperature sensor (e.g., coupled to an in vivo analyte sensor) are provided.","The methods includes receiving a sensor signal (e.g., sensor information, such as current, voltage, etc.)","derived from an in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; determining, with a processor, whether a temperature threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determining, with the processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.","Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; determine whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.","Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor are provided that include detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors are provided that include sampling at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperature measurements from a first temperature sensor on an on-body sensor; determining, with a processor, first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determining, with a processor, final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.","In some aspects of the present disclosure analyte monitoring device are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor are communicably coupled to the processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperatures measured from a first temperature sensor on the housing; determine first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determine final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, in vivo analyte sensors are provided that include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer, and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer.","The electrode layer includes a sensing area, and the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent the sensing area.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; electronic circuitry coupled to the housing, the electronic circuitry including a processor; and an in vivo analyte sensor electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry and extending from the housing.","The in vivo analyte sensor include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer; and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer, the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent a sensing area.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte sensor devices are provided that include a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into skin of a subject, electrodes disposed on the body, and a temperature sensor coupled to the body.","The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include coupling an analyte sensor device to a skin of a subject and inserting a temperature sensor within the skin of the subject.","The temperature sensor is disposed within the central tunnel.","The sensor coupling device includes a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into the skin of a subject, and electrodes disposed on the body.","The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include receiving a first sensor signal from a first electrode on an in vivo analyte sensor on an on-body sensor; receiving a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor, and determining, with a processor, a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.","The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and the in vivo analyte sensor includes two working electrodes.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a first sensor signal from a first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; detect a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.","The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG.","1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of an analyte monitoring system, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a data processing unit of the analyte monitoring system shown in FIG.","1, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","3 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the primary receiver unit of the analyte monitoring system of FIG.","1, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","4 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an analyte sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","5 illustrates a flowchart for a method of determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor on an on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","6 illustrates a flowchart for a method of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor on an on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","7 illustrates a circuit diagram representation of an example two-thermistor model, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","8 illustrates a circuit diagram representation of an example one-thermistor model, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","9 illustrates method of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors on an on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","10 illustrates an electrode arrangement for a typical three-terminal sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","11 illustrates an electrode arrangement for a three-terminal analyte sensor wherein one of the electrodes is also an embedded RTD, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","12 illustrates a partial circuit diagram for an example analog front-end circuit for a three-terminal analyte sensor with one of the electrodes as an embedded RTD, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","13 illustrates a front-side view of an analyte sensor having thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","14 illustrates a back-side view of an analyte sensor having thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","15 illustrates a system block diagram of an on-body sensor having a thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an analyte sensor substrate having a thermocouple junction, according to certain embodiments; FIG.","17 illustrates an on-body sensor having a thermistor located in a thermally conductive structure such that it protrudes from the bottom of the on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments; and FIG.","18 illustrates a top view of multiple sensing elements disposed on a sensing surface, according to certain embodiments.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION Before the present disclosure is described in additional detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary.","It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.","Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the disclosure.","The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.","Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.","Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.","Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, the preferred methods and materials are now described.","All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.","It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.","The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application.","Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure.","Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.","As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.","The figures shown herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, with some components and features being exaggerated for clarity.","The analyte sensor may be configured so that at least a portion thereof is placed under the skin of the patient to detect the analyte levels of the patient, and another portion of the analyte sensor—which may be above the skin—is coupled to electronics within a housing that is positioned externally on the skin of the subject.","The electronics may include various components, such as communication element(s) for communication with a remote receiving unit.","The analyte monitoring device that is coupled to the subject's body and includes the in vivo positioned analyte sensor, housing, and electronics (e.g., data processing, storage, and/or communication components) is also referred to herein as an “on-body unit”, “OBU”, “on-body sensor”, “on body patch”, or “patch”.","Analyte sensors may have temperature dependencies and the sensor signals produced by the sensors may then be affected by temperature changes.","An error caused by temperature may lead to an associated error in analyte measurements, such as glucose measurements.","It should be appreciated the subject matter of the disclosure is not limited to transcutaneous analyte sensor, but is also applicable to in vivo analyte sensors in general.","Temperature Compensation As summarized above, aspects of the present disclosure relate to analyte monitoring systems, devices, and methods thereof related to temperature compensation.","It should be appreciated that while the devices and methods may be described in terms of a subcutaneous sensor, other in vivo analyte sensors may also be applicable and the subject matter not limited to specifically subcutaneous analyte sensors.","It should also be appreciated that the embodiments described herein are exemplary and should not be viewed as limiting.","For example, it should be appreciated that the methods described herein may be implemented in an on-body unit, the receiver, or mixed between the on-body unit and the receiver.","Thus, various combinations of the steps performed on the on-body unit or receiver are contemplated.","For example, an on-body unit may perform some steps such as temperature measurement and transmit the measurement to a receiver, where a processor on the receiver performs subsequent processing, such as determining ambient temperature compensation, determining temperature-compensated analyte sensor signals, determining analyte levels, etc.","Or, as another example, the on-body unit may perform the steps of measuring the temperature, determining ambient temperature compensation, and determining temperature-compensated analyte sensor signals.","For instance, the on-body unit may transmit the results to a receiver wherein the results are provided on a user interface.","It is noted that the combinations of steps between the on-body unit and receiver are appreciated for the one temperature sensor and two temperature sensor embodiments.","Thus, for example, steps in the two temperature sensor embodiments may also be performed on the on-body unit or the receiver in other embodiments—e.g., sampling of temperature sensors, and/or correction factor or gain determination, determining ambient temperature compensation, determining temperature-compensated analyte sensor signals, etc.","It is also appreciated that temperatures may be measured by a processor on the on-body unit and/or receiver.","For example, a processor may receive temperature data from a temperature sensor and calculate a temperature from the temperature data.","The temperature may be, for example, an analog or digital signal derived by the temperature sensor.","For example, in certain embodiments, a processor on the on-body unit may be coupled to the temperature sensor and provide a temperature measurement to the receiver, wherein the receiver detects the temperature measurement communicated and then performs additional processing steps based on the temperature measurement.","It is appreciated that in another embodiment, the temperature data from the temperature sensor is sent to the receiver and the processor on the receiver calculates the temperature from the temperature data.","The processor may then use this detected temperature for additional processing steps.","Compensating Sensor Signals Temperature measurements are important for obtaining accurate analyte measurements (e.g., glucose measurements) with on-body sensors that are part of in vivo analyte monitoring systems—e.g., continuous glucose monitor (CGM) systems or intermittent or periodic glucose monitoring systems.","The analyte-sensing chemistry on a subcutaneously positionable analyte sensor, or other in vivo analyte sensor, of the on-body sensor is temperature dependent and the sensor signal produced by the in vivo analyte sensor is thus affected by temperature.","Subcutaneously inserted glucose sensors, for example, may measure glucose by correlating the sensor signal output with glucose concentration.","The signal response of analyte sensor may be linear across the operating range of glucose concentrations.","However, the slope of this response may vary as temperature around the analyte sensor tip changes.","In order to compensate for this thermal effect, knowledge of temperature around the sensor sensing area is needed.","The term “sensing area” is used herein to mean the area of the analyte sensor where the sensing chemistries are located.","For example, in certain embodiments, the sensing area is disposed at the sensor tip, and thus the temperature at the sensor tip is estimated.","Therefore, the effect of temperature may be taken into account in order to calculate an accurate value for glucose concentration.","On-body sensors may utilize a temperature sensor disposed near the in vivo analyte sensor to estimate the sensor temperature.","This temperature measurement is used to compensate the analyte sensor signal for temperature effects.","For example, temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal may be determined by: ITC=I*1.07̂(32.5−T), where I is the raw sensor current, T is the measured temperature in degrees Celsius (C), and ITC is the temperature compensated signal that is proportional to glucose concentration.","Ambient temperature impinging on the on-body housing may influence temperature measurements, and in effect, create a temperature measurement error that will lead to a glucose calculation error.","For example, in some instances, experiments have shown that in an ambient temperature environment of 20 degrees C., the resulting glucose error due to ambient temperature effects can be about 10%.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, on-body sensors employ a second temperature sensor used to compensate for errors in the sensor temperature measurement due to the influence of ambient temperature on the first temperature sensor.","For example, one temperature sensor (T1) may be located close to the skin surface Tskin, and another temperatures sensor (T2) located close to the transmitter (TX) processor or on the printed circuit board (PCB).","The temperature which compensates for ambient temperature influence using two temperature sensors is determined by, for example: T=T1+K*(T1−T2) where K is related to the thermal resistances between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, and is a constant (e.g., 0.5, 0.2, or other constant) that may be derived empirically; T1 is the measured temperature at the temperature sensor near the sensor; T2 is the measured ambient temperature from the second temperature sensor; and T is the temperature which is compensated for ambient temperature influence.","Other more complex models may be contemplated; for instance, K may not be constant but rather a function of T1 and/or T2, for instance.","Ambient Temperature Compensation Using a Single Temperature Sensor To estimate the temperature at the sensing area of the in vivo analyte sensor, ambient compensation may be performed.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, ambient temperature compensation is provided using a single temperature sensor on the on-body sensor.","Thus, a second temperature is not required to compensate for ambient effects.","Having a single temperature instead of multiple temperature sensors may provide one or more benefits, such as a reduction in cost, a reduction in complexity, etc.","FIG.","5 illustrates a flowchart for a method of determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor (e.g., a temperatures sensor that approximates skin temperature) on an on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments.","At block 601, a sensor signal is received from an in vivo analyte sensor that is transcutaneously positioned with the skin of a subject.","For example, the on-body sensor may include a processor that is electrically coupled to the analyte sensor and receives the sensor signal.","At block 605, the processor receives a temperature signal from a temperature sensor coupled to the on-body sensor.","The temperature sensor may be, for example, positioned at or near a skin contacting surface to represent skin temperature.","Since skin temperature may be affected by ambient temperature, a change in skin temperature may be correlated to a change in ambient temperature.","When the ambient temperature is low, skin temperature will decrease, and when the ambient temperature is high, skin temperature will increase.","Thus, deviations from “normal” skin temperature may be used to represent how strong the ambient temperature effects are.","At block 610, the processor determines if the measured temperature has reached a predetermined threshold value.","For instance, a normal temperature or normal temperature range may be established and any deviation past the established threshold or thresholds (e.g., outside the normal temperature range) will trigger the ambient temperature correction.","It should be appreciated that the term “predetermined threshold” is used broadly herein, and may include an upper and lower threshold.","For example, an upper threshold and lower threshold may be implemented in some instances to establish a range.","In some instances, only an upper or lower threshold may be implemented.","If the skin temperature does not deviate beyond the threshold, then it can be assumed that the ambient temperature effects are minimal, and no ambient temperature compensation is required, as represented by block 615.The temperature measurement may then be used to determine the temperature compensated analyte sensor signal, ITC, as represented by block 625, and transmitted or displayed as a corresponding analyte (e.g., glucose) level, as represented by block 630.If the skin temperature deviates beyond the predetermined threshold, then it can be assumed that the ambient temperature effects are significant, and ambient temperature compensation is performed (e.g., a correction factor applied) to compensate for the effects of ambient temperature, as represented by block 620.The resulting ambient-compensated temperature is then used to determine the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal, ITC, as represented by block 625, for a more accurate analyte (e.g., glucose) level determination that is transmitted or displayed, as represented by block 630.For example, skin temperature for most people may normally range between 30 and 35° C. in ambient temperature environments that people are comfortable in.","In certain embodiments, ambient temperature compensation is applied when “extreme” skin temperatures are detected (e.g., when the skin temperatures deviate beyond the predetermined threshold or thresholds).","For instance, when the skin temperature measurement from the temperature sensor drops below 30 degrees C., then a correction factor can be added to the temperature measurement.","It should be appreciated that the predetermined threshold or thresholds (e.g., the “normal” range) may vary, and further, that the actual compensation algorithm (e.g., correction factor) implemented may also vary.","As an example, ambient temperature compensation may be provided by the correction factor: If T<30, then Tcorrected=T+1 AND IF T>35, then Tcorrected=T−1 As another example, the ambient temperature compensation may be provided by a slightly more complex correction factor, such as: If T<30, then Tcorrected=T+(30−T)/5 AND If T>35, then Tcorrected=T−(T−35)/5 Tcorrected is then used to determine the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In this way, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal accounts for ambient temperature influence.","It should be appreciated that correction factors of varying complexities may be implemented in other embodiments.","It should be appreciated that illness may also affect the skin temperature of a subject—e.g., to make the skin temperature elevate outside the normal range.","In certain embodiments, the ambient temperature compensation is applied only if the temperature error causes a high reading.","In this way, only low temperature measurements are compensated.","In certain embodiments, changes in skin temperature are used to detect and correct for ambient temperature influences.","For example, an ambient correction factor may be applied after a change in skin temperature is detected.","It should be appreciated that the magnitude of the change may vary in different implementations as desired.","For example, in some instances, a “normal” temperature could be detected at the start of a sensor wear, and when the temperature deviates by some predetermined amount (or, for example, by an amount detected by monitoring the changes during a period at the start of a sensor wear), then the ambient temperature compensation can be performed, such as described above.","In certain embodiments, temperature changes above a certain absolute value over a predetermined period of time initiates the ambient temperature compensation.","For instance, T(t=0)−T(t=−10)>5, then Tcorrected=T+1 T(t=0)−T(t=−10)<−5, then Tcorrected=T−1 In certain embodiments, the ambient temperature compensation is based on the rate of change of skin temperature.","In other embodiments, a combination of absolute temperature checks and temperature rate of change could be used in both the detection and correction.","It should be appreciated that the embodiment shown in FIG.","5 is exemplary, and that one or more steps may be performed by a processor on the on-body unit and/or a receiver in communication with the on-body unit in other embodiments.","For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit is detecting the temperature measurement, determining whether the threshold requirement is met, performing the ambient temperature compensation, and determining the temperature-compensated signal.","Then, for example, the temperature-compensated signal is sent to a receiver wherein the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.","In another embodiment, for example, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit transmits the temperature measurements to the receiver where a processor coupled to the receiver determines whether the threshold requirement is met, performs the ambient temperature compensation, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.","Then, for example, the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.","It should be appreciated that the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver.","It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, the ambient temperature compensation may, for the most, always or continuously be performed on the received analyte sensor signal.","For example, the processor may continuously perform the ambient temperature compensation on the analyte sensor signal in addition to determining if the threshold temperature has been exceeded.","When the temperature measurement does not exceed the temperature threshold, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is based off the uncompensated signal, resulting in uncompensated analyte levels.","When the temperature measurement exceeds the temperature threshold, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is based off the ambient-compensated signal, resulting in ambient-compensated analyte levels.","Thus, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal results in a mixed signal of the uncompensated analyte levels and ambient-compensated analyte levels.","The temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal may be transmitted (e.g., communicated to a receiver) or presented on a user interface (e.g., displayed on a display for the user).","In other embodiments, the ambient-temperature compensation is not always or continuously performed on the received analyte sensor signal, but rather, only when the temperature threshold is exceeded.","When the temperature measurement does not exceed the temperature threshold, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is based off the uncompensated signal, resulting in uncompensated analyte levels presented on a user interface (e.g., displayed on a display).","When the temperature measurement exceeds the temperature threshold, ambient-compensation is performed and the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is based off the ambient-compensated signal, resulting in ambient-compensated analyte levels presented on the user interface.","Again, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal results in a mixed signal of the uncompensated analyte levels and ambient-compensated analyte levels.","It is also appreciated that in certain embodiments, the ambient compensation may be based off predetermined temperature ranges rather than predetermined thresholds.","For example, the uncompensated analyte sensor signal may be used when the temperature measurement falls within a predetermined range or ranges, and the ambient compensated signal is used when the temperature measurement falls within another predetermined range or ranges.","It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments the temperature compensation may be applied to an analyte sensor signal that is not yet calibrated or converted (e.g., scaled by a scaling factor) to a corresponding analyte level, and thereafter converted to the corresponding analyte level.","In yet other embodiments, the temperature compensation is applied to an analyte sensor signal that already represents the analyte level (e.g., is already calibrated or converted to the corresponding analyte level), and the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is the temperature compensated analyte level.","Ambient Temperature Compensation Based on Core Body Temperature As previously noted, some on-body units may include a correction algorithm that utilizes two temperatures sensors to compensate for ambient temperature influence on the temperature sensor.","For example, one temperature sensor is located close to the skin in a can that protrudes from the bottom of the transmitter.","The other temperature sensor is located on the printed circuit board (PCB) in the transmitter and is a feature provided by the controller chip.","Again, the correction method employed is: T=T1+K*(T1−T2) This method can be considered an “extrapolation” method, since two temperature measurements are made at points where the temperature for each is lower than the sensing area temperature, and the sensing area temperature is estimated by extrapolating from these two measured temperatures.","In this transmitter configuration, the two temperature sensors are generally well separated, which results in a stable K value that is robust over different transmitter locations on the body and for different body types.","As transmitter designs become physically smaller, however, it becomes more difficult to separate the two temperature sensors thermally.","Without adequate thermal separation, the K value becomes significantly less stable, and furthermore, becomes significantly larger, with the effect of amplifying the noise in the temperature measurement.","Utilizing a single temperature sensor instead of two may provide many advantages, such as cost savings.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, ambient temperature compensation is based on a predetermined core body temperature and temperature measurements from a single temperature sensor.","FIG.","6 illustrates a flowchart for a method of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor on an on-body unit, according to certain embodiments.","At block 701, a sensor signal is received from an analyte sensor that is transcutaneously positioned within the skin of a subject, or otherwise implanted in vivo.","For example, the on-body unit may include a processor that is electrically coupled to the analyte sensor and receives the analyte sensor signal.","At block 705, the processor receives temperature data from a temperature sensor coupled to the on-body unit.","For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensor may be positioned at or near a skin contacting surface to represent skin temperature.","At block 710, the processor determines an ambient-compensated temperature from the measured temperature using an offset term (e.g., an offset term based on a predetermined core body temperature).","For example, a correction factor is applied to the measured temperature to correct for ambient temperature effects.","The correction factor may have an offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature value—e.g., 37° C. since a user's core body temperature is relatively stable at approximately 37° C. For example, ambient temperature compensation may be provided by the following correction factor: Test=Bcorebody K*T1 where Bcorebody is a predetermined core body temperature (e.g., approximately 37 degrees C.); K is a constant that may be empirically derived; and T1 is the measured temperature by the temperature sensor; and Test is the estimated sensing area temperature that is compensated for ambient temperature influence.","The resulting sensing area (e.g., sensor tip) temperature estimate is compensated for ambient effects and may then be used to determine the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal, ITC, as represented by block 715, for a more accurate glucose level determination that is transmitted or displayed, as represented by block 720.The sensing area temperature estimate is an “interpolation” method since the sensing area temperature estimate is in between the core body temperature and the temperature measured at the transmitter.","Measurement noise is not amplified using the interpolation method.","As similarly stated above, it should be appreciated that the embodiment shown in FIG.","6 is exemplary, and that one or more steps may be performed by a processor on the on-body unit and/or a receiver in communication with the on-body unit in other embodiments.","For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit detects the temperature measurement, determines an ambient-compensated temperature from the measured temperature using an offset term, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.","Then, for example, the temperature-compensated signal is sent to a receiver wherein the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.","In another embodiment, for example, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit transmits the temperature measurements to the receiver where a processor coupled to the receiver determines an ambient-compensated temperature from the measured temperature using an offset term, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.","Then, for example, the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.","It should be appreciated that the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver.","Using One-Temperature Sensor Models and Two-Temperature Sensor Models Subcutaneously inserted glucose sensors measure glucose by correlating the sensor signal output with glucose concentration.","As stated above, this signal output is affected by temperature.","As stated above, in some instances, temperature is estimated using two temperature sensors.","For example, in certain embodiments, one thermistor is disposed close to the skin surface to provide a skin temperature measurement, Tskin.","Another thermistor is disposed away from the skin surface to provide a temperature measurement, Tcpu, that may be near the on-body processor that is has more influence from the ambient temperature and less influence from the sensor tip temperature than Tskin.","FIG.","7 illustrates a circuit diagram representation of an example two-thermistor model, according to certain embodiments.","It should be appreciated that in other embodiments a different type of temperature sensor may be implemented.","As shown, temperature 805 is ambient air temperature; temperature Tcpu 810 is the temperature at the circuitry (e.g., processor); temperature Tskin 815 is the temperature at the skin surface; and temperature Ttip 820 is estimated temperature at the sensing area (e.g., at the sensor tip).","Resistance Rx 825 represents thermal resistance between the ambient air and circuitry; Rcpu-skin 830 represents thermal resistance between the circuitry and the skin; and Rskin-tip 835 represents thermal resistance between the skin and sensing area.","K=Rskin-tip/Rcpu-skin is a fixed constant, which acts as a scaling factor to extrapolate the difference Ttip−Tskin as a function of the difference Tskin−Tcpu.","Ttip−Tskin=K*(Tskin−Tcpu) This relationship is used to calculate the temperature at the sensing area, Ttip: Ttip=Tskin K*(Tskin−Tcpu) In some aspects, the two-thermistor model has relative insensitivity to changes in ambient temperature, core body temperature, and site-to-site thermal impedance variability.","The two-sensor model may also possess minute-to-minute variability in the temperature sensor (e.g., thermistor) readings Tcpu and Tskin that can degrade the smoothness of the temperature corrected glucose signal.","This is especially a concern when plasma-to-interstitial glucose lag compensation is required.","In certain embodiments, the one-sensor model described above assumes that the core body temperature is the dominant heat source, and that the thermal resistance between the core body and the sensing element is universally constant.","FIG.","8 illustrates a circuit diagram representation of an example one-thermistor model, according to certain embodiments.","As shown, temperature Ttherm 905 is the temperature at the thermistor; sensing area temperature (e.g., sensor tip temperature) Ttip 910 is the estimated temperature at the sensing area, and body core temperature Tcore 915 is the predetermined body core temperature.","Rtherm-tip 925 represents thermal resistance between the thermistor and the sensing area.","Rtip-core 930 represents thermal resistance between the sensing area and the core body.","Where K1TM=Rtip-core/Rtherm-tip, such that Ttip can be calculated as follows: Ttip=(Ttherm*K1TM Tcore/(1+K1TM) where K1TM is an empirically derived constant for the one-thermistor model.","Since the model does not extrapolate between two measurement channels, improved minute-to-minute smoothness occurs.","Experimental data suggests that while the one-thermistor model has a very consistent minute-to-minute estimate, the site-to-site variability results in a poorer overall Ttip estimate compared to the two-thermistor model.","Rtip-core in the one-thermistor model assumes knowledge of a constant thermal resistance between the body's core temperature and the sensing area (e.g., sensor tip).","The value of this resistance might vary between the arm and abdomen sites because of different proximities to the body core.","The minute-to-minute variability that is caused by the extrapolation operation of the two-thermistor model measurements directly affects the minute-to-minute variability of the glucose measurement.","In addition, it limits the extent of plasma-to-interstitial glucose lag correction possible.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, a correction gain is determined based on temperature estimates calculated using the one-thermistor model and the two-thermistor model.","For instance, two thermistors are disposed on the on-body sensor, such as described above for the two-thermistor model.","Temperature estimates are calculated using the one-thermistor model technique, resulting in sensor temperature estimate T1TM.","Temperature estimates are also calculated using the two-thermistor model, resulting in sensor temperature estimate T2TM.","In certain embodiments, present to recent past comparisons of the two temperature estimates T1TM and T2TM are used to improve the accuracy of the sensor temperature measured T1TM and utilize this recursively modified estimate of the sensor temperature.","The result is a sensor temperature estimate that has the minute-to-minute smoothness (which is related to precision) of the one-thermistor model, yet has the site-to-site variability (which is related to accuracy) of the two-thermistor model.","This approach allows for a smoother temperature corrected raw glucose signal, which helps improve the signal quality of the final product, reduce the uncertainty of threshold and projected alarms due to unnecessary noise, reduce the uncertainty of rate arrows, reduce the impact of non-physiological temperature transients, and allow for better concordance to reference blood glucose.","FIG.","9 illustrates method of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors on an on-body unit, according to certain embodiments.","At block 1005, a sensor signal is received from an analyte sensor that is transcutaneously positioned within the skin of a subject, or otherwise implanted in vivo.","For example, the on-body unit may include two temperature sensors (e.g., two thermistors) and a processor that is electrically coupled to the analyte sensor and receives the sensor signal.","At block 1010, first and second thermistors on the on-body unit are sampled by the processor.","At block 1015, the processor determines ambient-compensated temperatures based on a one temperature model.","At block 1020, the processor determines ambient-compensated temperatures based on a two temperature model.","At block 1025, correction gain or factor is determined based on past sampled ambient-compensated temperatures for the one-thermistor and two-thermistor models.","At block 1030, a final ambient-compensated temperature is determined by applying the correction gain or factor to the ambient-compensated temperatures determined in block 1015.For example, in certain embodiment, a simple gain error model is assumed on the one thermistor model.","In other words: T1TM(k)=K1TM(k)×T1TMnominal(k) where T1TMnominal is the nominal output based on the one-thermistor model as previously described, K1TM is the correction gain for this model, and T1TM is the final ambient-compensated temperature resulting from using the improved one-thermistor model.","“k” refers to the index of the sample instance/time.","Note that the value T1TMnominal is computed during every sample instance and attempts to reflect the latest temperature, which may or may not be rapidly varying over time.","However, K1TM is computed such that the value changes very slowly over time, with the assumption that the biological and environmental factors that affect this gain error changes very slowly over time.","K1TM changes at a rate slower than the sampling rate.","In certain embodiments, this is achieved by performing a moving average between the nominal one-thermistor model and two-thermistor model outputs: K 1 TM ( k ) := 1 N ∑ j = 0 N - 1 T 2 TM ( k - j ) T 1 TMnominal ( k - j ) where T2TM is the output of the two-thermistor model, and N is a relatively large positive window such that K1TM varies very slowly and reliably over time.","The values of T1TMnominal and T2TM pairs are such that both values are valid and/or can be computed at any time index within the set of N most recent pairs.","In an alternative embodiment, the same assumptions are made as the previous embodiment, but the evolution of K1TM is governed by a calculation that is more robust to occasional T1TM nominal and T2TM outliers.","As in the previous embodiment, the values of T1TMnominal and T2TM pairs must be such that both values are valid and/or can be computed at any time index within the set of N most recent pairs.","K 1 TM ( k ) := ∑ j = 0 N - 1 T 2 TM ( k - j ) ∑ j = 0 N - 1 T 1 TMnominal ( k - j ) In yet another embodiment, parameter adaption is used.","One example is to use the MIT adaption rule: d / dt K 1 TM ( t ) = - γ e ( t ) ∂ e ∂ K 1 TM = γ [ T 2 TM ( k ) T 1 TMnominal ( k ) ] 2 [ 1 K 1 TM ( k ) ] 3 Where γ is an adaption scaling factor that governs the aggressiveness level of the adaptation, and needs to be tuned a priori.","Taking a backwards difference approximation to discretize the above equation, the following difference equation that governs the time evolution of K1TM is obtained: K 1 TM ( k ) = K 1 TM ( k - 1 ) + γ δ [ T 2 TM ( k ) T 1 TMnominal ( k ) ] 2 [ 1 K 1 TM ( k ) ] where δ is the sample time of the calculation.","To avoid the need to solve for the root of a quadratic equation, a time delayed approximate can be used: K 1 TM ( k ) = K 1 TM ( k - 1 ) + γ δ [ T 2 TM ( k ) T 1 TMnominal ( k ) ] 2 [ 1 K 1 TM ( k - 1 ) ] The three embodiments described above are based on the assumption that the main source of inaccuracy of the one-thermistor model is predominately a gain error.","If an offset error is assumed, the same concepts described in the embodiments above can be implemented with a slight modification.","For example, one would assume: T1TM(k)=D1TM(k)+T1TMnominal(k) where the offset difference D1TM can be corrected by the following windowed comparison between the nominal one-thermistor model and two-thermistor model approaches.","D 1 TM ( k ) := ∑ j = 0 N - 1 T 2 TM ( k - j ) - ∑ j = 0 N - 1 T 1 TMnominal ( k - j ) The final ambient-compensated temperature may then be used, for example, to determine a temperature-compensated signal, as represented by block 1035.The corresponding analyte (e.g., glucose) level may then be transmitted or displayed, as represented by block 1040.In addition, given that two thermistors are available, the above embodiments can be implemented on both thermistors such that instead of using a single modified one-thermistor model, an average of two modified one-thermsitor model outputs is used.","Again, as similarly stated above, it should be appreciated that the embodiment shown in FIG.","9 is exemplary, and that one or more steps may be performed by a processor on the on-body unit and/or a receiver in communication with the on-body unit in other embodiments.","For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensors are coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit samples the temperatures sensors, determines the ambient-compensated temperature from the one-temperature sensor model and two-temperature sensor model, determines the correction factor or gain, determines the final ambient-compensated temperatures.","The processor on the on-body unit may then either determine the temperature-compensated signal, or transmit the final ambient-compensated signal to a receiver having a processor that determines the temperature compensated signal and presents the corresponding analyte level on a user interface.","It should be appreciated that these embodiments are exemplary, and that the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver.","For example, in other embodiments, one or more of the steps in determining the ambient-compensated signal and/or final ambient compensated signal may be performed by the receiver.","Provided below is an example analysis.","It should be appreciated that the example analysis is exemplary and is not meant to be limiting.","Example Analysis: Using the temperature sensor close to the skin, the equation for sensor (skin) temperature becomes: T=0.25*Tc+0.75*T1 wherein Tc is the body core temperature 37 degrees C. and is treated as a constant.","Using the temperature sensor on the PCB, the equation for sensor (skin) temperature becomes: T=0.54*Tc+0.46*T2 If the core temperature is 37 degrees C., these two equations will correct for the ambient effect.","Further, the intrinsic measurement error in T1 or T2 is not amplified (like with the two temperature sensors implementation), but rather attenuated a bit.","Moreover, if the core body temperature does deviate from 37 degrees C., the resulting error is not significant, and further does not depend on the ambient temperature.","For example, the following data was found: For the temperature sensor close to the skin (T1): The resulting error, Terr, is 0.25 degrees C. per degree deviation from 37 degrees C. Glucose Error (assume F = 105 Tc Terr rather than 1.07) 36 0.25 −1.2% 37 0 0% 38 −0.25 1.2% 39 −0.5 2.5% 40 −0.75 3.7% For the temperature on the PCB (T2), the resulting error is only modestly worse; Terr, is 0.5 degrees C. per degree deviation from 37 degrees C. Glucose Error (assume F = 105 Tc Terr rather than 1.07) 36 0.54 −2.6% 37 0 0% 38 −0.54 2.6% 39 −1.08 5.5.4% 40 −1.62 8.2% Temperature Sensors Disposed Adjacent the Sensing Area In some aspects of the present disclosure, an on-body sensor is provided with a temperature sensor disposed on the analyte sensor adjacent to the sensing area (e.g., at sensor tip on the sensor tail).","In such case, extrapolation is not required to determine the temperature value at the sensing area.","This may provide one or more benefits, such as less data required to be transmitted to the controller, promoting shorter RF packets and longer battery life, reducing complexity of system software, etc.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, embedded temperature sensors are provided.","The term “embedded temperature sensor” is used herein to mean a temperature sensor that is disposed on an analyte sensor such that it is exposed to body fluids (e.g., interstitial fluids) when the analyte sensor is positioned in vivo.","An embedded temperature sensor enables the temperature of the interstitial fluid itself to be measured.","In this way, the temperature at the location of the sensor chemistry of in vivo analyte sensors may be measured.","Since the sensing chemistry is within interstitial fluid, a measurement of the interstitial fluid temperature provides a very accurate temperature measurement for the sensing area.","In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the embedded temperature sensors are resistive temperature detection (RTD) devices.","RTDs are devices which increase in electrical resistance with increasing temperature.","Temperature may be measured, for example, by driving a reference current through the device and measuring the voltage across the device.","Platinum provides high accuracy, linearity, and stability when used as an RTD.","It should be appreciated that other materials (e.g., metals or metal-alloys, etc.)","may be used as an RTD.","As a non-limiting example, a platinum RTD may have a nominal resistance at 0 degrees C. and a temperature coefficient of 0.00385Ω/Ω/degrees C. The nominal 0 degrees C. resistance may range from 100Ω to 500Ω, for example, depending on construction.","The absolute resistance of the RTD at any given temperature T determined as follows: RTD(T)=RTD0+T*0.00385Ω/Ω/degrees C. where RTD(T) is equal to the absolute RTD resistance in Ohms; RTD0 is equal to the resistance of the RTD at 0 degrees C. in Ohms; and T is equal to the temperature in degrees C. And further, the linearity of the platinum RTD may, for example, be less than +/−0.5% from 0-100 degrees C. In certain embodiments, platinum is used as a sensor conductive base material to form an electrode that is also an embedded RTD.","The platinum RTD trace may be made by any variety of manufacturing processes.","For example, laser ablation may be used to create the electrodes and accommodate very fine feature sizes, as well as allow for a long platinum RTD trace to increase its resistance.","FIG.","10 illustrates an electrode arrangement for a typical three-terminal sensor, according to certain embodiments.","The subcutaneous tail of a three-terminal analyte sensor is shown including a working electrode 1101, reference electrode 1102, and counter electrode 1103.Each of the three electrodes 1101, 1102, 1103 has a single electrical trace 1121, 1122, 1123, respectively, that extends from the along the sensor tail towards the electronics in the on-body sensor.","The electrical traces provide the electrical communication path between the corresponding electrodes and electronics in the on-body sensor.","FIG.","11 illustrates an electrode arrangement for a three-terminal analyte sensor wherein one of the electrodes is also an embedded RTD, according to certain embodiments.","The subcutaneous tail of the three-terminal analyte sensor is shown including a working electrode 1201 and reference electrode 1202, as well as a counter electrode 1203 that is also an embedded RTD.","When the sensor is positioned in vivo into the skin of the subject, the embedded RTD and electrode 1203 is embedded in the subject and exposed to interstitial fluid.","The embedded RTD and electrode 1203 includes an electrical trace having two ends 1223a, 1223b such that current can be applied to the RTD and voltage measured across the two ends 1223a, 1223b.","In the embodiment shown, the embedded RTD and electrode 1203 is a single electrical trace 1223 that extends back and forth longitudinally to increase the distance of the electrical trace.","A long trace increases resistance and facilitates a better measurement.","In certain embodiments, a long platinum RTD trace is used to increase its resistance and facilitate a better measurement.","FIG.","12 illustrates a partial circuit diagram for an example analog front-end circuit for a three-terminal analyte sensor with one of the electrodes as an embedded RTD, according to certain embodiments.","As shown, analog front-end 1300 includes a working electrode contact point 1301 (e.g., to electrically couple to working electrode 1201 in FIG.","11) and a reference electrode contact point 1302 (e.g., to electrically couple to reference electrode 1202 in FIG.","11).","Analog front-end 1300 also includes contact points 1303a, 1303b.","Contact point 1303a electrically couples to the counter electrode of the analyte sensor and also serves as one end of the embedded RTD (e.g., end 1203a in FIG.","11).","Contact point 1303b serves as a contact point that electrically couples to the other end of the embedded RTD (e.g., end 1203b in FIG.","11).","Analog front-end also includes amplifiers A1, A2 that are electrically coupled to the working and reference electrodes to provide the condition analyte signal 1331 for sampling by an A/D converter (not shown).","Contact point 1303a is electrically coupled to the inverting input of amplifier A3.Contact point 1303b is electrically coupled to the non-inverting input of differential amplifier A3 along with the output 1332 of amplifier A2.Amplifier A3 measures the voltage across the RTD which is created by the flow of current provided through the RTD, as indicated by reference current, I1.The output 1333 of amplifier A3 provides the temperature signal to the A/D converter for the temperature sample.","It should be appreciated that other circuit elements may also be implemented to the analog front-end 1300—e.g., to improve performance, such as a reference resistor for the reference current to flow through, which could eliminate temperature and other errors in the A/D converter.","It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments, the embedded RTD could be implemented as one of the other electrodes−e.g., the reference electrode or working electrode.","Furthermore, it should also be appreciated that an embedded RTD may be implemented in an analyte sensor with a different number of electrodes than three−e.g., a two-electrode sensor.","For example, a two-electrode sensor may have a working electrode as well as a reference electrode that is also an embedded RTD.","It should be appreciated that the shape of the embedded RTD and electrode may vary in other embodiments.","For example, in other embodiments, the embedded RTD and electrode may extend back and forth longitudinally a number of times that is different than shown in FIG.","11.Or alternatively, for example, the embedded RTD and electrode may extend back and forth latitudinally, or both latitudinally and longitudinally.","It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, any variety of patterns and designs may be used for the shape of the embedded RTD and electrode, as long as the counter electrode has sufficient surface area exposed to the interstitial fluid.","Moreover, the position of the two ends of the embedded RTD and electrode may also vary in different embodiments.","Temperature Sensors and Analyte Sensor Devices Having Elongated Members with Central Tunnels In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte sensor devices are provided that include a body having an elongated member (e.g., a hollow tube) with a central tunnel therein.","Electrodes are disposed on the outside of the body and a temperature sensor coupled to the body.","In certain embodiments, the central tunnel houses a temperature sensor.","In this way, the temperature sensor provides a direct temperature measurement at the analyte sensor tip.","For example, in certain embodiments, a needle is disposed within the central tunnel during insertion.","In certain embodiments, the sharp is withdrawn and a temperature sensor is inserted into the central tunnel of the hollow tube.","The inserted temperature sensor may then provide temperature measurements at the analyte sensor tip.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is adapted to pierce the skin and serve as the needle.","For example, the temperature sensor may be formed as the needle, formed as part of the sharp, or coupled to a needle.","In some instances, the temperature sensor is adapted to pierce the skin of the subject and is softened by exposure to body fluids—e.g., made from or include a material that softens when exposed to body fluids.","In this way, the sharp softens when inserted into the subject and does not become an irritant.","In certain embodiments, the on-body housing of the analyte sensor device is adapted to couple to an insulin delivery tube and insulin pump.","For example, the analyte sensor device may serve as an insulin delivery cannula.","In such case, the analyte sensor device functions as an analyte monitoring system and integrated insulin delivery cannula.","In certain embodiments two conductors, such as wires or conductive plastic, are extruded in the walls of the insulin delivery cannula.","One of the wires acts as a reference electrode for the analyte (e.g., glucose) sensing function.","For example, in some instances, the one wire may be made from silver or other suitable conductor with or without a coating, and the second wire made from either gold or other highly conducting material.","Both wires are fully embedded into the walls of the cannula (e.g., a soft cannula) and would extend near the tip of the cannula.","At or near the tip of the cannula, each of the two wires terminates at a feature that allows the wires to electrochemically communicate with tissue and body fluids in conjunction with appropriate chemical or biological materials.","For instance, the silver wire could be plated or chemically chloridized with silver chloride to form an Ag/AgCl reference electrode or auxiliary electrode in a two electrode system.","The other wire may be, for example, coated or deposited with glucose sensing chemistry to form a working electrode.","In some instances, either or both electrodes may be covered by a thin layer of membrane to restrict the glucose flux as well as to protect the electrode components.","Further, in some instances, a section of the cannula may be laser ablated or chemically etched to increase the surface area of the active working or reference electrode.","In certain embodiments, a thermocouple is extruded into the insulin delivery cannula.","For example, the thermocouple may be co-extruded into an insulin delivery cannula such as described above.","The thermocouple may be co-extruded with the other materials in order to provide temperature sensing at the location of interest at the implanted site—e.g., close to the sensing chemistry.","In certain embodiments, the dual function soft cannula may be attached to a housing and adhesive patch to facilitate retention on the skin.","The housing may include the additional components needed for continuous glucose sensing—e.g., a thermistor or thermocouple for skin temperature measurement and a counter electrode to return electrons to the body to form a closed sensor circuit.","The wires of these two components may be molded inside the plastic cannula housing, for example.","These wires along with the two electrode wires may be exposed at the distal end of the cannula and arranged around a keyed fluid and electrical connecting point.","The connection point allows all wires to be connected to their counterparts embedded inside a connector on a multi conducting insulin delivery tube, for instance, when the cannula is connected to the tube.","In certain embodiments, the wires for the thermistor or thermocouple for skin temperature measurements and a wire to act as a counter electrode is extruded or embedded into the cannula, creating a multi-function structure.","The wires embedded inside the wall of the insulin delivery tubing enable a dual function device that delivers insulin and provides continuous glucose monitoring support functionality such as sensor signal transduction, calibration and user interface.","The integrated system described above may be attached to or worn on the body.","In certain embodiments, the integrated system may include an insulin delivery pump, the CGM system, the data collection and processing hardware, and the user interface including control buttons and display.","In some instances, the system may also have a discrete glucose meter embedded in it so that the user can check the blood glucose with the system using test strips.","In certain embodiments, the hardware of the insulin delivery pump and the continuous glucose monitor are combined into a more compact assembly and attached to the body using an adhesive patch.","Other components (data processing algorithms, user interface, and/or discrete glucose meter, etc.)","may, for example, be integrated into a separate controller that communicates with the assembly wirelessly.","This embodiment may significantly improve usability of the system.","Thermocouples In some aspects of the present disclosure, ambient temperature compensation is provided using a thermocouple temperature sensor.","The thermocouple temperature sensors are included of dissimilar metals—e.g., metal-inks.","Example metals may include, but are not limited to, gold, silver, carbon, titanium, and alloys thereof.","The physical properties of the dissimilar metals create a thermocouple temperature sensor at the junction of the dissimilar metals.","A small voltage that is dependent on temperature will exist between the dissimilar metals.","The voltage produced by a thermocouple is known and predictable based on the properties of the two dissimilar metals.","Measurement of this voltage results in data that can be used to accurately determine the temperature of the analyte sensor (e.g., glucose sensor).","For example, measurement of this small signal can be performed by the electronics located in the on-body unit—e.g., in the transmitter of the on-body unit.","For example, in certain embodiments, calibration can be done by applying two different voltages to a measurement circuit and computing the zero point and scale of the measurement circuit.","This method may in some instances, include one or more benefits—e.g., cost, accuracy, and speed.","For example, thermocouple sensors can be manufactured very inexpensively and may be conducive to high volume processing.","In certain embodiments, the thermocouple is created by depositing two different metals onto the analyte sensor tail and joining them at a junction located close to the actual sensing area.","For example, the metals may be deposited onto the analyte sensor substrate by any variety of methods, such as, but not limited to, sputtering, electroplating, or using a metallic ink.","In some instances, the thermocouple may be constructed using metal wire.","The two traces of different metals are electrically conducted (“bonded”) to form the junction.","Having the junction adjacent to the actual sensor active area provides a temperature measurement close to the sensing area, resulting in an accurate measurement.","In certain embodiments, the thermocouple is formed on the same side of the analyte sensor as the sensing area (e.g., glucose sensing area).","In other embodiments, the thermocouple is formed on the opposite side of the analyte sensor as the sensing area.","FIG.","13 illustrates a front-side view of an analyte sensor having thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments.","The analyte sensor 1400 shown is a glucose sensor having a glucose sensing area 1401 including three electrodes—e.g., working electrode, reference electrode, and counter electrode.","Electrical traces 1402 extend from the electrodes in the sensing area 1401 to corresponding contact points 1402 for connection to the electronics in the on-body sensor.","Glucose sensor 1400 also includes two traces 1404, 1405.Trace 1404 and 1405 are made of dissimilar materials (e.g., different metals or metal-alloys) that extend from corresponding contact points 1407, 1408, respectively, to a junction point 1406 located next to the glucose sensing area 1401.Contact points 1407, 1408 provide electrical connection to the electronics on the on-body sensor for measurement of the voltage produced by the junction of dissimilar materials.","In the embodiment shown, the two traces 1404, 1405 of dissimilar materials are on the same side (e.g., front side) of the glucose sensor 1400, and further are on the same side of the sensor 1400 as the glucose sensing area 1401 and electrode traces 1402.While the distance between the junction point 1406 and the glucose sensing area 1401 may vary in different embodiments, having the junction point 1406 closer to the glucose sensing area 1401 provides a more accurate temperature estimate at the glucose sensing area 1401.Some space is needed to provide distance between the junction point 1406 and the glucose sensing area 1401 for insulation between the two.","FIG.","14 illustrates a back-side view of an analyte sensor having thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments.","The analyte sensor 1500 shown is a glucose sensor having a glucose sensing area 1501 including three electrodes—e.g., working electrode, reference electrode, and counter electrode.","Electrical traces 1502 extend from the electrodes in the sensing area 1501 to corresponding contact points 1502 for connection to the electronics in the on-body sensor.","Glucose sensor 1500 also includes two traces 1504, 1505.Trace 1504 and 1505 are made of dissimilar materials (e.g., different metals or metal-alloys) that extend from corresponding contact points 1508, 1509, respectively, to a junction point 1506 located next to the glucose sensing area 1501.Contact points 1507, 1508 provide electrical connection to the electronics on the on-body sensor for measurement of the voltage produced by the junction of dissimilar materials.","In the embodiment shown, the two traces 1504,1505 of dissimilar materials are on the opposite side (e.g., back side) of the glucose sensor 1500 than the glucose sensing 1501 and electrode traces 1402 (e.g., on the front-side).","While the position of the junction point 1506 relative to the glucose sensing area 1501 may vary in different embodiments, having the junction point 1506 closer to the glucose sensing area 1501 provides a more accurate temperature estimate at the glucose sensing area 1501.In the embodiment shown, the junction point 1506 and the glucose sensing area 1501 are insulated from one another by the substrate itself, allowing the two traces 150 to extend further along the analyte sensor (e.g., directly opposite the glucose sensing area 1501).","It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments one of the two thermocouple traces could be made of the same material as the electrode traces.","It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments one of the thermocouple traces may be on the opposite side of the sensor as the other thermocouple trace with a junction point near the glucose sensing area (e.g., implemented using a through-hole via).","In certain embodiments, the thermocouple sensor includes dissimilar metal traces on facing sides of two pieces of substrate (e.g., Kapton or another type of Polymer) that adhere together.","In such case, the sensor is electrically isolated from the body as well as not crowding or disturbing the glucose sensing traces since the thermal sensing traces would be on a different plane.","It should be appreciated that each of the dissimilar metals may be disposed on either inner facing side of the two pieces of substrate, independent of one another, such that a junction point is formed when the two pieces of substrate are combined.","For example, one dissimilar metal may be one facing side while the other dissimilar metal is on the other facing side, and when the two facing sides are brought together, the two dissimilar metals forming a thermocouple junction point.","This also applies to the other sensor concepts described herein as well.","FIG.","15 illustrates a system block diagram of an on-body sensor having a thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments.","On-body sensor 1600 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 1601 having various electronic components thereon, including, for example, the analog front-end circuitry 1602.The thermocouple traces 1602 on the analyte sensor terminate on the PCB 1601 at contact points 1603 that are electrically coupled to non-thermocouple traces 1604 disposed on the PCB 1601.The non-thermocouple traces 1604 electrically couple the thermocouple traces 1602 to the analog front-end circuitry 1602 for measuring the voltage providing by the thermocouple.","In certain embodiments, such as shown, an ambient temperature sensor 1605 generates a signal that is used for “cold junction temperature” compensation in the system.","In some instances, the “cold junction” temperature sensor 1605 is positioned at the point that the dissimilar metal traces 1602 are connected to the PCB 1601 in the on-body device.","The voltage that is measured at the cold junction is a function of the temperature differential between the cold junction and the bonding point.","Thermocouple tape having two dissimilar metals is described in U.S. Pat.","No.","3,729,343, filed on Jan. 8, 1971 and issued on Apr.","24, 1973, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, an analyte sensor is provided having a sensor substrate that includes two dissimilar materials on opposite sides with a thermocouple junction formed by a through-hole within the substrate.","In certain embodiments, a metal (or metal-alloy) trace is disposed on one side of the sensor substrate and a thermocouple trace (e.g., a conductive ink layer) on the opposite side of the substrate.","A thermocouple junction is formed between the metal trace on one side and the conductive ink layer on the opposite side by a through-hole (e.g., a laser-drilled hole in the substrate).","The conductive ink is disposed in the through-hole and forms a thermocouple junction between the metal trace on one side of the substrate and the conductive ink on the opposite side of the substrate.","The conductive ink material may be made from any variety of materials suitable for creating a thermocouple junction—such as metal or metal alloys including, but not limited to, platinum, carbon, copper, iron, silver, etc.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of making the above-mentioned thermocouple are provided.","The methods include forming a metal or metal-alloy layer (e.g., a film plated with the metal or metal-alloy) on a sensor substrate; removing a portion of the metal or metal-alloy layer (e.g., by forming a laser-drilled hole); forming a conductive ink layer (e.g., a conductive ink trace) on the opposite side of the substrate as the metal or metal-ally layer; filling the through-hole with the conductive ink such that a thermocouple junction is formed between the conductive ink layer and the metal layer.","In certain embodiments, the metal or metal-alloy layer is also a sensor electrode.","It should be appreciated that the conductive ink may be applied to the sensor substrate at various times.","For example, in certain embodiments, the conductive ink layer may be applied before the through-hole is formed and again applied afterwards to fill the through-hole.","In other embodiments, the conductive ink is applied after the through-hole to form the conductive ink layer and fill the through-hole.","FIG.","16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an analyte sensor substrate having a thermocouple junction, according to certain embodiments.","The sensor substrate 1701 includes a layer of gold 1702 on one side of the substrate 1701.A through-hole 1703 is formed (e.g., via laser drilling) in the sensor substrate 1701 such that a portion of the layer of gold 1702 is removed.","It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the portion of the layer of gold 1702 at the through-hole may be removed before the laser drilled through-hole is formed—e.g., via an etching process, etc.—or otherwise disposed on the substrate 1701 in a printed pattern.","As shown in FIG.","16, a conductive ink layer 1704 is disposed on the opposite side of the sensor substrate 1701 as the layer of gold 1702.The through-hole 1703 is filled with the conductive ink such that the conductive ink layer 1703 and layer of gold 1703 are connected and a thermocouple junction formed.","Provided below is an example analysis.","It should be appreciated that the example analysis is exemplary and is not meant to be limiting.","Example Analysis: The following analysis is provided for exemplary purposes and is not meant to be limiting.","The following analysis is based on the following: a sensor temperature range of 32 degrees C. to 42 degrees C. (typical body temperature of 37 degrees C.+/−5 degrees C.); a cold junction temperature range of 10 degrees C. to 50 degrees C.; thermocouple op amp similar to operation amplifier, OPA333, manufactured by Texas Instruments; an analog to digital converter (ADC) with a resolution less than 0.1 degrees C. and input voltage range of 0 to 400 mV; a modulator clock of 32768 Hz and conversion time of 125 mS (12 Bits); thermocouple sensitivity of 40.7 μV/degrees C.","(e.g., type T Cu—Cn).","The analysis was also based on the OPA333 operation amplifier having the following features: low offset voltage of 10 μV(max); zero drift of 0.05 μV/° C.(max); 0.01 Hz to 10 Hz noise of 1.1 μVpp; quiescent current of 17 μA; single-supply operation; supply voltage of 1.8V to 5.5V; rail-to-rail input/output; and microsize packages (SC70 and SOT23).","The results of the analysis were as follows: ADC 1 bit resolution=97.650/(12 bits−range of 400 mV); required minimum gain for thermocouple amplifier=2.4; maximum amplifier offset at ADC=24 μV (this is <1ADC count.","); and type-T thermocouple output at 25.2 C=1.000 mV.","Any calibration for the ADC slope and offset variation may be done by applying a known voltage during manufacture, for example.","The actual gain may be chosen much higher than minimum.","The signal as seen by the thermocouple amplifier is the combination of the cold junction thermocouple and the sensor tip thermocouple.","Exact calculations depend on the Seebeck voltage of the materials chosen.","In some instances, the cold junction thermocouple may vary in a temperature range that is higher than the sensor tip thermocouple and also lower than the sensor tip thermocouple.","In such case, provided the cold junction temperature is known and sensitivity of the cold junction TC is known, a subtraction can be made that eliminates the cold junction contribution.","In some instances, the method for cold junction compensation uses a precision thermistor and requires no calibration.","In certain embodiments, one of the existing sensor electrode conductors is used as one of the thermocouple connections.","Having a thermocouple output that is a differential voltage allows the sensor electrode conductor to be used and avoid using two additional connections to the sensor.","In some instances, carbon-polymer contacts are used with a thermocouple amplifier having high impedance input (non-inverting).","This method helps avoid some thermal gradient issue and provides a more direct sensor temperature measurement.","Types of Temperature Sensors: It should be appreciated that any variety of temperature sensors may be applicable to the subject matter of the present disclosure.","The following temperature sensors are exemplary and are not intended to be limiting.","Thermistor: In some aspects of the present disclosure, a thermistor sensor may be used for temperature compensation.","The thermistor sensor may be disposed, for example, on a sensor tail that is positioned under the skin or near the tip of the analyte sensor.","Example thermistors that may be implemented include, but are not limited to, surface mounted thermistors of type 0402, 0201, or 0105.Other example may include, but are not limited to, glass beads types, epoxy bead types, or small chip thermistors.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, the thermistor sensor is located in a thermally conductive structure such that it protrudes from the bottom of the skin worn transmitter device and provides a low thermal resistance path from the user's skin to a thermistor located in the electronics.","FIG.","17 illustrates an on-body sensor having a thermistor located in a thermally conductive structure such that it protrudes from the bottom of the on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments.","On-body sensor 1800 is shown attached to a patient's skin surface 1801.The on-body sensor 1800 includes a thermistor 1802 that is disposed within a thermally conductive material 1803.The thermistor 1802 is electrically coupled to the on-body sensor's printed circuit board (PCB) 1804 for electrical coupling to the electronics on the PCB.","The on-body sensor 1800 includes an adhesive layer 1805 that mounts the on body sensor 1800 to the patient's skin 1801.The thermally conductive material 1803 including the thermistor 1802 extends beyond the adhesive layer 1805 and protrudes from the on-body sensor 1800.The thermally conductive material 1803 contacts the skin 1801 of the patient to provide temperature measurement of the patient's skin 1801.Resistive Temperature Device: In some aspects of the present disclosure, a resistive temperature device (RTD) type sensor may be used for temperature compensation.","For example, an RTD type sensor may be constructed from traces of metal (e.g., including, but not limited to, metals such as gold or platinum, or metal-alloys thereof) and deposited onto the sensor substrate.","For instance, an RTD device such as a wire wound encapsulated device may be incorporated onto the sensor tail.","The RTD device may then measure by the sensor electronics.","Pyro-Electric Sensor: In some aspects of the present disclosure, a pyro-electric sensor may be used for temperature compensation.","Pyro-electric sensors are sensitive to the infra-red light emitted by a warm object—e.g., the patients skin.","In certain embodiments, an optical path is constructed from the patient's skin surface to the pyro-electric sensor that is located inside the electronics of the on-body unit.","In this way, the skin surface temperature can be sensed and measured.","Semiconductor Sensor: In some aspects of the present disclosure, a semiconductor sensor may be used for temperature compensation.","In certain embodiments, a semiconductor sensor (such as, but not limited to, a diode junction or band gap type temperature sensor) is disposed (e.g., directly or disposed on a small device) either on the sensor tail or very close to the sensor insertion site to sense the glucose sensor temperature.","Temperature Compensation and Sensing Elements: In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices and systems include a sensing area that includes two or more sensing elements disposed on the sensing surface.","For example, the sensing surface may be on a working electrode.","Additional details regarding multiple sensing elements disposed on a sensing surface may be found in U.S.","Provisional Patent Application No.","61/421,371, filed Dec. 9, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.","In certain embodiments, more than one sensing element is disposed at the sensing area (e.g., sensor tip).","As demonstrated above, temperature compensation may be performed when multiple sensing elements are at the sensor tip.","Furthermore, it has been shown that very small sensing layer areas improve repeatability of the sensor sensitivity.","Further, multiple sensing dots may promote the collection of sufficient current for generating a viable signal.","In certain embodiments, on-body sensors are provided having multiple sensing elements at the sensing area, wherein some of the sensing elements are made of a different material than other sensing elements.","For example, some of the sensing elements are made of a first material and the other sensing elements are made of a second material.","The different materials have different temperature responses.","Thus, current from the sensing elements of one material may be collected and compared to the current from the sensing elements of the second material to determine the temperature at the sensor tip.","In this way, a temperature measurement is performed almost directly at the sensor tip.","FIG.","18 illustrates a top view of multiple sensing elements disposed on a sensing surface, according to certain embodiments.","Sensing surface 1900 is shown including sensing elements A and sensing elements B. Sensing elements A are made of a first material and sensing elements B are made from a different material than sensing elements A.","The different materials (e.g., sensing chemistries) have different temperature dependencies and thus different temperature responses.","Current from sensing elements A are compared to current from sensing elements B to determine the temperature at the sensor tip.","In this way, a temperature measurement is performed almost directly at the sensor tip.","It should be appreciated that the number of sensing elements may vary in different embodiments.","Further, it should also be appreciated that the sensing elements may be disposed on the sensing surface in a variety of shapes and patterns, and should not be limited to the embodiment shown in FIG.","18.Temperature Compensation and Electrodes with Different Chemistries In some aspects of the present disclosure, temperature compensation is performed when multiple working electrodes having different chemistries are present.","For example, in some instances, an OBU may include a double sensor having different enzymes.","For example, an on-body sensor may include two working electrodes having different sensing chemistries on each electrode.","Because the sensing chemistry is different, their temperature dependencies are different.","However, in a limited temperature range, the functional dependence is the same.","Sensor current may be determined by, for example: I˜(1+a)̂(T−Tnom) where I is the sensor current, a is a known positive constant much less than unity, and Tnom is a set temperature.","The sensor current also depends on the surface area, the amount of sensing material, and efficiency of the sensing chemistry and diffusion controlling membrane—collectively referred to herein as factor A.","The ratio of the sensor currents is: I 1 I 2 = A 1 ( 1 + a 1 ) ( T - T nom ) A 2 ( 1 + a 2 ) ( T - T nom ) Solving for T: T = T nom + ln ( I 1 / I 2 ) - ln ( A 1 / A 2 ) ln ( 1 + a 1 1 + a 2 ) All of the quantities on the rights side of the equation are, in principle, known.","If A1 is set equal to A2, then I1=I2 when T=Tnom.","Once T is calculated, the sensor current is compensated for temperature and the analyte level calculated.","Temperature Compensation Using a Known Reservoir In some aspects of the present disclosure, a secondary sensing element is used to directly measure the effect of temperature on the chemistry, independent of the user's analyte level (e.g., blood glucose).","This measurement data is used in conjunction with measurement data from the primary sensor, which is dependent on temperature and the user's blood glucose, to remove the temperature effect.","In this way, a more accurate estimate of the user's blood glucose concentration may be achieved.","Moreover, temperature variation may be automatically compensated without implementing the mathematical model used in the some of the two sensor models described above, and instead use the chemistry to compensate itself.","In certain embodiments, an on-body sensor includes a secondary sensing element and a known volume of glucose at a known concentration (e.g., as provided by a “reservoir”).","Having a secondary sensing element and a known volume of glucose at a known concentration (e.g., as provided by a “reservoir”) enables temperature variation to be “cancelled out” without having to model the actual temperature variation of the chemistry.","The secondary sensing element may be disposed under the skin, for example, and the secondary dot and reservoir isolated from the rest of the system.","In some instances, the reservoir is physically small, but lasts for the entire sensor life.","In certain embodiments, this type of thermometer may be operated in two ways; in the linear range, and in saturation.","In the linear range, the current is a function of the glucose concentration and the temperature.","The glucose concentration as a function of time is calculated by keeping track of the total charge collected.","This yields the expected current at the nominal temperature.","Any difference between the expected current and the actual current may be attributed to temperature variation.","In certain embodiments, a membrane is disposed between the sensing element and the reservoir for operation in the linear range.","In saturation, the current is determined solely by enzyme activity.","Since this is a function of temperature, temperature variation may be measured directly.","When operating in saturation, the membrane may be thinner, even if glucose concentrations should need to remain high.","In certain embodiments, the reservoir is kept away from the sensing element until the sensor has started, whether operating in either the linear range or saturation.","In this way, any time limit to the stability of the sensing layer in a wet environment is accounted for.","For example, a temporary barrier may be implemented that ceases to separate the second sensing area and the reservoir when the analyte sensor is transcutaneously positioned—e.g., a barrier that is broken, dissolved, or otherwise removed upon the insertion process.","In certain embodiments, the secondary sensor signal is an analog signal which controls the gain of the primary sensor circuit.","The gain control may be linear since the secondary signal itself contains the complex non-linear variation that may be more difficult to model.","In certain embodiments, the secondary sensor signal is sampled and the primary signal gain modified in a software algorithm.","The software algorithm may be executed by a processing device in the on-body electronics for example.","The gain control may be linear since the secondary signal itself contains the complex non-linear variation that may be more difficult to model.","Provided below are example analyses related to using a known reservoir.","The example analyses are exemplary and are not meant to be limiting.","Example 1 A sensing dot with an area of 0.01 square millimeter ( 1/10 the area of the primary sensing dot), and a cubical reservoir of side length 0.5 millimeters filled with 10 millimolar glucose solution starts with a current of 6 nA, and finishes with a current of 0.6 nA.","Example 2 a=6.02×1023 molecules/mole q=1.6×10−19 C/molecules T−122 hours=439,200 seconds (sensor life) β = 6 nA / ( mM / Liter ) / mm 2 = 6 ( A / meter 2 ) ( 1 / M / Liter ) ) = 10 - 23 ( A / meter 2 ) ( 1 / molecule ) ( Liter ) = 10 - 26 ( Amp ) ( m ) / molecule Example 3 Time Evolution of Glucose Concentration N=# of molecules in reservoir dN/dt=−αI α=molecules/(Amp×sec)=molecules/c=1/q n=# molecules/m3 concentration V=reservoir volume dn/dt=−I/(qV) I=βAn A=m2 area of sensing dot dn/dt=−βAn/(qV) n ( t ) = no exp ( - β An / ( qV ) ) = no exp ( - 6.25 × 10 - 8 At / V ) Example 4 Time Constant vs Sensor Life: 6.25×10−8 (AT)/V≈2 A=10-8 m2 T=4.4×105 s V≈1.4×10-10 m3 Cube: 0.5 mm on a side Maximum and Minimum Concentrations and Currents =0.6 nA/(mM/Liter) Maximum current Io=6 nA Maximum concentration no=10 mM/L After 5 days (and 2 time constants) If≈0.6 nA It should be understood that techniques introduced above can be implemented by programmable circuitry programmed or configured by software and/or firmware, or they can be implemented entirely by special-purpose “hardwired” circuitry, or in a combination of such forms.","Such special-purpose circuitry (if any) can be in the form of, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.","Software or firmware implementing the techniques introduced herein may be stored on a machine-readable storage medium and may be executed by one or more general-purpose or special-purpose programmable microprocessors.","A “machine-readable medium”, as the term is used herein, includes any mechanism that can store information in a form accessible by a machine (a machine may be, for example, a computer, network device, cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), manufacturing took, any device with one or more processors, etc.).","For example, a machine-accessible medium includes recordable/non-recordable media (e.g., read-only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; etc.","), etc.","The term “logic”, as used herein, can include, for example, special purpose hardwired circuitry, software and/or firmware in conjunction with programmable circuitry, or a combination thereof.","Electrochemical Sensors Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and devices for detecting at least one analyte, including glucose, in body fluid.","Embodiments relate to the continuous and/or automatic in vivo monitoring of the level of one or more analytes using a continuous analyte monitoring system that includes an analyte sensor at least a portion of which is to be positioned beneath a skin surface of a user for a period of time and/or the discrete monitoring of one or more analytes using an in vitro blood glucose (“BG”) meter and an analyte test strip.","Embodiments include combined or combinable devices, systems and methods and/or transferring data between an in vivo continuous system and an in vivo system.","In certain embodiments, the systems, or at least a portion of the systems, are integrated into a single unit.","An analyte sensor as described herein may be an in vivo analyte sensor or an in vitro sensor (i.e., a discrete monitoring test strip).","Such a sensor can be formed on a substrate, e.g., a substantially planar substrate.","In certain embodiments, the sensor is a wire, e.g., a working electrode wire inner portion with one or more other electrodes associated (e.g., on, including wrapped around) therewith.","The sensor may also include at least one counter electrode (or counter/reference electrode) and/or at least one reference electrode or at least one reference/counter electrode.","Accordingly, embodiments include analyte monitoring devices and systems that include an analyte sensor at least a portion of which is positionable beneath the skin surface of the user for the in vivo detection of an analyte, including glucose, lactate, ketones, and the like, in a body fluid.","Embodiments include wholly implantable analyte sensors and analyte sensors in which only a portion of the sensor is positioned under the skin and a portion of the sensor resides above the skin, e.g., for contact to a sensor control unit (which may include a transmitter), a receiver/display unit, transceiver, processor, etc.","The sensor may be, for example, subcutaneously positionable in a user for the continuous or periodic monitoring of a level of an analyte in the user's interstitial fluid.","For the purposes of this description, continuous monitoring and periodic monitoring will be used interchangeably, unless noted otherwise.","The sensor response may be correlated and/or converted to analyte levels in blood or other fluids.","In certain embodiments, an analyte sensor may be positioned in contact with interstitial fluid to detect the level of glucose, which detected glucose may be used to infer the glucose level in the user's bloodstream.","Analyte sensors may be insertable into a vein, artery, or other portion of the body containing fluid.","Embodiments of the analyte sensors may be configured for monitoring the level of the analyte over a time period which may range from seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, to months, or longer.","In certain embodiments, the analyte sensors, such as glucose sensors, are capable of in vivo detection of an analyte for one hour or more, e.g., a few hours or more, e.g., a few days or more, e.g., three or more days, e.g., five days or more, e.g., seven days or more, e.g., several weeks or more, or one month or more.","Future analyte levels may be predicted based on information obtained, e.g., the current analyte level at time t0, the rate of change of the analyte, etc.","Predictive alarms may notify the user of a predicted analyte level that may be of concern in advance of the user's analyte level reaching the future predicted analyte level.","This provides the user an opportunity to take corrective action.","FIG.","1 shows a data monitoring and management system such as, for example, an analyte (e.g., glucose) monitoring system 100 in accordance with certain embodiments.","Aspects of the subject disclosure are further described primarily with respect to glucose monitoring devices and systems, and methods of glucose detection, for convenience only and such description is in no way intended to limit the scope of the embodiments.","It is to be understood that the analyte monitoring system may be configured to monitor a variety of analytes at the same time or at different times.","Analytes that may be monitored include, but are not limited to, acetyl choline, amylase, bilirubin, cholesterol, chorionic gonadotropin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), creatine kinase (e.g., CK-MB), creatine, creatinine, DNA, fructosamine, glucose, glucose derivatives, glutamine, growth hormones, hormones, ketones, ketone bodies, lactate, peroxide, prostate-specific antigen, prothrombin, RNA, thyroid stimulating hormone, and troponin.","The concentration of drugs, such as, for example, antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, vancomycin, and the like), digitoxin, digoxin, drugs of abuse, theophylline, and warfarin, may also be monitored.","In embodiments that monitor more than one analyte, the analytes may be monitored at the same or different times.","The analyte monitoring system 100 includes an analyte sensor 101, a data processing unit 102 connectable to the sensor 101, and a primary receiver unit 104.In some instances, the primary receiver unit 104 is configured to communicate with the data processing unit 102 via a communication link 103.In certain embodiments, the primary receiver unit 104 may be further configured to transmit data to a data processing terminal 105 to evaluate or otherwise process or format data received by the primary receiver unit 104.The data processing terminal 105 may be configured to receive data directly from the data processing unit 102 via a communication link 107, which may optionally be configured for bi-directional communication.","Further, the data processing unit 102 may include a transmitter or a transceiver to transmit and/or receive data to and/or from the primary receiver unit 104 and/or the data processing terminal 105 and/or optionally a secondary receiver unit 106.Also shown in FIG.","1 is an optional secondary receiver unit 106 which is operatively coupled to the communication link 103 and configured to receive data transmitted from the data processing unit 102.The secondary receiver unit 106 may be configured to communicate with the primary receiver unit 104, as well as the data processing terminal 105.In certain embodiments, the secondary receiver unit 106 may be configured for bi-directional wireless communication with each of the primary receiver unit 104 and the data processing terminal 105.As discussed in further detail below, in some instances, the secondary receiver unit 106 may be a de-featured receiver as compared to the primary receiver unit 104, for instance, the secondary receiver unit 106 may include a limited or minimal number of functions and features as compared with the primary receiver unit 104.As such, the secondary receiver unit 106 may include a smaller (in one or more, including all, dimensions), compact housing or embodied in a device including a wrist watch, arm band, PDA, mp3 player, cell phone, etc., for example.","Alternatively, the secondary receiver unit 106 may be configured with the same or substantially similar functions and features as the primary receiver unit 104.The secondary receiver unit 106 may include a docking portion configured to mate with a docking cradle unit for placement by, e.g., the bedside for night time monitoring, and/or a bi-directional communication device.","A docking cradle may recharge a power supply.","Only one analyte sensor 101, data processing unit 102 and data processing terminal 105 are shown in the embodiment of the analyte monitoring system 100 illustrated in FIG.","1.However, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the analyte monitoring system 100 may include more than one sensor 101 and/or more than one data processing unit 102, and/or more than one data processing terminal 105.Multiple sensors may be positioned in a user for analyte monitoring at the same or different times.","In certain embodiments, analyte information obtained by a first sensor positioned in a user may be employed as a comparison to analyte information obtained by a second sensor.","This may be useful to confirm or validate analyte information obtained from one or both of the sensors.","Such redundancy may be useful if analyte information is contemplated in critical therapy-related decisions.","In certain embodiments, a first sensor may be used to calibrate a second sensor.","The analyte monitoring system 100 may be a continuous monitoring system, or semi-continuous, or a discrete monitoring system.","In a multi-component environment, each component may be configured to be uniquely identified by one or more of the other components in the system so that communication conflict may be readily resolved between the various components within the analyte monitoring system 100.For example, unique IDs, communication channels, and the like, may be used.","In certain embodiments, the sensor 101 is physically positioned in or on the body of a user whose analyte level is being monitored.","The sensor 101 may be configured to at least periodically sample the analyte level of the user and convert the sampled analyte level into a corresponding signal for transmission by the data processing unit 102.The data processing unit 102 is coupleable to the sensor 101 so that both devices are positioned in or on the user's body, with at least a portion of the analyte sensor 101 positioned transcutaneously.","The data processing unit may include a fixation element, such as an adhesive or the like, to secure it to the user's body.","A mount (not shown) attachable to the user and mateable with the data processing unit 102 may be used.","For example, a mount may include an adhesive surface.","The data processing unit 102 performs data processing functions, where such functions may include, but are not limited to, filtering and encoding of data signals, each of which corresponds to a sampled analyte level of the user, for transmission to the primary receiver unit 104 via the communication link 103.In certain embodiments, the sensor 101 or the data processing unit 102 or a combined sensor/data processing unit may be wholly implantable under the skin surface of the user.","In certain embodiments, the primary receiver unit 104 may include an analog interface section including an RF receiver and an antenna that is configured to communicate with the data processing unit 102 via the communication link 103, and a data processing section for processing the received data from the data processing unit 102 including data decoding, error detection and correction, data clock generation, data bit recovery, etc., or any combination thereof.","In operation, the primary receiver unit 104 in certain embodiments is configured to synchronize with the data processing unit 102 to uniquely identify the data processing unit 102, based on, for example, an identification information of the data processing unit 102, and thereafter, to periodically receive signals transmitted from the data processing unit 102 associated with the monitored analyte levels detected by the sensor 101.Referring again to FIG.","1, the data processing terminal 105 may include a personal computer, a portable computer including a laptop or a handheld device (e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA), a telephone including a cellular phone (e.g., a multimedia and Internet-enabled mobile phone including an iPhone™, a Blackberry®, or similar phone), an mp3 player (e.g., an iPOD™, etc.","), a pager, and the like), and/or a drug delivery device (e.g., an infusion device), each of which may be configured for data communication with the receiver via a wired or a wireless connection.","Additionally, the data processing terminal 105 may further be connected to a data network (not shown) for storing, retrieving, updating, and/or analyzing data corresponding to the detected analyte level of the user.","The data processing terminal 105 may include a drug delivery device (e.g., an infusion device), such as an insulin infusion pump or the like, which may be configured to administer a drug (e.g., insulin) to the user, and which may be configured to communicate with the primary receiver unit 104 for receiving, among others, the measured analyte level.","Alternatively, the primary receiver unit 104 may be configured to integrate an infusion device therein so that the primary receiver unit 104 is configured to administer an appropriate drug (e.g., insulin) to users, for example, for administering and modifying basal profiles, as well as for determining appropriate boluses for administration based on, among others, the detected analyte levels received from the data processing unit 102.An infusion device may be an external device or an internal device, such as a device wholly implantable in a user.","In certain embodiments, the data processing terminal 105, which may include an infusion device, e.g., an insulin pump, may be configured to receive the analyte signals from the data processing unit 102, and thus, incorporate the functions of the primary receiver unit 104 including data processing for managing the user's insulin therapy and analyte monitoring.","In certain embodiments, the communication link 103, as well as one or more of the other communication interfaces shown in FIG.","1, may use one or more wireless communication protocols, such as, but not limited to: an RF communication protocol, an infrared communication protocol, a Bluetooth enabled communication protocol, an 802.11x wireless communication protocol, or an equivalent wireless communication protocol which would allow secure, wireless communication of several units (for example, per Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) requirements), while avoiding potential data collision and interference.","FIG.","2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a data processing unit 102 of the analyte monitoring system shown in FIG.","1.User input and/or interface components may be included or a data processing unit may be free of user input and/or interface components.","In certain embodiments, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) may be used to implement one or more functions or routines associated with the operations of the data processing unit (and/or receiver unit) using for example one or more state machines and buffers.","As can be seen in the embodiment of FIG.","2, the analyte sensor 101 (FIG.","1) includes four contacts, three of which are electrodes: a work electrode (W) 210, a reference electrode (R) 212, and a counter electrode (C) 213, each operatively coupled to the analog interface 201 of the data processing unit 102.This embodiment also shows an optional guard contact (G) 211.Fewer or greater electrodes may be employed.","For example, the counter and reference electrode functions may be served by a single counter/reference electrode.","In some cases, there may be more than one working electrode and/or reference electrode and/or counter electrode, etc.","FIG.","3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a receiver/monitor unit such as the primary receiver unit 104 of the analyte monitoring system shown in FIG.","1.The primary receiver unit 104 includes one or more of: a test strip interface 301, an RF receiver 302, a user input 303, an optional temperature detection section 304, and a clock 305, each of which is operatively coupled to a processing and storage section 307.The primary receiver unit 104 also includes a power supply 306 operatively coupled to a power conversion and monitoring section 308.Further, the power conversion and monitoring section 308 is also coupled to the processing and storage section 307.Moreover, also shown are a receiver serial communication section 309, and an output 310, each operatively coupled to the processing and storage section 307.The primary receiver unit 104 may include user input and/or interface components or may be free of user input and/or interface components.","In certain embodiments, the test strip interface 301 includes an analyte testing portion (e.g., a glucose level testing portion) to receive a blood (or other body fluid sample) analyte test or information related thereto.","For example, the test strip interface 301 may include a test strip port to receive a test strip (e.g., a glucose test strip).","The device may determine the analyte level of the test strip, and optionally display (or otherwise notice) the analyte level on the output 310 of the primary receiver unit 104.Any suitable test strip may be employed, e.g., test strips that only require a very small amount (e.g., 3 microliters or less, e.g., 1 microliter or less, e.g., 0.5 microliters or less, e.g., 0.1 microliters or less), of applied sample to the strip in order to obtain accurate glucose information.","Embodiments of test strips include, e.g., Freestyle® or Precision® blood glucose test strips from Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. (Alameda, Calif.).","Glucose information obtained by an in vitro glucose testing device may be used for a variety of purposes, computations, etc.","For example, the information may be used to calibrate sensor 101, confirm results of sensor 101 to increase the confidence thereof (e.g., in instances in which information obtained by sensor 101 is employed in therapy related decisions), etc.","In further embodiments, the data processing unit 102 and/or the primary receiver unit 104 and/or the secondary receiver unit 106, and/or the data processing terminal/infusion device 105 may be configured to receive the analyte value wirelessly over a communication link from, for example, a blood glucose meter.","In further embodiments, a user manipulating or using the analyte monitoring system 100 (FIG.","1) may manually input the analyte value using, for example, a user interface (for example, a keyboard, keypad, voice commands, and the like) incorporated in one or more of the data processing unit 102, the primary receiver unit 104, secondary receiver unit 106, or the data processing terminal/infusion device 105.Additional detailed descriptions of exemplary sensors are provided in U.S. Pat.","Nos.","5,262,035; 5,264,104; 5,262,305; 5,320,715; 5,593,852; 6,175,752; 6,650,471; 6,746, 582, and 7,811,231, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.","FIG.","4 schematically shows an embodiment of an analyte sensor 400 in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure.","This sensor embodiment includes electrodes 401, 402 and 403 on a base 404.Electrodes (and/or other features) may be applied or otherwise processed using any suitable technology, e.g., chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition, sputtering, reactive sputtering, printing, coating, ablating (e.g., laser ablation), painting, dip coating, etching, and the like.","Materials include, but are not limited to, any one or more of aluminum, carbon (including graphite), cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, indium, iridium, iron, lead, magnesium, mercury (as an amalgam), nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhenium, rhodium, selenium, silicon (e.g., doped polycrystalline silicon), silver, tantalum, tin, titanium, tungsten, uranium, vanadium, zinc, zirconium, mixtures thereof, and alloys, oxides, or metallic compounds of these elements.","The analyte sensor 400 may be wholly implantable in a user or may be configured so that only a portion is positioned within (internal) a user and another portion outside (external) a user.","For example, the sensor 400 may include a first portion positionable above a surface of the skin 410, and a second portion positioned below the surface of the skin.","In such embodiments, the external portion may include contacts (connected to respective electrodes of the second portion by traces) to connect to another device also external to the user such as a transmitter unit.","While the embodiment of FIG.","4 shows three electrodes side-by-side on the same surface of base 404, other configurations are contemplated, e.g., fewer or greater electrodes, some or all electrodes on different surfaces of the base or present on another base, some or all electrodes stacked together, electrodes of differing materials and dimensions, etc.","The substrate may be formed using a variety of non-conducting materials, including, for example, polymeric or plastic materials and ceramic materials.","Suitable materials for a particular sensor may be determined, at least in part, based on the desired use of the sensor and properties of the materials.","In certain embodiments, the substrate is flexible.","For example, if the sensor is configured for implantation into a user, then the sensor may be made flexible (although rigid sensors may also be used for implantable sensors) to reduce pain to the user and damage to the tissue caused by the implantation of and/or the wearing of the sensor.","A flexible substrate often increases the user's comfort and allows a wider range of activities.","Suitable materials for a flexible substrate include, for example, non-conducting plastic or polymeric materials and other non-conducting, flexible, deformable materials.","Examples of useful plastic or polymeric materials include thermoplastics such as polycarbonates, polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethanes, polyethers, polyamides, polyimides, or copolymers of these thermoplastics, such as PETG (glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate).","In other embodiments, the sensors are made using a relatively rigid substrate to, for example, provide structural support against bending or breaking.","Examples of rigid materials that may be used as the substrate include poorly conducting ceramics, such as aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide.","An implantable sensor having a rigid substrate may have a sharp point and/or a sharp edge to aid in implantation of a sensor without an additional insertion device.","It will be appreciated that for many sensors and sensor applications, both rigid and flexible sensors will operate adequately.","The flexibility of the sensor may also be controlled and varied along a continuum by changing, for example, the composition and/or thickness of the substrate.","In addition to considerations regarding flexibility, it is often desirable that implantable sensors should have a substrate which is physiologically harmless, for example, a substrate approved by a regulatory agency or private institution for in vivo use.","The sensor may include optional features to facilitate insertion of an implantable sensor.","For example, the sensor may be pointed at the tip to ease insertion.","In addition, the sensor may include a barb which assists in anchoring the sensor within the tissue of the user during operation of the sensor.","However, the barb may be small enough so that little damage is caused to the subcutaneous tissue when the sensor is removed for replacement.","Electronics Unit A sensor electronics unit such as a sensor control unit can be integrated in the sensor, part or all of which is subcutaneously implanted or it can be configured to be placed on the skin of a user.","The sensor control unit is optionally formed in a shape that is comfortable to the user and which may permit concealment, for example, under a user's clothing.","The thigh, leg, upper arm, shoulder, or abdomen are convenient parts of the user's body for placement of the sensor control unit to maintain concealment.","However, the sensor control unit may be positioned on other portions of the user's body.","Certain embodiments of the sensor control unit has a thin, oval shape to enhance concealment.","However, other shapes and sizes may be used.","The particular profile, as well as the height, width, length, weight, and volume of the sensor control unit may vary and depends, at least in part, on the components and associated functions included in the sensor control unit.","In general, the sensor control unit includes a housing may be formed as a single integral unit that rests on the skin of the user.","The housing may contain most or all of the electronic components of the sensor control unit.","The housing of the sensor control unit may be formed using a variety of materials, including, for example, plastic and polymeric materials, such as rigid thermoplastics and engineering thermoplastics.","Suitable materials include, for example, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS polymers, and copolymers thereof.","The housing of the sensor control unit may be formed using a variety of techniques including, for example, injection molding, compression molding, casting, and other molding methods.","Hollow or recessed regions may be formed in the housing of the sensor control unit.","The electronic components of the sensor control unit and/or other items, including a battery or a speaker for an audible alarm, may be placed in the hollow or recessed areas.","The sensor control unit may be attached to the skin of the user, for example, by adhering the sensor control unit directly to the skin of the user with an adhesive provided on at least a portion of the housing of the sensor control unit which contacts the skin or by suturing the sensor control unit to the skin through suture openings in the sensor control unit.","When positioned on the skin of a user, the sensor and the electronic components within the sensor control unit are coupled via conductive contacts.","The one or more working electrodes, counter electrode (or counter/reference electrode), optional reference electrode, and optional temperature probe are attached to individual conductive contacts.","For example, the conductive contacts are provided on the interior of the sensor control unit.","Other embodiments of the sensor control unit have the conductive contacts disposed on the exterior of the housing.","The placement of the conductive contacts is such that they are in contact with the contact pads on the sensor when the sensor is properly positioned within the sensor control unit.","Sensor Electronics The sensor electronics also may include at least a portion of the electronic components that operate the sensor and the analyte monitoring device system.","The electronic components of the sensor control unit may include a power supply for operating the sensor control unit and the sensor, a sensor circuit for obtaining signals from and operating the sensor, a measurement circuit that converts sensor signals to a desired format, and a processing circuit that, at minimum, obtains signals from the sensor circuit and/or measurement circuit and provides the signals to an optional transmitter.","In certain embodiments, the processing circuit may also partially or completely evaluate the signals from the sensor and convey the resulting data to the optional transmitter and/or activate an optional alarm system if the analyte level exceeds a threshold.","The processing circuit often includes digital logic circuitry.","The sensor control unit may optionally contain a transmitter for transmitting the sensor signals or processed data from the processing circuit to a receiver/display unit; a data storage unit for temporarily or permanently storing data from the processing circuit; a temperature probe circuit for receiving signals from and operating a temperature probe; a reference voltage generator for providing a reference voltage for comparison with sensor-generated signals; and/or a watchdog circuit that monitors the operation of the electronic components in the sensor control unit.","Moreover, the sensor control unit may also include digital and/or analog components utilizing semiconductor devices, including transistors.","To operate these semiconductor devices, the sensor control unit may include other components including, for example, a bias control generator to correctly bias analog and digital semiconductor devices, an oscillator to provide a clock signal, and a digital logic and timing component to provide timing signals and logic operations for the digital components of the circuit.","As an example of the operation of these components, the sensor circuit and the optional temperature probe circuit provide raw signals from the sensor to the measurement circuit.","The measurement circuit converts the raw signals to a desired format, using for example, a current-to-voltage converter, current-to-frequency converter, and/or a binary counter or other indicator that produces a signal proportional to the absolute value of the raw signal.","This may be used, for example, to convert the raw signal to a format that can be used by digital logic circuits.","The processing circuit may then, optionally, evaluate the data and provide commands to operate the electronics.","Calibration Analyte sensors may be configured to require no system calibration or no user calibration.","For example, a sensor may be factory calibrated and need not require further calibrating.","In certain embodiments, calibration may be required, but may be done without user intervention, i.e., may be automatic.","In those embodiments in which calibration by the user is required, the calibration may be according to a predetermined schedule or may be dynamic, i.e., the time for which may be determined by the system on a real-time basis according to various factors, including, but not limited to, glucose concentration and/or temperature and/or rate of change of glucose, etc.","In addition to a transmitter, an optional receiver may be included in the sensor control unit.","In some cases, the transmitter is a transceiver, operating as both a transmitter and a receiver.","The receiver may be used to receive calibration data for the sensor.","The calibration data may be used by the processing circuit to correct signals from the sensor.","This calibration data may be transmitted by the receiver/display unit or from some other source such as a control unit in a doctor's office.","In addition, the optional receiver may be used to receive a signal from the receiver/display units to direct the transmitter, for example, to change frequencies or frequency bands, to activate or deactivate the optional alarm system and/or to direct the transmitter to transmit at a higher rate.","Calibration data may be obtained in a variety of ways.","For instance, the calibration data may be factory-determined calibration measurements which can be input into the sensor control unit using the receiver or may alternatively be stored in a calibration data storage unit within the sensor control unit itself (in which case a receiver may not be needed).","The calibration data storage unit may be, for example, a readable or readable/writeable memory circuit.","In some cases, a system may only need to be calibrated once during the manufacturing process, where recalibration of the system is not required.","If necessary, calibration may be accomplished using an in vitro test strip (or other reference), e.g., a small sample test strip such as a test strip that requires less than about 1 microliter of sample (for example Freestyle® or Precision® blood glucose monitoring test strips from Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, Calif.).","For example, test strips that require less than about 1 nanoliter of sample may be used.","In certain embodiments, a sensor may be calibrated using only one sample of body fluid per calibration event.","For example, a user need only lance a body part one time to obtain a sample for a calibration event (e.g., for a test strip), or may lance more than one time within a short period of time if an insufficient volume of sample is firstly obtained.","Embodiments include obtaining and using multiple samples of body fluid for a given calibration event, where glucose values of each sample are substantially similar.","Data obtained from a given calibration event may be used independently to calibrate or combined with data obtained from previous calibration events, e.g., averaged including weighted averaged, etc., to calibrate.","In certain embodiments, a system need only be calibrated once by a user, where recalibration of the system is not required.","Alternative or additional calibration data may be provided based on tests performed by a health care professional or by the user.","For example, it is common for diabetic individuals to determine their own blood glucose concentration using commercially available testing kits.","The results of this test is input into the sensor control unit either directly, if an appropriate input device (e.g., a keypad, an optical signal receiver, or a port for connection to a keypad or computer) is incorporated in the sensor control unit, or indirectly by inputting the calibration data into the receiver/display unit and transmitting the calibration data to the sensor control unit.","Other methods of independently determining analyte levels may also be used to obtain calibration data.","This type of calibration data may supplant or supplement factory-determined calibration values.","In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, calibration data may be required at periodic intervals, for example, every eight hours, once a day, or once a week, to confirm that accurate analyte levels are being reported.","Calibration may also be required each time a new sensor is implanted or if the sensor exceeds a threshold minimum or maximum value or if the rate of change in the sensor signal exceeds a threshold value.","In some cases, it may be necessary to wait a period of time after the implantation of the sensor before calibrating to allow the sensor to achieve equilibrium.","In certain embodiments, the sensor is calibrated only after it has been inserted.","In other embodiments, no calibration of the sensor is needed.","Analyte Monitoring Device In certain embodiments, the analyte monitoring device includes a sensor control unit and a sensor.","In these embodiments, the processing circuit of the sensor control unit is able to determine a level of the analyte and activate an alarm system if the analyte level exceeds a threshold value.","The sensor control unit, in these embodiments, has an alarm system and may also include a display, such as an LCD or LED display.","A threshold value is exceeded if the datapoint has a value that is beyond the threshold value in a direction indicating a particular condition.","For example, a datapoint which correlates to a glucose level of 200 mg/dL exceeds a threshold value for hyperglycemia of 180 mg/dL, because the datapoint indicates that the user has entered a hyperglycemic state.","As another example, a datapoint which correlates to a glucose level of 65 mg/dL exceeds a threshold value for hypoglycemia of 70 mg/dL because the datapoint indicates that the user is hypoglycemic as defined by the threshold value.","However, a datapoint which correlates to a glucose level of 75 mg/dL would not exceed the same threshold value of 70 mg/dL for hypoglycemia because the datapoint does not indicate that particular condition as defined by the chosen threshold value.","An alarm may also be activated if the sensor readings indicate a value that is outside of (e.g., above or below) a measurement range of the sensor.","For glucose, the physiologically relevant measurement range may be 30-400 mg/dL, including 40-300 mg/dL and 50-250 mg/dL, of glucose in the interstitial fluid.","The alarm system may also, or alternatively, be activated when the rate of change or acceleration of the rate of change in analyte level increase or decrease reaches or exceeds a threshold rate or acceleration.","For example, in the case of a subcutaneous glucose monitor, the alarm system may be activated if the rate of change in glucose concentration exceeds a threshold value which may indicate that a hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic condition is likely to occur.","In some cases, the alarm system is activated if the acceleration of the rate of change in glucose concentration exceeds a threshold value which may indicate that a hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic condition is likely to occur.","A system may also include system alarms that notify a user of system information such as battery condition, calibration, sensor dislodgment, sensor malfunction, etc.","Alarms may be, for example, auditory and/or visual.","Other sensory-stimulating alarm systems may be used including alarm systems which heat, cool, vibrate, or produce a mild electrical shock when activated.","Drug Delivery System The subject matter of the present disclosure also includes sensors used in sensor-based drug delivery systems.","The system may provide a drug to counteract the high or low level of the analyte in response to the signals from one or more sensors.","Alternatively, the system may monitor the drug concentration to ensure that the drug remains within a desired therapeutic range.","The drug delivery system may include one or more (e.g., two or more) sensors, a processing unit such as a transmitter, a receiver/display unit, and a drug administration system.","In some cases, some or all components may be integrated in a single unit.","A sensor-based drug delivery system may use data from the one or more sensors to provide necessary input for a control algorithm/mechanism to adjust the administration of drugs, e.g., automatically or semi-automatically.","As an example, a glucose sensor may be used to control and adjust the administration of insulin from an external or implanted insulin pump.","Each of the various references, presentations, publications, provisional and/or non-provisional U.S. patent applications, U.S. patents, non-U.S. patent applications, and/or non-U.S. patents that have been identified herein, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","Other embodiments and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art.","Various modifications, processes, as well as numerous structures to which the embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present disclosure is directed upon review of the specification.","Various aspects and features of the present disclosure may have been explained or described in relation to understandings, beliefs, theories, underlying assumptions, and/or working or prophetic examples, although it will be understood that the present disclosure is not bound to any particular understanding, belief, theory, underlying assumption, and/or working or prophetic example.","Although various aspects and features of the present disclosure may have been described largely with respect to applications, or more specifically, medical applications, involving diabetic humans, it will be understood that such aspects and features also relate to any of a variety of applications involving non-diabetic humans and any and all other animals.","Further, although various aspects and features of the present disclosure may have been described largely with respect to applications involving partially implanted sensors, such as transcutaneous or subcutaneous sensors, it will be understood that such aspects and features also relate to any of a variety of sensors that are suitable for use in connection with the body of an animal or a human, such as those suitable for use as fully implanted in the body of an animal or a human.","Finally, although the various aspects and features of the present disclosure have been described with respect to various embodiments and specific examples herein, all of which may be made or carried out conventionally, it will be understood that the present disclosure is entitled to protection within the full scope of the appended claims.","The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention nor are they intended to represent that the experiments below are all or the only experiments performed.","Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers used (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.)","but some experimental errors and deviations should be accounted for.","Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, molecular weight is weight average molecular weight, temperature is in degrees Centigrade, and pressure is at or near atmospheric.","The temperature sensor may be internal or external to the on-body housing.","The temperature sensor may also sit above the skin, or be provided as an electrode running along the analyte sensor to be transcutaneously implanted below the skin.","The temperature sensor electrode would then be electrically coupled to a temperature measurement circuit within the on-body housing.","The temperature measurements may be transmitted to the blood glucose meter upon request.","For manufacturability and cost-effectiveness, particularly when the on-body housing is intended to be disposable, it may be desirable to avoid the inclusion of a temperature sensor and/or control circuitry in the on-body housing.","As such, in certain embodiments, there is provided reader (e.g., a blood glucose meter, or other hand-held measurement or analysis instrument) with a temperature measurement sensor and control system.","The temperature measurement sensor may be provided on the permanent hand-held instrument to avoid disposing of the temperature measurement components when the on-body housing is disposed.","The concentration of drugs, such as, for example, antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, vancomycin, and the like), digitoxin, digoxin, drugs of abuse, theophylline, and warfarin, may also be monitored.","In those embodiments that monitor more than one analyte, the analytes may be monitored at the same or different times.","In certain embodiments, the analyte sensor is a glucose sensor.","In another embodiment, the analyte sensor is a ketone sensor Example Embodiments In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of detecting and/or determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor (e.g., coupled to an in vivo analyte sensor) are provided that include receiving an analyte sensor signal (e.g., analyte sensor information, such as current, voltage, etc.)","derived from an in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; determining, with a processor, whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determining, with the processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.","Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.","In certain embodiments, the processor is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the processor is coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.","In certain embodiments, the ambient-compensated temperature is derived by adding a correction factor to the temperature measurement.","In certain embodiments, the analyte is glucose.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value, and adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a lower threshold value, and adding a correction factor increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded and increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a value of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the methods include detecting a calibration temperature measured by the temperature sensor when the on-body sensor is coupled to a body of a test subject; and determining, with a processor, a threshold requirement based on the calibration temperature.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a predetermined amount of deviation from the calibration temperature.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an amount of deviation from the calibration temperature, and the amount of deviation is detected by monitoring changes during a period of time.","In certain embodiments, the calibration temperature is determined based on temperature measurements during a period of time.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the processor determining the threshold requirement is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the processor determining the threshold requirement is coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided.","The analyte monitoring devices include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive an sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; determine whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.","Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.","In certain embodiments, the ambient-compensated temperature is derived by adding a correction factor to the temperature measurement.","In certain embodiments, the analyte is glucose.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value, and adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a lower threshold value, and adding a correction factor increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded and increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a value of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a calibration temperature measured by the temperature sensor when the analyte monitoring device is coupled to a body of a test subject; and determine a threshold requirement based on the calibration temperature.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a predetermined amount of deviation from the calibration temperature.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an amount of deviation from the calibration temperature, and the amount of deviation is detected by monitoring changes during a period of time.","In certain embodiments, the calibration temperature is determined based on temperature measurements during a period of time.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by the analyte monitoring device.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor are provided.","The methods include detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.","In certain embodiments, the offset term is based on a predetermined core body temperature.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor protrudes from a skin-contacting surface of the on-body sensor, and the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.","In certain embodiments, the methods include receiving a sensor signal from an in vivo analyte sensor; and determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the ambient-compensated temperature is the same processor as the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the ambient-compensated temperature and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal are coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the ambient-compensated temperature and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal are coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the ambient-compensated temperature is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor, and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board of the on-body sensor.","In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is approximately 37° C. In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided.","The analyte monitoring devices include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.","In certain embodiments, the offset term is based on a predetermined core body temperature.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor protrudes from a skin-contacting surface of the housing, and the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by the analyte monitoring device.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is approximately 37° C. In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors are provided.","The methods include sampling at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperature measurements from a first temperature sensor on an on-body sensor; determining, with a processor, first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determining, with a processor, final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.","In certain embodiments, the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, and the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures are the same processor.","In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, and the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures are performed by an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, and the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures are performed by a receiver that communicates with an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, one or more of the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, and the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures are different processors.","In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, and the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures are each performed by either a processor coupled to an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor or by a processor coupled to a receiver that communicates with the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the methods include sampling at the first sampling rate, with a processor, second temperature measurements from a second temperature sensor on the on-body sensor; and determining, with a processor, second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.","The correction gain is calculated by performing a moving average between first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction gain is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures, the processor sampling second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the processor determining the second ambient-compensated temperature are the same processor.","In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are performed an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are performed by a receiver that communicates with an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, one or more of the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures, the processor sampling second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the processor determining the second ambient-compensated temperature are different processors.","In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are each performed by either a processor coupled to an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor or by a processor coupled to a receiver that communicates with the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using parameter adaptation.","In certain embodiments, the parameter adaptation is MIT adaptation.","In certain embodiments, the correction factor is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the methods include sampling at the first sampling rate, with a processor, second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor on the on-body sensor; and determining, with a processor, second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.","The correction factor is calculated by performing windowed comparisons between the first ambient-compensated temperatures and the second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction factor is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures, the processor sampling second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the processor determining the second ambient-compensated temperature are the same processor.","In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are performed an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are performed by a receiver that communicates with an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, one or more of the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures, the processor sampling second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the processor determining the second ambient-compensated temperature are different processors.","In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are each performed by either a processor coupled to an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor or by a processor coupled to a receiver that communicates with the on-body unit.","In some aspects of the present disclosure analyte monitoring device are provided.","The analyte monitoring device include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor are communicably coupled to the processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperatures measured from a first temperature sensor on the housing; determine first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determine final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor and/or second temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor and/or second temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by the analyte monitoring device.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample at the first sampling rate second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor on the housing; and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.","The correction gain is calculated by performing a moving average between first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction gain is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor and/or second temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor and/or second temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or the second temperature measurement is performed by the analyte monitoring device.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using parameter adaptation.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using MIT adaptation.","In certain embodiments, the correction factor is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample at the first sampling rate second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor on the housing; and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.","The correction factor is calculated by performing windowed comparisons between the first ambient-compensated temperatures and the second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction factor is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of the housing and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine, with the processor, an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor and/or second temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of the housing and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board on the housing.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, in vivo analyte sensors are provided.","The in vivo analyte sensors include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer; and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer, the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent the sensing area.","The electrode layer includes a sensing area, In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a thermistor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a resistance temperature detector (RTD).","In certain embodiments, the electrode layer includes a plurality of electrodes, and one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is the temperature sensing element.","In certain embodiments, the plurality of electrodes includes a working electrode, reference, electrode, and a counter electrode, and the temperature sensing element is the counter electrode and includes two contact points for electric coupling to a current providing circuit.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element extends back and forth a plurality of times.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element includes two traces of dissimilar metals that join at a junction adjacent the sensing area.","In certain embodiments, the two dissimilar metals are gold, silver, carbon, titanium, or an alloy thereof.","In certain embodiments, the two traces are on a same side of the substrate layer as the electrode layer.","In certain embodiments, the two traces are on an opposite side of the substrate layer as the electrode layer.","In certain embodiments, the junction is directly opposite the sensing area.","In certain embodiments, each of the two traces are on a different side of the substrate layer from one another, and a through-hole is used to join the two traces.","In certain embodiments, the two traces are conductive ink.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a pyro-electric sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a semiconductor sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element includes a second sensing area and a analyte reservoir, the analyte reservoir includes a known volume of analyte at a known concentration.","In certain embodiments, the secondary sensing area is isolated and the reservoir lasts for the life of the sensor.","In certain embodiments, the analyte sensors include a membrane between the second sensing area and the reservoir.","In certain embodiments, the analyte sensors include a temporary barrier between the second sensing area and the reservoir that ceases to separate the second sensing area and the reservoir when the analyte sensor is positioned in vivo.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; electronic circuitry coupled to the housing, the electronic circuitry including a processor; and an in vivo analyte sensor electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry and extending from the housing.","The in vivo analyte sensor include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer; and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer, the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent a sensing area.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a thermistor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a resistance temperature detector (RTD).","In certain embodiments, the electrode layer includes a plurality of electrodes, and one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is the temperature sensing element.","In certain embodiments, the plurality of electrodes includes a working electrode, reference, electrode, and a counter electrode, and the temperature sensing element is the counter electrode and includes two electrical contacts for electric coupling to a current providing circuit.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element extends back and forth a plurality of times.","In certain embodiments, the electronic circuitry includes a working electrode contact that electrically couple to the working electrode, a reference electrode contact that electrically couple to the reference electrode, and two counter electrode contacts that electrically couple to the two electrical contacts of the temperature sensing element and supply the temperature sensing element with current.","In certain embodiments, the electronic circuitry includes two electrode contacts that electrically couple to two electrical contacts of the temperature sensing element and supply the temperature sensing element with current.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element includes two traces of dissimilar metals that join at a junction adjacent the sensing area.","In certain embodiments, the two dissimilar metals are gold, silver, carbon, titanium, or an alloy thereof.","In certain embodiments, the two traces are on a same side of the substrate layer as the electrode layer.","In certain embodiments, the two traces are on an opposite side of the substrate layer as the electrode layer.","In certain embodiments, the junction is directly opposite the sensing area.","In certain embodiments, each of the two traces are on a different side of the substrate layer from one another, and a through-hole is used to join the two traces.","In certain embodiments, the two traces are conductive ink.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a pyro-electric sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a semiconductor sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element includes a second sensing area and a analyte reservoir, the analyte reservoir includes a known volume of analyte at a known concentration.","In certain embodiments, the secondary sensing area is isolated and the reservoir lasts for the life of the analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the analyte sensors include a membrane between the second sensing area and the reservoir.","In certain embodiments, the analyte sensors include a temporary barrier between the second sensing area and the reservoir that ceases to separate the second sensing area and the reservoir when the analyte sensor is positioned in vivo.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte sensor devices are provided that include a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into skin of a subject; electrodes disposed on the body; and a temperature sensor coupled to the body.","The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed within the central tunnel and adapted to pierce the skin of the patient, and the electrodes disposed on the outside of the body.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is softened by exposure to body fluids.","In certain embodiments, the central tunnel is for insulin delivery.","In certain embodiments, the electrodes include wires disposed on the body, and the temperature sensor includes a thermocouple wire disposed on the body.","In certain embodiments, the analyte sensor device includes a housing adapted to couple to an insulin delivery tube and insulin pump; and electronic circuitry coupled to the housing, the electronic circuitry including a processor for determining analyte levels.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include coupling an analyte sensor device to a skin of a subject and inserting a temperature sensor within the skin of the subject.","The temperature sensor is disposed within the central tunnel.","The sensor coupling device includes a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into the skin of a subject, and electrodes disposed on the body.","The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject.","In certain embodiments, before the temperature sensor is inserted within the skin of the subject, the methods include piercing the skin of the subject with a needle disposed within the central tunnel; removing the needle from the central tunnel; and inserting the temperature sensor within the central tunnel.","In certain embodiments, the methods include determining an analyte level based on a sensor signal from the electrodes that has been compensated for temperature from the temperature sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is adapted to pierce the skin of the subject.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is softened by exposure to body fluids.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include receiving a first sensor signal from a first electrode on an in vivo analyte sensor on an on-body sensor; receiving a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor, and determining, with a processor, a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.","The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.","In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a ratio of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a predetermined temperature, sensor areas, quantity of sensing materials, and efficiencies of the sensing chemistries, and diffusion controlling membrane.","In certain embodiments, the methods include determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the compensated temperature is the same processor as the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the compensated temperature and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal are coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the compensated temperature and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal are coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the compensated temperature is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor, and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the first sensor signal and not the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the second sensor signal and not the first sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with both the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the first electrode includes a first plurality of sensing elements on the in vivo analyte sensor and the second electrode includes a second plurality of sensing elements disposed on the in vivo analyte sensor.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.","An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and the in vivo analyte sensor includes two working electrodes.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a first sensor signal from a first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; detect a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.","The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by the analyte monitoring device.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.","In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a ratio of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a predetermined temperature, sensor areas, quantity of sensing materials, and efficiencies of the sensing chemistries, and diffusion controlling membrane.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determining a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.","In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by the analyte monitoring device.","In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the first sensor signal and not the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the second sensor signal and not the first sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with both the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the first electrode includes a first plurality of sensing elements on the in vivo analyte sensor and the second electrode includes a second plurality of sensing elements disposed on the in vivo analyte sensor.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring systems are provided that include an on-body unit and receiver.","The on-body includes a first processor and first memory communicably coupled to the first processor; an in vivo analyte sensor communicably coupled to the first processor; and a temperature sensor communicably coupled to the first processor.","The receiver is configured to communicate with the on-body unit and includes a second processor and second memory communicably coupled to the second processor.","At least one of the first and second memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by at least one of the first and second processors, cause the at least one first and second processors to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; determine whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.","Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.","It should be appreciated that the steps may be performed in various combinations by the processor on the on-body unit and the receiver in communication with the on-body unit in different embodiments.","For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit is detecting the temperature measurement, determining whether the threshold requirement is met, performing the ambient temperature compensation, and determining the temperature-compensated signal.","Then, for example, the temperature-compensated signal is sent to a receiver wherein the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.","In another embodiment, for example, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit transmits the temperature measurements to the receiver where a processor coupled to the receiver determines whether the threshold requirement is met, performs the ambient temperature compensation, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.","Then, for example, the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.","It should be appreciated that the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.","In certain embodiments, the ambient-compensated temperature is derived by adding a correction factor to the temperature measurement.","In certain embodiments, the analyte is glucose.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded and increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a value of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to detect a calibration temperature measured by the temperature sensor when the on-body unit is coupled to a body of a test subject; and determine a threshold requirement based on the calibration temperature.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a predetermined amount of deviation from the calibration temperature.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an amount of deviation from the calibration temperature, and wherein the amount of deviation is detected by monitoring changes during a period of time.","In certain embodiments, the calibration temperature is determined based on temperature measurements during a period of time.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by the receiver.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring systems are provided that include an on-body unit and receiver.","The on-body includes a first processor and first memory communicably coupled to the first processor; an in vivo analyte sensor communicably coupled to the first processor; and a temperature sensor communicably coupled to the first processor.","The receiver is configured to communicate with the on-body unit and includes a second processor and second memory communicably coupled to the second processor.","At least one of the first and second memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by at least one of the first and second processors, cause the at least one first and second processors to detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.","It should be appreciated that the steps may be performed in various combinations by the processor on the on-body unit and the receiver in communication with the on-body unit in different embodiments.","For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit detects the temperature measurement, determines an ambient-compensated temperature from the measured temperature using an offset term, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.","Then, for example, the temperature-compensated signal is sent to a receiver wherein the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.","In another embodiment, for example, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit transmits the temperature measurements to the receiver where a processor coupled to the receiver determines an ambient-compensated temperature from the measured temperature using an offset term, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.","Then, for example, the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.","It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor protrudes from a skin-contacting surface of the on-body unit, and wherein the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.","In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board coupled to the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is approximately 37° C. In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring systems are provided that include an on-body unit and receiver.","The on-body includes a first processor and first memory communicably coupled to the first processor; an in vivo analyte sensor communicably coupled to the first processor; and a first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor communicably coupled to the first processor.","The receiver is configured to communicate with the on-body unit and includes a second processor and second memory communicably coupled to the second processor.","At least one of the first and second memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by at least one of the first and second processors, cause the at least one first and second processors to sample, at a first sampling rate, first temperatures measured from a first temperature sensor; determine first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determine final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.","It should be appreciated that the steps may be performed in various combinations by the processor on the on-body unit and the receiver in communication with the on-body unit in different embodiments.","For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensors are coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit samples the temperatures sensors, determines the ambient-compensated temperature from the one-temperature sensor model and two-temperature sensor model, determines the correction factor or gain, determines the final ambient-compensated temperatures.","The processor on the on-body unit may then, for example, either determine the temperature-compensated signal, or transmit the final ambient-compensated signal to a receiver having a processor that determines the temperature compensated signal and presents the corresponding analyte level on a user interface.","It should be appreciated that the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver in other embodiments.","For example, in other embodiments, one or more of the steps in determining the ambient-compensated signal and/or final ambient compensated signal may be performed by the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to sample at the first sampling rate second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor; and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.","The correction gain is calculated by performing a moving average between first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction gain is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or the second temperature measurement is performed by the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using parameter adaptation.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using MIT adaptation.","In certain embodiments, the correction factor is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to sample at the first sampling rate second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor; and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.","The correction factor is calculated by performing windowed comparisons between the first ambient-compensated temperatures and the second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction factor is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of the on-body unit and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board of the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determine, with the processor, an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of the on-body unit and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board of the on-body unit.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring system are provided that include an on-body unit and receiver.","The on-body includes a first processor and first memory communicably coupled to the first processor; and an in vivo analyte sensor communicably coupled to the first processor.","The in vivo analyte sensor includes two working electrodes.","The receiver is configured to communicate with the on-body unit and includes a second processor and second memory communicably coupled to the second processor.","At least one of the first and second memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by at least one of the first and second processors, cause the at least one first and second processors to detect a first sensor signal from a first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; detect a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.","The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.","It should be appreciated that the steps may be performed in various combinations by the processor on the on-body unit and the receiver in communication with the on-body unit in different embodiments.","For example, in certain embodiments, the processor on the on-body unit detects the first sensor signal from the first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; detects the second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; and determines the compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.","As another example, in certain embodiments, the processor on the on-body unit detects the first sensor signal from the first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor and detects the second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor.","The first sensor signal and the second sensor signal are transmitted to the receiver.","The receiver receives the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.","After the detecting the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, the processor on the receiver determines the compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.","In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a ratio of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a predetermined temperature, sensor areas, quantity of sensing materials, and efficiencies of the sensing chemistries, and diffusion controlling membrane.","In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determining a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the first sensor signal and not the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the second sensor signal and not the first sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with both the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the first electrode includes a first plurality of sensing elements on the in vivo analyte sensor and the second electrode includes a second plurality of sensing elements disposed on the in vivo analyte sensor.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer systems are provided that include a processor; and memory communicably coupled to the first processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive analyte data (e.g., a sensor signal from an in vivo analyte sensor); receive temperature data (e.g., a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor); determine whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.","Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.","In certain embodiments, the computer systems include an in vivo analyte sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives analyte data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives analyte data from the sensor electronics unit.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.","In certain embodiments, the ambient-compensated temperature is derived by adding a correction factor to the temperature measurement.","In certain embodiments, the analyte is glucose.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded and increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a value of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a calibration temperature measured by the temperature sensor when an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to a body of a test subject; and determine a threshold requirement based on the calibration temperature.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a predetermined amount of deviation from the calibration temperature.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an amount of deviation from the calibration temperature, and wherein the amount of deviation is detected by monitoring changes during a period of time.","In certain embodiments, the calibration temperature is determined based on temperature measurements during a period of time.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit and communicated to a receiver.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by a receiver.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer systems are provided that include a processor; and memory communicably coupled to the first processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive temperature data (e.g., a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor); and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.","In certain embodiments, the computer systems include an in vivo analyte sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives analyte data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives analyte data from the sensor electronics unit.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor protrudes from a skin-contacting surface of an on-body unit, and wherein the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive analyte data (e.g., a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor); and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit and communicated to a receiver.","In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board coupled to an on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is approximately 37° C. In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer systems are provided that include a processor; and memory communicably coupled to the first processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to (receive temperature data (e.g., sample, at a first sampling rate, first temperatures measured from a first temperature sensor); determine first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determine final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.","In certain embodiments, the computer systems include an in vivo analyte sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives analyte data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives analyte data from the sensor electronics unit.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or a second temperature measurement is performed by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or a second temperature measurement is performed by the receiver.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample, at the first sampling rate, additional temperature data (e.g., second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor); and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.","The correction gain is calculated by performing a moving average between first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction gain is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit and communicated to a receiver.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or the second temperature measurement is performed by a receiver.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using parameter adaptation.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using MIT adaptation.","In certain embodiments, the correction factor is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample, at the first sampling rate, second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor; and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.","The correction factor is calculated by performing windowed comparisons between the first ambient-compensated temperatures and the second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction factor is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of an on-body unit and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board of the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive analyte data (e.g., a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor); and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine, with the processor, an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of an on-body unit and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board of the on-body unit.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer systems are provided that include a processor; and memory communicably coupled to the first processor.","The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive sensor data (e.g., detect a first sensor signal) from a first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; receive additional sensor data (e.g., detect a second sensor signal) from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor, wherein the first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies; and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.","In certain embodiments, the computer systems include an in vivo analyte sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives analyte data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives analyte data from the sensor electronics unit.","In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by an on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by an on-body unit and communicated to a receiver.","In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a ratio of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a predetermined temperature, sensor areas, quantity of sensing materials, and efficiencies of the sensing chemistries, and diffusion controlling membrane.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determining a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by an on-body unit and communicated to a receiver.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the first sensor signal and not the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the second sensor signal and not the first sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with both the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the first electrode includes a first plurality of sensing elements on the in vivo analyte sensor and the second electrode includes a second plurality of sensing elements disposed on the in vivo analyte sensor.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer-implemented methods of determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a temperature sensor are provided.","The computer-implemented method include receiving analyte data (e.g., a sensor signal derived from an in vivo analyte sensor); receiving temperature data (e.g., detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor); determining, with a processor, whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determining, with the processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.","Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.","In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.","In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.","In certain embodiments, the ambient-compensated temperature is derived by adding a correction factor to the temperature measurement.","In certain embodiments, the analyte is glucose.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded and increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a value of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer-implemented methods of compensating for ambient temperature using a temperature sensor are provided.","The computer-implemented methods include receiving temperature data (e.g., detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor); and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.","In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include receiving analyte data (e.g., a sensor signal from an in vivo analyte sensor); and determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature.","In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is approximately 37° C. In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer-implemented methods of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors are provided.","The computer-implemented methods include receiving temperature data (e.g., sampling at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperature measurements from a first temperature sensor on an on-body sensor); determining, with a processor, first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determining, with a processor, final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include receiving second sensor data (e.g., sampling at the first sampling rate, with a processor, second temperature measurements from a second temperature sensor on the on-body sensor); and determining, with a processor, second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.","The correction gain is calculated by performing a moving average between first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction gain is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, one or more of the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures, the processor sampling second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the processor determining the second ambient-compensated temperature are different processors.","In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are each performed by either a processor coupled to an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor or by a processor coupled to a receiver that communicates with the on-body unit.","In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using parameter adaptation.","In certain embodiments, the parameter adaptation is MIT adaptation.","In certain embodiments, the correction factor is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.","In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include sampling at the first sampling rate, with a processor, second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor on the on-body sensor; and determining, with a processor, second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.","The correction factor is calculated by performing windowed comparisons between the first ambient-compensated temperatures and the second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction factor is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.","In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer-implemented methods are provided that receive sensor data (e.g., a first sensor signal from a first electrode on an in vivo analyte sensor on an on-body sensor); receive additional sensor data (e.g., a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor); and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.","The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.","In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a ratio of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a predetermined temperature, sensor areas, quantity of sensing materials, and efficiencies of the sensing chemistries, and diffusion controlling membrane.","In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the compensated temperature.","In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the first sensor signal and not the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the second sensor signal and not the first sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with both the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.","In certain embodiments, the first electrode includes a first plurality of sensing elements on the in vivo analyte sensor and the second electrode includes a second plurality of sensing elements disposed on the in vivo analyte sensor.","Various other modifications and alterations in the structure and method of operation of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the embodiments of the present disclosure.","Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with particular embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure as claimed should not be unduly limited to such particular embodiments.","It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the present disclosure and that structures and methods within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.","It should be understood that techniques introduced above can be implemented by programmable circuitry programmed or configured by software and/or firmware, or they can be implemented entirely by special-purpose “hardwired” circuitry, or in a combination of such forms.","Such special-purpose circuitry (if any) can be in the form of, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.","Software or firmware implementing the techniques introduced herein may be stored on a machine-readable storage medium and may be executed by one or more general-purpose or special-purpose programmable microprocessors.","A “machine-readable medium”, as the term is used herein, includes any mechanism that can store information in a form accessible by a machine (a machine may be, for example, a computer, network device, cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), manufacturing took, any device with one or more processors, etc.).","For example, a machine-accessible medium includes recordable/non-recordable media (e.g., read-only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; etc.","), etc.","The term “logic”, as used herein, can include, for example, special purpose hardwired circuitry, software and/or firmware in conjunction with programmable circuitry, or a combination thereof."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"Temperature-Compensated Analyte Monitoring Devices, Systems, and Methods Thereof\",\n \"Methods of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor, the method comprising detecting a first temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the first temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"The method may also include receiving a sensor signal from an in vivo analyte sensor; and determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor, the method comprising: detecting a first temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the first temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"2.The method of claim 1, comprising: receiving a sensor signal from an in vivo analyte sensor; and determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.\",\n \"3.The method of claim 2, wherein the analyte is glucose.\",\n \"4.The method of claim 2, wherein the in vivo analyte sensor is a subcutaneous analyte sensor.\",\n \"5.The method of claim 1, comprising: detecting a second temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the rate of change of skin temperature between the first temperature measurement and the second temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"6.The method of claim 5 wherein the ambient-compensated temperature is determined using a combination of the rate of change of skin temperature between the first temperature measurement and the second temperature measurement and the second temperature measurement.\",\n \"7.The method of claim 1, wherein the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. 8.An analyte monitoring device, comprising: a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; wherein an in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor; wherein a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor; and memory communicably coupled to the processor, wherein the memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"9.The analyte monitoring device of claim 8, wherein the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.\",\n \"10.The analyte monitoring device of claim 8, wherein the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. 11.The method of claim 9, wherein the analyte is glucose.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 9, wherein the in vivo analyte sensor is a subcutaneous analyte sensor.\",\n \"13.An analyte monitoring system, comprising: an on-body unit, comprising: a first processor and first memory communicably coupled to the first processor; an in vivo analyte sensor communicably coupled to the first processor; a temperature sensor communicably coupled to the first processor; and, a receiver configured to communicate with the on-body unit, the receiver comprising: a second processor and second memory communicably coupled to the second processor; wherein at least one of the first memory and second memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by at least one of the first and second processors, cause the at least one first and second processor to: detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"14.The analyte monitoring system of claim 13, wherein the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. 15.The method of claim 13, wherein the analyte is glucose.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 13, wherein the in vivo analyte sensor is a subcutaneous analyte sensor.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND In vivo analyte monitoring systems include an in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"At least a portion of the sensor is positioned beneath the skin surface of a user to contact bodily fluid to monitor one or more analytes in the fluid over a period of time.\",\n \"This is also referred to as continuous analyte monitoring in that the sensor remains positioned in the user for a continuous period of time.\",\n \"Analyte sensors may have temperature dependencies and the sensor signals produced by the sensors are may then be affected by temperature changes.\",\n \"An error caused by temperature measurement may lead to an associated error in analyte measurements, such as blood glucose measurements.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY Aspects of the present disclosure relate to analyte monitoring systems, devices, and methods thereof related to temperature compensation, such as temperature compensated glucose values.\",\n \"Included are devices, computer-implemented methods, and systems that determine temperature of an environment surrounding an in vivo glucose sensor, and whether the temperature adversely affects the in vivo analyte sensor glucose data, e.g., the temperature is too high and/or too low.\",\n \"If the temperature may adversely affect the glucose data, the system may be responsive to the temperature information so that erroneous glucose information is not presented to the user.\",\n \"Determined glucose values may be modified or not depending on the temperature and/or glucose values may be displayed to a user or not depending on the temperature.\",\n \"Temperature data may be in vivo temperature data (e.g., obtained at the location of a working electrode of an in vivo analyte sensor during a sensing process such as on or near the body-inserted sensor portion) and/or may be ambient temperature, and/or may be temperature of a processor of a sensor electronics unit such as a sensor control unit and/or may be skin surface temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a processor of a glucose monitoring system may always compensate in vivo glucose sensor data based on temperature, but a display device will not display the temperature-compensated glucose values if the temperature is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold, or a processor of a glucose monitoring system will only compensate in vivo glucose sensor data based on temperature if temperature is determined to be within a predetermined range, and a display device will display temperature uncompensated glucose values if the temperature is determined to be within a first range predetermined range and will display temperature-compensated glucose values if temperature is determined to be in a second range.\",\n \"Embodiments include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, obtaining temperature data from one or more temperature sensors, comparing the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and determining a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not determining a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.\",\n \"Certain embodiments may include not compensating for temperature if the temperature data is within a predetermined range.\",\n \"In other words, glucose values may be adjusted or not based on temperature data obtained at the same or substantially same time as the glucose data.\",\n \"Embodiments include methods that include displaying information responsive to obtained temperature data.\",\n \"Embodiments include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, obtaining temperature data from one or more temperature sensors, comparing the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and displaying on a user interface device a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not displaying a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.\",\n \"In such embodiments, glucose values may be determined or not, but in any event are not communicated to a user if a temperature threshold is exceeded.\",\n \"Embodiments include computer systems that analyze temperature data for its affects to a glucose sensor.\",\n \"Certain embodiments include an in vivo glucose sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives glucose data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives glucose data from the electronics unit.\",\n \"A display may be included with the sensor electronics unit or receiver unit.\",\n \"At least one processor of the electronics unit and/or the receiver unit includes instructions to process temperature data of the at least one temperature sensor and in vivo analyte sensor data of the in vivo analyte sensor, and compare the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and determine a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not determine a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.\",\n \"The at least one processor may include instructions to not compensate for temperature if the temperature data is within a predetermined range.\",\n \"In other words, it may cause glucose values to be adjusted or not based on temperature data obtained at the same or substantially same time as the glucose data.\",\n \"In display embodiments, the one or more processors may include instructions to cause the display to display or not to display information responsive to obtained temperature data.\",\n \"At least one processor includes instructions to process temperature data of the at least one temperature sensor and in vivo analyte sensor data of the in vivo glucose sensor in include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, and compare the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and display on the display a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not display a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.\",\n \"In such embodiments, the one or more processors may cause glucose values to be determined or not, but in any event are not communicated to a user on a display device if a temperature threshold is exceeded.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of detecting and/or determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a temperature sensor (e.g., coupled to an in vivo analyte sensor) are provided.\",\n \"The methods includes receiving a sensor signal (e.g., sensor information, such as current, voltage, etc.)\",\n \"derived from an in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; determining, with a processor, whether a temperature threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determining, with the processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.\",\n \"Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; determine whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.\",\n \"Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor are provided that include detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors are provided that include sampling at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperature measurements from a first temperature sensor on an on-body sensor; determining, with a processor, first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determining, with a processor, final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure analyte monitoring device are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor are communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperatures measured from a first temperature sensor on the housing; determine first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determine final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, in vivo analyte sensors are provided that include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer, and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer.\",\n \"The electrode layer includes a sensing area, and the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent the sensing area.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; electronic circuitry coupled to the housing, the electronic circuitry including a processor; and an in vivo analyte sensor electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry and extending from the housing.\",\n \"The in vivo analyte sensor include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer; and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer, the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent a sensing area.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte sensor devices are provided that include a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into skin of a subject, electrodes disposed on the body, and a temperature sensor coupled to the body.\",\n \"The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include coupling an analyte sensor device to a skin of a subject and inserting a temperature sensor within the skin of the subject.\",\n \"The temperature sensor is disposed within the central tunnel.\",\n \"The sensor coupling device includes a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into the skin of a subject, and electrodes disposed on the body.\",\n \"The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include receiving a first sensor signal from a first electrode on an in vivo analyte sensor on an on-body sensor; receiving a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor, and determining, with a processor, a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.\",\n \"The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and the in vivo analyte sensor includes two working electrodes.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a first sensor signal from a first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; detect a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.\",\n \"The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.\",\n \"§ 119(e) to U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application No.\",\n \"61/497,821 filed Jun.\",\n \"16, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.\",\n \"INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE The following patents, applications and/or publications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes: U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,041,468; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,356,786; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,175,752; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,560,471; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,262,035; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,881,551; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,121,009; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,167,818; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,270,455; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,161,095; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,918,603; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,144,837; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,601,435; U.S. 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\"6,616,819; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,618,934; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,676,816; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,749,740; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,893,545; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,942,518; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,514,718; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,264,014; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,262,305; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,320,715; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,593,852; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,746,582; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,284,478; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,299,082; U.S. Patent Application No.\",\n \"61/149,639, entitled “Compact On-Body Physiological Monitoring Device and Methods Thereof”, U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"11/461,725, filed Aug. 1, 2006, entitled “Analyte Sensors and Methods”; U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/495,709, filed Jun.\",\n \"30, 2009, entitled “Extruded Electrode Structures and Methods of Using Same”; U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/698,124, filed Feb. 1, 2010, entitled “Compact On-Body Physiological Monitoring Devices and Methods Thereof”; U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/698,129, filed Feb. 1, 2010, entitled “Analyte Sensor And Apparatus For Insertion Of The Sensor”; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"US2004/0186365; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2007/0095661; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2006/0091006; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2006/0025662; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2008/0267823; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2007/0108048; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2008/0102441; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2008/0066305; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2007/0199818; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2008/0148873; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2007/0068807; US patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2010/0198034; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2010/0325868; and U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/149,639 titled “Compact On-Body Physiological Monitoring Device and Methods Thereof”; U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application No.\",\n \"61/368,553, filed Jul.\",\n \"28, 2010, entitled, “Analyte Sensors Having Temperature Independent Membranes”; U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application No.\",\n \"61/415,174, filed Nov. 18, 2010, entitled, “Adaptor for On-Body Self-Powered Analyte Monitoring System”; and U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application No.\",\n \"61/421,371, filed Dec. 9, 2010, entitled, “Analyte Sensors with Reduced Sensitivity Variation”, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"BACKGROUND In vivo analyte monitoring systems include an in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"At least a portion of the sensor is positioned beneath the skin surface of a user to contact bodily fluid to monitor one or more analytes in the fluid over a period of time.\",\n \"This is also referred to as continuous analyte monitoring in that the sensor remains positioned in the user for a continuous period of time.\",\n \"Analyte sensors may have temperature dependencies and the sensor signals produced by the sensors are may then be affected by temperature changes.\",\n \"An error caused by temperature measurement may lead to an associated error in analyte measurements, such as blood glucose measurements.\",\n \"SUMMARY Aspects of the present disclosure relate to analyte monitoring systems, devices, and methods thereof related to temperature compensation, such as temperature compensated glucose values.\",\n \"Included are devices, computer-implemented methods, and systems that determine temperature of an environment surrounding an in vivo glucose sensor, and whether the temperature adversely affects the in vivo analyte sensor glucose data, e.g., the temperature is too high and/or too low.\",\n \"If the temperature may adversely affect the glucose data, the system may be responsive to the temperature information so that erroneous glucose information is not presented to the user.\",\n \"Determined glucose values may be modified or not depending on the temperature and/or glucose values may be displayed to a user or not depending on the temperature.\",\n \"Temperature data may be in vivo temperature data (e.g., obtained at the location of a working electrode of an in vivo analyte sensor during a sensing process such as on or near the body-inserted sensor portion) and/or may be ambient temperature, and/or may be temperature of a processor of a sensor electronics unit such as a sensor control unit and/or may be skin surface temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a processor of a glucose monitoring system may always compensate in vivo glucose sensor data based on temperature, but a display device will not display the temperature-compensated glucose values if the temperature is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold, or a processor of a glucose monitoring system will only compensate in vivo glucose sensor data based on temperature if temperature is determined to be within a predetermined range, and a display device will display temperature uncompensated glucose values if the temperature is determined to be within a first range predetermined range and will display temperature-compensated glucose values if temperature is determined to be in a second range.\",\n \"Embodiments include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, obtaining temperature data from one or more temperature sensors, comparing the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and determining a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not determining a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.\",\n \"Certain embodiments may include not compensating for temperature if the temperature data is within a predetermined range.\",\n \"In other words, glucose values may be adjusted or not based on temperature data obtained at the same or substantially same time as the glucose data.\",\n \"Embodiments include methods that include displaying information responsive to obtained temperature data.\",\n \"Embodiments include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, obtaining temperature data from one or more temperature sensors, comparing the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and displaying on a user interface device a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not displaying a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.\",\n \"In such embodiments, glucose values may be determined or not, but in any event are not communicated to a user if a temperature threshold is exceeded.\",\n \"Embodiments include computer systems that analyze temperature data for its affects to a glucose sensor.\",\n \"Certain embodiments include an in vivo glucose sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives glucose data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives glucose data from the electronics unit.\",\n \"A display may be included with the sensor electronics unit or receiver unit.\",\n \"At least one processor of the electronics unit and/or the receiver unit includes instructions to process temperature data of the at least one temperature sensor and in vivo analyte sensor data of the in vivo analyte sensor, and compare the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and determine a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not determine a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.\",\n \"The at least one processor may include instructions to not compensate for temperature if the temperature data is within a predetermined range.\",\n \"In other words, it may cause glucose values to be adjusted or not based on temperature data obtained at the same or substantially same time as the glucose data.\",\n \"In display embodiments, the one or more processors may include instructions to cause the display to display or not to display information responsive to obtained temperature data.\",\n \"At least one processor includes instructions to process temperature data of the at least one temperature sensor and in vivo analyte sensor data of the in vivo glucose sensor in include obtaining glucose data from an in vivo glucose sensor, and compare the temperature data to a predetermined temperature threshold, and display on the display a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and not display a temperature-compensated glucose value if the temperature data does exceed the predetermined threshold.\",\n \"In such embodiments, the one or more processors may cause glucose values to be determined or not, but in any event are not communicated to a user on a display device if a temperature threshold is exceeded.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of detecting and/or determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a temperature sensor (e.g., coupled to an in vivo analyte sensor) are provided.\",\n \"The methods includes receiving a sensor signal (e.g., sensor information, such as current, voltage, etc.)\",\n \"derived from an in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; determining, with a processor, whether a temperature threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determining, with the processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.\",\n \"Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; determine whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.\",\n \"Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor are provided that include detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors are provided that include sampling at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperature measurements from a first temperature sensor on an on-body sensor; determining, with a processor, first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determining, with a processor, final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure analyte monitoring device are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor are communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperatures measured from a first temperature sensor on the housing; determine first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determine final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, in vivo analyte sensors are provided that include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer, and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer.\",\n \"The electrode layer includes a sensing area, and the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent the sensing area.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; electronic circuitry coupled to the housing, the electronic circuitry including a processor; and an in vivo analyte sensor electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry and extending from the housing.\",\n \"The in vivo analyte sensor include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer; and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer, the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent a sensing area.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte sensor devices are provided that include a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into skin of a subject, electrodes disposed on the body, and a temperature sensor coupled to the body.\",\n \"The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include coupling an analyte sensor device to a skin of a subject and inserting a temperature sensor within the skin of the subject.\",\n \"The temperature sensor is disposed within the central tunnel.\",\n \"The sensor coupling device includes a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into the skin of a subject, and electrodes disposed on the body.\",\n \"The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include receiving a first sensor signal from a first electrode on an in vivo analyte sensor on an on-body sensor; receiving a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor, and determining, with a processor, a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.\",\n \"The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and the in vivo analyte sensor includes two working electrodes.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a first sensor signal from a first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; detect a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.\",\n \"The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of an analyte monitoring system, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a data processing unit of the analyte monitoring system shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"3 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the primary receiver unit of the analyte monitoring system of FIG.\",\n \"1, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"4 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an analyte sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flowchart for a method of determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor on an on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flowchart for a method of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor on an on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a circuit diagram representation of an example two-thermistor model, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a circuit diagram representation of an example one-thermistor model, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates method of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors on an on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates an electrode arrangement for a typical three-terminal sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates an electrode arrangement for a three-terminal analyte sensor wherein one of the electrodes is also an embedded RTD, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a partial circuit diagram for an example analog front-end circuit for a three-terminal analyte sensor with one of the electrodes as an embedded RTD, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a front-side view of an analyte sensor having thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a back-side view of an analyte sensor having thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a system block diagram of an on-body sensor having a thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an analyte sensor substrate having a thermocouple junction, according to certain embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an on-body sensor having a thermistor located in a thermally conductive structure such that it protrudes from the bottom of the on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments; and FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates a top view of multiple sensing elements disposed on a sensing surface, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION Before the present disclosure is described in additional detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary.\",\n \"It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.\",\n \"Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the disclosure.\",\n \"The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.\",\n \"Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.\",\n \"Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.\",\n \"Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, the preferred methods and materials are now described.\",\n \"All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.\",\n \"It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.\",\n \"The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application.\",\n \"Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure.\",\n \"Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.\",\n \"As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The figures shown herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, with some components and features being exaggerated for clarity.\",\n \"The analyte sensor may be configured so that at least a portion thereof is placed under the skin of the patient to detect the analyte levels of the patient, and another portion of the analyte sensor—which may be above the skin—is coupled to electronics within a housing that is positioned externally on the skin of the subject.\",\n \"The electronics may include various components, such as communication element(s) for communication with a remote receiving unit.\",\n \"The analyte monitoring device that is coupled to the subject's body and includes the in vivo positioned analyte sensor, housing, and electronics (e.g., data processing, storage, and/or communication components) is also referred to herein as an “on-body unit”, “OBU”, “on-body sensor”, “on body patch”, or “patch”.\",\n \"Analyte sensors may have temperature dependencies and the sensor signals produced by the sensors may then be affected by temperature changes.\",\n \"An error caused by temperature may lead to an associated error in analyte measurements, such as glucose measurements.\",\n \"It should be appreciated the subject matter of the disclosure is not limited to transcutaneous analyte sensor, but is also applicable to in vivo analyte sensors in general.\",\n \"Temperature Compensation As summarized above, aspects of the present disclosure relate to analyte monitoring systems, devices, and methods thereof related to temperature compensation.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that while the devices and methods may be described in terms of a subcutaneous sensor, other in vivo analyte sensors may also be applicable and the subject matter not limited to specifically subcutaneous analyte sensors.\",\n \"It should also be appreciated that the embodiments described herein are exemplary and should not be viewed as limiting.\",\n \"For example, it should be appreciated that the methods described herein may be implemented in an on-body unit, the receiver, or mixed between the on-body unit and the receiver.\",\n \"Thus, various combinations of the steps performed on the on-body unit or receiver are contemplated.\",\n \"For example, an on-body unit may perform some steps such as temperature measurement and transmit the measurement to a receiver, where a processor on the receiver performs subsequent processing, such as determining ambient temperature compensation, determining temperature-compensated analyte sensor signals, determining analyte levels, etc.\",\n \"Or, as another example, the on-body unit may perform the steps of measuring the temperature, determining ambient temperature compensation, and determining temperature-compensated analyte sensor signals.\",\n \"For instance, the on-body unit may transmit the results to a receiver wherein the results are provided on a user interface.\",\n \"It is noted that the combinations of steps between the on-body unit and receiver are appreciated for the one temperature sensor and two temperature sensor embodiments.\",\n \"Thus, for example, steps in the two temperature sensor embodiments may also be performed on the on-body unit or the receiver in other embodiments—e.g., sampling of temperature sensors, and/or correction factor or gain determination, determining ambient temperature compensation, determining temperature-compensated analyte sensor signals, etc.\",\n \"It is also appreciated that temperatures may be measured by a processor on the on-body unit and/or receiver.\",\n \"For example, a processor may receive temperature data from a temperature sensor and calculate a temperature from the temperature data.\",\n \"The temperature may be, for example, an analog or digital signal derived by the temperature sensor.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, a processor on the on-body unit may be coupled to the temperature sensor and provide a temperature measurement to the receiver, wherein the receiver detects the temperature measurement communicated and then performs additional processing steps based on the temperature measurement.\",\n \"It is appreciated that in another embodiment, the temperature data from the temperature sensor is sent to the receiver and the processor on the receiver calculates the temperature from the temperature data.\",\n \"The processor may then use this detected temperature for additional processing steps.\",\n \"Compensating Sensor Signals Temperature measurements are important for obtaining accurate analyte measurements (e.g., glucose measurements) with on-body sensors that are part of in vivo analyte monitoring systems—e.g., continuous glucose monitor (CGM) systems or intermittent or periodic glucose monitoring systems.\",\n \"The analyte-sensing chemistry on a subcutaneously positionable analyte sensor, or other in vivo analyte sensor, of the on-body sensor is temperature dependent and the sensor signal produced by the in vivo analyte sensor is thus affected by temperature.\",\n \"Subcutaneously inserted glucose sensors, for example, may measure glucose by correlating the sensor signal output with glucose concentration.\",\n \"The signal response of analyte sensor may be linear across the operating range of glucose concentrations.\",\n \"However, the slope of this response may vary as temperature around the analyte sensor tip changes.\",\n \"In order to compensate for this thermal effect, knowledge of temperature around the sensor sensing area is needed.\",\n \"The term “sensing area” is used herein to mean the area of the analyte sensor where the sensing chemistries are located.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, the sensing area is disposed at the sensor tip, and thus the temperature at the sensor tip is estimated.\",\n \"Therefore, the effect of temperature may be taken into account in order to calculate an accurate value for glucose concentration.\",\n \"On-body sensors may utilize a temperature sensor disposed near the in vivo analyte sensor to estimate the sensor temperature.\",\n \"This temperature measurement is used to compensate the analyte sensor signal for temperature effects.\",\n \"For example, temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal may be determined by: ITC=I*1.07̂(32.5−T), where I is the raw sensor current, T is the measured temperature in degrees Celsius (C), and ITC is the temperature compensated signal that is proportional to glucose concentration.\",\n \"Ambient temperature impinging on the on-body housing may influence temperature measurements, and in effect, create a temperature measurement error that will lead to a glucose calculation error.\",\n \"For example, in some instances, experiments have shown that in an ambient temperature environment of 20 degrees C., the resulting glucose error due to ambient temperature effects can be about 10%.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, on-body sensors employ a second temperature sensor used to compensate for errors in the sensor temperature measurement due to the influence of ambient temperature on the first temperature sensor.\",\n \"For example, one temperature sensor (T1) may be located close to the skin surface Tskin, and another temperatures sensor (T2) located close to the transmitter (TX) processor or on the printed circuit board (PCB).\",\n \"The temperature which compensates for ambient temperature influence using two temperature sensors is determined by, for example: T=T1+K*(T1−T2) where K is related to the thermal resistances between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, and is a constant (e.g., 0.5, 0.2, or other constant) that may be derived empirically; T1 is the measured temperature at the temperature sensor near the sensor; T2 is the measured ambient temperature from the second temperature sensor; and T is the temperature which is compensated for ambient temperature influence.\",\n \"Other more complex models may be contemplated; for instance, K may not be constant but rather a function of T1 and/or T2, for instance.\",\n \"Ambient Temperature Compensation Using a Single Temperature Sensor To estimate the temperature at the sensing area of the in vivo analyte sensor, ambient compensation may be performed.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, ambient temperature compensation is provided using a single temperature sensor on the on-body sensor.\",\n \"Thus, a second temperature is not required to compensate for ambient effects.\",\n \"Having a single temperature instead of multiple temperature sensors may provide one or more benefits, such as a reduction in cost, a reduction in complexity, etc.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flowchart for a method of determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor (e.g., a temperatures sensor that approximates skin temperature) on an on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"At block 601, a sensor signal is received from an in vivo analyte sensor that is transcutaneously positioned with the skin of a subject.\",\n \"For example, the on-body sensor may include a processor that is electrically coupled to the analyte sensor and receives the sensor signal.\",\n \"At block 605, the processor receives a temperature signal from a temperature sensor coupled to the on-body sensor.\",\n \"The temperature sensor may be, for example, positioned at or near a skin contacting surface to represent skin temperature.\",\n \"Since skin temperature may be affected by ambient temperature, a change in skin temperature may be correlated to a change in ambient temperature.\",\n \"When the ambient temperature is low, skin temperature will decrease, and when the ambient temperature is high, skin temperature will increase.\",\n \"Thus, deviations from “normal” skin temperature may be used to represent how strong the ambient temperature effects are.\",\n \"At block 610, the processor determines if the measured temperature has reached a predetermined threshold value.\",\n \"For instance, a normal temperature or normal temperature range may be established and any deviation past the established threshold or thresholds (e.g., outside the normal temperature range) will trigger the ambient temperature correction.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the term “predetermined threshold” is used broadly herein, and may include an upper and lower threshold.\",\n \"For example, an upper threshold and lower threshold may be implemented in some instances to establish a range.\",\n \"In some instances, only an upper or lower threshold may be implemented.\",\n \"If the skin temperature does not deviate beyond the threshold, then it can be assumed that the ambient temperature effects are minimal, and no ambient temperature compensation is required, as represented by block 615.The temperature measurement may then be used to determine the temperature compensated analyte sensor signal, ITC, as represented by block 625, and transmitted or displayed as a corresponding analyte (e.g., glucose) level, as represented by block 630.If the skin temperature deviates beyond the predetermined threshold, then it can be assumed that the ambient temperature effects are significant, and ambient temperature compensation is performed (e.g., a correction factor applied) to compensate for the effects of ambient temperature, as represented by block 620.The resulting ambient-compensated temperature is then used to determine the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal, ITC, as represented by block 625, for a more accurate analyte (e.g., glucose) level determination that is transmitted or displayed, as represented by block 630.For example, skin temperature for most people may normally range between 30 and 35° C. in ambient temperature environments that people are comfortable in.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, ambient temperature compensation is applied when “extreme” skin temperatures are detected (e.g., when the skin temperatures deviate beyond the predetermined threshold or thresholds).\",\n \"For instance, when the skin temperature measurement from the temperature sensor drops below 30 degrees C., then a correction factor can be added to the temperature measurement.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the predetermined threshold or thresholds (e.g., the “normal” range) may vary, and further, that the actual compensation algorithm (e.g., correction factor) implemented may also vary.\",\n \"As an example, ambient temperature compensation may be provided by the correction factor: If T<30, then Tcorrected=T+1 AND IF T>35, then Tcorrected=T−1 As another example, the ambient temperature compensation may be provided by a slightly more complex correction factor, such as: If T<30, then Tcorrected=T+(30−T)/5 AND If T>35, then Tcorrected=T−(T−35)/5 Tcorrected is then used to determine the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In this way, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal accounts for ambient temperature influence.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that correction factors of varying complexities may be implemented in other embodiments.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that illness may also affect the skin temperature of a subject—e.g., to make the skin temperature elevate outside the normal range.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the ambient temperature compensation is applied only if the temperature error causes a high reading.\",\n \"In this way, only low temperature measurements are compensated.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, changes in skin temperature are used to detect and correct for ambient temperature influences.\",\n \"For example, an ambient correction factor may be applied after a change in skin temperature is detected.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the magnitude of the change may vary in different implementations as desired.\",\n \"For example, in some instances, a “normal” temperature could be detected at the start of a sensor wear, and when the temperature deviates by some predetermined amount (or, for example, by an amount detected by monitoring the changes during a period at the start of a sensor wear), then the ambient temperature compensation can be performed, such as described above.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, temperature changes above a certain absolute value over a predetermined period of time initiates the ambient temperature compensation.\",\n \"For instance, T(t=0)−T(t=−10)>5, then Tcorrected=T+1 T(t=0)−T(t=−10)<−5, then Tcorrected=T−1 In certain embodiments, the ambient temperature compensation is based on the rate of change of skin temperature.\",\n \"In other embodiments, a combination of absolute temperature checks and temperature rate of change could be used in both the detection and correction.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 is exemplary, and that one or more steps may be performed by a processor on the on-body unit and/or a receiver in communication with the on-body unit in other embodiments.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit is detecting the temperature measurement, determining whether the threshold requirement is met, performing the ambient temperature compensation, and determining the temperature-compensated signal.\",\n \"Then, for example, the temperature-compensated signal is sent to a receiver wherein the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.\",\n \"In another embodiment, for example, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit transmits the temperature measurements to the receiver where a processor coupled to the receiver determines whether the threshold requirement is met, performs the ambient temperature compensation, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.\",\n \"Then, for example, the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, the ambient temperature compensation may, for the most, always or continuously be performed on the received analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"For example, the processor may continuously perform the ambient temperature compensation on the analyte sensor signal in addition to determining if the threshold temperature has been exceeded.\",\n \"When the temperature measurement does not exceed the temperature threshold, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is based off the uncompensated signal, resulting in uncompensated analyte levels.\",\n \"When the temperature measurement exceeds the temperature threshold, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is based off the ambient-compensated signal, resulting in ambient-compensated analyte levels.\",\n \"Thus, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal results in a mixed signal of the uncompensated analyte levels and ambient-compensated analyte levels.\",\n \"The temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal may be transmitted (e.g., communicated to a receiver) or presented on a user interface (e.g., displayed on a display for the user).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the ambient-temperature compensation is not always or continuously performed on the received analyte sensor signal, but rather, only when the temperature threshold is exceeded.\",\n \"When the temperature measurement does not exceed the temperature threshold, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is based off the uncompensated signal, resulting in uncompensated analyte levels presented on a user interface (e.g., displayed on a display).\",\n \"When the temperature measurement exceeds the temperature threshold, ambient-compensation is performed and the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is based off the ambient-compensated signal, resulting in ambient-compensated analyte levels presented on the user interface.\",\n \"Again, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal results in a mixed signal of the uncompensated analyte levels and ambient-compensated analyte levels.\",\n \"It is also appreciated that in certain embodiments, the ambient compensation may be based off predetermined temperature ranges rather than predetermined thresholds.\",\n \"For example, the uncompensated analyte sensor signal may be used when the temperature measurement falls within a predetermined range or ranges, and the ambient compensated signal is used when the temperature measurement falls within another predetermined range or ranges.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments the temperature compensation may be applied to an analyte sensor signal that is not yet calibrated or converted (e.g., scaled by a scaling factor) to a corresponding analyte level, and thereafter converted to the corresponding analyte level.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the temperature compensation is applied to an analyte sensor signal that already represents the analyte level (e.g., is already calibrated or converted to the corresponding analyte level), and the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is the temperature compensated analyte level.\",\n \"Ambient Temperature Compensation Based on Core Body Temperature As previously noted, some on-body units may include a correction algorithm that utilizes two temperatures sensors to compensate for ambient temperature influence on the temperature sensor.\",\n \"For example, one temperature sensor is located close to the skin in a can that protrudes from the bottom of the transmitter.\",\n \"The other temperature sensor is located on the printed circuit board (PCB) in the transmitter and is a feature provided by the controller chip.\",\n \"Again, the correction method employed is: T=T1+K*(T1−T2) This method can be considered an “extrapolation” method, since two temperature measurements are made at points where the temperature for each is lower than the sensing area temperature, and the sensing area temperature is estimated by extrapolating from these two measured temperatures.\",\n \"In this transmitter configuration, the two temperature sensors are generally well separated, which results in a stable K value that is robust over different transmitter locations on the body and for different body types.\",\n \"As transmitter designs become physically smaller, however, it becomes more difficult to separate the two temperature sensors thermally.\",\n \"Without adequate thermal separation, the K value becomes significantly less stable, and furthermore, becomes significantly larger, with the effect of amplifying the noise in the temperature measurement.\",\n \"Utilizing a single temperature sensor instead of two may provide many advantages, such as cost savings.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, ambient temperature compensation is based on a predetermined core body temperature and temperature measurements from a single temperature sensor.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flowchart for a method of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor on an on-body unit, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"At block 701, a sensor signal is received from an analyte sensor that is transcutaneously positioned within the skin of a subject, or otherwise implanted in vivo.\",\n \"For example, the on-body unit may include a processor that is electrically coupled to the analyte sensor and receives the analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"At block 705, the processor receives temperature data from a temperature sensor coupled to the on-body unit.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensor may be positioned at or near a skin contacting surface to represent skin temperature.\",\n \"At block 710, the processor determines an ambient-compensated temperature from the measured temperature using an offset term (e.g., an offset term based on a predetermined core body temperature).\",\n \"For example, a correction factor is applied to the measured temperature to correct for ambient temperature effects.\",\n \"The correction factor may have an offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature value—e.g., 37° C. since a user's core body temperature is relatively stable at approximately 37° C. For example, ambient temperature compensation may be provided by the following correction factor: Test=Bcorebody K*T1 where Bcorebody is a predetermined core body temperature (e.g., approximately 37 degrees C.); K is a constant that may be empirically derived; and T1 is the measured temperature by the temperature sensor; and Test is the estimated sensing area temperature that is compensated for ambient temperature influence.\",\n \"The resulting sensing area (e.g., sensor tip) temperature estimate is compensated for ambient effects and may then be used to determine the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal, ITC, as represented by block 715, for a more accurate glucose level determination that is transmitted or displayed, as represented by block 720.The sensing area temperature estimate is an “interpolation” method since the sensing area temperature estimate is in between the core body temperature and the temperature measured at the transmitter.\",\n \"Measurement noise is not amplified using the interpolation method.\",\n \"As similarly stated above, it should be appreciated that the embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"6 is exemplary, and that one or more steps may be performed by a processor on the on-body unit and/or a receiver in communication with the on-body unit in other embodiments.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit detects the temperature measurement, determines an ambient-compensated temperature from the measured temperature using an offset term, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.\",\n \"Then, for example, the temperature-compensated signal is sent to a receiver wherein the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.\",\n \"In another embodiment, for example, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit transmits the temperature measurements to the receiver where a processor coupled to the receiver determines an ambient-compensated temperature from the measured temperature using an offset term, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.\",\n \"Then, for example, the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver.\",\n \"Using One-Temperature Sensor Models and Two-Temperature Sensor Models Subcutaneously inserted glucose sensors measure glucose by correlating the sensor signal output with glucose concentration.\",\n \"As stated above, this signal output is affected by temperature.\",\n \"As stated above, in some instances, temperature is estimated using two temperature sensors.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, one thermistor is disposed close to the skin surface to provide a skin temperature measurement, Tskin.\",\n \"Another thermistor is disposed away from the skin surface to provide a temperature measurement, Tcpu, that may be near the on-body processor that is has more influence from the ambient temperature and less influence from the sensor tip temperature than Tskin.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a circuit diagram representation of an example two-thermistor model, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that in other embodiments a different type of temperature sensor may be implemented.\",\n \"As shown, temperature 805 is ambient air temperature; temperature Tcpu 810 is the temperature at the circuitry (e.g., processor); temperature Tskin 815 is the temperature at the skin surface; and temperature Ttip 820 is estimated temperature at the sensing area (e.g., at the sensor tip).\",\n \"Resistance Rx 825 represents thermal resistance between the ambient air and circuitry; Rcpu-skin 830 represents thermal resistance between the circuitry and the skin; and Rskin-tip 835 represents thermal resistance between the skin and sensing area.\",\n \"K=Rskin-tip/Rcpu-skin is a fixed constant, which acts as a scaling factor to extrapolate the difference Ttip−Tskin as a function of the difference Tskin−Tcpu.\",\n \"Ttip−Tskin=K*(Tskin−Tcpu) This relationship is used to calculate the temperature at the sensing area, Ttip: Ttip=Tskin K*(Tskin−Tcpu) In some aspects, the two-thermistor model has relative insensitivity to changes in ambient temperature, core body temperature, and site-to-site thermal impedance variability.\",\n \"The two-sensor model may also possess minute-to-minute variability in the temperature sensor (e.g., thermistor) readings Tcpu and Tskin that can degrade the smoothness of the temperature corrected glucose signal.\",\n \"This is especially a concern when plasma-to-interstitial glucose lag compensation is required.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the one-sensor model described above assumes that the core body temperature is the dominant heat source, and that the thermal resistance between the core body and the sensing element is universally constant.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a circuit diagram representation of an example one-thermistor model, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"As shown, temperature Ttherm 905 is the temperature at the thermistor; sensing area temperature (e.g., sensor tip temperature) Ttip 910 is the estimated temperature at the sensing area, and body core temperature Tcore 915 is the predetermined body core temperature.\",\n \"Rtherm-tip 925 represents thermal resistance between the thermistor and the sensing area.\",\n \"Rtip-core 930 represents thermal resistance between the sensing area and the core body.\",\n \"Where K1TM=Rtip-core/Rtherm-tip, such that Ttip can be calculated as follows: Ttip=(Ttherm*K1TM Tcore/(1+K1TM) where K1TM is an empirically derived constant for the one-thermistor model.\",\n \"Since the model does not extrapolate between two measurement channels, improved minute-to-minute smoothness occurs.\",\n \"Experimental data suggests that while the one-thermistor model has a very consistent minute-to-minute estimate, the site-to-site variability results in a poorer overall Ttip estimate compared to the two-thermistor model.\",\n \"Rtip-core in the one-thermistor model assumes knowledge of a constant thermal resistance between the body's core temperature and the sensing area (e.g., sensor tip).\",\n \"The value of this resistance might vary between the arm and abdomen sites because of different proximities to the body core.\",\n \"The minute-to-minute variability that is caused by the extrapolation operation of the two-thermistor model measurements directly affects the minute-to-minute variability of the glucose measurement.\",\n \"In addition, it limits the extent of plasma-to-interstitial glucose lag correction possible.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, a correction gain is determined based on temperature estimates calculated using the one-thermistor model and the two-thermistor model.\",\n \"For instance, two thermistors are disposed on the on-body sensor, such as described above for the two-thermistor model.\",\n \"Temperature estimates are calculated using the one-thermistor model technique, resulting in sensor temperature estimate T1TM.\",\n \"Temperature estimates are also calculated using the two-thermistor model, resulting in sensor temperature estimate T2TM.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, present to recent past comparisons of the two temperature estimates T1TM and T2TM are used to improve the accuracy of the sensor temperature measured T1TM and utilize this recursively modified estimate of the sensor temperature.\",\n \"The result is a sensor temperature estimate that has the minute-to-minute smoothness (which is related to precision) of the one-thermistor model, yet has the site-to-site variability (which is related to accuracy) of the two-thermistor model.\",\n \"This approach allows for a smoother temperature corrected raw glucose signal, which helps improve the signal quality of the final product, reduce the uncertainty of threshold and projected alarms due to unnecessary noise, reduce the uncertainty of rate arrows, reduce the impact of non-physiological temperature transients, and allow for better concordance to reference blood glucose.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates method of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors on an on-body unit, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"At block 1005, a sensor signal is received from an analyte sensor that is transcutaneously positioned within the skin of a subject, or otherwise implanted in vivo.\",\n \"For example, the on-body unit may include two temperature sensors (e.g., two thermistors) and a processor that is electrically coupled to the analyte sensor and receives the sensor signal.\",\n \"At block 1010, first and second thermistors on the on-body unit are sampled by the processor.\",\n \"At block 1015, the processor determines ambient-compensated temperatures based on a one temperature model.\",\n \"At block 1020, the processor determines ambient-compensated temperatures based on a two temperature model.\",\n \"At block 1025, correction gain or factor is determined based on past sampled ambient-compensated temperatures for the one-thermistor and two-thermistor models.\",\n \"At block 1030, a final ambient-compensated temperature is determined by applying the correction gain or factor to the ambient-compensated temperatures determined in block 1015.For example, in certain embodiment, a simple gain error model is assumed on the one thermistor model.\",\n \"In other words: T1TM(k)=K1TM(k)×T1TMnominal(k) where T1TMnominal is the nominal output based on the one-thermistor model as previously described, K1TM is the correction gain for this model, and T1TM is the final ambient-compensated temperature resulting from using the improved one-thermistor model.\",\n \"“k” refers to the index of the sample instance/time.\",\n \"Note that the value T1TMnominal is computed during every sample instance and attempts to reflect the latest temperature, which may or may not be rapidly varying over time.\",\n \"However, K1TM is computed such that the value changes very slowly over time, with the assumption that the biological and environmental factors that affect this gain error changes very slowly over time.\",\n \"K1TM changes at a rate slower than the sampling rate.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, this is achieved by performing a moving average between the nominal one-thermistor model and two-thermistor model outputs: K 1 TM ( k ) := 1 N ∑ j = 0 N - 1 T 2 TM ( k - j ) T 1 TMnominal ( k - j ) where T2TM is the output of the two-thermistor model, and N is a relatively large positive window such that K1TM varies very slowly and reliably over time.\",\n \"The values of T1TMnominal and T2TM pairs are such that both values are valid and/or can be computed at any time index within the set of N most recent pairs.\",\n \"In an alternative embodiment, the same assumptions are made as the previous embodiment, but the evolution of K1TM is governed by a calculation that is more robust to occasional T1TM nominal and T2TM outliers.\",\n \"As in the previous embodiment, the values of T1TMnominal and T2TM pairs must be such that both values are valid and/or can be computed at any time index within the set of N most recent pairs.\",\n \"K 1 TM ( k ) := ∑ j = 0 N - 1 T 2 TM ( k - j ) ∑ j = 0 N - 1 T 1 TMnominal ( k - j ) In yet another embodiment, parameter adaption is used.\",\n \"One example is to use the MIT adaption rule: d / dt K 1 TM ( t ) = - γ e ( t ) ∂ e ∂ K 1 TM = γ [ T 2 TM ( k ) T 1 TMnominal ( k ) ] 2 [ 1 K 1 TM ( k ) ] 3 Where γ is an adaption scaling factor that governs the aggressiveness level of the adaptation, and needs to be tuned a priori.\",\n \"Taking a backwards difference approximation to discretize the above equation, the following difference equation that governs the time evolution of K1TM is obtained: K 1 TM ( k ) = K 1 TM ( k - 1 ) + γ δ [ T 2 TM ( k ) T 1 TMnominal ( k ) ] 2 [ 1 K 1 TM ( k ) ] where δ is the sample time of the calculation.\",\n \"To avoid the need to solve for the root of a quadratic equation, a time delayed approximate can be used: K 1 TM ( k ) = K 1 TM ( k - 1 ) + γ δ [ T 2 TM ( k ) T 1 TMnominal ( k ) ] 2 [ 1 K 1 TM ( k - 1 ) ] The three embodiments described above are based on the assumption that the main source of inaccuracy of the one-thermistor model is predominately a gain error.\",\n \"If an offset error is assumed, the same concepts described in the embodiments above can be implemented with a slight modification.\",\n \"For example, one would assume: T1TM(k)=D1TM(k)+T1TMnominal(k) where the offset difference D1TM can be corrected by the following windowed comparison between the nominal one-thermistor model and two-thermistor model approaches.\",\n \"D 1 TM ( k ) := ∑ j = 0 N - 1 T 2 TM ( k - j ) - ∑ j = 0 N - 1 T 1 TMnominal ( k - j ) The final ambient-compensated temperature may then be used, for example, to determine a temperature-compensated signal, as represented by block 1035.The corresponding analyte (e.g., glucose) level may then be transmitted or displayed, as represented by block 1040.In addition, given that two thermistors are available, the above embodiments can be implemented on both thermistors such that instead of using a single modified one-thermistor model, an average of two modified one-thermsitor model outputs is used.\",\n \"Again, as similarly stated above, it should be appreciated that the embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"9 is exemplary, and that one or more steps may be performed by a processor on the on-body unit and/or a receiver in communication with the on-body unit in other embodiments.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensors are coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit samples the temperatures sensors, determines the ambient-compensated temperature from the one-temperature sensor model and two-temperature sensor model, determines the correction factor or gain, determines the final ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"The processor on the on-body unit may then either determine the temperature-compensated signal, or transmit the final ambient-compensated signal to a receiver having a processor that determines the temperature compensated signal and presents the corresponding analyte level on a user interface.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that these embodiments are exemplary, and that the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver.\",\n \"For example, in other embodiments, one or more of the steps in determining the ambient-compensated signal and/or final ambient compensated signal may be performed by the receiver.\",\n \"Provided below is an example analysis.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the example analysis is exemplary and is not meant to be limiting.\",\n \"Example Analysis: Using the temperature sensor close to the skin, the equation for sensor (skin) temperature becomes: T=0.25*Tc+0.75*T1 wherein Tc is the body core temperature 37 degrees C. and is treated as a constant.\",\n \"Using the temperature sensor on the PCB, the equation for sensor (skin) temperature becomes: T=0.54*Tc+0.46*T2 If the core temperature is 37 degrees C., these two equations will correct for the ambient effect.\",\n \"Further, the intrinsic measurement error in T1 or T2 is not amplified (like with the two temperature sensors implementation), but rather attenuated a bit.\",\n \"Moreover, if the core body temperature does deviate from 37 degrees C., the resulting error is not significant, and further does not depend on the ambient temperature.\",\n \"For example, the following data was found: For the temperature sensor close to the skin (T1): The resulting error, Terr, is 0.25 degrees C. per degree deviation from 37 degrees C. Glucose Error (assume F = 105 Tc Terr rather than 1.07) 36 0.25 −1.2% 37 0 0% 38 −0.25 1.2% 39 −0.5 2.5% 40 −0.75 3.7% For the temperature on the PCB (T2), the resulting error is only modestly worse; Terr, is 0.5 degrees C. per degree deviation from 37 degrees C. Glucose Error (assume F = 105 Tc Terr rather than 1.07) 36 0.54 −2.6% 37 0 0% 38 −0.54 2.6% 39 −1.08 5.5.4% 40 −1.62 8.2% Temperature Sensors Disposed Adjacent the Sensing Area In some aspects of the present disclosure, an on-body sensor is provided with a temperature sensor disposed on the analyte sensor adjacent to the sensing area (e.g., at sensor tip on the sensor tail).\",\n \"In such case, extrapolation is not required to determine the temperature value at the sensing area.\",\n \"This may provide one or more benefits, such as less data required to be transmitted to the controller, promoting shorter RF packets and longer battery life, reducing complexity of system software, etc.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, embedded temperature sensors are provided.\",\n \"The term “embedded temperature sensor” is used herein to mean a temperature sensor that is disposed on an analyte sensor such that it is exposed to body fluids (e.g., interstitial fluids) when the analyte sensor is positioned in vivo.\",\n \"An embedded temperature sensor enables the temperature of the interstitial fluid itself to be measured.\",\n \"In this way, the temperature at the location of the sensor chemistry of in vivo analyte sensors may be measured.\",\n \"Since the sensing chemistry is within interstitial fluid, a measurement of the interstitial fluid temperature provides a very accurate temperature measurement for the sensing area.\",\n \"In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the embedded temperature sensors are resistive temperature detection (RTD) devices.\",\n \"RTDs are devices which increase in electrical resistance with increasing temperature.\",\n \"Temperature may be measured, for example, by driving a reference current through the device and measuring the voltage across the device.\",\n \"Platinum provides high accuracy, linearity, and stability when used as an RTD.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that other materials (e.g., metals or metal-alloys, etc.)\",\n \"may be used as an RTD.\",\n \"As a non-limiting example, a platinum RTD may have a nominal resistance at 0 degrees C. and a temperature coefficient of 0.00385Ω/Ω/degrees C. The nominal 0 degrees C. resistance may range from 100Ω to 500Ω, for example, depending on construction.\",\n \"The absolute resistance of the RTD at any given temperature T determined as follows: RTD(T)=RTD0+T*0.00385Ω/Ω/degrees C. where RTD(T) is equal to the absolute RTD resistance in Ohms; RTD0 is equal to the resistance of the RTD at 0 degrees C. in Ohms; and T is equal to the temperature in degrees C. And further, the linearity of the platinum RTD may, for example, be less than +/−0.5% from 0-100 degrees C. In certain embodiments, platinum is used as a sensor conductive base material to form an electrode that is also an embedded RTD.\",\n \"The platinum RTD trace may be made by any variety of manufacturing processes.\",\n \"For example, laser ablation may be used to create the electrodes and accommodate very fine feature sizes, as well as allow for a long platinum RTD trace to increase its resistance.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates an electrode arrangement for a typical three-terminal sensor, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"The subcutaneous tail of a three-terminal analyte sensor is shown including a working electrode 1101, reference electrode 1102, and counter electrode 1103.Each of the three electrodes 1101, 1102, 1103 has a single electrical trace 1121, 1122, 1123, respectively, that extends from the along the sensor tail towards the electronics in the on-body sensor.\",\n \"The electrical traces provide the electrical communication path between the corresponding electrodes and electronics in the on-body sensor.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates an electrode arrangement for a three-terminal analyte sensor wherein one of the electrodes is also an embedded RTD, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"The subcutaneous tail of the three-terminal analyte sensor is shown including a working electrode 1201 and reference electrode 1202, as well as a counter electrode 1203 that is also an embedded RTD.\",\n \"When the sensor is positioned in vivo into the skin of the subject, the embedded RTD and electrode 1203 is embedded in the subject and exposed to interstitial fluid.\",\n \"The embedded RTD and electrode 1203 includes an electrical trace having two ends 1223a, 1223b such that current can be applied to the RTD and voltage measured across the two ends 1223a, 1223b.\",\n \"In the embodiment shown, the embedded RTD and electrode 1203 is a single electrical trace 1223 that extends back and forth longitudinally to increase the distance of the electrical trace.\",\n \"A long trace increases resistance and facilitates a better measurement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a long platinum RTD trace is used to increase its resistance and facilitate a better measurement.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a partial circuit diagram for an example analog front-end circuit for a three-terminal analyte sensor with one of the electrodes as an embedded RTD, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"As shown, analog front-end 1300 includes a working electrode contact point 1301 (e.g., to electrically couple to working electrode 1201 in FIG.\",\n \"11) and a reference electrode contact point 1302 (e.g., to electrically couple to reference electrode 1202 in FIG.\",\n \"11).\",\n \"Analog front-end 1300 also includes contact points 1303a, 1303b.\",\n \"Contact point 1303a electrically couples to the counter electrode of the analyte sensor and also serves as one end of the embedded RTD (e.g., end 1203a in FIG.\",\n \"11).\",\n \"Contact point 1303b serves as a contact point that electrically couples to the other end of the embedded RTD (e.g., end 1203b in FIG.\",\n \"11).\",\n \"Analog front-end also includes amplifiers A1, A2 that are electrically coupled to the working and reference electrodes to provide the condition analyte signal 1331 for sampling by an A/D converter (not shown).\",\n \"Contact point 1303a is electrically coupled to the inverting input of amplifier A3.Contact point 1303b is electrically coupled to the non-inverting input of differential amplifier A3 along with the output 1332 of amplifier A2.Amplifier A3 measures the voltage across the RTD which is created by the flow of current provided through the RTD, as indicated by reference current, I1.The output 1333 of amplifier A3 provides the temperature signal to the A/D converter for the temperature sample.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that other circuit elements may also be implemented to the analog front-end 1300—e.g., to improve performance, such as a reference resistor for the reference current to flow through, which could eliminate temperature and other errors in the A/D converter.\",\n \"It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments, the embedded RTD could be implemented as one of the other electrodes−e.g., the reference electrode or working electrode.\",\n \"Furthermore, it should also be appreciated that an embedded RTD may be implemented in an analyte sensor with a different number of electrodes than three−e.g., a two-electrode sensor.\",\n \"For example, a two-electrode sensor may have a working electrode as well as a reference electrode that is also an embedded RTD.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the shape of the embedded RTD and electrode may vary in other embodiments.\",\n \"For example, in other embodiments, the embedded RTD and electrode may extend back and forth longitudinally a number of times that is different than shown in FIG.\",\n \"11.Or alternatively, for example, the embedded RTD and electrode may extend back and forth latitudinally, or both latitudinally and longitudinally.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, any variety of patterns and designs may be used for the shape of the embedded RTD and electrode, as long as the counter electrode has sufficient surface area exposed to the interstitial fluid.\",\n \"Moreover, the position of the two ends of the embedded RTD and electrode may also vary in different embodiments.\",\n \"Temperature Sensors and Analyte Sensor Devices Having Elongated Members with Central Tunnels In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte sensor devices are provided that include a body having an elongated member (e.g., a hollow tube) with a central tunnel therein.\",\n \"Electrodes are disposed on the outside of the body and a temperature sensor coupled to the body.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the central tunnel houses a temperature sensor.\",\n \"In this way, the temperature sensor provides a direct temperature measurement at the analyte sensor tip.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, a needle is disposed within the central tunnel during insertion.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sharp is withdrawn and a temperature sensor is inserted into the central tunnel of the hollow tube.\",\n \"The inserted temperature sensor may then provide temperature measurements at the analyte sensor tip.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is adapted to pierce the skin and serve as the needle.\",\n \"For example, the temperature sensor may be formed as the needle, formed as part of the sharp, or coupled to a needle.\",\n \"In some instances, the temperature sensor is adapted to pierce the skin of the subject and is softened by exposure to body fluids—e.g., made from or include a material that softens when exposed to body fluids.\",\n \"In this way, the sharp softens when inserted into the subject and does not become an irritant.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the on-body housing of the analyte sensor device is adapted to couple to an insulin delivery tube and insulin pump.\",\n \"For example, the analyte sensor device may serve as an insulin delivery cannula.\",\n \"In such case, the analyte sensor device functions as an analyte monitoring system and integrated insulin delivery cannula.\",\n \"In certain embodiments two conductors, such as wires or conductive plastic, are extruded in the walls of the insulin delivery cannula.\",\n \"One of the wires acts as a reference electrode for the analyte (e.g., glucose) sensing function.\",\n \"For example, in some instances, the one wire may be made from silver or other suitable conductor with or without a coating, and the second wire made from either gold or other highly conducting material.\",\n \"Both wires are fully embedded into the walls of the cannula (e.g., a soft cannula) and would extend near the tip of the cannula.\",\n \"At or near the tip of the cannula, each of the two wires terminates at a feature that allows the wires to electrochemically communicate with tissue and body fluids in conjunction with appropriate chemical or biological materials.\",\n \"For instance, the silver wire could be plated or chemically chloridized with silver chloride to form an Ag/AgCl reference electrode or auxiliary electrode in a two electrode system.\",\n \"The other wire may be, for example, coated or deposited with glucose sensing chemistry to form a working electrode.\",\n \"In some instances, either or both electrodes may be covered by a thin layer of membrane to restrict the glucose flux as well as to protect the electrode components.\",\n \"Further, in some instances, a section of the cannula may be laser ablated or chemically etched to increase the surface area of the active working or reference electrode.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a thermocouple is extruded into the insulin delivery cannula.\",\n \"For example, the thermocouple may be co-extruded into an insulin delivery cannula such as described above.\",\n \"The thermocouple may be co-extruded with the other materials in order to provide temperature sensing at the location of interest at the implanted site—e.g., close to the sensing chemistry.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the dual function soft cannula may be attached to a housing and adhesive patch to facilitate retention on the skin.\",\n \"The housing may include the additional components needed for continuous glucose sensing—e.g., a thermistor or thermocouple for skin temperature measurement and a counter electrode to return electrons to the body to form a closed sensor circuit.\",\n \"The wires of these two components may be molded inside the plastic cannula housing, for example.\",\n \"These wires along with the two electrode wires may be exposed at the distal end of the cannula and arranged around a keyed fluid and electrical connecting point.\",\n \"The connection point allows all wires to be connected to their counterparts embedded inside a connector on a multi conducting insulin delivery tube, for instance, when the cannula is connected to the tube.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the wires for the thermistor or thermocouple for skin temperature measurements and a wire to act as a counter electrode is extruded or embedded into the cannula, creating a multi-function structure.\",\n \"The wires embedded inside the wall of the insulin delivery tubing enable a dual function device that delivers insulin and provides continuous glucose monitoring support functionality such as sensor signal transduction, calibration and user interface.\",\n \"The integrated system described above may be attached to or worn on the body.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the integrated system may include an insulin delivery pump, the CGM system, the data collection and processing hardware, and the user interface including control buttons and display.\",\n \"In some instances, the system may also have a discrete glucose meter embedded in it so that the user can check the blood glucose with the system using test strips.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the hardware of the insulin delivery pump and the continuous glucose monitor are combined into a more compact assembly and attached to the body using an adhesive patch.\",\n \"Other components (data processing algorithms, user interface, and/or discrete glucose meter, etc.)\",\n \"may, for example, be integrated into a separate controller that communicates with the assembly wirelessly.\",\n \"This embodiment may significantly improve usability of the system.\",\n \"Thermocouples In some aspects of the present disclosure, ambient temperature compensation is provided using a thermocouple temperature sensor.\",\n \"The thermocouple temperature sensors are included of dissimilar metals—e.g., metal-inks.\",\n \"Example metals may include, but are not limited to, gold, silver, carbon, titanium, and alloys thereof.\",\n \"The physical properties of the dissimilar metals create a thermocouple temperature sensor at the junction of the dissimilar metals.\",\n \"A small voltage that is dependent on temperature will exist between the dissimilar metals.\",\n \"The voltage produced by a thermocouple is known and predictable based on the properties of the two dissimilar metals.\",\n \"Measurement of this voltage results in data that can be used to accurately determine the temperature of the analyte sensor (e.g., glucose sensor).\",\n \"For example, measurement of this small signal can be performed by the electronics located in the on-body unit—e.g., in the transmitter of the on-body unit.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, calibration can be done by applying two different voltages to a measurement circuit and computing the zero point and scale of the measurement circuit.\",\n \"This method may in some instances, include one or more benefits—e.g., cost, accuracy, and speed.\",\n \"For example, thermocouple sensors can be manufactured very inexpensively and may be conducive to high volume processing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the thermocouple is created by depositing two different metals onto the analyte sensor tail and joining them at a junction located close to the actual sensing area.\",\n \"For example, the metals may be deposited onto the analyte sensor substrate by any variety of methods, such as, but not limited to, sputtering, electroplating, or using a metallic ink.\",\n \"In some instances, the thermocouple may be constructed using metal wire.\",\n \"The two traces of different metals are electrically conducted (“bonded”) to form the junction.\",\n \"Having the junction adjacent to the actual sensor active area provides a temperature measurement close to the sensing area, resulting in an accurate measurement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the thermocouple is formed on the same side of the analyte sensor as the sensing area (e.g., glucose sensing area).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the thermocouple is formed on the opposite side of the analyte sensor as the sensing area.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a front-side view of an analyte sensor having thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"The analyte sensor 1400 shown is a glucose sensor having a glucose sensing area 1401 including three electrodes—e.g., working electrode, reference electrode, and counter electrode.\",\n \"Electrical traces 1402 extend from the electrodes in the sensing area 1401 to corresponding contact points 1402 for connection to the electronics in the on-body sensor.\",\n \"Glucose sensor 1400 also includes two traces 1404, 1405.Trace 1404 and 1405 are made of dissimilar materials (e.g., different metals or metal-alloys) that extend from corresponding contact points 1407, 1408, respectively, to a junction point 1406 located next to the glucose sensing area 1401.Contact points 1407, 1408 provide electrical connection to the electronics on the on-body sensor for measurement of the voltage produced by the junction of dissimilar materials.\",\n \"In the embodiment shown, the two traces 1404, 1405 of dissimilar materials are on the same side (e.g., front side) of the glucose sensor 1400, and further are on the same side of the sensor 1400 as the glucose sensing area 1401 and electrode traces 1402.While the distance between the junction point 1406 and the glucose sensing area 1401 may vary in different embodiments, having the junction point 1406 closer to the glucose sensing area 1401 provides a more accurate temperature estimate at the glucose sensing area 1401.Some space is needed to provide distance between the junction point 1406 and the glucose sensing area 1401 for insulation between the two.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a back-side view of an analyte sensor having thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"The analyte sensor 1500 shown is a glucose sensor having a glucose sensing area 1501 including three electrodes—e.g., working electrode, reference electrode, and counter electrode.\",\n \"Electrical traces 1502 extend from the electrodes in the sensing area 1501 to corresponding contact points 1502 for connection to the electronics in the on-body sensor.\",\n \"Glucose sensor 1500 also includes two traces 1504, 1505.Trace 1504 and 1505 are made of dissimilar materials (e.g., different metals or metal-alloys) that extend from corresponding contact points 1508, 1509, respectively, to a junction point 1506 located next to the glucose sensing area 1501.Contact points 1507, 1508 provide electrical connection to the electronics on the on-body sensor for measurement of the voltage produced by the junction of dissimilar materials.\",\n \"In the embodiment shown, the two traces 1504,1505 of dissimilar materials are on the opposite side (e.g., back side) of the glucose sensor 1500 than the glucose sensing 1501 and electrode traces 1402 (e.g., on the front-side).\",\n \"While the position of the junction point 1506 relative to the glucose sensing area 1501 may vary in different embodiments, having the junction point 1506 closer to the glucose sensing area 1501 provides a more accurate temperature estimate at the glucose sensing area 1501.In the embodiment shown, the junction point 1506 and the glucose sensing area 1501 are insulated from one another by the substrate itself, allowing the two traces 150 to extend further along the analyte sensor (e.g., directly opposite the glucose sensing area 1501).\",\n \"It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments one of the two thermocouple traces could be made of the same material as the electrode traces.\",\n \"It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments one of the thermocouple traces may be on the opposite side of the sensor as the other thermocouple trace with a junction point near the glucose sensing area (e.g., implemented using a through-hole via).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the thermocouple sensor includes dissimilar metal traces on facing sides of two pieces of substrate (e.g., Kapton or another type of Polymer) that adhere together.\",\n \"In such case, the sensor is electrically isolated from the body as well as not crowding or disturbing the glucose sensing traces since the thermal sensing traces would be on a different plane.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that each of the dissimilar metals may be disposed on either inner facing side of the two pieces of substrate, independent of one another, such that a junction point is formed when the two pieces of substrate are combined.\",\n \"For example, one dissimilar metal may be one facing side while the other dissimilar metal is on the other facing side, and when the two facing sides are brought together, the two dissimilar metals forming a thermocouple junction point.\",\n \"This also applies to the other sensor concepts described herein as well.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a system block diagram of an on-body sensor having a thermocouple temperature sensor, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"On-body sensor 1600 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 1601 having various electronic components thereon, including, for example, the analog front-end circuitry 1602.The thermocouple traces 1602 on the analyte sensor terminate on the PCB 1601 at contact points 1603 that are electrically coupled to non-thermocouple traces 1604 disposed on the PCB 1601.The non-thermocouple traces 1604 electrically couple the thermocouple traces 1602 to the analog front-end circuitry 1602 for measuring the voltage providing by the thermocouple.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, such as shown, an ambient temperature sensor 1605 generates a signal that is used for “cold junction temperature” compensation in the system.\",\n \"In some instances, the “cold junction” temperature sensor 1605 is positioned at the point that the dissimilar metal traces 1602 are connected to the PCB 1601 in the on-body device.\",\n \"The voltage that is measured at the cold junction is a function of the temperature differential between the cold junction and the bonding point.\",\n \"Thermocouple tape having two dissimilar metals is described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"3,729,343, filed on Jan. 8, 1971 and issued on Apr.\",\n \"24, 1973, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, an analyte sensor is provided having a sensor substrate that includes two dissimilar materials on opposite sides with a thermocouple junction formed by a through-hole within the substrate.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a metal (or metal-alloy) trace is disposed on one side of the sensor substrate and a thermocouple trace (e.g., a conductive ink layer) on the opposite side of the substrate.\",\n \"A thermocouple junction is formed between the metal trace on one side and the conductive ink layer on the opposite side by a through-hole (e.g., a laser-drilled hole in the substrate).\",\n \"The conductive ink is disposed in the through-hole and forms a thermocouple junction between the metal trace on one side of the substrate and the conductive ink on the opposite side of the substrate.\",\n \"The conductive ink material may be made from any variety of materials suitable for creating a thermocouple junction—such as metal or metal alloys including, but not limited to, platinum, carbon, copper, iron, silver, etc.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of making the above-mentioned thermocouple are provided.\",\n \"The methods include forming a metal or metal-alloy layer (e.g., a film plated with the metal or metal-alloy) on a sensor substrate; removing a portion of the metal or metal-alloy layer (e.g., by forming a laser-drilled hole); forming a conductive ink layer (e.g., a conductive ink trace) on the opposite side of the substrate as the metal or metal-ally layer; filling the through-hole with the conductive ink such that a thermocouple junction is formed between the conductive ink layer and the metal layer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the metal or metal-alloy layer is also a sensor electrode.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the conductive ink may be applied to the sensor substrate at various times.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, the conductive ink layer may be applied before the through-hole is formed and again applied afterwards to fill the through-hole.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the conductive ink is applied after the through-hole to form the conductive ink layer and fill the through-hole.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an analyte sensor substrate having a thermocouple junction, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"The sensor substrate 1701 includes a layer of gold 1702 on one side of the substrate 1701.A through-hole 1703 is formed (e.g., via laser drilling) in the sensor substrate 1701 such that a portion of the layer of gold 1702 is removed.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the portion of the layer of gold 1702 at the through-hole may be removed before the laser drilled through-hole is formed—e.g., via an etching process, etc.—or otherwise disposed on the substrate 1701 in a printed pattern.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"16, a conductive ink layer 1704 is disposed on the opposite side of the sensor substrate 1701 as the layer of gold 1702.The through-hole 1703 is filled with the conductive ink such that the conductive ink layer 1703 and layer of gold 1703 are connected and a thermocouple junction formed.\",\n \"Provided below is an example analysis.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the example analysis is exemplary and is not meant to be limiting.\",\n \"Example Analysis: The following analysis is provided for exemplary purposes and is not meant to be limiting.\",\n \"The following analysis is based on the following: a sensor temperature range of 32 degrees C. to 42 degrees C. (typical body temperature of 37 degrees C.+/−5 degrees C.); a cold junction temperature range of 10 degrees C. to 50 degrees C.; thermocouple op amp similar to operation amplifier, OPA333, manufactured by Texas Instruments; an analog to digital converter (ADC) with a resolution less than 0.1 degrees C. and input voltage range of 0 to 400 mV; a modulator clock of 32768 Hz and conversion time of 125 mS (12 Bits); thermocouple sensitivity of 40.7 μV/degrees C.\",\n \"(e.g., type T Cu—Cn).\",\n \"The analysis was also based on the OPA333 operation amplifier having the following features: low offset voltage of 10 μV(max); zero drift of 0.05 μV/° C.(max); 0.01 Hz to 10 Hz noise of 1.1 μVpp; quiescent current of 17 μA; single-supply operation; supply voltage of 1.8V to 5.5V; rail-to-rail input/output; and microsize packages (SC70 and SOT23).\",\n \"The results of the analysis were as follows: ADC 1 bit resolution=97.650/(12 bits−range of 400 mV); required minimum gain for thermocouple amplifier=2.4; maximum amplifier offset at ADC=24 μV (this is <1ADC count.\",\n \"); and type-T thermocouple output at 25.2 C=1.000 mV.\",\n \"Any calibration for the ADC slope and offset variation may be done by applying a known voltage during manufacture, for example.\",\n \"The actual gain may be chosen much higher than minimum.\",\n \"The signal as seen by the thermocouple amplifier is the combination of the cold junction thermocouple and the sensor tip thermocouple.\",\n \"Exact calculations depend on the Seebeck voltage of the materials chosen.\",\n \"In some instances, the cold junction thermocouple may vary in a temperature range that is higher than the sensor tip thermocouple and also lower than the sensor tip thermocouple.\",\n \"In such case, provided the cold junction temperature is known and sensitivity of the cold junction TC is known, a subtraction can be made that eliminates the cold junction contribution.\",\n \"In some instances, the method for cold junction compensation uses a precision thermistor and requires no calibration.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, one of the existing sensor electrode conductors is used as one of the thermocouple connections.\",\n \"Having a thermocouple output that is a differential voltage allows the sensor electrode conductor to be used and avoid using two additional connections to the sensor.\",\n \"In some instances, carbon-polymer contacts are used with a thermocouple amplifier having high impedance input (non-inverting).\",\n \"This method helps avoid some thermal gradient issue and provides a more direct sensor temperature measurement.\",\n \"Types of Temperature Sensors: It should be appreciated that any variety of temperature sensors may be applicable to the subject matter of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The following temperature sensors are exemplary and are not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"Thermistor: In some aspects of the present disclosure, a thermistor sensor may be used for temperature compensation.\",\n \"The thermistor sensor may be disposed, for example, on a sensor tail that is positioned under the skin or near the tip of the analyte sensor.\",\n \"Example thermistors that may be implemented include, but are not limited to, surface mounted thermistors of type 0402, 0201, or 0105.Other example may include, but are not limited to, glass beads types, epoxy bead types, or small chip thermistors.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, the thermistor sensor is located in a thermally conductive structure such that it protrudes from the bottom of the skin worn transmitter device and provides a low thermal resistance path from the user's skin to a thermistor located in the electronics.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an on-body sensor having a thermistor located in a thermally conductive structure such that it protrudes from the bottom of the on-body sensor, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"On-body sensor 1800 is shown attached to a patient's skin surface 1801.The on-body sensor 1800 includes a thermistor 1802 that is disposed within a thermally conductive material 1803.The thermistor 1802 is electrically coupled to the on-body sensor's printed circuit board (PCB) 1804 for electrical coupling to the electronics on the PCB.\",\n \"The on-body sensor 1800 includes an adhesive layer 1805 that mounts the on body sensor 1800 to the patient's skin 1801.The thermally conductive material 1803 including the thermistor 1802 extends beyond the adhesive layer 1805 and protrudes from the on-body sensor 1800.The thermally conductive material 1803 contacts the skin 1801 of the patient to provide temperature measurement of the patient's skin 1801.Resistive Temperature Device: In some aspects of the present disclosure, a resistive temperature device (RTD) type sensor may be used for temperature compensation.\",\n \"For example, an RTD type sensor may be constructed from traces of metal (e.g., including, but not limited to, metals such as gold or platinum, or metal-alloys thereof) and deposited onto the sensor substrate.\",\n \"For instance, an RTD device such as a wire wound encapsulated device may be incorporated onto the sensor tail.\",\n \"The RTD device may then measure by the sensor electronics.\",\n \"Pyro-Electric Sensor: In some aspects of the present disclosure, a pyro-electric sensor may be used for temperature compensation.\",\n \"Pyro-electric sensors are sensitive to the infra-red light emitted by a warm object—e.g., the patients skin.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, an optical path is constructed from the patient's skin surface to the pyro-electric sensor that is located inside the electronics of the on-body unit.\",\n \"In this way, the skin surface temperature can be sensed and measured.\",\n \"Semiconductor Sensor: In some aspects of the present disclosure, a semiconductor sensor may be used for temperature compensation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a semiconductor sensor (such as, but not limited to, a diode junction or band gap type temperature sensor) is disposed (e.g., directly or disposed on a small device) either on the sensor tail or very close to the sensor insertion site to sense the glucose sensor temperature.\",\n \"Temperature Compensation and Sensing Elements: In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices and systems include a sensing area that includes two or more sensing elements disposed on the sensing surface.\",\n \"For example, the sensing surface may be on a working electrode.\",\n \"Additional details regarding multiple sensing elements disposed on a sensing surface may be found in U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application No.\",\n \"61/421,371, filed Dec. 9, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, more than one sensing element is disposed at the sensing area (e.g., sensor tip).\",\n \"As demonstrated above, temperature compensation may be performed when multiple sensing elements are at the sensor tip.\",\n \"Furthermore, it has been shown that very small sensing layer areas improve repeatability of the sensor sensitivity.\",\n \"Further, multiple sensing dots may promote the collection of sufficient current for generating a viable signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, on-body sensors are provided having multiple sensing elements at the sensing area, wherein some of the sensing elements are made of a different material than other sensing elements.\",\n \"For example, some of the sensing elements are made of a first material and the other sensing elements are made of a second material.\",\n \"The different materials have different temperature responses.\",\n \"Thus, current from the sensing elements of one material may be collected and compared to the current from the sensing elements of the second material to determine the temperature at the sensor tip.\",\n \"In this way, a temperature measurement is performed almost directly at the sensor tip.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates a top view of multiple sensing elements disposed on a sensing surface, according to certain embodiments.\",\n \"Sensing surface 1900 is shown including sensing elements A and sensing elements B. Sensing elements A are made of a first material and sensing elements B are made from a different material than sensing elements A.\",\n \"The different materials (e.g., sensing chemistries) have different temperature dependencies and thus different temperature responses.\",\n \"Current from sensing elements A are compared to current from sensing elements B to determine the temperature at the sensor tip.\",\n \"In this way, a temperature measurement is performed almost directly at the sensor tip.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the number of sensing elements may vary in different embodiments.\",\n \"Further, it should also be appreciated that the sensing elements may be disposed on the sensing surface in a variety of shapes and patterns, and should not be limited to the embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"18.Temperature Compensation and Electrodes with Different Chemistries In some aspects of the present disclosure, temperature compensation is performed when multiple working electrodes having different chemistries are present.\",\n \"For example, in some instances, an OBU may include a double sensor having different enzymes.\",\n \"For example, an on-body sensor may include two working electrodes having different sensing chemistries on each electrode.\",\n \"Because the sensing chemistry is different, their temperature dependencies are different.\",\n \"However, in a limited temperature range, the functional dependence is the same.\",\n \"Sensor current may be determined by, for example: I˜(1+a)̂(T−Tnom) where I is the sensor current, a is a known positive constant much less than unity, and Tnom is a set temperature.\",\n \"The sensor current also depends on the surface area, the amount of sensing material, and efficiency of the sensing chemistry and diffusion controlling membrane—collectively referred to herein as factor A.\",\n \"The ratio of the sensor currents is: I 1 I 2 = A 1 ( 1 + a 1 ) ( T - T nom ) A 2 ( 1 + a 2 ) ( T - T nom ) Solving for T: T = T nom + ln ( I 1 / I 2 ) - ln ( A 1 / A 2 ) ln ( 1 + a 1 1 + a 2 ) All of the quantities on the rights side of the equation are, in principle, known.\",\n \"If A1 is set equal to A2, then I1=I2 when T=Tnom.\",\n \"Once T is calculated, the sensor current is compensated for temperature and the analyte level calculated.\",\n \"Temperature Compensation Using a Known Reservoir In some aspects of the present disclosure, a secondary sensing element is used to directly measure the effect of temperature on the chemistry, independent of the user's analyte level (e.g., blood glucose).\",\n \"This measurement data is used in conjunction with measurement data from the primary sensor, which is dependent on temperature and the user's blood glucose, to remove the temperature effect.\",\n \"In this way, a more accurate estimate of the user's blood glucose concentration may be achieved.\",\n \"Moreover, temperature variation may be automatically compensated without implementing the mathematical model used in the some of the two sensor models described above, and instead use the chemistry to compensate itself.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, an on-body sensor includes a secondary sensing element and a known volume of glucose at a known concentration (e.g., as provided by a “reservoir”).\",\n \"Having a secondary sensing element and a known volume of glucose at a known concentration (e.g., as provided by a “reservoir”) enables temperature variation to be “cancelled out” without having to model the actual temperature variation of the chemistry.\",\n \"The secondary sensing element may be disposed under the skin, for example, and the secondary dot and reservoir isolated from the rest of the system.\",\n \"In some instances, the reservoir is physically small, but lasts for the entire sensor life.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, this type of thermometer may be operated in two ways; in the linear range, and in saturation.\",\n \"In the linear range, the current is a function of the glucose concentration and the temperature.\",\n \"The glucose concentration as a function of time is calculated by keeping track of the total charge collected.\",\n \"This yields the expected current at the nominal temperature.\",\n \"Any difference between the expected current and the actual current may be attributed to temperature variation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a membrane is disposed between the sensing element and the reservoir for operation in the linear range.\",\n \"In saturation, the current is determined solely by enzyme activity.\",\n \"Since this is a function of temperature, temperature variation may be measured directly.\",\n \"When operating in saturation, the membrane may be thinner, even if glucose concentrations should need to remain high.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the reservoir is kept away from the sensing element until the sensor has started, whether operating in either the linear range or saturation.\",\n \"In this way, any time limit to the stability of the sensing layer in a wet environment is accounted for.\",\n \"For example, a temporary barrier may be implemented that ceases to separate the second sensing area and the reservoir when the analyte sensor is transcutaneously positioned—e.g., a barrier that is broken, dissolved, or otherwise removed upon the insertion process.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the secondary sensor signal is an analog signal which controls the gain of the primary sensor circuit.\",\n \"The gain control may be linear since the secondary signal itself contains the complex non-linear variation that may be more difficult to model.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the secondary sensor signal is sampled and the primary signal gain modified in a software algorithm.\",\n \"The software algorithm may be executed by a processing device in the on-body electronics for example.\",\n \"The gain control may be linear since the secondary signal itself contains the complex non-linear variation that may be more difficult to model.\",\n \"Provided below are example analyses related to using a known reservoir.\",\n \"The example analyses are exemplary and are not meant to be limiting.\",\n \"Example 1 A sensing dot with an area of 0.01 square millimeter ( 1/10 the area of the primary sensing dot), and a cubical reservoir of side length 0.5 millimeters filled with 10 millimolar glucose solution starts with a current of 6 nA, and finishes with a current of 0.6 nA.\",\n \"Example 2 a=6.02×1023 molecules/mole q=1.6×10−19 C/molecules T−122 hours=439,200 seconds (sensor life) β = 6 nA / ( mM / Liter ) / mm 2 = 6 ( A / meter 2 ) ( 1 / M / Liter ) ) = 10 - 23 ( A / meter 2 ) ( 1 / molecule ) ( Liter ) = 10 - 26 ( Amp ) ( m ) / molecule Example 3 Time Evolution of Glucose Concentration N=# of molecules in reservoir dN/dt=−αI α=molecules/(Amp×sec)=molecules/c=1/q n=# molecules/m3 concentration V=reservoir volume dn/dt=−I/(qV) I=βAn A=m2 area of sensing dot dn/dt=−βAn/(qV) n ( t ) = no exp ( - β An / ( qV ) ) = no exp ( - 6.25 × 10 - 8 At / V ) Example 4 Time Constant vs Sensor Life: 6.25×10−8 (AT)/V≈2 A=10-8 m2 T=4.4×105 s V≈1.4×10-10 m3 Cube: 0.5 mm on a side Maximum and Minimum Concentrations and Currents =0.6 nA/(mM/Liter) Maximum current Io=6 nA Maximum concentration no=10 mM/L After 5 days (and 2 time constants) If≈0.6 nA It should be understood that techniques introduced above can be implemented by programmable circuitry programmed or configured by software and/or firmware, or they can be implemented entirely by special-purpose “hardwired” circuitry, or in a combination of such forms.\",\n \"Such special-purpose circuitry (if any) can be in the form of, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.\",\n \"Software or firmware implementing the techniques introduced herein may be stored on a machine-readable storage medium and may be executed by one or more general-purpose or special-purpose programmable microprocessors.\",\n \"A “machine-readable medium”, as the term is used herein, includes any mechanism that can store information in a form accessible by a machine (a machine may be, for example, a computer, network device, cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), manufacturing took, any device with one or more processors, etc.).\",\n \"For example, a machine-accessible medium includes recordable/non-recordable media (e.g., read-only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; etc.\",\n \"), etc.\",\n \"The term “logic”, as used herein, can include, for example, special purpose hardwired circuitry, software and/or firmware in conjunction with programmable circuitry, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"Electrochemical Sensors Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and devices for detecting at least one analyte, including glucose, in body fluid.\",\n \"Embodiments relate to the continuous and/or automatic in vivo monitoring of the level of one or more analytes using a continuous analyte monitoring system that includes an analyte sensor at least a portion of which is to be positioned beneath a skin surface of a user for a period of time and/or the discrete monitoring of one or more analytes using an in vitro blood glucose (“BG”) meter and an analyte test strip.\",\n \"Embodiments include combined or combinable devices, systems and methods and/or transferring data between an in vivo continuous system and an in vivo system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the systems, or at least a portion of the systems, are integrated into a single unit.\",\n \"An analyte sensor as described herein may be an in vivo analyte sensor or an in vitro sensor (i.e., a discrete monitoring test strip).\",\n \"Such a sensor can be formed on a substrate, e.g., a substantially planar substrate.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sensor is a wire, e.g., a working electrode wire inner portion with one or more other electrodes associated (e.g., on, including wrapped around) therewith.\",\n \"The sensor may also include at least one counter electrode (or counter/reference electrode) and/or at least one reference electrode or at least one reference/counter electrode.\",\n \"Accordingly, embodiments include analyte monitoring devices and systems that include an analyte sensor at least a portion of which is positionable beneath the skin surface of the user for the in vivo detection of an analyte, including glucose, lactate, ketones, and the like, in a body fluid.\",\n \"Embodiments include wholly implantable analyte sensors and analyte sensors in which only a portion of the sensor is positioned under the skin and a portion of the sensor resides above the skin, e.g., for contact to a sensor control unit (which may include a transmitter), a receiver/display unit, transceiver, processor, etc.\",\n \"The sensor may be, for example, subcutaneously positionable in a user for the continuous or periodic monitoring of a level of an analyte in the user's interstitial fluid.\",\n \"For the purposes of this description, continuous monitoring and periodic monitoring will be used interchangeably, unless noted otherwise.\",\n \"The sensor response may be correlated and/or converted to analyte levels in blood or other fluids.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, an analyte sensor may be positioned in contact with interstitial fluid to detect the level of glucose, which detected glucose may be used to infer the glucose level in the user's bloodstream.\",\n \"Analyte sensors may be insertable into a vein, artery, or other portion of the body containing fluid.\",\n \"Embodiments of the analyte sensors may be configured for monitoring the level of the analyte over a time period which may range from seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, to months, or longer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte sensors, such as glucose sensors, are capable of in vivo detection of an analyte for one hour or more, e.g., a few hours or more, e.g., a few days or more, e.g., three or more days, e.g., five days or more, e.g., seven days or more, e.g., several weeks or more, or one month or more.\",\n \"Future analyte levels may be predicted based on information obtained, e.g., the current analyte level at time t0, the rate of change of the analyte, etc.\",\n \"Predictive alarms may notify the user of a predicted analyte level that may be of concern in advance of the user's analyte level reaching the future predicted analyte level.\",\n \"This provides the user an opportunity to take corrective action.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 shows a data monitoring and management system such as, for example, an analyte (e.g., glucose) monitoring system 100 in accordance with certain embodiments.\",\n \"Aspects of the subject disclosure are further described primarily with respect to glucose monitoring devices and systems, and methods of glucose detection, for convenience only and such description is in no way intended to limit the scope of the embodiments.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the analyte monitoring system may be configured to monitor a variety of analytes at the same time or at different times.\",\n \"Analytes that may be monitored include, but are not limited to, acetyl choline, amylase, bilirubin, cholesterol, chorionic gonadotropin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), creatine kinase (e.g., CK-MB), creatine, creatinine, DNA, fructosamine, glucose, glucose derivatives, glutamine, growth hormones, hormones, ketones, ketone bodies, lactate, peroxide, prostate-specific antigen, prothrombin, RNA, thyroid stimulating hormone, and troponin.\",\n \"The concentration of drugs, such as, for example, antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, vancomycin, and the like), digitoxin, digoxin, drugs of abuse, theophylline, and warfarin, may also be monitored.\",\n \"In embodiments that monitor more than one analyte, the analytes may be monitored at the same or different times.\",\n \"The analyte monitoring system 100 includes an analyte sensor 101, a data processing unit 102 connectable to the sensor 101, and a primary receiver unit 104.In some instances, the primary receiver unit 104 is configured to communicate with the data processing unit 102 via a communication link 103.In certain embodiments, the primary receiver unit 104 may be further configured to transmit data to a data processing terminal 105 to evaluate or otherwise process or format data received by the primary receiver unit 104.The data processing terminal 105 may be configured to receive data directly from the data processing unit 102 via a communication link 107, which may optionally be configured for bi-directional communication.\",\n \"Further, the data processing unit 102 may include a transmitter or a transceiver to transmit and/or receive data to and/or from the primary receiver unit 104 and/or the data processing terminal 105 and/or optionally a secondary receiver unit 106.Also shown in FIG.\",\n \"1 is an optional secondary receiver unit 106 which is operatively coupled to the communication link 103 and configured to receive data transmitted from the data processing unit 102.The secondary receiver unit 106 may be configured to communicate with the primary receiver unit 104, as well as the data processing terminal 105.In certain embodiments, the secondary receiver unit 106 may be configured for bi-directional wireless communication with each of the primary receiver unit 104 and the data processing terminal 105.As discussed in further detail below, in some instances, the secondary receiver unit 106 may be a de-featured receiver as compared to the primary receiver unit 104, for instance, the secondary receiver unit 106 may include a limited or minimal number of functions and features as compared with the primary receiver unit 104.As such, the secondary receiver unit 106 may include a smaller (in one or more, including all, dimensions), compact housing or embodied in a device including a wrist watch, arm band, PDA, mp3 player, cell phone, etc., for example.\",\n \"Alternatively, the secondary receiver unit 106 may be configured with the same or substantially similar functions and features as the primary receiver unit 104.The secondary receiver unit 106 may include a docking portion configured to mate with a docking cradle unit for placement by, e.g., the bedside for night time monitoring, and/or a bi-directional communication device.\",\n \"A docking cradle may recharge a power supply.\",\n \"Only one analyte sensor 101, data processing unit 102 and data processing terminal 105 are shown in the embodiment of the analyte monitoring system 100 illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1.However, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the analyte monitoring system 100 may include more than one sensor 101 and/or more than one data processing unit 102, and/or more than one data processing terminal 105.Multiple sensors may be positioned in a user for analyte monitoring at the same or different times.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, analyte information obtained by a first sensor positioned in a user may be employed as a comparison to analyte information obtained by a second sensor.\",\n \"This may be useful to confirm or validate analyte information obtained from one or both of the sensors.\",\n \"Such redundancy may be useful if analyte information is contemplated in critical therapy-related decisions.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a first sensor may be used to calibrate a second sensor.\",\n \"The analyte monitoring system 100 may be a continuous monitoring system, or semi-continuous, or a discrete monitoring system.\",\n \"In a multi-component environment, each component may be configured to be uniquely identified by one or more of the other components in the system so that communication conflict may be readily resolved between the various components within the analyte monitoring system 100.For example, unique IDs, communication channels, and the like, may be used.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sensor 101 is physically positioned in or on the body of a user whose analyte level is being monitored.\",\n \"The sensor 101 may be configured to at least periodically sample the analyte level of the user and convert the sampled analyte level into a corresponding signal for transmission by the data processing unit 102.The data processing unit 102 is coupleable to the sensor 101 so that both devices are positioned in or on the user's body, with at least a portion of the analyte sensor 101 positioned transcutaneously.\",\n \"The data processing unit may include a fixation element, such as an adhesive or the like, to secure it to the user's body.\",\n \"A mount (not shown) attachable to the user and mateable with the data processing unit 102 may be used.\",\n \"For example, a mount may include an adhesive surface.\",\n \"The data processing unit 102 performs data processing functions, where such functions may include, but are not limited to, filtering and encoding of data signals, each of which corresponds to a sampled analyte level of the user, for transmission to the primary receiver unit 104 via the communication link 103.In certain embodiments, the sensor 101 or the data processing unit 102 or a combined sensor/data processing unit may be wholly implantable under the skin surface of the user.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the primary receiver unit 104 may include an analog interface section including an RF receiver and an antenna that is configured to communicate with the data processing unit 102 via the communication link 103, and a data processing section for processing the received data from the data processing unit 102 including data decoding, error detection and correction, data clock generation, data bit recovery, etc., or any combination thereof.\",\n \"In operation, the primary receiver unit 104 in certain embodiments is configured to synchronize with the data processing unit 102 to uniquely identify the data processing unit 102, based on, for example, an identification information of the data processing unit 102, and thereafter, to periodically receive signals transmitted from the data processing unit 102 associated with the monitored analyte levels detected by the sensor 101.Referring again to FIG.\",\n \"1, the data processing terminal 105 may include a personal computer, a portable computer including a laptop or a handheld device (e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA), a telephone including a cellular phone (e.g., a multimedia and Internet-enabled mobile phone including an iPhone™, a Blackberry®, or similar phone), an mp3 player (e.g., an iPOD™, etc.\",\n \"), a pager, and the like), and/or a drug delivery device (e.g., an infusion device), each of which may be configured for data communication with the receiver via a wired or a wireless connection.\",\n \"Additionally, the data processing terminal 105 may further be connected to a data network (not shown) for storing, retrieving, updating, and/or analyzing data corresponding to the detected analyte level of the user.\",\n \"The data processing terminal 105 may include a drug delivery device (e.g., an infusion device), such as an insulin infusion pump or the like, which may be configured to administer a drug (e.g., insulin) to the user, and which may be configured to communicate with the primary receiver unit 104 for receiving, among others, the measured analyte level.\",\n \"Alternatively, the primary receiver unit 104 may be configured to integrate an infusion device therein so that the primary receiver unit 104 is configured to administer an appropriate drug (e.g., insulin) to users, for example, for administering and modifying basal profiles, as well as for determining appropriate boluses for administration based on, among others, the detected analyte levels received from the data processing unit 102.An infusion device may be an external device or an internal device, such as a device wholly implantable in a user.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the data processing terminal 105, which may include an infusion device, e.g., an insulin pump, may be configured to receive the analyte signals from the data processing unit 102, and thus, incorporate the functions of the primary receiver unit 104 including data processing for managing the user's insulin therapy and analyte monitoring.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the communication link 103, as well as one or more of the other communication interfaces shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, may use one or more wireless communication protocols, such as, but not limited to: an RF communication protocol, an infrared communication protocol, a Bluetooth enabled communication protocol, an 802.11x wireless communication protocol, or an equivalent wireless communication protocol which would allow secure, wireless communication of several units (for example, per Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) requirements), while avoiding potential data collision and interference.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a data processing unit 102 of the analyte monitoring system shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.User input and/or interface components may be included or a data processing unit may be free of user input and/or interface components.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) may be used to implement one or more functions or routines associated with the operations of the data processing unit (and/or receiver unit) using for example one or more state machines and buffers.\",\n \"As can be seen in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"2, the analyte sensor 101 (FIG.\",\n \"1) includes four contacts, three of which are electrodes: a work electrode (W) 210, a reference electrode (R) 212, and a counter electrode (C) 213, each operatively coupled to the analog interface 201 of the data processing unit 102.This embodiment also shows an optional guard contact (G) 211.Fewer or greater electrodes may be employed.\",\n \"For example, the counter and reference electrode functions may be served by a single counter/reference electrode.\",\n \"In some cases, there may be more than one working electrode and/or reference electrode and/or counter electrode, etc.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a receiver/monitor unit such as the primary receiver unit 104 of the analyte monitoring system shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.The primary receiver unit 104 includes one or more of: a test strip interface 301, an RF receiver 302, a user input 303, an optional temperature detection section 304, and a clock 305, each of which is operatively coupled to a processing and storage section 307.The primary receiver unit 104 also includes a power supply 306 operatively coupled to a power conversion and monitoring section 308.Further, the power conversion and monitoring section 308 is also coupled to the processing and storage section 307.Moreover, also shown are a receiver serial communication section 309, and an output 310, each operatively coupled to the processing and storage section 307.The primary receiver unit 104 may include user input and/or interface components or may be free of user input and/or interface components.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the test strip interface 301 includes an analyte testing portion (e.g., a glucose level testing portion) to receive a blood (or other body fluid sample) analyte test or information related thereto.\",\n \"For example, the test strip interface 301 may include a test strip port to receive a test strip (e.g., a glucose test strip).\",\n \"The device may determine the analyte level of the test strip, and optionally display (or otherwise notice) the analyte level on the output 310 of the primary receiver unit 104.Any suitable test strip may be employed, e.g., test strips that only require a very small amount (e.g., 3 microliters or less, e.g., 1 microliter or less, e.g., 0.5 microliters or less, e.g., 0.1 microliters or less), of applied sample to the strip in order to obtain accurate glucose information.\",\n \"Embodiments of test strips include, e.g., Freestyle® or Precision® blood glucose test strips from Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. (Alameda, Calif.).\",\n \"Glucose information obtained by an in vitro glucose testing device may be used for a variety of purposes, computations, etc.\",\n \"For example, the information may be used to calibrate sensor 101, confirm results of sensor 101 to increase the confidence thereof (e.g., in instances in which information obtained by sensor 101 is employed in therapy related decisions), etc.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the data processing unit 102 and/or the primary receiver unit 104 and/or the secondary receiver unit 106, and/or the data processing terminal/infusion device 105 may be configured to receive the analyte value wirelessly over a communication link from, for example, a blood glucose meter.\",\n \"In further embodiments, a user manipulating or using the analyte monitoring system 100 (FIG.\",\n \"1) may manually input the analyte value using, for example, a user interface (for example, a keyboard, keypad, voice commands, and the like) incorporated in one or more of the data processing unit 102, the primary receiver unit 104, secondary receiver unit 106, or the data processing terminal/infusion device 105.Additional detailed descriptions of exemplary sensors are provided in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"5,262,035; 5,264,104; 5,262,305; 5,320,715; 5,593,852; 6,175,752; 6,650,471; 6,746, 582, and 7,811,231, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 schematically shows an embodiment of an analyte sensor 400 in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"This sensor embodiment includes electrodes 401, 402 and 403 on a base 404.Electrodes (and/or other features) may be applied or otherwise processed using any suitable technology, e.g., chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition, sputtering, reactive sputtering, printing, coating, ablating (e.g., laser ablation), painting, dip coating, etching, and the like.\",\n \"Materials include, but are not limited to, any one or more of aluminum, carbon (including graphite), cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, indium, iridium, iron, lead, magnesium, mercury (as an amalgam), nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhenium, rhodium, selenium, silicon (e.g., doped polycrystalline silicon), silver, tantalum, tin, titanium, tungsten, uranium, vanadium, zinc, zirconium, mixtures thereof, and alloys, oxides, or metallic compounds of these elements.\",\n \"The analyte sensor 400 may be wholly implantable in a user or may be configured so that only a portion is positioned within (internal) a user and another portion outside (external) a user.\",\n \"For example, the sensor 400 may include a first portion positionable above a surface of the skin 410, and a second portion positioned below the surface of the skin.\",\n \"In such embodiments, the external portion may include contacts (connected to respective electrodes of the second portion by traces) to connect to another device also external to the user such as a transmitter unit.\",\n \"While the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"4 shows three electrodes side-by-side on the same surface of base 404, other configurations are contemplated, e.g., fewer or greater electrodes, some or all electrodes on different surfaces of the base or present on another base, some or all electrodes stacked together, electrodes of differing materials and dimensions, etc.\",\n \"The substrate may be formed using a variety of non-conducting materials, including, for example, polymeric or plastic materials and ceramic materials.\",\n \"Suitable materials for a particular sensor may be determined, at least in part, based on the desired use of the sensor and properties of the materials.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the substrate is flexible.\",\n \"For example, if the sensor is configured for implantation into a user, then the sensor may be made flexible (although rigid sensors may also be used for implantable sensors) to reduce pain to the user and damage to the tissue caused by the implantation of and/or the wearing of the sensor.\",\n \"A flexible substrate often increases the user's comfort and allows a wider range of activities.\",\n \"Suitable materials for a flexible substrate include, for example, non-conducting plastic or polymeric materials and other non-conducting, flexible, deformable materials.\",\n \"Examples of useful plastic or polymeric materials include thermoplastics such as polycarbonates, polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethanes, polyethers, polyamides, polyimides, or copolymers of these thermoplastics, such as PETG (glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the sensors are made using a relatively rigid substrate to, for example, provide structural support against bending or breaking.\",\n \"Examples of rigid materials that may be used as the substrate include poorly conducting ceramics, such as aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide.\",\n \"An implantable sensor having a rigid substrate may have a sharp point and/or a sharp edge to aid in implantation of a sensor without an additional insertion device.\",\n \"It will be appreciated that for many sensors and sensor applications, both rigid and flexible sensors will operate adequately.\",\n \"The flexibility of the sensor may also be controlled and varied along a continuum by changing, for example, the composition and/or thickness of the substrate.\",\n \"In addition to considerations regarding flexibility, it is often desirable that implantable sensors should have a substrate which is physiologically harmless, for example, a substrate approved by a regulatory agency or private institution for in vivo use.\",\n \"The sensor may include optional features to facilitate insertion of an implantable sensor.\",\n \"For example, the sensor may be pointed at the tip to ease insertion.\",\n \"In addition, the sensor may include a barb which assists in anchoring the sensor within the tissue of the user during operation of the sensor.\",\n \"However, the barb may be small enough so that little damage is caused to the subcutaneous tissue when the sensor is removed for replacement.\",\n \"Electronics Unit A sensor electronics unit such as a sensor control unit can be integrated in the sensor, part or all of which is subcutaneously implanted or it can be configured to be placed on the skin of a user.\",\n \"The sensor control unit is optionally formed in a shape that is comfortable to the user and which may permit concealment, for example, under a user's clothing.\",\n \"The thigh, leg, upper arm, shoulder, or abdomen are convenient parts of the user's body for placement of the sensor control unit to maintain concealment.\",\n \"However, the sensor control unit may be positioned on other portions of the user's body.\",\n \"Certain embodiments of the sensor control unit has a thin, oval shape to enhance concealment.\",\n \"However, other shapes and sizes may be used.\",\n \"The particular profile, as well as the height, width, length, weight, and volume of the sensor control unit may vary and depends, at least in part, on the components and associated functions included in the sensor control unit.\",\n \"In general, the sensor control unit includes a housing may be formed as a single integral unit that rests on the skin of the user.\",\n \"The housing may contain most or all of the electronic components of the sensor control unit.\",\n \"The housing of the sensor control unit may be formed using a variety of materials, including, for example, plastic and polymeric materials, such as rigid thermoplastics and engineering thermoplastics.\",\n \"Suitable materials include, for example, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS polymers, and copolymers thereof.\",\n \"The housing of the sensor control unit may be formed using a variety of techniques including, for example, injection molding, compression molding, casting, and other molding methods.\",\n \"Hollow or recessed regions may be formed in the housing of the sensor control unit.\",\n \"The electronic components of the sensor control unit and/or other items, including a battery or a speaker for an audible alarm, may be placed in the hollow or recessed areas.\",\n \"The sensor control unit may be attached to the skin of the user, for example, by adhering the sensor control unit directly to the skin of the user with an adhesive provided on at least a portion of the housing of the sensor control unit which contacts the skin or by suturing the sensor control unit to the skin through suture openings in the sensor control unit.\",\n \"When positioned on the skin of a user, the sensor and the electronic components within the sensor control unit are coupled via conductive contacts.\",\n \"The one or more working electrodes, counter electrode (or counter/reference electrode), optional reference electrode, and optional temperature probe are attached to individual conductive contacts.\",\n \"For example, the conductive contacts are provided on the interior of the sensor control unit.\",\n \"Other embodiments of the sensor control unit have the conductive contacts disposed on the exterior of the housing.\",\n \"The placement of the conductive contacts is such that they are in contact with the contact pads on the sensor when the sensor is properly positioned within the sensor control unit.\",\n \"Sensor Electronics The sensor electronics also may include at least a portion of the electronic components that operate the sensor and the analyte monitoring device system.\",\n \"The electronic components of the sensor control unit may include a power supply for operating the sensor control unit and the sensor, a sensor circuit for obtaining signals from and operating the sensor, a measurement circuit that converts sensor signals to a desired format, and a processing circuit that, at minimum, obtains signals from the sensor circuit and/or measurement circuit and provides the signals to an optional transmitter.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processing circuit may also partially or completely evaluate the signals from the sensor and convey the resulting data to the optional transmitter and/or activate an optional alarm system if the analyte level exceeds a threshold.\",\n \"The processing circuit often includes digital logic circuitry.\",\n \"The sensor control unit may optionally contain a transmitter for transmitting the sensor signals or processed data from the processing circuit to a receiver/display unit; a data storage unit for temporarily or permanently storing data from the processing circuit; a temperature probe circuit for receiving signals from and operating a temperature probe; a reference voltage generator for providing a reference voltage for comparison with sensor-generated signals; and/or a watchdog circuit that monitors the operation of the electronic components in the sensor control unit.\",\n \"Moreover, the sensor control unit may also include digital and/or analog components utilizing semiconductor devices, including transistors.\",\n \"To operate these semiconductor devices, the sensor control unit may include other components including, for example, a bias control generator to correctly bias analog and digital semiconductor devices, an oscillator to provide a clock signal, and a digital logic and timing component to provide timing signals and logic operations for the digital components of the circuit.\",\n \"As an example of the operation of these components, the sensor circuit and the optional temperature probe circuit provide raw signals from the sensor to the measurement circuit.\",\n \"The measurement circuit converts the raw signals to a desired format, using for example, a current-to-voltage converter, current-to-frequency converter, and/or a binary counter or other indicator that produces a signal proportional to the absolute value of the raw signal.\",\n \"This may be used, for example, to convert the raw signal to a format that can be used by digital logic circuits.\",\n \"The processing circuit may then, optionally, evaluate the data and provide commands to operate the electronics.\",\n \"Calibration Analyte sensors may be configured to require no system calibration or no user calibration.\",\n \"For example, a sensor may be factory calibrated and need not require further calibrating.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, calibration may be required, but may be done without user intervention, i.e., may be automatic.\",\n \"In those embodiments in which calibration by the user is required, the calibration may be according to a predetermined schedule or may be dynamic, i.e., the time for which may be determined by the system on a real-time basis according to various factors, including, but not limited to, glucose concentration and/or temperature and/or rate of change of glucose, etc.\",\n \"In addition to a transmitter, an optional receiver may be included in the sensor control unit.\",\n \"In some cases, the transmitter is a transceiver, operating as both a transmitter and a receiver.\",\n \"The receiver may be used to receive calibration data for the sensor.\",\n \"The calibration data may be used by the processing circuit to correct signals from the sensor.\",\n \"This calibration data may be transmitted by the receiver/display unit or from some other source such as a control unit in a doctor's office.\",\n \"In addition, the optional receiver may be used to receive a signal from the receiver/display units to direct the transmitter, for example, to change frequencies or frequency bands, to activate or deactivate the optional alarm system and/or to direct the transmitter to transmit at a higher rate.\",\n \"Calibration data may be obtained in a variety of ways.\",\n \"For instance, the calibration data may be factory-determined calibration measurements which can be input into the sensor control unit using the receiver or may alternatively be stored in a calibration data storage unit within the sensor control unit itself (in which case a receiver may not be needed).\",\n \"The calibration data storage unit may be, for example, a readable or readable/writeable memory circuit.\",\n \"In some cases, a system may only need to be calibrated once during the manufacturing process, where recalibration of the system is not required.\",\n \"If necessary, calibration may be accomplished using an in vitro test strip (or other reference), e.g., a small sample test strip such as a test strip that requires less than about 1 microliter of sample (for example Freestyle® or Precision® blood glucose monitoring test strips from Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, Calif.).\",\n \"For example, test strips that require less than about 1 nanoliter of sample may be used.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a sensor may be calibrated using only one sample of body fluid per calibration event.\",\n \"For example, a user need only lance a body part one time to obtain a sample for a calibration event (e.g., for a test strip), or may lance more than one time within a short period of time if an insufficient volume of sample is firstly obtained.\",\n \"Embodiments include obtaining and using multiple samples of body fluid for a given calibration event, where glucose values of each sample are substantially similar.\",\n \"Data obtained from a given calibration event may be used independently to calibrate or combined with data obtained from previous calibration events, e.g., averaged including weighted averaged, etc., to calibrate.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a system need only be calibrated once by a user, where recalibration of the system is not required.\",\n \"Alternative or additional calibration data may be provided based on tests performed by a health care professional or by the user.\",\n \"For example, it is common for diabetic individuals to determine their own blood glucose concentration using commercially available testing kits.\",\n \"The results of this test is input into the sensor control unit either directly, if an appropriate input device (e.g., a keypad, an optical signal receiver, or a port for connection to a keypad or computer) is incorporated in the sensor control unit, or indirectly by inputting the calibration data into the receiver/display unit and transmitting the calibration data to the sensor control unit.\",\n \"Other methods of independently determining analyte levels may also be used to obtain calibration data.\",\n \"This type of calibration data may supplant or supplement factory-determined calibration values.\",\n \"In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, calibration data may be required at periodic intervals, for example, every eight hours, once a day, or once a week, to confirm that accurate analyte levels are being reported.\",\n \"Calibration may also be required each time a new sensor is implanted or if the sensor exceeds a threshold minimum or maximum value or if the rate of change in the sensor signal exceeds a threshold value.\",\n \"In some cases, it may be necessary to wait a period of time after the implantation of the sensor before calibrating to allow the sensor to achieve equilibrium.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sensor is calibrated only after it has been inserted.\",\n \"In other embodiments, no calibration of the sensor is needed.\",\n \"Analyte Monitoring Device In certain embodiments, the analyte monitoring device includes a sensor control unit and a sensor.\",\n \"In these embodiments, the processing circuit of the sensor control unit is able to determine a level of the analyte and activate an alarm system if the analyte level exceeds a threshold value.\",\n \"The sensor control unit, in these embodiments, has an alarm system and may also include a display, such as an LCD or LED display.\",\n \"A threshold value is exceeded if the datapoint has a value that is beyond the threshold value in a direction indicating a particular condition.\",\n \"For example, a datapoint which correlates to a glucose level of 200 mg/dL exceeds a threshold value for hyperglycemia of 180 mg/dL, because the datapoint indicates that the user has entered a hyperglycemic state.\",\n \"As another example, a datapoint which correlates to a glucose level of 65 mg/dL exceeds a threshold value for hypoglycemia of 70 mg/dL because the datapoint indicates that the user is hypoglycemic as defined by the threshold value.\",\n \"However, a datapoint which correlates to a glucose level of 75 mg/dL would not exceed the same threshold value of 70 mg/dL for hypoglycemia because the datapoint does not indicate that particular condition as defined by the chosen threshold value.\",\n \"An alarm may also be activated if the sensor readings indicate a value that is outside of (e.g., above or below) a measurement range of the sensor.\",\n \"For glucose, the physiologically relevant measurement range may be 30-400 mg/dL, including 40-300 mg/dL and 50-250 mg/dL, of glucose in the interstitial fluid.\",\n \"The alarm system may also, or alternatively, be activated when the rate of change or acceleration of the rate of change in analyte level increase or decrease reaches or exceeds a threshold rate or acceleration.\",\n \"For example, in the case of a subcutaneous glucose monitor, the alarm system may be activated if the rate of change in glucose concentration exceeds a threshold value which may indicate that a hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic condition is likely to occur.\",\n \"In some cases, the alarm system is activated if the acceleration of the rate of change in glucose concentration exceeds a threshold value which may indicate that a hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic condition is likely to occur.\",\n \"A system may also include system alarms that notify a user of system information such as battery condition, calibration, sensor dislodgment, sensor malfunction, etc.\",\n \"Alarms may be, for example, auditory and/or visual.\",\n \"Other sensory-stimulating alarm systems may be used including alarm systems which heat, cool, vibrate, or produce a mild electrical shock when activated.\",\n \"Drug Delivery System The subject matter of the present disclosure also includes sensors used in sensor-based drug delivery systems.\",\n \"The system may provide a drug to counteract the high or low level of the analyte in response to the signals from one or more sensors.\",\n \"Alternatively, the system may monitor the drug concentration to ensure that the drug remains within a desired therapeutic range.\",\n \"The drug delivery system may include one or more (e.g., two or more) sensors, a processing unit such as a transmitter, a receiver/display unit, and a drug administration system.\",\n \"In some cases, some or all components may be integrated in a single unit.\",\n \"A sensor-based drug delivery system may use data from the one or more sensors to provide necessary input for a control algorithm/mechanism to adjust the administration of drugs, e.g., automatically or semi-automatically.\",\n \"As an example, a glucose sensor may be used to control and adjust the administration of insulin from an external or implanted insulin pump.\",\n \"Each of the various references, presentations, publications, provisional and/or non-provisional U.S. patent applications, U.S. patents, non-U.S. patent applications, and/or non-U.S. patents that have been identified herein, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"Other embodiments and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art.\",\n \"Various modifications, processes, as well as numerous structures to which the embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present disclosure is directed upon review of the specification.\",\n \"Various aspects and features of the present disclosure may have been explained or described in relation to understandings, beliefs, theories, underlying assumptions, and/or working or prophetic examples, although it will be understood that the present disclosure is not bound to any particular understanding, belief, theory, underlying assumption, and/or working or prophetic example.\",\n \"Although various aspects and features of the present disclosure may have been described largely with respect to applications, or more specifically, medical applications, involving diabetic humans, it will be understood that such aspects and features also relate to any of a variety of applications involving non-diabetic humans and any and all other animals.\",\n \"Further, although various aspects and features of the present disclosure may have been described largely with respect to applications involving partially implanted sensors, such as transcutaneous or subcutaneous sensors, it will be understood that such aspects and features also relate to any of a variety of sensors that are suitable for use in connection with the body of an animal or a human, such as those suitable for use as fully implanted in the body of an animal or a human.\",\n \"Finally, although the various aspects and features of the present disclosure have been described with respect to various embodiments and specific examples herein, all of which may be made or carried out conventionally, it will be understood that the present disclosure is entitled to protection within the full scope of the appended claims.\",\n \"The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention nor are they intended to represent that the experiments below are all or the only experiments performed.\",\n \"Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers used (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.)\",\n \"but some experimental errors and deviations should be accounted for.\",\n \"Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, molecular weight is weight average molecular weight, temperature is in degrees Centigrade, and pressure is at or near atmospheric.\",\n \"The temperature sensor may be internal or external to the on-body housing.\",\n \"The temperature sensor may also sit above the skin, or be provided as an electrode running along the analyte sensor to be transcutaneously implanted below the skin.\",\n \"The temperature sensor electrode would then be electrically coupled to a temperature measurement circuit within the on-body housing.\",\n \"The temperature measurements may be transmitted to the blood glucose meter upon request.\",\n \"For manufacturability and cost-effectiveness, particularly when the on-body housing is intended to be disposable, it may be desirable to avoid the inclusion of a temperature sensor and/or control circuitry in the on-body housing.\",\n \"As such, in certain embodiments, there is provided reader (e.g., a blood glucose meter, or other hand-held measurement or analysis instrument) with a temperature measurement sensor and control system.\",\n \"The temperature measurement sensor may be provided on the permanent hand-held instrument to avoid disposing of the temperature measurement components when the on-body housing is disposed.\",\n \"The concentration of drugs, such as, for example, antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, vancomycin, and the like), digitoxin, digoxin, drugs of abuse, theophylline, and warfarin, may also be monitored.\",\n \"In those embodiments that monitor more than one analyte, the analytes may be monitored at the same or different times.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte sensor is a glucose sensor.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the analyte sensor is a ketone sensor Example Embodiments In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of detecting and/or determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor (e.g., coupled to an in vivo analyte sensor) are provided that include receiving an analyte sensor signal (e.g., analyte sensor information, such as current, voltage, etc.)\",\n \"derived from an in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; determining, with a processor, whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determining, with the processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.\",\n \"Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor is coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the ambient-compensated temperature is derived by adding a correction factor to the temperature measurement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte is glucose.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value, and adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a lower threshold value, and adding a correction factor increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded and increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a value of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods include detecting a calibration temperature measured by the temperature sensor when the on-body sensor is coupled to a body of a test subject; and determining, with a processor, a threshold requirement based on the calibration temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a predetermined amount of deviation from the calibration temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an amount of deviation from the calibration temperature, and the amount of deviation is detected by monitoring changes during a period of time.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the calibration temperature is determined based on temperature measurements during a period of time.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor determining the threshold requirement is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor determining the threshold requirement is coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided.\",\n \"The analyte monitoring devices include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive an sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; detecting a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; determine whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.\",\n \"Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the ambient-compensated temperature is derived by adding a correction factor to the temperature measurement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte is glucose.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value, and adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a lower threshold value, and adding a correction factor increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded and increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a value of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a calibration temperature measured by the temperature sensor when the analyte monitoring device is coupled to a body of a test subject; and determine a threshold requirement based on the calibration temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a predetermined amount of deviation from the calibration temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an amount of deviation from the calibration temperature, and the amount of deviation is detected by monitoring changes during a period of time.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the calibration temperature is determined based on temperature measurements during a period of time.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using a single temperature sensor are provided.\",\n \"The methods include detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor; and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the offset term is based on a predetermined core body temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor protrudes from a skin-contacting surface of the on-body sensor, and the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods include receiving a sensor signal from an in vivo analyte sensor; and determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the ambient-compensated temperature is the same processor as the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the ambient-compensated temperature and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal are coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the ambient-compensated temperature and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal are coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the ambient-compensated temperature is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor, and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board of the on-body sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is approximately 37° C. In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided.\",\n \"The analyte monitoring devices include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a temperature sensor is communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the offset term is based on a predetermined core body temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor protrudes from a skin-contacting surface of the housing, and the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is approximately 37° C. In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors are provided.\",\n \"The methods include sampling at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperature measurements from a first temperature sensor on an on-body sensor; determining, with a processor, first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determining, with a processor, final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, and the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures are the same processor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, and the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures are performed by an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, and the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures are performed by a receiver that communicates with an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, one or more of the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, and the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures are different processors.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, and the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures are each performed by either a processor coupled to an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor or by a processor coupled to a receiver that communicates with the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods include sampling at the first sampling rate, with a processor, second temperature measurements from a second temperature sensor on the on-body sensor; and determining, with a processor, second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.\",\n \"The correction gain is calculated by performing a moving average between first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction gain is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures, the processor sampling second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the processor determining the second ambient-compensated temperature are the same processor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are performed an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are performed by a receiver that communicates with an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, one or more of the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures, the processor sampling second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the processor determining the second ambient-compensated temperature are different processors.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are each performed by either a processor coupled to an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor or by a processor coupled to a receiver that communicates with the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using parameter adaptation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the parameter adaptation is MIT adaptation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction factor is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods include sampling at the first sampling rate, with a processor, second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor on the on-body sensor; and determining, with a processor, second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.\",\n \"The correction factor is calculated by performing windowed comparisons between the first ambient-compensated temperatures and the second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction factor is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures, the processor sampling second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the processor determining the second ambient-compensated temperature are the same processor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are performed an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are performed by a receiver that communicates with an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, one or more of the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures, the processor sampling second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the processor determining the second ambient-compensated temperature are different processors.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are each performed by either a processor coupled to an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor or by a processor coupled to a receiver that communicates with the on-body unit.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure analyte monitoring device are provided.\",\n \"The analyte monitoring device include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and a first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor are communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperatures measured from a first temperature sensor on the housing; determine first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determine final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor and/or second temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor and/or second temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample at the first sampling rate second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor on the housing; and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.\",\n \"The correction gain is calculated by performing a moving average between first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction gain is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor and/or second temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor and/or second temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or the second temperature measurement is performed by the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using parameter adaptation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using MIT adaptation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction factor is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample at the first sampling rate second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor on the housing; and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.\",\n \"The correction factor is calculated by performing windowed comparisons between the first ambient-compensated temperatures and the second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction factor is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of the housing and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine, with the processor, an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor and/or second temperature sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of the housing and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board on the housing.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, in vivo analyte sensors are provided.\",\n \"The in vivo analyte sensors include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer; and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer, the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent the sensing area.\",\n \"The electrode layer includes a sensing area, In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a thermistor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a resistance temperature detector (RTD).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the electrode layer includes a plurality of electrodes, and one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is the temperature sensing element.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the plurality of electrodes includes a working electrode, reference, electrode, and a counter electrode, and the temperature sensing element is the counter electrode and includes two contact points for electric coupling to a current providing circuit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element extends back and forth a plurality of times.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element includes two traces of dissimilar metals that join at a junction adjacent the sensing area.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the two dissimilar metals are gold, silver, carbon, titanium, or an alloy thereof.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the two traces are on a same side of the substrate layer as the electrode layer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the two traces are on an opposite side of the substrate layer as the electrode layer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the junction is directly opposite the sensing area.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, each of the two traces are on a different side of the substrate layer from one another, and a through-hole is used to join the two traces.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the two traces are conductive ink.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a pyro-electric sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a semiconductor sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element includes a second sensing area and a analyte reservoir, the analyte reservoir includes a known volume of analyte at a known concentration.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the secondary sensing area is isolated and the reservoir lasts for the life of the sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte sensors include a membrane between the second sensing area and the reservoir.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte sensors include a temporary barrier between the second sensing area and the reservoir that ceases to separate the second sensing area and the reservoir when the analyte sensor is positioned in vivo.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; electronic circuitry coupled to the housing, the electronic circuitry including a processor; and an in vivo analyte sensor electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry and extending from the housing.\",\n \"The in vivo analyte sensor include a substrate layer; an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer; and a temperature sensing element disposed on the substrate layer, the temperature sensing element providing a signal for determining temperature adjacent a sensing area.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a thermistor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a resistance temperature detector (RTD).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the electrode layer includes a plurality of electrodes, and one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is the temperature sensing element.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the plurality of electrodes includes a working electrode, reference, electrode, and a counter electrode, and the temperature sensing element is the counter electrode and includes two electrical contacts for electric coupling to a current providing circuit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element extends back and forth a plurality of times.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the electronic circuitry includes a working electrode contact that electrically couple to the working electrode, a reference electrode contact that electrically couple to the reference electrode, and two counter electrode contacts that electrically couple to the two electrical contacts of the temperature sensing element and supply the temperature sensing element with current.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the electronic circuitry includes two electrode contacts that electrically couple to two electrical contacts of the temperature sensing element and supply the temperature sensing element with current.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element includes two traces of dissimilar metals that join at a junction adjacent the sensing area.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the two dissimilar metals are gold, silver, carbon, titanium, or an alloy thereof.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the two traces are on a same side of the substrate layer as the electrode layer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the two traces are on an opposite side of the substrate layer as the electrode layer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the junction is directly opposite the sensing area.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, each of the two traces are on a different side of the substrate layer from one another, and a through-hole is used to join the two traces.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the two traces are conductive ink.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a pyro-electric sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element is a semiconductor sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensing element includes a second sensing area and a analyte reservoir, the analyte reservoir includes a known volume of analyte at a known concentration.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the secondary sensing area is isolated and the reservoir lasts for the life of the analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte sensors include a membrane between the second sensing area and the reservoir.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte sensors include a temporary barrier between the second sensing area and the reservoir that ceases to separate the second sensing area and the reservoir when the analyte sensor is positioned in vivo.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte sensor devices are provided that include a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into skin of a subject; electrodes disposed on the body; and a temperature sensor coupled to the body.\",\n \"The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed within the central tunnel and adapted to pierce the skin of the patient, and the electrodes disposed on the outside of the body.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is softened by exposure to body fluids.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the central tunnel is for insulin delivery.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the electrodes include wires disposed on the body, and the temperature sensor includes a thermocouple wire disposed on the body.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte sensor device includes a housing adapted to couple to an insulin delivery tube and insulin pump; and electronic circuitry coupled to the housing, the electronic circuitry including a processor for determining analyte levels.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include coupling an analyte sensor device to a skin of a subject and inserting a temperature sensor within the skin of the subject.\",\n \"The temperature sensor is disposed within the central tunnel.\",\n \"The sensor coupling device includes a body including an elongated member having a central tunnel that inserts into the skin of a subject, and electrodes disposed on the body.\",\n \"The body is adapted to couple to the skin of the subject.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, before the temperature sensor is inserted within the skin of the subject, the methods include piercing the skin of the subject with a needle disposed within the central tunnel; removing the needle from the central tunnel; and inserting the temperature sensor within the central tunnel.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods include determining an analyte level based on a sensor signal from the electrodes that has been compensated for temperature from the temperature sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is adapted to pierce the skin of the subject.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is softened by exposure to body fluids.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods are provided that include receiving a first sensor signal from a first electrode on an in vivo analyte sensor on an on-body sensor; receiving a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor, and determining, with a processor, a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.\",\n \"The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a ratio of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a predetermined temperature, sensor areas, quantity of sensing materials, and efficiencies of the sensing chemistries, and diffusion controlling membrane.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods include determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the compensated temperature is the same processor as the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the compensated temperature and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal are coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the compensated temperature and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal are coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the processor that determines the compensated temperature is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor, and the processor that determines the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is coupled to a receiver that communicates wired or wirelessly with the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the first sensor signal and not the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the second sensor signal and not the first sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with both the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first electrode includes a first plurality of sensing elements on the in vivo analyte sensor and the second electrode includes a second plurality of sensing elements disposed on the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring devices are provided that include a housing; a processor coupled to the housing; and memory communicably coupled to the processor.\",\n \"An in vivo analyte sensor is communicably coupled to the processor, and the in vivo analyte sensor includes two working electrodes.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a first sensor signal from a first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; detect a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.\",\n \"The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a ratio of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a predetermined temperature, sensor areas, quantity of sensing materials, and efficiencies of the sensing chemistries, and diffusion controlling membrane.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determining a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to the housing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an on-body unit, and the analyte monitoring device receives wired or wireless communications from the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor and communicated to the analyte monitoring device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the first sensor signal and not the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the second sensor signal and not the first sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with both the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first electrode includes a first plurality of sensing elements on the in vivo analyte sensor and the second electrode includes a second plurality of sensing elements disposed on the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring systems are provided that include an on-body unit and receiver.\",\n \"The on-body includes a first processor and first memory communicably coupled to the first processor; an in vivo analyte sensor communicably coupled to the first processor; and a temperature sensor communicably coupled to the first processor.\",\n \"The receiver is configured to communicate with the on-body unit and includes a second processor and second memory communicably coupled to the second processor.\",\n \"At least one of the first and second memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by at least one of the first and second processors, cause the at least one first and second processors to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; determine whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.\",\n \"Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the steps may be performed in various combinations by the processor on the on-body unit and the receiver in communication with the on-body unit in different embodiments.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit is detecting the temperature measurement, determining whether the threshold requirement is met, performing the ambient temperature compensation, and determining the temperature-compensated signal.\",\n \"Then, for example, the temperature-compensated signal is sent to a receiver wherein the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.\",\n \"In another embodiment, for example, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit transmits the temperature measurements to the receiver where a processor coupled to the receiver determines whether the threshold requirement is met, performs the ambient temperature compensation, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.\",\n \"Then, for example, the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the ambient-compensated temperature is derived by adding a correction factor to the temperature measurement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte is glucose.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded and increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a value of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to detect a calibration temperature measured by the temperature sensor when the on-body unit is coupled to a body of a test subject; and determine a threshold requirement based on the calibration temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a predetermined amount of deviation from the calibration temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an amount of deviation from the calibration temperature, and wherein the amount of deviation is detected by monitoring changes during a period of time.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the calibration temperature is determined based on temperature measurements during a period of time.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by the receiver.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring systems are provided that include an on-body unit and receiver.\",\n \"The on-body includes a first processor and first memory communicably coupled to the first processor; an in vivo analyte sensor communicably coupled to the first processor; and a temperature sensor communicably coupled to the first processor.\",\n \"The receiver is configured to communicate with the on-body unit and includes a second processor and second memory communicably coupled to the second processor.\",\n \"At least one of the first and second memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by at least one of the first and second processors, cause the at least one first and second processors to detect a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor; and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the steps may be performed in various combinations by the processor on the on-body unit and the receiver in communication with the on-body unit in different embodiments.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit detects the temperature measurement, determines an ambient-compensated temperature from the measured temperature using an offset term, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.\",\n \"Then, for example, the temperature-compensated signal is sent to a receiver wherein the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.\",\n \"In another embodiment, for example, the temperature sensor is coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit transmits the temperature measurements to the receiver where a processor coupled to the receiver determines an ambient-compensated temperature from the measured temperature using an offset term, and determines the temperature-compensated signal.\",\n \"Then, for example, the temperature-compensated analyte level is displayed on a user-interface of the receiver for instance.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor protrudes from a skin-contacting surface of the on-body unit, and wherein the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board coupled to the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is approximately 37° C. In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring systems are provided that include an on-body unit and receiver.\",\n \"The on-body includes a first processor and first memory communicably coupled to the first processor; an in vivo analyte sensor communicably coupled to the first processor; and a first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor communicably coupled to the first processor.\",\n \"The receiver is configured to communicate with the on-body unit and includes a second processor and second memory communicably coupled to the second processor.\",\n \"At least one of the first and second memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by at least one of the first and second processors, cause the at least one first and second processors to sample, at a first sampling rate, first temperatures measured from a first temperature sensor; determine first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determine final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the steps may be performed in various combinations by the processor on the on-body unit and the receiver in communication with the on-body unit in different embodiments.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, the temperature sensors are coupled to the on-body unit and a processor on the on-body unit samples the temperatures sensors, determines the ambient-compensated temperature from the one-temperature sensor model and two-temperature sensor model, determines the correction factor or gain, determines the final ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"The processor on the on-body unit may then, for example, either determine the temperature-compensated signal, or transmit the final ambient-compensated signal to a receiver having a processor that determines the temperature compensated signal and presents the corresponding analyte level on a user interface.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the steps may be split up in other combinations between the on-body unit and the receiver in other embodiments.\",\n \"For example, in other embodiments, one or more of the steps in determining the ambient-compensated signal and/or final ambient compensated signal may be performed by the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to sample at the first sampling rate second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor; and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.\",\n \"The correction gain is calculated by performing a moving average between first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction gain is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or the second temperature measurement is performed by the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using parameter adaptation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using MIT adaptation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction factor is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to sample at the first sampling rate second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor; and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.\",\n \"The correction factor is calculated by performing windowed comparisons between the first ambient-compensated temperatures and the second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction factor is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of the on-body unit and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board of the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to receive a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determine, with the processor, an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of the on-body unit and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board of the on-body unit.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, analyte monitoring system are provided that include an on-body unit and receiver.\",\n \"The on-body includes a first processor and first memory communicably coupled to the first processor; and an in vivo analyte sensor communicably coupled to the first processor.\",\n \"The in vivo analyte sensor includes two working electrodes.\",\n \"The receiver is configured to communicate with the on-body unit and includes a second processor and second memory communicably coupled to the second processor.\",\n \"At least one of the first and second memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by at least one of the first and second processors, cause the at least one first and second processors to detect a first sensor signal from a first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; detect a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.\",\n \"The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the steps may be performed in various combinations by the processor on the on-body unit and the receiver in communication with the on-body unit in different embodiments.\",\n \"For example, in certain embodiments, the processor on the on-body unit detects the first sensor signal from the first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; detects the second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; and determines the compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.\",\n \"As another example, in certain embodiments, the processor on the on-body unit detects the first sensor signal from the first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor and detects the second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"The first sensor signal and the second sensor signal are transmitted to the receiver.\",\n \"The receiver receives the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.\",\n \"After the detecting the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, the processor on the receiver determines the compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a ratio of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a predetermined temperature, sensor areas, quantity of sensing materials, and efficiencies of the sensing chemistries, and diffusion controlling membrane.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determining a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one memory includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one first and second processor, cause the at least one first and second processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the first sensor signal and not the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the second sensor signal and not the first sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with both the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first electrode includes a first plurality of sensing elements on the in vivo analyte sensor and the second electrode includes a second plurality of sensing elements disposed on the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer systems are provided that include a processor; and memory communicably coupled to the first processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive analyte data (e.g., a sensor signal from an in vivo analyte sensor); receive temperature data (e.g., a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor); determine whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.\",\n \"Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computer systems include an in vivo analyte sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives analyte data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives analyte data from the sensor electronics unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the ambient-compensated temperature is derived by adding a correction factor to the temperature measurement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte is glucose.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded and increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a value of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a calibration temperature measured by the temperature sensor when an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to a body of a test subject; and determine a threshold requirement based on the calibration temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a predetermined amount of deviation from the calibration temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an amount of deviation from the calibration temperature, and wherein the amount of deviation is detected by monitoring changes during a period of time.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the calibration temperature is determined based on temperature measurements during a period of time.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit and communicated to a receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by a receiver.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer systems are provided that include a processor; and memory communicably coupled to the first processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive temperature data (e.g., a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor); and determine an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computer systems include an in vivo analyte sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives analyte data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives analyte data from the sensor electronics unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor protrudes from a skin-contacting surface of an on-body unit, and wherein the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive analyte data (e.g., a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor); and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit and communicated to a receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board coupled to an on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature, and wherein the predetermined core body temperature is approximately 37° C. In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer systems are provided that include a processor; and memory communicably coupled to the first processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to (receive temperature data (e.g., sample, at a first sampling rate, first temperatures measured from a first temperature sensor); determine first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determine final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computer systems include an in vivo analyte sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives analyte data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives analyte data from the sensor electronics unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or a second temperature measurement is performed by the on-body unit and communicated to the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or a second temperature measurement is performed by the receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample, at the first sampling rate, additional temperature data (e.g., second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor); and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.\",\n \"The correction gain is calculated by performing a moving average between first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction gain is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or second temperature measurement is performed by an on-body unit and communicated to a receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature measurement and/or the second temperature measurement is performed by a receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using parameter adaptation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using MIT adaptation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction factor is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to sample, at the first sampling rate, second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor; and determine second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.\",\n \"The correction factor is calculated by performing windowed comparisons between the first ambient-compensated temperatures and the second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction factor is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of an on-body unit and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board of the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive analyte data (e.g., a sensor signal from the in vivo analyte sensor); and determine a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine, with the processor, an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at a skin-contacting surface of an on-body unit and the second temperature sensor is disposed on a printed circuit board of the on-body unit.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer systems are provided that include a processor; and memory communicably coupled to the first processor.\",\n \"The memory includes instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive sensor data (e.g., detect a first sensor signal) from a first electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor; receive additional sensor data (e.g., detect a second sensor signal) from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor, wherein the first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies; and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computer systems include an in vivo analyte sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a sensor electronics unit that receives analyte data from the in vivo analyte sensor, and a receiver unit that receives analyte data from the sensor electronics unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by an on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by an on-body unit and communicated to a receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a ratio of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a predetermined temperature, sensor areas, quantity of sensing materials, and efficiencies of the sensing chemistries, and diffusion controlling membrane.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determining a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the compensated temperature is determined by an on-body unit and communicated to a receiver.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the first sensor signal and not the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the second sensor signal and not the first sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with both the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first electrode includes a first plurality of sensing elements on the in vivo analyte sensor and the second electrode includes a second plurality of sensing elements disposed on the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer-implemented methods of determining an analyte level by compensating for ambient temperature using a temperature sensor are provided.\",\n \"The computer-implemented method include receiving analyte data (e.g., a sensor signal derived from an in vivo analyte sensor); receiving temperature data (e.g., detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor); determining, with a processor, whether a threshold requirement is exceeded based on the temperature measurement; and determining, with the processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"When the threshold requirement is not exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using the temperature measurement.\",\n \"Only when the threshold requirement is exceeded, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined using an ambient-compensated temperature that is derived by compensating the temperature measurement for ambient temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature sensor is coupled to an on-body unit including the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature measurement represents skin temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the ambient-compensated temperature is derived by adding a correction factor to the temperature measurement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the analyte is glucose.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein adding a correction factor decreases the temperature measurement when the upper threshold value is exceeded and increases the temperature measurement when the lower threshold value is exceeded.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a value of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the threshold requirement is exceeded when a rate-of-change of the temperature measurement exceeds the threshold requirement.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer-implemented methods of compensating for ambient temperature using a temperature sensor are provided.\",\n \"The computer-implemented methods include receiving temperature data (e.g., detecting a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor); and determining, with a processor, an ambient-compensated temperature from the temperature measurement using an offset term.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include receiving analyte data (e.g., a sensor signal from an in vivo analyte sensor); and determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the ambient-compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the offset term that is based on a predetermined core body temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is between 36° C. and 38° C. In certain embodiments, the predetermined core body temperature is approximately 37° C. In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer-implemented methods of compensating for ambient temperature using temperature sensors are provided.\",\n \"The computer-implemented methods include receiving temperature data (e.g., sampling at a first sampling rate, with a processor, first temperature measurements from a first temperature sensor on an on-body sensor); determining, with a processor, first ambient-compensated temperatures from the first temperature measurements; and determining, with a processor, final ambient-compensated temperatures by applying a correction gain or factor to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"The correction gain or factor changes value at a slower rate than the sampling rate.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include receiving second sensor data (e.g., sampling at the first sampling rate, with a processor, second temperature measurements from a second temperature sensor on the on-body sensor); and determining, with a processor, second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.\",\n \"The correction gain is calculated by performing a moving average between first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction gain is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, one or more of the processor sampling first temperatures at a first sampling rate, the processor determining first ambient-compensated temperatures, the processor determining final ambient compensated temperatures, the processor sampling second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the processor determining the second ambient-compensated temperature are different processors.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sampling of first temperatures at a first rate, the determining of first ambient-compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the determining of final ambient compensated temperatures, the sampling of second temperatures at the first sampling rate, and the determining of the second ambient-compensated temperature are each performed by either a processor coupled to an on-body unit including an in vivo analyte sensor or by a processor coupled to a receiver that communicates with the on-body unit.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction gain is calculated using parameter adaptation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the parameter adaptation is MIT adaptation.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the correction factor is applied to the first ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include sampling at the first sampling rate, with a processor, second temperatures measured from a second temperature sensor on the on-body sensor; and determining, with a processor, second ambient-compensated temperatures with the second temperature measurements.\",\n \"The correction factor is calculated by performing windowed comparisons between the first ambient-compensated temperatures and the second ambient-compensated temperatures, such that the correction factor is based on a set of recent pairs of first ambient-compensated temperatures and second ambient-compensated temperatures.\",\n \"In some aspects of the present disclosure, computer-implemented methods are provided that receive sensor data (e.g., a first sensor signal from a first electrode on an in vivo analyte sensor on an on-body sensor); receive additional sensor data (e.g., a second sensor signal from a second electrode on the in vivo analyte sensor); and determine a compensated temperature at the two working electrodes based on the difference between the temperature dependencies for the different sensing chemistries on the two working electrodes.\",\n \"The first electrode and second electrode include different sensing chemistries with different temperature dependencies.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a ratio of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature is determined based on a predetermined temperature, sensor areas, quantity of sensing materials, and efficiencies of the sensing chemistries, and diffusion controlling membrane.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include determining, with a processor, a temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal with the compensated temperature.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computer-implemented methods include determining an analyte level based on the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the first sensor signal and not the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with the second sensor signal and not the first sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the temperature-compensated analyte sensor signal is determined with both the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first electrode includes a first plurality of sensing elements on the in vivo analyte sensor and the second electrode includes a second plurality of sensing elements disposed on the in vivo analyte sensor.\",\n \"Various other modifications and alterations in the structure and method of operation of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with particular embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure as claimed should not be unduly limited to such particular embodiments.\",\n \"It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the present disclosure and that structures and methods within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.\",\n \"It should be understood that techniques introduced above can be implemented by programmable circuitry programmed or configured by software and/or firmware, or they can be implemented entirely by special-purpose “hardwired” circuitry, or in a combination of such forms.\",\n \"Such special-purpose circuitry (if any) can be in the form of, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.\",\n \"Software or firmware implementing the techniques introduced herein may be stored on a machine-readable storage medium and may be executed by one or more general-purpose or special-purpose programmable microprocessors.\",\n \"A “machine-readable medium”, as the term is used herein, includes any mechanism that can store information in a form accessible by a machine (a machine may be, for example, a computer, network device, cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), manufacturing took, any device with one or more processors, etc.).\",\n \"For example, a machine-accessible medium includes recordable/non-recordable media (e.g., read-only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; etc.\",\n \"), etc.\",\n \"The term “logic”, as used herein, can include, for example, special purpose hardwired circuitry, software and/or firmware in conjunction with programmable circuitry, or a combination thereof.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873464"}}},{"rowIdx":4494353,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["PORTABLE TERMINAL PERFORMING A PRINTER SEARCH BY USING BLUETOOTH","A portable terminal performs a printer search using Bluetooth®.","In a case where communication different from Bluetooth® communication can be performed between the portable terminal and a particular printer, he portable terminal displays those printing apparatuses found by the search that are able to communicate via a different communication.","Those printing apparatuses found by the search that just communicate via Bluetooth® are not displayed."],["1.A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that causes a communication terminal that searches for at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth® and transmits print data to the at least one printing apparatus via a communication different from Bluetooth® communication to execute a method, the method comprising: searching for the at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth®; determining whether it is possible to use the at least one printing apparatus found by the search via the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication; and displaying a screen including a first display item for selecting the at least one printing apparatus determined to be usable by the communication.","2.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is searched for based on a Bluetooth® signal of a predetermined format transmitted by the printing apparatus.","3.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 2, wherein the determining is performed based on information included in the Bluetooth® signal.","4.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the screen displays a second display item in a manner of displaying different from a manner of displaying of the first display item, and wherein the second display item is for confirming a printing apparatus determined not to be usable using the communication different from Bluetooth® communication.","5.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, further comprising: performing another communication different from Bluetooth® communication with the at least one printing apparatus found by the searching, wherein the determining is performed based on a result of the another communication.","6.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 5, wherein the another communication is GATT communication, and wherein the determining is performed based on information acquired via the GATT.","7.A communication terminal that searches for at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth® and transmits print data to the at least one printing apparatus via a communication different from Bluetooth® communication, the communication terminal comprising: a memory; and a processor that executes instructions stored in the memory to: search for the at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth®; determine whether it is possible to use the at least one printing apparatus found by the search via the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication; and display a screen including a first display item for selecting the at least one printing apparatus determined to be usable by the communication.","8.The communication terminal according to claim 7, wherein the printing apparatus is searched for based on a Bluetooth® signal of a predetermined format transmitted by the printing apparatus.","9.The communication terminal according to claim 8, wherein the determining is performed based on information included in the Bluetooth® signal.","10.The communication terminal according to claim 7, wherein the screen displays a second display item in a manner of displaying different from a manner of displaying of the first display item, and wherein the second display item is for confirming a printing apparatus determined not to be usable using the communication different from Bluetooth® communication.","11.The communication terminal according to claim 7, further comprising: performing another communication different from Bluetooth® communication with the at least one printing apparatus found by the searching, wherein the determining is performed based on a result of the another communication.","12.The communication terminal according to claim 11, wherein the another communication is GATT communication, and wherein the determining is performed based on information acquired via the GATT.","13.A method implemented by a communication terminal that searches for at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth® and transmits print data to the at least one printing apparatus via a communication different from Bluetooth® communication, the method comprising: searching for the at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth®; determining whether it is possible to use the at least one printing apparatus found by the search via the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication; and displaying a screen including a first display item for selecting the at least one printing apparatus determined to be usable by the communication.","14.The method according to claim 13, wherein the printing apparatus is searched for based on a Bluetooth® signal of a predetermined format transmitted by the printing apparatus.","15.The method according to claim 14, wherein the determining is performed based on information included in the Bluetooth® signal.","16.The method according to claim 13, wherein the screen displays a second display item in a manner of displaying different from a manner of displaying of the first display item, and wherein the second display item is for confirming a printing apparatus determined not to be usable using the communication different from Bluetooth® communication.","17.The method according to claim 13, further comprising: performing another communication different from Bluetooth® communication with the at least one printing apparatus found by the searching, wherein the determining is performed based on a result of the another communication.","18.The method according to claim 17, wherein the another communication is GATT communication, and wherein the determining is performed based on information acquired via the GATT."],[" BACKGROUND "],[" SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a portable terminal that searches for at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth® and transmits print data to the printing apparatus via a communication different from Bluetooth® communication includes a memory, and a processor that executes instructions stored in the memory to search for the printing apparatus using Bluetooth®, determine whether it is possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal, and display the at least one printing apparatus found by the search as a search result in a case where it is determined that it is possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal, wherein the at least one printing apparatus found by the search is not displayed as the search result in a case where it is determined that it is not possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal.","Further features of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings."],["CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/288,950, filed on Oct. 7, 2016, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.","2015-202247 filed Oct. 13, 2015, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.","BACKGROUND Field Aspects of the present invention relate to a portable terminal that performs a printer search using Bluetooth®.","Description of the Related Art To issue a print instruction from a mobile terminal, a user has to select a printing apparatus on the mobile terminal's display.","To enable a user to select a printing apparatus, the mobile terminal searches for printing apparatuses, and displays the result of the search.","As a means for searching for printing apparatuses from a mobile terminal, a method of determining the sequential order of the connection requests of plural printers based on search signal intensity is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.","2013-162381.A mobile terminal, for example, can receive a Bluetooth® signal from a device, such as printing device, where the device advertises information associated with the device via the Bluetooth® signal (hereinafter referred to as “Advertise of Bluetooth” or “Advertise”).","The mobile terminal, upon receipt of the Bluetooth® signal, adds the printing devices providing the Bluetooth® signal into a printer list in the descending order of radio wave intensity.","The user selects one printing apparatus from among those in the printer list displayed on the mobile terminal, and issues an instruction for execution of print processing.","When printing is performed using near-field wireless communication, such as Bluetooth®, the speed of communication is lower than in a case where a wireless LAN is used.","Therefore, there is a method of, after performing a printer search by using near-field wireless communication, transmitting print data by switching to wireless LAN.","However, in some cases, the printer found as a result of a near-field wireless search cannot perform wireless LAN communication, though it can use its near-field wireless function.","Examples of such cases include where a wireless LAN setting is OFF in the printer, the printer is out of order, or the printer is on a different subnetwork than the mobile terminal.","In such cases, the printer found via near-field wireless communication cannot actually be used for printing.","SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a portable terminal that searches for at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth® and transmits print data to the printing apparatus via a communication different from Bluetooth® communication includes a memory, and a processor that executes instructions stored in the memory to search for the printing apparatus using Bluetooth®, determine whether it is possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal, and display the at least one printing apparatus found by the search as a search result in a case where it is determined that it is possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal, wherein the at least one printing apparatus found by the search is not displayed as the search result in a case where it is determined that it is not possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal.","Further features of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the system configuration of an information processing system.","FIG.","2 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a printing apparatus.","FIG.","3 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a portable terminal.","FIG.","4 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a search screen according to a first embodiment.","FIG.","5 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a registered device list screen.","FIG.","6 is a diagram that illustrates another example of a search screen according to the first embodiment.","FIG.","7 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a device status table.","FIG.","8 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of information processing performed by the portable terminal.","FIG.","9 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a search screen according to a second embodiment.","DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS With reference to the accompanying drawings, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be explained.","First Embodiment FIG.","1 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the system configuration of an information processing system.","In FIG.","1, each of a portable terminal 101, a printing apparatus 102, and an access point 103 is capable of performing communication via the corresponding communication medium.","The system configuration illustrated in FIG.","1 is just an example.","Therefore, the portable terminal 101 can be any kind of information equipment.","In FIG.","1, for simplicity purposes, only a single printing apparatus is illustrated.","However, it is assumed herein that the information processing system includes a plurality of printing apparatuses.","FIG.","2 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 102.The printing apparatus 102 includes a CPU 201, which executes programs stored in a ROM 202 or, for example, in a hard disk drive (HDD) 213.The CPU 201 centrally controls each of devices connected to a system bus 216.A RAM 203 functions as the main memory, work area, etc.","of the CPU 201.An operation unit controller 208 controls various buttons provided on the printing apparatus 102 or an operation panel 209, a display 211, etc.","A disk controller 212 controls the HDD 213.A network I/F 207 exchanges data bi-directionally with other network equipment or a file server, etc.","via a network 220.A wireless communication module 206 connects to the network 220 via an access point for bidirectional data exchange with other network equipment or a file server, etc.","when operating in an infrastructure mode.","When operating in a soft AP mode, the wireless communication module 206 causes the printing apparatus to operate as an access point so as to establish a direct connection for wireless communication with a portable terminal.","A printer 214 is a print unit that performs electro-photographic printing on paper.","The method of printing is not limited to electro-photographic printing.","A scanner 215 is an image reader for reading an image printed on paper.","In many cases, an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) is mounted as an optional unit on the scanner 215.With an ADF, reading of plural sheets of an original document is accomplished automatically.","The HDD 213 can be used as a place for temporary storage of images in certain instances.","The printing apparatus 102 is capable of exchanging data with various peripheral devices via a non-contact IC card reader writer 204 and a Bluetooth® I/F 205.The CPU 201 performs processing based on programs stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD 213.The functions of the printing apparatus 102 are realized by this means.","FIG.","3 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the portable terminal 101.In the present embodiment, the terminal 101 is assumed to be a portable device such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, etc.","However, it can be any kind of an information processing apparatus that is capable of transmitting print data, etc.","to a printing apparatus.","A CPU 307 reads programs stored in a ROM 308 to perform various kinds of processing for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 101.Programs are stored in the ROM 308.A RAM 309 is used as a temporary storage area such as the work area, main memory, etc.","of the CPU 307.Various kinds of data, etc.","such as photos and electronic documents, etc.","are stored in the HDD 310.An operation panel 301 includes a touch panel function to detect a user's touch operation.","The operation panel 301 displays various kinds of screens presented by the operating systems, as well as an e-mail transmission application.","By touch-operating the operation panel 301, a user can input an operational instruction into the portable terminal 101.The portable terminal 101 can include hardware keys.","In this case, the user can input an operational instruction into the portable terminal 101 using the hardware keys.","A user's uses speaker 302 and a microphone 303 when using the portable terminal 101 for telephone conversations.","A camera 304 captures an image in response to an image-capturing instruction provided by a user.","A photo image captured by the camera 304 is stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 310.The portable terminal 101 exchanges data with various peripheral devices via a non-contact IC card communication I/F 305, a Bluetooth® communication I/F 306, and a wireless LAN communication I/F 311.Bluetooth® is one type of near-field wireless communication.","While Bluetooth® is used as the example of near-field wireless communication in the present embodiment, any other type of near-field wireless communication, for example, ZigBee, can be used.","Wireless LAN is an example of wireless communication used for transmitting print data.","The functions of the portable terminal 101, and the processing in the flowchart illustrated in FIG.","8 as described below, are realized by performing, by the CPU 307, processing based on the programs stored in the ROM 308 or the HDD 310.Next, examples of screens displayed on the portable terminal 101 will be described with reference to FIGS.","4 and 5.FIG.","4 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a search screen 420 for searching for and displaying printing apparatuses using Bluetooth®.","A title showing that the screen is for a Bluetooth® search is displayed in a screen title 421.A mark indicating that a Bluetooth® search is being performed is displayed in a network name 422.Printing apparatuses found as a result of the Bluetooth® search are displayed, in list format, in a search result list 423.In a Bluetooth® search, information that can be acquired by means of Advertise is limited.","Therefore, among the device names of printing apparatuses that can be acquired and MAC addresses thereof, the CPU 307 causes the display to show the device names of the printing apparatuses on the screen.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","4, from among the plural printing apparatuses found, the CPU 307 causes the display to show the device names of the printing apparatuses in sequential order based on distance from the portable terminal 101, with the nearest printing apparatus shown at the top of the list.","When the selection of the device name of a printing apparatus from among those in the search result list 423 by the user is detected, the CPU 307 commands that a registered device list screen illustrated in FIG.","5 described below be displayed on the operation panel 301.FIG.","5 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a registered device list screen 405.A title showing that it is a list of devices that have been registered by the user is displayed in a screen title 401.A wireless LAN network name is displayed in a network name 402 to inform the user to which network the user's terminal is currently connected.","The registered printing apparatuses selected by the user in FIG.","4 are displayed in a registered device list 403.The device names of printing apparatuses whose detailed information has already been acquired by using wireless LAN and attribute information thereof, such as IP addresses, etc., are displayed in the registered printing apparatus list.","FIG.","6 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a search screen 470, which is modified from the search screen 420 illustrated in FIG.","4.For example, in a case where a setting file stored in the HDD 310, etc.","contains screening setting for narrowing down printers to be displayed, the CPU 307 controls the display such that the search screen illustrated in FIG.","6 is displayed on the operation panel 301 instead of the search screen illustrated in FIG.","4.For example, a title that shows that it is a screen for a Bluetooth® search is displayed in a screen title 471.A mark that indicating that a Bluetooth® search is being performed is displayed in a network name 472.From among plural printing apparatuses found as a result of Bluetooth® search, the nearest printing apparatus is displayed in a search result list 473.The CPU 307 calculates each distance from the portable terminal 101 based on the intensity of the Bluetooth® radio waves.","In the present embodiment, the CPU 307 uses the distance between the portable terminal 101 and each printing apparatus to narrow-down to display a single printing apparatus.","However, the condition for narrowing-down to one printing apparatus is not limited thereto.","Other conditions can be employed.","For example, the printer apparatus of the most recent selection, or the printer apparatus used most frequently based on use history can be displayed.","The number of printing apparatuses in narrowing-down is not limited to one.","The number can be reduced based on a number set in the setting file, etc.","In accordance with information inputted via the operation panel 301 or the microphone 303, the CPU 307 sets or changes the condition of the setting file stored in the HDD 310, etc.","FIG.","7 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a device status table 601, which shows the statuses of printing apparatuses.","The device status table 601 is stored in the RAM 309 or the HDD 310, etc.","The device status table 601 includes printer name 602, wireless LAN ON/OFF status 603, printer status 604, and subnet 605.The CPU 307 determines that it is possible to perform communication if all of the following conditions are met: the wireless LAN status 603 is ON in the device status table 601; the printer status 604 is not “out of order”; and, the network in the subnet 605 is the same as the currently used network.","In the device status table 601 illustrated as an example in FIG.","7, the CPU 307 determines Device A, Device B, and Device D as printing apparatuses with which it is possible to perform communication.","Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG.","8, information processing performed by the portable terminal 101 when operation for displaying the search screen 420 is performed will be explained.","When operation for displaying the search screen 420 is performed, the CPU 307 starts Bluetooth® scanning.","In S552, the CPU 307 determines whether Advertise of Bluetooth® is received.","If, for example, Advertise of Bluetooth® is not received within a predetermined period of time (S552: NO), the CPU 307 terminates the processing in the flowchart illustrated in FIG.","8.The process proceeds to S553 if Advertise of Bluetooth® is received (S552: YES).","In S553, the CPU 307 analyzes the information of Advertise.","In S554, based on the result of the analysis, the CPU 307 determines whether Advertise contains “communication possible/impossible information”.","The “communication possible/impossible information” is information regarding whether, for example, wireless LAN is ON (possible) or OFF (not possible).","The CPU 307 creates the device status table 601 illustrated in FIG.","7 by performing communication with the printing apparatus.","If the CPU 307 determines that Advertise contains communication possible/impossible information (S554: YES), the process proceeds to S557.If the CPU 307 determines that Advertise does not contain communication possible/impossible information (S554: NO), the process proceeds to S555.In S557, the CPU 307 determines whether it is possible to perform communication based on the information in the device status table 601.If the CPU 307 determines that it is possible to perform communication (S557: YES), the process proceeds to S558.If the CPU 307 determines that it is not possible to perform communication (S557: NO), the process returns to S552.In S558, the CPU 307 adds information on the processing target printing apparatus into the printer list in the search screen, and displays the processing target printing apparatus in such a way as to be able to be selected.","When this processing is performed, if the setting file, etc.","contains screening setting for reducing the number of printers to be displayed, in accordance with the set conditions, the CPU 307 displays the number-reduced printer search screen 470 illustrated in FIG.","6, including printers that meet the set condition from among those in the printer list.","If the setting file, etc.","does not contain screening setting for reducing the number of printers to be displayed, the CPU 307 displays the printer search screen 420 illustrated in FIG.","4 based on the printer list.","After S558, the CPU 307 returns the process to S552 for receiving Advertise of the next printing apparatus.","In S555, the CPU 307 starts GATT communication with the printing apparatus.","In S556, the CPU 307 analyzes the received information to acquire communication possible/impossible information.","The communication possible/impossible information is information regarding whether, for example, wireless LAN is ON (possible) or OFF (not possible).","As described above, the CPU 307 creates the device status table 601 illustrated in FIG.","7 by performing communication with the printing apparatus.","After that, the process proceeds to S557.The CPU 307 determines whether it is possible to perform communication based on the information in the device status table 601.The processing of the present embodiment addresses the issue of having to redo printer selection when the printer found as a result of a Bluetooth® search cannot be used for printing due to inability to perform communication.","This ensures that a user can perform smooth printer registration operation.","Second Embodiment In the processing of the first embodiment, printing apparatuses found as a result of a Bluetooth® search that can communicate are displayed on a search screen as illustrated in FIG.","4.In other words, in the first embodiment, the portable terminal 101 does not display printing apparatuses that cannot communicate on the search screen.","However, the portable terminal 101 can display all printing apparatuses found using a Bluetooth® search on a search screen by making the manner of displaying printing apparatuses that can communicate different from the manner of displaying printing apparatuses that cannot communicate.","This processing will be explained in the present embodiment.","FIG.","9 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a search screen 450 for searching for and displaying printing apparatuses using Bluetooth®.","A title indicating that it is a screen for a Bluetooth® search is displayed in a screen title 451.A mark indicating that a Bluetooth® search is being performed is displayed in a network name 452.Printing apparatuses found as a result of the Bluetooth® search are displayed in a search result list 453.In the present embodiment, the CPU 307 uses different methods to display the list based on each printer's communication status (e.g., possible/impossible) acquired by means of Advertise or GATT in a Bluetooth® search.","For printing apparatuses that are in a state capable of communicating, the CPU 307 performs ordinary processing for displaying these printing apparatuses in the list in a selectable manner.","For printing apparatuses that are in a state not capable of communicating, the CPU 307 performs, for example, gray display processing for displaying these printing apparatuses in the list in a non-selectable manner.","For each of the printing apparatuses that are in a state not capable of communicating, the CPU 307 displays the reason why the printing apparatus cannot communicate as part of the list.","Display in gray (or gray-out) is an example of displaying printing apparatuses in a non-selectable manner.","For example, the CPU 307 can cause printing apparatuses that are in a state not capable of communicating to be displayed in the list in a non-selectable manner, each with an object, etc.","that is indicative of a non-selectable state.","Alternatively, the CPU 307 can cause printing apparatuses that are in a state not capable of communicating to be displayed in the list in a non-selectable manner in a non-gray color that is different from a color for printing apparatuses that are in a state capable of communicating.","The processing of the present embodiment enables a user to know whether each printing apparatus found as a result of a Bluetooth® search can communicate so that the user can select a printing apparatus that is in a state capable of communication.","Since, in the case where the printing apparatus is in a state not capable of communication, the reason why the printing apparatus cannot communicate is provided, is the user can remedy the state not capable of communicating, resulting in improved user operability.","Other Embodiments Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s).","The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions.","The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium.","The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.","While aspects of the present invention have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the aspects of the invention are not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.","The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"PORTABLE TERMINAL PERFORMING A PRINTER SEARCH BY USING BLUETOOTH\",\n \"A portable terminal performs a printer search using Bluetooth®.\",\n \"In a case where communication different from Bluetooth® communication can be performed between the portable terminal and a particular printer, he portable terminal displays those printing apparatuses found by the search that are able to communicate via a different communication.\",\n \"Those printing apparatuses found by the search that just communicate via Bluetooth® are not displayed.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that causes a communication terminal that searches for at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth® and transmits print data to the at least one printing apparatus via a communication different from Bluetooth® communication to execute a method, the method comprising: searching for the at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth®; determining whether it is possible to use the at least one printing apparatus found by the search via the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication; and displaying a screen including a first display item for selecting the at least one printing apparatus determined to be usable by the communication.\",\n \"2.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is searched for based on a Bluetooth® signal of a predetermined format transmitted by the printing apparatus.\",\n \"3.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 2, wherein the determining is performed based on information included in the Bluetooth® signal.\",\n \"4.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the screen displays a second display item in a manner of displaying different from a manner of displaying of the first display item, and wherein the second display item is for confirming a printing apparatus determined not to be usable using the communication different from Bluetooth® communication.\",\n \"5.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, further comprising: performing another communication different from Bluetooth® communication with the at least one printing apparatus found by the searching, wherein the determining is performed based on a result of the another communication.\",\n \"6.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 5, wherein the another communication is GATT communication, and wherein the determining is performed based on information acquired via the GATT.\",\n \"7.A communication terminal that searches for at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth® and transmits print data to the at least one printing apparatus via a communication different from Bluetooth® communication, the communication terminal comprising: a memory; and a processor that executes instructions stored in the memory to: search for the at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth®; determine whether it is possible to use the at least one printing apparatus found by the search via the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication; and display a screen including a first display item for selecting the at least one printing apparatus determined to be usable by the communication.\",\n \"8.The communication terminal according to claim 7, wherein the printing apparatus is searched for based on a Bluetooth® signal of a predetermined format transmitted by the printing apparatus.\",\n \"9.The communication terminal according to claim 8, wherein the determining is performed based on information included in the Bluetooth® signal.\",\n \"10.The communication terminal according to claim 7, wherein the screen displays a second display item in a manner of displaying different from a manner of displaying of the first display item, and wherein the second display item is for confirming a printing apparatus determined not to be usable using the communication different from Bluetooth® communication.\",\n \"11.The communication terminal according to claim 7, further comprising: performing another communication different from Bluetooth® communication with the at least one printing apparatus found by the searching, wherein the determining is performed based on a result of the another communication.\",\n \"12.The communication terminal according to claim 11, wherein the another communication is GATT communication, and wherein the determining is performed based on information acquired via the GATT.\",\n \"13.A method implemented by a communication terminal that searches for at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth® and transmits print data to the at least one printing apparatus via a communication different from Bluetooth® communication, the method comprising: searching for the at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth®; determining whether it is possible to use the at least one printing apparatus found by the search via the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication; and displaying a screen including a first display item for selecting the at least one printing apparatus determined to be usable by the communication.\",\n \"14.The method according to claim 13, wherein the printing apparatus is searched for based on a Bluetooth® signal of a predetermined format transmitted by the printing apparatus.\",\n \"15.The method according to claim 14, wherein the determining is performed based on information included in the Bluetooth® signal.\",\n \"16.The method according to claim 13, wherein the screen displays a second display item in a manner of displaying different from a manner of displaying of the first display item, and wherein the second display item is for confirming a printing apparatus determined not to be usable using the communication different from Bluetooth® communication.\",\n \"17.The method according to claim 13, further comprising: performing another communication different from Bluetooth® communication with the at least one printing apparatus found by the searching, wherein the determining is performed based on a result of the another communication.\",\n \"18.The method according to claim 17, wherein the another communication is GATT communication, and wherein the determining is performed based on information acquired via the GATT.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND \"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a portable terminal that searches for at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth® and transmits print data to the printing apparatus via a communication different from Bluetooth® communication includes a memory, and a processor that executes instructions stored in the memory to search for the printing apparatus using Bluetooth®, determine whether it is possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal, and display the at least one printing apparatus found by the search as a search result in a case where it is determined that it is possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal, wherein the at least one printing apparatus found by the search is not displayed as the search result in a case where it is determined that it is not possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal.\",\n \"Further features of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/288,950, filed on Oct. 7, 2016, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.\",\n \"2015-202247 filed Oct. 13, 2015, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Field Aspects of the present invention relate to a portable terminal that performs a printer search using Bluetooth®.\",\n \"Description of the Related Art To issue a print instruction from a mobile terminal, a user has to select a printing apparatus on the mobile terminal's display.\",\n \"To enable a user to select a printing apparatus, the mobile terminal searches for printing apparatuses, and displays the result of the search.\",\n \"As a means for searching for printing apparatuses from a mobile terminal, a method of determining the sequential order of the connection requests of plural printers based on search signal intensity is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2013-162381.A mobile terminal, for example, can receive a Bluetooth® signal from a device, such as printing device, where the device advertises information associated with the device via the Bluetooth® signal (hereinafter referred to as “Advertise of Bluetooth” or “Advertise”).\",\n \"The mobile terminal, upon receipt of the Bluetooth® signal, adds the printing devices providing the Bluetooth® signal into a printer list in the descending order of radio wave intensity.\",\n \"The user selects one printing apparatus from among those in the printer list displayed on the mobile terminal, and issues an instruction for execution of print processing.\",\n \"When printing is performed using near-field wireless communication, such as Bluetooth®, the speed of communication is lower than in a case where a wireless LAN is used.\",\n \"Therefore, there is a method of, after performing a printer search by using near-field wireless communication, transmitting print data by switching to wireless LAN.\",\n \"However, in some cases, the printer found as a result of a near-field wireless search cannot perform wireless LAN communication, though it can use its near-field wireless function.\",\n \"Examples of such cases include where a wireless LAN setting is OFF in the printer, the printer is out of order, or the printer is on a different subnetwork than the mobile terminal.\",\n \"In such cases, the printer found via near-field wireless communication cannot actually be used for printing.\",\n \"SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a portable terminal that searches for at least one printing apparatus using Bluetooth® and transmits print data to the printing apparatus via a communication different from Bluetooth® communication includes a memory, and a processor that executes instructions stored in the memory to search for the printing apparatus using Bluetooth®, determine whether it is possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal, and display the at least one printing apparatus found by the search as a search result in a case where it is determined that it is possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal, wherein the at least one printing apparatus found by the search is not displayed as the search result in a case where it is determined that it is not possible to perform the communication different from the Bluetooth® communication between the at least one printing apparatus found by the search and the portable terminal.\",\n \"Further features of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the system configuration of an information processing system.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a printing apparatus.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a portable terminal.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a search screen according to a first embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a registered device list screen.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a diagram that illustrates another example of a search screen according to the first embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a device status table.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of information processing performed by the portable terminal.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a search screen according to a second embodiment.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS With reference to the accompanying drawings, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be explained.\",\n \"First Embodiment FIG.\",\n \"1 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the system configuration of an information processing system.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"1, each of a portable terminal 101, a printing apparatus 102, and an access point 103 is capable of performing communication via the corresponding communication medium.\",\n \"The system configuration illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1 is just an example.\",\n \"Therefore, the portable terminal 101 can be any kind of information equipment.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"1, for simplicity purposes, only a single printing apparatus is illustrated.\",\n \"However, it is assumed herein that the information processing system includes a plurality of printing apparatuses.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 102.The printing apparatus 102 includes a CPU 201, which executes programs stored in a ROM 202 or, for example, in a hard disk drive (HDD) 213.The CPU 201 centrally controls each of devices connected to a system bus 216.A RAM 203 functions as the main memory, work area, etc.\",\n \"of the CPU 201.An operation unit controller 208 controls various buttons provided on the printing apparatus 102 or an operation panel 209, a display 211, etc.\",\n \"A disk controller 212 controls the HDD 213.A network I/F 207 exchanges data bi-directionally with other network equipment or a file server, etc.\",\n \"via a network 220.A wireless communication module 206 connects to the network 220 via an access point for bidirectional data exchange with other network equipment or a file server, etc.\",\n \"when operating in an infrastructure mode.\",\n \"When operating in a soft AP mode, the wireless communication module 206 causes the printing apparatus to operate as an access point so as to establish a direct connection for wireless communication with a portable terminal.\",\n \"A printer 214 is a print unit that performs electro-photographic printing on paper.\",\n \"The method of printing is not limited to electro-photographic printing.\",\n \"A scanner 215 is an image reader for reading an image printed on paper.\",\n \"In many cases, an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) is mounted as an optional unit on the scanner 215.With an ADF, reading of plural sheets of an original document is accomplished automatically.\",\n \"The HDD 213 can be used as a place for temporary storage of images in certain instances.\",\n \"The printing apparatus 102 is capable of exchanging data with various peripheral devices via a non-contact IC card reader writer 204 and a Bluetooth® I/F 205.The CPU 201 performs processing based on programs stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD 213.The functions of the printing apparatus 102 are realized by this means.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the portable terminal 101.In the present embodiment, the terminal 101 is assumed to be a portable device such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, etc.\",\n \"However, it can be any kind of an information processing apparatus that is capable of transmitting print data, etc.\",\n \"to a printing apparatus.\",\n \"A CPU 307 reads programs stored in a ROM 308 to perform various kinds of processing for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 101.Programs are stored in the ROM 308.A RAM 309 is used as a temporary storage area such as the work area, main memory, etc.\",\n \"of the CPU 307.Various kinds of data, etc.\",\n \"such as photos and electronic documents, etc.\",\n \"are stored in the HDD 310.An operation panel 301 includes a touch panel function to detect a user's touch operation.\",\n \"The operation panel 301 displays various kinds of screens presented by the operating systems, as well as an e-mail transmission application.\",\n \"By touch-operating the operation panel 301, a user can input an operational instruction into the portable terminal 101.The portable terminal 101 can include hardware keys.\",\n \"In this case, the user can input an operational instruction into the portable terminal 101 using the hardware keys.\",\n \"A user's uses speaker 302 and a microphone 303 when using the portable terminal 101 for telephone conversations.\",\n \"A camera 304 captures an image in response to an image-capturing instruction provided by a user.\",\n \"A photo image captured by the camera 304 is stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 310.The portable terminal 101 exchanges data with various peripheral devices via a non-contact IC card communication I/F 305, a Bluetooth® communication I/F 306, and a wireless LAN communication I/F 311.Bluetooth® is one type of near-field wireless communication.\",\n \"While Bluetooth® is used as the example of near-field wireless communication in the present embodiment, any other type of near-field wireless communication, for example, ZigBee, can be used.\",\n \"Wireless LAN is an example of wireless communication used for transmitting print data.\",\n \"The functions of the portable terminal 101, and the processing in the flowchart illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8 as described below, are realized by performing, by the CPU 307, processing based on the programs stored in the ROM 308 or the HDD 310.Next, examples of screens displayed on the portable terminal 101 will be described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"4 and 5.FIG.\",\n \"4 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a search screen 420 for searching for and displaying printing apparatuses using Bluetooth®.\",\n \"A title showing that the screen is for a Bluetooth® search is displayed in a screen title 421.A mark indicating that a Bluetooth® search is being performed is displayed in a network name 422.Printing apparatuses found as a result of the Bluetooth® search are displayed, in list format, in a search result list 423.In a Bluetooth® search, information that can be acquired by means of Advertise is limited.\",\n \"Therefore, among the device names of printing apparatuses that can be acquired and MAC addresses thereof, the CPU 307 causes the display to show the device names of the printing apparatuses on the screen.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4, from among the plural printing apparatuses found, the CPU 307 causes the display to show the device names of the printing apparatuses in sequential order based on distance from the portable terminal 101, with the nearest printing apparatus shown at the top of the list.\",\n \"When the selection of the device name of a printing apparatus from among those in the search result list 423 by the user is detected, the CPU 307 commands that a registered device list screen illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"5 described below be displayed on the operation panel 301.FIG.\",\n \"5 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a registered device list screen 405.A title showing that it is a list of devices that have been registered by the user is displayed in a screen title 401.A wireless LAN network name is displayed in a network name 402 to inform the user to which network the user's terminal is currently connected.\",\n \"The registered printing apparatuses selected by the user in FIG.\",\n \"4 are displayed in a registered device list 403.The device names of printing apparatuses whose detailed information has already been acquired by using wireless LAN and attribute information thereof, such as IP addresses, etc., are displayed in the registered printing apparatus list.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a search screen 470, which is modified from the search screen 420 illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4.For example, in a case where a setting file stored in the HDD 310, etc.\",\n \"contains screening setting for narrowing down printers to be displayed, the CPU 307 controls the display such that the search screen illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"6 is displayed on the operation panel 301 instead of the search screen illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4.For example, a title that shows that it is a screen for a Bluetooth® search is displayed in a screen title 471.A mark that indicating that a Bluetooth® search is being performed is displayed in a network name 472.From among plural printing apparatuses found as a result of Bluetooth® search, the nearest printing apparatus is displayed in a search result list 473.The CPU 307 calculates each distance from the portable terminal 101 based on the intensity of the Bluetooth® radio waves.\",\n \"In the present embodiment, the CPU 307 uses the distance between the portable terminal 101 and each printing apparatus to narrow-down to display a single printing apparatus.\",\n \"However, the condition for narrowing-down to one printing apparatus is not limited thereto.\",\n \"Other conditions can be employed.\",\n \"For example, the printer apparatus of the most recent selection, or the printer apparatus used most frequently based on use history can be displayed.\",\n \"The number of printing apparatuses in narrowing-down is not limited to one.\",\n \"The number can be reduced based on a number set in the setting file, etc.\",\n \"In accordance with information inputted via the operation panel 301 or the microphone 303, the CPU 307 sets or changes the condition of the setting file stored in the HDD 310, etc.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a device status table 601, which shows the statuses of printing apparatuses.\",\n \"The device status table 601 is stored in the RAM 309 or the HDD 310, etc.\",\n \"The device status table 601 includes printer name 602, wireless LAN ON/OFF status 603, printer status 604, and subnet 605.The CPU 307 determines that it is possible to perform communication if all of the following conditions are met: the wireless LAN status 603 is ON in the device status table 601; the printer status 604 is not “out of order”; and, the network in the subnet 605 is the same as the currently used network.\",\n \"In the device status table 601 illustrated as an example in FIG.\",\n \"7, the CPU 307 determines Device A, Device B, and Device D as printing apparatuses with which it is possible to perform communication.\",\n \"Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG.\",\n \"8, information processing performed by the portable terminal 101 when operation for displaying the search screen 420 is performed will be explained.\",\n \"When operation for displaying the search screen 420 is performed, the CPU 307 starts Bluetooth® scanning.\",\n \"In S552, the CPU 307 determines whether Advertise of Bluetooth® is received.\",\n \"If, for example, Advertise of Bluetooth® is not received within a predetermined period of time (S552: NO), the CPU 307 terminates the processing in the flowchart illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8.The process proceeds to S553 if Advertise of Bluetooth® is received (S552: YES).\",\n \"In S553, the CPU 307 analyzes the information of Advertise.\",\n \"In S554, based on the result of the analysis, the CPU 307 determines whether Advertise contains “communication possible/impossible information”.\",\n \"The “communication possible/impossible information” is information regarding whether, for example, wireless LAN is ON (possible) or OFF (not possible).\",\n \"The CPU 307 creates the device status table 601 illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7 by performing communication with the printing apparatus.\",\n \"If the CPU 307 determines that Advertise contains communication possible/impossible information (S554: YES), the process proceeds to S557.If the CPU 307 determines that Advertise does not contain communication possible/impossible information (S554: NO), the process proceeds to S555.In S557, the CPU 307 determines whether it is possible to perform communication based on the information in the device status table 601.If the CPU 307 determines that it is possible to perform communication (S557: YES), the process proceeds to S558.If the CPU 307 determines that it is not possible to perform communication (S557: NO), the process returns to S552.In S558, the CPU 307 adds information on the processing target printing apparatus into the printer list in the search screen, and displays the processing target printing apparatus in such a way as to be able to be selected.\",\n \"When this processing is performed, if the setting file, etc.\",\n \"contains screening setting for reducing the number of printers to be displayed, in accordance with the set conditions, the CPU 307 displays the number-reduced printer search screen 470 illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"6, including printers that meet the set condition from among those in the printer list.\",\n \"If the setting file, etc.\",\n \"does not contain screening setting for reducing the number of printers to be displayed, the CPU 307 displays the printer search screen 420 illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4 based on the printer list.\",\n \"After S558, the CPU 307 returns the process to S552 for receiving Advertise of the next printing apparatus.\",\n \"In S555, the CPU 307 starts GATT communication with the printing apparatus.\",\n \"In S556, the CPU 307 analyzes the received information to acquire communication possible/impossible information.\",\n \"The communication possible/impossible information is information regarding whether, for example, wireless LAN is ON (possible) or OFF (not possible).\",\n \"As described above, the CPU 307 creates the device status table 601 illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7 by performing communication with the printing apparatus.\",\n \"After that, the process proceeds to S557.The CPU 307 determines whether it is possible to perform communication based on the information in the device status table 601.The processing of the present embodiment addresses the issue of having to redo printer selection when the printer found as a result of a Bluetooth® search cannot be used for printing due to inability to perform communication.\",\n \"This ensures that a user can perform smooth printer registration operation.\",\n \"Second Embodiment In the processing of the first embodiment, printing apparatuses found as a result of a Bluetooth® search that can communicate are displayed on a search screen as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4.In other words, in the first embodiment, the portable terminal 101 does not display printing apparatuses that cannot communicate on the search screen.\",\n \"However, the portable terminal 101 can display all printing apparatuses found using a Bluetooth® search on a search screen by making the manner of displaying printing apparatuses that can communicate different from the manner of displaying printing apparatuses that cannot communicate.\",\n \"This processing will be explained in the present embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a search screen 450 for searching for and displaying printing apparatuses using Bluetooth®.\",\n \"A title indicating that it is a screen for a Bluetooth® search is displayed in a screen title 451.A mark indicating that a Bluetooth® search is being performed is displayed in a network name 452.Printing apparatuses found as a result of the Bluetooth® search are displayed in a search result list 453.In the present embodiment, the CPU 307 uses different methods to display the list based on each printer's communication status (e.g., possible/impossible) acquired by means of Advertise or GATT in a Bluetooth® search.\",\n \"For printing apparatuses that are in a state capable of communicating, the CPU 307 performs ordinary processing for displaying these printing apparatuses in the list in a selectable manner.\",\n \"For printing apparatuses that are in a state not capable of communicating, the CPU 307 performs, for example, gray display processing for displaying these printing apparatuses in the list in a non-selectable manner.\",\n \"For each of the printing apparatuses that are in a state not capable of communicating, the CPU 307 displays the reason why the printing apparatus cannot communicate as part of the list.\",\n \"Display in gray (or gray-out) is an example of displaying printing apparatuses in a non-selectable manner.\",\n \"For example, the CPU 307 can cause printing apparatuses that are in a state not capable of communicating to be displayed in the list in a non-selectable manner, each with an object, etc.\",\n \"that is indicative of a non-selectable state.\",\n \"Alternatively, the CPU 307 can cause printing apparatuses that are in a state not capable of communicating to be displayed in the list in a non-selectable manner in a non-gray color that is different from a color for printing apparatuses that are in a state capable of communicating.\",\n \"The processing of the present embodiment enables a user to know whether each printing apparatus found as a result of a Bluetooth® search can communicate so that the user can select a printing apparatus that is in a state capable of communication.\",\n \"Since, in the case where the printing apparatus is in a state not capable of communication, the reason why the printing apparatus cannot communicate is provided, is the user can remedy the state not capable of communicating, resulting in improved user operability.\",\n \"Other Embodiments Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s).\",\n \"The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions.\",\n \"The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium.\",\n \"The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.\",\n \"While aspects of the present invention have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the aspects of the invention are not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873466"}}},{"rowIdx":4494354,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["ORGANIC ELECTROLUMINESCENT MATERIALS AND DEVICES","Phosphorescent materials and devices with high device efficiency, stability, and processability."],["1.An electronic display comprising an organic light emiding diode (OLED) comprising: an anode; a cathode; and an emissive organic layer, disposed between the anode and the cathode, the organic layer further comprising a compound having a formula: wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position; and X—Y is an ancillary ligand.","2.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R1 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.","3.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R2 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.","4.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.","5.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein the organic emissive layer further comprises BAlq or 6.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein the branched alkyl is an isobutyl group.","7.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R1 is an isobutyl group.","8.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R2 is an isobutyl group.","9.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R3 is an isobutyl group.","10.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein X—Y is acac.","11.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: 12.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein the electronic display is one of a computer monitor, a television, a personal digital assistant, a printer, an instrument panel, a calculator, a wireless phone, handheld computers, and a bill board.","13.An emissive layer comprising a host material doped with a compound having a formula: wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position; and X—Y is an ancillary ligand.","14.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R1 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.","15.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R2 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.","16.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.","17.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein the branched alkyl is an isobutyl group.","18.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R1 is an isobutyl group.","19.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R2 is an isobutyl group.","20.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R3 is an isobutyl group."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The claimed invention was made by, on behalf of, and/or in connection with one or more of the following parties to a joint university-corporation research agreement: Princeton University, The University of Southern California, and the Universal Display Corporation.","The agreement was in effect on and before the date the claimed invention was made, and the claimed invention was made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of the agreement.","Electronic display currently is a primary means for rapid delivery of information.","Television sets, computer monitors, instrument display panels, calculators, printers, wireless phones, handheld computers, etc.","aptly illustrate the speed, versatility, and interactivity that is characteristic of this medium.","Of the known electronic display technologies, organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) are of considerable interest for their potential role in the development of full color, flat-panel display systems that may render obsolete the bulky cathode ray tubes still currently used in many television sets and computer monitors.","Generally, OLEDs are comprised of several organic layers in which at least one of the layers can be made to electroluminesce by applying a voltage across the device (see, e.g., Tang, et al., Appl.","Phys.","Lett.","1987, 51, 913 and Burroughes, et al., Nature, 1990, 347, 359).","When a voltage is applied across a device, the cathode effectively reduces the adjacent organic layers (i.e., injects electrons), and the anode effectively oxidizes the adjacent organic layers (i.e., injects holes).","Holes and electrons migrate across the device toward their respective oppositely charged electrodes.","When a hole and electron meet on the same molecule, recombination is said to occur, and an exciton is formed.","Recombination of the hole and electron in luminescent compounds is accompanied by radiative emission, thereby producing electroluminescence.","Depending on the spin states of the hole and electron, the exciton resulting from hole and electron recombination can have either a triplet or singlet spin state.","Luminescence from a singlet exciton results in fluorescence, whereas luminescence from a triplet exciton results in phosphorescence.","Statistically, for organic materials typically used in OLEDs, one quarter of the excitons are singlets, and the remaining three-quarters are triplets (see, e.g., Baldo, et al., Phys.","Rev.","B, 1999, 60, 14422).","Until the discovery that there were certain phosphorescent materials that could be used to fabricate practical electro-phosphorescent OLEDs (U.S. Pat.","No.","6,303,238) and, subsequently, demonstration that such electro-phosphorescent OLEDs could have a theoretical quantum efficiency of up to 100% (i.e., harvesting all of both triplets and singlets), the most efficient OLEDs were typically based on materials that fluoresced.","Fluorescent materials luminesce with a maximum theoretical quantum efficiency of only 25% (where quantum efficiency of an OLED refers to the efficiency with which holes and electrons recombine to produce luminescence), since the triplet to ground state transition of phosphorescent emission is formally a spin forbidden process.","Electro-phosphorescent OLEDs have now been shown to have superior overall device efficiencies as compared with electro-fluorescent OLEDs (see, e.g., Baldo, et al., Nature, 1998, 395, 151 and Baldo, et al., Appl.","Phys.","Lett.","1999, 75(3), 4).","Due to strong spin-orbit coupling that leads to singlet-triplet state mixing, heavy metal complexes often display efficient phosphorescent emission from such triplets at room temperature.","Accordingly, OLEDs comprising such complexes have been shown to have internal quantum efficiencies of more than 75% (Adachi, et al., Appl.","Phys.","Lett., 2000, 77, 904).","Certain organometallic iridium complexes have been reported as having intense phosphorescence (Lamansky, et al., Inorganic Chemistry, 2001, 40, 1704), and efficient OLEDs emitting in the green to red spectrum have been prepared with these complexes (Lamansky, et al., J.","Am.","Chem.","Soc., 2001, 123, 4304).","Red-emitting devices containing iridium complexes have been prepared according to U.S. Pat.","No.","6,821,645.Phosphorescent heavy metal organometallic complexes and their respective devices have also been the subject of International Patent Application Publications WO 00/57676, WO 00/70655, and WO 01/41512; U.S. Publications 2006/0202194 and 2006/0204785; and U.S. Pat.","Nos.","7,001,536; 6,911,271; 6,939,624; and 6,835,469.Despite the recent discoveries of efficient heavy metal phosphors and the resulting advancements in OLED technology, there remains a need for even greater efficiency in devices.","Fabrication of brighter devices that use less power and have longer lifetimes will contribute to the development of new display technologies and help realize the current goals toward full color electronic display on flat surfaces.","The phosphorescent organometallic compounds, and the devices comprising them, described herein, help fulfill these and other needs."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, an iridium compound has a formula: wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; each of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position; and X—Y is an ancillary ligand.","The branched alkyl can be an isobutyl group.","The X—Y ligand can be acac.","Specific exemplary compounds are also provided.","In another embodiment, a compound includes a ligand having the formula: each of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position.","The ligand can be coordinated to a metal having an atomic number greater than 40, e.g., Ir.","In yet another embodiment, specific compounds are provided, e.g., Compounds 1-24.In yet another embodiment, an organic light emitting device comprises an anode, a cathode, and an emissive organic layer disposed between the anode and the cathode.","The organic emissive layer comprises one or more of the compounds provided.","The organic emissive layer can further comprise, e.g., Compound C or BAlq."],["CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/400,538, filed Jan. 6, 2017, which is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/826,762, filed Aug. 14, 2015, now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,577,201, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","13/849,028, filed Mar.","22, 2013, now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,142,786, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","12/044,234, filed Mar.","7, 2008, now U.S. Pat.","No.","8,431,243, which claims priority to U.S.","Provisional Application 60/905,758, filed Mar.","8, 2007, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.","PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT The claimed invention was made by, on behalf of, and/or in connection with one or more of the following parties to a joint university corporation research agreement: The Regents of the University of Michigan, Princeton University, University of Southern California, and Universal Display Corporation.","The agreement was in effect on and before the date the claimed invention was made, and the claimed invention was made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of the agreement.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The claimed invention was made by, on behalf of, and/or in connection with one or more of the following parties to a joint university-corporation research agreement: Princeton University, The University of Southern California, and the Universal Display Corporation.","The agreement was in effect on and before the date the claimed invention was made, and the claimed invention was made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of the agreement.","Electronic display currently is a primary means for rapid delivery of information.","Television sets, computer monitors, instrument display panels, calculators, printers, wireless phones, handheld computers, etc.","aptly illustrate the speed, versatility, and interactivity that is characteristic of this medium.","Of the known electronic display technologies, organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) are of considerable interest for their potential role in the development of full color, flat-panel display systems that may render obsolete the bulky cathode ray tubes still currently used in many television sets and computer monitors.","Generally, OLEDs are comprised of several organic layers in which at least one of the layers can be made to electroluminesce by applying a voltage across the device (see, e.g., Tang, et al., Appl.","Phys.","Lett.","1987, 51, 913 and Burroughes, et al., Nature, 1990, 347, 359).","When a voltage is applied across a device, the cathode effectively reduces the adjacent organic layers (i.e., injects electrons), and the anode effectively oxidizes the adjacent organic layers (i.e., injects holes).","Holes and electrons migrate across the device toward their respective oppositely charged electrodes.","When a hole and electron meet on the same molecule, recombination is said to occur, and an exciton is formed.","Recombination of the hole and electron in luminescent compounds is accompanied by radiative emission, thereby producing electroluminescence.","Depending on the spin states of the hole and electron, the exciton resulting from hole and electron recombination can have either a triplet or singlet spin state.","Luminescence from a singlet exciton results in fluorescence, whereas luminescence from a triplet exciton results in phosphorescence.","Statistically, for organic materials typically used in OLEDs, one quarter of the excitons are singlets, and the remaining three-quarters are triplets (see, e.g., Baldo, et al., Phys.","Rev.","B, 1999, 60, 14422).","Until the discovery that there were certain phosphorescent materials that could be used to fabricate practical electro-phosphorescent OLEDs (U.S. Pat.","No.","6,303,238) and, subsequently, demonstration that such electro-phosphorescent OLEDs could have a theoretical quantum efficiency of up to 100% (i.e., harvesting all of both triplets and singlets), the most efficient OLEDs were typically based on materials that fluoresced.","Fluorescent materials luminesce with a maximum theoretical quantum efficiency of only 25% (where quantum efficiency of an OLED refers to the efficiency with which holes and electrons recombine to produce luminescence), since the triplet to ground state transition of phosphorescent emission is formally a spin forbidden process.","Electro-phosphorescent OLEDs have now been shown to have superior overall device efficiencies as compared with electro-fluorescent OLEDs (see, e.g., Baldo, et al., Nature, 1998, 395, 151 and Baldo, et al., Appl.","Phys.","Lett.","1999, 75(3), 4).","Due to strong spin-orbit coupling that leads to singlet-triplet state mixing, heavy metal complexes often display efficient phosphorescent emission from such triplets at room temperature.","Accordingly, OLEDs comprising such complexes have been shown to have internal quantum efficiencies of more than 75% (Adachi, et al., Appl.","Phys.","Lett., 2000, 77, 904).","Certain organometallic iridium complexes have been reported as having intense phosphorescence (Lamansky, et al., Inorganic Chemistry, 2001, 40, 1704), and efficient OLEDs emitting in the green to red spectrum have been prepared with these complexes (Lamansky, et al., J.","Am.","Chem.","Soc., 2001, 123, 4304).","Red-emitting devices containing iridium complexes have been prepared according to U.S. Pat.","No.","6,821,645.Phosphorescent heavy metal organometallic complexes and their respective devices have also been the subject of International Patent Application Publications WO 00/57676, WO 00/70655, and WO 01/41512; U.S. Publications 2006/0202194 and 2006/0204785; and U.S. Pat.","Nos.","7,001,536; 6,911,271; 6,939,624; and 6,835,469.Despite the recent discoveries of efficient heavy metal phosphors and the resulting advancements in OLED technology, there remains a need for even greater efficiency in devices.","Fabrication of brighter devices that use less power and have longer lifetimes will contribute to the development of new display technologies and help realize the current goals toward full color electronic display on flat surfaces.","The phosphorescent organometallic compounds, and the devices comprising them, described herein, help fulfill these and other needs.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, an iridium compound has a formula: wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position; and X—Y is an ancillary ligand.","The branched alkyl can be an isobutyl group.","The X—Y ligand can be acac.","Specific exemplary compounds are also provided.","In another embodiment, a compound includes a ligand having the formula: each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position.","The ligand can be coordinated to a metal having an atomic number greater than 40, e.g., Ir.","In yet another embodiment, specific compounds are provided, e.g., Compounds 1-24.In yet another embodiment, an organic light emitting device comprises an anode, a cathode, and an emissive organic layer disposed between the anode and the cathode.","The organic emissive layer comprises one or more of the compounds provided.","The organic emissive layer can further comprise, e.g., Compound C or BAlq.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG.","1 shows an organic light emitting device having separate electron transport, hole transport, and emissive layers, as well as other layers.","FIG.","2 shows an inverted organic light emitting device that does not have a separate electron transport layer.","FIG.","3 shows examples of iridium compounds.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG.","1 shows an organic light emitting device 100.The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","Device 100 may include a substrate 110, an anode 115, a hole injection layer 120, a hole transport layer 125, an electron blocking layer 130, an emissive layer 135, a hole blocking layer 140, an electron transport layer 145, an electron injection layer 150, a protective layer 155, and a cathode 160.Cathode 160 is a compound cathode having a first conductive layer 162 and a second conductive layer 164.Device 100 may be fabricated by depositing the layers described, in order.","The properties and functions of these various layers, as well as example materials, are described in more detail in U.S. Pat.","No.","7,279,704 at cols.","6-10, which are incorporated by reference.","FIG.","2 shows an inverted OLED 200.The device includes a substrate 210, a cathode 215, an emissive layer 220, a hole transport layer 225, and an anode 230.Device 200 may be fabricated by depositing the layers described, in order.","Because the most common OLED configuration has a cathode disposed over the anode, and device 200 has cathode 215 disposed under anode 230, device 200 may be referred to as an “inverted” OLED.","Materials similar to those described with respect to device 100 may be used in the corresponding layers of device 200.FIG.","2 provides one example of how some layers may be omitted from the structure of device 100.The simple layered structure illustrated in FIGS.","1 and 2 is provided by way of non-limiting example, and it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be used in connection with a wide variety of other structures.","The specific materials and structures described are exemplary in nature, and other materials and structures may be used.","Functional OLEDs may be achieved by combining the various layers described in different ways, or layers may be omitted entirely, based on design, performance, and cost factors.","Other layers not specifically described may also be included.","Materials other than those specifically described may be used.","Although many of the examples provided herein describe various layers as comprising a single material, it is understood that combinations of materials, such as a mixture of host and dopant, or more generally a mixture, may be used.","Also, the layers may have various sublayers.","The names given to the various layers herein are not intended to be strictly limiting.","For example, in device 200, hole transport layer 225 transports holes and injects holes into emissive layer 220, and may be described as a hole transport layer or a hole injection layer.","In one embodiment, an OLED may be described as having an “organic layer” disposed between a cathode and an anode.","This organic layer may comprise a single layer, or may further comprise multiple layers of different organic materials as described, for example, with respect to FIGS.","1 and 2.Numerous Ir(2-phenylquinoline) and Ir(1-phenylisoquinoline) type phosphorescent materials have been synthesized, and OLEDs incorporating them as the dopant emitters have been fabricated.","The devices may advantageously exhibit high current efficiency, high stability, narrow emission, high processability (such as high solubility and low evaporation temperature), high luminous efficiency, and/or high luminous efficiency: quantum efficiency ratio (LE:EQE).","Using the base structure of Ir(3-Meppy)3, different alkyl and fluoro substitution patters were studied to establish a structure-property relationship with respect to material processability (evaporation temperature, evaporation stability, solubility, etc.)","and device characteristics of Ir(2-phenylquinoline) and Ir(1-phenylisoquinoline) type phosphorescent materials and their PHOLEDs.","Alkyl and fluoro substitutions are particular important because they offer a wide range of tenability in terms of evaporation temperature, solubility, energy levels, device efficiency, etc.","Moreover, they are stable as functional groups chemically and in device operation when applied appropriately.","In one embodiment, an iridium compound has the formula (also illustrated in FIG.","3): wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position; and X—Y is an ancillary ligand.","Together, X and Y represent a bidentate ligand.","Numerous bidentate ligands are known to those skilled in the art and many suitable examples are provided in Cotton and Wilkinson, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, Fourth Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1980.In some embodiments, bidentate ligands are monoanionic.","Suitable bidentate ligands include, but are not limited to, acetylacetonate (acac), picolinate (pic), hexafluoroacetylacetonate, salicylidene, 8-hydroxyquinolinate; amino acids, salicylaldehydes, and iminoacetonates.","In one embodiment, X—Y is acac.","Bidentate ligands also include biaryl compounds.","In some embodiments, the biaryl compounds coordinate to the metal atom through a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom.","As used herein, the term “biaryl” refers to compounds comprising two aryl groups covalently joined by a single bond.","The aryl groups of a biaryl compound can be aryl or heteroaryl, including both monocyclic or poly-cyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups.","Exemplary biaryl groups include, but are not limited to, biphenyl, bipyridyl, phenylpyridyl, and derivatives thereof.","Biaryl compounds can serve as bidentate ligands in metal coordination complexes, for instance, by coordinating though one atom in each of the two aryl groups.","The coordinating atoms can be carbon or a heteroatom.","Further suitable bidentate ligands include, but are not limited to, 2-(1-naphthyl)benzoxazole, 2-phenylbenzoxazole, 2-phenylbenzothiazole, coumarin, thienylpyridine, phenylpyridine, benzothienylpyridine, 3-methoxy-2-phenylpyridine, thienylpyridine, tolylpyridine, phenylimines, vinylpyridines, arylquinolines, pyridylnaphthalenes, pyridylpyrroles, pyridylimidazoles, phenylindoles, and derivatives thereof.","Suitable bidentate ligands also include those provided by U.S. Pat.","Nos.","7,001,536; 6,911,271; 6,939,624; and 6,835,469.In another embodiment, X and Y can each be a monodentate ligand, that is, any ligand capable of coordinating to a metal atom through one atom.","Numerous monodentate ligands are well known in the art, and many suitable examples are provided in Cotton and Wilkinson, supra.","In some embodiments, monodentate ligands can include F, C1, Br, I, CO, CN, CN(R4), SR4, SCN, OCN, P(R4)3, P(OR4)3, N(R4)3, NO, N3, or a nitrogen-containing heterocycle optionally substituted by one or more substituents X.","Each R4 is independently H, C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C1-C20 heteroalkyl, C3-C40 aryl, C3-C40 heteroaryl.","R4 is optionally substituted by one or more substituents X, wherein each X is independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, R5, OR5, N(R5)2, P(R5)2, P(OR5)2, POR5, PO2R5, PO3R5, SR5, Si(R5)3, B(R5)2, B(OR5)2C(O)R5, C(O)OR5, C(O)N(R5)2, CN, NO2, SO2, SOR5, SO2R5, or SO3R5.Each R5 is independently H, C1-C20 alkyl, C1-C20 perhaloalkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C1-C20 heteroalkyl, C3-C40 aryl, or C3-C40 heteroaryl.","The phrase “nitrogen-containing heterocycle” as used herein refers to any heterocyclic group containing at least one nitrogen atom.","Nitrogen-containing heterocycles can be saturated or unsaturated and include, but are not limited to, pyridine, imidazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, pyrrole, 1,3,4-triazole, tetrazole, oxazole, thiazole, and derivatives thereof.","In further embodiments, one of X and Y is a neutral monodentate ligand, and the other of X and Y is monoanionic, i.e., X and Y have a combined charge of (−1).","For example, X can be chloro, and Y can be pyridyl.","Some of the compounds provided comprise at least one bidentate phenylquinolinato (pq) ligand.","The term phenylquinolinato, or pq, as used herein refers to both substituted and non-substituted ligands, and the number (n) of coordinated pq ligands can be 1, 2, or 3.In some embodiments, compounds comprise m-1 pq ligands (wherein m is the formal charge of the metal) or, in some embodiments, two pq ligands.","Phenylquinolinato ligands can be substituted with substituents R1, R2, and R3 as defined above.","Any combination of substituents is suitable.","Adjacently-positioned substituents can, together, comprise a 4- to 7-member cyclic group that is fused to the ligand.","For example, the pairs R1 and R2 or R2 and R3 can comprise a fused cyclic group.","The phrase “fused cyclic group” refers to a cyclic group that shares one or more bonds with a further cyclic group.","The pq ligands can have any number of fused cyclic group substituents.","Any feasible combination of fused cyclic groups and the remaining of R1, R2, and R3 not involved in a fused cyclic group is contemplated.","As used herein, the term “alkyl” includes linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups.","In some embodiments, alkyl groups are C1-C20 alkyl groups.","Exemplary alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, cyclohexyl, and norbornyl.","In one embodiment, the compound includes a branched aryl, wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position.","The benzylic position is the carbon attached directly to the aryl ring.","Thus, in this embodiment, the alkyl chain projects linearly from the aryl ring for at least two carbons until branching begins.","The branched alkyl can be, e.g., an isobutyl group.","As used herein, the term “heteroalkyl” refers to alkyl groups including one or more heteroatoms such as O, S, or N. Heteroalkyl groups can also comprise unsaturations.","Exemplary heteroalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, and morpholinyl.","The term “perhaloalkyl” refers to alkyl groups substituted by halogen.","Exemplary perhaloalkyl group include, but are not limited to, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, and pentafluoroethyl.","“Alkenyl” groups refer to alkyl groups having one or more double bonds, and “alkynyl” groups refer to alkyl groups having one or more triple bonds.","“Aryl” groups can be any mono- or polycyclic aromatic group, and “heteroaryl” refers to an aryl group including one or more heteroatoms such as O, S, or N. Aryl groups can have about 3 to about 40 carbon atoms and include, but are not limited to, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, and phenanthryl.","Heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, pyridyl, indolyl, benzothiophene, and quinolinyl.","“Amino” groups as used herein include amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, and diarylamino groups.","Exemplary amino groups include, but are not limited to, NH2, methylamino, dimethylamino, phenylamino, and diphenylamino.","“Halo” groups are halogens including, e.g., fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodo.","Specific examples of compounds of formula I or II include: In another embodiment, a compound including a ligand has the formula: wherein each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position.","In one embodiment, the ligand is coordinated to a metal having an atomic number greater than 40.The metal can be any metal atom, including second and third row transition metals, lanthanides, actinides, main group metals, alkali metals, and alkaline earth metals.","Heavy metals may provide thermal stability and superior phosphorescent properties.","Second row transition metals include any of Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, and Cd, and third row transition metals include any of La, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, and Hg.","Main group metals include, e.g., In, Sn, Sb, Tl, Pb, Bi, and Po.","In some embodiments, M is Ir, Os, Pt, Pb, Re, or Ru.","In other embodiments, the metal atom is Ir.","The metal atom M can have any formal charge designated as m. In some embodiments, the formal charge is positive such as 1+, 2+, 3+, 4+, 5+, 6+, 7+, or 8+.","In one embodiment, formal charge is greater than 1+.","In another embodiment, formal charge is greater than 2+.","In yet another embodiment, formal charge can be 3+.","In another embodiment, a compound is selected from the group consisting of: Some of the compounds provided can be photoluminescent.","In some embodiments, the compounds are efficient phosphors having, for example, a significant portion of luminescence arising from phosphorescent emission.","In some embodiments, the emission can be red or reddish.","Color of emission can be estimated from the photoluminescence spectrum.","A luminescence maximum of about 550 to about 700 nm can indicate red or reddish emission.","A maximum at lower wavelengths can indicate green or blue emission.","Additionally, the color of emission can be described by color index coordinates x and y (Commision Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) 1931 standard 2-degree observer; see, e.g., Shoustikov, et al., IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 1998, 4, 3; Dartnall, et al., Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 1983, 220, 115; Gupta, et al., Journal of Photochemistry, 1985, 30, 173; Colorimetry, 2.sup.nd ed., Publication CIE 15.2-1986 (ISBN 3-900-734-00-3)).","For example, a compound emitting in the reds can have coordinates of about 0.5 to about 0.8 for x and about 0.2 to about 0.5 for y.","Some of the compounds provided may advantageously emit a more saturated hue, particular red.","In other words, the compounds may emit a color that is closer to the pure spectral colors falling along the outside curve of the chromaticity diagram, i.e., colors that are produced by a single wavelength of light.","The compounds may exhibit a narrower emission than other comparative compounds.","Alternatively, the compounds may exhibit an emission profile that is closer to an industry standard hue for displays.","Processes for preparing compounds are also provided.","Phenylquinolinato ligands (L) having desired substitutions can be made using the general procedure of coupling phenyl boronic acid having desired substitution with chloroquinoline (e.g., 2-chloroquinoline, 3-chloroisoquinoline, or 2-chloroisoquinoline) also having desired substitution.","Coupling procedures can be, for example, conducted under Suzuki conditions in the presence of palladium(II) (see, e.g., Miyaura, et al., Chem.","Rev.","1995, 2457).","The quinoline (or isoquinoline) and boronic acid starting materials can be obtained from commercial sources or synthesized by methods known in the art.","For example, 3-chloroisoquinoline can be made according to the procedures described in Haworth, R. D., et al., J Chem.","Soc., 1948, 777.Phenylquinoline ligands (L) having desired substitution can be coordinated to a metal atom by, for example, contacting the ligands with a metal halide complex.","Metal halide complexes include compounds comprising at least one metal coordinated to one or more halide ligands.","Metal halide complexes can be of the Formula M(Q)q where Q is a halide ligand and q is the number of halide ligands.","For example, q can be about 2 to about 6.For the preparation of iridium-containing compounds, the metal halide complex can be IrCl3.This and other metal halide complexes are well known in the art and commercially available.","Under sufficient time and conditions, the contacting can result in the formation of a metal-containing intermediate, having mixed coordination of halide and phenylquinoline ligands L. In some embodiments, the metal atom of the intermediate can coordinate to at least one L. In other embodiments, the metal atom of the intermediate can coordinate two L. In further embodiments, the intermediate can be polynuclear comprising, for example, more than one metal atom and bridging halide ligands.","When the metal halide complex is IrCl3, the metal-containing intermediate can be an iridium dimer complex having, for example, the structure L2Ir(μ-CL)2IrL2.Any remaining halide ligands of the intermediate, including bridging halides, can be replaced by ligand substitution with one or more ancillary ligands, such as represented by X and Y in Formula I or II.","For example, 2,4-pentanedione in the presence of base can replace coordinated halide ligands in the metal-containing intermediate to give an acetylacetonato complex.","Syntheses of exemplary compounds are provided in the Examples.","Some of the compounds provided can be used as emitters in organic light emitting devices.","Accordingly, the compounds can be present in an emissive layer (i.e., a layer from which light is primarily emitted) of a such device.","The emissive layer can be, for example, a layer consisting essentially of one or more of the compounds provided.","Some of the compounds provided can also be present as dopants.","For example, an emissive layer can comprise host material doped with one or more of the compounds provided.","The host material can comprise any compound, including organic and organometallic compounds, suitable in an emissive layer in an OLED.","Exemplary organic host materials include, but are not limited to, BCP (bathocuproine or 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline), CBP (4,4′-N,N′-dicarbazole biphenyl), OXD7 (1,3-bis(N,N-t-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole), TAZ (3-phenyl-4-(1′-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole), NPD (4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino]biphenyl), CuPc (copper phthalocyanine), Alq3 (aluminum tris(8-hydroxyquinolate)), and BAlq ((1,1′-biphenyl)-4-olato)bis(2-methyl-8-quinolinolato N1,O8)aluminum).","Other materials that can be included in an emissive layer in addition to the emissive compounds include Irppy (tris(2-phenylpyridinato-N, C2′)iridium(III)), Flrpic (bis(2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-N,C2′)iridium(III)(picolinate)), and other metal complexes such as those described in U.S. Pat.","No.","7,001,536; U.S. Pat.","Nos.","6,911,271; and 6,939,624.As dopants, some of the compounds provided can be present in the emissive layer, such as in host material, in amounts of about 1 to about 20 wt %, about 5 to about 15 wt %, about 5 to about 10 wt %, or other similar ranges.","In one embodiment, specific combinations of dopants and hosts are provided.","For example, the organic emissive layer can comprise BAlq or Compound C. In one embodiment, the organic emissive layer comprises Compound 1 and Compound C. In another embodiment, the organic emissive layer comprises Compound 9 and Compound C. In yet another embodiment, the organic emissive layer comprises Compound 22 and BAlq.","In still another embodiment, the organic emissive layer comprises Compound 24 and BAlq.","Accordingly, in another embodiment, a composition comprises one or more of the compounds provided.","In some embodiments, compositions comprise at least one of the compounds provided and a further compound suitable for use in an OLED.","For example, further compounds can include any of the host materials mentioned above.","Additionally, further compounds can include other emitters or metal complexes, such as FIrpic, Irppy, and other complexes mentioned above.","Devices comprising at least one of the compounds provided may have superior properties as compared with known devices.","For example, high external quantum and luminous efficiencies can be achieved in the present devices.","Device lifetimes are also generally better than, or at least comparable to, some of the most stable fluorescent devices reported.","Table 1 provides data for devices using exemplary compounds as well as devices using Comparative Examples 1 and 2: TABLE 1 70° C. Lifetime comparison Tsubl at EML At 10 mA/cm2 T80% at 40 mA/cm2 (hr) (L0)2(T80%) 0.24 Å/ dopant λ FWHM V LE EQE L0 at 70° C. Dopant s (° C.) % max (nm) CIE (V) (cd/A) (%) LE:EQE (cd/m2) RT 70° C. (×109) Comp.","206 12 622 94 0.65 0.35 8.1 14.3 14 1.01 4817 991 60 1.39 Ex.","1 Comp.","229 9 630 84 0.68 0.32 9.1 11.1 15 0.72 3808 1200 180 2.61 Ex.","2 1 192 12 622 66 0.67 0.33 8.8 18.3 17.7 1.03 6382 n.m. 73 2.97 2 220 12 634 82 0.68 0.32 8.9 9.6 13.5 0.71 3308 n.m. 127 1.39 3 200 12 632 80 0.68 0.32 8.8 10.8 15.6 0.69 3784 n.m. 145 2.08 4 186 12 630 82 0.68 0.32 9.49 11.07 16 0.69 3852 n.m. 132 1.96 5 206 12 626 82 0.66 0.33 8.8 14.6 16.1 0.91 5175 n.m. 55 1.47 6 207 12 628 86 0.67 0.32 9 11.2 15.3 0.73 4007 n.m. 127 2.04 7 202 12 626 83 0.66 0.34 8.6 14.3 14 1.02 4877 n.m. 127 3.02 8 177-185 12 636 70 0.69 0.31 8.6 9.8 14.6 0.67 3390 n.m. 38 0.44 9 163-172 12 618 61 0.66 0.34 9.2 23.5 18.8 1.25 7992 n.m. 60 3.83 13 211 12 618 78 0.65 0.35 9.1 20.1 17.2 1.17 6865 n.m. 52 2.45 14 212 12 632 80 0.67 0.33 9.6 7.9 10.1 0.78 2810 n.m. 32 0.25 15 217 12 622 66 0.665 0.333 8.9 18.6 17.5 1.06 6411 n.m. 40 1.64 16 186 12 618 65 0.658 0.340 9.8 22.4 18.7 1.20 7593 n.m. 10.6 0.61 20 210 12 620 79 0.655 0.347 8.7 16.8 15.4 1.09 6026 n.m. 80 2.91 22 210 12 637 66 0.693 0.304 9.5 9.8 17.5 0.56 3277 n.m. 80 0.86 24 218 12 635 66 0.691, 0.306 8.9 11.5 19.0 0.61 3894 n.m. 90 1.36 n.m. = not measured As shown in Table 1, several exemplary compounds demonstrated efficiency and lifetime that was is better than, or at least comparable to, the comparative examples.","For example, the LE and EQE of Compound 1 are 18.3 cd/A and 17.7%, respectively, at CIE of (0.67, 0.33).","The LE:EQE ratio is 1.03, which is significantly higher than that of Comparative Example 2 (LE:EQE=0.72), which is only slightly more red (0.68, 0.32).","The 70° C. lifetime comparison shows that Compound 1 is more stable than Comparative Example 2.Compound 1 is the best deep red emitter to date in the industry.","Some exemplary compounds also have high LE:EQE ratios compared to Comparative Examples 1 with similar CIE coordinates (0.65-0.66, 0.34-0.35) due to the narrow emission profile of the exemplary compounds.","For example, Compound 9 has a deeper red CIE than Comparative Example 1, yet the LE:EQE ratio of Compound 9 is 1.25, which is significantly higher than that of Comparative Example 1 (1.01).","Table 2 shows data for devices using exemplary compounds as well as devices using Comparative Examples.","TABLE 2 At 10 mA/cm2 T80% at 40 mA/cm2 Tsubl at 0.24 Å/s λ FWHM LE EQE L0 (hr) Dopant (° C.) max (nm) CIE V (V) (cd/A) (%) LE:EQE (cd/m2) RT 70° C. Comp.","Ex.","3 200-210 602 78 0.61 8.5 27.1 16.6 1.63 9370 200 n.m. 0.38 Comp.","Ex.","4 237 618 78 0.65 8 9.8 8.8 1.11 3622 530 n.m. 0.34 1 192 622 66 0.67 8.8 18.3 17.7 1.03 6382 n.m. 73 0.33 Comp.","Ex.","5 229 632 84 0.68 8.8 10.6 15.2 0.70 3757 n.m. 240 0.32 22 210 637 66 0.693 9.5 9.8 17.5 0.56 3277 n.m. 80 0.304 As shown by Table 2, Compound 1 has lower sublimation temperature, higher efficiency, and narrower emission compared with Comparative Examples 3 and 4.Similarly, Compound 22 has a lower sublimation temperature, higher efficiency, and narrower emission compared with Comparative Example 5.Compounds having branched alkyl substitution may be particular advantageous.","Branched alkyl substitutions on red compounds seem to improve lineshape, efficiency, and lifetime.","Table 3 shows data for devices using exemplary compounds, including those having branched alkyl substitutions, as well as devices using Comparative Examples.","TABLE 3 At 10 mA/cm2 T80% at 40 mA/cm2 Tsubl at 0.24 Å/s λ FWHM LE EQE L0 (hr) Dopant (° C.) max (nm) CIE V (V) (cd/A) (%) LE:EQE (cd/m2) RT 70° C. Comp.","Ex.","6 190 618 64 0.66 8.7 20 16.8 1.19 7014 n.m. 31 0.34 9 198 618 61 0.66 9.2 23.5 18.8 1.25 7992 n.m. 60 0.34 16 186 618 65 0.658 9.8 22.4 18.7 1.20 7593 n.m. 10.6 0.340 20 210 620 79 0.655 8.7 16.8 15.4 1.09 6026 n.m. 80 0.347 Comp.","Ex.","7 237 618 78 0.65 8 9.8 8.8 1.11 3622 530 n.m. 0.34 As shown by Table 3, isobutyl substitutions on either quinoline or phenyl ring resulted in higher efficiency and longer lifetime.","Compared to methyl and n-propyl substitution on the 7 position of quinoline, the isobutyl substitution maintained the emission maximum.","However, the spectrum is narrower than methyl or n-propyl substitution.","The full width of half maxima (FWHM) decreased to 61 nm, which resulted in a higher ratio of current efficiency to external quantum efficiency.","In addition, isobutyl substitution shows much longer lifetime than methyl and n-propyl substitution.","When the methyl group was replaced by isobutyl group on the phenyl ring (see Compound 20 and Comparative Example 7), the evaporation temperature decreased by 27 degrees.","The emission slightly shifted to a more saturated red color.","Again, the external quantum efficiency increased from 8.8% to 15.4%.","In some embodiments, e.g., those comprising Ir, the device emits red.","Red devices can have electroluminescence maxima of about 550 to about 700 nm.","Similarly, color index coordinates (CIE) for red devices can be about 0.5 to about 0.8 for x and about 0.2 to about 0.5 for y.","In some embodiments, devices, e.g., red devices, can have external quantum efficiencies greater than about 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 10%, 12%, or higher at a brightness greater than about 10, 100, 1000 cd/m2, or more.","Typical devices are structured so that one or more layers are sandwiched between a hole injecting anode layer and an electron injecting cathode layer.","The sandwiched layers have two sides, one facing the anode and the other facing the cathode.","Layers are generally deposited on a substrate, such as glass, on which either the anode layer or the cathode layer may reside.","In some embodiments, the anode layer is in contact with the substrate.","In some embodiments, for example when the substrate comprises a conductive or semi-conductive material, an insulating material can be inserted between the electrode layer and the substrate.","Typical substrate materials may be rigid, flexible, transparent, or opaque, and include, but are not limited to, glass, polymers, quartz, and sapphire.","In some embodiments, devices comprise further layers in addition to a layer comprising at least one of compounds provided (e.g., an emissive layer).","For example, in addition to the electrodes, devices can include any one or more of hole blocking layers, electron blocking layers, exciton blocking layers, hole transporting layers, electron transporting layers, hole injection layers, and electron injection layers.","Anodes can comprise an oxide material such as indium-tin oxide (ITO), Zn—In—SnO2, SbO2, or the like, and cathodes can comprises a metal layer such as Mg, Mg:Ag, or LiF:Al.","Among other materials, the hole transporting layer (HTL) can comprise triaryl amines or metal complexes such as those described in U.S. Pat.","No.","7,261,954.Similarly, the electron transporting layer (ETL) can comprise, for example, aluminum tris(8-hydroxyquinolate) (Alq3) or other suitable materials.","Additionally, a hole injection layer can comprise, for example, 4,4′,4″-tris(3-methylphenylphenylamino)triphenylamine (MTDATA), polymeric material such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), metal complex such as copper phthalocyanine (CuPc), or other suitable materials.","Hole blocking, electron blocking, and exciton blocking layers can comprise, for example, BCP, BAlq, and other suitable materials such as FIrpic or other metal complexes described in U.S. Pat.","No.","7,261,954.Some of the compounds provided can also be included in any of the above mentioned layers.","Light emitting devices can be fabricated by a variety of well-known techniques.","Small molecule layers, including those comprised of neutral metal complexes, can be prepared by vacuum deposition, organic vapor phase deposition (OVPD), such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.","No.","6,337,102, or solution processing such as spin coating.","Polymeric films can be deposited by spin coating and chemical vapor deposition (CVD).","Layers of charged compounds, such as salts of charged metal complexes, can be prepared by solution methods such a spin coating or by an OVPD method such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.","No.","5,554,220.Layer deposition generally, although not necessarily, proceeds in the direction of the anode to the cathode, and the anode typically rests on a substrate.","Devices and techniques for their fabrication are described throughout the literature, e.g., U.S. Pat.","Nos.","5,703,436; 5,986,401; 6,013,982; 6,097,147; and 6,166,489.For devices from which light emission is directed substantially out of the bottom of the device (i.e., substrate side), a transparent anode material such as ITO may be used as the bottom electron.","Since the top electrode of such a device does not need to be transparent, such a top electrode, which is typically a cathode, may be comprised of a thick and reflective metal layer having a high electrical conductivity.","In contrast, for transparent or top-emitting devices, a transparent cathode may be used such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.","Nos.","5,703,436 and 5,707,745.Top-emitting devices may have an opaque and/or reflective substrate, such that light is produced substantially out of the top of the device.","Devices can also be fully transparent, emitting from both top and bottom.","Transparent cathodes, such as those used in top-emitting devices preferably have optical transmission characteristics such that the device has an optical transmission of at least about 50%, although lower optical transmissions can be used.","In some embodiments, devices include transparent cathodes having optical characteristics that permit the devices to have optical transmissions of at least about 70%, 85%, or more.","Transparent cathodes, such as those described in U.S. Pat.","Nos.","5,703,436 and 5,707,745, typically comprise a thin layer of metal such as Mg:Ag with a thickness, for example, that is less than about 100 Å.","The Mg:Ag layer can be coated with a transparent, electrically-conductive, sputter-deposited ITO layer.","Such cathodes are often referred to as compound cathodes or as TOLED (transparent-OLED) cathodes.","The thickness of the Mg:Ag and ITO layers in compound cathodes may each be adjusted to produce the desired combination of both high optical transmission and high electrical conductivity, for example, an electrical conductivity as reflected by an overall cathode resistivity of about 30 to 100 ohms per square.","However, even though such a relatively low resistivity can be acceptable for certain types of applications, such a resistivity can still be somewhat too high for passive matrix array OLED pixels in which the current that powers each pixel needs to be conducted across the entire array through the narrow strips of the compound cathode.","Light emitting devices can be used in a pixel for an electronic display.","Virtually any type of electronic display can incorporate the devices.","Displays include, but are not limited to, computer monitors, televisions, personal digital assistants, printers, instrument panels, and bill boards.","In particular, the devices can be used in flat-panel displays and heads-up displays.","The following examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.","Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain through routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific substances and procedures described herein.","Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of the claimed invention.","All references named herein are expressly and entirely incorporated by reference.","EXAMPLES In the exemplary syntheses described herein, the following reagents are abbreviated as follows: DME 1,2-dimethoxyethane Pd2(dba)3 Tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium Pd(OAc)2 Palladium acetate Pd(PPh3)4 Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium Ph3P Triphenylphosphine RuCl2(PPh3)3 Dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium (III) THF Tetrahydrofuran Synthesis of Compound 1 To a 500 mL round bottle flask, 9.0 g (˜54.4 mmol) of 2-chloroquinoline, 9.2 g (59.8 mmol) of 3,5-dimethylphenylboronic acid, 1.8 g (1.5 mmol) of Pd(PPh3)4, 22.4 g (163 mmol) of K2CO3, 150 mL of DME, and 150 mL of water were charged.","The reaction mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen overnight.","The reaction mixture was cooled, and the organic extracts were purified by a silica gel column chromatography (10% ethyl acetate in hexane as eluent).","The material obtained was further purified by vacuum distillation (Kugelrohr) at 185° C. to yield 12.2 g (95% yield) of product as a colorless liquid.","46 g (197.4 mmol) of the product from Step 1, 536 mL of 2-methoxyethanol, and 178 mL of water were charged in a 1000 mL three-neck flask.","The reaction mixture was bubbled with nitrogen for 45 min with stirring.","Then 32 g (86.2 mmol) of IrCl3.H2O was added into this mixture and heated to reflux (100-105° C.) under nitrogen for 17 hrs.","The reaction mixture was cooled and filtered.","The black-gray solid was washed with methanol (4×150 mL) followed by hexane (3×300 mL).","36.5 g of the dimer was obtained after drying in a vacuum oven.","The dimer was used for the next step without further purification.","36 g of the dimer (26 mmol), 120 g of 2,4-pentanedione (˜1200 mmol), 66 g (622 mmol) of sodium carbonate, and about 500 mL of 2-methoxyethanol were added in a 1000 mL round bottle flask.","The reaction mixture was vigorously stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.","The reaction mixture was then suction filtered and washed with methanol (3×250 mL) followed by hexane (4×300 mL).","The solid was collected and stirred in ˜1000 mL of a solvent mixture (900 mL of methylene chloride and 100 mL of triethylamine) for ˜10 min.","Then the mixture was gravity filtered with a Whatman Quality 1 Circle filter paper.","˜20 g of red final product (52% yield) was obtained after evaporating the solvent in the filtrate (99.5% pure with non-acidic HPLC column).","Synthesis of Compound 2 4.5 g (25 mmol) of 2-chloro-3-methyl-quinoline, 5.0 g (30 mmol) of 3-isopropylphenylboronic acid, 17.3 g (75 mmol) of potassium phosphate monohydrate, 0.4 g (1.0 mmol) of 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl, 100 mL of toluene, and 25 mL of water were added to a 250 mL three-neck flask.","The system was purged with nitrogen for 30 min before 0.23 g (0.25 mmol) of Pd2(dba)3 was added to the mixture.","The reaction mixture was then heated to reflux for 3 hrs.","After cooled to room temperature, the layers were separated.","The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate.","The organic layers were combined, washed with water, and dried over magnesium sulfate.","After evaporating the solvent, the residue was purified by column chromatography using hexanes and ethyl acetate as the eluent.","The chromatographed product was further purified by distillation to yield 6.0 g (92% yield) of product (99.7% pure).","5.4 g (20.7 mmol) of the product from Step 1 and 3.2 g (9.0 mmol) of iridium chloride were mixed in 90 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and 30 mL of water.","The mixture was heated to reflux overnight.","The solvent was evaporated.","60 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol was added, and the mixture was heated to reflux for another 40 hrs.","After cooled to room temperature, the solid was collected by filtration.","3.2 g of the dimer was obtained.","The dimer was used for the next step without further purification.","3.2 g of the dimer, 10 mL of 2,4-pentanedione, and 2.5 g of sodium carbonate were added to 50 mL of 1,2-dichloroethane and heated to reflux overnight.","After cooled to room temperature, the mixture was filtered.","The filtrate was concentrated and run through a triethylamine treated silica gel column.","The final compound was sublimed twice, yielding 0.63 g of 98.7% pure product.","Synthesis of Compound 3 A mixture of 1-chloroisoquinoline (5.0 g, 30.56 mmol), 4-isopropylphenylboronic acid (5.5 g, 33.62 mmol), Pd(OAc)2 (0.34 g, 1.53 mmol), Ph3P (1.60 g, 6.11 mmol), and K2CO3 (10.98 g, 79.46 mmol) in 25 mL water and 25 mL of 1,2-dimethoxyethane was stirred and purged with nitrogen for 30 min.","The mixture was heated to reflux overnight under nitrogen.","The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, and water was added, followed by ethyl acetate.","The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate.","The organic extracts were washed with water, brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated.","The residue was purified by column chromatography eluting with 0, 5, and 10% ethyl acetate/hexanes.","The chromatographed product was purified by distillation using a Kugelrohr at 180° C. to yield 5.56 g (74% yield) of the product as a clear oil.","A mixture of the ligand from Step 1 (5.56 g, 22.48 mmol), iridium chloride (3.78 g, 10.2 mmol), 2-ethoxyethanol (45 mL), and 15 mL of water was refluxed overnight under nitrogen.","The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and the solid was filtered, washed with methanol, dried, and used without further purification.","A mixture of the dimer, 2,4-pentanedione (10.5 mL, 102 mmol), and K2CO3 (4.23 g, 30.6 mmol) in 75 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol was refluxed overnight under nitrogen.","The reaction was cooled to room temperature and methanol was added.","A red solid was filtered off and washed with methanol.","The solid was purified by column chromatography.","The column was treated with 20% triethylamine/hexanes prior to purification, then eluted with 20 and 50% dichloromethane/hexanes after loading the solid to the column.","4.2 g (53% yield) of a red solid was obtained as the product, which was further purified by recrystallization from acetonitrile followed by sublimation at 250° C. Synthesis of Compound 4 1-chloroisoquinoline (2.95 g, 18.00 mmol) was dissolved in 25 mL of DME and 25 mL of water.","4-sec-butylphenylboronic acid (3.36 g, 18.90 mmol), Ph3P (0.94 g, 3.60 mmol), and K2CO3 (7.46 g, 54.01 mmol) were added, and the mixture was stirred and purged with nitrogen for 30 min.","Pd(OAc)2 (0.20 g, 0.90 mmol) was added, and the mixture was refluxed overnight.","The product was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, and dried over sodium sulfate.","Chromatography (0-20% ethyl acetate/hexanes) yielded a light yellow oil.","Further purification by Kugelrohr distillation at 185° C. gave 2.52 g the product as a clear oil.","The ligand from Step 1 (2.52 g, 9.64 mmol) was combined with iridium chloride (1.62 g, 4.38 mmol) in 40 mL of 3:1 ethoxyethanol:water and refluxed for 24 hrs.","The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and the solid was filtered, washed with methanol, dried, and used without further purification.","The dimer was suspended in 25 mL of ethoxyethanol.","2,4-pentanedione (4.51 mL, 43.83 mmol) and K2CO3 (1.82 g, 13.15 mmol) were added, and the reaction was refluxed overnight.","After cooling the mixture was poured into a large excess of stirring methanol.","A red precipitate was filtered and purified by column chromatography (column pretreated with 20% triethylamine/hexanes, run with 0-20% dichloromethane/hexanes) to give red solids, which were further purified by recrystallization from acetonitrile followed by sublimation at 200° C., yielding 0.41 g of product (99.1% pure).","Synthesis of Compound 5 2-Amino-5-fluorobenzoic acid (10.0 g, 64.46 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of THF and cooled to 0° C. 1.0 M of lithium aluminum hydride in THF (79.93 mL, 79.93 mmol) was added dropwise.","The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 6 hrs.","The reaction was placed in an ice bath and 3 mL of water was added dropwise.","50 mL of 1.0 N NaOH was added dropwise and stirred for 15 min.","50 mL of water was added and stirred for 15 min.","The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, and concentrated to a volume of about 100 mL.","This was then poured into a large excess of stirring hexanes.","The precipitate that formed was filtered, washed with hexanes, and dried under vacuum to yield 6.71 g of off-white solids as the product.","The product from Step 1 (6.71 g, 47.56 mmol) was combined with 3-methylacetophenone (11.28 g, 84.13 mmol), RuCl2(PPh3)3 (0.05 g, 0.05 mmol), and potassium hydroxide (0.83 g, 0.02 mmol) in 70 mL of toluene and refluxed overnight using a Dean-Stark trap to remove water.","The reaction was cooled to room temperature, and a small amount of Celite was added to the mixture, which was then filtered through a silica gel plug.","The filtrate was concentrated.","Purification was achieved by chromatography (5% ethyl acetate/hexanes) and vacuum distillation at 200° C. to yield 6.59 g of yellow solids as the product.","The ligand from Step 2 (6.59 g, 26.22 mmol) was combined with iridium chloride (4.41 g, 11.92 mmol) in 80 mL of a 3:1 methoxyethanol:water solution.","The mixture was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and refluxed overnight.","The dark red precipitate that formed was filtered off, washed with methanol and hexanes, and used for the next step without further purification.","The dimer (17.39 g, 11.92 mmol) was suspended in 50 mL of ethoxyethanol.","2,4-pentanedione (12.28 mL, 119.20 mmol), and sodium carbonate (3.79 g, 35.76 mmol) were added, and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature.","The mixture was poured into a large excess of stirring methanol.","A red precipitate formed and was filtered off.","This precipitate was dissolved in dichloromethane, poured into stirring methanol, and filtered to give a red solid.","This procedure was repeated.","This solid was dried under vacuum to yield 4.40 g of red solid as the product, which was further purified by two sublimations yielding 3.21 g (99.9% pure).","Synthesis of Compound 6 5.9 g (0.075 mol) of pyridine and 5 g (0.025 mol) 4-isopropylphenylethylamine hydrochloride were added to a three-neck round-bottom flask with 25 mL of dichloromethane as the solvent.","The solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 3.2 mL (0.027 mol) of benzoyl chloride was added slowly via a syringe.","The solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 12 hrs.","Dichloromethane was added, and the organic phase was washed with water, 5% HCl solution, 5% NaOH solution, and dried over MgSO4.The solvent was evaporated resulting in 7.5 g of crude product, which was used without further purification.","N-(4-p-isopropylphenylethyl)benzamide (7.5 g), 25 g phosphorous pentoxide, and 25 mL of phosphorous oxychloride in 80 mL of xylenes were refluxed for 3 hrs.","After cooling, the solvent was decanted, and ice was slowly added to the solid.","The water-residue mixture was made weakly alkaline with 50% NaOH, and the product was extracted with toluene.","The organic layer was washed with water and dried over MgSO4.The solvent was evaporated resulting in 6.2 g of crude product, which was used without further purification.","6.2 g of 7-isopropyl-1-phenyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline and 1 g of 5% Pd/C (˜10% by weight) were added to a round-bottom flask with 100 mL of xylenes.","The solution was refluxed for 24 hrs, and the formation of the product was monitored by TLC.","The xylenes solvent was removed, and the product was purified by column chromatography with ethyl acetate/hexanes.","The pure fractions were collected, and the solvent was removed.","The product was then distilled in a Kugelrohr apparatus at 185° C. affording 1.8 g (0.0073 mol) of pure product.","The overall yield of ligand formation was ˜15%.","A mixture of 1.8 g of the 1-phenyl-7-isopropylisoquinoline ligand (0.0073 mol) and 1.2 g of IrCl3 (0.0036 mol) in 25 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and 5 mL of water was refluxed for 18 hrs.","Upon cooling, the red solid dimer was filtered and washed with 300 mL of methanol resulting in 1.3 g (25% yield) of crude product.","1.3 g of the dimer (0.0009 mol), 2 mL of 2,4-pentandione, and 1 g of sodium carbonate were added to a flask with 25 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol.","The solution was refluxed for 12 hrs.","After cooling, the product was run through a Celite plug with dichloromethane as the solvent.","The solvent was removed, and the product was precipitated from 2-ethoxyethanol by adding water.","The compound was dissolved in dichloromethane, dried with MgSO4, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated.","The compound was purified by column chromatography using dichloromethane and hexane as the eluent.","The pure fractions were collected, and the solvent was removed.","The compound was purified by a second column treated with triethylamine using dichloromethane solvent resulting in 0.55 g of product.","The material was sublimed under vacuum at 210° C. resulting in 0.35 (50% yield) of the product.","Synthesis of Compound 7 2-Amino-4-fluorobenzoic acid (10.0 g, 64.46 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of THF and cooled to 0° C. 1.0 M of lithium aluminum hydride in THF (79.93 mL, 79.93 mmol) was added dropwise.","The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for about 6 hrs.","The reaction was placed in an ice bath, and 3.0 mL of water was added dropwise.","50 mL of 1N NaOH was added dropwise and stirred for 15 min.","50 mL of water was added and stirred for 15 min.","The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, and concentrated to a volume of about 100 mL.","This was then poured into a large excess of stirring hexanes.","The precipitate that formed was filtered, washed with hexanes, and dried under vacuum to yield 6.71 g of off-white solids.","The product from Step 1 (6.71 g, 47.5 mmol) was combined with 3-methylacetophenone (11.28 g, 84.13 mmol), RuCl2(PPh3)3 (0.05 g, 0.048 mmol) and potassium hydroxide (0.83 g, 0.015 mmol) in 70 mL of toluene and refluxed overnight using a Dean-Stark trap to remove water.","The reaction was cooled to room temperature, and a small amount of Celite was added to the mixture, which was then filtered through a silica gel plug and concentrated.","Purification was achieved by chromatography (5% ethyl acetate/hexanes) followed by vacuum distillation at 200° C. to yield 6.59 g of yellow solids.","The ligand from Step 2 (6.59 g, 26.22 mmol) was combined with iridium chloride (4.41 g, 11.92 mmol) in 80 mL of a 3:1 methoxyethanol:water solution.","The mixture was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and refluxed overnight.","The dark red precipitate that formed was filtered off, washed with methanol and hexanes, and used for the next step.","The dimer (17.39 g, 11.92 mmol) was suspended in 50 mL of ethoxyethanol.","2,4-pentanedione (12.28 mL, 119.20 mmol) and sodium carbonate (3.79 g, 35.76 mmol) were added, and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature.","The reaction was poured into a large excess of stirring methanol.","The red precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, poured into stirring methanol, and filtered to give a red solid.","This procedure was repeated.","This solid was dried under vacuum to yield 4.40 g of red solid which was further purified by two sublimations, yielding 3.21 g of red solids (99.8% pure).","Synthesis of Compound 8 2-Amino-6-fluorobenzoic acid (10.0 g, 64.46 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of THF and cooled to 0° C. 1.0 M lithium aluminum hydride in THF (79.93 mL, 79.93 mmol) was added dropwise.","The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for about 60 hrs.","The reaction was placed in an ice bath, and 3 mL of water was added dropwise.","50 mL of 1N NaOH was added dropwise and stirred for 15 min.","50 mL of water was added and stirred for 15 min.","The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, and concentrated to a volume of about 100 mL.","This was then poured into a large excess of stirring hexanes.","The precipitate formed was filtered, washed with hexanes and dried under vacuum to yield 6.71 g of off-white solids.","The product from Step 1 (6.71 g, 47.56 mmol) was combined with 3,5-dimethylacetophenone (11.28 g, 76.09 mmol), RuCl2(PPh3)3 (0.05 g, 0.048 mmol) and potassium hydroxide (0.83 g, 0.015 mmol) in 70 mL of toluene and refluxed overnight using a Dean-Stark trap to remove water.","The reaction was cooled to room temperature, and a small amount of Celite was added to the mixture, which was then filtered through a silica gel plug and concentrated.","Purification was achieved by chromatography (5% ethyl acetate/hexanes) and two Kugelrohr distillations at 200° C. to yield 6.59 g of yellow solids.","The ligand from Step 3 (6.59 g, 26.22 mmol) was combined with iridium chloride (4.41 g, 11.92 mmol) in 80 mL of a 3:1 methoxyethanol:water solution.","The mixture was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and refluxed overnight.","The black precipitate formed was filtered off, washed with methanol and hexanes, and used for the next step.","The dimer (17.39 g, 11.92 mmol) was suspended in 50 mL of ethoxyethanol.","2,4-pentanedione (12.28 mL, 119.20 mmol) and sodium carbonate (3.79 g, 35.76 mmol) were added, and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature.","The reaction was poured into a large excess of stirring methanol.","The red precipitate that formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, poured into stirring methanol and filtered to give a red solid.","This procedure was repeated.","This solid was dried under vacuum to yield 4.40 g red solid, which was further purified by two sublimations, yielding 3.21 g red solids (99.0% pure).","Synthesis of Compound 9 42.8 g of 2-amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid was dissolved in 200 mL of THF and cooled with an ice-water bath.","To the solution was added 11.76 g of lithium aluminum hydride chips.","The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 8 hrs.","12 g of water was added followed by 12 g of 15% NaOH.","36 g of water was then added.","The slurry was stirred at room temperature for 30 min.","The slurry was filtered.","The solid was washed with ethyl acetate.","The liquid was combined, and the solvent was evaporated.","The crude material was used for next step without purification.","6.6 g of (2-amino-4-chlorophenyl)methanol, 10 g of 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethanone, 0.1 g of RuCl2(PPh3)3, and 2.4 g potassium hydroxide in 100 mL of toluene were refluxed for 10 hrs.","Water was collected from the reaction using a Dean-Stark trap.","After cooled to room temperature, the mixture was filtered through a silica gel plug.","The product was further purified with column chromatography using 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as solvent to yield 9 g product.","The product was further recrystallized from isopropanol.","5 g of product was obtained.","3.75 g of 7-chloro-2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)quinoline, 2.8 g of isobutylboronic acid, 0.26 g of Pd2(dba)3, 0.47 g of 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl, and 16 g of potassium phosphate monohydrate were mixed in 100 mL of toluene.","The system was degassed for 20 min and heated to reflux overnight.","After cooled to room temperature, the crude product was purified by column chromatography using 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as solvent.","3.6 g of product was obtained.","3.2 g of 2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-7-isobutylquinoline and 1.8 g of iridium chloride were mixed in 45 mL of methoxyethanol and 15 mL of water.","After degassed for 10 min, the mixture was heated to reflux overnight.","After cooled to room temperature, the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol and hexanes.","The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.","2.2 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.","2.2 g of the dimer, 1.4 g of 2,4-pentanedione, and 0.83 g of sodium carbonate were mixed in 35 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.","The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The solid was redissolved in dichloromethane.","After evaporating the solvent, the solid was sublimed under high vacuum at 210° C. twice to obtain 1 g of final product.","Synthesis of Compound 10 A mixture 1-chloroisoquinoline (5.0 g, 30.56 mmol), 4-ethylphenylboronic acid (5.04 g, 33.62 mmol), Ph3P (1.60 g, 6.11 mmol), K2CO3 (10.98 g, 79.46 mmol), 25 mL of dimethoxyethane, and 25 mL of water was purged with nitrogen for 30 min.","Pd(OAc)2 was then added (0.34 g, 1.53 mmol), and the mixture was heated to reflux overnight under nitrogen.","The cooled solution was diluted with water and ethyl acetate.","The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer extracted with ethyl acetate.","The organic layers were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to a residue.","The residue was purified by column chromatography eluting with 0 to 20% ethyl acetate/hexanes.","The chromatographed product was purified by Kugelrohr distillation to yield 5.74 g (81% yield) of product.","A mixture of 1-(4-ethylphenyl)isoquinoline (5.74 g, 24.60 mmol), iridium chloride (4.14 g, 11.18 mmol), 45 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol, and 15 mL of water was refluxed for 2 days under nitrogen.","The cooled mixture was filtered, washed with water and methanol, and allowed to air dry.","The dimer was mixed with 2,4-pentanedione (12.1 mL, 111.8 mmol), K2CO3 (4.64 g, 33.54 mmol), and 2-ethoxyethanol (75 mL) and heated to reflux under nitrogen.","The cooled mixture was filtered, and the red solid was rinsed with methanol.","The solid was purified by column chromatography.","The column was pretreated with 20% triethylamine/hexanes, and then the compound was loaded and eluted with 20 and 50% dichloromethane/hexanes.","The material was further purified by recrystallization from acetonitrile followed by two sublimations at 250° C. to afford 1.87 g (22% yield) of pure material.","Synthesis Compound 11 6.8 g of pyridine was added to 9.67 g (71.5 mmol) of 2-m-tolylethanamine in 100 mL of dichloromethane.","The solution was cooled to 0° C. using an ice water bath.","To the solution was added 10 mL of benzoyl chloride.","After complete addition, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs and quenched by water.","The organic layer was separated, washed with dilute HCl and sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to a residue.","The product was used for the next step without further purification.","17.5 g of N-(3-methylphenethyl)-2-phenylacetamide and 60 mL of POCl3 were mixed with 150 mL of xylenes.","The mixture was heated to reflux for 4 hrs.","After cooled to room temperature, the solvent was decanted.","The solid was dissolved with ice water.","The mixture was neutralized with NaOH.","The mixture was extracted with dichloromethane.","The organic layer was then washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate.","After solvent evaporation, 12 g of product was obtained.","The product was used for the next step without further purification.","12 g of 6-methyl-1-phenyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline was mixed with 10 g of Pd/C (5%) in 100 mL of xylenes and heated to reflux overnight.","After cooled to room temperature, the solid was removed by filtration.","The solvent was then evaporated.","The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography using hexanes and ethyl acetate as solvent.","7.1 g of product was obtained after final distillation.","6.1 g (27.8 mmol) of 6-methyl-1-phenylisoquinoline and 4.3 g (12 mmol) of iridium chloride were mixed in 90 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and 30 mL of water.","The mixture was heated to reflux overnight.","After cooled to room temperature, the solid was collected by filtration.","6.2 g of the dimer was obtained.","The dimer was used for the next step without further purification.","6.0 g of the dimer, 1.8 g of 2,4-pentanedione, and 2.9 g of sodium carbonate were added to 100 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and heated to reflux overnight.","After cooled to room temperature, the solid was collected by filtration.","The solid was then washed with dichloromethane.","The filtrate was concentrated and run through a triethylamine treated silica gel column.","The final compound was sublimed under high vacuum.","2.0 g of 99.6% pure product was obtained after sublimation.","Synthesis of Compound 12 4-bromoisoquinoline (15 g, 72.5 mmol), methylboronic acid (8.8 g, 145 mmol), K3PO4 (62 g, 290 mmol), Pd2(dba)3 (6.6 g, 7.2 mmol), 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl (5.9 g, 14.4 mmol, 0.2 equiv), and 350 mL of anhydrous toluene were charged to a dry 500 mL three-neck flask.","The mixture was refluxed under nitrogen for 20 hrs.","After cooling, 200 mL of methylene chloride was added.","The mixture was filtered to remove insolubles, then concentrated under vacuum.","The resulting crude material was distilled at 130° C. (first fraction at 95° C. was discarded).","Approximately 9.8 g of a colorless liquid was obtained (94% yield).","The product was used for the next step without further purification (96% product, 3.5% isoquinoline).","4-methylisoquinoline (9.5 g, 63.7 mmol) and 100 mL of dry THF were charged to a 1 L round-bottom flask.","The flask was cooled to 0° C. in an ice bath, and a solution of 0.5 M 4-isopropylphenyl magnesium chloride in THF (300 mL, 150 mmol) was added dropwise.","The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 days followed by the dropwise addition of 400 mL of water to quench the reaction.","Ethyl acetate (300 mL) was added, and the organic layers were separated and bubbled with air for 2 days with stirring.","Then, the organic layer was concentrated under vacuum.","The resulting oil was purified by column chromatography using 10% ethyl acetate/hexanes and vacuum distilled to give 2.7 g (16% yield) of a pale yellow oil.","1-(4-isopropylphenyl)-4-methylisoquinoline (2.7 g, 10.3 mmol, 2.2 equiv), iridium chloride (1.67 g, 4.7 mmol), 40 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol, and 8 mL of water were charged to a 125 mL three-neck flask.","The mixture was heated at reflux for 24 hrs.","The cooled mixture was filtered and washed with 2-ethoxyethanol, methanol, and hexanes to afford 2.9 g of a reddish-brown powder (83% yield).","The dimer (2.9 g, 1.94 mmol), 2,4-pentanedione (1.94 g, 19.4 mmol), sodium carbonate (2.05 g, 19.3 mmol), and 30 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol were charged to a 125 mL three-neck flask.","The mixture was stirred at reflux for 5 hrs.","The cooled solution was filtered and washed with 2-ethoxyethanol, methanol, and hexanes to afford 1.85 g of a red solid (97% pure), which was further purified by sublimation.","Synthesis of Compound 13 To a 500 mL round bottle flask, 12.05 g (72.9 mmol) of 2-chloroquinoline, 13.2 g (83.86 mmol) of 3,4-dimethylphenylboronic acid, 2.5 g (2.18 mmol) of Pd(PPh3)4, 30.0 g (214 mmol) of K2CO3, 150 mL of DME, and 150 mL of water were charged.","The reaction mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen overnight.","The reaction mixture was cooled.","The organic extracts were purified by silica gel column chromatography (10% ethyl acetate in hexane as eluent).","The material obtained was further purified by vacuum distillation (Kugelrohr) at 200° C. to yield 15.5 g (95% yield) of product as a colorless liquid.","8.1 g (34.7 mmol) of ligand from Step 1, 120 mL of 2-methoxyethanol, and 40 mL of water were charged in a 500 mL three-neck flask.","The reaction mixture was bubbled with nitrogen for 45 min with stirring.","Then, 5.3 g (14.5 mmol) of IrCl3.xH2O was added into this mixture and heated to reflux under nitrogen for 17 hrs.","The reaction mixture was cooled and filtered.","The solid was washed with methanol (3×100 mL) followed by hexane (3×100 mL).","7.8 g of the dimer (65%) was obtained after drying in a vacuum oven.","The dimer was used for next step without further purification.","6.0 g of the dimer (4.3 mmol), 4.4 g of 2,4-pentanedione (43 mmol), 4.7 g (43.0 mmol) of sodium carbonate, and 200 mL of 2-methoxyethanol were added in a 500 mL round bottle flask.","The reaction mixture was vigorously stirred at room temperature for 28 hrs.","The reaction mixture was then suction filtered and washed with methanol (3×100 mL) followed by hexane (2×100 mL).","The solid was collected and stirred in ˜500 mL of a solvent mixture (450 mL of methylene chloride and 50 mL of triethylamine) for ˜10 min.","Then the mixture was separated by silica gel column (column pretreated with triethylamine/hexane) with 50% methylene chloride in hexane as elute.","˜6 g red solid was obtained as the product.","Synthesis of Compound 14 Lithium aluminum hydride (2.65 g, 69.8 mmol) was added to 80 mL of THF that was cooled in an ice bath.","A solution of 2-amino-6-fluorobenzoic acid (10 g, 64.46 mmol) in 50 mL THF was added dropwise via a dropping funnel.","The reaction was allowed to stir overnight at room temperature.","Another portion of 20 mL of 1M lithium aluminum hydride in THF was added, and the reaction was heated to 40° C. Upon cooling in an ice bath, 3 mL of water was added carefully via a dropping funnel followed by 50 mL of 1N NaOH, and the mixture was stirred for 15 min.","Next, 50 mL of water was added, and the mixture was stirred for 10 min.","More NaOH solution was added, and the emulsion was stirred overnight.","The organic layers were extracted, washed with water, and concentrated, and the residue was dissolved in 100 mL of ethyl acetate.","Hexanes were added, and a solid precipitated out and was filtered to yield 3.66 g of a tan solid, which was used for the next step.","A mixture of (2-amino-6-fluorophenyl)methanol (3.66 g, 25.94 mmol), 3′-methylacetophenone (5.6 mL, 41.50 mmol), RuCl2(PPh3)3 (25 mg, 0.026 mmol), and powdered potassium hydroxide (247 mg, 4.41 mmol) in 60 mL of toluene was refluxed overnight under nitrogen in a 200 mL round-bottom flask equipped with a Dean-Stark trap under nitrogen.","Upon cooling, Celite was added, and the mixture was filtered through a silica gel plug that was eluted with ethyl acetate.","The solution was evaporated to a brown oil, which was purified by column chromatography eluting with 0 and 2% ethyl acetate/hexanes.","The cleanest fractions were further purified by Kugelrohr distillation at 220° C. to yield 4.6 g of product.","A mixture of 5-fluoro-2-m-tolylquinoline (3.0 g, 12.64 mmol), iridium chloride (2.13 g, 5.75 mmol), 25 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol, and 8 mL of water was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and then heated to reflux overnight under nitrogen.","The cooled mixture was filtered, washed with water and methanol, and allowed to air dry.","The dimer was mixed with 2,4-pentanedione (3.0 mL, 28.8 mmol), K2CO3 (1.23 g, 8.90 mmol), and 2-ethoxyethanol (50 mL) and heated to near reflux under nitrogen overnight.","The cooled mixture was filtered, and the red solid rinsed with isopropanol.","The solid was dissolved in dichloromethane and purified on a silica gel plug.","The plug was treated with 10% triethylamine/hexanes followed by hexanes prior to loading the material, and the product was eluted with dichloromethane.","The fractions with product were collected and concentrated to a small volume.","Isopropanol was added, and the mixture was concentrated.","The precipitated solid was filtered and purified by two sublimations to yield 0.82 g of product.","Synthesis of Compound 15 A solution of 2-amino-6-methylbenzoic acid (10 g, 66.15 mmol) in 60 mL of THF was cooled in an ice-salt bath.","A solution of lithium aluminum hydride in THF was added using a dropping funnel under nitrogen (2.4 M, 33 mL, 79.38 mmol).","The reaction was allowed to proceed overnight.","The reaction was quenched with water, then 50 mL of 1N NaOH solution was added dropwise as the reaction was cooled in an ice-salt bath.","Next, 50 mL of water was added and stirred for 1 hr, followed by 50% NaOH solution.","The mixture was extracted with dichloromethane.","The organic extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to a residue.","The residue was purified by column chromatography eluting with 10 to 60% ethyl acetate/hexanes to yield 7.7 g (85% yield) of a tan solid.","A mixture of (2-amino-6-methylphenyl)methanol (7.7 g, 56.13 mmol), 3′,5′-dimethylacetophenone (12.5 g, 84.20 mmol), dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium (III) (54 mg, 0.056 mmol), and powdered potassium hydroxide (535 mg, 9.54 mmol) in 150 mL of toluene was refluxed overnight under nitrogen in a 500 mL round-bottom flask equipped with a Dean-Stark trap under nitrogen.","Upon cooling, Celite was added, and the mixture was filtered through a silica gel plug that was eluted with ethyl acetate.","The solution was evaporated to a dark oil, which was purified by column chromatography eluting with 0 to 2% ethyl acetate/hexanes.","A yellow oil was obtained, which solidified upon drying on high vacuum.","The solid was recrystallized from hexanes to yield 7.8 g (56% yield) of a yellow solid.","A mixture of 5-methyl-2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)quinoline (7.8 g, 31.54 mmol), iridium chloride (3.89 g, 10.51 mmol), 45 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol, and 15 mL of water was purged with nitrogen for 20 min, then heated to reflux under nitrogen for 24 hrs.","The cooled mixture was filtered, washed with water and methanol, and allowed to air dry.","The dimer was mixed with 2,4-pentanedione (5.5 mL, 53 mmol), K2CO3 (1.23 g, 8.90 mmol), and 2-ethoxyethanol (100 mL) and heated to 110° C. under nitrogen for 1 day.","The cooled mixture was filtered, and the red solid was rinsed with isopropanol.","The solid was dissolved in dichloromethane and purified on a silica gel plug.","The plug was treated with 10% triethylamine/hexanes followed by hexanes prior to loading the material, and the product was eluted with dichloromethane.","The fractions with product were collected and concentrated to a small volume.","Isopropanol was added, and the mixture was concentrated.","The precipitated solid was filtered and purified by two sublimations to yield 3.73 g of product.","Synthesis of Compound 16 2-xylyl-7-chloroquinoline (3.0 g, 11 mmol) from Step 2 of Compound 9 and iron(III) acetylacetonate (0.2 g, 0.56 mmol) were dissolved in 66 mL of a solution of THF/1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (60/6) in a 250 mL round-bottom flask.","Nitrogen was bubbled through the reaction mixture for 10 min.","The solution was cooled using an ice bath.","11.2 mL of 2.0 M propylmagnesium chloride in ether was added dropwise.","The reaction was stirred for 2 hrs, then quenched slowly with water.","The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature, and ethyl acetate was added.","The organic phase was washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate.","The solvent was removed under vacuo, and the product was chromatographed using a silica gel column with 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent to give 2 g (67% yield) of product.","2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-7-propylquinoline (2.5 g, 9.1 mmol) and iridium(III) chloride (1.3 g, 3.6 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.","The solution was purged with nitrogen for 10 min, then refluxed under nitrogen for 16 hrs.","The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.","2.0 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.","The dimer (2.0 g, 1.3 mmol), 2,4-pentanedione (1.3 g, 1.0 mmol), and K2CO3 (2.0 g, 14.0 mmol) were added to 50 mL of 2-methoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.","The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The solid was re-dissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.","The solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give 1.0 g (50% yield) of product.","Synthesis of Compound 17 2-xylyl-7-chloroquinoline (3.0 g, 11 mmol) from Step 2 of Compound 9 and iron(III) acetylacetonate (0.2 g, 0.56 mmol) were dissolved in 66 mL of a solution of THF/1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (60/6) in a 250 mL round-bottom flask.","Nitrogen was bubbled through the reaction mixture for 10 min.","The solution was cooled using an ice bath.","11.2 mL of 2.0M isopropylmagnesium chloride in ether was added dropwise.","The reaction was stirred for 2 hrs and then quenched slowly with water.","The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature, and ethyl acetate was added.","The organic phase was washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate.","The solvent was removed under vacuo, and the product was chromatographed using a silica gel column with 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent to give 2 g (67% yield) of product.","2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-7-isopropylquinoline (2.5 g, 9.1 mmol) and iridium(III) chloride (1.3 g, 3.6 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.","The solution was purged with nitrogen for 10 min and then refluxed under nitrogen for 16 hrs.","The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.","2.0 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.","The dimer (2.0 g, 1.3 mmol), 2,4-pentanedione (1.3 g, 1.0 mmol), and K2CO3 (2.0 g, 14.0 mmol) were added to 50 mL of 2-methoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.","The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The solid was re-dissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.","The solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give 1.0 g (50% yield) of product.","Synthesis of Compound 18 2-xylyl-7-chloroquinoline (1.5 g, 5.6 mmol) from Step 2 of Compound 9, phenylboronic acid (1.4 g, 11.0 mmol), Pd(PPh3)4 (0.2 g, 0.168 mmol), and K2CO3 (2.3 g, 16.6 mmol) were mixed with 40 mL of DME and 40 mL water in a 100 mL flask.","The reaction mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen overnight.","The reaction was cooled, and the organic extracts were purified with a silica gel column with 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent to give 1.0 g (58% yield) of product.","A mixture of 0.9 g (2.9 mmol) of the ligand from Step 1 and iridium(III) chloride (0.47 g, 1.26 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.","The solution was purged with nitrogen for 10 min and then refluxed under nitrogen for 16 hrs.","The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.","0.61 g (50% yield) of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.","0.6 g the dimer, 2,4-pentanedione (0.37 g, 3.5 mmol), and K2CO3 (0.38 g, 3.5 mmol) were added to 50 mL of 2-methoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.","The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The solid was redissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.","The solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give ˜0.45 g (69% yield) of product.","Synthesis of Compound 19 A mixture of 2-aminobenzyl alcohol (11.2 g, 89.2 mmol), 5,7-dimethyl-1-tetralone (10.0 g, 55.7 mmol), dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium (III) (0.11 g, 0.111 mmol), and powdered potassium hydroxide (0.63 g, 11.2 mmol) in 200 mL of toluene was refluxed overnight under nitrogen in a 500 mL round-bottom flask equipped with a Dean-Stark trap.","Celite was added to the cooled reaction mixture and filtered through a silica gel plug that was eluted with ethyl acetate.","The solution was evaporated, and the residue was purified by column chromatography eluting with 5 and 10% ethyl acetate/hexanes.","10.7 g (76% yield) product was obtained.","2.8 g (10.8 mmol) of the ligand from Step 1, 1.67 g (4.5 mmol) of IrCl3.xH2O, 60 mL 2-methoxyethanol, and 20 mL water were mixed in a 100 mL round flask.","The reaction mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen overnight.","The reaction was cooled and filtered.","The solid was washed by methanol and hexane.","2.0 g of the dimer (50%) was obtained.","2.0 g (1.3 mmol) of the dimer, 1.3 g (13 mmol) of 2,4-pentanedione, 1.4 g (13 mmol) of sodium carbonate, and 50 mL of 2-methoxyethanol were mixed in a 100 mL flask.","The reaction mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen overnight.","Upon cooling, the solid was filtered, washed by methanol, then purified by silica gel column chromatography to afford 1.2 g (57% yield) of product.","Synthesis of Compound 20 A mixture of 2-chloroquinoline (32.8 g, 0.02 mol), 3-bromophenylboronic acid (40.53 g, 0.02 mol), Ph3P (5.3 g, 10 mol %), Pd(OAc)2 (2.3 g, 5 mol %), and K2CO3 (111.4 g, 0.08 mol) in 300 mL of dimethoxyethane and 300 mL of H2O was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and refluxed for 8 hrs under nitrogen.","The reaction was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the organic phase was separated from the aqueous phase.","The aqueous phase was washed with ethyl acetate.","The organic fractions were combined and dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed under vacuum.","The product was chromatographed using silica gel with ethyl acetate and hexanes as the eluent to yield 55 g (95% yield) of a white solid.","A mixture of 2-(3-bromophenyl)quinoline (10.0 g, 0.035 mol), isobutylboronic acid (7.2 g, 0.07 mol), Pd2(dba)3 (0.32 g, 1 mol %), 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl (0.7 g, 4 mol %), and potassium phosphate monohydrate (24 g, 0.1 mol) in 100 mL of toluene was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and refluxed overnight under atmosphere.","The reaction mixture was allowed to cool, and the solvent was removed under vacuum.","The crude product was chromatographed using a silica gel column with 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent.","The solvent was then removed under vacuo to give 8.0 g of product.","2-(3-isobutylphenyl)quinoline (5.4 g, 20.7 mmol) and iridium(III) chloride (2.5 g, 7 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.","Nitrogen was bubbled through the solution for 10 min, and then the mixture was refluxed under nitrogen for 16 hrs.","The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.","4.0 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.","The dimer (3.0 g, 1.8 mmol), 2,4-pentanedione (1.8 g, 18.0 mol), and K2CO3 (3.0 g, 18.0 mmol) were added to 100 mL of 2-methoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.","The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The solid was redissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.","The solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give 2.0 g of product.","Synthesis of Compound 21 2-(3-bromophenyl)quinoline (10.0 g, 35 mmol) from Step 1 of Compound 20, 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane]dichloronickel(II) (0.5 g, 0.9 mmol), and 100 mL anhydrous THF were mixed in a 500 mL round-bottom flask.","Nitrogen was bubbled through the mixture, and the flask was placed in an ice bath for 30 min.","88 mL of 2.0 M propylmagnesium bromide in ether was added dropwise to the reaction mixture over a period of 20 min after which the mixture was further stirred for 30 min and then quenched with water.","The mixture was brought to room temperature, and ethyl acetate was added.","The water layer was removed.","The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed in vacuo.","The product was chromatographed using a silica gel column with ethylacetate and hexanes as the eluent.","The solvent was once again removed to give 5 g of product.","2-(3propylphenyl)quinoline (3.2 g, 13.0 mmol) and iridium(III) chloride (1.8 g, 5.2 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.","Nitrogen was bubbled through the solution for 10 min and then refluxed under nitrogen for 16 hrs.","The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.","2.6 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.","The dimer (2.6 g, 1.8 mmol), 2,4-pentanedione (1.8 g, 18.0 mol), and K2CO3 (3.0 g, 18.0 mmol) were added to 100 mL of 2-methoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.","The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The solid was redissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.","The solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give 2.0 g of product.","Synthesis of Compound 22 4.8 g (29 mmol) of 1-chloroisoquinoline, 5.3 g (35 mmol) of 3,5-dimethylphenylboronic acid, 20 g (87 mmol) of potassium phosphate, 0.5 g (1.16 mmol) of 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl, 100 mL of toluene, and 30 mL of water were mixed in a three-neck flask.","The system was bubbled with nitrogen for 30 min.","0.27 g (0.29 mmol) of Pd2(dba)3 was added, and the mixture was heated to reflux for 4 hrs.","After cooled to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered through a Celite bed.","The product was columned with 2% ethyl acetate and hexanes.","6.0 g (87% yield) of product was obtained after column.","5.5 g (23.6 mmol) of 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)isoquinoline, and 3.4 g (9.5 mmol) of iridium chloride were mixed in 90 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and 30 mL of water.","The mixture was purged with nitrogen for 10 min and then heated to reflux for 24 hrs.","After cooled to room temperature, the solid was collected by filtration.","The solid was thoroughly washed with methanol and hexanes.","The product was dried under vacuum.","4.6 g (70% yield) of solid was obtained and used for the next step without further purification.","4.5 g (3.25 mmol) of the dimer, 3.3 g (32.5 mmol) of 2,4-pentanedione, and 1.7 g (16.3 mmol) of sodium carbonate were refluxed in 150 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol for 10 hrs.","After cooled to room temperature, the mixture was filtered through a Celite bed and washed thoroughly with methanol.","The red solid on top was then washed with dichloromethane.","The product was purified by column chromatography using 1:1 dichloromethane and hexanes as eluent.","1.6 g of product was obtained.","The product was further purified by high vacuum sublimation at 220° C. Synthesis of Compound 23 Dichloroiodobenzene (37.0 g 136 mmol), Pd2(dba)3 (1.5 g, 1.6 mmol), and lithium chloride (29.0 g, 682 mmol) were dissolved in 100 mL of DMF in a 500 mL round-bottom flask.","64.0 mL of acetic anhydride and 47.0 mL of N-ethyldiispropylamine were then added to the reaction mixture.","The reaction was heated to 100° C. for 8 hrs.","Water was added to the reaction mixture, and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate and chromatographed using a silica gel column with ethyl acetate and hexanes as the eluent.","8 g of product was obtained.","2-aminobenzyl alcohol (6.0 g, 48 mmol), 3,5-dichloroacetophenone (12.0 g, 63.5 mmol), RuCl2(PPh3)3 (0.5 g, 10 mol %), and potassium hydroxide (2.4 g, 42.0 mmol) was refluxed in 100 mL of toluene for 10 hrs.","Water was collected from the reaction using a Dean-Stark trap.","The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and filtered through a silica gel plug.","The product was further purified with a silica gel column using 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent.","4.0 g (30% yield) product was obtained after column.","The product was further recrystallized from isopropanol.","3.5 g of product was obtained.","2-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)quinoline (4.0 g, 14.6 mmol), isobutylboronic acid (6.0 g, 58.4 mol), Pd2(dba)3 (0.13 g, 1 mol %), 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl (0.24 g, 4 mol %), and potassium phosphate monohydrate (10 g, 13.8 mmol) were mixed in 100 mL of toluene in a 250 mL round-bottom flask.","Nitrogen was bubbled through the mixture for 20 min, and the mixture was refluxed under nitrogen overnight.","The reaction mixture was allowed to cool, and the solvent removed under vacuum.","The crude product was chromatographed using a silica gel column with 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent.","The solvent was then removed under vacuo to give 3.5 g of product.","2-(3,5-diisobutylphenyl)quinoline (3.0 g, 9.50 mmol) and iridium(III) chloride (0.70 g, 2.4 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.","Nitrogen was bubbled through the solution for 10 min and then refluxed under a nitrogen for 16 hrs.","The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.","The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.","2.0 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.","A mixture of the dimer, 2,4-pentanedione, and K2CO3 in 2-methoxyethanol is stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.","The precipitate is filtered and washed with methanol.","The solid is redissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.","The solvent is evaporated under vacuum to give the product.","Synthesis of Compound 24 10.6 g (78.4 mmol) of 2-p-tolylethanamine, 10.7 g (71.2 mmol) of 3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid, and 0.5 g of boric acid were heated to reflux in 200 mL of p-xylene with a Dean-Stark trap overnight.","After cooled to room temperature, 400 mL of hexanes was added.","The solid was collected by filtration.","The product was dried under vacuum.","16.9 g of white solid was obtained.","The product was used for the next step without further purification.","6.9 of 3,5-dimethyl-N-(4-methylphenethyl)benzamide, 60 mL of POCl3, and 50 g of P2O5 were refluxed in 150 mL of p-xylene under nitrogen for 4 hrs.","After cooled to room temperature, the solvent was decanted.","The solid was dissolved with ice cold water.","The solution was neutralized with potassium hydroxide solution, then extracted with toluene.","After solvent evaporation, the residue was purified by column chromatography using 1:3 hexanes and ethyl acetate.","12 g (76%) of product was obtained.","12 g (48 mmol) of 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-7-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline and 2.0 g of 10% palladium on carbon were refluxed in 200 mL of p-xylene for 4 hrs.","After cooled to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered through a Celite bed.","The product was then purified by column using 5% ethyl acetate in hexanes as eluent.","10 g of product was obtained.","The product was further purified by recrystallizing from hexanes three times.","6.2 g of pure product was obtained after multiple recrystallizations.","5.5 g (22 mmol) of 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)isoquinoline and 2.64 g (7.4 mmol) of iridium chloride were mixed in 90 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and 30 mL of water.","The mixture was purged with nitrogen for 10 min and then heated to reflux for 14 hrs.","After cooled to room temperature, the solid was collected by filtration.","The solid was thoroughly washed with methanol and hexanes.","The product was dried under vacuum.","3.75 g (70% yield) of the dimer was obtained, which was used for next step without further purification.","3.7 g (2.6 mmol) of the dimer, 2.6 g (26 mmol) of 2,4-pentanedione, and 1.4 g (13 mmol) of sodium carbonate were reacted in 150 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol at room temperature for 72 hrs.","Deep red precipitate formed.","The mixture was filtered through a Celite bed and washed thoroughly with methanol.","The red solid on top was then washed with dichloromethane.","3.6 g of product was obtained.","The product was further purified by high vacuum sublimation at 235° C. Exemplary and Comparative Devices All devices are fabricated by high vacuum (<10−7 Torr) thermal evaporation.","The anode electrode is ˜1200 Å of indium tin oxide (ITO).","The cathode consists of 10 Å of LiF followed by 1,000 Å of Al.","All devices are encapsulated with a glass lid sealed with an epoxy resin in a nitrogen glove box (<1 ppm of H2O and O2) immediately after fabrication, and a moisture getter was incorporated inside the package.","The organic stack consists of sequentially, from the ITO surface, 100 Å thick of Ir(3-Meppy)3 as the hole injection layer (HIL), 400 Å of 4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenylamino]biphenyl (α-NPD) as the hole transporting layer (HTL), 300 Å of BAlq doped with 6-12 wt % of the dopant emitter (exemplary compounds and comparative compounds) as the emissive layer (EML), 550 Å of tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq3) as the electron transport layer (ETL).","The current-voltage-luminance (IVL) characteristics and operational lifetimes are measured and summarized in the Table 1.The device performance is compared at 10 mA/cm2 and lifetime is compared at J=40 mA/cm2 (constant dc) at room temperature and 70° C. Additional Devices with Compound 1 Using the general method as described above and the additional materials described below, the following devices were fabricated using compound 1 as the dopant emitter: Devices with Compound 1 Device Device description 1a ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 1(6%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1b ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 1(9%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1c ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 1(12%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1d ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound A (10%): Compound 1(3%) (300 Å)/Balq (100)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 1e ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound B: Compound 1(12%) (300 Å)/ Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1f ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound B: Compound 1(12%) (300 Å)/ Compound B (100 Å)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 1g ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 1(6%) (300 Å)/ Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1h ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 1(9%) (300 Å)/ Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1i ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 1(12%) (300 Å)/ Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al Performance of Devices with Compound 1 At 500 nits T80% at 40 mA/cm2 (hr) Device EML dopant % λ max CIE V (V) LE (cd/A) EQE (%) L0 (cd/m2) RT 70° C. 1a 6 620 0.66 7.7 21.9 19.00 6472 n.m. 62 0.33 1b 9 622 0.67 7.1 20.2 19.17 6447 n.m. 62 0.33 1c 12 622 0.67 6.9 18.7 18.00 6382 n.m. 73 0.33 1d 3 618 0.66 7.8 27.1 22.9 n.m. n.m. n.m. 0.34 1e 12 626 0.673 6.8 15.6 17 5098 n.m. n.m. 0.325 1f 12 626 0.673 7.8 16.3 17.6 5041 n.m. n.m. 0.325 1g 6 622 0.668 6.1 20 19.3 6137 287 31 0.330 1h 9 624 0.671 5.7 18.2 18.4 5798 470 42 0.327 1i 12 625 0.672 5.4 17.6 18.2 5779 704 58 0.327 Additional Devices with Compound 9 Using the general method as described above, the following devices were fabricated using compound 9 as the dopant emitter.","Devices with Compound 9 Device Device description 9a ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 9(6%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 9b ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 9(9%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 9c ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 9(12%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 9d ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound A (10%): Compound 9(3%) (300 Å)/Balq (100)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 9e ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound A (10%): Compound 9(3%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 9f ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 9(9%) (300 Å)/ Compound C (100 Å)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 9g ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 9(9%) (300 Å)/ BAlq (100 Å)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 9h ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 9(9%) (300 Å)/ Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 9i ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound A (10%): Compound 9(3%) (300 Å)/Compound C (100 Å)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 9j ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound A (10%): Compound 9(3%) (300 Å)/BAlq (100 Å)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 9k ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound A (10%): Compound 9(3%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al Performance of Devices with Compound 9 At 1000 nits T80% at 40 mA/cm2 (hr) Device EML dopant % λ max CIE V (V) LE (cd/A) EQE (%) L0 (cd/m2) RT 70° C. 9a 6 615 0.653 8.6 25.5 19.50 7892 333 55 0.345 9b 9 616 0.654 8 26.5 20.80 8215 352 55 0.343 9c 12 617 0.656 7.7 24.2 19.30 7992 330 60 0.342 9d 3 612 0.647 6.3 29.4 21.1 9809 n.m. 106 0.349 9e 3 612 0.642 6.3 14.6 10.3 6950 n.m. 102 0.352 9f 9 618 0.659 5.6 25.6 21.1 7971 n.m. 34 0.339 9g 9 618 0.659 6.3 25.6 21.1 7871 n.m. 25 0.339 9h 9 618 0.659 5.5 24.5 20.4 7642 n.m. 33 0.338 9i 3 612 0.646 4.8 34.6 24.5 11334 n.m. 45 0.351 9j 3 612 0.646 5.4 33 23.5 10775 n.m. 41 0.351 9k 3 612 0.646 5 25.2 18 9131 n.m. 38 0.351 Additional Devices with Compound 22 Using the general method as described above, the following devices were fabricated using compound 22 as the dopant emitter.","Devices with Compound 22 Device Device description 22a ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 22(6%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 22b ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 22(9%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 22c ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 22(12%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 22d ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound A (10%): Compound 22(3%) (300 Å)/Balq (100)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al Performance of Devices with Compound 22 At 1000 nits T80% at 40 mA/cm2 (hr) Device EML dopant % λ max CIE V (V) LE (cd/A) EQE (%) L0 (cd/m2) RT 70° C. 22a 6 635 0.693 10 10.8 18.3 3,500 n.m. 62 0.304 22b 9 637 0.695 9.9 10.5 18.5 3,408 n.m. 73 0.303 22c 12 637 0.693 9.5 10 17.7 3,277 n.m. 80 0.304 22d 3 633 0.691 9.4 13.6 21.1 3,445 n.m. 116 0.307"]],"string":"[\n [\n \"ORGANIC ELECTROLUMINESCENT MATERIALS AND DEVICES\",\n \"Phosphorescent materials and devices with high device efficiency, stability, and processability.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.An electronic display comprising an organic light emiding diode (OLED) comprising: an anode; a cathode; and an emissive organic layer, disposed between the anode and the cathode, the organic layer further comprising a compound having a formula: wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position; and X—Y is an ancillary ligand.\",\n \"2.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R1 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.\",\n \"3.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R2 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.\",\n \"4.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.\",\n \"5.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein the organic emissive layer further comprises BAlq or 6.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein the branched alkyl is an isobutyl group.\",\n \"7.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R1 is an isobutyl group.\",\n \"8.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R2 is an isobutyl group.\",\n \"9.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein at least one R3 is an isobutyl group.\",\n \"10.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein X—Y is acac.\",\n \"11.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: 12.The electronic display of claim 1, wherein the electronic display is one of a computer monitor, a television, a personal digital assistant, a printer, an instrument panel, a calculator, a wireless phone, handheld computers, and a bill board.\",\n \"13.An emissive layer comprising a host material doped with a compound having a formula: wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position; and X—Y is an ancillary ligand.\",\n \"14.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R1 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.\",\n \"15.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R2 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.\",\n \"16.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms.\",\n \"17.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein the branched alkyl is an isobutyl group.\",\n \"18.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R1 is an isobutyl group.\",\n \"19.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R2 is an isobutyl group.\",\n \"20.The emissive layer of claim 13, wherein at least one R3 is an isobutyl group.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The claimed invention was made by, on behalf of, and/or in connection with one or more of the following parties to a joint university-corporation research agreement: Princeton University, The University of Southern California, and the Universal Display Corporation.\",\n \"The agreement was in effect on and before the date the claimed invention was made, and the claimed invention was made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of the agreement.\",\n \"Electronic display currently is a primary means for rapid delivery of information.\",\n \"Television sets, computer monitors, instrument display panels, calculators, printers, wireless phones, handheld computers, etc.\",\n \"aptly illustrate the speed, versatility, and interactivity that is characteristic of this medium.\",\n \"Of the known electronic display technologies, organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) are of considerable interest for their potential role in the development of full color, flat-panel display systems that may render obsolete the bulky cathode ray tubes still currently used in many television sets and computer monitors.\",\n \"Generally, OLEDs are comprised of several organic layers in which at least one of the layers can be made to electroluminesce by applying a voltage across the device (see, e.g., Tang, et al., Appl.\",\n \"Phys.\",\n \"Lett.\",\n \"1987, 51, 913 and Burroughes, et al., Nature, 1990, 347, 359).\",\n \"When a voltage is applied across a device, the cathode effectively reduces the adjacent organic layers (i.e., injects electrons), and the anode effectively oxidizes the adjacent organic layers (i.e., injects holes).\",\n \"Holes and electrons migrate across the device toward their respective oppositely charged electrodes.\",\n \"When a hole and electron meet on the same molecule, recombination is said to occur, and an exciton is formed.\",\n \"Recombination of the hole and electron in luminescent compounds is accompanied by radiative emission, thereby producing electroluminescence.\",\n \"Depending on the spin states of the hole and electron, the exciton resulting from hole and electron recombination can have either a triplet or singlet spin state.\",\n \"Luminescence from a singlet exciton results in fluorescence, whereas luminescence from a triplet exciton results in phosphorescence.\",\n \"Statistically, for organic materials typically used in OLEDs, one quarter of the excitons are singlets, and the remaining three-quarters are triplets (see, e.g., Baldo, et al., Phys.\",\n \"Rev.\",\n \"B, 1999, 60, 14422).\",\n \"Until the discovery that there were certain phosphorescent materials that could be used to fabricate practical electro-phosphorescent OLEDs (U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,303,238) and, subsequently, demonstration that such electro-phosphorescent OLEDs could have a theoretical quantum efficiency of up to 100% (i.e., harvesting all of both triplets and singlets), the most efficient OLEDs were typically based on materials that fluoresced.\",\n \"Fluorescent materials luminesce with a maximum theoretical quantum efficiency of only 25% (where quantum efficiency of an OLED refers to the efficiency with which holes and electrons recombine to produce luminescence), since the triplet to ground state transition of phosphorescent emission is formally a spin forbidden process.\",\n \"Electro-phosphorescent OLEDs have now been shown to have superior overall device efficiencies as compared with electro-fluorescent OLEDs (see, e.g., Baldo, et al., Nature, 1998, 395, 151 and Baldo, et al., Appl.\",\n \"Phys.\",\n \"Lett.\",\n \"1999, 75(3), 4).\",\n \"Due to strong spin-orbit coupling that leads to singlet-triplet state mixing, heavy metal complexes often display efficient phosphorescent emission from such triplets at room temperature.\",\n \"Accordingly, OLEDs comprising such complexes have been shown to have internal quantum efficiencies of more than 75% (Adachi, et al., Appl.\",\n \"Phys.\",\n \"Lett., 2000, 77, 904).\",\n \"Certain organometallic iridium complexes have been reported as having intense phosphorescence (Lamansky, et al., Inorganic Chemistry, 2001, 40, 1704), and efficient OLEDs emitting in the green to red spectrum have been prepared with these complexes (Lamansky, et al., J.\",\n \"Am.\",\n \"Chem.\",\n \"Soc., 2001, 123, 4304).\",\n \"Red-emitting devices containing iridium complexes have been prepared according to U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,821,645.Phosphorescent heavy metal organometallic complexes and their respective devices have also been the subject of International Patent Application Publications WO 00/57676, WO 00/70655, and WO 01/41512; U.S. Publications 2006/0202194 and 2006/0204785; and U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"7,001,536; 6,911,271; 6,939,624; and 6,835,469.Despite the recent discoveries of efficient heavy metal phosphors and the resulting advancements in OLED technology, there remains a need for even greater efficiency in devices.\",\n \"Fabrication of brighter devices that use less power and have longer lifetimes will contribute to the development of new display technologies and help realize the current goals toward full color electronic display on flat surfaces.\",\n \"The phosphorescent organometallic compounds, and the devices comprising them, described herein, help fulfill these and other needs.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, an iridium compound has a formula: wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; each of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position; and X—Y is an ancillary ligand.\",\n \"The branched alkyl can be an isobutyl group.\",\n \"The X—Y ligand can be acac.\",\n \"Specific exemplary compounds are also provided.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a compound includes a ligand having the formula: each of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position.\",\n \"The ligand can be coordinated to a metal having an atomic number greater than 40, e.g., Ir.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, specific compounds are provided, e.g., Compounds 1-24.In yet another embodiment, an organic light emitting device comprises an anode, a cathode, and an emissive organic layer disposed between the anode and the cathode.\",\n \"The organic emissive layer comprises one or more of the compounds provided.\",\n \"The organic emissive layer can further comprise, e.g., Compound C or BAlq.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/400,538, filed Jan. 6, 2017, which is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/826,762, filed Aug. 14, 2015, now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,577,201, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"13/849,028, filed Mar.\",\n \"22, 2013, now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,142,786, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/044,234, filed Mar.\",\n \"7, 2008, now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"8,431,243, which claims priority to U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application 60/905,758, filed Mar.\",\n \"8, 2007, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT The claimed invention was made by, on behalf of, and/or in connection with one or more of the following parties to a joint university corporation research agreement: The Regents of the University of Michigan, Princeton University, University of Southern California, and Universal Display Corporation.\",\n \"The agreement was in effect on and before the date the claimed invention was made, and the claimed invention was made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of the agreement.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The claimed invention was made by, on behalf of, and/or in connection with one or more of the following parties to a joint university-corporation research agreement: Princeton University, The University of Southern California, and the Universal Display Corporation.\",\n \"The agreement was in effect on and before the date the claimed invention was made, and the claimed invention was made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of the agreement.\",\n \"Electronic display currently is a primary means for rapid delivery of information.\",\n \"Television sets, computer monitors, instrument display panels, calculators, printers, wireless phones, handheld computers, etc.\",\n \"aptly illustrate the speed, versatility, and interactivity that is characteristic of this medium.\",\n \"Of the known electronic display technologies, organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) are of considerable interest for their potential role in the development of full color, flat-panel display systems that may render obsolete the bulky cathode ray tubes still currently used in many television sets and computer monitors.\",\n \"Generally, OLEDs are comprised of several organic layers in which at least one of the layers can be made to electroluminesce by applying a voltage across the device (see, e.g., Tang, et al., Appl.\",\n \"Phys.\",\n \"Lett.\",\n \"1987, 51, 913 and Burroughes, et al., Nature, 1990, 347, 359).\",\n \"When a voltage is applied across a device, the cathode effectively reduces the adjacent organic layers (i.e., injects electrons), and the anode effectively oxidizes the adjacent organic layers (i.e., injects holes).\",\n \"Holes and electrons migrate across the device toward their respective oppositely charged electrodes.\",\n \"When a hole and electron meet on the same molecule, recombination is said to occur, and an exciton is formed.\",\n \"Recombination of the hole and electron in luminescent compounds is accompanied by radiative emission, thereby producing electroluminescence.\",\n \"Depending on the spin states of the hole and electron, the exciton resulting from hole and electron recombination can have either a triplet or singlet spin state.\",\n \"Luminescence from a singlet exciton results in fluorescence, whereas luminescence from a triplet exciton results in phosphorescence.\",\n \"Statistically, for organic materials typically used in OLEDs, one quarter of the excitons are singlets, and the remaining three-quarters are triplets (see, e.g., Baldo, et al., Phys.\",\n \"Rev.\",\n \"B, 1999, 60, 14422).\",\n \"Until the discovery that there were certain phosphorescent materials that could be used to fabricate practical electro-phosphorescent OLEDs (U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,303,238) and, subsequently, demonstration that such electro-phosphorescent OLEDs could have a theoretical quantum efficiency of up to 100% (i.e., harvesting all of both triplets and singlets), the most efficient OLEDs were typically based on materials that fluoresced.\",\n \"Fluorescent materials luminesce with a maximum theoretical quantum efficiency of only 25% (where quantum efficiency of an OLED refers to the efficiency with which holes and electrons recombine to produce luminescence), since the triplet to ground state transition of phosphorescent emission is formally a spin forbidden process.\",\n \"Electro-phosphorescent OLEDs have now been shown to have superior overall device efficiencies as compared with electro-fluorescent OLEDs (see, e.g., Baldo, et al., Nature, 1998, 395, 151 and Baldo, et al., Appl.\",\n \"Phys.\",\n \"Lett.\",\n \"1999, 75(3), 4).\",\n \"Due to strong spin-orbit coupling that leads to singlet-triplet state mixing, heavy metal complexes often display efficient phosphorescent emission from such triplets at room temperature.\",\n \"Accordingly, OLEDs comprising such complexes have been shown to have internal quantum efficiencies of more than 75% (Adachi, et al., Appl.\",\n \"Phys.\",\n \"Lett., 2000, 77, 904).\",\n \"Certain organometallic iridium complexes have been reported as having intense phosphorescence (Lamansky, et al., Inorganic Chemistry, 2001, 40, 1704), and efficient OLEDs emitting in the green to red spectrum have been prepared with these complexes (Lamansky, et al., J.\",\n \"Am.\",\n \"Chem.\",\n \"Soc., 2001, 123, 4304).\",\n \"Red-emitting devices containing iridium complexes have been prepared according to U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,821,645.Phosphorescent heavy metal organometallic complexes and their respective devices have also been the subject of International Patent Application Publications WO 00/57676, WO 00/70655, and WO 01/41512; U.S. Publications 2006/0202194 and 2006/0204785; and U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"7,001,536; 6,911,271; 6,939,624; and 6,835,469.Despite the recent discoveries of efficient heavy metal phosphors and the resulting advancements in OLED technology, there remains a need for even greater efficiency in devices.\",\n \"Fabrication of brighter devices that use less power and have longer lifetimes will contribute to the development of new display technologies and help realize the current goals toward full color electronic display on flat surfaces.\",\n \"The phosphorescent organometallic compounds, and the devices comprising them, described herein, help fulfill these and other needs.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, an iridium compound has a formula: wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position; and X—Y is an ancillary ligand.\",\n \"The branched alkyl can be an isobutyl group.\",\n \"The X—Y ligand can be acac.\",\n \"Specific exemplary compounds are also provided.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a compound includes a ligand having the formula: each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position.\",\n \"The ligand can be coordinated to a metal having an atomic number greater than 40, e.g., Ir.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, specific compounds are provided, e.g., Compounds 1-24.In yet another embodiment, an organic light emitting device comprises an anode, a cathode, and an emissive organic layer disposed between the anode and the cathode.\",\n \"The organic emissive layer comprises one or more of the compounds provided.\",\n \"The organic emissive layer can further comprise, e.g., Compound C or BAlq.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG.\",\n \"1 shows an organic light emitting device having separate electron transport, hole transport, and emissive layers, as well as other layers.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 shows an inverted organic light emitting device that does not have a separate electron transport layer.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 shows examples of iridium compounds.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG.\",\n \"1 shows an organic light emitting device 100.The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"Device 100 may include a substrate 110, an anode 115, a hole injection layer 120, a hole transport layer 125, an electron blocking layer 130, an emissive layer 135, a hole blocking layer 140, an electron transport layer 145, an electron injection layer 150, a protective layer 155, and a cathode 160.Cathode 160 is a compound cathode having a first conductive layer 162 and a second conductive layer 164.Device 100 may be fabricated by depositing the layers described, in order.\",\n \"The properties and functions of these various layers, as well as example materials, are described in more detail in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,279,704 at cols.\",\n \"6-10, which are incorporated by reference.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 shows an inverted OLED 200.The device includes a substrate 210, a cathode 215, an emissive layer 220, a hole transport layer 225, and an anode 230.Device 200 may be fabricated by depositing the layers described, in order.\",\n \"Because the most common OLED configuration has a cathode disposed over the anode, and device 200 has cathode 215 disposed under anode 230, device 200 may be referred to as an “inverted” OLED.\",\n \"Materials similar to those described with respect to device 100 may be used in the corresponding layers of device 200.FIG.\",\n \"2 provides one example of how some layers may be omitted from the structure of device 100.The simple layered structure illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2 is provided by way of non-limiting example, and it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be used in connection with a wide variety of other structures.\",\n \"The specific materials and structures described are exemplary in nature, and other materials and structures may be used.\",\n \"Functional OLEDs may be achieved by combining the various layers described in different ways, or layers may be omitted entirely, based on design, performance, and cost factors.\",\n \"Other layers not specifically described may also be included.\",\n \"Materials other than those specifically described may be used.\",\n \"Although many of the examples provided herein describe various layers as comprising a single material, it is understood that combinations of materials, such as a mixture of host and dopant, or more generally a mixture, may be used.\",\n \"Also, the layers may have various sublayers.\",\n \"The names given to the various layers herein are not intended to be strictly limiting.\",\n \"For example, in device 200, hole transport layer 225 transports holes and injects holes into emissive layer 220, and may be described as a hole transport layer or a hole injection layer.\",\n \"In one embodiment, an OLED may be described as having an “organic layer” disposed between a cathode and an anode.\",\n \"This organic layer may comprise a single layer, or may further comprise multiple layers of different organic materials as described, for example, with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2.Numerous Ir(2-phenylquinoline) and Ir(1-phenylisoquinoline) type phosphorescent materials have been synthesized, and OLEDs incorporating them as the dopant emitters have been fabricated.\",\n \"The devices may advantageously exhibit high current efficiency, high stability, narrow emission, high processability (such as high solubility and low evaporation temperature), high luminous efficiency, and/or high luminous efficiency: quantum efficiency ratio (LE:EQE).\",\n \"Using the base structure of Ir(3-Meppy)3, different alkyl and fluoro substitution patters were studied to establish a structure-property relationship with respect to material processability (evaporation temperature, evaporation stability, solubility, etc.)\",\n \"and device characteristics of Ir(2-phenylquinoline) and Ir(1-phenylisoquinoline) type phosphorescent materials and their PHOLEDs.\",\n \"Alkyl and fluoro substitutions are particular important because they offer a wide range of tenability in terms of evaporation temperature, solubility, energy levels, device efficiency, etc.\",\n \"Moreover, they are stable as functional groups chemically and in device operation when applied appropriately.\",\n \"In one embodiment, an iridium compound has the formula (also illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3): wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position; and X—Y is an ancillary ligand.\",\n \"Together, X and Y represent a bidentate ligand.\",\n \"Numerous bidentate ligands are known to those skilled in the art and many suitable examples are provided in Cotton and Wilkinson, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, Fourth Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1980.In some embodiments, bidentate ligands are monoanionic.\",\n \"Suitable bidentate ligands include, but are not limited to, acetylacetonate (acac), picolinate (pic), hexafluoroacetylacetonate, salicylidene, 8-hydroxyquinolinate; amino acids, salicylaldehydes, and iminoacetonates.\",\n \"In one embodiment, X—Y is acac.\",\n \"Bidentate ligands also include biaryl compounds.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the biaryl compounds coordinate to the metal atom through a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “biaryl” refers to compounds comprising two aryl groups covalently joined by a single bond.\",\n \"The aryl groups of a biaryl compound can be aryl or heteroaryl, including both monocyclic or poly-cyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups.\",\n \"Exemplary biaryl groups include, but are not limited to, biphenyl, bipyridyl, phenylpyridyl, and derivatives thereof.\",\n \"Biaryl compounds can serve as bidentate ligands in metal coordination complexes, for instance, by coordinating though one atom in each of the two aryl groups.\",\n \"The coordinating atoms can be carbon or a heteroatom.\",\n \"Further suitable bidentate ligands include, but are not limited to, 2-(1-naphthyl)benzoxazole, 2-phenylbenzoxazole, 2-phenylbenzothiazole, coumarin, thienylpyridine, phenylpyridine, benzothienylpyridine, 3-methoxy-2-phenylpyridine, thienylpyridine, tolylpyridine, phenylimines, vinylpyridines, arylquinolines, pyridylnaphthalenes, pyridylpyrroles, pyridylimidazoles, phenylindoles, and derivatives thereof.\",\n \"Suitable bidentate ligands also include those provided by U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"7,001,536; 6,911,271; 6,939,624; and 6,835,469.In another embodiment, X and Y can each be a monodentate ligand, that is, any ligand capable of coordinating to a metal atom through one atom.\",\n \"Numerous monodentate ligands are well known in the art, and many suitable examples are provided in Cotton and Wilkinson, supra.\",\n \"In some embodiments, monodentate ligands can include F, C1, Br, I, CO, CN, CN(R4), SR4, SCN, OCN, P(R4)3, P(OR4)3, N(R4)3, NO, N3, or a nitrogen-containing heterocycle optionally substituted by one or more substituents X.\",\n \"Each R4 is independently H, C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C1-C20 heteroalkyl, C3-C40 aryl, C3-C40 heteroaryl.\",\n \"R4 is optionally substituted by one or more substituents X, wherein each X is independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, R5, OR5, N(R5)2, P(R5)2, P(OR5)2, POR5, PO2R5, PO3R5, SR5, Si(R5)3, B(R5)2, B(OR5)2C(O)R5, C(O)OR5, C(O)N(R5)2, CN, NO2, SO2, SOR5, SO2R5, or SO3R5.Each R5 is independently H, C1-C20 alkyl, C1-C20 perhaloalkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C1-C20 heteroalkyl, C3-C40 aryl, or C3-C40 heteroaryl.\",\n \"The phrase “nitrogen-containing heterocycle” as used herein refers to any heterocyclic group containing at least one nitrogen atom.\",\n \"Nitrogen-containing heterocycles can be saturated or unsaturated and include, but are not limited to, pyridine, imidazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, pyrrole, 1,3,4-triazole, tetrazole, oxazole, thiazole, and derivatives thereof.\",\n \"In further embodiments, one of X and Y is a neutral monodentate ligand, and the other of X and Y is monoanionic, i.e., X and Y have a combined charge of (−1).\",\n \"For example, X can be chloro, and Y can be pyridyl.\",\n \"Some of the compounds provided comprise at least one bidentate phenylquinolinato (pq) ligand.\",\n \"The term phenylquinolinato, or pq, as used herein refers to both substituted and non-substituted ligands, and the number (n) of coordinated pq ligands can be 1, 2, or 3.In some embodiments, compounds comprise m-1 pq ligands (wherein m is the formal charge of the metal) or, in some embodiments, two pq ligands.\",\n \"Phenylquinolinato ligands can be substituted with substituents R1, R2, and R3 as defined above.\",\n \"Any combination of substituents is suitable.\",\n \"Adjacently-positioned substituents can, together, comprise a 4- to 7-member cyclic group that is fused to the ligand.\",\n \"For example, the pairs R1 and R2 or R2 and R3 can comprise a fused cyclic group.\",\n \"The phrase “fused cyclic group” refers to a cyclic group that shares one or more bonds with a further cyclic group.\",\n \"The pq ligands can have any number of fused cyclic group substituents.\",\n \"Any feasible combination of fused cyclic groups and the remaining of R1, R2, and R3 not involved in a fused cyclic group is contemplated.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “alkyl” includes linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups.\",\n \"In some embodiments, alkyl groups are C1-C20 alkyl groups.\",\n \"Exemplary alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, cyclohexyl, and norbornyl.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the compound includes a branched aryl, wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position.\",\n \"The benzylic position is the carbon attached directly to the aryl ring.\",\n \"Thus, in this embodiment, the alkyl chain projects linearly from the aryl ring for at least two carbons until branching begins.\",\n \"The branched alkyl can be, e.g., an isobutyl group.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “heteroalkyl” refers to alkyl groups including one or more heteroatoms such as O, S, or N. Heteroalkyl groups can also comprise unsaturations.\",\n \"Exemplary heteroalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, and morpholinyl.\",\n \"The term “perhaloalkyl” refers to alkyl groups substituted by halogen.\",\n \"Exemplary perhaloalkyl group include, but are not limited to, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, and pentafluoroethyl.\",\n \"“Alkenyl” groups refer to alkyl groups having one or more double bonds, and “alkynyl” groups refer to alkyl groups having one or more triple bonds.\",\n \"“Aryl” groups can be any mono- or polycyclic aromatic group, and “heteroaryl” refers to an aryl group including one or more heteroatoms such as O, S, or N. Aryl groups can have about 3 to about 40 carbon atoms and include, but are not limited to, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, and phenanthryl.\",\n \"Heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, pyridyl, indolyl, benzothiophene, and quinolinyl.\",\n \"“Amino” groups as used herein include amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, and diarylamino groups.\",\n \"Exemplary amino groups include, but are not limited to, NH2, methylamino, dimethylamino, phenylamino, and diphenylamino.\",\n \"“Halo” groups are halogens including, e.g., fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodo.\",\n \"Specific examples of compounds of formula I or II include: In another embodiment, a compound including a ligand has the formula: wherein each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a hydrogen, or a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-substitution of alkyl or aryl; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the ligand is coordinated to a metal having an atomic number greater than 40.The metal can be any metal atom, including second and third row transition metals, lanthanides, actinides, main group metals, alkali metals, and alkaline earth metals.\",\n \"Heavy metals may provide thermal stability and superior phosphorescent properties.\",\n \"Second row transition metals include any of Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, and Cd, and third row transition metals include any of La, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, and Hg.\",\n \"Main group metals include, e.g., In, Sn, Sb, Tl, Pb, Bi, and Po.\",\n \"In some embodiments, M is Ir, Os, Pt, Pb, Re, or Ru.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the metal atom is Ir.\",\n \"The metal atom M can have any formal charge designated as m. In some embodiments, the formal charge is positive such as 1+, 2+, 3+, 4+, 5+, 6+, 7+, or 8+.\",\n \"In one embodiment, formal charge is greater than 1+.\",\n \"In another embodiment, formal charge is greater than 2+.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, formal charge can be 3+.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a compound is selected from the group consisting of: Some of the compounds provided can be photoluminescent.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the compounds are efficient phosphors having, for example, a significant portion of luminescence arising from phosphorescent emission.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the emission can be red or reddish.\",\n \"Color of emission can be estimated from the photoluminescence spectrum.\",\n \"A luminescence maximum of about 550 to about 700 nm can indicate red or reddish emission.\",\n \"A maximum at lower wavelengths can indicate green or blue emission.\",\n \"Additionally, the color of emission can be described by color index coordinates x and y (Commision Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) 1931 standard 2-degree observer; see, e.g., Shoustikov, et al., IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 1998, 4, 3; Dartnall, et al., Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 1983, 220, 115; Gupta, et al., Journal of Photochemistry, 1985, 30, 173; Colorimetry, 2.sup.nd ed., Publication CIE 15.2-1986 (ISBN 3-900-734-00-3)).\",\n \"For example, a compound emitting in the reds can have coordinates of about 0.5 to about 0.8 for x and about 0.2 to about 0.5 for y.\",\n \"Some of the compounds provided may advantageously emit a more saturated hue, particular red.\",\n \"In other words, the compounds may emit a color that is closer to the pure spectral colors falling along the outside curve of the chromaticity diagram, i.e., colors that are produced by a single wavelength of light.\",\n \"The compounds may exhibit a narrower emission than other comparative compounds.\",\n \"Alternatively, the compounds may exhibit an emission profile that is closer to an industry standard hue for displays.\",\n \"Processes for preparing compounds are also provided.\",\n \"Phenylquinolinato ligands (L) having desired substitutions can be made using the general procedure of coupling phenyl boronic acid having desired substitution with chloroquinoline (e.g., 2-chloroquinoline, 3-chloroisoquinoline, or 2-chloroisoquinoline) also having desired substitution.\",\n \"Coupling procedures can be, for example, conducted under Suzuki conditions in the presence of palladium(II) (see, e.g., Miyaura, et al., Chem.\",\n \"Rev.\",\n \"1995, 2457).\",\n \"The quinoline (or isoquinoline) and boronic acid starting materials can be obtained from commercial sources or synthesized by methods known in the art.\",\n \"For example, 3-chloroisoquinoline can be made according to the procedures described in Haworth, R. D., et al., J Chem.\",\n \"Soc., 1948, 777.Phenylquinoline ligands (L) having desired substitution can be coordinated to a metal atom by, for example, contacting the ligands with a metal halide complex.\",\n \"Metal halide complexes include compounds comprising at least one metal coordinated to one or more halide ligands.\",\n \"Metal halide complexes can be of the Formula M(Q)q where Q is a halide ligand and q is the number of halide ligands.\",\n \"For example, q can be about 2 to about 6.For the preparation of iridium-containing compounds, the metal halide complex can be IrCl3.This and other metal halide complexes are well known in the art and commercially available.\",\n \"Under sufficient time and conditions, the contacting can result in the formation of a metal-containing intermediate, having mixed coordination of halide and phenylquinoline ligands L. In some embodiments, the metal atom of the intermediate can coordinate to at least one L. In other embodiments, the metal atom of the intermediate can coordinate two L. In further embodiments, the intermediate can be polynuclear comprising, for example, more than one metal atom and bridging halide ligands.\",\n \"When the metal halide complex is IrCl3, the metal-containing intermediate can be an iridium dimer complex having, for example, the structure L2Ir(μ-CL)2IrL2.Any remaining halide ligands of the intermediate, including bridging halides, can be replaced by ligand substitution with one or more ancillary ligands, such as represented by X and Y in Formula I or II.\",\n \"For example, 2,4-pentanedione in the presence of base can replace coordinated halide ligands in the metal-containing intermediate to give an acetylacetonato complex.\",\n \"Syntheses of exemplary compounds are provided in the Examples.\",\n \"Some of the compounds provided can be used as emitters in organic light emitting devices.\",\n \"Accordingly, the compounds can be present in an emissive layer (i.e., a layer from which light is primarily emitted) of a such device.\",\n \"The emissive layer can be, for example, a layer consisting essentially of one or more of the compounds provided.\",\n \"Some of the compounds provided can also be present as dopants.\",\n \"For example, an emissive layer can comprise host material doped with one or more of the compounds provided.\",\n \"The host material can comprise any compound, including organic and organometallic compounds, suitable in an emissive layer in an OLED.\",\n \"Exemplary organic host materials include, but are not limited to, BCP (bathocuproine or 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline), CBP (4,4′-N,N′-dicarbazole biphenyl), OXD7 (1,3-bis(N,N-t-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole), TAZ (3-phenyl-4-(1′-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole), NPD (4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino]biphenyl), CuPc (copper phthalocyanine), Alq3 (aluminum tris(8-hydroxyquinolate)), and BAlq ((1,1′-biphenyl)-4-olato)bis(2-methyl-8-quinolinolato N1,O8)aluminum).\",\n \"Other materials that can be included in an emissive layer in addition to the emissive compounds include Irppy (tris(2-phenylpyridinato-N, C2′)iridium(III)), Flrpic (bis(2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-N,C2′)iridium(III)(picolinate)), and other metal complexes such as those described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,001,536; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"6,911,271; and 6,939,624.As dopants, some of the compounds provided can be present in the emissive layer, such as in host material, in amounts of about 1 to about 20 wt %, about 5 to about 15 wt %, about 5 to about 10 wt %, or other similar ranges.\",\n \"In one embodiment, specific combinations of dopants and hosts are provided.\",\n \"For example, the organic emissive layer can comprise BAlq or Compound C. In one embodiment, the organic emissive layer comprises Compound 1 and Compound C. In another embodiment, the organic emissive layer comprises Compound 9 and Compound C. In yet another embodiment, the organic emissive layer comprises Compound 22 and BAlq.\",\n \"In still another embodiment, the organic emissive layer comprises Compound 24 and BAlq.\",\n \"Accordingly, in another embodiment, a composition comprises one or more of the compounds provided.\",\n \"In some embodiments, compositions comprise at least one of the compounds provided and a further compound suitable for use in an OLED.\",\n \"For example, further compounds can include any of the host materials mentioned above.\",\n \"Additionally, further compounds can include other emitters or metal complexes, such as FIrpic, Irppy, and other complexes mentioned above.\",\n \"Devices comprising at least one of the compounds provided may have superior properties as compared with known devices.\",\n \"For example, high external quantum and luminous efficiencies can be achieved in the present devices.\",\n \"Device lifetimes are also generally better than, or at least comparable to, some of the most stable fluorescent devices reported.\",\n \"Table 1 provides data for devices using exemplary compounds as well as devices using Comparative Examples 1 and 2: TABLE 1 70° C. Lifetime comparison Tsubl at EML At 10 mA/cm2 T80% at 40 mA/cm2 (hr) (L0)2(T80%) 0.24 Å/ dopant λ FWHM V LE EQE L0 at 70° C. Dopant s (° C.) % max (nm) CIE (V) (cd/A) (%) LE:EQE (cd/m2) RT 70° C. (×109) Comp.\",\n \"206 12 622 94 0.65 0.35 8.1 14.3 14 1.01 4817 991 60 1.39 Ex.\",\n \"1 Comp.\",\n \"229 9 630 84 0.68 0.32 9.1 11.1 15 0.72 3808 1200 180 2.61 Ex.\",\n \"2 1 192 12 622 66 0.67 0.33 8.8 18.3 17.7 1.03 6382 n.m. 73 2.97 2 220 12 634 82 0.68 0.32 8.9 9.6 13.5 0.71 3308 n.m. 127 1.39 3 200 12 632 80 0.68 0.32 8.8 10.8 15.6 0.69 3784 n.m. 145 2.08 4 186 12 630 82 0.68 0.32 9.49 11.07 16 0.69 3852 n.m. 132 1.96 5 206 12 626 82 0.66 0.33 8.8 14.6 16.1 0.91 5175 n.m. 55 1.47 6 207 12 628 86 0.67 0.32 9 11.2 15.3 0.73 4007 n.m. 127 2.04 7 202 12 626 83 0.66 0.34 8.6 14.3 14 1.02 4877 n.m. 127 3.02 8 177-185 12 636 70 0.69 0.31 8.6 9.8 14.6 0.67 3390 n.m. 38 0.44 9 163-172 12 618 61 0.66 0.34 9.2 23.5 18.8 1.25 7992 n.m. 60 3.83 13 211 12 618 78 0.65 0.35 9.1 20.1 17.2 1.17 6865 n.m. 52 2.45 14 212 12 632 80 0.67 0.33 9.6 7.9 10.1 0.78 2810 n.m. 32 0.25 15 217 12 622 66 0.665 0.333 8.9 18.6 17.5 1.06 6411 n.m. 40 1.64 16 186 12 618 65 0.658 0.340 9.8 22.4 18.7 1.20 7593 n.m. 10.6 0.61 20 210 12 620 79 0.655 0.347 8.7 16.8 15.4 1.09 6026 n.m. 80 2.91 22 210 12 637 66 0.693 0.304 9.5 9.8 17.5 0.56 3277 n.m. 80 0.86 24 218 12 635 66 0.691, 0.306 8.9 11.5 19.0 0.61 3894 n.m. 90 1.36 n.m. = not measured As shown in Table 1, several exemplary compounds demonstrated efficiency and lifetime that was is better than, or at least comparable to, the comparative examples.\",\n \"For example, the LE and EQE of Compound 1 are 18.3 cd/A and 17.7%, respectively, at CIE of (0.67, 0.33).\",\n \"The LE:EQE ratio is 1.03, which is significantly higher than that of Comparative Example 2 (LE:EQE=0.72), which is only slightly more red (0.68, 0.32).\",\n \"The 70° C. lifetime comparison shows that Compound 1 is more stable than Comparative Example 2.Compound 1 is the best deep red emitter to date in the industry.\",\n \"Some exemplary compounds also have high LE:EQE ratios compared to Comparative Examples 1 with similar CIE coordinates (0.65-0.66, 0.34-0.35) due to the narrow emission profile of the exemplary compounds.\",\n \"For example, Compound 9 has a deeper red CIE than Comparative Example 1, yet the LE:EQE ratio of Compound 9 is 1.25, which is significantly higher than that of Comparative Example 1 (1.01).\",\n \"Table 2 shows data for devices using exemplary compounds as well as devices using Comparative Examples.\",\n \"TABLE 2 At 10 mA/cm2 T80% at 40 mA/cm2 Tsubl at 0.24 Å/s λ FWHM LE EQE L0 (hr) Dopant (° C.) max (nm) CIE V (V) (cd/A) (%) LE:EQE (cd/m2) RT 70° C. Comp.\",\n \"Ex.\",\n \"3 200-210 602 78 0.61 8.5 27.1 16.6 1.63 9370 200 n.m. 0.38 Comp.\",\n \"Ex.\",\n \"4 237 618 78 0.65 8 9.8 8.8 1.11 3622 530 n.m. 0.34 1 192 622 66 0.67 8.8 18.3 17.7 1.03 6382 n.m. 73 0.33 Comp.\",\n \"Ex.\",\n \"5 229 632 84 0.68 8.8 10.6 15.2 0.70 3757 n.m. 240 0.32 22 210 637 66 0.693 9.5 9.8 17.5 0.56 3277 n.m. 80 0.304 As shown by Table 2, Compound 1 has lower sublimation temperature, higher efficiency, and narrower emission compared with Comparative Examples 3 and 4.Similarly, Compound 22 has a lower sublimation temperature, higher efficiency, and narrower emission compared with Comparative Example 5.Compounds having branched alkyl substitution may be particular advantageous.\",\n \"Branched alkyl substitutions on red compounds seem to improve lineshape, efficiency, and lifetime.\",\n \"Table 3 shows data for devices using exemplary compounds, including those having branched alkyl substitutions, as well as devices using Comparative Examples.\",\n \"TABLE 3 At 10 mA/cm2 T80% at 40 mA/cm2 Tsubl at 0.24 Å/s λ FWHM LE EQE L0 (hr) Dopant (° C.) max (nm) CIE V (V) (cd/A) (%) LE:EQE (cd/m2) RT 70° C. Comp.\",\n \"Ex.\",\n \"6 190 618 64 0.66 8.7 20 16.8 1.19 7014 n.m. 31 0.34 9 198 618 61 0.66 9.2 23.5 18.8 1.25 7992 n.m. 60 0.34 16 186 618 65 0.658 9.8 22.4 18.7 1.20 7593 n.m. 10.6 0.340 20 210 620 79 0.655 8.7 16.8 15.4 1.09 6026 n.m. 80 0.347 Comp.\",\n \"Ex.\",\n \"7 237 618 78 0.65 8 9.8 8.8 1.11 3622 530 n.m. 0.34 As shown by Table 3, isobutyl substitutions on either quinoline or phenyl ring resulted in higher efficiency and longer lifetime.\",\n \"Compared to methyl and n-propyl substitution on the 7 position of quinoline, the isobutyl substitution maintained the emission maximum.\",\n \"However, the spectrum is narrower than methyl or n-propyl substitution.\",\n \"The full width of half maxima (FWHM) decreased to 61 nm, which resulted in a higher ratio of current efficiency to external quantum efficiency.\",\n \"In addition, isobutyl substitution shows much longer lifetime than methyl and n-propyl substitution.\",\n \"When the methyl group was replaced by isobutyl group on the phenyl ring (see Compound 20 and Comparative Example 7), the evaporation temperature decreased by 27 degrees.\",\n \"The emission slightly shifted to a more saturated red color.\",\n \"Again, the external quantum efficiency increased from 8.8% to 15.4%.\",\n \"In some embodiments, e.g., those comprising Ir, the device emits red.\",\n \"Red devices can have electroluminescence maxima of about 550 to about 700 nm.\",\n \"Similarly, color index coordinates (CIE) for red devices can be about 0.5 to about 0.8 for x and about 0.2 to about 0.5 for y.\",\n \"In some embodiments, devices, e.g., red devices, can have external quantum efficiencies greater than about 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 10%, 12%, or higher at a brightness greater than about 10, 100, 1000 cd/m2, or more.\",\n \"Typical devices are structured so that one or more layers are sandwiched between a hole injecting anode layer and an electron injecting cathode layer.\",\n \"The sandwiched layers have two sides, one facing the anode and the other facing the cathode.\",\n \"Layers are generally deposited on a substrate, such as glass, on which either the anode layer or the cathode layer may reside.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the anode layer is in contact with the substrate.\",\n \"In some embodiments, for example when the substrate comprises a conductive or semi-conductive material, an insulating material can be inserted between the electrode layer and the substrate.\",\n \"Typical substrate materials may be rigid, flexible, transparent, or opaque, and include, but are not limited to, glass, polymers, quartz, and sapphire.\",\n \"In some embodiments, devices comprise further layers in addition to a layer comprising at least one of compounds provided (e.g., an emissive layer).\",\n \"For example, in addition to the electrodes, devices can include any one or more of hole blocking layers, electron blocking layers, exciton blocking layers, hole transporting layers, electron transporting layers, hole injection layers, and electron injection layers.\",\n \"Anodes can comprise an oxide material such as indium-tin oxide (ITO), Zn—In—SnO2, SbO2, or the like, and cathodes can comprises a metal layer such as Mg, Mg:Ag, or LiF:Al.\",\n \"Among other materials, the hole transporting layer (HTL) can comprise triaryl amines or metal complexes such as those described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,261,954.Similarly, the electron transporting layer (ETL) can comprise, for example, aluminum tris(8-hydroxyquinolate) (Alq3) or other suitable materials.\",\n \"Additionally, a hole injection layer can comprise, for example, 4,4′,4″-tris(3-methylphenylphenylamino)triphenylamine (MTDATA), polymeric material such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), metal complex such as copper phthalocyanine (CuPc), or other suitable materials.\",\n \"Hole blocking, electron blocking, and exciton blocking layers can comprise, for example, BCP, BAlq, and other suitable materials such as FIrpic or other metal complexes described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,261,954.Some of the compounds provided can also be included in any of the above mentioned layers.\",\n \"Light emitting devices can be fabricated by a variety of well-known techniques.\",\n \"Small molecule layers, including those comprised of neutral metal complexes, can be prepared by vacuum deposition, organic vapor phase deposition (OVPD), such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,337,102, or solution processing such as spin coating.\",\n \"Polymeric films can be deposited by spin coating and chemical vapor deposition (CVD).\",\n \"Layers of charged compounds, such as salts of charged metal complexes, can be prepared by solution methods such a spin coating or by an OVPD method such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,554,220.Layer deposition generally, although not necessarily, proceeds in the direction of the anode to the cathode, and the anode typically rests on a substrate.\",\n \"Devices and techniques for their fabrication are described throughout the literature, e.g., U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"5,703,436; 5,986,401; 6,013,982; 6,097,147; and 6,166,489.For devices from which light emission is directed substantially out of the bottom of the device (i.e., substrate side), a transparent anode material such as ITO may be used as the bottom electron.\",\n \"Since the top electrode of such a device does not need to be transparent, such a top electrode, which is typically a cathode, may be comprised of a thick and reflective metal layer having a high electrical conductivity.\",\n \"In contrast, for transparent or top-emitting devices, a transparent cathode may be used such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"5,703,436 and 5,707,745.Top-emitting devices may have an opaque and/or reflective substrate, such that light is produced substantially out of the top of the device.\",\n \"Devices can also be fully transparent, emitting from both top and bottom.\",\n \"Transparent cathodes, such as those used in top-emitting devices preferably have optical transmission characteristics such that the device has an optical transmission of at least about 50%, although lower optical transmissions can be used.\",\n \"In some embodiments, devices include transparent cathodes having optical characteristics that permit the devices to have optical transmissions of at least about 70%, 85%, or more.\",\n \"Transparent cathodes, such as those described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"5,703,436 and 5,707,745, typically comprise a thin layer of metal such as Mg:Ag with a thickness, for example, that is less than about 100 Å.\",\n \"The Mg:Ag layer can be coated with a transparent, electrically-conductive, sputter-deposited ITO layer.\",\n \"Such cathodes are often referred to as compound cathodes or as TOLED (transparent-OLED) cathodes.\",\n \"The thickness of the Mg:Ag and ITO layers in compound cathodes may each be adjusted to produce the desired combination of both high optical transmission and high electrical conductivity, for example, an electrical conductivity as reflected by an overall cathode resistivity of about 30 to 100 ohms per square.\",\n \"However, even though such a relatively low resistivity can be acceptable for certain types of applications, such a resistivity can still be somewhat too high for passive matrix array OLED pixels in which the current that powers each pixel needs to be conducted across the entire array through the narrow strips of the compound cathode.\",\n \"Light emitting devices can be used in a pixel for an electronic display.\",\n \"Virtually any type of electronic display can incorporate the devices.\",\n \"Displays include, but are not limited to, computer monitors, televisions, personal digital assistants, printers, instrument panels, and bill boards.\",\n \"In particular, the devices can be used in flat-panel displays and heads-up displays.\",\n \"The following examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain through routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific substances and procedures described herein.\",\n \"Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of the claimed invention.\",\n \"All references named herein are expressly and entirely incorporated by reference.\",\n \"EXAMPLES In the exemplary syntheses described herein, the following reagents are abbreviated as follows: DME 1,2-dimethoxyethane Pd2(dba)3 Tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium Pd(OAc)2 Palladium acetate Pd(PPh3)4 Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium Ph3P Triphenylphosphine RuCl2(PPh3)3 Dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium (III) THF Tetrahydrofuran Synthesis of Compound 1 To a 500 mL round bottle flask, 9.0 g (˜54.4 mmol) of 2-chloroquinoline, 9.2 g (59.8 mmol) of 3,5-dimethylphenylboronic acid, 1.8 g (1.5 mmol) of Pd(PPh3)4, 22.4 g (163 mmol) of K2CO3, 150 mL of DME, and 150 mL of water were charged.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen overnight.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was cooled, and the organic extracts were purified by a silica gel column chromatography (10% ethyl acetate in hexane as eluent).\",\n \"The material obtained was further purified by vacuum distillation (Kugelrohr) at 185° C. to yield 12.2 g (95% yield) of product as a colorless liquid.\",\n \"46 g (197.4 mmol) of the product from Step 1, 536 mL of 2-methoxyethanol, and 178 mL of water were charged in a 1000 mL three-neck flask.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was bubbled with nitrogen for 45 min with stirring.\",\n \"Then 32 g (86.2 mmol) of IrCl3.H2O was added into this mixture and heated to reflux (100-105° C.) under nitrogen for 17 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was cooled and filtered.\",\n \"The black-gray solid was washed with methanol (4×150 mL) followed by hexane (3×300 mL).\",\n \"36.5 g of the dimer was obtained after drying in a vacuum oven.\",\n \"The dimer was used for the next step without further purification.\",\n \"36 g of the dimer (26 mmol), 120 g of 2,4-pentanedione (˜1200 mmol), 66 g (622 mmol) of sodium carbonate, and about 500 mL of 2-methoxyethanol were added in a 1000 mL round bottle flask.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was vigorously stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was then suction filtered and washed with methanol (3×250 mL) followed by hexane (4×300 mL).\",\n \"The solid was collected and stirred in ˜1000 mL of a solvent mixture (900 mL of methylene chloride and 100 mL of triethylamine) for ˜10 min.\",\n \"Then the mixture was gravity filtered with a Whatman Quality 1 Circle filter paper.\",\n \"˜20 g of red final product (52% yield) was obtained after evaporating the solvent in the filtrate (99.5% pure with non-acidic HPLC column).\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 2 4.5 g (25 mmol) of 2-chloro-3-methyl-quinoline, 5.0 g (30 mmol) of 3-isopropylphenylboronic acid, 17.3 g (75 mmol) of potassium phosphate monohydrate, 0.4 g (1.0 mmol) of 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl, 100 mL of toluene, and 25 mL of water were added to a 250 mL three-neck flask.\",\n \"The system was purged with nitrogen for 30 min before 0.23 g (0.25 mmol) of Pd2(dba)3 was added to the mixture.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was then heated to reflux for 3 hrs.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the layers were separated.\",\n \"The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate.\",\n \"The organic layers were combined, washed with water, and dried over magnesium sulfate.\",\n \"After evaporating the solvent, the residue was purified by column chromatography using hexanes and ethyl acetate as the eluent.\",\n \"The chromatographed product was further purified by distillation to yield 6.0 g (92% yield) of product (99.7% pure).\",\n \"5.4 g (20.7 mmol) of the product from Step 1 and 3.2 g (9.0 mmol) of iridium chloride were mixed in 90 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and 30 mL of water.\",\n \"The mixture was heated to reflux overnight.\",\n \"The solvent was evaporated.\",\n \"60 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol was added, and the mixture was heated to reflux for another 40 hrs.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the solid was collected by filtration.\",\n \"3.2 g of the dimer was obtained.\",\n \"The dimer was used for the next step without further purification.\",\n \"3.2 g of the dimer, 10 mL of 2,4-pentanedione, and 2.5 g of sodium carbonate were added to 50 mL of 1,2-dichloroethane and heated to reflux overnight.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the mixture was filtered.\",\n \"The filtrate was concentrated and run through a triethylamine treated silica gel column.\",\n \"The final compound was sublimed twice, yielding 0.63 g of 98.7% pure product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 3 A mixture of 1-chloroisoquinoline (5.0 g, 30.56 mmol), 4-isopropylphenylboronic acid (5.5 g, 33.62 mmol), Pd(OAc)2 (0.34 g, 1.53 mmol), Ph3P (1.60 g, 6.11 mmol), and K2CO3 (10.98 g, 79.46 mmol) in 25 mL water and 25 mL of 1,2-dimethoxyethane was stirred and purged with nitrogen for 30 min.\",\n \"The mixture was heated to reflux overnight under nitrogen.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, and water was added, followed by ethyl acetate.\",\n \"The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate.\",\n \"The organic extracts were washed with water, brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated.\",\n \"The residue was purified by column chromatography eluting with 0, 5, and 10% ethyl acetate/hexanes.\",\n \"The chromatographed product was purified by distillation using a Kugelrohr at 180° C. to yield 5.56 g (74% yield) of the product as a clear oil.\",\n \"A mixture of the ligand from Step 1 (5.56 g, 22.48 mmol), iridium chloride (3.78 g, 10.2 mmol), 2-ethoxyethanol (45 mL), and 15 mL of water was refluxed overnight under nitrogen.\",\n \"The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and the solid was filtered, washed with methanol, dried, and used without further purification.\",\n \"A mixture of the dimer, 2,4-pentanedione (10.5 mL, 102 mmol), and K2CO3 (4.23 g, 30.6 mmol) in 75 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol was refluxed overnight under nitrogen.\",\n \"The reaction was cooled to room temperature and methanol was added.\",\n \"A red solid was filtered off and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The solid was purified by column chromatography.\",\n \"The column was treated with 20% triethylamine/hexanes prior to purification, then eluted with 20 and 50% dichloromethane/hexanes after loading the solid to the column.\",\n \"4.2 g (53% yield) of a red solid was obtained as the product, which was further purified by recrystallization from acetonitrile followed by sublimation at 250° C. Synthesis of Compound 4 1-chloroisoquinoline (2.95 g, 18.00 mmol) was dissolved in 25 mL of DME and 25 mL of water.\",\n \"4-sec-butylphenylboronic acid (3.36 g, 18.90 mmol), Ph3P (0.94 g, 3.60 mmol), and K2CO3 (7.46 g, 54.01 mmol) were added, and the mixture was stirred and purged with nitrogen for 30 min.\",\n \"Pd(OAc)2 (0.20 g, 0.90 mmol) was added, and the mixture was refluxed overnight.\",\n \"The product was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, and dried over sodium sulfate.\",\n \"Chromatography (0-20% ethyl acetate/hexanes) yielded a light yellow oil.\",\n \"Further purification by Kugelrohr distillation at 185° C. gave 2.52 g the product as a clear oil.\",\n \"The ligand from Step 1 (2.52 g, 9.64 mmol) was combined with iridium chloride (1.62 g, 4.38 mmol) in 40 mL of 3:1 ethoxyethanol:water and refluxed for 24 hrs.\",\n \"The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and the solid was filtered, washed with methanol, dried, and used without further purification.\",\n \"The dimer was suspended in 25 mL of ethoxyethanol.\",\n \"2,4-pentanedione (4.51 mL, 43.83 mmol) and K2CO3 (1.82 g, 13.15 mmol) were added, and the reaction was refluxed overnight.\",\n \"After cooling the mixture was poured into a large excess of stirring methanol.\",\n \"A red precipitate was filtered and purified by column chromatography (column pretreated with 20% triethylamine/hexanes, run with 0-20% dichloromethane/hexanes) to give red solids, which were further purified by recrystallization from acetonitrile followed by sublimation at 200° C., yielding 0.41 g of product (99.1% pure).\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 5 2-Amino-5-fluorobenzoic acid (10.0 g, 64.46 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of THF and cooled to 0° C. 1.0 M of lithium aluminum hydride in THF (79.93 mL, 79.93 mmol) was added dropwise.\",\n \"The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 6 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction was placed in an ice bath and 3 mL of water was added dropwise.\",\n \"50 mL of 1.0 N NaOH was added dropwise and stirred for 15 min.\",\n \"50 mL of water was added and stirred for 15 min.\",\n \"The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, and concentrated to a volume of about 100 mL.\",\n \"This was then poured into a large excess of stirring hexanes.\",\n \"The precipitate that formed was filtered, washed with hexanes, and dried under vacuum to yield 6.71 g of off-white solids as the product.\",\n \"The product from Step 1 (6.71 g, 47.56 mmol) was combined with 3-methylacetophenone (11.28 g, 84.13 mmol), RuCl2(PPh3)3 (0.05 g, 0.05 mmol), and potassium hydroxide (0.83 g, 0.02 mmol) in 70 mL of toluene and refluxed overnight using a Dean-Stark trap to remove water.\",\n \"The reaction was cooled to room temperature, and a small amount of Celite was added to the mixture, which was then filtered through a silica gel plug.\",\n \"The filtrate was concentrated.\",\n \"Purification was achieved by chromatography (5% ethyl acetate/hexanes) and vacuum distillation at 200° C. to yield 6.59 g of yellow solids as the product.\",\n \"The ligand from Step 2 (6.59 g, 26.22 mmol) was combined with iridium chloride (4.41 g, 11.92 mmol) in 80 mL of a 3:1 methoxyethanol:water solution.\",\n \"The mixture was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and refluxed overnight.\",\n \"The dark red precipitate that formed was filtered off, washed with methanol and hexanes, and used for the next step without further purification.\",\n \"The dimer (17.39 g, 11.92 mmol) was suspended in 50 mL of ethoxyethanol.\",\n \"2,4-pentanedione (12.28 mL, 119.20 mmol), and sodium carbonate (3.79 g, 35.76 mmol) were added, and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature.\",\n \"The mixture was poured into a large excess of stirring methanol.\",\n \"A red precipitate formed and was filtered off.\",\n \"This precipitate was dissolved in dichloromethane, poured into stirring methanol, and filtered to give a red solid.\",\n \"This procedure was repeated.\",\n \"This solid was dried under vacuum to yield 4.40 g of red solid as the product, which was further purified by two sublimations yielding 3.21 g (99.9% pure).\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 6 5.9 g (0.075 mol) of pyridine and 5 g (0.025 mol) 4-isopropylphenylethylamine hydrochloride were added to a three-neck round-bottom flask with 25 mL of dichloromethane as the solvent.\",\n \"The solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 3.2 mL (0.027 mol) of benzoyl chloride was added slowly via a syringe.\",\n \"The solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 12 hrs.\",\n \"Dichloromethane was added, and the organic phase was washed with water, 5% HCl solution, 5% NaOH solution, and dried over MgSO4.The solvent was evaporated resulting in 7.5 g of crude product, which was used without further purification.\",\n \"N-(4-p-isopropylphenylethyl)benzamide (7.5 g), 25 g phosphorous pentoxide, and 25 mL of phosphorous oxychloride in 80 mL of xylenes were refluxed for 3 hrs.\",\n \"After cooling, the solvent was decanted, and ice was slowly added to the solid.\",\n \"The water-residue mixture was made weakly alkaline with 50% NaOH, and the product was extracted with toluene.\",\n \"The organic layer was washed with water and dried over MgSO4.The solvent was evaporated resulting in 6.2 g of crude product, which was used without further purification.\",\n \"6.2 g of 7-isopropyl-1-phenyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline and 1 g of 5% Pd/C (˜10% by weight) were added to a round-bottom flask with 100 mL of xylenes.\",\n \"The solution was refluxed for 24 hrs, and the formation of the product was monitored by TLC.\",\n \"The xylenes solvent was removed, and the product was purified by column chromatography with ethyl acetate/hexanes.\",\n \"The pure fractions were collected, and the solvent was removed.\",\n \"The product was then distilled in a Kugelrohr apparatus at 185° C. affording 1.8 g (0.0073 mol) of pure product.\",\n \"The overall yield of ligand formation was ˜15%.\",\n \"A mixture of 1.8 g of the 1-phenyl-7-isopropylisoquinoline ligand (0.0073 mol) and 1.2 g of IrCl3 (0.0036 mol) in 25 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and 5 mL of water was refluxed for 18 hrs.\",\n \"Upon cooling, the red solid dimer was filtered and washed with 300 mL of methanol resulting in 1.3 g (25% yield) of crude product.\",\n \"1.3 g of the dimer (0.0009 mol), 2 mL of 2,4-pentandione, and 1 g of sodium carbonate were added to a flask with 25 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol.\",\n \"The solution was refluxed for 12 hrs.\",\n \"After cooling, the product was run through a Celite plug with dichloromethane as the solvent.\",\n \"The solvent was removed, and the product was precipitated from 2-ethoxyethanol by adding water.\",\n \"The compound was dissolved in dichloromethane, dried with MgSO4, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated.\",\n \"The compound was purified by column chromatography using dichloromethane and hexane as the eluent.\",\n \"The pure fractions were collected, and the solvent was removed.\",\n \"The compound was purified by a second column treated with triethylamine using dichloromethane solvent resulting in 0.55 g of product.\",\n \"The material was sublimed under vacuum at 210° C. resulting in 0.35 (50% yield) of the product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 7 2-Amino-4-fluorobenzoic acid (10.0 g, 64.46 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of THF and cooled to 0° C. 1.0 M of lithium aluminum hydride in THF (79.93 mL, 79.93 mmol) was added dropwise.\",\n \"The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for about 6 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction was placed in an ice bath, and 3.0 mL of water was added dropwise.\",\n \"50 mL of 1N NaOH was added dropwise and stirred for 15 min.\",\n \"50 mL of water was added and stirred for 15 min.\",\n \"The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, and concentrated to a volume of about 100 mL.\",\n \"This was then poured into a large excess of stirring hexanes.\",\n \"The precipitate that formed was filtered, washed with hexanes, and dried under vacuum to yield 6.71 g of off-white solids.\",\n \"The product from Step 1 (6.71 g, 47.5 mmol) was combined with 3-methylacetophenone (11.28 g, 84.13 mmol), RuCl2(PPh3)3 (0.05 g, 0.048 mmol) and potassium hydroxide (0.83 g, 0.015 mmol) in 70 mL of toluene and refluxed overnight using a Dean-Stark trap to remove water.\",\n \"The reaction was cooled to room temperature, and a small amount of Celite was added to the mixture, which was then filtered through a silica gel plug and concentrated.\",\n \"Purification was achieved by chromatography (5% ethyl acetate/hexanes) followed by vacuum distillation at 200° C. to yield 6.59 g of yellow solids.\",\n \"The ligand from Step 2 (6.59 g, 26.22 mmol) was combined with iridium chloride (4.41 g, 11.92 mmol) in 80 mL of a 3:1 methoxyethanol:water solution.\",\n \"The mixture was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and refluxed overnight.\",\n \"The dark red precipitate that formed was filtered off, washed with methanol and hexanes, and used for the next step.\",\n \"The dimer (17.39 g, 11.92 mmol) was suspended in 50 mL of ethoxyethanol.\",\n \"2,4-pentanedione (12.28 mL, 119.20 mmol) and sodium carbonate (3.79 g, 35.76 mmol) were added, and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature.\",\n \"The reaction was poured into a large excess of stirring methanol.\",\n \"The red precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, poured into stirring methanol, and filtered to give a red solid.\",\n \"This procedure was repeated.\",\n \"This solid was dried under vacuum to yield 4.40 g of red solid which was further purified by two sublimations, yielding 3.21 g of red solids (99.8% pure).\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 8 2-Amino-6-fluorobenzoic acid (10.0 g, 64.46 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of THF and cooled to 0° C. 1.0 M lithium aluminum hydride in THF (79.93 mL, 79.93 mmol) was added dropwise.\",\n \"The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for about 60 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction was placed in an ice bath, and 3 mL of water was added dropwise.\",\n \"50 mL of 1N NaOH was added dropwise and stirred for 15 min.\",\n \"50 mL of water was added and stirred for 15 min.\",\n \"The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, and concentrated to a volume of about 100 mL.\",\n \"This was then poured into a large excess of stirring hexanes.\",\n \"The precipitate formed was filtered, washed with hexanes and dried under vacuum to yield 6.71 g of off-white solids.\",\n \"The product from Step 1 (6.71 g, 47.56 mmol) was combined with 3,5-dimethylacetophenone (11.28 g, 76.09 mmol), RuCl2(PPh3)3 (0.05 g, 0.048 mmol) and potassium hydroxide (0.83 g, 0.015 mmol) in 70 mL of toluene and refluxed overnight using a Dean-Stark trap to remove water.\",\n \"The reaction was cooled to room temperature, and a small amount of Celite was added to the mixture, which was then filtered through a silica gel plug and concentrated.\",\n \"Purification was achieved by chromatography (5% ethyl acetate/hexanes) and two Kugelrohr distillations at 200° C. to yield 6.59 g of yellow solids.\",\n \"The ligand from Step 3 (6.59 g, 26.22 mmol) was combined with iridium chloride (4.41 g, 11.92 mmol) in 80 mL of a 3:1 methoxyethanol:water solution.\",\n \"The mixture was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and refluxed overnight.\",\n \"The black precipitate formed was filtered off, washed with methanol and hexanes, and used for the next step.\",\n \"The dimer (17.39 g, 11.92 mmol) was suspended in 50 mL of ethoxyethanol.\",\n \"2,4-pentanedione (12.28 mL, 119.20 mmol) and sodium carbonate (3.79 g, 35.76 mmol) were added, and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature.\",\n \"The reaction was poured into a large excess of stirring methanol.\",\n \"The red precipitate that formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, poured into stirring methanol and filtered to give a red solid.\",\n \"This procedure was repeated.\",\n \"This solid was dried under vacuum to yield 4.40 g red solid, which was further purified by two sublimations, yielding 3.21 g red solids (99.0% pure).\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 9 42.8 g of 2-amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid was dissolved in 200 mL of THF and cooled with an ice-water bath.\",\n \"To the solution was added 11.76 g of lithium aluminum hydride chips.\",\n \"The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 8 hrs.\",\n \"12 g of water was added followed by 12 g of 15% NaOH.\",\n \"36 g of water was then added.\",\n \"The slurry was stirred at room temperature for 30 min.\",\n \"The slurry was filtered.\",\n \"The solid was washed with ethyl acetate.\",\n \"The liquid was combined, and the solvent was evaporated.\",\n \"The crude material was used for next step without purification.\",\n \"6.6 g of (2-amino-4-chlorophenyl)methanol, 10 g of 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethanone, 0.1 g of RuCl2(PPh3)3, and 2.4 g potassium hydroxide in 100 mL of toluene were refluxed for 10 hrs.\",\n \"Water was collected from the reaction using a Dean-Stark trap.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the mixture was filtered through a silica gel plug.\",\n \"The product was further purified with column chromatography using 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as solvent to yield 9 g product.\",\n \"The product was further recrystallized from isopropanol.\",\n \"5 g of product was obtained.\",\n \"3.75 g of 7-chloro-2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)quinoline, 2.8 g of isobutylboronic acid, 0.26 g of Pd2(dba)3, 0.47 g of 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl, and 16 g of potassium phosphate monohydrate were mixed in 100 mL of toluene.\",\n \"The system was degassed for 20 min and heated to reflux overnight.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the crude product was purified by column chromatography using 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as solvent.\",\n \"3.6 g of product was obtained.\",\n \"3.2 g of 2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-7-isobutylquinoline and 1.8 g of iridium chloride were mixed in 45 mL of methoxyethanol and 15 mL of water.\",\n \"After degassed for 10 min, the mixture was heated to reflux overnight.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol and hexanes.\",\n \"The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.\",\n \"2.2 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.\",\n \"2.2 g of the dimer, 1.4 g of 2,4-pentanedione, and 0.83 g of sodium carbonate were mixed in 35 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.\",\n \"The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The solid was redissolved in dichloromethane.\",\n \"After evaporating the solvent, the solid was sublimed under high vacuum at 210° C. twice to obtain 1 g of final product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 10 A mixture 1-chloroisoquinoline (5.0 g, 30.56 mmol), 4-ethylphenylboronic acid (5.04 g, 33.62 mmol), Ph3P (1.60 g, 6.11 mmol), K2CO3 (10.98 g, 79.46 mmol), 25 mL of dimethoxyethane, and 25 mL of water was purged with nitrogen for 30 min.\",\n \"Pd(OAc)2 was then added (0.34 g, 1.53 mmol), and the mixture was heated to reflux overnight under nitrogen.\",\n \"The cooled solution was diluted with water and ethyl acetate.\",\n \"The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer extracted with ethyl acetate.\",\n \"The organic layers were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to a residue.\",\n \"The residue was purified by column chromatography eluting with 0 to 20% ethyl acetate/hexanes.\",\n \"The chromatographed product was purified by Kugelrohr distillation to yield 5.74 g (81% yield) of product.\",\n \"A mixture of 1-(4-ethylphenyl)isoquinoline (5.74 g, 24.60 mmol), iridium chloride (4.14 g, 11.18 mmol), 45 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol, and 15 mL of water was refluxed for 2 days under nitrogen.\",\n \"The cooled mixture was filtered, washed with water and methanol, and allowed to air dry.\",\n \"The dimer was mixed with 2,4-pentanedione (12.1 mL, 111.8 mmol), K2CO3 (4.64 g, 33.54 mmol), and 2-ethoxyethanol (75 mL) and heated to reflux under nitrogen.\",\n \"The cooled mixture was filtered, and the red solid was rinsed with methanol.\",\n \"The solid was purified by column chromatography.\",\n \"The column was pretreated with 20% triethylamine/hexanes, and then the compound was loaded and eluted with 20 and 50% dichloromethane/hexanes.\",\n \"The material was further purified by recrystallization from acetonitrile followed by two sublimations at 250° C. to afford 1.87 g (22% yield) of pure material.\",\n \"Synthesis Compound 11 6.8 g of pyridine was added to 9.67 g (71.5 mmol) of 2-m-tolylethanamine in 100 mL of dichloromethane.\",\n \"The solution was cooled to 0° C. using an ice water bath.\",\n \"To the solution was added 10 mL of benzoyl chloride.\",\n \"After complete addition, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs and quenched by water.\",\n \"The organic layer was separated, washed with dilute HCl and sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to a residue.\",\n \"The product was used for the next step without further purification.\",\n \"17.5 g of N-(3-methylphenethyl)-2-phenylacetamide and 60 mL of POCl3 were mixed with 150 mL of xylenes.\",\n \"The mixture was heated to reflux for 4 hrs.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the solvent was decanted.\",\n \"The solid was dissolved with ice water.\",\n \"The mixture was neutralized with NaOH.\",\n \"The mixture was extracted with dichloromethane.\",\n \"The organic layer was then washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate.\",\n \"After solvent evaporation, 12 g of product was obtained.\",\n \"The product was used for the next step without further purification.\",\n \"12 g of 6-methyl-1-phenyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline was mixed with 10 g of Pd/C (5%) in 100 mL of xylenes and heated to reflux overnight.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the solid was removed by filtration.\",\n \"The solvent was then evaporated.\",\n \"The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography using hexanes and ethyl acetate as solvent.\",\n \"7.1 g of product was obtained after final distillation.\",\n \"6.1 g (27.8 mmol) of 6-methyl-1-phenylisoquinoline and 4.3 g (12 mmol) of iridium chloride were mixed in 90 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and 30 mL of water.\",\n \"The mixture was heated to reflux overnight.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the solid was collected by filtration.\",\n \"6.2 g of the dimer was obtained.\",\n \"The dimer was used for the next step without further purification.\",\n \"6.0 g of the dimer, 1.8 g of 2,4-pentanedione, and 2.9 g of sodium carbonate were added to 100 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and heated to reflux overnight.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the solid was collected by filtration.\",\n \"The solid was then washed with dichloromethane.\",\n \"The filtrate was concentrated and run through a triethylamine treated silica gel column.\",\n \"The final compound was sublimed under high vacuum.\",\n \"2.0 g of 99.6% pure product was obtained after sublimation.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 12 4-bromoisoquinoline (15 g, 72.5 mmol), methylboronic acid (8.8 g, 145 mmol), K3PO4 (62 g, 290 mmol), Pd2(dba)3 (6.6 g, 7.2 mmol), 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl (5.9 g, 14.4 mmol, 0.2 equiv), and 350 mL of anhydrous toluene were charged to a dry 500 mL three-neck flask.\",\n \"The mixture was refluxed under nitrogen for 20 hrs.\",\n \"After cooling, 200 mL of methylene chloride was added.\",\n \"The mixture was filtered to remove insolubles, then concentrated under vacuum.\",\n \"The resulting crude material was distilled at 130° C. (first fraction at 95° C. was discarded).\",\n \"Approximately 9.8 g of a colorless liquid was obtained (94% yield).\",\n \"The product was used for the next step without further purification (96% product, 3.5% isoquinoline).\",\n \"4-methylisoquinoline (9.5 g, 63.7 mmol) and 100 mL of dry THF were charged to a 1 L round-bottom flask.\",\n \"The flask was cooled to 0° C. in an ice bath, and a solution of 0.5 M 4-isopropylphenyl magnesium chloride in THF (300 mL, 150 mmol) was added dropwise.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 days followed by the dropwise addition of 400 mL of water to quench the reaction.\",\n \"Ethyl acetate (300 mL) was added, and the organic layers were separated and bubbled with air for 2 days with stirring.\",\n \"Then, the organic layer was concentrated under vacuum.\",\n \"The resulting oil was purified by column chromatography using 10% ethyl acetate/hexanes and vacuum distilled to give 2.7 g (16% yield) of a pale yellow oil.\",\n \"1-(4-isopropylphenyl)-4-methylisoquinoline (2.7 g, 10.3 mmol, 2.2 equiv), iridium chloride (1.67 g, 4.7 mmol), 40 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol, and 8 mL of water were charged to a 125 mL three-neck flask.\",\n \"The mixture was heated at reflux for 24 hrs.\",\n \"The cooled mixture was filtered and washed with 2-ethoxyethanol, methanol, and hexanes to afford 2.9 g of a reddish-brown powder (83% yield).\",\n \"The dimer (2.9 g, 1.94 mmol), 2,4-pentanedione (1.94 g, 19.4 mmol), sodium carbonate (2.05 g, 19.3 mmol), and 30 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol were charged to a 125 mL three-neck flask.\",\n \"The mixture was stirred at reflux for 5 hrs.\",\n \"The cooled solution was filtered and washed with 2-ethoxyethanol, methanol, and hexanes to afford 1.85 g of a red solid (97% pure), which was further purified by sublimation.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 13 To a 500 mL round bottle flask, 12.05 g (72.9 mmol) of 2-chloroquinoline, 13.2 g (83.86 mmol) of 3,4-dimethylphenylboronic acid, 2.5 g (2.18 mmol) of Pd(PPh3)4, 30.0 g (214 mmol) of K2CO3, 150 mL of DME, and 150 mL of water were charged.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen overnight.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was cooled.\",\n \"The organic extracts were purified by silica gel column chromatography (10% ethyl acetate in hexane as eluent).\",\n \"The material obtained was further purified by vacuum distillation (Kugelrohr) at 200° C. to yield 15.5 g (95% yield) of product as a colorless liquid.\",\n \"8.1 g (34.7 mmol) of ligand from Step 1, 120 mL of 2-methoxyethanol, and 40 mL of water were charged in a 500 mL three-neck flask.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was bubbled with nitrogen for 45 min with stirring.\",\n \"Then, 5.3 g (14.5 mmol) of IrCl3.xH2O was added into this mixture and heated to reflux under nitrogen for 17 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was cooled and filtered.\",\n \"The solid was washed with methanol (3×100 mL) followed by hexane (3×100 mL).\",\n \"7.8 g of the dimer (65%) was obtained after drying in a vacuum oven.\",\n \"The dimer was used for next step without further purification.\",\n \"6.0 g of the dimer (4.3 mmol), 4.4 g of 2,4-pentanedione (43 mmol), 4.7 g (43.0 mmol) of sodium carbonate, and 200 mL of 2-methoxyethanol were added in a 500 mL round bottle flask.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was vigorously stirred at room temperature for 28 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was then suction filtered and washed with methanol (3×100 mL) followed by hexane (2×100 mL).\",\n \"The solid was collected and stirred in ˜500 mL of a solvent mixture (450 mL of methylene chloride and 50 mL of triethylamine) for ˜10 min.\",\n \"Then the mixture was separated by silica gel column (column pretreated with triethylamine/hexane) with 50% methylene chloride in hexane as elute.\",\n \"˜6 g red solid was obtained as the product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 14 Lithium aluminum hydride (2.65 g, 69.8 mmol) was added to 80 mL of THF that was cooled in an ice bath.\",\n \"A solution of 2-amino-6-fluorobenzoic acid (10 g, 64.46 mmol) in 50 mL THF was added dropwise via a dropping funnel.\",\n \"The reaction was allowed to stir overnight at room temperature.\",\n \"Another portion of 20 mL of 1M lithium aluminum hydride in THF was added, and the reaction was heated to 40° C. Upon cooling in an ice bath, 3 mL of water was added carefully via a dropping funnel followed by 50 mL of 1N NaOH, and the mixture was stirred for 15 min.\",\n \"Next, 50 mL of water was added, and the mixture was stirred for 10 min.\",\n \"More NaOH solution was added, and the emulsion was stirred overnight.\",\n \"The organic layers were extracted, washed with water, and concentrated, and the residue was dissolved in 100 mL of ethyl acetate.\",\n \"Hexanes were added, and a solid precipitated out and was filtered to yield 3.66 g of a tan solid, which was used for the next step.\",\n \"A mixture of (2-amino-6-fluorophenyl)methanol (3.66 g, 25.94 mmol), 3′-methylacetophenone (5.6 mL, 41.50 mmol), RuCl2(PPh3)3 (25 mg, 0.026 mmol), and powdered potassium hydroxide (247 mg, 4.41 mmol) in 60 mL of toluene was refluxed overnight under nitrogen in a 200 mL round-bottom flask equipped with a Dean-Stark trap under nitrogen.\",\n \"Upon cooling, Celite was added, and the mixture was filtered through a silica gel plug that was eluted with ethyl acetate.\",\n \"The solution was evaporated to a brown oil, which was purified by column chromatography eluting with 0 and 2% ethyl acetate/hexanes.\",\n \"The cleanest fractions were further purified by Kugelrohr distillation at 220° C. to yield 4.6 g of product.\",\n \"A mixture of 5-fluoro-2-m-tolylquinoline (3.0 g, 12.64 mmol), iridium chloride (2.13 g, 5.75 mmol), 25 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol, and 8 mL of water was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and then heated to reflux overnight under nitrogen.\",\n \"The cooled mixture was filtered, washed with water and methanol, and allowed to air dry.\",\n \"The dimer was mixed with 2,4-pentanedione (3.0 mL, 28.8 mmol), K2CO3 (1.23 g, 8.90 mmol), and 2-ethoxyethanol (50 mL) and heated to near reflux under nitrogen overnight.\",\n \"The cooled mixture was filtered, and the red solid rinsed with isopropanol.\",\n \"The solid was dissolved in dichloromethane and purified on a silica gel plug.\",\n \"The plug was treated with 10% triethylamine/hexanes followed by hexanes prior to loading the material, and the product was eluted with dichloromethane.\",\n \"The fractions with product were collected and concentrated to a small volume.\",\n \"Isopropanol was added, and the mixture was concentrated.\",\n \"The precipitated solid was filtered and purified by two sublimations to yield 0.82 g of product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 15 A solution of 2-amino-6-methylbenzoic acid (10 g, 66.15 mmol) in 60 mL of THF was cooled in an ice-salt bath.\",\n \"A solution of lithium aluminum hydride in THF was added using a dropping funnel under nitrogen (2.4 M, 33 mL, 79.38 mmol).\",\n \"The reaction was allowed to proceed overnight.\",\n \"The reaction was quenched with water, then 50 mL of 1N NaOH solution was added dropwise as the reaction was cooled in an ice-salt bath.\",\n \"Next, 50 mL of water was added and stirred for 1 hr, followed by 50% NaOH solution.\",\n \"The mixture was extracted with dichloromethane.\",\n \"The organic extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to a residue.\",\n \"The residue was purified by column chromatography eluting with 10 to 60% ethyl acetate/hexanes to yield 7.7 g (85% yield) of a tan solid.\",\n \"A mixture of (2-amino-6-methylphenyl)methanol (7.7 g, 56.13 mmol), 3′,5′-dimethylacetophenone (12.5 g, 84.20 mmol), dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium (III) (54 mg, 0.056 mmol), and powdered potassium hydroxide (535 mg, 9.54 mmol) in 150 mL of toluene was refluxed overnight under nitrogen in a 500 mL round-bottom flask equipped with a Dean-Stark trap under nitrogen.\",\n \"Upon cooling, Celite was added, and the mixture was filtered through a silica gel plug that was eluted with ethyl acetate.\",\n \"The solution was evaporated to a dark oil, which was purified by column chromatography eluting with 0 to 2% ethyl acetate/hexanes.\",\n \"A yellow oil was obtained, which solidified upon drying on high vacuum.\",\n \"The solid was recrystallized from hexanes to yield 7.8 g (56% yield) of a yellow solid.\",\n \"A mixture of 5-methyl-2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)quinoline (7.8 g, 31.54 mmol), iridium chloride (3.89 g, 10.51 mmol), 45 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol, and 15 mL of water was purged with nitrogen for 20 min, then heated to reflux under nitrogen for 24 hrs.\",\n \"The cooled mixture was filtered, washed with water and methanol, and allowed to air dry.\",\n \"The dimer was mixed with 2,4-pentanedione (5.5 mL, 53 mmol), K2CO3 (1.23 g, 8.90 mmol), and 2-ethoxyethanol (100 mL) and heated to 110° C. under nitrogen for 1 day.\",\n \"The cooled mixture was filtered, and the red solid was rinsed with isopropanol.\",\n \"The solid was dissolved in dichloromethane and purified on a silica gel plug.\",\n \"The plug was treated with 10% triethylamine/hexanes followed by hexanes prior to loading the material, and the product was eluted with dichloromethane.\",\n \"The fractions with product were collected and concentrated to a small volume.\",\n \"Isopropanol was added, and the mixture was concentrated.\",\n \"The precipitated solid was filtered and purified by two sublimations to yield 3.73 g of product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 16 2-xylyl-7-chloroquinoline (3.0 g, 11 mmol) from Step 2 of Compound 9 and iron(III) acetylacetonate (0.2 g, 0.56 mmol) were dissolved in 66 mL of a solution of THF/1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (60/6) in a 250 mL round-bottom flask.\",\n \"Nitrogen was bubbled through the reaction mixture for 10 min.\",\n \"The solution was cooled using an ice bath.\",\n \"11.2 mL of 2.0 M propylmagnesium chloride in ether was added dropwise.\",\n \"The reaction was stirred for 2 hrs, then quenched slowly with water.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature, and ethyl acetate was added.\",\n \"The organic phase was washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate.\",\n \"The solvent was removed under vacuo, and the product was chromatographed using a silica gel column with 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent to give 2 g (67% yield) of product.\",\n \"2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-7-propylquinoline (2.5 g, 9.1 mmol) and iridium(III) chloride (1.3 g, 3.6 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.\",\n \"The solution was purged with nitrogen for 10 min, then refluxed under nitrogen for 16 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.\",\n \"2.0 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.\",\n \"The dimer (2.0 g, 1.3 mmol), 2,4-pentanedione (1.3 g, 1.0 mmol), and K2CO3 (2.0 g, 14.0 mmol) were added to 50 mL of 2-methoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.\",\n \"The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The solid was re-dissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.\",\n \"The solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give 1.0 g (50% yield) of product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 17 2-xylyl-7-chloroquinoline (3.0 g, 11 mmol) from Step 2 of Compound 9 and iron(III) acetylacetonate (0.2 g, 0.56 mmol) were dissolved in 66 mL of a solution of THF/1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (60/6) in a 250 mL round-bottom flask.\",\n \"Nitrogen was bubbled through the reaction mixture for 10 min.\",\n \"The solution was cooled using an ice bath.\",\n \"11.2 mL of 2.0M isopropylmagnesium chloride in ether was added dropwise.\",\n \"The reaction was stirred for 2 hrs and then quenched slowly with water.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature, and ethyl acetate was added.\",\n \"The organic phase was washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate.\",\n \"The solvent was removed under vacuo, and the product was chromatographed using a silica gel column with 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent to give 2 g (67% yield) of product.\",\n \"2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-7-isopropylquinoline (2.5 g, 9.1 mmol) and iridium(III) chloride (1.3 g, 3.6 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.\",\n \"The solution was purged with nitrogen for 10 min and then refluxed under nitrogen for 16 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.\",\n \"2.0 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.\",\n \"The dimer (2.0 g, 1.3 mmol), 2,4-pentanedione (1.3 g, 1.0 mmol), and K2CO3 (2.0 g, 14.0 mmol) were added to 50 mL of 2-methoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.\",\n \"The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The solid was re-dissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.\",\n \"The solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give 1.0 g (50% yield) of product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 18 2-xylyl-7-chloroquinoline (1.5 g, 5.6 mmol) from Step 2 of Compound 9, phenylboronic acid (1.4 g, 11.0 mmol), Pd(PPh3)4 (0.2 g, 0.168 mmol), and K2CO3 (2.3 g, 16.6 mmol) were mixed with 40 mL of DME and 40 mL water in a 100 mL flask.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen overnight.\",\n \"The reaction was cooled, and the organic extracts were purified with a silica gel column with 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent to give 1.0 g (58% yield) of product.\",\n \"A mixture of 0.9 g (2.9 mmol) of the ligand from Step 1 and iridium(III) chloride (0.47 g, 1.26 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.\",\n \"The solution was purged with nitrogen for 10 min and then refluxed under nitrogen for 16 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.\",\n \"0.61 g (50% yield) of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.\",\n \"0.6 g the dimer, 2,4-pentanedione (0.37 g, 3.5 mmol), and K2CO3 (0.38 g, 3.5 mmol) were added to 50 mL of 2-methoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.\",\n \"The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The solid was redissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.\",\n \"The solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give ˜0.45 g (69% yield) of product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 19 A mixture of 2-aminobenzyl alcohol (11.2 g, 89.2 mmol), 5,7-dimethyl-1-tetralone (10.0 g, 55.7 mmol), dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium (III) (0.11 g, 0.111 mmol), and powdered potassium hydroxide (0.63 g, 11.2 mmol) in 200 mL of toluene was refluxed overnight under nitrogen in a 500 mL round-bottom flask equipped with a Dean-Stark trap.\",\n \"Celite was added to the cooled reaction mixture and filtered through a silica gel plug that was eluted with ethyl acetate.\",\n \"The solution was evaporated, and the residue was purified by column chromatography eluting with 5 and 10% ethyl acetate/hexanes.\",\n \"10.7 g (76% yield) product was obtained.\",\n \"2.8 g (10.8 mmol) of the ligand from Step 1, 1.67 g (4.5 mmol) of IrCl3.xH2O, 60 mL 2-methoxyethanol, and 20 mL water were mixed in a 100 mL round flask.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen overnight.\",\n \"The reaction was cooled and filtered.\",\n \"The solid was washed by methanol and hexane.\",\n \"2.0 g of the dimer (50%) was obtained.\",\n \"2.0 g (1.3 mmol) of the dimer, 1.3 g (13 mmol) of 2,4-pentanedione, 1.4 g (13 mmol) of sodium carbonate, and 50 mL of 2-methoxyethanol were mixed in a 100 mL flask.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen overnight.\",\n \"Upon cooling, the solid was filtered, washed by methanol, then purified by silica gel column chromatography to afford 1.2 g (57% yield) of product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 20 A mixture of 2-chloroquinoline (32.8 g, 0.02 mol), 3-bromophenylboronic acid (40.53 g, 0.02 mol), Ph3P (5.3 g, 10 mol %), Pd(OAc)2 (2.3 g, 5 mol %), and K2CO3 (111.4 g, 0.08 mol) in 300 mL of dimethoxyethane and 300 mL of H2O was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and refluxed for 8 hrs under nitrogen.\",\n \"The reaction was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the organic phase was separated from the aqueous phase.\",\n \"The aqueous phase was washed with ethyl acetate.\",\n \"The organic fractions were combined and dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed under vacuum.\",\n \"The product was chromatographed using silica gel with ethyl acetate and hexanes as the eluent to yield 55 g (95% yield) of a white solid.\",\n \"A mixture of 2-(3-bromophenyl)quinoline (10.0 g, 0.035 mol), isobutylboronic acid (7.2 g, 0.07 mol), Pd2(dba)3 (0.32 g, 1 mol %), 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl (0.7 g, 4 mol %), and potassium phosphate monohydrate (24 g, 0.1 mol) in 100 mL of toluene was purged with nitrogen for 20 min and refluxed overnight under atmosphere.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was allowed to cool, and the solvent was removed under vacuum.\",\n \"The crude product was chromatographed using a silica gel column with 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent.\",\n \"The solvent was then removed under vacuo to give 8.0 g of product.\",\n \"2-(3-isobutylphenyl)quinoline (5.4 g, 20.7 mmol) and iridium(III) chloride (2.5 g, 7 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.\",\n \"Nitrogen was bubbled through the solution for 10 min, and then the mixture was refluxed under nitrogen for 16 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.\",\n \"4.0 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.\",\n \"The dimer (3.0 g, 1.8 mmol), 2,4-pentanedione (1.8 g, 18.0 mol), and K2CO3 (3.0 g, 18.0 mmol) were added to 100 mL of 2-methoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.\",\n \"The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The solid was redissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.\",\n \"The solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give 2.0 g of product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 21 2-(3-bromophenyl)quinoline (10.0 g, 35 mmol) from Step 1 of Compound 20, 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane]dichloronickel(II) (0.5 g, 0.9 mmol), and 100 mL anhydrous THF were mixed in a 500 mL round-bottom flask.\",\n \"Nitrogen was bubbled through the mixture, and the flask was placed in an ice bath for 30 min.\",\n \"88 mL of 2.0 M propylmagnesium bromide in ether was added dropwise to the reaction mixture over a period of 20 min after which the mixture was further stirred for 30 min and then quenched with water.\",\n \"The mixture was brought to room temperature, and ethyl acetate was added.\",\n \"The water layer was removed.\",\n \"The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed in vacuo.\",\n \"The product was chromatographed using a silica gel column with ethylacetate and hexanes as the eluent.\",\n \"The solvent was once again removed to give 5 g of product.\",\n \"2-(3propylphenyl)quinoline (3.2 g, 13.0 mmol) and iridium(III) chloride (1.8 g, 5.2 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.\",\n \"Nitrogen was bubbled through the solution for 10 min and then refluxed under nitrogen for 16 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.\",\n \"2.6 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.\",\n \"The dimer (2.6 g, 1.8 mmol), 2,4-pentanedione (1.8 g, 18.0 mol), and K2CO3 (3.0 g, 18.0 mmol) were added to 100 mL of 2-methoxyethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.\",\n \"The precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The solid was redissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.\",\n \"The solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give 2.0 g of product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 22 4.8 g (29 mmol) of 1-chloroisoquinoline, 5.3 g (35 mmol) of 3,5-dimethylphenylboronic acid, 20 g (87 mmol) of potassium phosphate, 0.5 g (1.16 mmol) of 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl, 100 mL of toluene, and 30 mL of water were mixed in a three-neck flask.\",\n \"The system was bubbled with nitrogen for 30 min.\",\n \"0.27 g (0.29 mmol) of Pd2(dba)3 was added, and the mixture was heated to reflux for 4 hrs.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered through a Celite bed.\",\n \"The product was columned with 2% ethyl acetate and hexanes.\",\n \"6.0 g (87% yield) of product was obtained after column.\",\n \"5.5 g (23.6 mmol) of 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)isoquinoline, and 3.4 g (9.5 mmol) of iridium chloride were mixed in 90 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and 30 mL of water.\",\n \"The mixture was purged with nitrogen for 10 min and then heated to reflux for 24 hrs.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the solid was collected by filtration.\",\n \"The solid was thoroughly washed with methanol and hexanes.\",\n \"The product was dried under vacuum.\",\n \"4.6 g (70% yield) of solid was obtained and used for the next step without further purification.\",\n \"4.5 g (3.25 mmol) of the dimer, 3.3 g (32.5 mmol) of 2,4-pentanedione, and 1.7 g (16.3 mmol) of sodium carbonate were refluxed in 150 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol for 10 hrs.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the mixture was filtered through a Celite bed and washed thoroughly with methanol.\",\n \"The red solid on top was then washed with dichloromethane.\",\n \"The product was purified by column chromatography using 1:1 dichloromethane and hexanes as eluent.\",\n \"1.6 g of product was obtained.\",\n \"The product was further purified by high vacuum sublimation at 220° C. Synthesis of Compound 23 Dichloroiodobenzene (37.0 g 136 mmol), Pd2(dba)3 (1.5 g, 1.6 mmol), and lithium chloride (29.0 g, 682 mmol) were dissolved in 100 mL of DMF in a 500 mL round-bottom flask.\",\n \"64.0 mL of acetic anhydride and 47.0 mL of N-ethyldiispropylamine were then added to the reaction mixture.\",\n \"The reaction was heated to 100° C. for 8 hrs.\",\n \"Water was added to the reaction mixture, and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate and chromatographed using a silica gel column with ethyl acetate and hexanes as the eluent.\",\n \"8 g of product was obtained.\",\n \"2-aminobenzyl alcohol (6.0 g, 48 mmol), 3,5-dichloroacetophenone (12.0 g, 63.5 mmol), RuCl2(PPh3)3 (0.5 g, 10 mol %), and potassium hydroxide (2.4 g, 42.0 mmol) was refluxed in 100 mL of toluene for 10 hrs.\",\n \"Water was collected from the reaction using a Dean-Stark trap.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and filtered through a silica gel plug.\",\n \"The product was further purified with a silica gel column using 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent.\",\n \"4.0 g (30% yield) product was obtained after column.\",\n \"The product was further recrystallized from isopropanol.\",\n \"3.5 g of product was obtained.\",\n \"2-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)quinoline (4.0 g, 14.6 mmol), isobutylboronic acid (6.0 g, 58.4 mol), Pd2(dba)3 (0.13 g, 1 mol %), 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl (0.24 g, 4 mol %), and potassium phosphate monohydrate (10 g, 13.8 mmol) were mixed in 100 mL of toluene in a 250 mL round-bottom flask.\",\n \"Nitrogen was bubbled through the mixture for 20 min, and the mixture was refluxed under nitrogen overnight.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was allowed to cool, and the solvent removed under vacuum.\",\n \"The crude product was chromatographed using a silica gel column with 2% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent.\",\n \"The solvent was then removed under vacuo to give 3.5 g of product.\",\n \"2-(3,5-diisobutylphenyl)quinoline (3.0 g, 9.50 mmol) and iridium(III) chloride (0.70 g, 2.4 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL of a 3:1 mixture of 2-ethoxyethanol and water, respectively, in a 100 mL round-bottom flask.\",\n \"Nitrogen was bubbled through the solution for 10 min and then refluxed under a nitrogen for 16 hrs.\",\n \"The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The dimer was then dried under vacuum and used for next step without further purification.\",\n \"2.0 g of the dimer was obtained after vacuum drying.\",\n \"A mixture of the dimer, 2,4-pentanedione, and K2CO3 in 2-methoxyethanol is stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs.\",\n \"The precipitate is filtered and washed with methanol.\",\n \"The solid is redissolved in dichloromethane and passed through a plug with Celite, silica gel, and basic alumina.\",\n \"The solvent is evaporated under vacuum to give the product.\",\n \"Synthesis of Compound 24 10.6 g (78.4 mmol) of 2-p-tolylethanamine, 10.7 g (71.2 mmol) of 3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid, and 0.5 g of boric acid were heated to reflux in 200 mL of p-xylene with a Dean-Stark trap overnight.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, 400 mL of hexanes was added.\",\n \"The solid was collected by filtration.\",\n \"The product was dried under vacuum.\",\n \"16.9 g of white solid was obtained.\",\n \"The product was used for the next step without further purification.\",\n \"6.9 of 3,5-dimethyl-N-(4-methylphenethyl)benzamide, 60 mL of POCl3, and 50 g of P2O5 were refluxed in 150 mL of p-xylene under nitrogen for 4 hrs.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the solvent was decanted.\",\n \"The solid was dissolved with ice cold water.\",\n \"The solution was neutralized with potassium hydroxide solution, then extracted with toluene.\",\n \"After solvent evaporation, the residue was purified by column chromatography using 1:3 hexanes and ethyl acetate.\",\n \"12 g (76%) of product was obtained.\",\n \"12 g (48 mmol) of 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-7-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline and 2.0 g of 10% palladium on carbon were refluxed in 200 mL of p-xylene for 4 hrs.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered through a Celite bed.\",\n \"The product was then purified by column using 5% ethyl acetate in hexanes as eluent.\",\n \"10 g of product was obtained.\",\n \"The product was further purified by recrystallizing from hexanes three times.\",\n \"6.2 g of pure product was obtained after multiple recrystallizations.\",\n \"5.5 g (22 mmol) of 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)isoquinoline and 2.64 g (7.4 mmol) of iridium chloride were mixed in 90 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol and 30 mL of water.\",\n \"The mixture was purged with nitrogen for 10 min and then heated to reflux for 14 hrs.\",\n \"After cooled to room temperature, the solid was collected by filtration.\",\n \"The solid was thoroughly washed with methanol and hexanes.\",\n \"The product was dried under vacuum.\",\n \"3.75 g (70% yield) of the dimer was obtained, which was used for next step without further purification.\",\n \"3.7 g (2.6 mmol) of the dimer, 2.6 g (26 mmol) of 2,4-pentanedione, and 1.4 g (13 mmol) of sodium carbonate were reacted in 150 mL of 2-ethoxyethanol at room temperature for 72 hrs.\",\n \"Deep red precipitate formed.\",\n \"The mixture was filtered through a Celite bed and washed thoroughly with methanol.\",\n \"The red solid on top was then washed with dichloromethane.\",\n \"3.6 g of product was obtained.\",\n \"The product was further purified by high vacuum sublimation at 235° C. Exemplary and Comparative Devices All devices are fabricated by high vacuum (<10−7 Torr) thermal evaporation.\",\n \"The anode electrode is ˜1200 Å of indium tin oxide (ITO).\",\n \"The cathode consists of 10 Å of LiF followed by 1,000 Å of Al.\",\n \"All devices are encapsulated with a glass lid sealed with an epoxy resin in a nitrogen glove box (<1 ppm of H2O and O2) immediately after fabrication, and a moisture getter was incorporated inside the package.\",\n \"The organic stack consists of sequentially, from the ITO surface, 100 Å thick of Ir(3-Meppy)3 as the hole injection layer (HIL), 400 Å of 4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenylamino]biphenyl (α-NPD) as the hole transporting layer (HTL), 300 Å of BAlq doped with 6-12 wt % of the dopant emitter (exemplary compounds and comparative compounds) as the emissive layer (EML), 550 Å of tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq3) as the electron transport layer (ETL).\",\n \"The current-voltage-luminance (IVL) characteristics and operational lifetimes are measured and summarized in the Table 1.The device performance is compared at 10 mA/cm2 and lifetime is compared at J=40 mA/cm2 (constant dc) at room temperature and 70° C. Additional Devices with Compound 1 Using the general method as described above and the additional materials described below, the following devices were fabricated using compound 1 as the dopant emitter: Devices with Compound 1 Device Device description 1a ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 1(6%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1b ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 1(9%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1c ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 1(12%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1d ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound A (10%): Compound 1(3%) (300 Å)/Balq (100)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 1e ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound B: Compound 1(12%) (300 Å)/ Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1f ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound B: Compound 1(12%) (300 Å)/ Compound B (100 Å)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 1g ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 1(6%) (300 Å)/ Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1h ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 1(9%) (300 Å)/ Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 1i ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 1(12%) (300 Å)/ Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al Performance of Devices with Compound 1 At 500 nits T80% at 40 mA/cm2 (hr) Device EML dopant % λ max CIE V (V) LE (cd/A) EQE (%) L0 (cd/m2) RT 70° C. 1a 6 620 0.66 7.7 21.9 19.00 6472 n.m. 62 0.33 1b 9 622 0.67 7.1 20.2 19.17 6447 n.m. 62 0.33 1c 12 622 0.67 6.9 18.7 18.00 6382 n.m. 73 0.33 1d 3 618 0.66 7.8 27.1 22.9 n.m. n.m. n.m. 0.34 1e 12 626 0.673 6.8 15.6 17 5098 n.m. n.m. 0.325 1f 12 626 0.673 7.8 16.3 17.6 5041 n.m. n.m. 0.325 1g 6 622 0.668 6.1 20 19.3 6137 287 31 0.330 1h 9 624 0.671 5.7 18.2 18.4 5798 470 42 0.327 1i 12 625 0.672 5.4 17.6 18.2 5779 704 58 0.327 Additional Devices with Compound 9 Using the general method as described above, the following devices were fabricated using compound 9 as the dopant emitter.\",\n \"Devices with Compound 9 Device Device description 9a ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 9(6%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 9b ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 9(9%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 9c ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 9(12%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 9d ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound A (10%): Compound 9(3%) (300 Å)/Balq (100)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 9e ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound A (10%): Compound 9(3%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 9f ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 9(9%) (300 Å)/ Compound C (100 Å)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 9g ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 9(9%) (300 Å)/ BAlq (100 Å)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 9h ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound 9(9%) (300 Å)/ Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 9i ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound A (10%): Compound 9(3%) (300 Å)/Compound C (100 Å)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 9j ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound A (10%): Compound 9(3%) (300 Å)/BAlq (100 Å)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al 9k ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/Compound C: Compound A (10%): Compound 9(3%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al Performance of Devices with Compound 9 At 1000 nits T80% at 40 mA/cm2 (hr) Device EML dopant % λ max CIE V (V) LE (cd/A) EQE (%) L0 (cd/m2) RT 70° C. 9a 6 615 0.653 8.6 25.5 19.50 7892 333 55 0.345 9b 9 616 0.654 8 26.5 20.80 8215 352 55 0.343 9c 12 617 0.656 7.7 24.2 19.30 7992 330 60 0.342 9d 3 612 0.647 6.3 29.4 21.1 9809 n.m. 106 0.349 9e 3 612 0.642 6.3 14.6 10.3 6950 n.m. 102 0.352 9f 9 618 0.659 5.6 25.6 21.1 7971 n.m. 34 0.339 9g 9 618 0.659 6.3 25.6 21.1 7871 n.m. 25 0.339 9h 9 618 0.659 5.5 24.5 20.4 7642 n.m. 33 0.338 9i 3 612 0.646 4.8 34.6 24.5 11334 n.m. 45 0.351 9j 3 612 0.646 5.4 33 23.5 10775 n.m. 41 0.351 9k 3 612 0.646 5 25.2 18 9131 n.m. 38 0.351 Additional Devices with Compound 22 Using the general method as described above, the following devices were fabricated using compound 22 as the dopant emitter.\",\n \"Devices with Compound 22 Device Device description 22a ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 22(6%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 22b ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 22(9%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 22c ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound 22(12%) (300 Å)/Alq3 (550 Å)/LiF/Al 22d ITO/Compound A (100 Å)/NPD (400 Å)/BAlq: Compound A (10%): Compound 22(3%) (300 Å)/Balq (100)/Alq3 (450 Å)/LiF/Al Performance of Devices with Compound 22 At 1000 nits T80% at 40 mA/cm2 (hr) Device EML dopant % λ max CIE V (V) LE (cd/A) EQE (%) L0 (cd/m2) RT 70° C. 22a 6 635 0.693 10 10.8 18.3 3,500 n.m. 62 0.304 22b 9 637 0.695 9.9 10.5 18.5 3,408 n.m. 73 0.303 22c 12 637 0.693 9.5 10 17.7 3,277 n.m. 80 0.304 22d 3 633 0.691 9.4 13.6 21.1 3,445 n.m. 116 0.307\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873472"}}},{"rowIdx":4494355,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["Sustained Release Formulation Comprising Octreotide and Two or More Polylactide-co-glycolide Polymers","The present invert on relates to sustained release formulations comprising as active ingredient octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof and two or more different polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs)."],["1.A sustained release pharmaceutical composition in form of microparticles comprising as active ingredient octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof and two different polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs), wherein the PLGAs are present as polymer blend, and wherein the microparticles are of a single composition and wherein the lactide: glycolide ratios of the different PLGAs are different from each other.","2.A sustained release pharmaceutical composition in form of microparticles comprising as active ingredient octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof and two different polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs), wherein the lactide: glycolide ratios of the different PLGAs are different from each other, wherein the sustained release pharmaceutical composition is a mixture of depots, which is a mixture of two microparticles of different compositions, each with one different PLGA.","3.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the PLGAs have a lactide:glycolide monomer ratio of 100:0 to 40:60.4.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the PLGAs have a lactide:glycolide monomer ratio of 90:10 to 40:60.5.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the PLGAs have a lactide:glycolide monomer ratio of 86:15 to 65:35.6.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claims 1, wherein the inherent viscosity of the PLGAs is below 0.9 dl/g in chloroform.","7.The sustained release pharmaceutical according to claim 1, wherein the inherent viscosity of the PLGAs is below 0.8 dl/g in chloroform.","8.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein at least two PLGAs are linear.","9.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 comprising the, pamoate salt of octreotide.","10.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the release of the active ingredient is three or more months.","11.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the microparticles are additionally mixed, covered or coated with an anti-agglomerating agent.","12.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 11, wherein the microparticles are coated with an anti-agglomerating agent and the anti-agglomerating agent is present an amount of less than 2% by weight of the microparticles.","13.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 11, wherein the anti-agglomerating agent is mannitol.","14.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 sterilized by gamma irradiation.","15.A process of manufacturing microparticles according to claim 1 comprising (i) preparation of an internal organic phase comprising (ia) dissolving the two or more different PLGA polymers suitable organic solvent or solvent mixture; (ib) dissolving/suspending/emulsification of octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof in the polymer solution obtained in step (ia); (ii) preparation of an external aqueous phase containing stabilizers: (iii) mixing the internal organic phase with the external aqueous phase to form an emulsion; and (iv) hardening the microparticles by solvent evaporation or solvent extraction, washing the microparticles, drying the microparticles and sieving the microparticles.","16.A process of manufacturing the sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs) are present in a mixture of depots, comprising (i) preparation of an internal organ phase comprising (ia) dissolving one PLGA polymer in a organic solvent or solvent mixture; (ib) dissolving/suspending/emulsification of octreotide or an aqueous solution of octreotide in the polymer solution obtained in step (ia); (ii) preparation of an external aqueous phase containing stabilizers; (iii) mixing the internal organic phase with the external aqueous phase to form an emulsion; (iv) hardening the microparticles by solvent evaporation or solvent extraction, washing the microparticles, drying the microparticles; and (v) mixing the obtained microparticles with the other microparticles obtained from the same process except the PLGA polymer used in that process is different, and wherein the lactide glycol de ratios of the different PLGAs are different from each other.","17.Microparticles obtained by the process according to claim 15.18.A sustained release pharmaceutical composition comprising microparticles according to claim 17.19.An administration kit comprising the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 in a vial, together with a water-based vehicle in an ampoule, vial or prefilled syringe or as microparticles and vehicle separated in a double chamber syringe."],["The present invention relates to sustained release formulation comprising as active ingredient octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof and two or more different polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs).","These pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention are indicated for inter alias long-term maintenance therapy in acromegalic patients, and treatment of severe diarrhea and flushing associated with malignant carcinoid tumors and vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (vipoma tumors).","Peptide drugs are usually administered systemically, e.g.","parenterally.","However, parenteral administration may be painful, and cause discomfort, especially for repeated daily administrations.","In order to minimize the number of injections to a patient, the drug substance should be administered as a depot formulation.","A common drawback with injectable depot formulations is the fluctuation in plasma levels such as high peak levels together with plasma levels close to zero during the entire release period.","The present invention discloses a sustained release formulation comprising as active ingredient (drug substance) octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.","Octreotide (U.S. Pat.","No.","4,395,403) is a somatostatin analog having the following formula: The active ingredient may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of octreotide, such as an acid addition salt with e.g.","inorganic acid, polymeric acid or organic acid, for example with hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, lactic add, citric acid, fumaric acid, malonic acid, maleic add, tartaric acid, aspartic acid, benzoic acid, succinic acid or pamoic (embonic) acid.","Acid addition salts may exist as mono- or divalent salts, e.g.","depending whether 1 or 2 acid equivalents are added.","Preferred is the pamoate monosalt of octreotide.","The particle size distribution of the drug substance influences the release profile of the drug from the depot form.","The drug substance which is used to prepare the depot formulation is crystalline or in the form of an amorphous powder.","Preferred is an amorphous powder which has a particle of a size of about 0.1 microns to about 15 microns (99%>0.1 microns, 99%<15 microns), preferably from 1 to less than about 10 microns (90%>1 microns, 90%<10 microns).","The drug substance preferentially undergoes a micronization process to present the required particle size distribution.","The present invention further provides a sustained release pharmaceutical composition (depot) comprising as active ingredient octreotide or pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof incorporated in blends or mixtures of poly(lactide-co-glycolide)s (PLGAs), for instance in form of microparticles, implants or semisolid formulations.","Alternatively to blends of PLGAs, in another aspect of the present invention the pharmaceutical composition comprises a mixture of PLGA polymers containing the active ingredient; i.e.","the active ingredient may be incorporated into one or more PLGAs in form of microparticles, implants or semisolid formulations and is then mixed with another microparticle or implant or semisolid formulation also comprising the active ingredient and one or more PLGAs.","The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention allows a sustained release of the active ingredient over a period of more than three month, preferentially between three and six months.","During the release of the active ingredient the plasma levels octreotide are within the therapeutic range.","It is understood that the exact dose of octreotide will depend on a number of factors, including the condition to be treated, the severity of the condition to be treated, the weight of the subject and the duration of therapy.","Surprisingly fluctuations plasma levels can significantly be reduced by using a suitable combination of 2 or more different PLGAs in the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention.","The drug substance is incorporated into a biodegradable polymer consisting of 2 or more different polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs).","The PLGAs have a lactide:glycolide monomer ratio of 100:0 to 40:60, preferably 90:10 to 40:60, more preferably 85:15 to 65:35.A PLGA having a lactide:glycolide monomer ratio of 100:0, i.e.","containing no glycolide monomer, is a polylactide (PLA) which is also included in the definition PLGA according to the present invention.","The PLGAs according to the present invention have a molecular weight (Mw) ranging from 1,000 to 500,000 Da, preferably from 5,000 to 100,000 Da.","The architecture of the polymers can be linear, branched, hyperbranched, comb-like branched, dendrimer-like branched, T-shaped or a star-shaped polymer of the above building blocks.","In a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least two PLGAs in the pharmaceutical composition are linear.","An example of a star polymer is an ester of a polyol which contains at least 3 hydroxy groups which are converted into poly(lactide-co-glycolide) chains.","The polyol i preferably a saccharide, most preferably glucose.","The inherent viscosity (IV) of the PLGAs according to the present invention is below 0.9 dl/g in chloroform, preferentially below 0.8 dl/g in chloroform.","The inherent viscosities can be measured by the conventional methods of flow time measurement, as described for example in “Pharmacopoée Européenne”, 1997, pages 17-18 (capillary tube method).","Unless stated otherwise, these viscosities have been measured in chloroform at a concentration of 0.5% at 25° C. or in hexaisofluoropropanol at a concentration of 0.5% at 30° C. End groups of the PLGAs according to the present invention can be but are not limited to hydroxy, carboxyl, ester or the like.","The drug substance content of the depot formulation (the loading) is in a range of 1% to 30%, preferred 10% to 25%, more preferred 15% to 20%.","The loading is defined as the weight ratio of drug substance as free base to the total mass of the PLGA formulation.","Suitable polymers are commonly known but not limited to those commercially available as RESOMER® by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Ingelheim, Germany, LACTEL® by Absorbable Polymers International (API) Pelham, Ala., USA/DURECT Corp., Cupertino, Calif., USA, MEDISORB® by Alkermes, Inc., Cambridge, Mass., USA, PURASORB® by PURAC biochem BV, Gorinchem, The Netherlands.","Examples of suitable polymers are listed in Table 1.TABLE 1 Examples of suitabe polymers Inherent Producer No Product name Polymer viscosity [dL/g] Supplier 1 D,L-POLYMI/ Star-branched 0.29-0.35 Novartis D-GLUCOSE Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) 50:50/D-Glucose 2 Resomer ® R 202 H Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.16-0.241) Boehringer free carboxylic acid end group 3 Resomer ® R 202 S Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.16-0.241) Boehringer 4 Resomer ® R 203 S Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.25-0.351) Boehringer 5 Resomer ® RG 752 H Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.14-0.221) Boehringer glycolide) 75:25 free carboxylic acid end group 5a Resomer ® RG 752 S Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.16-0.241) Boehringer glycolide) 75:25 6 Resomer ® CR RG Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.32-0.441) Boehringer 75:25 or Resomer ® glycolide) 75:25 RG Type 75:25 S/ Resomer ® RG 753 S 7 Lactel ® 100D020A Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.15-0.252) API/Durect free carboxylic acid end group 8 Lactel ® 100D040A Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.26-0.542) API/Durect free carboxylic acid end group 9 Lactel ® 100D040 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.26-0.542) API/Durect 10 Lactel ® 100D065 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.55-0.752) API/Durect 11 Lactel ® 85DG040 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.26-0.542) API/Durect glycolide) 85:15 12 Lactel ® 85DG065 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.55-0.752) API/Durect glycolide) 85:15 13 Lactel ® 75DG065 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.55-0.752) API/Durect glycolide) 75:25 14 Lactel ® 65DG065 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.55-0.753) API/Durect glycolide) 65:35 15 Lactel ® 50DG065 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.55-0.753) API/Durect glycolide) 50:50 16 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.66-0.80 Alkermes 100 DL HIGH IV 17 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.50-0.65 Alkermes 100 DL LOW IV 18 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.66-0.80 Alkermes 8515 DL HIGH IV glycolide) 85:15 19 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.50-0.65 Alkermes 8515 DL LOW IV glycolide)85:15 20 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.66-0.80 Alkermes 7525 DL HIGH IV glycolide) 75:25 21 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.50-0.65 Alkermes 7525 DL LOW IV glycolide) 75:25 22 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.66-0.80 Alkermes 6535 DL HIGH IV glycolide) 65:35 23 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.50-0.65 Alkermes 6535 DL LOW IV glycolide) 65:35 24 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.66-0.80 Alkermes 5050 DL HIGH IV glycolide) 50:50 25 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.50-0.65 Alkermes 5050 DL LOW IV glycolide) 50:50 1)IV has been determined in chloroform at a concentration of 0.1% at 25° C. 2)IV has been determined in chloroform at a concentration of 0.5 g/dL at 30° C. 3)IV has been determined in Hexafluoroisopropanol at a concentration of 0.5 g/dL at 30° C. Plasma levels with low variability can be achieved over time period of more then three month, preferentially between three and six month, only with pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention, not with formulations containing only one single polymer from the table above.","In addition, the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention can be manufactured aseptically or non-aseptically and sterilized terminally by gamma irradiation.","Preferred is terminal sterilization by gamma irradiation, resulting in a product with the highest sterility assurance possible.","The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may also contain one or more pharmaceutical excipients modulating the release behavior in an amount of 0.1% to 50%.","Examples of such agents are: Poly(vinylpyrrolidone), carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na), dextrin, poly(ethyleneglycol), suitable surfactants such as poloxamers, also known as poly(oxyethylene-block-oxypropylene), Poly(oxyethylene)-sorbitan-fatty acid esters known and commercially available under the trade name TWEEN® (e.g.","Tween 20, Tween 40, Tween 60, Tween 80, Tween 65 Tween 85, Tween 21, Tween 61, Tween 81), Sorbitan fatty acid esters e.g.","of the type known and commercially available under the trade name SPAN, Lecithins, inorganic salts such as zinc carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, or protamine, e.g.","human protamine or salmon protamine, or natural or synthetic polymers bearing amine-residues such as polylysine.","The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention can be a depot mixture or a polymer blend of different polymers in terms of compositions, molecular weight and/or polymer architectures.","A polymer blend is defined herein as a solid solution or suspension of 2 or more different polymers in one implant or microparticle.","A mixture of depots in contrast is defined herein as a mixture of two or more depots like implants or microparticles or semisolid formulations of different composition with one or more PLGAs in each depot.","Preferred is a pharmaceutical coposition wherein the PLGAs are present as polymer blend.","The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention can be in the form of implants, semisolids (gels), liquid solutions or suspensions which solidify in situ once they are injected or microparticles.","Preferred are microparticles.","Preparation of microparticles comprising octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof is known and for instance disclosed in U.S. Pat.","No.","5,445,832 or U.S. Pat.","No.","5,538,739.The following part of the invention is focused on polymer microparticles although the descriptions are applicable for implants, semisolids and liquids as well.","The microparticles according to the present invention may have diameter from a few submicrons to a few millimeters, e.g., from about 0.01 microns to about 2 mm, e.g.","from about 0.1 microns to about 500 microns.","For pharmaceutical microparticles, diameters of at most about 250 microns, e.g.","10 to 200 microns, preferably 10 to 130 microns, more preferably 10 to 90 microns.","The microparticles according to the present invention may be mixed or coated with an anti-agglomerating agent or covered by a layer of an anti-agglomerating agent, e.g.","in a prefilled syringe or vial.","Suitable anti-agglomerating agents include, e.g.","mannitol, glucose, dextrose, sucrose, sodium chloride, or water soluble polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyethylene glycol, e.g.","with the properties described above.","For microparticles according to the present invention in dry state preferably an anti-agglomerating agent is present in an amount of about 0.1 to about 10%, preferentially about 3% to 5%, e.g.","about 4% by weight of the microparticles.","A preferred anti-agglomerating agent in this respect is mannitol.","Alternativeiy, an agglomerating agent can be applied to the microparticles during their manufacturing process.","For example, at the step of filtering/washing the microparticles they can be additionally rinsed with an aqueous solution of an anti-agglomerating agent.","Thus, a layer of the anti-agglomerating agent is formed on the surface of the microparticles.","Preferably, the anti-agglomerating agent is present in the microparticles at an amount of less than 10%, more preferred less than 2%, most preferred less than 0.5% by weight of the micropartides.","A preferred anti-agglomerating agent in this respect is mannitol.","The manufacturing process for the depot formulation of the current invention is described in more detail for microparticles: The microparticles may be manufactured by several processes known in the art, e.g., coacervation or phase separation, spray drying, water-in-oil (W/O), or water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) or solids-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion/suspension methods followed by solvent extraction or solvent evaporation.","The emulsion/suspension method is the preferred process, which comprises the following steps: (i) preparation of an internal organic phase comprising (ia) dissolving the polymer or polymers in a suitable organic solvent or solvent mixture; optionally dissolving/dispersing suitable additives; (ib) dissolving/suspending/emulsification of the drug substance or an aqueous solution of the drug substance in the polymer solution obtained in step (ia); (ii) Preparation of an external aqueous phase containing stabilizers and optionally but preferably buffer salts; (iii) mixing the internal organic phase with the external aqueous phase e.g.","with a device creating high shear forces, e.g.","with a turbine or static mixer, to form an emulsion; and (iv) hardening the microparticles by solvent evaporation or solvent extraction; washing the microparticles, e.g.","with water; optionally rinse the microparticles with an aqueous solution of an anti-agglomerating agent, e.g.","mannitol; collecting and drying the microparticles, e.g.","freeze-drying or drying under vacuum, and sieving the microparticles through 140 μm.","Suitable organic solvents for the polymers include e.g.","ethyl acetate, acetone, THF, acetonitrile, or halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g.","methylene chloride, chloroform or hexafluoroisopropenol.","Suitable examples of a stabilizer for step (iib) include Poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA), in an amount of 0.1 to 5%, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and/or hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), in a total amount of 0.01 to 5%, poly(vinyi pyrolidone).","Gelatin, preferably porcine or fish gelatin.","The dry microparticles composition can be terminally sterilized by gamma irradiation (overkill sterilization), optionally in bulk or after filling in the final container resulting in the highest sterility assurance possible.","Alternatively the bulk sterilized microparticles can be resuspended in a suitable vehicle and filled as a suspension into a suitable device such as double chamber syringe with subsequent freeze drying.","The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention containing microparticles may also contain a vehicle to facilitate reconstitution.","Prior to administration, the microparticles are suspend in a suitable vehicle for injection.","Preferably, said vehicle is water based containing pharmaceutical excipients such as mannitol, sodium chloride, glucose, dextrose, sucrose, or glycerins, non-ionic surfactants (e.g.","poloxamers, poly(oxyethylene)-sorbitan-fatty acid esters), carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na) sorbitol, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), or aluminium monostearate in order to ensure isotonicity and to improve the wettability and sedimentation properties of the microparticles.","The wetting and viscosity enhancing agents may be present in an amount of 0.01 to 2%; the isotonicity agents are added in a suitable amount to ensure an isotonic injectable suspension.","The amount of liquid vehicle suspension is preferably about 1 to 5 ml, 2 to 2.5 ml per dose.","If desired the microparticles in dry form and the aqueous vehicle for reconstitution may be housed separately in a double chamber syringe.","The invention further provides the use of a pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention for inter alias long-term maintenance therapy in acromegalic patients, and treatment of severe diarrhea and flushing associated with malignant carcinoid tumors and vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (vipoma tumors).","The utility of the pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention can be shown in standard or animal studies.","The invention further provides a kit comprising the depot for in a vial, optionally equipped with a transfer set, together with a water-based vehicle in an ampoule, vial or prefilled syringe or as microparticles and vehicle separated in a double chamber syringe.","EXAMPLES The following examples are illustrative, but do not serve to limit the scope of the invention described herein.","The examples are ant only to suggest a method of practicing the present invention.","Example 1 Microparticle Preparation An appropriate amount of the PLGA polymers is dissolved in an appropriate amount of dichloromethane to give an appropriate polymer concentration as stated in column “PLGA conc.” in Table 2.An appropriate amount of drug substance is weight into a glass beaker and the polymer solution is poured over the drug substance so that the resulting microparticles have a drug load as stated in column “drug load”.","E.g.","for microparticles with a drug load of 20% and a polymer concentration of 20% the numbers are as the following: 3.547 g of the PLGA polymers are dissolved into 17.7 ml dichloromethane to give a 20% (w/v) polymer solution.","1.453 g of octreotide pamoate (corresponding to 1.00 g=20% octreotide free base) is weight into a glass beaker and the polymer solution is poured over the drug substance.","The suspension is homogenized with an Ultra-Turrax rotor-stator mixer with 20,000 rpm for 1 min under cooling with an ice/water mixture.","This suspension is referred to as S/O suspension.","10.00 g of Polyvinylalcohol PVA 18-88, 3.62 g KH2PO4 and 15.14 g Na2HPO4 are dissolve in 2.00 L deionized water to form a 0.5% PVA 18-88 solution buffered to pH 7.4.The S/O suspension is mixed with the 0.5%, PVA18-88 solution by pumping the S/O suspension with the help of a flexible tube pump (Perpex, Viton tube) at a rate of 10 ml/min into a turbine and by pumping the aqueous solution with a gear pump (Ismatec MV-Z/B with pumping head P140) at a rate of 200 ml/min into the same turbine.","The two solutions are mixed in the turbine at 4,500 rpm.","The homogenized S/O/W emulsion is collected into a 2 L glass beaker which is prefilled with 200 ml of the buffered PVA solution.","The S/O/W emulsion is then heated up to 52° C. in 3.5 h-5 h. The temperature of 52° C. is hold for further 30 min-120 min, before the batch is cooled to room temperature again.","During this process escaping dichloromethane is removed by vacuum and the batch is stirred by a 4 blade-propeller-stirrer at 250 rpm.","As a result, microparticles are formed out of the S/O/W emulsion.","The microparticle are collected by filtration (5 μm).","They are is ached 5 times with 200 ml water and dried for 36 h at 20° C. and 0.030 mbar.","The dried microparticles are sieved through 140 μm and filled under nitrogen into glass vials.","Prepared in that way, the microparticles are sterilized by gamma-irradiation with a dose of 30 kGy.","The particle size of the microparticles is measured by laser light diffraction.","The microparticle are resuspended in white spirit using ultra sound.","Table 2 gives the diameter x90 (90% of all particles are smaller than this value) after 120 seconds of ultra sound treatment.","The assay of the microparticles (amount of active ingredient) is determined by HPLC after dissolving the microparticles with ultra sound in a 3:2 mixture of acetonitrile and methanol and further 1:1 dilution with a sodium acetate buffer (pH 4).","The solution is cleared from residual particulate matter by centrifugation.","TABLE 2 Examples 1-1 to 1-82: octreotide pamoate micropatricles prepared by one PLGA (reference examples), blends for two PLGAs and micropaticle mixtures prepared by microparticles batches with one PLGA only.","Drug PLGA Particle Ex.","Load conc.","Process size Assay Batch (%) (%) A B C D E F G Info x90 (μm) (%) Microparticles with one PLGA in the matrix (Reference Examples) 1-1 20 20 100 7 46.7 18.6 1-2 20 20 100 7 44.1 18.5 1-3 20 20 100 4 85.7 16.9 1-4 20 20 100 7 73.0 18.6 1-5 20 20 100 4/38 58.2 9.0 1-6 20 20 100 7 18.4 18.4 1-7 20 20 100 4 62.3 14.7 1-8 20 20 100 4 85.4 15.7 1-9 20 20 100 7 80.2 17.2 MICROPARTICLE MIXTURE: Powder mixtures of microparticles with one PLGA in the matrix 1-10 20 20 30 70 7 18.5 1-11 20 20 10 90 7 18.5 1-12 20 20 50 50 4/7 16.7 1-13 20 20 50 50 4 15.8 POLYMER BLENDS: Microparticles with two PLGA polymets in the matrix 1-14 20 20 10 90 7 47.0 18.4 1-15 25 20 10 90 7 56.4 25.4 1-16 20 20 30 70 7 46.4 19.5 1-17 20 20 50 50 7 44.3 20.4 1-18 20 20 10 90 7 44.6 19.3 1-19 20 20 20 80 7 45.2 20.9 1-20 20 20 20 80 4 75.4 14.2 1-21 20 20 10 90 7 67.6 15.5 1-22 20 20 10 90 4 69.4 13.4 1-23 20 25 10 90 4 84.8 14.3 1-24 20 20 20 80 4 63.7 7.0 1-25 15 20 20 80 4 64.7 10.3 1-26 20 20 20 80 4 75.5 14.1 1-27 20 20 20 80 5 67.8 14.2 1-28 25 20 20 80 4 74.6 11.8 1-29 20 20 20 80 4 89.4 10.5 1-30 20 20 30 70 4 59.4 11.5 1-31 20 20 50 50 7 46.3 16.4 1-32 20 20 40 60 7 42.6 18.1 1-33 20 20 30 70 7 51.9 18.9 1-34 20 25 30 70 7/38 72.6 19.0 1-35 20 20 30 70 7/1:25 53.7 18.9 1-36 20 20 30 70 7/38 79.3 18.5 1-37 20 20 30 70 7/GP 59.6 18.6 1-38 20 20 30 70 7/38 52.3 17.9 1-39 15 20 30 70 7 36.2 14.4 1-40 22½ 20 30 70 7/38 55.0 19.6 1-41 25 20 30 70 7/38 61.3 21.5 1-42 25 25 30 70 7/38/1:25 75.1 22.5 1-43 20 20 20 80 7 43.4 17.8 1-44 20 20 10 90 7 40.0 18.1 1-45 20 20 50 50 7 61.3 18.9 1-46 20 20 50 50 4 85.9 13.4 1-47 20 20 30 70 4 95.6 17.7 1-48 20 20 30 70 7 59.7 18.6 1-49 20 25 20 80 4 100.5 17.6 1-50 20 20 20 80 4 75.4 15.8 1-51 20 25 10 90 4 105.9 16.9 1-52 20 20 50 50 7 49.5 17.7 1-53 15 20 50 50 7 58.9 13.0 1-54 20 20 50 50 4 58.7 12.1 1-55 20 20 20 80 4 64.0 13.5 1-56 20 20 10 90 4 73.4 14.6 1-57 20 20 50 50 4/38 69.5 12.1 1-58 20 20 90 10 7/38 49.1 16.6 1-59 20 20 70 30 7/38 53.5 18.0 1-60 20 20 50 50 7 37.7 18.3 1-61 20 20 30 70 7/38 52.1 17.1 1-62 20 20 70 30 7 62.8 16.3 1-63 20 20 50 50 7 47.8 16.1 1-64 20 20 30 70 7 50.2 18.1 1-65 20 20 90 10 7/38 50.2 18.9 1-66 20 20 80 20 7/ 47.2 17.7 1-67 20 20 70 30 7/38 60.2 17.7 1-68 20 20 50 50 7 58.6 18.6 1-69 20 20 50 50 7/38 65.6 18.3 1-70 20 20 50 50 4 67.4 15.2 1-71 20 20 30 70 4 56.7 11.7 1-72 20 20 20 80 4 77.4 13.2 1-73 20 20 10 90 90 4 66.5 14.3 1-74 20 20 70 10 7 75.2 18.7 1-75 20 20 50 30 7 88.2 17.1 1-76 20 20 50 50 7 65.1 18.2 1-77 20 20 30 50 4 88.3 16.0 1-78 20 20 20 70 4 75.3 16.0 1-79 20 20 10 80 4 81.9 15.9 1-80 20 20 90 4 83.7 16.5 POLYMER BLENDS: Microparticles with three PLGA polymers in the matrix 1-81 20 20 15 70 15 7 43.4 19.4 1-82 20 20 15 70 15 7 38.2 18.6 A: star-PLG-D-glucose 50:50 ester 0.3 dL/G (%) B: PLGA 65:35 ester 0.6 dL/g (%) C: PLGA 75:25 ester 0.4 dL/g (%) D: PLGA 75:25 ester 0.6 dL/g (%) E: PLGA 85:15 ester 0.4 dL/g (%) F: PLGA 85:15 ester 0.6 dL/g (%) G: PLGA 100:0 ester 0.2 dL/g (%) Process Info=Further Process Information: 7: 66 mM PBS pH 7.4 5: 69 mM Citrate-phosphate buffer pH 5.0 4: 69 mM Citrate-phosphate buffer pH 4.0 38: Turbine speed 3800 rpm instead of 4500 rpm 1:25: Flowrate ratio SO/W=1:25 instead of 1:20 GP: Gear pump instead of peristaltic pump Example 2 Vehicle Compositions A to G CMC-Na, Mannitol and Pluronic F68 in an amount as given in Table 3 are dissolved in about 15 ml hot deionized water of a temperature of about 90° C. under strong stirring with a magnetic stirrer.","The resulting clear solution is cooled to 20° C. and filled up with deionized water to 20.0 ml.","TABLE 3 Suitable vehicles for the microparticles (Amounts given in g) A B C D E F G CMC-Na 0 0 0.05 0.14 0.28 0.35 0.40 Mannitol 0 1.04 0.99 0.90 0.76 0.74 0.68 Pluronic F6B 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 Example 3 Microparticle Suspension 170 mg of microparticles of example 1-3 are suspended in 1.0 ml of a vehicle of composition D (Table 3) in a 6 R vials.","The suspensions are homogenized by shaking for about 30 seconds by hand.","The reconstituted suspension may be injected without any issues using a 20 Gauge needle.","Example 4 Lyophilisation of the Microparticles 170 mg of microparticles of example 1-33 are reconstituted in 1 ml of the vehicle composition F (Table 3), homogenized by stirring for 1 to 12 hours and then freeze-dried in a lyophilisator.","Reconstitution of the lyophilized microparticles with 1 ml pure water (aqua ad injectabilia) resulted in fast and good wetting of the microparticles that may be injected without any issues using a 20 Gauge needle.","Example 5 Release Profile In Vivo (Rabbits) Microparticles containing octreotide are suspended in 1 ml of a suitable aqueous vehicle, preferably in vehicle D, and the resulting suspension is injected intramuscularly (i.m.)","into male New Zealand White bastard rabbits in a dose of 4 mg/kg.","For each dosage form (test group) 4 animals are used.","After defined time periods (indicated in the table 4) plasma samples are taken and analyzed for octreotide concentration.","TABLE 4 Plasma levels (dose corected values); concentration in ng/ml Ex.","Time after Administration (days) Batch 0.021 0.042 0.083 0.167 0.250 1 2 3 5 8 12 1-10 9.653 9.245 4.201 1.159 0.402 0.000 0.000 0.205 0.888 1.216 0.954 1-33* 22.735 16.333 6.359 1.621 0.575 0.017 0.085 0.318 1.081 1.249 1.088 1-68 3.622 4.099 2.748 0.939 0.440 0.028 0.000 0.085 0.377 0.690 0.575 1-44 5.675 4.460 1.799 0.522 0.175 0.000 0.000 0.103 0.695 0.918 0.785 1-33 21.071 19.719 9.704 2.852 1.121 0.155 0.334 0.858 2.240 2.868 3.096 1-40 1.047 1.032 0.856 0.350 0.182 0.000 0.000 0.188 1.252 1.374 1.169 1-48 0.662 0.645 0.494 0.248 0.123 0.000 0.000 0.108 0.751 0.992 0.901 1-67 0.952 0.928 0.672 0.232 0.094 0.000 0.000 0.096 0.448 0.609 0.519 1-82 31.689 31.171 22.023 9.302 3.985 0.411 0.417 0.425 0.209 0.219 0.247 1-22 3.973 15.301 17.168 13.803 10.187 0.944 0.270 0.283 0.946 1.684 0.527 1-26 3.799 13.875 17.515 14.105 11.060 0.697 0.164 0.271 0.535 1.491 1.505 Ex.","Time after Administration (days) Batch 19 27 33 40 47 54 61 68 75 82 89 96 1-10 0.911 0.513 0.343 0.222 0.600 0.706 0.578 0.705 0.622 0.623 0.219 0.054 1-33* 0.867 0.477 0.227 0.127 0.545 0.579 0.843 1.169 0.439 0.146 0.019 0.000 1-68 0.509 0.435 0.494 0.408 0.317 0.243 0.152 0.165 0.424 0.621 0.765 0.640 1-44 0.626 0.367 0.244 0.106 0.060 0.233 0.648 1.023 1.046 0.505 0.155 0.000 1-33 2.254 1.957 0.779 0.366 0.340 1.461 3.024 3.358 2.405 0.928 0.391 0.125 1-40 0.946 0.690 0.299 0.164 0.528 1.585 1.225 0.714 0.505 0.284 0.070 0.000 1-48 0.557 0.498 0.387 0.254 0.114 0.171 0.846 1.058 1.935 0.693 0.359 0.180 1-67 0.482 0.440 0.378 0.253 0.175 0.106 0.096 0.152 0.446 0.534 0.542 0.462 1-82 0.286 0.275 0.137 0.135 0.147 0.254 0.350 0.570 0.442 0.320 0.162 0.039 1-22 0.631 1.077 0.510 0.362 0.189 0.129 0.227 0.140 0.281 0.227 0.141 0.073 1-26 0.494 0.468 0.354 0.262 0.286 0.213 0.530 0.424 0.311 0.148 0.115 0.106 *Dose = 12 mg/kg"]],"string":"[\n [\n \"Sustained Release Formulation Comprising Octreotide and Two or More Polylactide-co-glycolide Polymers\",\n \"The present invert on relates to sustained release formulations comprising as active ingredient octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof and two or more different polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs).\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A sustained release pharmaceutical composition in form of microparticles comprising as active ingredient octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof and two different polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs), wherein the PLGAs are present as polymer blend, and wherein the microparticles are of a single composition and wherein the lactide: glycolide ratios of the different PLGAs are different from each other.\",\n \"2.A sustained release pharmaceutical composition in form of microparticles comprising as active ingredient octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof and two different polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs), wherein the lactide: glycolide ratios of the different PLGAs are different from each other, wherein the sustained release pharmaceutical composition is a mixture of depots, which is a mixture of two microparticles of different compositions, each with one different PLGA.\",\n \"3.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the PLGAs have a lactide:glycolide monomer ratio of 100:0 to 40:60.4.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the PLGAs have a lactide:glycolide monomer ratio of 90:10 to 40:60.5.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the PLGAs have a lactide:glycolide monomer ratio of 86:15 to 65:35.6.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claims 1, wherein the inherent viscosity of the PLGAs is below 0.9 dl/g in chloroform.\",\n \"7.The sustained release pharmaceutical according to claim 1, wherein the inherent viscosity of the PLGAs is below 0.8 dl/g in chloroform.\",\n \"8.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein at least two PLGAs are linear.\",\n \"9.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 comprising the, pamoate salt of octreotide.\",\n \"10.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the release of the active ingredient is three or more months.\",\n \"11.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the microparticles are additionally mixed, covered or coated with an anti-agglomerating agent.\",\n \"12.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 11, wherein the microparticles are coated with an anti-agglomerating agent and the anti-agglomerating agent is present an amount of less than 2% by weight of the microparticles.\",\n \"13.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 11, wherein the anti-agglomerating agent is mannitol.\",\n \"14.The sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 sterilized by gamma irradiation.\",\n \"15.A process of manufacturing microparticles according to claim 1 comprising (i) preparation of an internal organic phase comprising (ia) dissolving the two or more different PLGA polymers suitable organic solvent or solvent mixture; (ib) dissolving/suspending/emulsification of octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof in the polymer solution obtained in step (ia); (ii) preparation of an external aqueous phase containing stabilizers: (iii) mixing the internal organic phase with the external aqueous phase to form an emulsion; and (iv) hardening the microparticles by solvent evaporation or solvent extraction, washing the microparticles, drying the microparticles and sieving the microparticles.\",\n \"16.A process of manufacturing the sustained release pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs) are present in a mixture of depots, comprising (i) preparation of an internal organ phase comprising (ia) dissolving one PLGA polymer in a organic solvent or solvent mixture; (ib) dissolving/suspending/emulsification of octreotide or an aqueous solution of octreotide in the polymer solution obtained in step (ia); (ii) preparation of an external aqueous phase containing stabilizers; (iii) mixing the internal organic phase with the external aqueous phase to form an emulsion; (iv) hardening the microparticles by solvent evaporation or solvent extraction, washing the microparticles, drying the microparticles; and (v) mixing the obtained microparticles with the other microparticles obtained from the same process except the PLGA polymer used in that process is different, and wherein the lactide glycol de ratios of the different PLGAs are different from each other.\",\n \"17.Microparticles obtained by the process according to claim 15.18.A sustained release pharmaceutical composition comprising microparticles according to claim 17.19.An administration kit comprising the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 in a vial, together with a water-based vehicle in an ampoule, vial or prefilled syringe or as microparticles and vehicle separated in a double chamber syringe.\"\n ],\n [\n \"The present invention relates to sustained release formulation comprising as active ingredient octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof and two or more different polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs).\",\n \"These pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention are indicated for inter alias long-term maintenance therapy in acromegalic patients, and treatment of severe diarrhea and flushing associated with malignant carcinoid tumors and vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (vipoma tumors).\",\n \"Peptide drugs are usually administered systemically, e.g.\",\n \"parenterally.\",\n \"However, parenteral administration may be painful, and cause discomfort, especially for repeated daily administrations.\",\n \"In order to minimize the number of injections to a patient, the drug substance should be administered as a depot formulation.\",\n \"A common drawback with injectable depot formulations is the fluctuation in plasma levels such as high peak levels together with plasma levels close to zero during the entire release period.\",\n \"The present invention discloses a sustained release formulation comprising as active ingredient (drug substance) octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.\",\n \"Octreotide (U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"4,395,403) is a somatostatin analog having the following formula: The active ingredient may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of octreotide, such as an acid addition salt with e.g.\",\n \"inorganic acid, polymeric acid or organic acid, for example with hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, lactic add, citric acid, fumaric acid, malonic acid, maleic add, tartaric acid, aspartic acid, benzoic acid, succinic acid or pamoic (embonic) acid.\",\n \"Acid addition salts may exist as mono- or divalent salts, e.g.\",\n \"depending whether 1 or 2 acid equivalents are added.\",\n \"Preferred is the pamoate monosalt of octreotide.\",\n \"The particle size distribution of the drug substance influences the release profile of the drug from the depot form.\",\n \"The drug substance which is used to prepare the depot formulation is crystalline or in the form of an amorphous powder.\",\n \"Preferred is an amorphous powder which has a particle of a size of about 0.1 microns to about 15 microns (99%>0.1 microns, 99%<15 microns), preferably from 1 to less than about 10 microns (90%>1 microns, 90%<10 microns).\",\n \"The drug substance preferentially undergoes a micronization process to present the required particle size distribution.\",\n \"The present invention further provides a sustained release pharmaceutical composition (depot) comprising as active ingredient octreotide or pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof incorporated in blends or mixtures of poly(lactide-co-glycolide)s (PLGAs), for instance in form of microparticles, implants or semisolid formulations.\",\n \"Alternatively to blends of PLGAs, in another aspect of the present invention the pharmaceutical composition comprises a mixture of PLGA polymers containing the active ingredient; i.e.\",\n \"the active ingredient may be incorporated into one or more PLGAs in form of microparticles, implants or semisolid formulations and is then mixed with another microparticle or implant or semisolid formulation also comprising the active ingredient and one or more PLGAs.\",\n \"The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention allows a sustained release of the active ingredient over a period of more than three month, preferentially between three and six months.\",\n \"During the release of the active ingredient the plasma levels octreotide are within the therapeutic range.\",\n \"It is understood that the exact dose of octreotide will depend on a number of factors, including the condition to be treated, the severity of the condition to be treated, the weight of the subject and the duration of therapy.\",\n \"Surprisingly fluctuations plasma levels can significantly be reduced by using a suitable combination of 2 or more different PLGAs in the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention.\",\n \"The drug substance is incorporated into a biodegradable polymer consisting of 2 or more different polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs).\",\n \"The PLGAs have a lactide:glycolide monomer ratio of 100:0 to 40:60, preferably 90:10 to 40:60, more preferably 85:15 to 65:35.A PLGA having a lactide:glycolide monomer ratio of 100:0, i.e.\",\n \"containing no glycolide monomer, is a polylactide (PLA) which is also included in the definition PLGA according to the present invention.\",\n \"The PLGAs according to the present invention have a molecular weight (Mw) ranging from 1,000 to 500,000 Da, preferably from 5,000 to 100,000 Da.\",\n \"The architecture of the polymers can be linear, branched, hyperbranched, comb-like branched, dendrimer-like branched, T-shaped or a star-shaped polymer of the above building blocks.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least two PLGAs in the pharmaceutical composition are linear.\",\n \"An example of a star polymer is an ester of a polyol which contains at least 3 hydroxy groups which are converted into poly(lactide-co-glycolide) chains.\",\n \"The polyol i preferably a saccharide, most preferably glucose.\",\n \"The inherent viscosity (IV) of the PLGAs according to the present invention is below 0.9 dl/g in chloroform, preferentially below 0.8 dl/g in chloroform.\",\n \"The inherent viscosities can be measured by the conventional methods of flow time measurement, as described for example in “Pharmacopoée Européenne”, 1997, pages 17-18 (capillary tube method).\",\n \"Unless stated otherwise, these viscosities have been measured in chloroform at a concentration of 0.5% at 25° C. or in hexaisofluoropropanol at a concentration of 0.5% at 30° C. End groups of the PLGAs according to the present invention can be but are not limited to hydroxy, carboxyl, ester or the like.\",\n \"The drug substance content of the depot formulation (the loading) is in a range of 1% to 30%, preferred 10% to 25%, more preferred 15% to 20%.\",\n \"The loading is defined as the weight ratio of drug substance as free base to the total mass of the PLGA formulation.\",\n \"Suitable polymers are commonly known but not limited to those commercially available as RESOMER® by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Ingelheim, Germany, LACTEL® by Absorbable Polymers International (API) Pelham, Ala., USA/DURECT Corp., Cupertino, Calif., USA, MEDISORB® by Alkermes, Inc., Cambridge, Mass., USA, PURASORB® by PURAC biochem BV, Gorinchem, The Netherlands.\",\n \"Examples of suitable polymers are listed in Table 1.TABLE 1 Examples of suitabe polymers Inherent Producer No Product name Polymer viscosity [dL/g] Supplier 1 D,L-POLYMI/ Star-branched 0.29-0.35 Novartis D-GLUCOSE Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) 50:50/D-Glucose 2 Resomer ® R 202 H Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.16-0.241) Boehringer free carboxylic acid end group 3 Resomer ® R 202 S Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.16-0.241) Boehringer 4 Resomer ® R 203 S Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.25-0.351) Boehringer 5 Resomer ® RG 752 H Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.14-0.221) Boehringer glycolide) 75:25 free carboxylic acid end group 5a Resomer ® RG 752 S Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.16-0.241) Boehringer glycolide) 75:25 6 Resomer ® CR RG Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.32-0.441) Boehringer 75:25 or Resomer ® glycolide) 75:25 RG Type 75:25 S/ Resomer ® RG 753 S 7 Lactel ® 100D020A Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.15-0.252) API/Durect free carboxylic acid end group 8 Lactel ® 100D040A Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.26-0.542) API/Durect free carboxylic acid end group 9 Lactel ® 100D040 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.26-0.542) API/Durect 10 Lactel ® 100D065 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.55-0.752) API/Durect 11 Lactel ® 85DG040 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.26-0.542) API/Durect glycolide) 85:15 12 Lactel ® 85DG065 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.55-0.752) API/Durect glycolide) 85:15 13 Lactel ® 75DG065 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.55-0.752) API/Durect glycolide) 75:25 14 Lactel ® 65DG065 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.55-0.753) API/Durect glycolide) 65:35 15 Lactel ® 50DG065 Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.55-0.753) API/Durect glycolide) 50:50 16 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.66-0.80 Alkermes 100 DL HIGH IV 17 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide) 0.50-0.65 Alkermes 100 DL LOW IV 18 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.66-0.80 Alkermes 8515 DL HIGH IV glycolide) 85:15 19 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.50-0.65 Alkermes 8515 DL LOW IV glycolide)85:15 20 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.66-0.80 Alkermes 7525 DL HIGH IV glycolide) 75:25 21 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.50-0.65 Alkermes 7525 DL LOW IV glycolide) 75:25 22 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.66-0.80 Alkermes 6535 DL HIGH IV glycolide) 65:35 23 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.50-0.65 Alkermes 6535 DL LOW IV glycolide) 65:35 24 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.66-0.80 Alkermes 5050 DL HIGH IV glycolide) 50:50 25 Medisorb ® Linear Poly(D,L-lactide-co- 0.50-0.65 Alkermes 5050 DL LOW IV glycolide) 50:50 1)IV has been determined in chloroform at a concentration of 0.1% at 25° C. 2)IV has been determined in chloroform at a concentration of 0.5 g/dL at 30° C. 3)IV has been determined in Hexafluoroisopropanol at a concentration of 0.5 g/dL at 30° C. Plasma levels with low variability can be achieved over time period of more then three month, preferentially between three and six month, only with pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention, not with formulations containing only one single polymer from the table above.\",\n \"In addition, the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention can be manufactured aseptically or non-aseptically and sterilized terminally by gamma irradiation.\",\n \"Preferred is terminal sterilization by gamma irradiation, resulting in a product with the highest sterility assurance possible.\",\n \"The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may also contain one or more pharmaceutical excipients modulating the release behavior in an amount of 0.1% to 50%.\",\n \"Examples of such agents are: Poly(vinylpyrrolidone), carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na), dextrin, poly(ethyleneglycol), suitable surfactants such as poloxamers, also known as poly(oxyethylene-block-oxypropylene), Poly(oxyethylene)-sorbitan-fatty acid esters known and commercially available under the trade name TWEEN® (e.g.\",\n \"Tween 20, Tween 40, Tween 60, Tween 80, Tween 65 Tween 85, Tween 21, Tween 61, Tween 81), Sorbitan fatty acid esters e.g.\",\n \"of the type known and commercially available under the trade name SPAN, Lecithins, inorganic salts such as zinc carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, or protamine, e.g.\",\n \"human protamine or salmon protamine, or natural or synthetic polymers bearing amine-residues such as polylysine.\",\n \"The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention can be a depot mixture or a polymer blend of different polymers in terms of compositions, molecular weight and/or polymer architectures.\",\n \"A polymer blend is defined herein as a solid solution or suspension of 2 or more different polymers in one implant or microparticle.\",\n \"A mixture of depots in contrast is defined herein as a mixture of two or more depots like implants or microparticles or semisolid formulations of different composition with one or more PLGAs in each depot.\",\n \"Preferred is a pharmaceutical coposition wherein the PLGAs are present as polymer blend.\",\n \"The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention can be in the form of implants, semisolids (gels), liquid solutions or suspensions which solidify in situ once they are injected or microparticles.\",\n \"Preferred are microparticles.\",\n \"Preparation of microparticles comprising octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof is known and for instance disclosed in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,445,832 or U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,538,739.The following part of the invention is focused on polymer microparticles although the descriptions are applicable for implants, semisolids and liquids as well.\",\n \"The microparticles according to the present invention may have diameter from a few submicrons to a few millimeters, e.g., from about 0.01 microns to about 2 mm, e.g.\",\n \"from about 0.1 microns to about 500 microns.\",\n \"For pharmaceutical microparticles, diameters of at most about 250 microns, e.g.\",\n \"10 to 200 microns, preferably 10 to 130 microns, more preferably 10 to 90 microns.\",\n \"The microparticles according to the present invention may be mixed or coated with an anti-agglomerating agent or covered by a layer of an anti-agglomerating agent, e.g.\",\n \"in a prefilled syringe or vial.\",\n \"Suitable anti-agglomerating agents include, e.g.\",\n \"mannitol, glucose, dextrose, sucrose, sodium chloride, or water soluble polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyethylene glycol, e.g.\",\n \"with the properties described above.\",\n \"For microparticles according to the present invention in dry state preferably an anti-agglomerating agent is present in an amount of about 0.1 to about 10%, preferentially about 3% to 5%, e.g.\",\n \"about 4% by weight of the microparticles.\",\n \"A preferred anti-agglomerating agent in this respect is mannitol.\",\n \"Alternativeiy, an agglomerating agent can be applied to the microparticles during their manufacturing process.\",\n \"For example, at the step of filtering/washing the microparticles they can be additionally rinsed with an aqueous solution of an anti-agglomerating agent.\",\n \"Thus, a layer of the anti-agglomerating agent is formed on the surface of the microparticles.\",\n \"Preferably, the anti-agglomerating agent is present in the microparticles at an amount of less than 10%, more preferred less than 2%, most preferred less than 0.5% by weight of the micropartides.\",\n \"A preferred anti-agglomerating agent in this respect is mannitol.\",\n \"The manufacturing process for the depot formulation of the current invention is described in more detail for microparticles: The microparticles may be manufactured by several processes known in the art, e.g., coacervation or phase separation, spray drying, water-in-oil (W/O), or water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) or solids-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion/suspension methods followed by solvent extraction or solvent evaporation.\",\n \"The emulsion/suspension method is the preferred process, which comprises the following steps: (i) preparation of an internal organic phase comprising (ia) dissolving the polymer or polymers in a suitable organic solvent or solvent mixture; optionally dissolving/dispersing suitable additives; (ib) dissolving/suspending/emulsification of the drug substance or an aqueous solution of the drug substance in the polymer solution obtained in step (ia); (ii) Preparation of an external aqueous phase containing stabilizers and optionally but preferably buffer salts; (iii) mixing the internal organic phase with the external aqueous phase e.g.\",\n \"with a device creating high shear forces, e.g.\",\n \"with a turbine or static mixer, to form an emulsion; and (iv) hardening the microparticles by solvent evaporation or solvent extraction; washing the microparticles, e.g.\",\n \"with water; optionally rinse the microparticles with an aqueous solution of an anti-agglomerating agent, e.g.\",\n \"mannitol; collecting and drying the microparticles, e.g.\",\n \"freeze-drying or drying under vacuum, and sieving the microparticles through 140 μm.\",\n \"Suitable organic solvents for the polymers include e.g.\",\n \"ethyl acetate, acetone, THF, acetonitrile, or halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g.\",\n \"methylene chloride, chloroform or hexafluoroisopropenol.\",\n \"Suitable examples of a stabilizer for step (iib) include Poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA), in an amount of 0.1 to 5%, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and/or hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), in a total amount of 0.01 to 5%, poly(vinyi pyrolidone).\",\n \"Gelatin, preferably porcine or fish gelatin.\",\n \"The dry microparticles composition can be terminally sterilized by gamma irradiation (overkill sterilization), optionally in bulk or after filling in the final container resulting in the highest sterility assurance possible.\",\n \"Alternatively the bulk sterilized microparticles can be resuspended in a suitable vehicle and filled as a suspension into a suitable device such as double chamber syringe with subsequent freeze drying.\",\n \"The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention containing microparticles may also contain a vehicle to facilitate reconstitution.\",\n \"Prior to administration, the microparticles are suspend in a suitable vehicle for injection.\",\n \"Preferably, said vehicle is water based containing pharmaceutical excipients such as mannitol, sodium chloride, glucose, dextrose, sucrose, or glycerins, non-ionic surfactants (e.g.\",\n \"poloxamers, poly(oxyethylene)-sorbitan-fatty acid esters), carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na) sorbitol, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), or aluminium monostearate in order to ensure isotonicity and to improve the wettability and sedimentation properties of the microparticles.\",\n \"The wetting and viscosity enhancing agents may be present in an amount of 0.01 to 2%; the isotonicity agents are added in a suitable amount to ensure an isotonic injectable suspension.\",\n \"The amount of liquid vehicle suspension is preferably about 1 to 5 ml, 2 to 2.5 ml per dose.\",\n \"If desired the microparticles in dry form and the aqueous vehicle for reconstitution may be housed separately in a double chamber syringe.\",\n \"The invention further provides the use of a pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention for inter alias long-term maintenance therapy in acromegalic patients, and treatment of severe diarrhea and flushing associated with malignant carcinoid tumors and vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (vipoma tumors).\",\n \"The utility of the pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention can be shown in standard or animal studies.\",\n \"The invention further provides a kit comprising the depot for in a vial, optionally equipped with a transfer set, together with a water-based vehicle in an ampoule, vial or prefilled syringe or as microparticles and vehicle separated in a double chamber syringe.\",\n \"EXAMPLES The following examples are illustrative, but do not serve to limit the scope of the invention described herein.\",\n \"The examples are ant only to suggest a method of practicing the present invention.\",\n \"Example 1 Microparticle Preparation An appropriate amount of the PLGA polymers is dissolved in an appropriate amount of dichloromethane to give an appropriate polymer concentration as stated in column “PLGA conc.” in Table 2.An appropriate amount of drug substance is weight into a glass beaker and the polymer solution is poured over the drug substance so that the resulting microparticles have a drug load as stated in column “drug load”.\",\n \"E.g.\",\n \"for microparticles with a drug load of 20% and a polymer concentration of 20% the numbers are as the following: 3.547 g of the PLGA polymers are dissolved into 17.7 ml dichloromethane to give a 20% (w/v) polymer solution.\",\n \"1.453 g of octreotide pamoate (corresponding to 1.00 g=20% octreotide free base) is weight into a glass beaker and the polymer solution is poured over the drug substance.\",\n \"The suspension is homogenized with an Ultra-Turrax rotor-stator mixer with 20,000 rpm for 1 min under cooling with an ice/water mixture.\",\n \"This suspension is referred to as S/O suspension.\",\n \"10.00 g of Polyvinylalcohol PVA 18-88, 3.62 g KH2PO4 and 15.14 g Na2HPO4 are dissolve in 2.00 L deionized water to form a 0.5% PVA 18-88 solution buffered to pH 7.4.The S/O suspension is mixed with the 0.5%, PVA18-88 solution by pumping the S/O suspension with the help of a flexible tube pump (Perpex, Viton tube) at a rate of 10 ml/min into a turbine and by pumping the aqueous solution with a gear pump (Ismatec MV-Z/B with pumping head P140) at a rate of 200 ml/min into the same turbine.\",\n \"The two solutions are mixed in the turbine at 4,500 rpm.\",\n \"The homogenized S/O/W emulsion is collected into a 2 L glass beaker which is prefilled with 200 ml of the buffered PVA solution.\",\n \"The S/O/W emulsion is then heated up to 52° C. in 3.5 h-5 h. The temperature of 52° C. is hold for further 30 min-120 min, before the batch is cooled to room temperature again.\",\n \"During this process escaping dichloromethane is removed by vacuum and the batch is stirred by a 4 blade-propeller-stirrer at 250 rpm.\",\n \"As a result, microparticles are formed out of the S/O/W emulsion.\",\n \"The microparticle are collected by filtration (5 μm).\",\n \"They are is ached 5 times with 200 ml water and dried for 36 h at 20° C. and 0.030 mbar.\",\n \"The dried microparticles are sieved through 140 μm and filled under nitrogen into glass vials.\",\n \"Prepared in that way, the microparticles are sterilized by gamma-irradiation with a dose of 30 kGy.\",\n \"The particle size of the microparticles is measured by laser light diffraction.\",\n \"The microparticle are resuspended in white spirit using ultra sound.\",\n \"Table 2 gives the diameter x90 (90% of all particles are smaller than this value) after 120 seconds of ultra sound treatment.\",\n \"The assay of the microparticles (amount of active ingredient) is determined by HPLC after dissolving the microparticles with ultra sound in a 3:2 mixture of acetonitrile and methanol and further 1:1 dilution with a sodium acetate buffer (pH 4).\",\n \"The solution is cleared from residual particulate matter by centrifugation.\",\n \"TABLE 2 Examples 1-1 to 1-82: octreotide pamoate micropatricles prepared by one PLGA (reference examples), blends for two PLGAs and micropaticle mixtures prepared by microparticles batches with one PLGA only.\",\n \"Drug PLGA Particle Ex.\",\n \"Load conc.\",\n \"Process size Assay Batch (%) (%) A B C D E F G Info x90 (μm) (%) Microparticles with one PLGA in the matrix (Reference Examples) 1-1 20 20 100 7 46.7 18.6 1-2 20 20 100 7 44.1 18.5 1-3 20 20 100 4 85.7 16.9 1-4 20 20 100 7 73.0 18.6 1-5 20 20 100 4/38 58.2 9.0 1-6 20 20 100 7 18.4 18.4 1-7 20 20 100 4 62.3 14.7 1-8 20 20 100 4 85.4 15.7 1-9 20 20 100 7 80.2 17.2 MICROPARTICLE MIXTURE: Powder mixtures of microparticles with one PLGA in the matrix 1-10 20 20 30 70 7 18.5 1-11 20 20 10 90 7 18.5 1-12 20 20 50 50 4/7 16.7 1-13 20 20 50 50 4 15.8 POLYMER BLENDS: Microparticles with two PLGA polymets in the matrix 1-14 20 20 10 90 7 47.0 18.4 1-15 25 20 10 90 7 56.4 25.4 1-16 20 20 30 70 7 46.4 19.5 1-17 20 20 50 50 7 44.3 20.4 1-18 20 20 10 90 7 44.6 19.3 1-19 20 20 20 80 7 45.2 20.9 1-20 20 20 20 80 4 75.4 14.2 1-21 20 20 10 90 7 67.6 15.5 1-22 20 20 10 90 4 69.4 13.4 1-23 20 25 10 90 4 84.8 14.3 1-24 20 20 20 80 4 63.7 7.0 1-25 15 20 20 80 4 64.7 10.3 1-26 20 20 20 80 4 75.5 14.1 1-27 20 20 20 80 5 67.8 14.2 1-28 25 20 20 80 4 74.6 11.8 1-29 20 20 20 80 4 89.4 10.5 1-30 20 20 30 70 4 59.4 11.5 1-31 20 20 50 50 7 46.3 16.4 1-32 20 20 40 60 7 42.6 18.1 1-33 20 20 30 70 7 51.9 18.9 1-34 20 25 30 70 7/38 72.6 19.0 1-35 20 20 30 70 7/1:25 53.7 18.9 1-36 20 20 30 70 7/38 79.3 18.5 1-37 20 20 30 70 7/GP 59.6 18.6 1-38 20 20 30 70 7/38 52.3 17.9 1-39 15 20 30 70 7 36.2 14.4 1-40 22½ 20 30 70 7/38 55.0 19.6 1-41 25 20 30 70 7/38 61.3 21.5 1-42 25 25 30 70 7/38/1:25 75.1 22.5 1-43 20 20 20 80 7 43.4 17.8 1-44 20 20 10 90 7 40.0 18.1 1-45 20 20 50 50 7 61.3 18.9 1-46 20 20 50 50 4 85.9 13.4 1-47 20 20 30 70 4 95.6 17.7 1-48 20 20 30 70 7 59.7 18.6 1-49 20 25 20 80 4 100.5 17.6 1-50 20 20 20 80 4 75.4 15.8 1-51 20 25 10 90 4 105.9 16.9 1-52 20 20 50 50 7 49.5 17.7 1-53 15 20 50 50 7 58.9 13.0 1-54 20 20 50 50 4 58.7 12.1 1-55 20 20 20 80 4 64.0 13.5 1-56 20 20 10 90 4 73.4 14.6 1-57 20 20 50 50 4/38 69.5 12.1 1-58 20 20 90 10 7/38 49.1 16.6 1-59 20 20 70 30 7/38 53.5 18.0 1-60 20 20 50 50 7 37.7 18.3 1-61 20 20 30 70 7/38 52.1 17.1 1-62 20 20 70 30 7 62.8 16.3 1-63 20 20 50 50 7 47.8 16.1 1-64 20 20 30 70 7 50.2 18.1 1-65 20 20 90 10 7/38 50.2 18.9 1-66 20 20 80 20 7/ 47.2 17.7 1-67 20 20 70 30 7/38 60.2 17.7 1-68 20 20 50 50 7 58.6 18.6 1-69 20 20 50 50 7/38 65.6 18.3 1-70 20 20 50 50 4 67.4 15.2 1-71 20 20 30 70 4 56.7 11.7 1-72 20 20 20 80 4 77.4 13.2 1-73 20 20 10 90 90 4 66.5 14.3 1-74 20 20 70 10 7 75.2 18.7 1-75 20 20 50 30 7 88.2 17.1 1-76 20 20 50 50 7 65.1 18.2 1-77 20 20 30 50 4 88.3 16.0 1-78 20 20 20 70 4 75.3 16.0 1-79 20 20 10 80 4 81.9 15.9 1-80 20 20 90 4 83.7 16.5 POLYMER BLENDS: Microparticles with three PLGA polymers in the matrix 1-81 20 20 15 70 15 7 43.4 19.4 1-82 20 20 15 70 15 7 38.2 18.6 A: star-PLG-D-glucose 50:50 ester 0.3 dL/G (%) B: PLGA 65:35 ester 0.6 dL/g (%) C: PLGA 75:25 ester 0.4 dL/g (%) D: PLGA 75:25 ester 0.6 dL/g (%) E: PLGA 85:15 ester 0.4 dL/g (%) F: PLGA 85:15 ester 0.6 dL/g (%) G: PLGA 100:0 ester 0.2 dL/g (%) Process Info=Further Process Information: 7: 66 mM PBS pH 7.4 5: 69 mM Citrate-phosphate buffer pH 5.0 4: 69 mM Citrate-phosphate buffer pH 4.0 38: Turbine speed 3800 rpm instead of 4500 rpm 1:25: Flowrate ratio SO/W=1:25 instead of 1:20 GP: Gear pump instead of peristaltic pump Example 2 Vehicle Compositions A to G CMC-Na, Mannitol and Pluronic F68 in an amount as given in Table 3 are dissolved in about 15 ml hot deionized water of a temperature of about 90° C. under strong stirring with a magnetic stirrer.\",\n \"The resulting clear solution is cooled to 20° C. and filled up with deionized water to 20.0 ml.\",\n \"TABLE 3 Suitable vehicles for the microparticles (Amounts given in g) A B C D E F G CMC-Na 0 0 0.05 0.14 0.28 0.35 0.40 Mannitol 0 1.04 0.99 0.90 0.76 0.74 0.68 Pluronic F6B 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 Example 3 Microparticle Suspension 170 mg of microparticles of example 1-3 are suspended in 1.0 ml of a vehicle of composition D (Table 3) in a 6 R vials.\",\n \"The suspensions are homogenized by shaking for about 30 seconds by hand.\",\n \"The reconstituted suspension may be injected without any issues using a 20 Gauge needle.\",\n \"Example 4 Lyophilisation of the Microparticles 170 mg of microparticles of example 1-33 are reconstituted in 1 ml of the vehicle composition F (Table 3), homogenized by stirring for 1 to 12 hours and then freeze-dried in a lyophilisator.\",\n \"Reconstitution of the lyophilized microparticles with 1 ml pure water (aqua ad injectabilia) resulted in fast and good wetting of the microparticles that may be injected without any issues using a 20 Gauge needle.\",\n \"Example 5 Release Profile In Vivo (Rabbits) Microparticles containing octreotide are suspended in 1 ml of a suitable aqueous vehicle, preferably in vehicle D, and the resulting suspension is injected intramuscularly (i.m.)\",\n \"into male New Zealand White bastard rabbits in a dose of 4 mg/kg.\",\n \"For each dosage form (test group) 4 animals are used.\",\n \"After defined time periods (indicated in the table 4) plasma samples are taken and analyzed for octreotide concentration.\",\n \"TABLE 4 Plasma levels (dose corected values); concentration in ng/ml Ex.\",\n \"Time after Administration (days) Batch 0.021 0.042 0.083 0.167 0.250 1 2 3 5 8 12 1-10 9.653 9.245 4.201 1.159 0.402 0.000 0.000 0.205 0.888 1.216 0.954 1-33* 22.735 16.333 6.359 1.621 0.575 0.017 0.085 0.318 1.081 1.249 1.088 1-68 3.622 4.099 2.748 0.939 0.440 0.028 0.000 0.085 0.377 0.690 0.575 1-44 5.675 4.460 1.799 0.522 0.175 0.000 0.000 0.103 0.695 0.918 0.785 1-33 21.071 19.719 9.704 2.852 1.121 0.155 0.334 0.858 2.240 2.868 3.096 1-40 1.047 1.032 0.856 0.350 0.182 0.000 0.000 0.188 1.252 1.374 1.169 1-48 0.662 0.645 0.494 0.248 0.123 0.000 0.000 0.108 0.751 0.992 0.901 1-67 0.952 0.928 0.672 0.232 0.094 0.000 0.000 0.096 0.448 0.609 0.519 1-82 31.689 31.171 22.023 9.302 3.985 0.411 0.417 0.425 0.209 0.219 0.247 1-22 3.973 15.301 17.168 13.803 10.187 0.944 0.270 0.283 0.946 1.684 0.527 1-26 3.799 13.875 17.515 14.105 11.060 0.697 0.164 0.271 0.535 1.491 1.505 Ex.\",\n \"Time after Administration (days) Batch 19 27 33 40 47 54 61 68 75 82 89 96 1-10 0.911 0.513 0.343 0.222 0.600 0.706 0.578 0.705 0.622 0.623 0.219 0.054 1-33* 0.867 0.477 0.227 0.127 0.545 0.579 0.843 1.169 0.439 0.146 0.019 0.000 1-68 0.509 0.435 0.494 0.408 0.317 0.243 0.152 0.165 0.424 0.621 0.765 0.640 1-44 0.626 0.367 0.244 0.106 0.060 0.233 0.648 1.023 1.046 0.505 0.155 0.000 1-33 2.254 1.957 0.779 0.366 0.340 1.461 3.024 3.358 2.405 0.928 0.391 0.125 1-40 0.946 0.690 0.299 0.164 0.528 1.585 1.225 0.714 0.505 0.284 0.070 0.000 1-48 0.557 0.498 0.387 0.254 0.114 0.171 0.846 1.058 1.935 0.693 0.359 0.180 1-67 0.482 0.440 0.378 0.253 0.175 0.106 0.096 0.152 0.446 0.534 0.542 0.462 1-82 0.286 0.275 0.137 0.135 0.147 0.254 0.350 0.570 0.442 0.320 0.162 0.039 1-22 0.631 1.077 0.510 0.362 0.189 0.129 0.227 0.140 0.281 0.227 0.141 0.073 1-26 0.494 0.468 0.354 0.262 0.286 0.213 0.530 0.424 0.311 0.148 0.115 0.106 *Dose = 12 mg/kg\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873473"}}},{"rowIdx":4494356,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["DEVICE FOR DELIVERING A MEDIUM","In a device for delivering a medium, especially tire sealant, which is to be delivered by means of a compressor from a container to a tire, wherein the compressor can be connected by a pipeline to the tire and a connection to the container emerges into this pipeline, the pipeline has a constriction upstream from the tire."],["1.A compressor for delivering a medium from a container to a tire, wherein a motor of the compressor is eccentrically connected via a power takeoff gear to a piston rod, moving a piston in a compression chamber wherein the power takeoff gear has a transmission gear upstream from the power takeoff gear.","2.The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the power takeoff gear includes two half gears each with a toothing, wherein the toothing of one half gears extends across one radian measure and the toothing of another of the half gears extends across another radian measure.","3.The compressor according to claim 2, wherein the radian measure is 180°.","4.The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the transmission gear includes two gears situated one on top of each other, interacting in alternation with one or the other half gear of the power takeoff gear.","5.The compressor according to claim 4, wherein one of the gears of the transmission gear has a larger diameter than another one of the gears of the transmission gear.","6.The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the medium is a tire sealant.","7.The compressor according to claim 3, wherein the transmission gear includes two gears situated one on top of each other, interacting in alternation with one or the other half gear of the power takeoff gear.","8.A device for delivering a medium to a tire, comprising: a motor; a valve unit having a medium connection in fluid communication with a medium supply, and a pipeline in fluid communication with the medium connection and configured for engagement with the tire; a compressor having a compression chamber operatively connected to the valve unit, and a piston movably mounted within the compression chamber for movement according to a compression mode of the compressor and for movement according to a suction mode of the compressor; a power takeoff gear connected between the motor and the compressor for movement of the piston according to the compression mode and according to the suction mode, wherein the power takeoff gear transfers greater force from the motor to the compressor during the compression mode than during the suction mode; and wherein movement of the piston during compression mode moves the medium from the medium supply through the medium connection to the pipeline; and wherein movement of the piston during the suction mode moves the medium from the pipeline to the tire.","9.The device according to claim 8, wherein the power takeoff gear includes two half gears each with a toothing, wherein the toothing of one of the half gears extends across one radian measure and the toothing of another of the half gears extends across another radian measure.","10.The device according to claim 9, wherein the transmission gear includes two gears situated one on top of each other, interacting in alternation with one or the other half gear of the power takeoff gear.","11.The device according to claim 8, wherein the pipeline includes a constriction configured to increase the flow of the medium downstream of the contrition during the compression mode.","12.The device according to claim 10, wherein the medium connection extends into the pipeline in the direction of the constriction for delivery of the medium upstream of the constriction.","13.The device according to claim 8, wherein the medium is a tire sealant.","14.The device of claim 10, wherein a connection opening between the valve unit and the compression chamber is occupied by a seal.","15.The device of claim 14, wherein the seal is a flexible, discus-shaped disk.","16.The device according to claim 14, wherein the seal is configured as a shuttlecock."],[" BACKGROUND From DE 10 2004 042 911 A1 there is known a device for transporting a gas from a pressure space, especially for delivering a sealant from this container to a tire of a vehicle and for pumping up the tire.","A compressor can be connected to the sealant container disclosed therein.","This compressor can also be fashioned as a membrane compressor, which compresses air present in the sealing container in order to force sealant out from the sealant container.","Furthermore, there is known from WO 2010/066448 a device for delivery of a gas from a pressure space, especially for delivery of a sealant from this container to a tire of a vehicle and/or for pumping up the tire, wherein a piston can move in oscillation in the pressure space.","The piston is also coordinated with a gear element, which transforms a rotating movement of the drive shaft of a drive unit into an oscillating movement."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION The problem to be solved by the present invention is to simplify and improve such known devices for the delivery of a gas from a pressure space and for transporting of a medium.","The solution of the problem is achieved, on the one hand, in that the pipeline has a constriction upstream from the tire.","In a preferred sample embodiment, this constriction is similar to a Venturi nozzle.","This means that a pressure increase or acceleration of the gas flow occurs in the pipeline.","This creates an increased intake flow in the suction pipeline for the medium being delivered, especially the tire sealant, which ensures that the tire sealant is sucked more quickly and completely out from the corresponding container and transported onward, especially being taken to a tire.","Of course, the scope of the invention includes any constriction which leads to an acceleration of the gas flow in the pipeline.","The Venturi nozzle configuration is only one sample embodiment.","In a preferred sample embodiment of the invention, the connection to the tank for the medium being transported does not simply emerge into the pipeline, but rather the corresponding feed line for the medium extends along the gas flow pipeline.","This occurs in trunk-like manner.","This further improves the delivery of the medium to the gas flow.","The aforementioned device is further improved in that pipeline and connection are combined into a valve unit, which can be connected in bayonet fashion to the compression chamber.","In the past, this “cylinder head” amounted to a major problem, since it consists of many individual parts and has many seals.","According to the present invention, on the other hand, it is formed as a single piece, and preferably it is made of plastic.","It is furthermore designed such that it can be connected in bayonet fashion to the compression chamber.","That it, it is mounted on the compression chamber, turned slightly, and enters into a removable connection with the compression chamber or with the cylinder in which the compression chamber is situated.","For this simple invention, the compression chamber has a top collar molded on it, having a locking device enabling a bayonet-like connection to the valve unit.","For this, the collar has a locking device with different configurations at its circumference.","One configuration ensures that the valve unit with corresponding moldings, which likewise in turn allow a bayonet connection, can be mounted on the collar.","The moldings on the valve unit have hooks which reach underneath the collar when the valve unit is turned.","The rotary movement is then limited by an end stop on the collar.","Preferably according to the present invention, yet another seal is provided between valve unit and compression chamber.","In one preferred sample embodiment, this seal has the shape of a disk and is pressed by the valve unit or a corresponding molding when the valve unit is mounted against an outlet opening for pressurized gas from the compression chamber.","The disk-like seal is flexible, so that pressurized gas can in particular force up the edges of the seal and thus get into the delivery pipeline.","If, on the other hand, air is being taken in, the seal hermetically closes off the opening to the compression chamber.","In another embodiment of the invention, the seal has a shuttlecock configuration and has a ball with which the opening to the compression chamber is closed.","Under the pressure of the pressurized gas from the compression chamber, the shuttlecock is lifted, being flexibly braced against corresponding webs.","But the present invention also and in particular pertains to the compressor and improving its mode of operation.","The compressor here has a motor, which is eccentrically connected via a power takeoff gear to a piston rod, which moves a piston in the compression chamber.","According to the invention, the power takeoff gear has a transmission gear inserted upstream from it.","Transmission gear and power takeoff gear are so attuned to each other that a different power transmission can occur depending on which toothings are engaged.","For this, it is provided that the power takeoff gear consists of two half gears, lying one against the other.","Each half gear has a toothing, but not extending over the entire circumference, and instead only extending for a predetermined radian measure.","In the preferred sample embodiment this radian measure is 180°.","The transmission gear on the other hand consists of two gears situated one on top of the other, interacting in alternation with one or the other half gear of the power takeoff gear.","One gear has a larger diameter than the other gear.","The gear with the smaller diameter can apply a greater force to the power takeoff gear than the gear with the larger diameter.","Therefore, the gear with the smaller diameter engages with the corresponding toothing of the power takeoff gear when air needs to be compressed in the compression chamber.","On the other hand, if air is merely being taken in, the gear with the larger diameter engages with the toothing of the power takeoff half gear coordinated with it."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/855,955, filed Sep. 16, 2015, titled “DEVICE FOR DELIVERING A MEDIUM,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, which claims priority to German Patent Application Serial No.","102014113837.6, which was filed on 24 Sep. 2014, and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.","FIELD The invention concerns a device for delivering a medium, especially tire sealant, which is to be delivered by means of a compressor from a container to a tire, wherein the compressor can be connected by a pipeline to the tire and a connection to the container emerges into this pipeline.","BACKGROUND From DE 10 2004 042 911 A1 there is known a device for transporting a gas from a pressure space, especially for delivering a sealant from this container to a tire of a vehicle and for pumping up the tire.","A compressor can be connected to the sealant container disclosed therein.","This compressor can also be fashioned as a membrane compressor, which compresses air present in the sealing container in order to force sealant out from the sealant container.","Furthermore, there is known from WO 2010/066448 a device for delivery of a gas from a pressure space, especially for delivery of a sealant from this container to a tire of a vehicle and/or for pumping up the tire, wherein a piston can move in oscillation in the pressure space.","The piston is also coordinated with a gear element, which transforms a rotating movement of the drive shaft of a drive unit into an oscillating movement.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION The problem to be solved by the present invention is to simplify and improve such known devices for the delivery of a gas from a pressure space and for transporting of a medium.","The solution of the problem is achieved, on the one hand, in that the pipeline has a constriction upstream from the tire.","In a preferred sample embodiment, this constriction is similar to a Venturi nozzle.","This means that a pressure increase or acceleration of the gas flow occurs in the pipeline.","This creates an increased intake flow in the suction pipeline for the medium being delivered, especially the tire sealant, which ensures that the tire sealant is sucked more quickly and completely out from the corresponding container and transported onward, especially being taken to a tire.","Of course, the scope of the invention includes any constriction which leads to an acceleration of the gas flow in the pipeline.","The Venturi nozzle configuration is only one sample embodiment.","In a preferred sample embodiment of the invention, the connection to the tank for the medium being transported does not simply emerge into the pipeline, but rather the corresponding feed line for the medium extends along the gas flow pipeline.","This occurs in trunk-like manner.","This further improves the delivery of the medium to the gas flow.","The aforementioned device is further improved in that pipeline and connection are combined into a valve unit, which can be connected in bayonet fashion to the compression chamber.","In the past, this “cylinder head” amounted to a major problem, since it consists of many individual parts and has many seals.","According to the present invention, on the other hand, it is formed as a single piece, and preferably it is made of plastic.","It is furthermore designed such that it can be connected in bayonet fashion to the compression chamber.","That it, it is mounted on the compression chamber, turned slightly, and enters into a removable connection with the compression chamber or with the cylinder in which the compression chamber is situated.","For this simple invention, the compression chamber has a top collar molded on it, having a locking device enabling a bayonet-like connection to the valve unit.","For this, the collar has a locking device with different configurations at its circumference.","One configuration ensures that the valve unit with corresponding moldings, which likewise in turn allow a bayonet connection, can be mounted on the collar.","The moldings on the valve unit have hooks which reach underneath the collar when the valve unit is turned.","The rotary movement is then limited by an end stop on the collar.","Preferably according to the present invention, yet another seal is provided between valve unit and compression chamber.","In one preferred sample embodiment, this seal has the shape of a disk and is pressed by the valve unit or a corresponding molding when the valve unit is mounted against an outlet opening for pressurized gas from the compression chamber.","The disk-like seal is flexible, so that pressurized gas can in particular force up the edges of the seal and thus get into the delivery pipeline.","If, on the other hand, air is being taken in, the seal hermetically closes off the opening to the compression chamber.","In another embodiment of the invention, the seal has a shuttlecock configuration and has a ball with which the opening to the compression chamber is closed.","Under the pressure of the pressurized gas from the compression chamber, the shuttlecock is lifted, being flexibly braced against corresponding webs.","But the present invention also and in particular pertains to the compressor and improving its mode of operation.","The compressor here has a motor, which is eccentrically connected via a power takeoff gear to a piston rod, which moves a piston in the compression chamber.","According to the invention, the power takeoff gear has a transmission gear inserted upstream from it.","Transmission gear and power takeoff gear are so attuned to each other that a different power transmission can occur depending on which toothings are engaged.","For this, it is provided that the power takeoff gear consists of two half gears, lying one against the other.","Each half gear has a toothing, but not extending over the entire circumference, and instead only extending for a predetermined radian measure.","In the preferred sample embodiment this radian measure is 180°.","The transmission gear on the other hand consists of two gears situated one on top of the other, interacting in alternation with one or the other half gear of the power takeoff gear.","One gear has a larger diameter than the other gear.","The gear with the smaller diameter can apply a greater force to the power takeoff gear than the gear with the larger diameter.","Therefore, the gear with the smaller diameter engages with the corresponding toothing of the power takeoff gear when air needs to be compressed in the compression chamber.","On the other hand, if air is merely being taken in, the gear with the larger diameter engages with the toothing of the power takeoff half gear coordinated with it.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further benefits, features and details of the invention will emerge from the following description of preferred sample embodiments and also with the help of the drawing; this shows FIG.","1, a perspective view of a compressor according to the invention; FIG.","2, a top view of the compressor of FIG.","1; FIG.","3, a partly represented view of the compressor of FIG.","2 looking in the X direction; FIG.","4, a perspective view of the interworking of a transmission gear with a power takeoff gear; FIG.","5, an exploded representation of an arrangement of compression chamber and valve unit according to the invention; FIG.","6, a perspective view of the compression chamber of FIG.","5 with valve unit mounted; FIG.","7, a partly represented longitudinal section through the arrangement of a sample embodiment of compression chamber with mounted valve unit similar to FIG.","6; FIG.","8, a perspective view of the longitudinal section of FIG.","7 in another embodiment; FIGS.","9 to 12, longitudinal sections of another sample embodiment of a compression chamber with mounted valve unit and piston rod driven like a connecting rod in various positions of use.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION According to FIG.","1, a compressor P according to the invention has a motor 1, which is cooled by a fan 2.On a motor shaft not otherwise shown there sits a transmission gear 3, which interacts with a power takeoff gear 4.The power takeoff gear 4 is eccentrically connected to a piston rod 5, which moves a piston 6 (FIG.","3) in a compression chamber 7.Mounted on this compression chamber 7 is a valve unit 8, which has a pipeline 9 to a tire, for example, and a connection 10 to a container for tire sealant, for example.","The mode of operation of this compressor is as follows: The transmission gear 3 is placed in rotary motion by the motor 1 and transfers its rotary motion to the power takeoff gear 4.This, in turn, moves the piston rod 5 in the compression chamber 7, as is shown in particular in FIGS.","9 to 12.In this way, air is forced from the compression chamber 7 into the valve unit 8 and into the pipeline 9.Then, across the connection 10, a medium, especially a tire sealant, is either sucked out from a not otherwise shown container or forced additionally into the pipeline 9 and thus brought for example into a tire being sealed.","A portion of the present invention pertains to an improvement of the power transmission of the power of the motor 1 to the piston rod 5 or the piston 6.It is known that more power is needed for compressing the air in the compression chamber 7 than when sucking new air into the compression chamber.","In order to deal with this power relationship, preferably both the transmission gear 3 and the power takeoff gear 4 are designed as two-part.","The transmission gear 3 consists of two gears 11 and 12, lying one against the other and having a congruent opening 13 to receive a motor shaft.","Moreover, the gear 11 also has a larger diameter than the gear 12.The power takeoff gear 4 consists of two halves 4.1 and 4.2.Each half is occupied by a toothing 14.1 and 14.2.Each toothing 14.1 and 14.2 extends over only one half circle of the particular power takeoff half gear 4.1 and 4.2, while the other half is free of toothing.","Here as well, it is provided that the power takeoff half gear 4.2 with the toothing 14.2 has a larger diameter than the power takeoff half gear 4.1 with the toothing 14.1.The gear 12 with the smaller diameter interacts with the power takeoff half gear 4.2 with the larger diameter, while the gear 11 with the larger diameter interacts with the power takeoff half gear 4.1 with the smaller diameter.","As soon as the gear 12 with the smaller diameter engages with the toothing 14.2 of the power takeoff half gear 4.2, the transmission ratio can therefore apply a greater force, so that this engaged state is preferred when a larger force needs to be acting on the piston 6 during the compressing.","When the piston 6 returns to suctioning of new air into the compression chamber 7, the gear 11 with the larger diameter is then in engagement with the toothing 14.1 of the power takeoff gear 4.1 with the smaller diameter.","A further notion of the invention pertains to the arrangement of valve unit and compression chamber.","In FIGS.","5 and 6 a valve unit 8.1 is shown which is mounted on a compression chamber 7.1 in bayonet fashion.","For this, the compression chamber 7.1 has a collar 15, which is provided with a locking element.","This locking element surrounds a connection opening 16 between valve unit 8.1 and compression chamber 7.1.Next comes a shoulder 18 on a deep indentation 17, adjoined by an end stop 19.The valve unit 8.1, in turn, has at least one vane 20, from which a hook-like molding 21 projects downward.","For the assembly process, the valve unit 8.1 is placed on top of the collar 15, while the molding 21 travels across the deep indentation 17.Now the valve unit 8.1 is turned relative to the annular collar 15, so that the hook-like molding 21 travels across the shoulder 18 and reaches under a hook 22.The rotation can then occur as far as the end stop 19.This results in the assembly position shown in FIG.","6.In one sample embodiment of the invention, which is shown especially in FIG.","7, a seal is arranged between the compression chamber 7.1 and the valve unit 8.1 in the region of the connection opening 16, being shaped like a discus in this sample embodiment.","Corresponding air openings 24 are then configured as oblong holds.","When compressed air is delivered from the compression chamber 7.1, the edges of the disk-like seal 23 are lifted in particular.","In another sample embodiment of the seal between compression chamber 7.2 and valve unit 8.2 according to FIGS.","9 to 12, the seal is designed as a shuttlecock.","This shuttlecock seal 25 moves in a chamber 26 of the valve unit 8.2 from an opening position to a closed position depending on whether air is being brought in from the compression chamber 7.2 or needs to be drawn into the compression chamber 7.2.The notion of the invention which is shown in FIGS.","7 and 8 contributes to a further improvement.","Here, the pipeline 9 downstream from the connection 10 to the container for tire sealant is provided with a Venturi-type constriction 27.This Venturi-type constriction 27 has the purpose of accelerating the air flow, which increases the partial vacuum in the pipeline 9, so that an increased suction of tire sealant from the container occurs.","In order to further improve this, the connection 10 extends for a certain extent axially in trunk-like manner along the pipeline 9."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"DEVICE FOR DELIVERING A MEDIUM\",\n \"In a device for delivering a medium, especially tire sealant, which is to be delivered by means of a compressor from a container to a tire, wherein the compressor can be connected by a pipeline to the tire and a connection to the container emerges into this pipeline, the pipeline has a constriction upstream from the tire.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A compressor for delivering a medium from a container to a tire, wherein a motor of the compressor is eccentrically connected via a power takeoff gear to a piston rod, moving a piston in a compression chamber wherein the power takeoff gear has a transmission gear upstream from the power takeoff gear.\",\n \"2.The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the power takeoff gear includes two half gears each with a toothing, wherein the toothing of one half gears extends across one radian measure and the toothing of another of the half gears extends across another radian measure.\",\n \"3.The compressor according to claim 2, wherein the radian measure is 180°.\",\n \"4.The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the transmission gear includes two gears situated one on top of each other, interacting in alternation with one or the other half gear of the power takeoff gear.\",\n \"5.The compressor according to claim 4, wherein one of the gears of the transmission gear has a larger diameter than another one of the gears of the transmission gear.\",\n \"6.The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the medium is a tire sealant.\",\n \"7.The compressor according to claim 3, wherein the transmission gear includes two gears situated one on top of each other, interacting in alternation with one or the other half gear of the power takeoff gear.\",\n \"8.A device for delivering a medium to a tire, comprising: a motor; a valve unit having a medium connection in fluid communication with a medium supply, and a pipeline in fluid communication with the medium connection and configured for engagement with the tire; a compressor having a compression chamber operatively connected to the valve unit, and a piston movably mounted within the compression chamber for movement according to a compression mode of the compressor and for movement according to a suction mode of the compressor; a power takeoff gear connected between the motor and the compressor for movement of the piston according to the compression mode and according to the suction mode, wherein the power takeoff gear transfers greater force from the motor to the compressor during the compression mode than during the suction mode; and wherein movement of the piston during compression mode moves the medium from the medium supply through the medium connection to the pipeline; and wherein movement of the piston during the suction mode moves the medium from the pipeline to the tire.\",\n \"9.The device according to claim 8, wherein the power takeoff gear includes two half gears each with a toothing, wherein the toothing of one of the half gears extends across one radian measure and the toothing of another of the half gears extends across another radian measure.\",\n \"10.The device according to claim 9, wherein the transmission gear includes two gears situated one on top of each other, interacting in alternation with one or the other half gear of the power takeoff gear.\",\n \"11.The device according to claim 8, wherein the pipeline includes a constriction configured to increase the flow of the medium downstream of the contrition during the compression mode.\",\n \"12.The device according to claim 10, wherein the medium connection extends into the pipeline in the direction of the constriction for delivery of the medium upstream of the constriction.\",\n \"13.The device according to claim 8, wherein the medium is a tire sealant.\",\n \"14.The device of claim 10, wherein a connection opening between the valve unit and the compression chamber is occupied by a seal.\",\n \"15.The device of claim 14, wherein the seal is a flexible, discus-shaped disk.\",\n \"16.The device according to claim 14, wherein the seal is configured as a shuttlecock.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND From DE 10 2004 042 911 A1 there is known a device for transporting a gas from a pressure space, especially for delivering a sealant from this container to a tire of a vehicle and for pumping up the tire.\",\n \"A compressor can be connected to the sealant container disclosed therein.\",\n \"This compressor can also be fashioned as a membrane compressor, which compresses air present in the sealing container in order to force sealant out from the sealant container.\",\n \"Furthermore, there is known from WO 2010/066448 a device for delivery of a gas from a pressure space, especially for delivery of a sealant from this container to a tire of a vehicle and/or for pumping up the tire, wherein a piston can move in oscillation in the pressure space.\",\n \"The piston is also coordinated with a gear element, which transforms a rotating movement of the drive shaft of a drive unit into an oscillating movement.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION The problem to be solved by the present invention is to simplify and improve such known devices for the delivery of a gas from a pressure space and for transporting of a medium.\",\n \"The solution of the problem is achieved, on the one hand, in that the pipeline has a constriction upstream from the tire.\",\n \"In a preferred sample embodiment, this constriction is similar to a Venturi nozzle.\",\n \"This means that a pressure increase or acceleration of the gas flow occurs in the pipeline.\",\n \"This creates an increased intake flow in the suction pipeline for the medium being delivered, especially the tire sealant, which ensures that the tire sealant is sucked more quickly and completely out from the corresponding container and transported onward, especially being taken to a tire.\",\n \"Of course, the scope of the invention includes any constriction which leads to an acceleration of the gas flow in the pipeline.\",\n \"The Venturi nozzle configuration is only one sample embodiment.\",\n \"In a preferred sample embodiment of the invention, the connection to the tank for the medium being transported does not simply emerge into the pipeline, but rather the corresponding feed line for the medium extends along the gas flow pipeline.\",\n \"This occurs in trunk-like manner.\",\n \"This further improves the delivery of the medium to the gas flow.\",\n \"The aforementioned device is further improved in that pipeline and connection are combined into a valve unit, which can be connected in bayonet fashion to the compression chamber.\",\n \"In the past, this “cylinder head” amounted to a major problem, since it consists of many individual parts and has many seals.\",\n \"According to the present invention, on the other hand, it is formed as a single piece, and preferably it is made of plastic.\",\n \"It is furthermore designed such that it can be connected in bayonet fashion to the compression chamber.\",\n \"That it, it is mounted on the compression chamber, turned slightly, and enters into a removable connection with the compression chamber or with the cylinder in which the compression chamber is situated.\",\n \"For this simple invention, the compression chamber has a top collar molded on it, having a locking device enabling a bayonet-like connection to the valve unit.\",\n \"For this, the collar has a locking device with different configurations at its circumference.\",\n \"One configuration ensures that the valve unit with corresponding moldings, which likewise in turn allow a bayonet connection, can be mounted on the collar.\",\n \"The moldings on the valve unit have hooks which reach underneath the collar when the valve unit is turned.\",\n \"The rotary movement is then limited by an end stop on the collar.\",\n \"Preferably according to the present invention, yet another seal is provided between valve unit and compression chamber.\",\n \"In one preferred sample embodiment, this seal has the shape of a disk and is pressed by the valve unit or a corresponding molding when the valve unit is mounted against an outlet opening for pressurized gas from the compression chamber.\",\n \"The disk-like seal is flexible, so that pressurized gas can in particular force up the edges of the seal and thus get into the delivery pipeline.\",\n \"If, on the other hand, air is being taken in, the seal hermetically closes off the opening to the compression chamber.\",\n \"In another embodiment of the invention, the seal has a shuttlecock configuration and has a ball with which the opening to the compression chamber is closed.\",\n \"Under the pressure of the pressurized gas from the compression chamber, the shuttlecock is lifted, being flexibly braced against corresponding webs.\",\n \"But the present invention also and in particular pertains to the compressor and improving its mode of operation.\",\n \"The compressor here has a motor, which is eccentrically connected via a power takeoff gear to a piston rod, which moves a piston in the compression chamber.\",\n \"According to the invention, the power takeoff gear has a transmission gear inserted upstream from it.\",\n \"Transmission gear and power takeoff gear are so attuned to each other that a different power transmission can occur depending on which toothings are engaged.\",\n \"For this, it is provided that the power takeoff gear consists of two half gears, lying one against the other.\",\n \"Each half gear has a toothing, but not extending over the entire circumference, and instead only extending for a predetermined radian measure.\",\n \"In the preferred sample embodiment this radian measure is 180°.\",\n \"The transmission gear on the other hand consists of two gears situated one on top of the other, interacting in alternation with one or the other half gear of the power takeoff gear.\",\n \"One gear has a larger diameter than the other gear.\",\n \"The gear with the smaller diameter can apply a greater force to the power takeoff gear than the gear with the larger diameter.\",\n \"Therefore, the gear with the smaller diameter engages with the corresponding toothing of the power takeoff gear when air needs to be compressed in the compression chamber.\",\n \"On the other hand, if air is merely being taken in, the gear with the larger diameter engages with the toothing of the power takeoff half gear coordinated with it.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/855,955, filed Sep. 16, 2015, titled “DEVICE FOR DELIVERING A MEDIUM,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, which claims priority to German Patent Application Serial No.\",\n \"102014113837.6, which was filed on 24 Sep. 2014, and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"FIELD The invention concerns a device for delivering a medium, especially tire sealant, which is to be delivered by means of a compressor from a container to a tire, wherein the compressor can be connected by a pipeline to the tire and a connection to the container emerges into this pipeline.\",\n \"BACKGROUND From DE 10 2004 042 911 A1 there is known a device for transporting a gas from a pressure space, especially for delivering a sealant from this container to a tire of a vehicle and for pumping up the tire.\",\n \"A compressor can be connected to the sealant container disclosed therein.\",\n \"This compressor can also be fashioned as a membrane compressor, which compresses air present in the sealing container in order to force sealant out from the sealant container.\",\n \"Furthermore, there is known from WO 2010/066448 a device for delivery of a gas from a pressure space, especially for delivery of a sealant from this container to a tire of a vehicle and/or for pumping up the tire, wherein a piston can move in oscillation in the pressure space.\",\n \"The piston is also coordinated with a gear element, which transforms a rotating movement of the drive shaft of a drive unit into an oscillating movement.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION The problem to be solved by the present invention is to simplify and improve such known devices for the delivery of a gas from a pressure space and for transporting of a medium.\",\n \"The solution of the problem is achieved, on the one hand, in that the pipeline has a constriction upstream from the tire.\",\n \"In a preferred sample embodiment, this constriction is similar to a Venturi nozzle.\",\n \"This means that a pressure increase or acceleration of the gas flow occurs in the pipeline.\",\n \"This creates an increased intake flow in the suction pipeline for the medium being delivered, especially the tire sealant, which ensures that the tire sealant is sucked more quickly and completely out from the corresponding container and transported onward, especially being taken to a tire.\",\n \"Of course, the scope of the invention includes any constriction which leads to an acceleration of the gas flow in the pipeline.\",\n \"The Venturi nozzle configuration is only one sample embodiment.\",\n \"In a preferred sample embodiment of the invention, the connection to the tank for the medium being transported does not simply emerge into the pipeline, but rather the corresponding feed line for the medium extends along the gas flow pipeline.\",\n \"This occurs in trunk-like manner.\",\n \"This further improves the delivery of the medium to the gas flow.\",\n \"The aforementioned device is further improved in that pipeline and connection are combined into a valve unit, which can be connected in bayonet fashion to the compression chamber.\",\n \"In the past, this “cylinder head” amounted to a major problem, since it consists of many individual parts and has many seals.\",\n \"According to the present invention, on the other hand, it is formed as a single piece, and preferably it is made of plastic.\",\n \"It is furthermore designed such that it can be connected in bayonet fashion to the compression chamber.\",\n \"That it, it is mounted on the compression chamber, turned slightly, and enters into a removable connection with the compression chamber or with the cylinder in which the compression chamber is situated.\",\n \"For this simple invention, the compression chamber has a top collar molded on it, having a locking device enabling a bayonet-like connection to the valve unit.\",\n \"For this, the collar has a locking device with different configurations at its circumference.\",\n \"One configuration ensures that the valve unit with corresponding moldings, which likewise in turn allow a bayonet connection, can be mounted on the collar.\",\n \"The moldings on the valve unit have hooks which reach underneath the collar when the valve unit is turned.\",\n \"The rotary movement is then limited by an end stop on the collar.\",\n \"Preferably according to the present invention, yet another seal is provided between valve unit and compression chamber.\",\n \"In one preferred sample embodiment, this seal has the shape of a disk and is pressed by the valve unit or a corresponding molding when the valve unit is mounted against an outlet opening for pressurized gas from the compression chamber.\",\n \"The disk-like seal is flexible, so that pressurized gas can in particular force up the edges of the seal and thus get into the delivery pipeline.\",\n \"If, on the other hand, air is being taken in, the seal hermetically closes off the opening to the compression chamber.\",\n \"In another embodiment of the invention, the seal has a shuttlecock configuration and has a ball with which the opening to the compression chamber is closed.\",\n \"Under the pressure of the pressurized gas from the compression chamber, the shuttlecock is lifted, being flexibly braced against corresponding webs.\",\n \"But the present invention also and in particular pertains to the compressor and improving its mode of operation.\",\n \"The compressor here has a motor, which is eccentrically connected via a power takeoff gear to a piston rod, which moves a piston in the compression chamber.\",\n \"According to the invention, the power takeoff gear has a transmission gear inserted upstream from it.\",\n \"Transmission gear and power takeoff gear are so attuned to each other that a different power transmission can occur depending on which toothings are engaged.\",\n \"For this, it is provided that the power takeoff gear consists of two half gears, lying one against the other.\",\n \"Each half gear has a toothing, but not extending over the entire circumference, and instead only extending for a predetermined radian measure.\",\n \"In the preferred sample embodiment this radian measure is 180°.\",\n \"The transmission gear on the other hand consists of two gears situated one on top of the other, interacting in alternation with one or the other half gear of the power takeoff gear.\",\n \"One gear has a larger diameter than the other gear.\",\n \"The gear with the smaller diameter can apply a greater force to the power takeoff gear than the gear with the larger diameter.\",\n \"Therefore, the gear with the smaller diameter engages with the corresponding toothing of the power takeoff gear when air needs to be compressed in the compression chamber.\",\n \"On the other hand, if air is merely being taken in, the gear with the larger diameter engages with the toothing of the power takeoff half gear coordinated with it.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further benefits, features and details of the invention will emerge from the following description of preferred sample embodiments and also with the help of the drawing; this shows FIG.\",\n \"1, a perspective view of a compressor according to the invention; FIG.\",\n \"2, a top view of the compressor of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"3, a partly represented view of the compressor of FIG.\",\n \"2 looking in the X direction; FIG.\",\n \"4, a perspective view of the interworking of a transmission gear with a power takeoff gear; FIG.\",\n \"5, an exploded representation of an arrangement of compression chamber and valve unit according to the invention; FIG.\",\n \"6, a perspective view of the compression chamber of FIG.\",\n \"5 with valve unit mounted; FIG.\",\n \"7, a partly represented longitudinal section through the arrangement of a sample embodiment of compression chamber with mounted valve unit similar to FIG.\",\n \"6; FIG.\",\n \"8, a perspective view of the longitudinal section of FIG.\",\n \"7 in another embodiment; FIGS.\",\n \"9 to 12, longitudinal sections of another sample embodiment of a compression chamber with mounted valve unit and piston rod driven like a connecting rod in various positions of use.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION According to FIG.\",\n \"1, a compressor P according to the invention has a motor 1, which is cooled by a fan 2.On a motor shaft not otherwise shown there sits a transmission gear 3, which interacts with a power takeoff gear 4.The power takeoff gear 4 is eccentrically connected to a piston rod 5, which moves a piston 6 (FIG.\",\n \"3) in a compression chamber 7.Mounted on this compression chamber 7 is a valve unit 8, which has a pipeline 9 to a tire, for example, and a connection 10 to a container for tire sealant, for example.\",\n \"The mode of operation of this compressor is as follows: The transmission gear 3 is placed in rotary motion by the motor 1 and transfers its rotary motion to the power takeoff gear 4.This, in turn, moves the piston rod 5 in the compression chamber 7, as is shown in particular in FIGS.\",\n \"9 to 12.In this way, air is forced from the compression chamber 7 into the valve unit 8 and into the pipeline 9.Then, across the connection 10, a medium, especially a tire sealant, is either sucked out from a not otherwise shown container or forced additionally into the pipeline 9 and thus brought for example into a tire being sealed.\",\n \"A portion of the present invention pertains to an improvement of the power transmission of the power of the motor 1 to the piston rod 5 or the piston 6.It is known that more power is needed for compressing the air in the compression chamber 7 than when sucking new air into the compression chamber.\",\n \"In order to deal with this power relationship, preferably both the transmission gear 3 and the power takeoff gear 4 are designed as two-part.\",\n \"The transmission gear 3 consists of two gears 11 and 12, lying one against the other and having a congruent opening 13 to receive a motor shaft.\",\n \"Moreover, the gear 11 also has a larger diameter than the gear 12.The power takeoff gear 4 consists of two halves 4.1 and 4.2.Each half is occupied by a toothing 14.1 and 14.2.Each toothing 14.1 and 14.2 extends over only one half circle of the particular power takeoff half gear 4.1 and 4.2, while the other half is free of toothing.\",\n \"Here as well, it is provided that the power takeoff half gear 4.2 with the toothing 14.2 has a larger diameter than the power takeoff half gear 4.1 with the toothing 14.1.The gear 12 with the smaller diameter interacts with the power takeoff half gear 4.2 with the larger diameter, while the gear 11 with the larger diameter interacts with the power takeoff half gear 4.1 with the smaller diameter.\",\n \"As soon as the gear 12 with the smaller diameter engages with the toothing 14.2 of the power takeoff half gear 4.2, the transmission ratio can therefore apply a greater force, so that this engaged state is preferred when a larger force needs to be acting on the piston 6 during the compressing.\",\n \"When the piston 6 returns to suctioning of new air into the compression chamber 7, the gear 11 with the larger diameter is then in engagement with the toothing 14.1 of the power takeoff gear 4.1 with the smaller diameter.\",\n \"A further notion of the invention pertains to the arrangement of valve unit and compression chamber.\",\n \"In FIGS.\",\n \"5 and 6 a valve unit 8.1 is shown which is mounted on a compression chamber 7.1 in bayonet fashion.\",\n \"For this, the compression chamber 7.1 has a collar 15, which is provided with a locking element.\",\n \"This locking element surrounds a connection opening 16 between valve unit 8.1 and compression chamber 7.1.Next comes a shoulder 18 on a deep indentation 17, adjoined by an end stop 19.The valve unit 8.1, in turn, has at least one vane 20, from which a hook-like molding 21 projects downward.\",\n \"For the assembly process, the valve unit 8.1 is placed on top of the collar 15, while the molding 21 travels across the deep indentation 17.Now the valve unit 8.1 is turned relative to the annular collar 15, so that the hook-like molding 21 travels across the shoulder 18 and reaches under a hook 22.The rotation can then occur as far as the end stop 19.This results in the assembly position shown in FIG.\",\n \"6.In one sample embodiment of the invention, which is shown especially in FIG.\",\n \"7, a seal is arranged between the compression chamber 7.1 and the valve unit 8.1 in the region of the connection opening 16, being shaped like a discus in this sample embodiment.\",\n \"Corresponding air openings 24 are then configured as oblong holds.\",\n \"When compressed air is delivered from the compression chamber 7.1, the edges of the disk-like seal 23 are lifted in particular.\",\n \"In another sample embodiment of the seal between compression chamber 7.2 and valve unit 8.2 according to FIGS.\",\n \"9 to 12, the seal is designed as a shuttlecock.\",\n \"This shuttlecock seal 25 moves in a chamber 26 of the valve unit 8.2 from an opening position to a closed position depending on whether air is being brought in from the compression chamber 7.2 or needs to be drawn into the compression chamber 7.2.The notion of the invention which is shown in FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8 contributes to a further improvement.\",\n \"Here, the pipeline 9 downstream from the connection 10 to the container for tire sealant is provided with a Venturi-type constriction 27.This Venturi-type constriction 27 has the purpose of accelerating the air flow, which increases the partial vacuum in the pipeline 9, so that an increased suction of tire sealant from the container occurs.\",\n \"In order to further improve this, the connection 10 extends for a certain extent axially in trunk-like manner along the pipeline 9.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873479"}}},{"rowIdx":4494357,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["METHODS OF MAKING ABSORBENT CORES AND ABSORBENT PRODUCTS USING SUCH CORES","An absorbent core assembly for use in a product for absorbing a liquid is disclosed.","The core assembly has a first section and a second section.","The first section is a quilted porous material that contains a slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP therein.","The, second section is a quilted porous material that contains a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP therein.","The first and second sections are in fluid communication with each other, whereupon a liquid which is exposed to the core assembly flows through the first section to the fast acting SAP in the second section to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by the fast acting SAP therein, while the slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from the fast acting SAP as well as absorbing the liquid itself to thereby trap the liquid in the core assembly."],["1.A method of making an absorbent core for use in a product used with a being for absorbing and retaining liquids from the body of the being, said method comprising: forming a first section of at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough; quilting said at least one layer of said first section by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of first pockets, each of said first pockets being partially filled with a first volume of a slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP therein; forming a second section of at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough; quilting said at least one layer of said second section by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of second pockets, each of said second pockets being partially filled with a second volume of a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP therein, said second volume being different than said first volume; disposing said first section over said second section so that they are in fluid communication with each other, whereupon the resulting core is configured such that a liquid contacting said first section flows through said at least one layer of said porous material of said first section into said first pockets and from there flows through said at least one layer of said second section into said second pockets to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by said fast acting SAP therein, while said slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from said fast acting SAP as well as absorbing said liquid itself.","2.The method of claim 1, wherein said first volume of slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP is free in said first pockets, and wherein said second volume of fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP is free in said second pockets.","3.The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one layer of said first section is formed of a nonwoven material and wherein said at least one layer of said second section is formed of a nonwoven material.","4.The method of claim 1, wherein said first section includes two layers, each of said layers of said first section comprising a plurality of said first pockets containing a portion of said slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP therein.","5.The method of claim 1, wherein said pockets are formed by ultrasonically bonding or thermally bonding or adhesively bonding.","6.The method of claim 1 wherein said first pockets are offset with respect to said second pockets.","7.The method of claim 1 additionally comprising providing a wicking layer disposed between said first and second sections to enhance liquid transfer between said first and second sections.","8.The method of claim 7 wherein said wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.","9.The method of claim 1 additionally comprising providing a fluid acquisition layer disposed over said first section.","10.The method of claim 1 additionally comprising utilizing said core to form a protective disposable undergarment for the being.","11.The method of claim 10, wherein said method additionally comprises: providing a top sheet formed of a material enabling a fluid to pass therethrough; disposing said top sheet over said core; providing a bottom sheet comprising a layer formed of a barrier material to prevent a fluid voided by the being to pass therethrough; disposing said bottom sheet under said core; and assembling said top sheet, said core and said bottom sheet together to form said protective disposable undergarment.","12.The method of claim 11, additionally comprising providing said protective disposable undergarment with a wicking layer disposed between said first and second sections to enhance fluid transfer from between said first and second sections.","13.The method of claim 12 wherein said wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.","14.The method of claim 11, additionally comprising providing said protective disposable undergarment with a fluid acquisition layer disposed over said first section, whereupon said fluid acquisition layer is interposed between said top sheet and said first section of said absorbent core.","15.The method of claim 11, wherein said top sheet comprises a non-woven material.","16.The method of claim 11, wherein said bottom sheet comprises a film barrier layer.","17.The method of claim 15, wherein said bottom sheet comprises a film barrier layer."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Current adult disposable absorbent products, e.g., adult briefs, that exist in the market today utilize what is known as a fiberized bleached wood fluff pulp and a SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) mixture for the absorbent core.","At low ratios of 30% or less SAP to pulp ratio, the core mixture may or may not be wrapped in an absorbent tissue to prevent the SAP from falling apart or out of the core.","At higher levels of SAP at 50% or more, the core must be wrapped to prevent the loose SAP from being shaken out.","Also a core adhesive may be added to prevent the heavier SAP particles from being separated from the fluff pulp fibers.","This is the most advanced technology of today that is employed in infant sized disposable absorbent products.","The pulp fiber in these products is required to rapidly manage the body fluid exudates until the SAP can desorb the fluff fibers to prepare the fluff fibers for the next exudates.","For an infant, their body can produce up to 150 ml (grams) of urine and deliver it into the absorbent core over about 70 seconds.","This delivery rate starts off rapidly and can achieve approximately 10 to 15 ml per second after the first 5 seconds or so and then trail down to zero.","For an adult the amount of exudate is much larger and can easily exceed 300 ml or more delivered over a time period of more than 70 seconds at a rate similar or less than what infants void.","A significant problem with the current absorbent products that contain wood fluff pulp or even wrapped with a tissue or airlaid is in all cases their construction results in a core which feels wet against the body after it has received the voided fluid(s).","This wetness feeling is akin to the feeling of wearing a cotton T-Shirt, getting it wet and then continuing to wear the wet cotton T-Shirt long after it should have been changed to a drier shirt.","To address this wet feel, almost all current absorbent product designs employ a distancing layer of synthetic fibers on top of the “wet core” as an attempt to create a “feel drier” layer.","This synthetic distancing layer is often called a “fluid transfer layer”, “fluid acquisition layer”, or “acquisition distribution layer (ADL)” and is typically much smaller than the core that it covers, leaving the edges of the core exposed.","Moreover, despite their design goal, such fluid acquisition layers only work to a limited degree.","In this regard as the exudate leaves the body at 98 degrees Fahrenheit it quickly drops to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit as it enters the core of the absorbent product.","This creates a cooling effect when touched by the skin, which may increase during the time worn.","If left on for an extended period of time, the wet product will achieve a thermal equilibrium and equilibrate somewhere between room temperature and about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, depending upon ambient temperature and clothes worn.","This difference can be further exacerbated depending upon the thermal conductivity of the materials chosen to absorb the exudate.","But in all cases current wood pulp fluff absorbent products will feel wet and/or cold to the skin the longer the product is worn.","The current state of the art product design for the synthetic absorbent cores is based upon a synthetic continuous fiber matrix inter-layered with superabsorbent particles (SAP).","For example a polypropylene tow fiber similar to tow used in cigarette filter making was chosen.","This material is purchased in a continuous form and is pulled out of the box and proceeds into an air trumpet or similar device or the like, to expand the fiber tow matrix.","Then SAP particles are intermixed, adhesive is sprayed into the fiber SAP matrix and the entire matrix is wrapped to result in what is the state of the art of current “Pulpless” core technology.","This type of core has the major limitations of a slow absorbency rate.","That rate is highly dependent upon the SAP chosen and on the adhesive type and amount required to attach the SAP to the tow fiber matrix.","For example, if enough adhesive is provided to ensure that the SAP remains in its desired location within the core, that adhesive may limit the SAP's absorbent swelling due to coating part of the SAP particles.","If less adhesive is utilized, while it may permit greater swelling and absorption of the exudate by the SAP, it may allow the SAP particles to fall from their positions in the core to the bottom of the crotch area, rendering it heavier and wetter in the crotch area when voided into and less absorbents at the ends.","Another example of current pulpless core technology is gluing the SAP to the back sheet or inside the top or body facing sheet.","This bonding process may limit the SAP from being fully expanded and utilized in absorbing the exudate.","When bonded in such a matter, the SAP may be also be applied in continuous rows to provide space for the fluid to travel unhindered.","Or the SAP may be intermixed with ground wood pulp fibers of similar size to enhanced fluid movement in this inefficient design.","Current SAP limitations require having to choose between a higher absorbent capacity, with the disadvantage of having slower speed, or a faster SAP with less absorbing capacity.","If the current SAPs are mixed, the fast acting SAP will very rapidly swell and may “gel-block” the slower acting, but higher absorption capacity SAP.","If gel-blocking occurs, it will limit, or even prevent, the higher capacity SAP from desorbing the faster but lower capacity SAP.","In the past a cellulose acetate fiber core with a single SAP has been developed and commercially available, as has a non-SAP version.","Current polypropylene filament tow technology has also been used for the absorbent cores.","In this regard, such polypropylene tow cores used in the market today make use of round or oval homo-polymer polypropylene fibers, which provide minimal resistance to fluid flow through the SAP/tow fiber matrix, thereby only providing minimal dwell time for the fluid to be absorbed by the SAP.","While such prior art absorbable products containing wood fluff pulp are generally suitable for their intended purposes, they still leave much to be desired.","In particular, the thickness of today's disposable absorbent products containing wood fluff pulp and the state of the art in pulp fiberizing technology result in an absorbent product that is significantly thicker than current cotton underwear.","This results in a thicker product on the body which may not allow normal clothes or their usual size normal clothing to be worn.","In addition the increased thickness of such products results in increased storage, transportation and handling costs and increased retail display space.","In our aforementioned patent application there is disclosed and claimed a disposable absorbent garment, which overcomes many of the disadvantages of art absorbable products containing wood fluff pulp.","In particular, that patent application discloses an exemplary absorbent assembly comprising a core formed of a synthetic tow or of synthetic nonwoven layers and having first section comprising a slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP and a second section comprising a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP, all of which is wrapped in a wrapper to hold the SAP in place.","The absorbent assembly may be quilted and corrugated.","The undergarment also includes releasably securable fasteners to enable it to be readily removed and a suspension system to ensure that the garment fits properly and doesn't leak even when holding a large amount of exudate.","Odor removal/masking and treatment features may be provided.","It addition the undergarment may include a wetness indicator.","The subject invention is directed to an absorbent core assembly which constitutes an improvement over the absorbent cores of our aforementioned patent application.","Thus the absorbent core assembly of this invention case be used in the absorbent garment of that patent application, or can be used in any other type of absorbent garment or in other absorbent product designed to quickly and efficiently absorb liquids without leakage therefrom."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided a method for making an absorbent core for use in a product used with a being for absorbing and retaining liquids from the body of the being.","The method comprises forming a first section of at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough.","The at least one layer of the first section is quilted by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of first pockets, each of the first pockets being partially filled with a first volume of a slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP therein.","A second section is formed, with the second section having at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough.","The at least one layer of the second section is quilted by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of second pockets, each of the second pockets being partially filled with a second volume of a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP therein.","The second volume is different than the first volume.","The first section is disposed over the second section so that they are in fluid communication with each other, whereupon the resulting core is configured such that a liquid contacting the first section flows through the at least one layer of the porous material of the first section into the first pockets and from there flows through the at least one layer of the second section into the second pockets to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by the fast acting SAP therein, while the slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from the fast acting SAP as well as absorbing the liquid itself.","In accordance with one preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first volume of slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP is free in the first pockets, and wherein the second volume of fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP is free in the second pockets.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the at least one layer of the first section is formed of a nonwoven material and wherein the at least one layer of the second section is formed of a nonwoven material.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first section includes two layers, each of the layers of the first section comprising a plurality of the first pockets containing a portion of the slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP therein.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the pockets are formed by ultrasonically bonding or thermally bonding or adhesively bonding.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first pockets are offset with respect to the second pockets.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a wicking layer disposed between the first and second sections to enhance liquid transfer between the first and second sections.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a fluid acquisition layer disposed over the first section.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises utilizing the core to form a protective disposable undergarment for the being.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a top sheet formed of a material enabling a fluid to pass therethrough, disposing the top sheet over the core, providing a bottom sheet comprising a layer formed of a barrier material to prevent a fluid voided by the being to pass therethrough, disposing the bottom sheet under the core, and assembling the top sheet.","The core and the bottom sheet together form the protective disposable undergarment.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing the protective disposable undergarment with a wicking layer disposed between the first and second sections to enhance fluid transfer from between the first and second sections.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing the protective disposable undergarment with a fluid acquisition layer disposed over the first section, whereupon the fluid acquisition layer is interposed between the top sheet and the first section of the absorbent core.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the top sheet comprises a non-woven material.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the bottom sheet comprises a film barrier layer."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application constitutes a continuation of application Ser.","No.","15/625,132, filed on Jun.","16, 2017, entitled Absorbent Products And Absorbent Core For Use In Same, which in turn is a Continuation of Application Ser.","No.","15,042,859, filed Feb. 12, 2016, now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,693,911, which in turn is a Continuation-In-Part of prior application Ser.","No.","14/204,616, filed on Mar.","11, 2014, entitled Disposable Absorbent Article, now U.S. Patent No.","9,707,135, which in turn claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser.","No.","61/792,004, filed on Mar.","15, 2013, entitled Disposable Absorbent Article, all of which are assigned to the same assignee as this invention, and whose disclosures are incorporated by reference herein.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to absorbent cores for absorbent products and methods of making the same.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Current adult disposable absorbent products, e.g., adult briefs, that exist in the market today utilize what is known as a fiberized bleached wood fluff pulp and a SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) mixture for the absorbent core.","At low ratios of 30% or less SAP to pulp ratio, the core mixture may or may not be wrapped in an absorbent tissue to prevent the SAP from falling apart or out of the core.","At higher levels of SAP at 50% or more, the core must be wrapped to prevent the loose SAP from being shaken out.","Also a core adhesive may be added to prevent the heavier SAP particles from being separated from the fluff pulp fibers.","This is the most advanced technology of today that is employed in infant sized disposable absorbent products.","The pulp fiber in these products is required to rapidly manage the body fluid exudates until the SAP can desorb the fluff fibers to prepare the fluff fibers for the next exudates.","For an infant, their body can produce up to 150 ml (grams) of urine and deliver it into the absorbent core over about 70 seconds.","This delivery rate starts off rapidly and can achieve approximately 10 to 15 ml per second after the first 5 seconds or so and then trail down to zero.","For an adult the amount of exudate is much larger and can easily exceed 300 ml or more delivered over a time period of more than 70 seconds at a rate similar or less than what infants void.","A significant problem with the current absorbent products that contain wood fluff pulp or even wrapped with a tissue or airlaid is in all cases their construction results in a core which feels wet against the body after it has received the voided fluid(s).","This wetness feeling is akin to the feeling of wearing a cotton T-Shirt, getting it wet and then continuing to wear the wet cotton T-Shirt long after it should have been changed to a drier shirt.","To address this wet feel, almost all current absorbent product designs employ a distancing layer of synthetic fibers on top of the “wet core” as an attempt to create a “feel drier” layer.","This synthetic distancing layer is often called a “fluid transfer layer”, “fluid acquisition layer”, or “acquisition distribution layer (ADL)” and is typically much smaller than the core that it covers, leaving the edges of the core exposed.","Moreover, despite their design goal, such fluid acquisition layers only work to a limited degree.","In this regard as the exudate leaves the body at 98 degrees Fahrenheit it quickly drops to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit as it enters the core of the absorbent product.","This creates a cooling effect when touched by the skin, which may increase during the time worn.","If left on for an extended period of time, the wet product will achieve a thermal equilibrium and equilibrate somewhere between room temperature and about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, depending upon ambient temperature and clothes worn.","This difference can be further exacerbated depending upon the thermal conductivity of the materials chosen to absorb the exudate.","But in all cases current wood pulp fluff absorbent products will feel wet and/or cold to the skin the longer the product is worn.","The current state of the art product design for the synthetic absorbent cores is based upon a synthetic continuous fiber matrix inter-layered with superabsorbent particles (SAP).","For example a polypropylene tow fiber similar to tow used in cigarette filter making was chosen.","This material is purchased in a continuous form and is pulled out of the box and proceeds into an air trumpet or similar device or the like, to expand the fiber tow matrix.","Then SAP particles are intermixed, adhesive is sprayed into the fiber SAP matrix and the entire matrix is wrapped to result in what is the state of the art of current “Pulpless” core technology.","This type of core has the major limitations of a slow absorbency rate.","That rate is highly dependent upon the SAP chosen and on the adhesive type and amount required to attach the SAP to the tow fiber matrix.","For example, if enough adhesive is provided to ensure that the SAP remains in its desired location within the core, that adhesive may limit the SAP's absorbent swelling due to coating part of the SAP particles.","If less adhesive is utilized, while it may permit greater swelling and absorption of the exudate by the SAP, it may allow the SAP particles to fall from their positions in the core to the bottom of the crotch area, rendering it heavier and wetter in the crotch area when voided into and less absorbents at the ends.","Another example of current pulpless core technology is gluing the SAP to the back sheet or inside the top or body facing sheet.","This bonding process may limit the SAP from being fully expanded and utilized in absorbing the exudate.","When bonded in such a matter, the SAP may be also be applied in continuous rows to provide space for the fluid to travel unhindered.","Or the SAP may be intermixed with ground wood pulp fibers of similar size to enhanced fluid movement in this inefficient design.","Current SAP limitations require having to choose between a higher absorbent capacity, with the disadvantage of having slower speed, or a faster SAP with less absorbing capacity.","If the current SAPs are mixed, the fast acting SAP will very rapidly swell and may “gel-block” the slower acting, but higher absorption capacity SAP.","If gel-blocking occurs, it will limit, or even prevent, the higher capacity SAP from desorbing the faster but lower capacity SAP.","In the past a cellulose acetate fiber core with a single SAP has been developed and commercially available, as has a non-SAP version.","Current polypropylene filament tow technology has also been used for the absorbent cores.","In this regard, such polypropylene tow cores used in the market today make use of round or oval homo-polymer polypropylene fibers, which provide minimal resistance to fluid flow through the SAP/tow fiber matrix, thereby only providing minimal dwell time for the fluid to be absorbed by the SAP.","While such prior art absorbable products containing wood fluff pulp are generally suitable for their intended purposes, they still leave much to be desired.","In particular, the thickness of today's disposable absorbent products containing wood fluff pulp and the state of the art in pulp fiberizing technology result in an absorbent product that is significantly thicker than current cotton underwear.","This results in a thicker product on the body which may not allow normal clothes or their usual size normal clothing to be worn.","In addition the increased thickness of such products results in increased storage, transportation and handling costs and increased retail display space.","In our aforementioned patent application there is disclosed and claimed a disposable absorbent garment, which overcomes many of the disadvantages of art absorbable products containing wood fluff pulp.","In particular, that patent application discloses an exemplary absorbent assembly comprising a core formed of a synthetic tow or of synthetic nonwoven layers and having first section comprising a slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP and a second section comprising a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP, all of which is wrapped in a wrapper to hold the SAP in place.","The absorbent assembly may be quilted and corrugated.","The undergarment also includes releasably securable fasteners to enable it to be readily removed and a suspension system to ensure that the garment fits properly and doesn't leak even when holding a large amount of exudate.","Odor removal/masking and treatment features may be provided.","It addition the undergarment may include a wetness indicator.","The subject invention is directed to an absorbent core assembly which constitutes an improvement over the absorbent cores of our aforementioned patent application.","Thus the absorbent core assembly of this invention case be used in the absorbent garment of that patent application, or can be used in any other type of absorbent garment or in other absorbent product designed to quickly and efficiently absorb liquids without leakage therefrom.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided a method for making an absorbent core for use in a product used with a being for absorbing and retaining liquids from the body of the being.","The method comprises forming a first section of at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough.","The at least one layer of the first section is quilted by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of first pockets, each of the first pockets being partially filled with a first volume of a slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP therein.","A second section is formed, with the second section having at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough.","The at least one layer of the second section is quilted by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of second pockets, each of the second pockets being partially filled with a second volume of a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP therein.","The second volume is different than the first volume.","The first section is disposed over the second section so that they are in fluid communication with each other, whereupon the resulting core is configured such that a liquid contacting the first section flows through the at least one layer of the porous material of the first section into the first pockets and from there flows through the at least one layer of the second section into the second pockets to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by the fast acting SAP therein, while the slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from the fast acting SAP as well as absorbing the liquid itself.","In accordance with one preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first volume of slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP is free in the first pockets, and wherein the second volume of fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP is free in the second pockets.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the at least one layer of the first section is formed of a nonwoven material and wherein the at least one layer of the second section is formed of a nonwoven material.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first section includes two layers, each of the layers of the first section comprising a plurality of the first pockets containing a portion of the slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP therein.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the pockets are formed by ultrasonically bonding or thermally bonding or adhesively bonding.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first pockets are offset with respect to the second pockets.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a wicking layer disposed between the first and second sections to enhance liquid transfer between the first and second sections.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a fluid acquisition layer disposed over the first section.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises utilizing the core to form a protective disposable undergarment for the being.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a top sheet formed of a material enabling a fluid to pass therethrough, disposing the top sheet over the core, providing a bottom sheet comprising a layer formed of a barrier material to prevent a fluid voided by the being to pass therethrough, disposing the bottom sheet under the core, and assembling the top sheet.","The core and the bottom sheet together form the protective disposable undergarment.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing the protective disposable undergarment with a wicking layer disposed between the first and second sections to enhance fluid transfer from between the first and second sections.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing the protective disposable undergarment with a fluid acquisition layer disposed over the first section, whereupon the fluid acquisition layer is interposed between the top sheet and the first section of the absorbent core.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the top sheet comprises a non-woven material.","In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the bottom sheet comprises a film barrier layer.","DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG.","1 is a cross-sectional view of one exemplary embodiment of an absorbent core assembly constructed in accordance with this invention; FIG.","2 is reduced size cross-sectional view of the crotch portion of an absorbent garment, e.g., a disposable undergarment or diaper, making use of the core assembly of FIG.","1; FIG.","3 is reduced size a top plan view of the core assembly of FIG.","1; FIG.","4 is a reduced size a top plan of one of the layers of the core assembly of FIG.","1; FIG.","5 is a reduced size top plan view of another one of the layers of the core assembly of FIG.","1; FIG.","6 is a reduced size top plan view of still another one of the layers of the core assembly of FIG.","1; FIG.","7 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.","4; FIG.","8 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.","6; FIG.","9 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative, and more preferred, embodiment of an absorbent core assembly constructed in accordance with this invention; and FIG.","10 is a reduced size cross-sectional view of the crotch portion of an absorbent garment, e.g., a disposable undergarment or diaper, making use of the core assembly of FIG.","9.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown in FIG.","1 one exemplary embodiment of an absorbent core assembly 20 constructed in accordance with this invention.","The core assembly 20 is designed to absorb liquids that in some way come out of or exit the body of a being, e.g., a person or animal, whether the being is living or dead.","The liquid can be an exudate, urine, blood or any other fluid which includes a liquid as a component thereof.","The core assembly of this invention has particular utility to be used as a component of a garment, e.g., protective disposable underwear, or a component of a bladder control pad, a sanitary napkin, a disposable diaper, etc.","Moreover, it can be used as part of a protective pad for use on a bed or on other furniture or may be used as a part of a coffin liner.","It may also be used as a wound dressing.","In fact, the core assembly 20 of this invention need not be used to absorb liquids from a being, but can be used for other liquid absorbing purposes.","For example, a core assembly constructed in accordance with this invention can be used to absorb aqueous chemical or other liquid spills.","Turning now to FIGS.","1 and 3, the absorbent core assembly 20 as shown therein basically comprises a generally planar body of any suitable peripheral shape.","In this exemplary case the core assembly 20 is an elongate rectangle, having a longitudinal axis 22 and a transverse axis 24.The core assembly 20 is composed of at least two layers (to be described below) which are fixedly secured together along their longitudinally extending side edges 26 and their transversely extending end edges 28 by any suitable bonding technique, e.g., ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, adhesive bonding, etc.","The first or top layer 30 of the core assembly 20 constitutes an acquisition layer, and is configured to be located confronting the being.","This layer, while preferred, is optional such that it can be used for some applications and omitted for other applications.","If used, the acquisition layer 30 serves to move the liquid to be absorbed linearly across its area to spread it out across the core assembly.","In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of this invention the layer 30 is an airlaid material, such as Shalag STAPPEL40 ADL, STA1PBL40 or STA2PBL38m sold by Shalag US, Inc. or a similar material produced by WPT Corporation or other suppliers of similar ADL nonwoven materials.","Such a material is identified by the vendor as being 40 gsm 100% Polyester White.","Other similar airlaid acquisition layer materials incorporating Polypropylene, Polyethylene Bi-component fibers or the like used in the industry can be used, with a basis weight ideally of 40 grams per square meter (gsm) +/−10 gsm, although usage as low as 20 gsm or up to 100 gsm is infrequently used.","Another alternative is to use a 3D film such as that available from Tredegar Film Products under the trademark AquiDry Plus 120.The second layer 32, which is sometimes referred to hereinafter as the “first section” of the core is best seen in FIGS.","1 and 4.Thus, as can be seen it is of elongated rectangular shape and is preferably coextensive in size and shape to the first layer 30.Like the layer 30, the first section or layer 32 is also provided to move the liquid linearly.","However, unlike the first layer 30, the first section or layer 32 is a required layer.","It is constructed using high capacity, but slow absorbing SAP particles 38, encapsulated between two sheets or webs 32A and 32B as best seen in FIG.","7.In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of this invention the sheets or webs are formed of a non-woven, liquid pervious material, e.g., 15 +/−5 grams per square meter basis weight hydrophilic spunbond nonwoven polypropylene or the like.","One particularly suitable nonwoven is available from PGI Nonwovens under code # B0305 white SBPP hydrophilic polypropylene spunbond.","At minimum the upper body side layer 32A is hydrophilic where the bottom layer 32B, may be similar for ease of manufacturing.","Alternatively, it could be hydrophobic or an apertured film.","Like the top layer 30, the layer 32 is also of elongated rectangular shape and preferably is coextensive is size and shape with the top layer 30.The formation of the first section or layer 32 of the core assembly 20 is achieved by fixedly securing the webs or sheets 32A and 32B to each other by intersecting seal lines 40 to thereby result in a quilted subassembly having a plurality of compartments or pockets 42 located between the intersecting seal lines.","The quilted nature of the first section 32 renders the SAP 38 particles of that section resistant to migration with respect to the core assembly and thus obviates the need for adhesives to bond to the SAP particles to prevent their migration.","The seal lines 40 can be made by any suitable technique, e.g., ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, adhesive securement, etc.","One exemplary embodiment of the first section 32 constitutes a diamond-like pattern of the intersecting lines 40 wherein each pocket 42 is of a square shape and is approximately 1.5 cm by 1.5 cm.","with the width of each of the intersecting seal lines 40 being approximately 1 mm.","Each pocket 40 of the first section contains free high capacity, but slow absorbing SAP, with each pocket being filled to less than half of its capacity, and preferably within the range of approximately one third to one quarter (or even slightly less) of its capacity.","In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of this invention the high capacity, but slow absorbing SAP 38 can be Aqua Keep type SA605, SA60SX11 or Aqua Keep type SA55SX11 available from Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd., or can be BASF T-9400, BASF T-9600 or BASF T-9900 available from BASF Corporation, or any other suitable SAP.","Preferably the SAP 38 should have a vortex time of at least, e.g., approximately 40 to 60 or more seconds.","As is known in the art the term “vortex time” represent the amount of time that it takes SAP which is mixed with water in a vessel by a spinning stirrer to form a gel to stop the spinning stirrer.","Each pocket 40 encapsulates approximately 0.07 to 0.08 grams of SAP, or approximately 100 grams of SAP per square meter.","The partial filling of the pockets with the high capacity, but slow absorbing SAP 38 serves to allow for the expansion and swelling of the SAP when in contact with the liquid to be absorbed, e.g., urine.","If the pockets 40 were filled with significantly more SAP 38, such as greater than 0.32 grams per pocket, the SAP 38 would be constrained in its ability to swell and thus unable to absorb additional fluid.","In some instances it may be appropriate to underfill the pockets employing 0.04 grams or even 0.02 grams to ensure maximum utilization at a slightly reduced capacity.","It should be pointed out that other size pockets than those described above are contemplated.","For example, one can increase the amount of SAP 38 per pocket 40 by employing larger pockets.","In each case, the ratio of SAP 38 to the pocket size should not exceed approximately 0.4 grams per 4 square centimeters per pocket.","If larger pockets are contemplated, then the same ratio of weight per unit area should be applied.","The third layer 34 of the core assembly 20 is also optional, but desirable, and is shown best in FIGS.","1 and 5.This layer serves to aid in transporting liquid by wicking or the like.","In particular the layer 34 is configured to aid in allowing the liquid to linearly wick so that it assists in moving the liquid to be absorbed, e.g., urine, from the central middle area of the core where the liquid is first insulted to the ends of the core where that liquid may not fully reach and to allow that liquid to pass through it into the fourth or bottom layer.","In the exemplary embodiment, the wicking layer is a fluid wettable hydrophilic layer containing absorbent tissue, cotton or the like ranging from approximately 50 to 200 gsm.","One particularly suitable material for the wicking layer 34 is available from Domtar/EAM Corporation under the trademark Nova Thin and is described as White Fibrous Web of 100 gm basis weight.","The layer 34 has a corduroy or corrugated embossing pattern that is employed to further assist wicking.","The corrugations or corduroy pattern is formed by a plurality of closely disposed parallel seal lines 44 made by any suitable technique, e.g., ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, adhesive securement, etc.","The wicking layer is also of elongated rectangular shape, but preferably of a smaller size than the layers 30 and 32 and is not bonded (for a reason to be described later).","Moreover, the wicking layer 34 may be in the form of plural layers to provide the desired wicking properties.","The wicking layer may also have visible holes, of 1 mm in size or larger, added to further enhance fluid pass through.","The fourth or bottom layer 36 is also a required layer and is sometimes referred to hereinafter 36 is preferably coextensive in size and shape to the first section 32.The second section 36 is configured to be disposed away from the being and is constructed somewhat similarly to the first section 32.To that end, the second section is in the form of fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP particles 46 encapsulated between two sheets or webs 36A and 36B of a non-woven, liquid pervious material, e.g., 15 +/−5 gsm basis weight polypropylene like that used in the first section 32.Like the webs or sheets of the first section, the webs or sheets 36A and 36B of the second section are fixedly secured to each other by intersecting seal lines 48 to form a quilted subassembly having a plurality of compartments or pockets 50 located between the intersecting seal lines.","The seal lines are formed by any suitable technique, e.g., ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, adhesive securement, etc.","Each pocket 50 contains a portion of the fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP 46 therein, with each pocket being filled to less than half of its capacity, and preferably within the range of approximately one third to one quarter (or even slightly less) of its capacity.","In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of this invention the fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP 46 can be Aqua Keep type SA10 or Aqua Keep type BA40B available from Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd., or the like.","Those products have a very fast vortex time, e.g., approximately 4 to 10 seconds.","It is preferred that the SAP 46 of the second section have a vortex time of less than 10 seconds, but longer times may be suitable, depending upon the application.","In any case, like the first section, the quilting of the second section renders the SAP 46 of the second section resistant to migration with respect to the core assembly without requiring adhesives to bond to the superabsorbent particles to prevent their movement or migration.","The sheets or webs 36A and 36B of the second section 36 are ultrasonically bonded in a diamond pattern pocketing like the first section, with each pocket 50 being approximately 1.5 cm by 1.5 cm square and with the width of the intersecting seal lines being approximately 1 mm in width.","Other thermal techniques may also be employed.","Each pocket 50 encapsulates approximately 0.02 to 0.08 gm of the SAP 46, or approximately 100 gsm per square meter.","In this construction adhesives to bond to the superabsorbent particles to prevent their movement or migration are not required, nor desired.","The pockets 50 are only partially filled to allow for the expansion and swelling of the superabsorbent polymers when in contact with the fluid.","If the pockets were filled with significantly more superabsorbent polymer particles 46, such as greater than 0.32 gm per pocket, the SAP particles would be constrained in their ability to swell and thus unable to absorb additional fluid.","However, other size pockets may be contemplated to increase the amount of SAP per pocket by employing larger pockets.","In each case, the ratio of SAP 46 to the pocket size should not exceed approximately 0.4 gm per 2.25 square cm per pocket.","If larger pockets are contemplated, then the same ratio of weight per unit area should be applied.","As best seen in FIGS.","1 and 3, the four layers 30, 32, 34 and 36 are fixedly secured together along their marginal edges by respective seal lines 52 to form a composite assembly.","The seal lines 52 are formed by any suitable technique, e.g., ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, adhesive securement, etc.","The most desirable process is to ultrasonically bond the four layers together with a two mm wide intermittent bond pattern running down the sides of the four layer composite core and spaced about one cm from each edge, e.g., somewhat like a railroad track with approximately four bond points or bars per cm.","To assist in bonding the wicking layer 28 is narrower than the total composite core.","For example if the composite core is 100 mm wide, the non-thermal bondable wicking layer will be no wider than 75 to 80 mm in width.","This is done to assist ultrasonically bonding the three fusible layers 30, 32 and 36, encapsulating the non-fusible layer 34 between them.","An alternative construction would be to use an adhesive either lightly sprayed or slot coated to allow the fluid to travel through the construct unhindered.","The absorbent core assembly 20 is arranged to be located in a garment, to be described shortly, such that the layer 32 (the first section of the core) constitutes a body-facing side confronting the being and the layer 36 (the second section of the core) constitutes a remote-facing side disposed away from the being, whereupon a liquid voided, exuded or otherwise emanating from the body of the being flows through the first section to the fast acting SAP in the second section to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by the fast acting SAP therein, while the slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from the fast acting SAP as well as absorbing the liquid itself.","The wicking layer 30 serves to enhance the fluid transfer from the lower faster absorbent layer 36 into the upper slower absorbent layer 32.In order to improve fluid movement through the entire composite absorbent core, it is preferred that the embossed pockets 42 and 50 are not aligned directly with respect to each other.","Rather they are offset in the X direction (parallel to the longitudinal axis 22) and/or in the Y direction (parallel to the transverse axis 24).","This allows for improved fluid migration not only in the X/Y direction, but also in the Z direction, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the core assembly.","However, if desired, e.g., in the interest of ease and simplicity of manufacturing the core, reduced capital costs and concomitant consumer savings, the embossed pockets may be directly aligned under each layer and under each other.","As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art the quilted construct of a core assembly 20 constructed in accordance with this invention functions via what can be called a “compartment spill over phenomena”.","In particular, the liquid to be absorbed when brought to the each section of the core will fill up the SAP contained in a compartment (pocket) of that section, whereupon the compartment and the SAP in it will swell.","Once the SAP in that compartment is fully utilized (e.g., has swelled to its maximum), the liquid then “spills over” to the adjacent compartments.","As mentioned above, the ultrasonically formed SAP diamond shaped compartments 44 and 50 of the first section 32 and the second section 36, respectively, have approximately a 1 mm space between them as a result of the width of their respective intersecting seal lines 40 and 48.This aids in liquid movement, along the voids 54 in the core assembly adjacent those seal lines as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG.","1.As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the wicking layer 34 also enhances liquid movement and does the unaligned nature of the compartments or pockets.","The addition of a topmost body side layer, commonly referred as an acquisition layer, transfer layer or distancing layer further aids fluid transfer to assist fluid in the spill over from one SAP containing compartment or pocket to the next.","It should be pointed out at this juncture that if a higher capacity absorbent core is desired, one or more additional SAP layers like those of the first section and/or the second section could be added to the construct.","In addition, a second wicking layer could be added between the SAP absorbent layers, if desired.","Turning now to FIG.","9, there is shown a more preferred core assembly 120 constructed in accordance with this invention.","The core assembly 120 is of similar construction to the core 20, except that the first section of the core assembly 120 is made up of two layers and instead of a single layer 32.In the interest of brevity the components of the core assembly 120 which are common with the core assembly 20 will be given the same reference numbers and the details of their construction, assembly and operation will not be reiterated.","Thus, as can be seen the core assembly 120 includes an optional top layer 30, a first section 132 made up of two layers 32, a wicking layer 34 and a second section 36.Each of the two layers 32 making up the first section 132 is constructed in a similar manner to the layer 32 of the core assembly 20.In particular, each layer 32 is constructed using high capacity, but slow absorbing SAP particles 38, encapsulated between two sheets or webs 32A and 32B as best seen in FIG.","7.Each sheets or web are formed of a non-woven, liquid pervious material, e.g., 15 +/−5 grams per square meter basis weight hydrophilic spunbond nonwoven polypropylene or the like, such as that available from PGI Nonwovens under code # B0305 white SBPP hydrophilic polypropylene spunbond.","The formation each layer 32 of the first section 132 of the core assembly 120 is achieved by fixedly securing the webs or sheets 32A and 32B to each other by intersecting seal lines 40 to thereby result in a quilted subassembly layer having a plurality of compartments or pockets 42 located between the intersecting seal lines.","The two layers 32 of the first section 132 are superimposed over each other such that their pockets 42 are not aligned longitudinally or transversely.","By making use of two layers of the first section, the core assembly 120 can use less SAP in each of the pockets 42 of the first section than is used in the pockets 42 of the first section of the core assembly 20.For example, the amount of SAP 38 in each of the pockets 42 of the two layers may be in the range of one third to one quarter or less than the capacity of the pocket.","This configuration provides sufficient room for the SAP 38 to expand in the pockets 42 so that it can be fully utilized to desorb the SAP 46 from the second section 36.While it is desirable to use the least amount of SAP 46 in the pockets 42 of the first section for economic reasons, the amount used must be able to be fully utilized to achieve the desired absorption rate and capacity.","Thus, is preferred that the SAP 42 in each of the two layers of the first section 132 is within the aforementioned desired range of pocket fullness and that the SAP has a vortex time of at least 60 seconds to be able to fully desorb the liquid from the second section 32.Moreover, that configuration maximizes SAP performance and enables efficient and effective transfer of liquid introduced into the core assembly through each of the two layers of the first section into the second section, without any tendency for the SAP 38 of the first section to impede the flow of liquid into the second section 32 as could result from “gel blocking”.","As is known “gel blocking: occurs when the surface of the SAP in a section that comes into contact with the liquid first swells and blocks the lower levels of SAP of that section from fully absorbing to their maximum capacity.","Thus, by using less SAP in each pocket 42, but by using more pockets via the two layer construction of the first section 132, the occurrence of gel blocking is minimized if not eliminated.","Thus, the liquid introduced into the core assembly can quickly pass through the first section to be wicked into the second section, where it is quickly absorbed by the SAP of the second section, and from whence that liquid can go back to the first section where that liquid is slowly absorbed, thereby desorbing the second section, so that all of the liquid is trapped in the core assembly to keep the user of the core dry.","While the preferred embodiment of the core 120 includes two layers in the first section 132, that is merely exemplary.","Thus, it is contemplated to use more than two layers in that section, with the pocket sizes and capacity being adjusted accordingly.","However it should be recognized that there is an additional cost in using more than two layers for the first section, e.g., the cost of the non-woven material encapsulating the additional layer(s).","Moreover, if desired the second section 36 may be made up of multiple quilted layers.","Further still, it is also contemplated that the subject invention can use less expensive inorganic additives to maximize SAP performance.","Since the goal of the core of this invention is to allow all the SAP particles of each section to achieve their maximum absorbent capacity, inorganic additives such as high porosity Zeolite's, Upsalite, microspheres or other inorganic materials that do not swell or add to the gel blocking phenomena may be included with the SAP of the core.","Another approach in lieu of the use of such inorganic additives, or an additional approach to using such additives, is to utilize an acquisition layer, such as a 40 gm Shalag ADL or similar materials from Shalag US, Inc. or similar materials available from WPT Corporation or others may be disposed underneath the second section of the core.","Absorbent cores constructed in accordance with this invention, such as those described above or variations thereof, could be used in lieu of an absorbent core that is employed in current existing absorbent products.","For example, core assemblies constructed in accordance with this invention can be used in adult incontinence products (e.g., briefs, panties, pads, etc.","), infant absorbent garments (e.g., diapers), sanitary napkins, a feminine napkins, panty liners, or any other product arranged to be worn by a being to absorb liquids from the being.","In FIG.","2 there is shown a cross-sectional view of the crotch region of an exemplary product, e.g., an adult incontinent brief, 10 making use of a core assembly 20.The brief 10 includes a top sheet 10A and a bottom sheet 10B.","The top sheet may be a non-woven material like that typically used in products of this kind.","The bottom sheet 10B constitutes a barrier layer, e.g., constitutes a film of polyethylene or polypropylene, also like that typically used in products of this kind to insure that none of the liquid leaks out the brief.","Located between the top and bottom sheets 10A and 10B, respectively, is the core assembly 20.In FIG.","10 there is shown a cross-sectional view of the crotch region of another exemplary product, e.g., also an adult incontinent brief 12, making use of a core assembly of this invention, in this case core assembly 120.The brief 12 is of similar construction to the brief 10, except for the use of the core assembly 120 in lieu of the core assembly 20.In the interest of brevity the components of the brief 12 that are common with the brief 10 will be given the same reference numbers and the details of their construction, assembly and operation will not be reiterated.","Thus, it can be seen that the brief 12 includes a top sheet 10A and a bottom sheet 10B.","The top sheet may be a non-woven material and the bottom sheet 10B may be a barrier film of polyethylene or polypropylene, like that typically used in products of this kind.","Located between the top and bottom sheets 10A and 10B, respectively, is the core assembly 120.Other alternative constructs for absorbent core assemblies of this invention are also contemplated.","For example, in order to create the maximum absorbent capacity in a product with improved surface dryness, such as the adult incontinent briefs described above, one can apply one or more layers of a quilted SAP containing nonwoven layer over the top of an airlaid or fluff mat, but under the top sheet of the brief.","The SAP needs to absorb slower than the pulp containing-mat underneath it to act as a surface dryness reservoir.","In this construct, the SAP layer may be smaller than the airlaid or fluff mat.","In order to increase speed of absorbency and total capacity of the pad of that garment, one or more layers of a quilted SAP containing nonwoven layer under the bottom of an airlaid or fluff mat, but above the polyethylene or polypropylene barrier film.","The SAP needs to absorb faster, or at least as fast, as the pulp containing mat above it to act as a fluid containment layer.","Garments or other absorbent products making use of a quilted SAP containing nonwoven layer over the top of an airlaid or fluff mat, but under the top sheet as described above, may be of similar size, smaller and may be shaped other than being of a rectangular shape like the core assemblies described above.","Similarly, absorbent core assemblies may make use of one or more quilted SAP layers under airlaid or fluff mat, but above the polyethylene or polypropylene barrier film as described above, may be provided and may be of similar size, smaller or even shaped other than being of a rectangular shape.","As mentioned above, the subject invention also contemplates use of the absorbent core assembly in pad for disposition on a bed or other article of furniture to protect the bed or other article from liquids, e.g., urine, or may be in the form of a coffin liner to protect a coffin from liquids exiting the body of a corpse disposed thereon.","For either of such applications, the pad/liner may be in the form of a unitary composite composed of four layers.","The first layer constitutes the top sheet of the pad and is configured to be in contact with the being's body and may be composed of a polypropylene spunbond or the like, usually 15 gsm +/−5 gsm.","Alternatively, it may be of a higher basis weight or a synthetic through-air bonded carded web.","The next layer may be a single layer or multiple layers and forms the first section of the pad/liner.","The first section is in the form of a high capacity but slow absorbing layer of SAP particles encapsulated between two layers of 15 +/−5 grams per square meter polypropylene or the like material in a quilted pocketed configuration.","The pockets contain free SAP and are filled at less than 20%, and preferably in the range of approximately 1% to 5%.","This layer serves to allow fluid to pass therethrough.","The third layer constitutes the second section of the pad is also required.","It may be a single layer or multiple layers.","In any case it contains a fast absorbing SAP with a vortex time of no more than about 10 seconds.","This fast absorbing layer of SAP is encapsulated between two layers of 15 +/−5 grams per square meter polypropylene or the like material in a quilted pocketed style.","The pockets contain free SAP and are filled at less than 20% and preferably in the range of approximately 1% to 5%.","The construction of this layer enables it to rapidly capture the fluid and pull it away from the being's body.","Then the layers of SAP above this layer may desorb this layer due to their higher capacity.","The fourth layer is a barrier layer composed of a barrier film or film laminate and serves to prevent leakage onto the bedding or other furniture on which the pad/liner is disposed.","The four layers of the pad/liner are preferably sealed around the entire perimeter of the pad/liner by ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding or by adhesives in a continuous or intermittent pattern or the like.","It also may have the layers or parts therein bonded to each other with adhesives or in spots using known techniques such as ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, etc.","Instead of using the above composite as a unitary pad structure, it may also be used in place of airlaid or pulp fluff mats used in the current under-pads to retrofit such under-pads.","To that end a composite structure in accordance with this invention can be provided.","That structure includes only the second and third layers as discussed above which would be used as an insert into current processes in place of their current airlaid or SAP/airlaid materials or pulp or pulp/SAP mats.","Further a single pocketed layer of the SAP like that used in the subject invention can be used either alone or in conjunction with airlaid or pulp/SAP mats as follows.","A single high capacity SAP pocked layer may be added on top of a current absorbent core for added capacity.","This structure would also provide the advantage of increased dryness and total capacity.","A single fast absorbing SAP pocked layer may be added under the current absorbent core to increase the speed of the management of fluid.","Such a structure would also increase the speed of absorbency and total capacity.","All of the foregoing under-pads can be readily produced as a continuous roll of absorbent pads on a roll that could be more easily used like paper towels on a roll.","To that end, each under-pad can be manufactured so that it is attached to the corresponding next under-pad through a series of weak perforations or the like.","As should be appreciated from the foregoing the cores of this invention as described above make use of at least two sections, each of which is of a quilted construction including plural pockets.","Moreover, each of the pockets is hollow and is partially filled with SAP.","The SAP may be in the form of particles or fibers or any other form of SAP which is free or unsecured.","The pockets serve to hold the SAP therein to prevent migration of the SAP through the core.","It is, however, contemplated that for some applications an adhesive could be used in the pockets to thereby hold the SAP in place.","That alternative configuration provides an additional means, in addition to the pockets, for preventing the SAP from migrating through the core.","Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate our invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adopt the same for use under various conditions of service."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"METHODS OF MAKING ABSORBENT CORES AND ABSORBENT PRODUCTS USING SUCH CORES\",\n \"An absorbent core assembly for use in a product for absorbing a liquid is disclosed.\",\n \"The core assembly has a first section and a second section.\",\n \"The first section is a quilted porous material that contains a slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP therein.\",\n \"The, second section is a quilted porous material that contains a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP therein.\",\n \"The first and second sections are in fluid communication with each other, whereupon a liquid which is exposed to the core assembly flows through the first section to the fast acting SAP in the second section to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by the fast acting SAP therein, while the slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from the fast acting SAP as well as absorbing the liquid itself to thereby trap the liquid in the core assembly.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method of making an absorbent core for use in a product used with a being for absorbing and retaining liquids from the body of the being, said method comprising: forming a first section of at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough; quilting said at least one layer of said first section by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of first pockets, each of said first pockets being partially filled with a first volume of a slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP therein; forming a second section of at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough; quilting said at least one layer of said second section by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of second pockets, each of said second pockets being partially filled with a second volume of a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP therein, said second volume being different than said first volume; disposing said first section over said second section so that they are in fluid communication with each other, whereupon the resulting core is configured such that a liquid contacting said first section flows through said at least one layer of said porous material of said first section into said first pockets and from there flows through said at least one layer of said second section into said second pockets to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by said fast acting SAP therein, while said slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from said fast acting SAP as well as absorbing said liquid itself.\",\n \"2.The method of claim 1, wherein said first volume of slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP is free in said first pockets, and wherein said second volume of fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP is free in said second pockets.\",\n \"3.The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one layer of said first section is formed of a nonwoven material and wherein said at least one layer of said second section is formed of a nonwoven material.\",\n \"4.The method of claim 1, wherein said first section includes two layers, each of said layers of said first section comprising a plurality of said first pockets containing a portion of said slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP therein.\",\n \"5.The method of claim 1, wherein said pockets are formed by ultrasonically bonding or thermally bonding or adhesively bonding.\",\n \"6.The method of claim 1 wherein said first pockets are offset with respect to said second pockets.\",\n \"7.The method of claim 1 additionally comprising providing a wicking layer disposed between said first and second sections to enhance liquid transfer between said first and second sections.\",\n \"8.The method of claim 7 wherein said wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.\",\n \"9.The method of claim 1 additionally comprising providing a fluid acquisition layer disposed over said first section.\",\n \"10.The method of claim 1 additionally comprising utilizing said core to form a protective disposable undergarment for the being.\",\n \"11.The method of claim 10, wherein said method additionally comprises: providing a top sheet formed of a material enabling a fluid to pass therethrough; disposing said top sheet over said core; providing a bottom sheet comprising a layer formed of a barrier material to prevent a fluid voided by the being to pass therethrough; disposing said bottom sheet under said core; and assembling said top sheet, said core and said bottom sheet together to form said protective disposable undergarment.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 11, additionally comprising providing said protective disposable undergarment with a wicking layer disposed between said first and second sections to enhance fluid transfer from between said first and second sections.\",\n \"13.The method of claim 12 wherein said wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 11, additionally comprising providing said protective disposable undergarment with a fluid acquisition layer disposed over said first section, whereupon said fluid acquisition layer is interposed between said top sheet and said first section of said absorbent core.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 11, wherein said top sheet comprises a non-woven material.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 11, wherein said bottom sheet comprises a film barrier layer.\",\n \"17.The method of claim 15, wherein said bottom sheet comprises a film barrier layer.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Current adult disposable absorbent products, e.g., adult briefs, that exist in the market today utilize what is known as a fiberized bleached wood fluff pulp and a SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) mixture for the absorbent core.\",\n \"At low ratios of 30% or less SAP to pulp ratio, the core mixture may or may not be wrapped in an absorbent tissue to prevent the SAP from falling apart or out of the core.\",\n \"At higher levels of SAP at 50% or more, the core must be wrapped to prevent the loose SAP from being shaken out.\",\n \"Also a core adhesive may be added to prevent the heavier SAP particles from being separated from the fluff pulp fibers.\",\n \"This is the most advanced technology of today that is employed in infant sized disposable absorbent products.\",\n \"The pulp fiber in these products is required to rapidly manage the body fluid exudates until the SAP can desorb the fluff fibers to prepare the fluff fibers for the next exudates.\",\n \"For an infant, their body can produce up to 150 ml (grams) of urine and deliver it into the absorbent core over about 70 seconds.\",\n \"This delivery rate starts off rapidly and can achieve approximately 10 to 15 ml per second after the first 5 seconds or so and then trail down to zero.\",\n \"For an adult the amount of exudate is much larger and can easily exceed 300 ml or more delivered over a time period of more than 70 seconds at a rate similar or less than what infants void.\",\n \"A significant problem with the current absorbent products that contain wood fluff pulp or even wrapped with a tissue or airlaid is in all cases their construction results in a core which feels wet against the body after it has received the voided fluid(s).\",\n \"This wetness feeling is akin to the feeling of wearing a cotton T-Shirt, getting it wet and then continuing to wear the wet cotton T-Shirt long after it should have been changed to a drier shirt.\",\n \"To address this wet feel, almost all current absorbent product designs employ a distancing layer of synthetic fibers on top of the “wet core” as an attempt to create a “feel drier” layer.\",\n \"This synthetic distancing layer is often called a “fluid transfer layer”, “fluid acquisition layer”, or “acquisition distribution layer (ADL)” and is typically much smaller than the core that it covers, leaving the edges of the core exposed.\",\n \"Moreover, despite their design goal, such fluid acquisition layers only work to a limited degree.\",\n \"In this regard as the exudate leaves the body at 98 degrees Fahrenheit it quickly drops to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit as it enters the core of the absorbent product.\",\n \"This creates a cooling effect when touched by the skin, which may increase during the time worn.\",\n \"If left on for an extended period of time, the wet product will achieve a thermal equilibrium and equilibrate somewhere between room temperature and about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, depending upon ambient temperature and clothes worn.\",\n \"This difference can be further exacerbated depending upon the thermal conductivity of the materials chosen to absorb the exudate.\",\n \"But in all cases current wood pulp fluff absorbent products will feel wet and/or cold to the skin the longer the product is worn.\",\n \"The current state of the art product design for the synthetic absorbent cores is based upon a synthetic continuous fiber matrix inter-layered with superabsorbent particles (SAP).\",\n \"For example a polypropylene tow fiber similar to tow used in cigarette filter making was chosen.\",\n \"This material is purchased in a continuous form and is pulled out of the box and proceeds into an air trumpet or similar device or the like, to expand the fiber tow matrix.\",\n \"Then SAP particles are intermixed, adhesive is sprayed into the fiber SAP matrix and the entire matrix is wrapped to result in what is the state of the art of current “Pulpless” core technology.\",\n \"This type of core has the major limitations of a slow absorbency rate.\",\n \"That rate is highly dependent upon the SAP chosen and on the adhesive type and amount required to attach the SAP to the tow fiber matrix.\",\n \"For example, if enough adhesive is provided to ensure that the SAP remains in its desired location within the core, that adhesive may limit the SAP's absorbent swelling due to coating part of the SAP particles.\",\n \"If less adhesive is utilized, while it may permit greater swelling and absorption of the exudate by the SAP, it may allow the SAP particles to fall from their positions in the core to the bottom of the crotch area, rendering it heavier and wetter in the crotch area when voided into and less absorbents at the ends.\",\n \"Another example of current pulpless core technology is gluing the SAP to the back sheet or inside the top or body facing sheet.\",\n \"This bonding process may limit the SAP from being fully expanded and utilized in absorbing the exudate.\",\n \"When bonded in such a matter, the SAP may be also be applied in continuous rows to provide space for the fluid to travel unhindered.\",\n \"Or the SAP may be intermixed with ground wood pulp fibers of similar size to enhanced fluid movement in this inefficient design.\",\n \"Current SAP limitations require having to choose between a higher absorbent capacity, with the disadvantage of having slower speed, or a faster SAP with less absorbing capacity.\",\n \"If the current SAPs are mixed, the fast acting SAP will very rapidly swell and may “gel-block” the slower acting, but higher absorption capacity SAP.\",\n \"If gel-blocking occurs, it will limit, or even prevent, the higher capacity SAP from desorbing the faster but lower capacity SAP.\",\n \"In the past a cellulose acetate fiber core with a single SAP has been developed and commercially available, as has a non-SAP version.\",\n \"Current polypropylene filament tow technology has also been used for the absorbent cores.\",\n \"In this regard, such polypropylene tow cores used in the market today make use of round or oval homo-polymer polypropylene fibers, which provide minimal resistance to fluid flow through the SAP/tow fiber matrix, thereby only providing minimal dwell time for the fluid to be absorbed by the SAP.\",\n \"While such prior art absorbable products containing wood fluff pulp are generally suitable for their intended purposes, they still leave much to be desired.\",\n \"In particular, the thickness of today's disposable absorbent products containing wood fluff pulp and the state of the art in pulp fiberizing technology result in an absorbent product that is significantly thicker than current cotton underwear.\",\n \"This results in a thicker product on the body which may not allow normal clothes or their usual size normal clothing to be worn.\",\n \"In addition the increased thickness of such products results in increased storage, transportation and handling costs and increased retail display space.\",\n \"In our aforementioned patent application there is disclosed and claimed a disposable absorbent garment, which overcomes many of the disadvantages of art absorbable products containing wood fluff pulp.\",\n \"In particular, that patent application discloses an exemplary absorbent assembly comprising a core formed of a synthetic tow or of synthetic nonwoven layers and having first section comprising a slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP and a second section comprising a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP, all of which is wrapped in a wrapper to hold the SAP in place.\",\n \"The absorbent assembly may be quilted and corrugated.\",\n \"The undergarment also includes releasably securable fasteners to enable it to be readily removed and a suspension system to ensure that the garment fits properly and doesn't leak even when holding a large amount of exudate.\",\n \"Odor removal/masking and treatment features may be provided.\",\n \"It addition the undergarment may include a wetness indicator.\",\n \"The subject invention is directed to an absorbent core assembly which constitutes an improvement over the absorbent cores of our aforementioned patent application.\",\n \"Thus the absorbent core assembly of this invention case be used in the absorbent garment of that patent application, or can be used in any other type of absorbent garment or in other absorbent product designed to quickly and efficiently absorb liquids without leakage therefrom.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided a method for making an absorbent core for use in a product used with a being for absorbing and retaining liquids from the body of the being.\",\n \"The method comprises forming a first section of at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough.\",\n \"The at least one layer of the first section is quilted by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of first pockets, each of the first pockets being partially filled with a first volume of a slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP therein.\",\n \"A second section is formed, with the second section having at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough.\",\n \"The at least one layer of the second section is quilted by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of second pockets, each of the second pockets being partially filled with a second volume of a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP therein.\",\n \"The second volume is different than the first volume.\",\n \"The first section is disposed over the second section so that they are in fluid communication with each other, whereupon the resulting core is configured such that a liquid contacting the first section flows through the at least one layer of the porous material of the first section into the first pockets and from there flows through the at least one layer of the second section into the second pockets to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by the fast acting SAP therein, while the slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from the fast acting SAP as well as absorbing the liquid itself.\",\n \"In accordance with one preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first volume of slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP is free in the first pockets, and wherein the second volume of fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP is free in the second pockets.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the at least one layer of the first section is formed of a nonwoven material and wherein the at least one layer of the second section is formed of a nonwoven material.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first section includes two layers, each of the layers of the first section comprising a plurality of the first pockets containing a portion of the slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP therein.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the pockets are formed by ultrasonically bonding or thermally bonding or adhesively bonding.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first pockets are offset with respect to the second pockets.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a wicking layer disposed between the first and second sections to enhance liquid transfer between the first and second sections.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a fluid acquisition layer disposed over the first section.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises utilizing the core to form a protective disposable undergarment for the being.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a top sheet formed of a material enabling a fluid to pass therethrough, disposing the top sheet over the core, providing a bottom sheet comprising a layer formed of a barrier material to prevent a fluid voided by the being to pass therethrough, disposing the bottom sheet under the core, and assembling the top sheet.\",\n \"The core and the bottom sheet together form the protective disposable undergarment.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing the protective disposable undergarment with a wicking layer disposed between the first and second sections to enhance fluid transfer from between the first and second sections.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing the protective disposable undergarment with a fluid acquisition layer disposed over the first section, whereupon the fluid acquisition layer is interposed between the top sheet and the first section of the absorbent core.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the top sheet comprises a non-woven material.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the bottom sheet comprises a film barrier layer.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application constitutes a continuation of application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/625,132, filed on Jun.\",\n \"16, 2017, entitled Absorbent Products And Absorbent Core For Use In Same, which in turn is a Continuation of Application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15,042,859, filed Feb. 12, 2016, now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,693,911, which in turn is a Continuation-In-Part of prior application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/204,616, filed on Mar.\",\n \"11, 2014, entitled Disposable Absorbent Article, now U.S. Patent No.\",\n \"9,707,135, which in turn claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"61/792,004, filed on Mar.\",\n \"15, 2013, entitled Disposable Absorbent Article, all of which are assigned to the same assignee as this invention, and whose disclosures are incorporated by reference herein.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to absorbent cores for absorbent products and methods of making the same.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Current adult disposable absorbent products, e.g., adult briefs, that exist in the market today utilize what is known as a fiberized bleached wood fluff pulp and a SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) mixture for the absorbent core.\",\n \"At low ratios of 30% or less SAP to pulp ratio, the core mixture may or may not be wrapped in an absorbent tissue to prevent the SAP from falling apart or out of the core.\",\n \"At higher levels of SAP at 50% or more, the core must be wrapped to prevent the loose SAP from being shaken out.\",\n \"Also a core adhesive may be added to prevent the heavier SAP particles from being separated from the fluff pulp fibers.\",\n \"This is the most advanced technology of today that is employed in infant sized disposable absorbent products.\",\n \"The pulp fiber in these products is required to rapidly manage the body fluid exudates until the SAP can desorb the fluff fibers to prepare the fluff fibers for the next exudates.\",\n \"For an infant, their body can produce up to 150 ml (grams) of urine and deliver it into the absorbent core over about 70 seconds.\",\n \"This delivery rate starts off rapidly and can achieve approximately 10 to 15 ml per second after the first 5 seconds or so and then trail down to zero.\",\n \"For an adult the amount of exudate is much larger and can easily exceed 300 ml or more delivered over a time period of more than 70 seconds at a rate similar or less than what infants void.\",\n \"A significant problem with the current absorbent products that contain wood fluff pulp or even wrapped with a tissue or airlaid is in all cases their construction results in a core which feels wet against the body after it has received the voided fluid(s).\",\n \"This wetness feeling is akin to the feeling of wearing a cotton T-Shirt, getting it wet and then continuing to wear the wet cotton T-Shirt long after it should have been changed to a drier shirt.\",\n \"To address this wet feel, almost all current absorbent product designs employ a distancing layer of synthetic fibers on top of the “wet core” as an attempt to create a “feel drier” layer.\",\n \"This synthetic distancing layer is often called a “fluid transfer layer”, “fluid acquisition layer”, or “acquisition distribution layer (ADL)” and is typically much smaller than the core that it covers, leaving the edges of the core exposed.\",\n \"Moreover, despite their design goal, such fluid acquisition layers only work to a limited degree.\",\n \"In this regard as the exudate leaves the body at 98 degrees Fahrenheit it quickly drops to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit as it enters the core of the absorbent product.\",\n \"This creates a cooling effect when touched by the skin, which may increase during the time worn.\",\n \"If left on for an extended period of time, the wet product will achieve a thermal equilibrium and equilibrate somewhere between room temperature and about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, depending upon ambient temperature and clothes worn.\",\n \"This difference can be further exacerbated depending upon the thermal conductivity of the materials chosen to absorb the exudate.\",\n \"But in all cases current wood pulp fluff absorbent products will feel wet and/or cold to the skin the longer the product is worn.\",\n \"The current state of the art product design for the synthetic absorbent cores is based upon a synthetic continuous fiber matrix inter-layered with superabsorbent particles (SAP).\",\n \"For example a polypropylene tow fiber similar to tow used in cigarette filter making was chosen.\",\n \"This material is purchased in a continuous form and is pulled out of the box and proceeds into an air trumpet or similar device or the like, to expand the fiber tow matrix.\",\n \"Then SAP particles are intermixed, adhesive is sprayed into the fiber SAP matrix and the entire matrix is wrapped to result in what is the state of the art of current “Pulpless” core technology.\",\n \"This type of core has the major limitations of a slow absorbency rate.\",\n \"That rate is highly dependent upon the SAP chosen and on the adhesive type and amount required to attach the SAP to the tow fiber matrix.\",\n \"For example, if enough adhesive is provided to ensure that the SAP remains in its desired location within the core, that adhesive may limit the SAP's absorbent swelling due to coating part of the SAP particles.\",\n \"If less adhesive is utilized, while it may permit greater swelling and absorption of the exudate by the SAP, it may allow the SAP particles to fall from their positions in the core to the bottom of the crotch area, rendering it heavier and wetter in the crotch area when voided into and less absorbents at the ends.\",\n \"Another example of current pulpless core technology is gluing the SAP to the back sheet or inside the top or body facing sheet.\",\n \"This bonding process may limit the SAP from being fully expanded and utilized in absorbing the exudate.\",\n \"When bonded in such a matter, the SAP may be also be applied in continuous rows to provide space for the fluid to travel unhindered.\",\n \"Or the SAP may be intermixed with ground wood pulp fibers of similar size to enhanced fluid movement in this inefficient design.\",\n \"Current SAP limitations require having to choose between a higher absorbent capacity, with the disadvantage of having slower speed, or a faster SAP with less absorbing capacity.\",\n \"If the current SAPs are mixed, the fast acting SAP will very rapidly swell and may “gel-block” the slower acting, but higher absorption capacity SAP.\",\n \"If gel-blocking occurs, it will limit, or even prevent, the higher capacity SAP from desorbing the faster but lower capacity SAP.\",\n \"In the past a cellulose acetate fiber core with a single SAP has been developed and commercially available, as has a non-SAP version.\",\n \"Current polypropylene filament tow technology has also been used for the absorbent cores.\",\n \"In this regard, such polypropylene tow cores used in the market today make use of round or oval homo-polymer polypropylene fibers, which provide minimal resistance to fluid flow through the SAP/tow fiber matrix, thereby only providing minimal dwell time for the fluid to be absorbed by the SAP.\",\n \"While such prior art absorbable products containing wood fluff pulp are generally suitable for their intended purposes, they still leave much to be desired.\",\n \"In particular, the thickness of today's disposable absorbent products containing wood fluff pulp and the state of the art in pulp fiberizing technology result in an absorbent product that is significantly thicker than current cotton underwear.\",\n \"This results in a thicker product on the body which may not allow normal clothes or their usual size normal clothing to be worn.\",\n \"In addition the increased thickness of such products results in increased storage, transportation and handling costs and increased retail display space.\",\n \"In our aforementioned patent application there is disclosed and claimed a disposable absorbent garment, which overcomes many of the disadvantages of art absorbable products containing wood fluff pulp.\",\n \"In particular, that patent application discloses an exemplary absorbent assembly comprising a core formed of a synthetic tow or of synthetic nonwoven layers and having first section comprising a slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP and a second section comprising a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP, all of which is wrapped in a wrapper to hold the SAP in place.\",\n \"The absorbent assembly may be quilted and corrugated.\",\n \"The undergarment also includes releasably securable fasteners to enable it to be readily removed and a suspension system to ensure that the garment fits properly and doesn't leak even when holding a large amount of exudate.\",\n \"Odor removal/masking and treatment features may be provided.\",\n \"It addition the undergarment may include a wetness indicator.\",\n \"The subject invention is directed to an absorbent core assembly which constitutes an improvement over the absorbent cores of our aforementioned patent application.\",\n \"Thus the absorbent core assembly of this invention case be used in the absorbent garment of that patent application, or can be used in any other type of absorbent garment or in other absorbent product designed to quickly and efficiently absorb liquids without leakage therefrom.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided a method for making an absorbent core for use in a product used with a being for absorbing and retaining liquids from the body of the being.\",\n \"The method comprises forming a first section of at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough.\",\n \"The at least one layer of the first section is quilted by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of first pockets, each of the first pockets being partially filled with a first volume of a slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP therein.\",\n \"A second section is formed, with the second section having at least one layer of a porous material configured to permit the migration of a liquid therethrough.\",\n \"The at least one layer of the second section is quilted by fixedly secured securement lines to form a plurality of second pockets, each of the second pockets being partially filled with a second volume of a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP therein.\",\n \"The second volume is different than the first volume.\",\n \"The first section is disposed over the second section so that they are in fluid communication with each other, whereupon the resulting core is configured such that a liquid contacting the first section flows through the at least one layer of the porous material of the first section into the first pockets and from there flows through the at least one layer of the second section into the second pockets to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by the fast acting SAP therein, while the slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from the fast acting SAP as well as absorbing the liquid itself.\",\n \"In accordance with one preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first volume of slow acting, but high absorption capacity SAP is free in the first pockets, and wherein the second volume of fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP is free in the second pockets.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the at least one layer of the first section is formed of a nonwoven material and wherein the at least one layer of the second section is formed of a nonwoven material.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first section includes two layers, each of the layers of the first section comprising a plurality of the first pockets containing a portion of the slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP therein.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the pockets are formed by ultrasonically bonding or thermally bonding or adhesively bonding.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the first pockets are offset with respect to the second pockets.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a wicking layer disposed between the first and second sections to enhance liquid transfer between the first and second sections.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a fluid acquisition layer disposed over the first section.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises utilizing the core to form a protective disposable undergarment for the being.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing a top sheet formed of a material enabling a fluid to pass therethrough, disposing the top sheet over the core, providing a bottom sheet comprising a layer formed of a barrier material to prevent a fluid voided by the being to pass therethrough, disposing the bottom sheet under the core, and assembling the top sheet.\",\n \"The core and the bottom sheet together form the protective disposable undergarment.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing the protective disposable undergarment with a wicking layer disposed between the first and second sections to enhance fluid transfer from between the first and second sections.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the wicking layer comprises an air-laid material.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the method additionally comprises providing the protective disposable undergarment with a fluid acquisition layer disposed over the first section, whereupon the fluid acquisition layer is interposed between the top sheet and the first section of the absorbent core.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the top sheet comprises a non-woven material.\",\n \"In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the bottom sheet comprises a film barrier layer.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG.\",\n \"1 is a cross-sectional view of one exemplary embodiment of an absorbent core assembly constructed in accordance with this invention; FIG.\",\n \"2 is reduced size cross-sectional view of the crotch portion of an absorbent garment, e.g., a disposable undergarment or diaper, making use of the core assembly of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"3 is reduced size a top plan view of the core assembly of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"4 is a reduced size a top plan of one of the layers of the core assembly of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"5 is a reduced size top plan view of another one of the layers of the core assembly of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"6 is a reduced size top plan view of still another one of the layers of the core assembly of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"7 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.\",\n \"4; FIG.\",\n \"8 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.\",\n \"6; FIG.\",\n \"9 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative, and more preferred, embodiment of an absorbent core assembly constructed in accordance with this invention; and FIG.\",\n \"10 is a reduced size cross-sectional view of the crotch portion of an absorbent garment, e.g., a disposable undergarment or diaper, making use of the core assembly of FIG.\",\n \"9.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown in FIG.\",\n \"1 one exemplary embodiment of an absorbent core assembly 20 constructed in accordance with this invention.\",\n \"The core assembly 20 is designed to absorb liquids that in some way come out of or exit the body of a being, e.g., a person or animal, whether the being is living or dead.\",\n \"The liquid can be an exudate, urine, blood or any other fluid which includes a liquid as a component thereof.\",\n \"The core assembly of this invention has particular utility to be used as a component of a garment, e.g., protective disposable underwear, or a component of a bladder control pad, a sanitary napkin, a disposable diaper, etc.\",\n \"Moreover, it can be used as part of a protective pad for use on a bed or on other furniture or may be used as a part of a coffin liner.\",\n \"It may also be used as a wound dressing.\",\n \"In fact, the core assembly 20 of this invention need not be used to absorb liquids from a being, but can be used for other liquid absorbing purposes.\",\n \"For example, a core assembly constructed in accordance with this invention can be used to absorb aqueous chemical or other liquid spills.\",\n \"Turning now to FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 3, the absorbent core assembly 20 as shown therein basically comprises a generally planar body of any suitable peripheral shape.\",\n \"In this exemplary case the core assembly 20 is an elongate rectangle, having a longitudinal axis 22 and a transverse axis 24.The core assembly 20 is composed of at least two layers (to be described below) which are fixedly secured together along their longitudinally extending side edges 26 and their transversely extending end edges 28 by any suitable bonding technique, e.g., ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, adhesive bonding, etc.\",\n \"The first or top layer 30 of the core assembly 20 constitutes an acquisition layer, and is configured to be located confronting the being.\",\n \"This layer, while preferred, is optional such that it can be used for some applications and omitted for other applications.\",\n \"If used, the acquisition layer 30 serves to move the liquid to be absorbed linearly across its area to spread it out across the core assembly.\",\n \"In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of this invention the layer 30 is an airlaid material, such as Shalag STAPPEL40 ADL, STA1PBL40 or STA2PBL38m sold by Shalag US, Inc. or a similar material produced by WPT Corporation or other suppliers of similar ADL nonwoven materials.\",\n \"Such a material is identified by the vendor as being 40 gsm 100% Polyester White.\",\n \"Other similar airlaid acquisition layer materials incorporating Polypropylene, Polyethylene Bi-component fibers or the like used in the industry can be used, with a basis weight ideally of 40 grams per square meter (gsm) +/−10 gsm, although usage as low as 20 gsm or up to 100 gsm is infrequently used.\",\n \"Another alternative is to use a 3D film such as that available from Tredegar Film Products under the trademark AquiDry Plus 120.The second layer 32, which is sometimes referred to hereinafter as the “first section” of the core is best seen in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 4.Thus, as can be seen it is of elongated rectangular shape and is preferably coextensive in size and shape to the first layer 30.Like the layer 30, the first section or layer 32 is also provided to move the liquid linearly.\",\n \"However, unlike the first layer 30, the first section or layer 32 is a required layer.\",\n \"It is constructed using high capacity, but slow absorbing SAP particles 38, encapsulated between two sheets or webs 32A and 32B as best seen in FIG.\",\n \"7.In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of this invention the sheets or webs are formed of a non-woven, liquid pervious material, e.g., 15 +/−5 grams per square meter basis weight hydrophilic spunbond nonwoven polypropylene or the like.\",\n \"One particularly suitable nonwoven is available from PGI Nonwovens under code # B0305 white SBPP hydrophilic polypropylene spunbond.\",\n \"At minimum the upper body side layer 32A is hydrophilic where the bottom layer 32B, may be similar for ease of manufacturing.\",\n \"Alternatively, it could be hydrophobic or an apertured film.\",\n \"Like the top layer 30, the layer 32 is also of elongated rectangular shape and preferably is coextensive is size and shape with the top layer 30.The formation of the first section or layer 32 of the core assembly 20 is achieved by fixedly securing the webs or sheets 32A and 32B to each other by intersecting seal lines 40 to thereby result in a quilted subassembly having a plurality of compartments or pockets 42 located between the intersecting seal lines.\",\n \"The quilted nature of the first section 32 renders the SAP 38 particles of that section resistant to migration with respect to the core assembly and thus obviates the need for adhesives to bond to the SAP particles to prevent their migration.\",\n \"The seal lines 40 can be made by any suitable technique, e.g., ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, adhesive securement, etc.\",\n \"One exemplary embodiment of the first section 32 constitutes a diamond-like pattern of the intersecting lines 40 wherein each pocket 42 is of a square shape and is approximately 1.5 cm by 1.5 cm.\",\n \"with the width of each of the intersecting seal lines 40 being approximately 1 mm.\",\n \"Each pocket 40 of the first section contains free high capacity, but slow absorbing SAP, with each pocket being filled to less than half of its capacity, and preferably within the range of approximately one third to one quarter (or even slightly less) of its capacity.\",\n \"In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of this invention the high capacity, but slow absorbing SAP 38 can be Aqua Keep type SA605, SA60SX11 or Aqua Keep type SA55SX11 available from Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd., or can be BASF T-9400, BASF T-9600 or BASF T-9900 available from BASF Corporation, or any other suitable SAP.\",\n \"Preferably the SAP 38 should have a vortex time of at least, e.g., approximately 40 to 60 or more seconds.\",\n \"As is known in the art the term “vortex time” represent the amount of time that it takes SAP which is mixed with water in a vessel by a spinning stirrer to form a gel to stop the spinning stirrer.\",\n \"Each pocket 40 encapsulates approximately 0.07 to 0.08 grams of SAP, or approximately 100 grams of SAP per square meter.\",\n \"The partial filling of the pockets with the high capacity, but slow absorbing SAP 38 serves to allow for the expansion and swelling of the SAP when in contact with the liquid to be absorbed, e.g., urine.\",\n \"If the pockets 40 were filled with significantly more SAP 38, such as greater than 0.32 grams per pocket, the SAP 38 would be constrained in its ability to swell and thus unable to absorb additional fluid.\",\n \"In some instances it may be appropriate to underfill the pockets employing 0.04 grams or even 0.02 grams to ensure maximum utilization at a slightly reduced capacity.\",\n \"It should be pointed out that other size pockets than those described above are contemplated.\",\n \"For example, one can increase the amount of SAP 38 per pocket 40 by employing larger pockets.\",\n \"In each case, the ratio of SAP 38 to the pocket size should not exceed approximately 0.4 grams per 4 square centimeters per pocket.\",\n \"If larger pockets are contemplated, then the same ratio of weight per unit area should be applied.\",\n \"The third layer 34 of the core assembly 20 is also optional, but desirable, and is shown best in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 5.This layer serves to aid in transporting liquid by wicking or the like.\",\n \"In particular the layer 34 is configured to aid in allowing the liquid to linearly wick so that it assists in moving the liquid to be absorbed, e.g., urine, from the central middle area of the core where the liquid is first insulted to the ends of the core where that liquid may not fully reach and to allow that liquid to pass through it into the fourth or bottom layer.\",\n \"In the exemplary embodiment, the wicking layer is a fluid wettable hydrophilic layer containing absorbent tissue, cotton or the like ranging from approximately 50 to 200 gsm.\",\n \"One particularly suitable material for the wicking layer 34 is available from Domtar/EAM Corporation under the trademark Nova Thin and is described as White Fibrous Web of 100 gm basis weight.\",\n \"The layer 34 has a corduroy or corrugated embossing pattern that is employed to further assist wicking.\",\n \"The corrugations or corduroy pattern is formed by a plurality of closely disposed parallel seal lines 44 made by any suitable technique, e.g., ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, adhesive securement, etc.\",\n \"The wicking layer is also of elongated rectangular shape, but preferably of a smaller size than the layers 30 and 32 and is not bonded (for a reason to be described later).\",\n \"Moreover, the wicking layer 34 may be in the form of plural layers to provide the desired wicking properties.\",\n \"The wicking layer may also have visible holes, of 1 mm in size or larger, added to further enhance fluid pass through.\",\n \"The fourth or bottom layer 36 is also a required layer and is sometimes referred to hereinafter 36 is preferably coextensive in size and shape to the first section 32.The second section 36 is configured to be disposed away from the being and is constructed somewhat similarly to the first section 32.To that end, the second section is in the form of fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP particles 46 encapsulated between two sheets or webs 36A and 36B of a non-woven, liquid pervious material, e.g., 15 +/−5 gsm basis weight polypropylene like that used in the first section 32.Like the webs or sheets of the first section, the webs or sheets 36A and 36B of the second section are fixedly secured to each other by intersecting seal lines 48 to form a quilted subassembly having a plurality of compartments or pockets 50 located between the intersecting seal lines.\",\n \"The seal lines are formed by any suitable technique, e.g., ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, adhesive securement, etc.\",\n \"Each pocket 50 contains a portion of the fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP 46 therein, with each pocket being filled to less than half of its capacity, and preferably within the range of approximately one third to one quarter (or even slightly less) of its capacity.\",\n \"In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of this invention the fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP 46 can be Aqua Keep type SA10 or Aqua Keep type BA40B available from Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd., or the like.\",\n \"Those products have a very fast vortex time, e.g., approximately 4 to 10 seconds.\",\n \"It is preferred that the SAP 46 of the second section have a vortex time of less than 10 seconds, but longer times may be suitable, depending upon the application.\",\n \"In any case, like the first section, the quilting of the second section renders the SAP 46 of the second section resistant to migration with respect to the core assembly without requiring adhesives to bond to the superabsorbent particles to prevent their movement or migration.\",\n \"The sheets or webs 36A and 36B of the second section 36 are ultrasonically bonded in a diamond pattern pocketing like the first section, with each pocket 50 being approximately 1.5 cm by 1.5 cm square and with the width of the intersecting seal lines being approximately 1 mm in width.\",\n \"Other thermal techniques may also be employed.\",\n \"Each pocket 50 encapsulates approximately 0.02 to 0.08 gm of the SAP 46, or approximately 100 gsm per square meter.\",\n \"In this construction adhesives to bond to the superabsorbent particles to prevent their movement or migration are not required, nor desired.\",\n \"The pockets 50 are only partially filled to allow for the expansion and swelling of the superabsorbent polymers when in contact with the fluid.\",\n \"If the pockets were filled with significantly more superabsorbent polymer particles 46, such as greater than 0.32 gm per pocket, the SAP particles would be constrained in their ability to swell and thus unable to absorb additional fluid.\",\n \"However, other size pockets may be contemplated to increase the amount of SAP per pocket by employing larger pockets.\",\n \"In each case, the ratio of SAP 46 to the pocket size should not exceed approximately 0.4 gm per 2.25 square cm per pocket.\",\n \"If larger pockets are contemplated, then the same ratio of weight per unit area should be applied.\",\n \"As best seen in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 3, the four layers 30, 32, 34 and 36 are fixedly secured together along their marginal edges by respective seal lines 52 to form a composite assembly.\",\n \"The seal lines 52 are formed by any suitable technique, e.g., ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, adhesive securement, etc.\",\n \"The most desirable process is to ultrasonically bond the four layers together with a two mm wide intermittent bond pattern running down the sides of the four layer composite core and spaced about one cm from each edge, e.g., somewhat like a railroad track with approximately four bond points or bars per cm.\",\n \"To assist in bonding the wicking layer 28 is narrower than the total composite core.\",\n \"For example if the composite core is 100 mm wide, the non-thermal bondable wicking layer will be no wider than 75 to 80 mm in width.\",\n \"This is done to assist ultrasonically bonding the three fusible layers 30, 32 and 36, encapsulating the non-fusible layer 34 between them.\",\n \"An alternative construction would be to use an adhesive either lightly sprayed or slot coated to allow the fluid to travel through the construct unhindered.\",\n \"The absorbent core assembly 20 is arranged to be located in a garment, to be described shortly, such that the layer 32 (the first section of the core) constitutes a body-facing side confronting the being and the layer 36 (the second section of the core) constitutes a remote-facing side disposed away from the being, whereupon a liquid voided, exuded or otherwise emanating from the body of the being flows through the first section to the fast acting SAP in the second section to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by the fast acting SAP therein, while the slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from the fast acting SAP as well as absorbing the liquid itself.\",\n \"The wicking layer 30 serves to enhance the fluid transfer from the lower faster absorbent layer 36 into the upper slower absorbent layer 32.In order to improve fluid movement through the entire composite absorbent core, it is preferred that the embossed pockets 42 and 50 are not aligned directly with respect to each other.\",\n \"Rather they are offset in the X direction (parallel to the longitudinal axis 22) and/or in the Y direction (parallel to the transverse axis 24).\",\n \"This allows for improved fluid migration not only in the X/Y direction, but also in the Z direction, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the core assembly.\",\n \"However, if desired, e.g., in the interest of ease and simplicity of manufacturing the core, reduced capital costs and concomitant consumer savings, the embossed pockets may be directly aligned under each layer and under each other.\",\n \"As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art the quilted construct of a core assembly 20 constructed in accordance with this invention functions via what can be called a “compartment spill over phenomena”.\",\n \"In particular, the liquid to be absorbed when brought to the each section of the core will fill up the SAP contained in a compartment (pocket) of that section, whereupon the compartment and the SAP in it will swell.\",\n \"Once the SAP in that compartment is fully utilized (e.g., has swelled to its maximum), the liquid then “spills over” to the adjacent compartments.\",\n \"As mentioned above, the ultrasonically formed SAP diamond shaped compartments 44 and 50 of the first section 32 and the second section 36, respectively, have approximately a 1 mm space between them as a result of the width of their respective intersecting seal lines 40 and 48.This aids in liquid movement, along the voids 54 in the core assembly adjacent those seal lines as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG.\",\n \"1.As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the wicking layer 34 also enhances liquid movement and does the unaligned nature of the compartments or pockets.\",\n \"The addition of a topmost body side layer, commonly referred as an acquisition layer, transfer layer or distancing layer further aids fluid transfer to assist fluid in the spill over from one SAP containing compartment or pocket to the next.\",\n \"It should be pointed out at this juncture that if a higher capacity absorbent core is desired, one or more additional SAP layers like those of the first section and/or the second section could be added to the construct.\",\n \"In addition, a second wicking layer could be added between the SAP absorbent layers, if desired.\",\n \"Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"9, there is shown a more preferred core assembly 120 constructed in accordance with this invention.\",\n \"The core assembly 120 is of similar construction to the core 20, except that the first section of the core assembly 120 is made up of two layers and instead of a single layer 32.In the interest of brevity the components of the core assembly 120 which are common with the core assembly 20 will be given the same reference numbers and the details of their construction, assembly and operation will not be reiterated.\",\n \"Thus, as can be seen the core assembly 120 includes an optional top layer 30, a first section 132 made up of two layers 32, a wicking layer 34 and a second section 36.Each of the two layers 32 making up the first section 132 is constructed in a similar manner to the layer 32 of the core assembly 20.In particular, each layer 32 is constructed using high capacity, but slow absorbing SAP particles 38, encapsulated between two sheets or webs 32A and 32B as best seen in FIG.\",\n \"7.Each sheets or web are formed of a non-woven, liquid pervious material, e.g., 15 +/−5 grams per square meter basis weight hydrophilic spunbond nonwoven polypropylene or the like, such as that available from PGI Nonwovens under code # B0305 white SBPP hydrophilic polypropylene spunbond.\",\n \"The formation each layer 32 of the first section 132 of the core assembly 120 is achieved by fixedly securing the webs or sheets 32A and 32B to each other by intersecting seal lines 40 to thereby result in a quilted subassembly layer having a plurality of compartments or pockets 42 located between the intersecting seal lines.\",\n \"The two layers 32 of the first section 132 are superimposed over each other such that their pockets 42 are not aligned longitudinally or transversely.\",\n \"By making use of two layers of the first section, the core assembly 120 can use less SAP in each of the pockets 42 of the first section than is used in the pockets 42 of the first section of the core assembly 20.For example, the amount of SAP 38 in each of the pockets 42 of the two layers may be in the range of one third to one quarter or less than the capacity of the pocket.\",\n \"This configuration provides sufficient room for the SAP 38 to expand in the pockets 42 so that it can be fully utilized to desorb the SAP 46 from the second section 36.While it is desirable to use the least amount of SAP 46 in the pockets 42 of the first section for economic reasons, the amount used must be able to be fully utilized to achieve the desired absorption rate and capacity.\",\n \"Thus, is preferred that the SAP 42 in each of the two layers of the first section 132 is within the aforementioned desired range of pocket fullness and that the SAP has a vortex time of at least 60 seconds to be able to fully desorb the liquid from the second section 32.Moreover, that configuration maximizes SAP performance and enables efficient and effective transfer of liquid introduced into the core assembly through each of the two layers of the first section into the second section, without any tendency for the SAP 38 of the first section to impede the flow of liquid into the second section 32 as could result from “gel blocking”.\",\n \"As is known “gel blocking: occurs when the surface of the SAP in a section that comes into contact with the liquid first swells and blocks the lower levels of SAP of that section from fully absorbing to their maximum capacity.\",\n \"Thus, by using less SAP in each pocket 42, but by using more pockets via the two layer construction of the first section 132, the occurrence of gel blocking is minimized if not eliminated.\",\n \"Thus, the liquid introduced into the core assembly can quickly pass through the first section to be wicked into the second section, where it is quickly absorbed by the SAP of the second section, and from whence that liquid can go back to the first section where that liquid is slowly absorbed, thereby desorbing the second section, so that all of the liquid is trapped in the core assembly to keep the user of the core dry.\",\n \"While the preferred embodiment of the core 120 includes two layers in the first section 132, that is merely exemplary.\",\n \"Thus, it is contemplated to use more than two layers in that section, with the pocket sizes and capacity being adjusted accordingly.\",\n \"However it should be recognized that there is an additional cost in using more than two layers for the first section, e.g., the cost of the non-woven material encapsulating the additional layer(s).\",\n \"Moreover, if desired the second section 36 may be made up of multiple quilted layers.\",\n \"Further still, it is also contemplated that the subject invention can use less expensive inorganic additives to maximize SAP performance.\",\n \"Since the goal of the core of this invention is to allow all the SAP particles of each section to achieve their maximum absorbent capacity, inorganic additives such as high porosity Zeolite's, Upsalite, microspheres or other inorganic materials that do not swell or add to the gel blocking phenomena may be included with the SAP of the core.\",\n \"Another approach in lieu of the use of such inorganic additives, or an additional approach to using such additives, is to utilize an acquisition layer, such as a 40 gm Shalag ADL or similar materials from Shalag US, Inc. or similar materials available from WPT Corporation or others may be disposed underneath the second section of the core.\",\n \"Absorbent cores constructed in accordance with this invention, such as those described above or variations thereof, could be used in lieu of an absorbent core that is employed in current existing absorbent products.\",\n \"For example, core assemblies constructed in accordance with this invention can be used in adult incontinence products (e.g., briefs, panties, pads, etc.\",\n \"), infant absorbent garments (e.g., diapers), sanitary napkins, a feminine napkins, panty liners, or any other product arranged to be worn by a being to absorb liquids from the being.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"2 there is shown a cross-sectional view of the crotch region of an exemplary product, e.g., an adult incontinent brief, 10 making use of a core assembly 20.The brief 10 includes a top sheet 10A and a bottom sheet 10B.\",\n \"The top sheet may be a non-woven material like that typically used in products of this kind.\",\n \"The bottom sheet 10B constitutes a barrier layer, e.g., constitutes a film of polyethylene or polypropylene, also like that typically used in products of this kind to insure that none of the liquid leaks out the brief.\",\n \"Located between the top and bottom sheets 10A and 10B, respectively, is the core assembly 20.In FIG.\",\n \"10 there is shown a cross-sectional view of the crotch region of another exemplary product, e.g., also an adult incontinent brief 12, making use of a core assembly of this invention, in this case core assembly 120.The brief 12 is of similar construction to the brief 10, except for the use of the core assembly 120 in lieu of the core assembly 20.In the interest of brevity the components of the brief 12 that are common with the brief 10 will be given the same reference numbers and the details of their construction, assembly and operation will not be reiterated.\",\n \"Thus, it can be seen that the brief 12 includes a top sheet 10A and a bottom sheet 10B.\",\n \"The top sheet may be a non-woven material and the bottom sheet 10B may be a barrier film of polyethylene or polypropylene, like that typically used in products of this kind.\",\n \"Located between the top and bottom sheets 10A and 10B, respectively, is the core assembly 120.Other alternative constructs for absorbent core assemblies of this invention are also contemplated.\",\n \"For example, in order to create the maximum absorbent capacity in a product with improved surface dryness, such as the adult incontinent briefs described above, one can apply one or more layers of a quilted SAP containing nonwoven layer over the top of an airlaid or fluff mat, but under the top sheet of the brief.\",\n \"The SAP needs to absorb slower than the pulp containing-mat underneath it to act as a surface dryness reservoir.\",\n \"In this construct, the SAP layer may be smaller than the airlaid or fluff mat.\",\n \"In order to increase speed of absorbency and total capacity of the pad of that garment, one or more layers of a quilted SAP containing nonwoven layer under the bottom of an airlaid or fluff mat, but above the polyethylene or polypropylene barrier film.\",\n \"The SAP needs to absorb faster, or at least as fast, as the pulp containing mat above it to act as a fluid containment layer.\",\n \"Garments or other absorbent products making use of a quilted SAP containing nonwoven layer over the top of an airlaid or fluff mat, but under the top sheet as described above, may be of similar size, smaller and may be shaped other than being of a rectangular shape like the core assemblies described above.\",\n \"Similarly, absorbent core assemblies may make use of one or more quilted SAP layers under airlaid or fluff mat, but above the polyethylene or polypropylene barrier film as described above, may be provided and may be of similar size, smaller or even shaped other than being of a rectangular shape.\",\n \"As mentioned above, the subject invention also contemplates use of the absorbent core assembly in pad for disposition on a bed or other article of furniture to protect the bed or other article from liquids, e.g., urine, or may be in the form of a coffin liner to protect a coffin from liquids exiting the body of a corpse disposed thereon.\",\n \"For either of such applications, the pad/liner may be in the form of a unitary composite composed of four layers.\",\n \"The first layer constitutes the top sheet of the pad and is configured to be in contact with the being's body and may be composed of a polypropylene spunbond or the like, usually 15 gsm +/−5 gsm.\",\n \"Alternatively, it may be of a higher basis weight or a synthetic through-air bonded carded web.\",\n \"The next layer may be a single layer or multiple layers and forms the first section of the pad/liner.\",\n \"The first section is in the form of a high capacity but slow absorbing layer of SAP particles encapsulated between two layers of 15 +/−5 grams per square meter polypropylene or the like material in a quilted pocketed configuration.\",\n \"The pockets contain free SAP and are filled at less than 20%, and preferably in the range of approximately 1% to 5%.\",\n \"This layer serves to allow fluid to pass therethrough.\",\n \"The third layer constitutes the second section of the pad is also required.\",\n \"It may be a single layer or multiple layers.\",\n \"In any case it contains a fast absorbing SAP with a vortex time of no more than about 10 seconds.\",\n \"This fast absorbing layer of SAP is encapsulated between two layers of 15 +/−5 grams per square meter polypropylene or the like material in a quilted pocketed style.\",\n \"The pockets contain free SAP and are filled at less than 20% and preferably in the range of approximately 1% to 5%.\",\n \"The construction of this layer enables it to rapidly capture the fluid and pull it away from the being's body.\",\n \"Then the layers of SAP above this layer may desorb this layer due to their higher capacity.\",\n \"The fourth layer is a barrier layer composed of a barrier film or film laminate and serves to prevent leakage onto the bedding or other furniture on which the pad/liner is disposed.\",\n \"The four layers of the pad/liner are preferably sealed around the entire perimeter of the pad/liner by ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding or by adhesives in a continuous or intermittent pattern or the like.\",\n \"It also may have the layers or parts therein bonded to each other with adhesives or in spots using known techniques such as ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, etc.\",\n \"Instead of using the above composite as a unitary pad structure, it may also be used in place of airlaid or pulp fluff mats used in the current under-pads to retrofit such under-pads.\",\n \"To that end a composite structure in accordance with this invention can be provided.\",\n \"That structure includes only the second and third layers as discussed above which would be used as an insert into current processes in place of their current airlaid or SAP/airlaid materials or pulp or pulp/SAP mats.\",\n \"Further a single pocketed layer of the SAP like that used in the subject invention can be used either alone or in conjunction with airlaid or pulp/SAP mats as follows.\",\n \"A single high capacity SAP pocked layer may be added on top of a current absorbent core for added capacity.\",\n \"This structure would also provide the advantage of increased dryness and total capacity.\",\n \"A single fast absorbing SAP pocked layer may be added under the current absorbent core to increase the speed of the management of fluid.\",\n \"Such a structure would also increase the speed of absorbency and total capacity.\",\n \"All of the foregoing under-pads can be readily produced as a continuous roll of absorbent pads on a roll that could be more easily used like paper towels on a roll.\",\n \"To that end, each under-pad can be manufactured so that it is attached to the corresponding next under-pad through a series of weak perforations or the like.\",\n \"As should be appreciated from the foregoing the cores of this invention as described above make use of at least two sections, each of which is of a quilted construction including plural pockets.\",\n \"Moreover, each of the pockets is hollow and is partially filled with SAP.\",\n \"The SAP may be in the form of particles or fibers or any other form of SAP which is free or unsecured.\",\n \"The pockets serve to hold the SAP therein to prevent migration of the SAP through the core.\",\n \"It is, however, contemplated that for some applications an adhesive could be used in the pockets to thereby hold the SAP in place.\",\n \"That alternative configuration provides an additional means, in addition to the pockets, for preventing the SAP from migrating through the core.\",\n \"Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate our invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873480"}}},{"rowIdx":4494358,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["SECURE REAL-TIME TRANSACTIONS","A method including performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Other embodiments are provided."],["1.A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform: performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer; receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, the first information comprising a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount, the merchant identifier being associated with the merchant, the payment amount being for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and the transaction identifier being associated with the transaction; sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, wherein the one or more first accounts comprise at least one non-demand deposit account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","2.The system of claim 1, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","3.The system of claim 1, wherein the computing instructions are further configured to perform: receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","4.The system of claim 3, wherein the computing instructions are further configured to perform: displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.","5.The system of claim 3, wherein the computing instructions are further configured to perform: determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction; and presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","6.The system of claim 5, wherein the computing instructions are further configured to perform: receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","7.The system of claim 6, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","8.The system of claim 6, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","9.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; the loan account is created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.","10.The system of claim 9, wherein a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","11.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.","12.The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account.","13.A method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the method comprising: performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer; receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, the first information comprising a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount, the merchant identifier being associated with the merchant, the payment amount being for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and the transaction identifier being associated with the transaction; sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, wherein the one or more first accounts comprise at least one non-demand deposit account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","14.The method of claim 13, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","15.The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","16.The method of claim 15, further comprising: displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.","17.The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction; and presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","18.The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","19.The method of claim 18, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","20.The method of claim 18, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","21.The method of claim 13, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; the loan account is created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.","22.The method of claim 21, wherein a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","23.The method of claim 13, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.","24.The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account."],[" BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7 ; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19 ; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/170,781, filed Jun.","1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.U.S.","patent application Ser.","Nos.","15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.","TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.","BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.","DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer cam ne maintained by a first financial institution.","The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.","The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Turning to the drawings, FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.","System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.","7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.","The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.","In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.","In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).","In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.","In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.","In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.","In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).","For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.","In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.","For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.","In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.","For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.","In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).","This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.","In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.","In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).","In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.","In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.","For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.","For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.","For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.","As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.","In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.","In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.","In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).","In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.","In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.","In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.","The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.","For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.","The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.","For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.","In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.","In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.","In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.","In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.","For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.","For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.","By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.","In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).","In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.","In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.","In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.","In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.","In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.","In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.","In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.","The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.","As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.","In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.","In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.","In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.","For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.","For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.","In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.","In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.","In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.","In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.","In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.","In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.","In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.","In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.","In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.","In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.","In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.","Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.","In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.","In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.","22 and described below.","In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.","For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.","In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.","In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.","129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).","In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).","In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.","In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.","For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.","In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.","For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.","For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.","Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.","Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.","In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.","In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.","In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.","In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.","For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.","In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.","For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.","In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.","In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.","The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.","In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.","In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.","The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.","In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.","In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.","In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.","In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.","For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","in some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.","In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.","In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.","In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.","In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.","In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.","In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.","In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.","1)).","User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.","For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.","1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.","In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), such as Checking Account A.","When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) to use for the payment transaction.","In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve the transaction using the account.","In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to decline the transaction using the account.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.","User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.","Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.","In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.","In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.","In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.","User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.","In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.","In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), such as a new loan.","In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.","1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.","When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.","1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.","21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed.","User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), title bar 2001 (FIG.","20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.","If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.","In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.","1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.","5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.","9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.","16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.","5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.","9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.","16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.","16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.","9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.","4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.","4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.","13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.","13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.","4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.","10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.","10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.","10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.","13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.","13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.","In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.","10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.","13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.","13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.","11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.","11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.","14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.","14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.","2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.","2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.","2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.","14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.","3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.","3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.","15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.","15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.","3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.","12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.","15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.","3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.","In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.","6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.","6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.","6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), financial institution 150 (FIG.","1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.","2), method 300 (FIG.","3), method 400 (FIG.","4), method 500 (FIG.","5), method 600 (FIG.","6), method 900 (FIG.","9), method 1000 (FIG.","10), method 1100 (FIG.","11), method 1200 (FIG.","12), method 1300 (FIG.","13), method 1400 (FIG.","14), method 1500 (FIG.","15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.","16).","Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.","8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.","8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.","8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.","Continuing with FIG.","8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).","Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.","7) to a functional state after a system reset.","In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).","In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.","7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7-8).","In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.","The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.","Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.","As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.","In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.","8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/O devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.","7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.","7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.","8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.","Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.","7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.","7) of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.","7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7 and 8).","In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.","In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.","7) or USB port 712 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).","Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.","7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.","Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.","7) need not be discussed herein.","When computer 700 in FIG.","7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.","8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.","8).","A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.","In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.","Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.","7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.","In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.","In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.","Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.","Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.","It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.","For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.","1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.","For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.","Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.","The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.","Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"SECURE REAL-TIME TRANSACTIONS\",\n \"A method including performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Other embodiments are provided.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform: performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer; receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, the first information comprising a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount, the merchant identifier being associated with the merchant, the payment amount being for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and the transaction identifier being associated with the transaction; sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, wherein the one or more first accounts comprise at least one non-demand deposit account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"2.The system of claim 1, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"3.The system of claim 1, wherein the computing instructions are further configured to perform: receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"4.The system of claim 3, wherein the computing instructions are further configured to perform: displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.\",\n \"5.The system of claim 3, wherein the computing instructions are further configured to perform: determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction; and presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"6.The system of claim 5, wherein the computing instructions are further configured to perform: receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"7.The system of claim 6, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"8.The system of claim 6, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"9.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; the loan account is created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"10.The system of claim 9, wherein a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"11.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"12.The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account.\",\n \"13.A method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the method comprising: performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer; receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, the first information comprising a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount, the merchant identifier being associated with the merchant, the payment amount being for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and the transaction identifier being associated with the transaction; sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, wherein the one or more first accounts comprise at least one non-demand deposit account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 13, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 15, further comprising: displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.\",\n \"17.The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction; and presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"18.The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"19.The method of claim 18, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"20.The method of claim 18, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"21.The method of claim 13, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; the loan account is created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"22.The method of claim 21, wherein a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"23.The method of claim 13, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"24.The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7 ; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19 ; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/170,781, filed Jun.\",\n \"1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.U.S.\",\n \"patent application Ser.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.\",\n \"BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer cam ne maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.\",\n \"The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Turning to the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.\",\n \"The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.\",\n \"In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).\",\n \"In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.\",\n \"In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.\",\n \"In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).\",\n \"For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.\",\n \"For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.\",\n \"In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).\",\n \"This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.\",\n \"As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.\",\n \"In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.\",\n \"In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).\",\n \"In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.\",\n \"For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.\",\n \"The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.\",\n \"For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.\",\n \"In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.\",\n \"The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.\",\n \"As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.\",\n \"In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.\",\n \"In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.\",\n \"For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.\",\n \"In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.\",\n \"In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.\",\n \"Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.\",\n \"In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.\",\n \"22 and described below.\",\n \"In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.\",\n \"For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.\",\n \"In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.\",\n \"129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).\",\n \"In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.\",\n \"For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.\",\n \"Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.\",\n \"For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.\",\n \"The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.\",\n \"In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.\",\n \"The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"in some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.\",\n \"In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.\",\n \"For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), such as Checking Account A.\",\n \"When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve the transaction using the account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to decline the transaction using the account.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.\",\n \"Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), such as a new loan.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.\",\n \"When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.\",\n \"If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.\",\n \"In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.\",\n \"2), method 300 (FIG.\",\n \"3), method 400 (FIG.\",\n \"4), method 500 (FIG.\",\n \"5), method 600 (FIG.\",\n \"6), method 900 (FIG.\",\n \"9), method 1000 (FIG.\",\n \"10), method 1100 (FIG.\",\n \"11), method 1200 (FIG.\",\n \"12), method 1300 (FIG.\",\n \"13), method 1400 (FIG.\",\n \"14), method 1500 (FIG.\",\n \"15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.\",\n \"16).\",\n \"Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.\",\n \"8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.\",\n \"8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.\",\n \"8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).\",\n \"Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) to a functional state after a system reset.\",\n \"In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8).\",\n \"In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.\",\n \"The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.\",\n \"Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.\",\n \"As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/O devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.\",\n \"8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.\",\n \"Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.\",\n \"7) of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8).\",\n \"In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.\",\n \"In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) or USB port 712 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).\",\n \"Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.\",\n \"Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.\",\n \"7) need not be discussed herein.\",\n \"When computer 700 in FIG.\",\n \"7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.\",\n \"8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.\",\n \"In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.\",\n \"Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.\",\n \"7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.\",\n \"Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.\",\n \"Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.\",\n \"For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.\",\n \"1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.\",\n \"For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.\",\n \"Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.\",\n \"The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.\",\n \"Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873481"}}},{"rowIdx":4494359,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FAST SET-MEMBERSHIP TESTS USING ONE OR MORE PROCESSORS THAT SUPPORT SINGLE INSTRUCTION MULTIPLE DATA INSTRUCTIONS","Methods and apparatuses for determining set-membership using Single Instruction Multiple Data (“SIMD”) architecture are presented herein.","Specifically, methods and apparatuses are discussed for determining, in parallel, whether multiple values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.","Many of the methods and systems discussed herein are applied to determining whether one or more rows in a dictionary-encoded column of a database table satisfy one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column.","However, the methods and systems discussed herein may apply to many applications executed on a SIMD processor using set-membership tests."],["1.A processor comprising: a plurality of SIMD registers, including a particular SIMD register; wherein the particular SIMD register is capable of storing a particular maximum number of bits; wherein the processor is configured to: determine a cardinality for a column of a database table, wherein the cardinality of the column is how many unique values are in the column; determine whether the cardinality multiplied by a coefficient is greater than the particular maximum number of bits; in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is not greater than the particular maximum number of bits, the processor is configured to perform a first set-membership method; and in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is greater the particular maximum number of bits, the processor is configured to perform a second set-membership method.","2.The processor of claim 1, wherein the first set-membership method is a low-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.","3.The processor of claim 1, wherein the first set-membership method is a high-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.","4.The processor of claim 1, wherein the coefficient is a power of two.","5.The processor of claim 1, wherein: the column is a first column in the database table; the cardinality is a first cardinality; and the processor is further configured to: receive a query with a first condition and a second condition, wherein the first condition is based on the first column and the second condition is based on a second column in the database table; perform the first set-membership method based on determining the first cardinality for the first column is low; determine a second cardinality for the second column; and perform the second set-membership method based on determining the second cardinality for the first column is high.","6.A method comprising: determining a cardinality for a column of a database table, wherein the cardinality of the column is how many unique values are in the column; determining whether the cardinality multiplied by a coefficient is greater than the particular maximum number of bits; in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is not greater than the particular maximum number of bits, performing a first set-membership method; and in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is greater the particular maximum number of bits, performing a second set-membership method.","7.The method of claim 6, wherein the first set-membership method is a low-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.","8.The method of claim 6, wherein the first set-membership method is a high-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.","9.The method of claim 6, wherein the coefficient is a power of two.","10.The method of claim 6, wherein: the column is a first column in the database table; the cardinality is a first cardinality; and the method further comprises: receiving a query with a first condition and a second condition, wherein the first condition is based on the first column and the second condition is based on a second column in the database table; performing the first set-membership method based on determining the first cardinality for the first column is low; determining a second cardinality for the second column; and performing the second set-membership method based on determining the second cardinality for the first column is high.","11.A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform steps comprising: determining a cardinality for a column of a database table, wherein the cardinality of the column is how many unique values are in the column; determining whether the cardinality multiplied by a coefficient is greater than the particular maximum number of bits; in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is not greater than the particular maximum number of bits, performing a first set-membership method; and in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is greater the particular maximum number of bits, performing a second set-membership method.","12.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the first set-membership method is a low-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.","13.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the first set-membership method is a high-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.","14.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the coefficient is a power of two.","15.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein: the column is a first column in the database table; the cardinality is a first cardinality; and wherein the instructions include instructions that, when executed by said one or more processors, cause: receiving a query with a first condition and a second condition, wherein the first condition is based on the first column and the second condition is based on a second column in the database table; performing the first set-membership method based on determining the first cardinality for the first column is low; determining a second cardinality for the second column; and performing the second set-membership method based on determining the second cardinality for the first column is high."],[" BACKGROUND Determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be computationally expensive.","The larger the first set and/or the second set is, the more time is required to determine which values in the first set of values are members of a second set of values.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: A database has a table named “OrbitingObjects”, which has a particular column named “Type”; and A database server receives the following query: “SELECT count(Type) FROM OrbitingObjects WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’;”.","To respond to the query, the database server must determine which values in the particular column are members of a second set.","In this case, the second set is the set of values that match “rocket” or “station”.","The more rows in the column Type, the longer the database server may take to determine which rows in the Type column satisfy the condition: “WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”.","Furthermore, some types of conditions are computationally expensive.","For instance, in the previous example, the database server may perform a string comparison between each value in the Type column and the two condition values: “rocket” and “station”.","Some database systems rely on using newer processing units with higher processing speeds to determine which rows in a column satisfy one or more conditions in a query and return results more quickly.","However, the performance of typical processing units is not increasing at the same rate as the quantity of the data upon which database operations are performed.","Thus, database and other software developers are not able to rely as much on increasing computer power to more quickly evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.","Single instruction multiple data (“SIMD”) processors perform the same operation on multiple data items simultaneously.","SIMD processors exploit data level parallelism by executing a single instruction against data in multiple registers or subregisters.","Thus, the throughput per instruction may be increased accordingly.","SIMD processors are typically used for graphic and other multimedia applications.","Exploiting the SIMD architecture to evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be difficult.","For example, many SIMD processors cannot branch to a first operation after evaluating a first value in a first subregister, and branch to a second operation after evaluating a second value in a second subregister, in parallel.","Thus, if a first column value satisfies a condition, but a second column value does not satisfy the same condition, then some SIMD architectures do not have a mechanism to branch to a first operation to indicate the particular column value satisfied the condition, while branching in parallel to a second operation to indicate the second column value did not satisfy the condition.","The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued.","Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG.","1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing a first set-membership process, in an embodiment.","FIG.","2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.","FIG.","3A and FIG.","3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.","FIG.","4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?","While each of the drawing figures illustrates a particular embodiment for purposes of illustrating a clear example, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the elements shown in the drawing figures.","For purposes of illustrating clear examples, one or more figures may be described with reference to one or more other figures, but using the particular arrangement illustrated in the one or more other figures is not required in other embodiments."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS; BENEFIT CLAIM This application is a Divisional of prior U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/338,219 (Attorney Docket No.","50277-4171) entitled “Methods And Systems For Fast Set-Membership Tests Using One Or More Processors That Support Single Instruction Multiple Data Instructions”, filed Jul.","22, 2014, which claims the benefit of Provisional App.","No.","61/880,852, filed Sep. 21, 2013, under 35 U.S.C.","§ 119(e).","The entire contents of Provisional App.","No.","61/880,852 are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.","The application is related to, and incorporates by reference, the following U.S. applications: U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/801,207 filed Mar.","15, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/023,064 filed Sep. 10, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/023,249 filed Sep. 10, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/023,265 filed Sep. 10, 2013 and U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/338,219 filed on Jul.","22, 2014.FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to set-membership tests and more specifically to parallel set-membership tests optimized to use single instruction multiple data instructions.","BACKGROUND Determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be computationally expensive.","The larger the first set and/or the second set is, the more time is required to determine which values in the first set of values are members of a second set of values.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: A database has a table named “OrbitingObjects”, which has a particular column named “Type”; and A database server receives the following query: “SELECT count(Type) FROM OrbitingObjects WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’;”.","To respond to the query, the database server must determine which values in the particular column are members of a second set.","In this case, the second set is the set of values that match “rocket” or “station”.","The more rows in the column Type, the longer the database server may take to determine which rows in the Type column satisfy the condition: “WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”.","Furthermore, some types of conditions are computationally expensive.","For instance, in the previous example, the database server may perform a string comparison between each value in the Type column and the two condition values: “rocket” and “station”.","Some database systems rely on using newer processing units with higher processing speeds to determine which rows in a column satisfy one or more conditions in a query and return results more quickly.","However, the performance of typical processing units is not increasing at the same rate as the quantity of the data upon which database operations are performed.","Thus, database and other software developers are not able to rely as much on increasing computer power to more quickly evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.","Single instruction multiple data (“SIMD”) processors perform the same operation on multiple data items simultaneously.","SIMD processors exploit data level parallelism by executing a single instruction against data in multiple registers or subregisters.","Thus, the throughput per instruction may be increased accordingly.","SIMD processors are typically used for graphic and other multimedia applications.","Exploiting the SIMD architecture to evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be difficult.","For example, many SIMD processors cannot branch to a first operation after evaluating a first value in a first subregister, and branch to a second operation after evaluating a second value in a second subregister, in parallel.","Thus, if a first column value satisfies a condition, but a second column value does not satisfy the same condition, then some SIMD architectures do not have a mechanism to branch to a first operation to indicate the particular column value satisfied the condition, while branching in parallel to a second operation to indicate the second column value did not satisfy the condition.","The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued.","Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.","TERMS AND NOTATION For purpose of explanation, the following terms and conventions are used herein to describe embodiments of the invention: The term “byte” herein describes number of contiguously stored bits.","While the common usage implies eight bits, the size of a byte may vary from implementation to implementation.","For example a byte may refer to any size including four bits, eight bits, sixteen bits, thirty-two bits, sixty-four bits, and so on.","The notation herein describes a vector of bits, e.g., <10>.","Spaces and/or commas may be added between bits merely to increase the ability to read the contents of the vector, e.g., <1111 0000, 1111 0000>.","To be consistent with the other examples herein, the “first” bit, “lowest” bit, or “least significant” bit is the right-most bit; the “last” bit, “highest” bit, or “most significant” bit is the left-most bit.","In an embodiment bits in a vector bit may be ordered differently.","The terms “lowest-aligned” and “highest-aligned” indicate whether a value is stored in a register's lowest bits or highest bits, respectively.","For example, if a value is “lowest-aligned” in a register, then the value is stored in the register's lowest bits; and if a value is “highest-aligned” in a register, then the value is stored in the register's highest bits.","For purposes of illustrating clear examples herein, the term “right-aligned” means lowest-aligned, and the term “left-aligned” means highest-aligned.","The notation [J, K] herein describe a set of values, where J is a first value and K is a second value, which may be equal or different unless specifically stated otherwise.","For example, J could be a value in a first row of a database column and K may be a value in a second row of the database column.","Also for example, J may be a first value in a dictionary and K may be a second value in a dictionary.","The term “register” is a register or subregister that may include one or more smaller subregisters.","Unless otherwise specified a register may be a SIMD register or a register typically used in the scalar processor.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG.","1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing a first set-membership process, in an embodiment.","FIG.","2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.","FIG.","3A and FIG.","3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.","FIG.","4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.","While each of the drawing figures illustrates a particular embodiment for purposes of illustrating a clear example, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the elements shown in the drawing figures.","For purposes of illustrating clear examples, one or more figures may be described with reference to one or more other figures, but using the particular arrangement illustrated in the one or more other figures is not required in other embodiments.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.","It will be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.","In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.","General Overview Several processes are presented herein for determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values in parallel using SIMD architecture.","While the examples illustrated herein focus on satisfying conditions in a database query, the processes and systems discussed herein may be used in other applications using SIMD architecture.","SIMD Instructions A SIMD instruction is an instruction that, when processed, may cause an operation to be performed multiple times, simultaneously and/or in parallel, on multiple distinct data values.","For the purpose of illustrating a clear example, assume four integer values are to be incremented by one.","Also assume that a SIMD processor receives a single SIMD Increment by One instruction.","In response to receiving the single SIMD instruction, the SIMD processor may increment each of the four integer values simultaneously.","In contrast, a scalar instruction is an instruction that, when processed, may cause an operation to be performed once.","Multiple scalar instructions may be processed serially within a scalar processor, processing unit, or processing core.","Assume, for purposes of illustrating a clear example, the same four values in the previous example are to be incremented by one on a scalar processor.","The scalar processor may execute a first scalar Increment by One instruction, causing the first value to be incremented by one; then, the scalar processor may execute a second scalar Increment by One instruction, causing the second value to be incremented by one, and so on.","Thus, in this example, the scalar processor must execute three more Increment by One instructions than the SIMD processor in the previous example.","Furthermore, assume that the scalar processor performs a scalar Increment by One instruction as quickly as the SIMD processor executes a SIMD Increment by One instruction.","Because the scalar processor performs scalar instructions serially, and the SIMD processor performs a SIMD instruction on multiple data objects in parallel, the scalar processor may take four times longer to process all four values than the SIMD processor.","One approach for implementing a SIMD operation is to use one or more registers that are each capable of storing multiple distinct data values.","Such registers are referred to herein as SIMD registers.","Assume, for purposes of illustrating a clear example, that a SIMD register is capable of storing 256 bits.","Accordingly, the SIMD register is capable of storing eight distinct 32-bit values, each in a 32-bit subregister; four distinct 64-bit values, each in a 64-bit subregister; or two distinct 128-bit values, each in a 128-bit subregister.","Additionally or alternatively, non-power-of-two sized subregisters may be used.","A SIMD operation implemented in hardware and may take one or more machine cycles to execute.","For example, a scalar processor, in response to receiving a Shift Right instruction, may shift bits representing a single value in a register to the right in a single cycle.","A SIMD processor, in response to receiving a Shift Right instruction, may shift bits in multiple SIMD registers, or SIMD subregisters, in parallel, in a single cycle.","Additionally or alternatively, a SIMD Shift Right instruction may be a Variable Shift Right instruction, which shifts bits to the right in each SIMD subregister, but independently of the other subregisters in the same SIMD register.","Additionally or alternatively, one or more SIMD instructions may take more than one cycle to execute.","A computer system that implements both SIMD and non-SIMD instructions may include one or more SIMD registers and one or more non-SIMD registers.","Additionally or alternatively, a register may be a SIMD register for purposes of executing SIMD instruction and a non-SIMD register for purposes of executing a non-SIMD instruction.","Additionally or alternatively, SIMD registers may be on a different hardware element (for example, a different coprocessor) than the hardware element on which non-SIMD registers reside.","Dictionaries A dictionary may comprise one or more entries.","Each entry has a dictionary index and a dictionary value.","The dictionary index may be implied.","For example, a dictionary may be an array of values, and the dictionary index for the fifth value may, in a zero-based array, implicitly be four.","Each dictionary value may, but need not be, unique from all other dictionary values in the same dictionary.","A database server, and/or an administrator may cause a database server, to generate a dictionary for a particular column in a database.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume a database table has a column named “Type”.","Further assume that, of the values currently stored in the “Type” column, there are four unique values: “rocket”, “planet”, “station”, “moon”.","Under these circumstances, a database server may create a dictionary comprising an array of entries with the following dictionary values: [“rocket”, “planet”, “station”, “moon”].","The dictionary index for each dictionary value in a zero-based indexed array is as follows: DICTIONARY INDEX DICTIONARY VALUE ENTRY 1 0 “rocket” ENTRY 2 1 “planet” ENTRY 3 2 “station” ENTRY 4 3 “moon” In an embodiment, the dictionary values may be sorted before they are indexed.","For example, [“rocket”, “planet”, station”, “moon”] may first be sorted alphabetically.","However, the examples herein the dictionary values are not sorted.","Once a dictionary has been created for a column, the column may be “encoded” by storing dictionary index values in the database column, instead of the actual column values.","Continuing with the previous example, assume that the table has five rows, populated as follows: TYPE COLUMN OTHER COLUMNS ROW1 rocket .",".",".","ROW2 planet .",".",".","ROW3 moon .",".",".","ROW4 rocket .",".",".","ROW5 station .",".",".","In this example, replacing the values in the type column with dictionary-encoded values produces the following table: DICTIONARY-ENCODED TYPE COLUMN OTHER COLUMNS ROW1 0 .",".",".","ROW2 1 .",".",".","ROW3 3 .",".",".","ROW4 0 .",".",".","ROW5 2 .",".",".","As illustrated by this example, each dictionary-encoded column value is the dictionary index of the original value.","For example, the dictionary-encoded value of row 1 is zero, and zero is the dictionary index of the dictionary value “rocket”.","Dictionary Bit-Vectors A dictionary bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which dictionary value(s), if any, satisfy one or more conditions in a query.","The position of each bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds with a dictionary entry.","A bit in a dictionary bit-vector that is set to one indicates that the corresponding dictionary entry is for a value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions.","On the other hand, a bit in the dictionary bit-vector that is set to zero indicates that the corresponding dictionary entry is for a value that does not satisfy each of the one or more conditions.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the facts in the previous example and further assume that the database server has received a query for a count of all rows in the dictionary-encoded column “Type” with a column value of either “rocket” or “station”.","The database server may evaluate the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”) on each dictionary value and generate the following dictionary bit-vector: <0, 1, 0, 1>.","The first bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds to the first entry in the dictionary.","The first bit is set to one because the dictionary value (“rocket”) at dictionary index zero satisfies the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”).","Similarly, the last bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds to the last dictionary entry (entry four).","The last bit (fourth bit) is set to zero because the dictionary value (“moon”) of dictionary entry four does not satisfy the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”).","Output Bit-Vectors An output bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which values in a set of values satisfy one or more conditions in a query.","For one or more database applications specifically, an output bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which rows of a table contain values that satisfy one or more conditions in a query.","For example, an output bit-vector for a table with fifty rows will have fifty bits, each of which corresponds to a distinct row of the table.","The value of each bit in bit-vector indicates whether the corresponding row has values that satisfy one or more conditions in a query.","The position of each bit in the output bit-vector indicates the row of the table to which the bit corresponds.","When the condition is a condition on a dictionary-encoded column, each bit in an output bit-vector that is set to one indicates that the corresponding row has a dictionary-encoded value that corresponds to a dictionary value that satisfies the condition.","Conversely, each bit in an output bit-vector that is set to zero indicates that the corresponding row has a dictionary-encoded value that corresponds to a dictionary value that does not satisfy the condition.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the facts in the previous example.","Based on the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”), the database server may generate the output the bit-vector <1, 1, 0, 0, 1 >.","In the above example, the first bit in the output bit-vector is set to one because the first bit corresponds to the first dictionary-encoded row or column value: zero.","The first bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “1”, indicating that the first row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).","Similarly, the second bit is set to zero because the second bit in the output bit-vector corresponds to the second dictionary-encoded row or column value: one.","The first bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “0”, indicating that the second row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that does not satisfy each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).","Furthermore, the last bit (fifth bit) is set to one because the fifth bit corresponds to the fifth dictionary encoded row or column value: two.","The second bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “1”, indicating that the fifth row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).","Set-Membership Processes Discussed herein are set-membership processes for determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values using SIMD architecture.","Each set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, may be performed on multiple values in parallel.","Each set-membership process may generate an output bit-vector.","Each process may be repeated until all the values in a set, such as values in a dictionary-encoded database table column, are processed and/or stored in an output bit-vector.","Determining which Set-Membership Process to Use Determining which set-membership process to use may be based on the cardinality of the set, such as the cardinality of the values in a dictionary-encoded column.","Additionally or alternatively, determining which set-membership process to use may be based on the size of one or more SIMD registers, preference of a user (such as a database administrator and/or developer), and/or one or more other factors.","The cardinality of a set is the number of unique values that the set has or may have.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume that values in a particular database column have 32 possible unique values: 0-31.The cardinality of the database column is 32.The number of numerals used to represent each value is defined as ceiling(logb C), where C is the cardinality and b is the base of the numerals.","For example, the number of bits used to represent a set with a cardinality of 32 is ceiling(log2 32), which is five.","Also for example, the number of bits used to represent a column with a cardinality of 33 is ceiling(log2 33), which is six.","Cardinality is “low” if Cα≤max(reg_bits), where C is the cardinality of a column value, α is an integer greater than one, and max(reg_bits) is the maximum number of bits that a SIMD register is capable of storing.","In an embodiment, α is a power of two, such as 2, 4, 8, 16, and so on.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume C is 32, α is 2, and max(reg_bits) is 256.Since Cα is 64, and max(reg_bits) is 256, then the cardinality of the column value is low because 64 is less than 256.Cardinality is “high” if Cα>max(reg_bits).","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume C is 1024, α is 2, and max(reg_bits) is 256.Since Cα is 2048, and max(reg_bits) is 256, then the cardinality of the column value is high because 2048 is greater than 256.The variable α may be adjusted according to the preference of the SIMD processor executing one or more of the processes discussed herein.","Additionally or alternatively, the variable α may be set by a user, such as a database administrator and/or developer.","Additionally or alternatively, the variable α may be based on one or more other factors.","In response to receiving a query with one or more conditions for a particular dictionary-encoded column, the database server may determine whether the cardinality of the column is low or high.","If the cardinality for the column is low, then the database server may use the first set-membership process discussed herein to determine which rows in the column are associated with dictionary values that satisfy each of the one or more conditions.","Otherwise, the database server may use the second set-membership process discussed herein to determine which rows in the column are associated with dictionary values that satisfy each of the one or more conditions.","In an embodiment, the database server may use the second set-membership process regardless of cardinality.","A database server may apply the set-membership processes discussed herein to different columns independently.","For example, if a query has one or more first conditions for a first dictionary-encoded column and one or more second conditions for a second dictionary-encoded column, then the database server may determine the cardinality of the first column and the second column independently.","If the cardinality for the first column is low and the cardinality for the second column is high, then the database server may use the first set-membership process on the first column and the second set-membership process on the second column.","A First Set-Membership Process for Sets with Low Cardinality The first set-membership process discussed herein is specialized for sets with low cardinality.","FIG.","1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers, in an embodiment.","In FIG.","1, a SIMD processor comprises SIMD register 110 and SIMD register 120.SIMD register 110 comprises subregister 112, subregister 114, and subregister 116.SIMD register 120 comprises subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Storage 130 may be a register and/segments in memory that holds an output bit-vector generated by one or more processes discussed herein.","FIG.","1 also illustrates the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing the first set-membership process, in an embodiment.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: The cardinality of a column in a database table is 32.There are 1,000,000,000 rows in the database table.","The column value in each row is dictionary-encoded with 5 bits.","Each value in the column is a value between zero and one minus the cardinality of the column, which in this case is 31.A query has been received that includes one or more conditions based on the column.","The database server has evaluated the one or more conditions on the dictionary values and generated the following dictionary bit-vector: <0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0000 0000, 1001 0001>.","The bit-vector is the same width as the cardinality of the column: 32 bits.","Each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.","In step 102, one or more dictionary-encoded column values are loaded in one or more subregisters of a SIMD register.","For example, the SIMD processor loads a plurality of bit-packed, fixed-width values into subregisters in SIMD register 110: < .",".",".","00100 00001 00000>.","The width of each value is 5 because the cardinality is 32.Each fixed-width value is a dictionary-encoded column value.","Accordingly, a first dictionary-encoded column value (zero) is loaded in subregister 112, a second dictionary-encoded column value (one) is loaded in subregister 114, and a third dictionary-encoded column value (four) is loaded in subregister 116.Loading Dictionary-Encoded, Fixed-Width, Bit-Packed Values (or Dictionary Indexes) in a Plurality of Subregisters in a Single SIMD Register Using One or More SIMD Operations Fixed-width, bit-packed values may be loaded in a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register using various methods.","For example, a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values may be loaded in a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register using the “bunpk” operation.","The bunpk operation is described in detail in U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/801,207, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,064, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,249, and U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,265, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.","Additionally or alternatively, if the bunpk operation, or another operation that loads values from a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values into a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register, is not available, then the operations discussed in relation to the bunpk operation may be used: a Load, Shuffle, Variable-Shift, and Mask/And.","FIG.","2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.","In step 202, a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values are loaded in a register.","A Load operation loads a particular number of bytes into register.","In the current example, each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.","Thus, each SIMD register includes eight 32-bit subregisters.","Accordingly, eight row values in the database column may be loaded in a SIMD register, such as SIMD register 110, at a time.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first three fixed-width, bit-packed values, and an additional bit, are illustrated in register 210.In step 204, words in a register are shuffled into subregisters in a SIMD register.","A Shuffle operation is a SIMD operation that retrieves sets of one or more bytes from a register, and loads each set in a SIMD subregister.","The width of each subregister is the width of the cardinality of the values in the fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, which are the same as the cardinality of the dictionary-encoded column values.","Accordingly, in the example illustrated in FIG.","2, the Shuffle operation is used to load the first 32 bits from register 210 into subregister 112, subregister 114, and subregister 116.In step 206, the bits in each subregister in a SIMD register are shifted to align the fixed-bit representation of each value with the low end of each subregister, respectively.","A Variable-Shift operation is a SIMD operation that shifts one or more subregisters in a single SIMD register by a variable amount.","In the examples herein, the right-most bit of each register is the low end.","Thus, a variable-right-shift operation is used to shift subregister 112 by zero bits, subregister 114 by five bits, and subregister 116 by ten bits.","The number of bits that a bit-vector is shifted by to right-align the value in a register is referred to herein as a bit-offset.","A bit-offset may be calculated many ways.","In an embodiment, the bit-offset for each subregister is calculated using the following equation, where i is the base-zero index of the value in the vector of values: bit_offset(i)=(i*value_width)mod subregister_size.","In the current example, for the first value (<00000>) in the vector of values, i is zero, value_width is five because the width of each value in the bit-packed fixed-width vector of values is five, and subregister_size is 32 because each subregister in SIMD register 110 is 32 bits wide.","Thus, the bit-offset for subregister 112 is zero, because zero modulo 32 is zero.","For the second value (<00001>) in the vector of values, i is one, and value_width and subregister_size are the same as the previous example.","Thus, the bit-offset for subregister 114 is five, because five modulo 32 is five.","Additionally or alternatively, step 206 may be performed by using a SIMD integer divide operation.","Dividing a value stored in a register by 2n shifts the bits in the register n places lower.","For example, after step 204, subregister 116 contains < .",".",".","1 00100 00001 00000>.","If subregister 116 is divided by 210, then the bit-vector in subregister 116 is shifted to the right 10 places to be <0 .",".",".","1 00100>.","Thus, instead of using a variable-right-shift operation in step 206, a SIMD integer divide operation may be used to shift subregister 112 by zero bits, subregister 114 by five bits, and subregister 116 by ten bits, by dividing each subregister by 20, 25, and 210 respectively.","In step 208, the upper bits, which are not part of the fixed-width value, in each subregister are masked out.","An And operation may be used to mask out the upper bits of each subregister.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","2, the 27 high bits of each subregister in SIMD register 110 are masked out by applying following 32-bit mask-bit-vector to each subregister: <0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0001 1111>.","The state of each register after step 208 includes the intended fixed-width value properly aligned in each subregister in the SIMD register.","Thus, after step 208, and as illustrated in FIG.","2, subregister 112 holds a 32-bit representation of the value zero, subregister 114 holds a 32-bit representation of the value one, and subregister 116 holds a 32-bit representation of the value four.","Additionally or alternatively, step 206 and/or step 208 may be performed by using a SIMD multiply and uniform-shift based on a set of inverted bit-offsets.","A SIMD multiply may be used to store the value in each subregister in the most significant bits of the subregister.","Thus, in the current example, a SIMD multiply may be used to left-align a value in a subregister.","After the fixed-width value in each subregister is left-aligned, a uniform-shift operation may be used to right-align each value.","Multiplying a value stored in a register by 2n shifts the bits in the register n places higher.","For example, after step 204, subregister 114 contains < .",".",".","1 00100 00001 00000>.","If subregister 114 is multiplied by 222, then the bit-vector in subregister 114 is shifted to the left 22 places to be <00001 0 .",".",".",">, which makes the value left-aligned in subregister 114.The number of bits a bit-vector is shifted by to left-align the value in a register is referred to herein as an inverted bit-offset.","An inverted bit-offset may be calculated may ways.","In an embodiment, the inverted bit-offset for each subregister is calculated by using the following equation, where i is the base-zero index of the value in the vector of values: subregister_size−(value_width+bit_offseti) For example, the inverted bit-offset for subregister 112 is 27, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (zero).","The inverted bit-offset for subregister 114 is 22, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (five).","The inverted bit-offset for subregister 116 is 17, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (ten).","After left-aligning the fixed-width value in each register, then the uniform-shift operation is used to right-shift the bits in each subregister by the number of bits in the subregister minus the width of the value in the subregister.","Thus, continuing with the previous example, the bits in each subregister of SIMD register 110 are each right-shifted by 27 bits, which is the width of each subregister (32) minus the width of each value (five), respectively.","After performing the uniform-shift operation, the value in each subregister in SIMD register 110 are right-aligned.","In an embodiment, if a set of SIMD instructions for a particular hardware set does not support the variable-right-shift operation and/or a SIMD divide operation, then the SIMD multiply and uniform-shift operations may be used to right-align the values in each subregister in a SIMD subregister.","Additionally or alternatively, if a particular hardware set does not support SIMD instructions then a multiply and shift may be used on values in non-SIMD registers.","Splatting the Dictionary Bit-Vector into a Plurality of Subregisters In step 104, the dictionary bit-vector is splatted into each subregister in a SIMD register.","The SPLAT operation copies bytes from a register, or memory, into each subregister in a SIMD register.","In the current example, the dictionary bit-vector is 32 bits wide and the width of SIMD register 120 is 256 bits wide.","Thus, the dictionary bit-vector may be splatted into eight subregisters in SIMD register 120.For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first three subregisters in SIMD register 120 are shown in FIG.","1: subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126, each include a copy of the dictionary bit-vector.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first eight bits and the last bit are illustrated in subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Shifting the Dictionary Bit-Vector in Each Subregister by a Variable Number In step 106, the dictionary bit-vector in each subregister of the SIMD register is shifted to place the bit that corresponds with the column value (or dictionary index) into the lowest bit.","For example, a Variable-Right-Shift operation is used to shift the dictionary bit-vector in each subregister of SIMD register 120 by the column value in each respective subregister of SIMD register 110.Thus, the bit that corresponds with the column value (or dictionary index) in each subregister of SIMD register 110 is in the lowest bit in each respective subregister of SIMD register 120.Accordingly, and as illustrated in FIG.","1, in step 106, the bits in subregister 122 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 112 (zero), the bits in subregister 124 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 114 (one), and the bits in subregister 126 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 116 (four).","Generating an Output Bit-Vector for Each Column Value In step 108, the lowest bit in each subregister of the SIMD register that holds the dictionary bit-vector is copied to an output bit-vector in a register and/or memory.","A Move-Mask operation is a SIMD operation that applies a mask to each subregister in a single SIMD register and copies the bit(s) not masked out to another register and/or memory.","In the current example, the Move-Mask operation is used to apply a mask, such as <0 .",".",".","01>, to mask out all but the lowest bit in each subregister in SIMD register 120, and copy the lowest bit into storage 130.In the example embodiments illustrated in FIG.","1, and discussed above, the set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, is performed on eight dictionary-encoded column values in parallel.","The process may be repeated until the 1,000,000,000 column values are processed.","The resulting output bit-vector is 1,000,000,000 bits long.","A Second Set-Membership Process for Sets with High or Low Cardinality The second set-membership process discussed herein may be used for column values with high or low cardinality.","FIG.","3A and FIG.","3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages, in an example embodiment.","For example, system 300 comprises SIMD register 320, SIMD register 330, SIMD register 340, storage 350, SIMD register 360, and storage 370.SIMD register 320 comprises subregister 322, subregister 324, and subregister 326.SIMD register 330 comprises subregister 332, subregister 334, and subregister 336.SIMD register 340 comprises subregister 342, subregister 344, and subregister 346.SIMD register 360 comprises subregister 362, subregister 364, and subregister 366.Storage 350 and storage 370 may be one or more registers, segments in cache, segments in memory, and/or disk.","FIG.","3A and FIG.","3B also illustrate the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: The cardinality of a column in a database table is 1024.There are 1,000,000,000 rows in the database table.","The column value in each row is dictionary-encoded with 10 bits.","Each value in the column is a value between zero and one minus the cardinality of the column, which in this case is 1023.A query has been received that includes one or more conditions based on the column.","The database server has evaluated the one or more conditions on the dictionary values and generated the following dictionary bit-vector: <0000 0000, .",".",".",", 0001 0100, 0001 0001>.","The bit-vector is the same width as the cardinality of the column: 1024 bits.","Each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.","Loading Dictionary-Encoded, Fixed-Width, Bit-Packed Values (or Dictionary Indexes) in a Plurality of Subregisters in a Single SIMD Register Using One or More SIMD Operations In step 302, one or more dictionary-encoded column values are loaded in one or more subregisters of a SIMD register.","For example, the database server may cause the SIMD processor to perform one or more operations discussed above, such as the operations discussed above in step 102 and/or steps 202 through 208 (load, shuffle, shift, and/or mask), which when executed cause a plurality of bit-packed, fixed-width values (< .",".",".",", 00000 00000, 00000 00001, 00000 01010>) to load into subregisters in SIMD register 320.The width of each value is 10 bits because the cardinality is 1024.Register 320 in FIG.","3A illustrates the state of subregister 322, subregister 324, and subregister 326 after loading the values into each register: The first dictionary-encoded column value (ten) is loaded in subregister 322; The second dictionary-encoded column value (one) is loaded in subregister 324; and The third dictionary-encoded column value (zero) is loaded in subregister 326.Determining a Byte-Offset and Bit-Offset of Each Corresponding Dictionary Index in the Dictionary Bit-Vector In step 304, each loaded value is divided by eight, and the quotient and remainder are stored.","The quotient is the byte-offset of the corresponding byte in the dictionary bit-vector.","The remainder is the bit-offset of the corresponding bit in the dictionary bit-vector.","For example, the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 is integer-divided by eight and stored in each respective subregister in SIMD register 330.The remainder of each value is stored in each respective subregister in SIMD register 340.An integer-divide may be defined as the floor of a numerator divided by a denominator.","There are many ways to perform an integer-divide by eight.","An optimized method for dividing a value in a register by eight is shifting the bits in the register three places towards the low end.","For example, <1111 1010>(250) shifted by three places to the low end, which in this case is to the right, is <0001 1111>(31).","The value in each subregister in SIMD register 330 may be generated by: copying the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 into each subregister in SIMD register 330, respectively and in parallel; and shifting the value in each subregister in SIMD register 330 by three bits to the right in parallel.","There are many ways to determine the remainder of a value integer-divided by eight.","An optimized method for determining the remainder is masking off bits in a subregister higher than the lowest three bits.","For example, masking the bits in <1111 1010>(250) that are higher than three low end bits, which in this case is to the left, is <0000 0010>(2).","The value in each subregister in SIMD register 340 may be generated by: copying the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 into each subregister in SIMD register 340, respectively and in parallel; and masking the bits that are higher than the three lowest end bits in each subregister in SIMD register 330 in parallel.","Loading Bits in the Dictionary Bit-Vector According to the Byte-Offset and Bit-Offset In step 306, bytes in the dictionary bit-vector that have bits that correspond to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are also loaded.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume that storage 350 includes the dictionary bit-vector.","A byte from storage 350 is loaded into each subregister in SIMD register 360, according to the corresponding byte-offset stored in each subregister in SIMD register 330, respectively.","There are many ways to load a byte from storage 350 using a byte-offset.","An optimized method for SIMD architecture uses the Gather operation, which fetches bytes from a register and/or memory and stores the bytes in SIMD subregisters in parallel.","Using the Gather operation, as illustrated in FIGS.","3A and 3B, an SIMD processor may: Fetch the second byte, <0001 0100>, based on the value stored in subregister 332 (one), which corresponds with subregister 362, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 332.Fetch the first byte, <0001 0001>, based on the value stored in subregister 334 (zero), which corresponds with subregister 364, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 334.Fetch the first byte, <0001 0001>, based on the value stored in subregister 336 (zero), which corresponds with subregister 366, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 336.In step 308, the bit that corresponds to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are shifted to the lowest end bit.","For example, the bits in each subregister in SIMD register 360 may be shifted using the Variable-Right-Shift operation discussed above.","The Variable-Right-Shift operation may shift each subregister in SIMD register 360 by the value in each subregister in SIMD register 340, respectively and in parallel.","Accordingly, the bits in subregister 362 are shifted two places to the right, because the value of subregister 342 is two; the bits in subregister 364 are shift one place to the right, because the value of subregister 344 is one; and, the bits in subregister 366 are not shifted, because the value of subregister 366 is zero.","Generating an Output Bit-Vector for Each Column Value In step 310, the bit that corresponds to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are copied to an output bit-vector in a register and/or memory.","For example, the Move-Mask operation, discussed above, may be used to copy the lowest bit in each subregister in SIMD register 360 into storage 370.Additionally or alternatively, a SIMD processor may use the “gatherb” instruction to gather collect the correct bits from the dictionary bit-vector based on the dictionary index values loaded in a SIMD register.","For example, in response to receiving the gatherb operation, the SIMD processor collects each bit in the dictionary bit-vector loaded in storage 350 accordingly to the dictionary index loaded in each subregister in SIMD register 320.The SIMD processor may store each collected bit in storage 370.The gatherb operation is described in detail in U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/801,207, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,064, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,249, and U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,265, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.","In the example embodiments illustrated in FIG.","3A and FIG.","3B, and discussed above, the set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, is performed on eight dictionary-encoded column values in parallel.","The process is repeated until the 1,000,000,000 column values are processed.","The resulting output bit-vector is a bit-vector is 1,000,000,000 bits long.","Variations Some of the embodiments illustrated above each subregister may be eight, or thirty-two bits wide.","Other embodiments may include other widths, including, but in no way limited to four bits, eight bits, thirty-two bits, sixty-four bits.","In many examples, subregisters may be four bytes.","However, subregisters may be larger or smaller than four bytes.","Furthermore, a default width, an operand, and/or a completer may be used to define the width of the subregisters for a particular operation.","In some of the embodiments illustrated and discussed above, the least significant bits (the “lowest” bits) were illustrated on the right side of registers or memory, and no sign bit was used.","However, the examples included above are not intended to be limiting.","The instructions discussed above may be implemented on many various hardware configurations that are different than those illustrated.","For example, in other embodiments, the lowest bits are on the left side of registers or memory.","Additionally some bit-vectors, registers, and/or subregisters by include a sign bit.","While the methods described above may be focused on SIMD architecture, these methods may also be implemented scalar and/or other non-SIMD instructions.","The methods may also be included as part of an application programming interface.","Furthermore the methods may implemented as an intrinsic, which may be a function a compiler recognizes and replaces with a particular block of assembly or machine code.","Further still, one or more instructions may be stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediums, which when executed by one or more processors, may cause one or more of the methods described herein to be performed.","In many of the examples, a SIMD register comprises three subregisters.","This is not intended to be limiting in any way.","SIMD registers may comprise more or fewer subregisters, all of which may be varying widths.","In the above examples, each dictionary index value is a fixed-width value.","However, in an embodiment, each dictionary may be a variable width value.","A data vector may define the width of the each dictionary index value, and each dictionary index value may be loaded accordingly.","For example, a dictionary-encoded column with a cardinality of 32 may use a maximum number of five bits or less to represent each value in the dictionary-encoded column.","For purposes of illustrating clear examples, many of the above example embodiments illustrate determining whether one or more dictionary values satisfy one or more queries and/or query conditions, and which rows of the one or more dictionary-encoded column values are in the set of dictionary values that satisfy the query.","However, the methods and systems discussed herein may be used to more quickly determine whether one or more values in a first set of values are included in a second set of values using SIMD instructions.","Hardware Overview According to one embodiment, the techniques described herein are implemented by one or more special-purpose computing devices.","The special-purpose computing devices may be hard-wired to perform the techniques, or may include digital electronic devices such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are persistently programmed to perform the techniques, or may include one or more general purpose hardware processors programmed to perform the techniques pursuant to program instructions in firmware, memory, other storage, or a combination.","Such special-purpose computing devices may also combine custom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with custom programming to accomplish the techniques.","The special-purpose computing devices may be desktop computer systems, portable computer systems, handheld devices, networking devices or any other device that incorporates hard-wired and/or program logic to implement the techniques.","For example, FIG.","4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 400 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.","Computer system 400 includes a bus 402 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware processor 404 coupled with bus 402 for processing information.","Hardware processor 404 may be, for example, a general purpose microprocessor.","Computer system 400 also includes a main memory 406, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus 402 for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 404.Main memory 406 also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 404.Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media accessible to processor 404, render computer system 400 into a special-purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the instructions.","Computer system 400 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 408 or other static storage device coupled to bus 402 for storing static information and instructions for processor 404.A storage device 410, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus 402 for storing information and instructions.","Computer system 400 may be coupled via bus 402 to a display 412, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user.","An input device 414, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 402 for communicating information and command selections to processor 404.Another type of user input device is cursor control 416, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to processor 404 and for controlling cursor movement on display 412.This input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a plane.","Computer system 400 may implement the techniques described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/or program logic which in combination with the computer system causes or programs computer system 400 to be a special-purpose machine.","According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by computer system 400 in response to processor 404 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 406.Such instructions may be read into main memory 406 from another storage medium, such as storage device 410.Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 406 causes processor 404 to perform the process steps described herein.","In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.","The term “storage media” as used herein refers to any non-transitory media that store data and/or instructions that cause a machine to operation in a specific fashion.","Such storage media may comprise non-volatile media and/or volatile media.","Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 410.Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 406.Common forms of storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic data storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical data storage medium, any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip or cartridge.","Storage media is distinct from but may be used in conjunction with transmission media.","Transmission media participates in transferring information between storage media.","For example, transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 402.Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.","Various forms of media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 404 for execution.","For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk or solid state drive of a remote computer.","The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem.","A modem local to computer system 400 can receive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitter to convert the data to an infra-red signal.","An infra-red detector can receive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriate circuitry can place the data on bus 402.Bus 402 carries the data to main memory 406, from which processor 404 retrieves and executes the instructions.","The instructions received by main memory 406 may optionally be stored on storage device 410 either before or after execution by processor 404.Computer system 400 also includes a communication interface 418 coupled to bus 402.Communication interface 418 provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link 420 that is connected to a local network 422.For example, communication interface 418 may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line.","As another example, communication interface 418 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN.","Wireless links may also be implemented.","In any such implementation, communication interface 418 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.","Network link 420 typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices.","For example, network link 420 may provide a connection through local network 422 to a host computer 424 or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 426.ISP 426 in turn provides data communication services through the world wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet” 428.Local network 422 and Internet 428 both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams.","The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link 420 and through communication interface 418, which carry the digital data to and from computer system 400, are example forms of transmission media.","Computer system 400 can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link 420 and communication interface 418.In the Internet example, a server 430 might transmit a requested code for an application program through Internet 428, ISP 426, local network 422 and communication interface 418.The received code may be executed by processor 404 as it is received, and/or stored in storage device 410, or other non-volatile storage for later execution.","In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation.","The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.","The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FAST SET-MEMBERSHIP TESTS USING ONE OR MORE PROCESSORS THAT SUPPORT SINGLE INSTRUCTION MULTIPLE DATA INSTRUCTIONS\",\n \"Methods and apparatuses for determining set-membership using Single Instruction Multiple Data (“SIMD”) architecture are presented herein.\",\n \"Specifically, methods and apparatuses are discussed for determining, in parallel, whether multiple values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.\",\n \"Many of the methods and systems discussed herein are applied to determining whether one or more rows in a dictionary-encoded column of a database table satisfy one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column.\",\n \"However, the methods and systems discussed herein may apply to many applications executed on a SIMD processor using set-membership tests.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A processor comprising: a plurality of SIMD registers, including a particular SIMD register; wherein the particular SIMD register is capable of storing a particular maximum number of bits; wherein the processor is configured to: determine a cardinality for a column of a database table, wherein the cardinality of the column is how many unique values are in the column; determine whether the cardinality multiplied by a coefficient is greater than the particular maximum number of bits; in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is not greater than the particular maximum number of bits, the processor is configured to perform a first set-membership method; and in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is greater the particular maximum number of bits, the processor is configured to perform a second set-membership method.\",\n \"2.The processor of claim 1, wherein the first set-membership method is a low-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.\",\n \"3.The processor of claim 1, wherein the first set-membership method is a high-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.\",\n \"4.The processor of claim 1, wherein the coefficient is a power of two.\",\n \"5.The processor of claim 1, wherein: the column is a first column in the database table; the cardinality is a first cardinality; and the processor is further configured to: receive a query with a first condition and a second condition, wherein the first condition is based on the first column and the second condition is based on a second column in the database table; perform the first set-membership method based on determining the first cardinality for the first column is low; determine a second cardinality for the second column; and perform the second set-membership method based on determining the second cardinality for the first column is high.\",\n \"6.A method comprising: determining a cardinality for a column of a database table, wherein the cardinality of the column is how many unique values are in the column; determining whether the cardinality multiplied by a coefficient is greater than the particular maximum number of bits; in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is not greater than the particular maximum number of bits, performing a first set-membership method; and in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is greater the particular maximum number of bits, performing a second set-membership method.\",\n \"7.The method of claim 6, wherein the first set-membership method is a low-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.\",\n \"8.The method of claim 6, wherein the first set-membership method is a high-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.\",\n \"9.The method of claim 6, wherein the coefficient is a power of two.\",\n \"10.The method of claim 6, wherein: the column is a first column in the database table; the cardinality is a first cardinality; and the method further comprises: receiving a query with a first condition and a second condition, wherein the first condition is based on the first column and the second condition is based on a second column in the database table; performing the first set-membership method based on determining the first cardinality for the first column is low; determining a second cardinality for the second column; and performing the second set-membership method based on determining the second cardinality for the first column is high.\",\n \"11.A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform steps comprising: determining a cardinality for a column of a database table, wherein the cardinality of the column is how many unique values are in the column; determining whether the cardinality multiplied by a coefficient is greater than the particular maximum number of bits; in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is not greater than the particular maximum number of bits, performing a first set-membership method; and in response to determining the cardinality multiplied by the coefficient is greater the particular maximum number of bits, performing a second set-membership method.\",\n \"12.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the first set-membership method is a low-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.\",\n \"13.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the first set-membership method is a high-cardinality set-membership method for processing multiple values in parallel.\",\n \"14.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the coefficient is a power of two.\",\n \"15.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein: the column is a first column in the database table; the cardinality is a first cardinality; and wherein the instructions include instructions that, when executed by said one or more processors, cause: receiving a query with a first condition and a second condition, wherein the first condition is based on the first column and the second condition is based on a second column in the database table; performing the first set-membership method based on determining the first cardinality for the first column is low; determining a second cardinality for the second column; and performing the second set-membership method based on determining the second cardinality for the first column is high.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be computationally expensive.\",\n \"The larger the first set and/or the second set is, the more time is required to determine which values in the first set of values are members of a second set of values.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: A database has a table named “OrbitingObjects”, which has a particular column named “Type”; and A database server receives the following query: “SELECT count(Type) FROM OrbitingObjects WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’;”.\",\n \"To respond to the query, the database server must determine which values in the particular column are members of a second set.\",\n \"In this case, the second set is the set of values that match “rocket” or “station”.\",\n \"The more rows in the column Type, the longer the database server may take to determine which rows in the Type column satisfy the condition: “WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”.\",\n \"Furthermore, some types of conditions are computationally expensive.\",\n \"For instance, in the previous example, the database server may perform a string comparison between each value in the Type column and the two condition values: “rocket” and “station”.\",\n \"Some database systems rely on using newer processing units with higher processing speeds to determine which rows in a column satisfy one or more conditions in a query and return results more quickly.\",\n \"However, the performance of typical processing units is not increasing at the same rate as the quantity of the data upon which database operations are performed.\",\n \"Thus, database and other software developers are not able to rely as much on increasing computer power to more quickly evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.\",\n \"Single instruction multiple data (“SIMD”) processors perform the same operation on multiple data items simultaneously.\",\n \"SIMD processors exploit data level parallelism by executing a single instruction against data in multiple registers or subregisters.\",\n \"Thus, the throughput per instruction may be increased accordingly.\",\n \"SIMD processors are typically used for graphic and other multimedia applications.\",\n \"Exploiting the SIMD architecture to evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be difficult.\",\n \"For example, many SIMD processors cannot branch to a first operation after evaluating a first value in a first subregister, and branch to a second operation after evaluating a second value in a second subregister, in parallel.\",\n \"Thus, if a first column value satisfies a condition, but a second column value does not satisfy the same condition, then some SIMD architectures do not have a mechanism to branch to a first operation to indicate the particular column value satisfied the condition, while branching in parallel to a second operation to indicate the second column value did not satisfy the condition.\",\n \"The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued.\",\n \"Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing a first set-membership process, in an embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A and FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\",\n \"While each of the drawing figures illustrates a particular embodiment for purposes of illustrating a clear example, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the elements shown in the drawing figures.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating clear examples, one or more figures may be described with reference to one or more other figures, but using the particular arrangement illustrated in the one or more other figures is not required in other embodiments.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS; BENEFIT CLAIM This application is a Divisional of prior U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/338,219 (Attorney Docket No.\",\n \"50277-4171) entitled “Methods And Systems For Fast Set-Membership Tests Using One Or More Processors That Support Single Instruction Multiple Data Instructions”, filed Jul.\",\n \"22, 2014, which claims the benefit of Provisional App.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"61/880,852, filed Sep. 21, 2013, under 35 U.S.C.\",\n \"§ 119(e).\",\n \"The entire contents of Provisional App.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"61/880,852 are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.\",\n \"The application is related to, and incorporates by reference, the following U.S. applications: U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/801,207 filed Mar.\",\n \"15, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,064 filed Sep. 10, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,249 filed Sep. 10, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,265 filed Sep. 10, 2013 and U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/338,219 filed on Jul.\",\n \"22, 2014.FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to set-membership tests and more specifically to parallel set-membership tests optimized to use single instruction multiple data instructions.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be computationally expensive.\",\n \"The larger the first set and/or the second set is, the more time is required to determine which values in the first set of values are members of a second set of values.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: A database has a table named “OrbitingObjects”, which has a particular column named “Type”; and A database server receives the following query: “SELECT count(Type) FROM OrbitingObjects WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’;”.\",\n \"To respond to the query, the database server must determine which values in the particular column are members of a second set.\",\n \"In this case, the second set is the set of values that match “rocket” or “station”.\",\n \"The more rows in the column Type, the longer the database server may take to determine which rows in the Type column satisfy the condition: “WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”.\",\n \"Furthermore, some types of conditions are computationally expensive.\",\n \"For instance, in the previous example, the database server may perform a string comparison between each value in the Type column and the two condition values: “rocket” and “station”.\",\n \"Some database systems rely on using newer processing units with higher processing speeds to determine which rows in a column satisfy one or more conditions in a query and return results more quickly.\",\n \"However, the performance of typical processing units is not increasing at the same rate as the quantity of the data upon which database operations are performed.\",\n \"Thus, database and other software developers are not able to rely as much on increasing computer power to more quickly evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.\",\n \"Single instruction multiple data (“SIMD”) processors perform the same operation on multiple data items simultaneously.\",\n \"SIMD processors exploit data level parallelism by executing a single instruction against data in multiple registers or subregisters.\",\n \"Thus, the throughput per instruction may be increased accordingly.\",\n \"SIMD processors are typically used for graphic and other multimedia applications.\",\n \"Exploiting the SIMD architecture to evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be difficult.\",\n \"For example, many SIMD processors cannot branch to a first operation after evaluating a first value in a first subregister, and branch to a second operation after evaluating a second value in a second subregister, in parallel.\",\n \"Thus, if a first column value satisfies a condition, but a second column value does not satisfy the same condition, then some SIMD architectures do not have a mechanism to branch to a first operation to indicate the particular column value satisfied the condition, while branching in parallel to a second operation to indicate the second column value did not satisfy the condition.\",\n \"The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued.\",\n \"Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.\",\n \"TERMS AND NOTATION For purpose of explanation, the following terms and conventions are used herein to describe embodiments of the invention: The term “byte” herein describes number of contiguously stored bits.\",\n \"While the common usage implies eight bits, the size of a byte may vary from implementation to implementation.\",\n \"For example a byte may refer to any size including four bits, eight bits, sixteen bits, thirty-two bits, sixty-four bits, and so on.\",\n \"The notation herein describes a vector of bits, e.g., <10>.\",\n \"Spaces and/or commas may be added between bits merely to increase the ability to read the contents of the vector, e.g., <1111 0000, 1111 0000>.\",\n \"To be consistent with the other examples herein, the “first” bit, “lowest” bit, or “least significant” bit is the right-most bit; the “last” bit, “highest” bit, or “most significant” bit is the left-most bit.\",\n \"In an embodiment bits in a vector bit may be ordered differently.\",\n \"The terms “lowest-aligned” and “highest-aligned” indicate whether a value is stored in a register's lowest bits or highest bits, respectively.\",\n \"For example, if a value is “lowest-aligned” in a register, then the value is stored in the register's lowest bits; and if a value is “highest-aligned” in a register, then the value is stored in the register's highest bits.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating clear examples herein, the term “right-aligned” means lowest-aligned, and the term “left-aligned” means highest-aligned.\",\n \"The notation [J, K] herein describe a set of values, where J is a first value and K is a second value, which may be equal or different unless specifically stated otherwise.\",\n \"For example, J could be a value in a first row of a database column and K may be a value in a second row of the database column.\",\n \"Also for example, J may be a first value in a dictionary and K may be a second value in a dictionary.\",\n \"The term “register” is a register or subregister that may include one or more smaller subregisters.\",\n \"Unless otherwise specified a register may be a SIMD register or a register typically used in the scalar processor.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing a first set-membership process, in an embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A and FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.\",\n \"While each of the drawing figures illustrates a particular embodiment for purposes of illustrating a clear example, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the elements shown in the drawing figures.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating clear examples, one or more figures may be described with reference to one or more other figures, but using the particular arrangement illustrated in the one or more other figures is not required in other embodiments.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.\",\n \"It will be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.\",\n \"In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.\",\n \"General Overview Several processes are presented herein for determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values in parallel using SIMD architecture.\",\n \"While the examples illustrated herein focus on satisfying conditions in a database query, the processes and systems discussed herein may be used in other applications using SIMD architecture.\",\n \"SIMD Instructions A SIMD instruction is an instruction that, when processed, may cause an operation to be performed multiple times, simultaneously and/or in parallel, on multiple distinct data values.\",\n \"For the purpose of illustrating a clear example, assume four integer values are to be incremented by one.\",\n \"Also assume that a SIMD processor receives a single SIMD Increment by One instruction.\",\n \"In response to receiving the single SIMD instruction, the SIMD processor may increment each of the four integer values simultaneously.\",\n \"In contrast, a scalar instruction is an instruction that, when processed, may cause an operation to be performed once.\",\n \"Multiple scalar instructions may be processed serially within a scalar processor, processing unit, or processing core.\",\n \"Assume, for purposes of illustrating a clear example, the same four values in the previous example are to be incremented by one on a scalar processor.\",\n \"The scalar processor may execute a first scalar Increment by One instruction, causing the first value to be incremented by one; then, the scalar processor may execute a second scalar Increment by One instruction, causing the second value to be incremented by one, and so on.\",\n \"Thus, in this example, the scalar processor must execute three more Increment by One instructions than the SIMD processor in the previous example.\",\n \"Furthermore, assume that the scalar processor performs a scalar Increment by One instruction as quickly as the SIMD processor executes a SIMD Increment by One instruction.\",\n \"Because the scalar processor performs scalar instructions serially, and the SIMD processor performs a SIMD instruction on multiple data objects in parallel, the scalar processor may take four times longer to process all four values than the SIMD processor.\",\n \"One approach for implementing a SIMD operation is to use one or more registers that are each capable of storing multiple distinct data values.\",\n \"Such registers are referred to herein as SIMD registers.\",\n \"Assume, for purposes of illustrating a clear example, that a SIMD register is capable of storing 256 bits.\",\n \"Accordingly, the SIMD register is capable of storing eight distinct 32-bit values, each in a 32-bit subregister; four distinct 64-bit values, each in a 64-bit subregister; or two distinct 128-bit values, each in a 128-bit subregister.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, non-power-of-two sized subregisters may be used.\",\n \"A SIMD operation implemented in hardware and may take one or more machine cycles to execute.\",\n \"For example, a scalar processor, in response to receiving a Shift Right instruction, may shift bits representing a single value in a register to the right in a single cycle.\",\n \"A SIMD processor, in response to receiving a Shift Right instruction, may shift bits in multiple SIMD registers, or SIMD subregisters, in parallel, in a single cycle.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, a SIMD Shift Right instruction may be a Variable Shift Right instruction, which shifts bits to the right in each SIMD subregister, but independently of the other subregisters in the same SIMD register.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, one or more SIMD instructions may take more than one cycle to execute.\",\n \"A computer system that implements both SIMD and non-SIMD instructions may include one or more SIMD registers and one or more non-SIMD registers.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, a register may be a SIMD register for purposes of executing SIMD instruction and a non-SIMD register for purposes of executing a non-SIMD instruction.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, SIMD registers may be on a different hardware element (for example, a different coprocessor) than the hardware element on which non-SIMD registers reside.\",\n \"Dictionaries A dictionary may comprise one or more entries.\",\n \"Each entry has a dictionary index and a dictionary value.\",\n \"The dictionary index may be implied.\",\n \"For example, a dictionary may be an array of values, and the dictionary index for the fifth value may, in a zero-based array, implicitly be four.\",\n \"Each dictionary value may, but need not be, unique from all other dictionary values in the same dictionary.\",\n \"A database server, and/or an administrator may cause a database server, to generate a dictionary for a particular column in a database.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume a database table has a column named “Type”.\",\n \"Further assume that, of the values currently stored in the “Type” column, there are four unique values: “rocket”, “planet”, “station”, “moon”.\",\n \"Under these circumstances, a database server may create a dictionary comprising an array of entries with the following dictionary values: [“rocket”, “planet”, “station”, “moon”].\",\n \"The dictionary index for each dictionary value in a zero-based indexed array is as follows: DICTIONARY INDEX DICTIONARY VALUE ENTRY 1 0 “rocket” ENTRY 2 1 “planet” ENTRY 3 2 “station” ENTRY 4 3 “moon” In an embodiment, the dictionary values may be sorted before they are indexed.\",\n \"For example, [“rocket”, “planet”, station”, “moon”] may first be sorted alphabetically.\",\n \"However, the examples herein the dictionary values are not sorted.\",\n \"Once a dictionary has been created for a column, the column may be “encoded” by storing dictionary index values in the database column, instead of the actual column values.\",\n \"Continuing with the previous example, assume that the table has five rows, populated as follows: TYPE COLUMN OTHER COLUMNS ROW1 rocket .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW2 planet .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW3 moon .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW4 rocket .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW5 station .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"In this example, replacing the values in the type column with dictionary-encoded values produces the following table: DICTIONARY-ENCODED TYPE COLUMN OTHER COLUMNS ROW1 0 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW2 1 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW3 3 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW4 0 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW5 2 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"As illustrated by this example, each dictionary-encoded column value is the dictionary index of the original value.\",\n \"For example, the dictionary-encoded value of row 1 is zero, and zero is the dictionary index of the dictionary value “rocket”.\",\n \"Dictionary Bit-Vectors A dictionary bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which dictionary value(s), if any, satisfy one or more conditions in a query.\",\n \"The position of each bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds with a dictionary entry.\",\n \"A bit in a dictionary bit-vector that is set to one indicates that the corresponding dictionary entry is for a value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions.\",\n \"On the other hand, a bit in the dictionary bit-vector that is set to zero indicates that the corresponding dictionary entry is for a value that does not satisfy each of the one or more conditions.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the facts in the previous example and further assume that the database server has received a query for a count of all rows in the dictionary-encoded column “Type” with a column value of either “rocket” or “station”.\",\n \"The database server may evaluate the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”) on each dictionary value and generate the following dictionary bit-vector: <0, 1, 0, 1>.\",\n \"The first bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds to the first entry in the dictionary.\",\n \"The first bit is set to one because the dictionary value (“rocket”) at dictionary index zero satisfies the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”).\",\n \"Similarly, the last bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds to the last dictionary entry (entry four).\",\n \"The last bit (fourth bit) is set to zero because the dictionary value (“moon”) of dictionary entry four does not satisfy the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”).\",\n \"Output Bit-Vectors An output bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which values in a set of values satisfy one or more conditions in a query.\",\n \"For one or more database applications specifically, an output bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which rows of a table contain values that satisfy one or more conditions in a query.\",\n \"For example, an output bit-vector for a table with fifty rows will have fifty bits, each of which corresponds to a distinct row of the table.\",\n \"The value of each bit in bit-vector indicates whether the corresponding row has values that satisfy one or more conditions in a query.\",\n \"The position of each bit in the output bit-vector indicates the row of the table to which the bit corresponds.\",\n \"When the condition is a condition on a dictionary-encoded column, each bit in an output bit-vector that is set to one indicates that the corresponding row has a dictionary-encoded value that corresponds to a dictionary value that satisfies the condition.\",\n \"Conversely, each bit in an output bit-vector that is set to zero indicates that the corresponding row has a dictionary-encoded value that corresponds to a dictionary value that does not satisfy the condition.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the facts in the previous example.\",\n \"Based on the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”), the database server may generate the output the bit-vector <1, 1, 0, 0, 1 >.\",\n \"In the above example, the first bit in the output bit-vector is set to one because the first bit corresponds to the first dictionary-encoded row or column value: zero.\",\n \"The first bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “1”, indicating that the first row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).\",\n \"Similarly, the second bit is set to zero because the second bit in the output bit-vector corresponds to the second dictionary-encoded row or column value: one.\",\n \"The first bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “0”, indicating that the second row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that does not satisfy each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).\",\n \"Furthermore, the last bit (fifth bit) is set to one because the fifth bit corresponds to the fifth dictionary encoded row or column value: two.\",\n \"The second bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “1”, indicating that the fifth row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).\",\n \"Set-Membership Processes Discussed herein are set-membership processes for determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values using SIMD architecture.\",\n \"Each set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, may be performed on multiple values in parallel.\",\n \"Each set-membership process may generate an output bit-vector.\",\n \"Each process may be repeated until all the values in a set, such as values in a dictionary-encoded database table column, are processed and/or stored in an output bit-vector.\",\n \"Determining which Set-Membership Process to Use Determining which set-membership process to use may be based on the cardinality of the set, such as the cardinality of the values in a dictionary-encoded column.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, determining which set-membership process to use may be based on the size of one or more SIMD registers, preference of a user (such as a database administrator and/or developer), and/or one or more other factors.\",\n \"The cardinality of a set is the number of unique values that the set has or may have.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume that values in a particular database column have 32 possible unique values: 0-31.The cardinality of the database column is 32.The number of numerals used to represent each value is defined as ceiling(logb C), where C is the cardinality and b is the base of the numerals.\",\n \"For example, the number of bits used to represent a set with a cardinality of 32 is ceiling(log2 32), which is five.\",\n \"Also for example, the number of bits used to represent a column with a cardinality of 33 is ceiling(log2 33), which is six.\",\n \"Cardinality is “low” if Cα≤max(reg_bits), where C is the cardinality of a column value, α is an integer greater than one, and max(reg_bits) is the maximum number of bits that a SIMD register is capable of storing.\",\n \"In an embodiment, α is a power of two, such as 2, 4, 8, 16, and so on.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume C is 32, α is 2, and max(reg_bits) is 256.Since Cα is 64, and max(reg_bits) is 256, then the cardinality of the column value is low because 64 is less than 256.Cardinality is “high” if Cα>max(reg_bits).\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume C is 1024, α is 2, and max(reg_bits) is 256.Since Cα is 2048, and max(reg_bits) is 256, then the cardinality of the column value is high because 2048 is greater than 256.The variable α may be adjusted according to the preference of the SIMD processor executing one or more of the processes discussed herein.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the variable α may be set by a user, such as a database administrator and/or developer.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the variable α may be based on one or more other factors.\",\n \"In response to receiving a query with one or more conditions for a particular dictionary-encoded column, the database server may determine whether the cardinality of the column is low or high.\",\n \"If the cardinality for the column is low, then the database server may use the first set-membership process discussed herein to determine which rows in the column are associated with dictionary values that satisfy each of the one or more conditions.\",\n \"Otherwise, the database server may use the second set-membership process discussed herein to determine which rows in the column are associated with dictionary values that satisfy each of the one or more conditions.\",\n \"In an embodiment, the database server may use the second set-membership process regardless of cardinality.\",\n \"A database server may apply the set-membership processes discussed herein to different columns independently.\",\n \"For example, if a query has one or more first conditions for a first dictionary-encoded column and one or more second conditions for a second dictionary-encoded column, then the database server may determine the cardinality of the first column and the second column independently.\",\n \"If the cardinality for the first column is low and the cardinality for the second column is high, then the database server may use the first set-membership process on the first column and the second set-membership process on the second column.\",\n \"A First Set-Membership Process for Sets with Low Cardinality The first set-membership process discussed herein is specialized for sets with low cardinality.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers, in an embodiment.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"1, a SIMD processor comprises SIMD register 110 and SIMD register 120.SIMD register 110 comprises subregister 112, subregister 114, and subregister 116.SIMD register 120 comprises subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Storage 130 may be a register and/segments in memory that holds an output bit-vector generated by one or more processes discussed herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 also illustrates the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing the first set-membership process, in an embodiment.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: The cardinality of a column in a database table is 32.There are 1,000,000,000 rows in the database table.\",\n \"The column value in each row is dictionary-encoded with 5 bits.\",\n \"Each value in the column is a value between zero and one minus the cardinality of the column, which in this case is 31.A query has been received that includes one or more conditions based on the column.\",\n \"The database server has evaluated the one or more conditions on the dictionary values and generated the following dictionary bit-vector: <0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0000 0000, 1001 0001>.\",\n \"The bit-vector is the same width as the cardinality of the column: 32 bits.\",\n \"Each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.\",\n \"In step 102, one or more dictionary-encoded column values are loaded in one or more subregisters of a SIMD register.\",\n \"For example, the SIMD processor loads a plurality of bit-packed, fixed-width values into subregisters in SIMD register 110: < .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"00100 00001 00000>.\",\n \"The width of each value is 5 because the cardinality is 32.Each fixed-width value is a dictionary-encoded column value.\",\n \"Accordingly, a first dictionary-encoded column value (zero) is loaded in subregister 112, a second dictionary-encoded column value (one) is loaded in subregister 114, and a third dictionary-encoded column value (four) is loaded in subregister 116.Loading Dictionary-Encoded, Fixed-Width, Bit-Packed Values (or Dictionary Indexes) in a Plurality of Subregisters in a Single SIMD Register Using One or More SIMD Operations Fixed-width, bit-packed values may be loaded in a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register using various methods.\",\n \"For example, a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values may be loaded in a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register using the “bunpk” operation.\",\n \"The bunpk operation is described in detail in U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/801,207, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,064, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,249, and U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,265, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, if the bunpk operation, or another operation that loads values from a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values into a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register, is not available, then the operations discussed in relation to the bunpk operation may be used: a Load, Shuffle, Variable-Shift, and Mask/And.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"In step 202, a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values are loaded in a register.\",\n \"A Load operation loads a particular number of bytes into register.\",\n \"In the current example, each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.\",\n \"Thus, each SIMD register includes eight 32-bit subregisters.\",\n \"Accordingly, eight row values in the database column may be loaded in a SIMD register, such as SIMD register 110, at a time.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first three fixed-width, bit-packed values, and an additional bit, are illustrated in register 210.In step 204, words in a register are shuffled into subregisters in a SIMD register.\",\n \"A Shuffle operation is a SIMD operation that retrieves sets of one or more bytes from a register, and loads each set in a SIMD subregister.\",\n \"The width of each subregister is the width of the cardinality of the values in the fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, which are the same as the cardinality of the dictionary-encoded column values.\",\n \"Accordingly, in the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2, the Shuffle operation is used to load the first 32 bits from register 210 into subregister 112, subregister 114, and subregister 116.In step 206, the bits in each subregister in a SIMD register are shifted to align the fixed-bit representation of each value with the low end of each subregister, respectively.\",\n \"A Variable-Shift operation is a SIMD operation that shifts one or more subregisters in a single SIMD register by a variable amount.\",\n \"In the examples herein, the right-most bit of each register is the low end.\",\n \"Thus, a variable-right-shift operation is used to shift subregister 112 by zero bits, subregister 114 by five bits, and subregister 116 by ten bits.\",\n \"The number of bits that a bit-vector is shifted by to right-align the value in a register is referred to herein as a bit-offset.\",\n \"A bit-offset may be calculated many ways.\",\n \"In an embodiment, the bit-offset for each subregister is calculated using the following equation, where i is the base-zero index of the value in the vector of values: bit_offset(i)=(i*value_width)mod subregister_size.\",\n \"In the current example, for the first value (<00000>) in the vector of values, i is zero, value_width is five because the width of each value in the bit-packed fixed-width vector of values is five, and subregister_size is 32 because each subregister in SIMD register 110 is 32 bits wide.\",\n \"Thus, the bit-offset for subregister 112 is zero, because zero modulo 32 is zero.\",\n \"For the second value (<00001>) in the vector of values, i is one, and value_width and subregister_size are the same as the previous example.\",\n \"Thus, the bit-offset for subregister 114 is five, because five modulo 32 is five.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, step 206 may be performed by using a SIMD integer divide operation.\",\n \"Dividing a value stored in a register by 2n shifts the bits in the register n places lower.\",\n \"For example, after step 204, subregister 116 contains < .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"1 00100 00001 00000>.\",\n \"If subregister 116 is divided by 210, then the bit-vector in subregister 116 is shifted to the right 10 places to be <0 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"1 00100>.\",\n \"Thus, instead of using a variable-right-shift operation in step 206, a SIMD integer divide operation may be used to shift subregister 112 by zero bits, subregister 114 by five bits, and subregister 116 by ten bits, by dividing each subregister by 20, 25, and 210 respectively.\",\n \"In step 208, the upper bits, which are not part of the fixed-width value, in each subregister are masked out.\",\n \"An And operation may be used to mask out the upper bits of each subregister.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2, the 27 high bits of each subregister in SIMD register 110 are masked out by applying following 32-bit mask-bit-vector to each subregister: <0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0001 1111>.\",\n \"The state of each register after step 208 includes the intended fixed-width value properly aligned in each subregister in the SIMD register.\",\n \"Thus, after step 208, and as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2, subregister 112 holds a 32-bit representation of the value zero, subregister 114 holds a 32-bit representation of the value one, and subregister 116 holds a 32-bit representation of the value four.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, step 206 and/or step 208 may be performed by using a SIMD multiply and uniform-shift based on a set of inverted bit-offsets.\",\n \"A SIMD multiply may be used to store the value in each subregister in the most significant bits of the subregister.\",\n \"Thus, in the current example, a SIMD multiply may be used to left-align a value in a subregister.\",\n \"After the fixed-width value in each subregister is left-aligned, a uniform-shift operation may be used to right-align each value.\",\n \"Multiplying a value stored in a register by 2n shifts the bits in the register n places higher.\",\n \"For example, after step 204, subregister 114 contains < .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"1 00100 00001 00000>.\",\n \"If subregister 114 is multiplied by 222, then the bit-vector in subregister 114 is shifted to the left 22 places to be <00001 0 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \">, which makes the value left-aligned in subregister 114.The number of bits a bit-vector is shifted by to left-align the value in a register is referred to herein as an inverted bit-offset.\",\n \"An inverted bit-offset may be calculated may ways.\",\n \"In an embodiment, the inverted bit-offset for each subregister is calculated by using the following equation, where i is the base-zero index of the value in the vector of values: subregister_size−(value_width+bit_offseti) For example, the inverted bit-offset for subregister 112 is 27, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (zero).\",\n \"The inverted bit-offset for subregister 114 is 22, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (five).\",\n \"The inverted bit-offset for subregister 116 is 17, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (ten).\",\n \"After left-aligning the fixed-width value in each register, then the uniform-shift operation is used to right-shift the bits in each subregister by the number of bits in the subregister minus the width of the value in the subregister.\",\n \"Thus, continuing with the previous example, the bits in each subregister of SIMD register 110 are each right-shifted by 27 bits, which is the width of each subregister (32) minus the width of each value (five), respectively.\",\n \"After performing the uniform-shift operation, the value in each subregister in SIMD register 110 are right-aligned.\",\n \"In an embodiment, if a set of SIMD instructions for a particular hardware set does not support the variable-right-shift operation and/or a SIMD divide operation, then the SIMD multiply and uniform-shift operations may be used to right-align the values in each subregister in a SIMD subregister.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, if a particular hardware set does not support SIMD instructions then a multiply and shift may be used on values in non-SIMD registers.\",\n \"Splatting the Dictionary Bit-Vector into a Plurality of Subregisters In step 104, the dictionary bit-vector is splatted into each subregister in a SIMD register.\",\n \"The SPLAT operation copies bytes from a register, or memory, into each subregister in a SIMD register.\",\n \"In the current example, the dictionary bit-vector is 32 bits wide and the width of SIMD register 120 is 256 bits wide.\",\n \"Thus, the dictionary bit-vector may be splatted into eight subregisters in SIMD register 120.For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first three subregisters in SIMD register 120 are shown in FIG.\",\n \"1: subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126, each include a copy of the dictionary bit-vector.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first eight bits and the last bit are illustrated in subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Shifting the Dictionary Bit-Vector in Each Subregister by a Variable Number In step 106, the dictionary bit-vector in each subregister of the SIMD register is shifted to place the bit that corresponds with the column value (or dictionary index) into the lowest bit.\",\n \"For example, a Variable-Right-Shift operation is used to shift the dictionary bit-vector in each subregister of SIMD register 120 by the column value in each respective subregister of SIMD register 110.Thus, the bit that corresponds with the column value (or dictionary index) in each subregister of SIMD register 110 is in the lowest bit in each respective subregister of SIMD register 120.Accordingly, and as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, in step 106, the bits in subregister 122 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 112 (zero), the bits in subregister 124 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 114 (one), and the bits in subregister 126 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 116 (four).\",\n \"Generating an Output Bit-Vector for Each Column Value In step 108, the lowest bit in each subregister of the SIMD register that holds the dictionary bit-vector is copied to an output bit-vector in a register and/or memory.\",\n \"A Move-Mask operation is a SIMD operation that applies a mask to each subregister in a single SIMD register and copies the bit(s) not masked out to another register and/or memory.\",\n \"In the current example, the Move-Mask operation is used to apply a mask, such as <0 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"01>, to mask out all but the lowest bit in each subregister in SIMD register 120, and copy the lowest bit into storage 130.In the example embodiments illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, and discussed above, the set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, is performed on eight dictionary-encoded column values in parallel.\",\n \"The process may be repeated until the 1,000,000,000 column values are processed.\",\n \"The resulting output bit-vector is 1,000,000,000 bits long.\",\n \"A Second Set-Membership Process for Sets with High or Low Cardinality The second set-membership process discussed herein may be used for column values with high or low cardinality.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A and FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"For example, system 300 comprises SIMD register 320, SIMD register 330, SIMD register 340, storage 350, SIMD register 360, and storage 370.SIMD register 320 comprises subregister 322, subregister 324, and subregister 326.SIMD register 330 comprises subregister 332, subregister 334, and subregister 336.SIMD register 340 comprises subregister 342, subregister 344, and subregister 346.SIMD register 360 comprises subregister 362, subregister 364, and subregister 366.Storage 350 and storage 370 may be one or more registers, segments in cache, segments in memory, and/or disk.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A and FIG.\",\n \"3B also illustrate the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: The cardinality of a column in a database table is 1024.There are 1,000,000,000 rows in the database table.\",\n \"The column value in each row is dictionary-encoded with 10 bits.\",\n \"Each value in the column is a value between zero and one minus the cardinality of the column, which in this case is 1023.A query has been received that includes one or more conditions based on the column.\",\n \"The database server has evaluated the one or more conditions on the dictionary values and generated the following dictionary bit-vector: <0000 0000, .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \", 0001 0100, 0001 0001>.\",\n \"The bit-vector is the same width as the cardinality of the column: 1024 bits.\",\n \"Each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.\",\n \"Loading Dictionary-Encoded, Fixed-Width, Bit-Packed Values (or Dictionary Indexes) in a Plurality of Subregisters in a Single SIMD Register Using One or More SIMD Operations In step 302, one or more dictionary-encoded column values are loaded in one or more subregisters of a SIMD register.\",\n \"For example, the database server may cause the SIMD processor to perform one or more operations discussed above, such as the operations discussed above in step 102 and/or steps 202 through 208 (load, shuffle, shift, and/or mask), which when executed cause a plurality of bit-packed, fixed-width values (< .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \", 00000 00000, 00000 00001, 00000 01010>) to load into subregisters in SIMD register 320.The width of each value is 10 bits because the cardinality is 1024.Register 320 in FIG.\",\n \"3A illustrates the state of subregister 322, subregister 324, and subregister 326 after loading the values into each register: The first dictionary-encoded column value (ten) is loaded in subregister 322; The second dictionary-encoded column value (one) is loaded in subregister 324; and The third dictionary-encoded column value (zero) is loaded in subregister 326.Determining a Byte-Offset and Bit-Offset of Each Corresponding Dictionary Index in the Dictionary Bit-Vector In step 304, each loaded value is divided by eight, and the quotient and remainder are stored.\",\n \"The quotient is the byte-offset of the corresponding byte in the dictionary bit-vector.\",\n \"The remainder is the bit-offset of the corresponding bit in the dictionary bit-vector.\",\n \"For example, the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 is integer-divided by eight and stored in each respective subregister in SIMD register 330.The remainder of each value is stored in each respective subregister in SIMD register 340.An integer-divide may be defined as the floor of a numerator divided by a denominator.\",\n \"There are many ways to perform an integer-divide by eight.\",\n \"An optimized method for dividing a value in a register by eight is shifting the bits in the register three places towards the low end.\",\n \"For example, <1111 1010>(250) shifted by three places to the low end, which in this case is to the right, is <0001 1111>(31).\",\n \"The value in each subregister in SIMD register 330 may be generated by: copying the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 into each subregister in SIMD register 330, respectively and in parallel; and shifting the value in each subregister in SIMD register 330 by three bits to the right in parallel.\",\n \"There are many ways to determine the remainder of a value integer-divided by eight.\",\n \"An optimized method for determining the remainder is masking off bits in a subregister higher than the lowest three bits.\",\n \"For example, masking the bits in <1111 1010>(250) that are higher than three low end bits, which in this case is to the left, is <0000 0010>(2).\",\n \"The value in each subregister in SIMD register 340 may be generated by: copying the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 into each subregister in SIMD register 340, respectively and in parallel; and masking the bits that are higher than the three lowest end bits in each subregister in SIMD register 330 in parallel.\",\n \"Loading Bits in the Dictionary Bit-Vector According to the Byte-Offset and Bit-Offset In step 306, bytes in the dictionary bit-vector that have bits that correspond to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are also loaded.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume that storage 350 includes the dictionary bit-vector.\",\n \"A byte from storage 350 is loaded into each subregister in SIMD register 360, according to the corresponding byte-offset stored in each subregister in SIMD register 330, respectively.\",\n \"There are many ways to load a byte from storage 350 using a byte-offset.\",\n \"An optimized method for SIMD architecture uses the Gather operation, which fetches bytes from a register and/or memory and stores the bytes in SIMD subregisters in parallel.\",\n \"Using the Gather operation, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"3A and 3B, an SIMD processor may: Fetch the second byte, <0001 0100>, based on the value stored in subregister 332 (one), which corresponds with subregister 362, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 332.Fetch the first byte, <0001 0001>, based on the value stored in subregister 334 (zero), which corresponds with subregister 364, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 334.Fetch the first byte, <0001 0001>, based on the value stored in subregister 336 (zero), which corresponds with subregister 366, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 336.In step 308, the bit that corresponds to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are shifted to the lowest end bit.\",\n \"For example, the bits in each subregister in SIMD register 360 may be shifted using the Variable-Right-Shift operation discussed above.\",\n \"The Variable-Right-Shift operation may shift each subregister in SIMD register 360 by the value in each subregister in SIMD register 340, respectively and in parallel.\",\n \"Accordingly, the bits in subregister 362 are shifted two places to the right, because the value of subregister 342 is two; the bits in subregister 364 are shift one place to the right, because the value of subregister 344 is one; and, the bits in subregister 366 are not shifted, because the value of subregister 366 is zero.\",\n \"Generating an Output Bit-Vector for Each Column Value In step 310, the bit that corresponds to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are copied to an output bit-vector in a register and/or memory.\",\n \"For example, the Move-Mask operation, discussed above, may be used to copy the lowest bit in each subregister in SIMD register 360 into storage 370.Additionally or alternatively, a SIMD processor may use the “gatherb” instruction to gather collect the correct bits from the dictionary bit-vector based on the dictionary index values loaded in a SIMD register.\",\n \"For example, in response to receiving the gatherb operation, the SIMD processor collects each bit in the dictionary bit-vector loaded in storage 350 accordingly to the dictionary index loaded in each subregister in SIMD register 320.The SIMD processor may store each collected bit in storage 370.The gatherb operation is described in detail in U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/801,207, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,064, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,249, and U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,265, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.\",\n \"In the example embodiments illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3A and FIG.\",\n \"3B, and discussed above, the set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, is performed on eight dictionary-encoded column values in parallel.\",\n \"The process is repeated until the 1,000,000,000 column values are processed.\",\n \"The resulting output bit-vector is a bit-vector is 1,000,000,000 bits long.\",\n \"Variations Some of the embodiments illustrated above each subregister may be eight, or thirty-two bits wide.\",\n \"Other embodiments may include other widths, including, but in no way limited to four bits, eight bits, thirty-two bits, sixty-four bits.\",\n \"In many examples, subregisters may be four bytes.\",\n \"However, subregisters may be larger or smaller than four bytes.\",\n \"Furthermore, a default width, an operand, and/or a completer may be used to define the width of the subregisters for a particular operation.\",\n \"In some of the embodiments illustrated and discussed above, the least significant bits (the “lowest” bits) were illustrated on the right side of registers or memory, and no sign bit was used.\",\n \"However, the examples included above are not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"The instructions discussed above may be implemented on many various hardware configurations that are different than those illustrated.\",\n \"For example, in other embodiments, the lowest bits are on the left side of registers or memory.\",\n \"Additionally some bit-vectors, registers, and/or subregisters by include a sign bit.\",\n \"While the methods described above may be focused on SIMD architecture, these methods may also be implemented scalar and/or other non-SIMD instructions.\",\n \"The methods may also be included as part of an application programming interface.\",\n \"Furthermore the methods may implemented as an intrinsic, which may be a function a compiler recognizes and replaces with a particular block of assembly or machine code.\",\n \"Further still, one or more instructions may be stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediums, which when executed by one or more processors, may cause one or more of the methods described herein to be performed.\",\n \"In many of the examples, a SIMD register comprises three subregisters.\",\n \"This is not intended to be limiting in any way.\",\n \"SIMD registers may comprise more or fewer subregisters, all of which may be varying widths.\",\n \"In the above examples, each dictionary index value is a fixed-width value.\",\n \"However, in an embodiment, each dictionary may be a variable width value.\",\n \"A data vector may define the width of the each dictionary index value, and each dictionary index value may be loaded accordingly.\",\n \"For example, a dictionary-encoded column with a cardinality of 32 may use a maximum number of five bits or less to represent each value in the dictionary-encoded column.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating clear examples, many of the above example embodiments illustrate determining whether one or more dictionary values satisfy one or more queries and/or query conditions, and which rows of the one or more dictionary-encoded column values are in the set of dictionary values that satisfy the query.\",\n \"However, the methods and systems discussed herein may be used to more quickly determine whether one or more values in a first set of values are included in a second set of values using SIMD instructions.\",\n \"Hardware Overview According to one embodiment, the techniques described herein are implemented by one or more special-purpose computing devices.\",\n \"The special-purpose computing devices may be hard-wired to perform the techniques, or may include digital electronic devices such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are persistently programmed to perform the techniques, or may include one or more general purpose hardware processors programmed to perform the techniques pursuant to program instructions in firmware, memory, other storage, or a combination.\",\n \"Such special-purpose computing devices may also combine custom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with custom programming to accomplish the techniques.\",\n \"The special-purpose computing devices may be desktop computer systems, portable computer systems, handheld devices, networking devices or any other device that incorporates hard-wired and/or program logic to implement the techniques.\",\n \"For example, FIG.\",\n \"4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 400 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.\",\n \"Computer system 400 includes a bus 402 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware processor 404 coupled with bus 402 for processing information.\",\n \"Hardware processor 404 may be, for example, a general purpose microprocessor.\",\n \"Computer system 400 also includes a main memory 406, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus 402 for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 404.Main memory 406 also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 404.Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media accessible to processor 404, render computer system 400 into a special-purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the instructions.\",\n \"Computer system 400 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 408 or other static storage device coupled to bus 402 for storing static information and instructions for processor 404.A storage device 410, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus 402 for storing information and instructions.\",\n \"Computer system 400 may be coupled via bus 402 to a display 412, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user.\",\n \"An input device 414, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 402 for communicating information and command selections to processor 404.Another type of user input device is cursor control 416, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to processor 404 and for controlling cursor movement on display 412.This input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a plane.\",\n \"Computer system 400 may implement the techniques described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/or program logic which in combination with the computer system causes or programs computer system 400 to be a special-purpose machine.\",\n \"According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by computer system 400 in response to processor 404 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 406.Such instructions may be read into main memory 406 from another storage medium, such as storage device 410.Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 406 causes processor 404 to perform the process steps described herein.\",\n \"In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.\",\n \"The term “storage media” as used herein refers to any non-transitory media that store data and/or instructions that cause a machine to operation in a specific fashion.\",\n \"Such storage media may comprise non-volatile media and/or volatile media.\",\n \"Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 410.Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 406.Common forms of storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic data storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical data storage medium, any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip or cartridge.\",\n \"Storage media is distinct from but may be used in conjunction with transmission media.\",\n \"Transmission media participates in transferring information between storage media.\",\n \"For example, transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 402.Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.\",\n \"Various forms of media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 404 for execution.\",\n \"For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk or solid state drive of a remote computer.\",\n \"The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem.\",\n \"A modem local to computer system 400 can receive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitter to convert the data to an infra-red signal.\",\n \"An infra-red detector can receive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriate circuitry can place the data on bus 402.Bus 402 carries the data to main memory 406, from which processor 404 retrieves and executes the instructions.\",\n \"The instructions received by main memory 406 may optionally be stored on storage device 410 either before or after execution by processor 404.Computer system 400 also includes a communication interface 418 coupled to bus 402.Communication interface 418 provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link 420 that is connected to a local network 422.For example, communication interface 418 may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line.\",\n \"As another example, communication interface 418 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN.\",\n \"Wireless links may also be implemented.\",\n \"In any such implementation, communication interface 418 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.\",\n \"Network link 420 typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices.\",\n \"For example, network link 420 may provide a connection through local network 422 to a host computer 424 or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 426.ISP 426 in turn provides data communication services through the world wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet” 428.Local network 422 and Internet 428 both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams.\",\n \"The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link 420 and through communication interface 418, which carry the digital data to and from computer system 400, are example forms of transmission media.\",\n \"Computer system 400 can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link 420 and communication interface 418.In the Internet example, a server 430 might transmit a requested code for an application program through Internet 428, ISP 426, local network 422 and communication interface 418.The received code may be executed by processor 404 as it is received, and/or stored in storage device 410, or other non-volatile storage for later execution.\",\n \"In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation.\",\n \"The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.\",\n \"The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873502"}}},{"rowIdx":4494360,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING MEDICAL DEVICES HAVING PASSAGEWAYS WITH OZONE GAS","The present disclosure is generally related to devices, methods and systems for cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilizing a medical device, medical hoses and tubes and accessories thereof with ozone gas, in particular the disclosure relates to devices, methods and systems with multiple receptacles for providing closed-loop fluid pathways to distribute ozone gas to inner passageways and the outer compartments of medical devices.","The devices in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure have two or more receptacles for distributing ozone gas, a gas-tight compartment, an ozone operating system, and one or more connector units configured to fluidly migrate ozone in closed-loop treatment systems."],["1.An ozone treatment system, comprising: an ozone operating system configured to fluidly couple to a proximal end of an ozone conveyance line, said ozone conveyance line further comprising a distal end; and a gas tight compartment comprising: a lid and base comprising a plurality of walls, wherein said lid is movable between an open and a closed position, and said lid and said plurality of walls define a cavity when said lid is in a closed position; and a receptacle configured to receive and engage with an intermediate portion of said ozone conveyance line, wherein said intermediate portion is between said proximal end and said distal end of said ozone conveyance line; wherein: said receptacle is at least partially defined by at least one of said plurality of walls and said lid; and said ozone operating system is configured to generate ozone gas for conveyance to said cavity of said gas tight compartment by said ozone conveyance line.","2.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle is at least partially defined by said lid and one of said plurality of walls.","3.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein: said lid is coupled to said base; at least one of said plurality of walls comprises both a lid sealing surface and a conveyance line sealing surface; and said receptacle is defined at least in part by said conveyance line sealing surface.","4.The ozone treatment system of claim 3, wherein when said lid is in said closed position: a first portion of said lid engages said lid sealing surface; and a second portion of said lid defines at least a portion of said receptacle.","5.The ozone treatment system of claim 4, wherein the second portion of said lid and said lid sealing surface form a seal with said intermediate portion of said ozone conveyance line.","6.The ozone treatment system of claim 3, wherein: said lid further comprises a sealing element; and when said lid is in said closed position: a first portion of said lid engages said lid sealing surface; and said sealing element engages at least a portion of said intermediate portion of said ozone conveyance line, such that said receptacle is at least partially defined by said conveyance line sealing surface and said sealing element.","7.The ozone treatment system of claim 6, wherein said sealing element extends from a downward facing side of said lid when said lid is in said closed position.","8.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein: said receptacle defines a passageway into the cavity of said gas tight compartment; the distal end of said ozone conveyance line is larger than said passageway.","9.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein said ozone conveyance line is a hose of a medical instrument.","10.The ozone treatment system of claim 9, wherein said hose is a hose of a continuous positive airway pressure device.","11.The ozone treatment system of claim 9, further comprising a mask coupled to the distal end of said hose.","12.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust port fluidly coupled to said gas tight compartment, wherein the exhaust port is to exhaust ozone gas from said cavity.","13.The ozone treatment system of claim 12, further comprising an oxidizing catalyst downstream of said exhaust port, wherein said oxidizing catalyst is configured to break down ozone gas.","14.The ozone treatment system of claim 13, wherein said oxidizing catalyst comprises magnesium oxide.","15.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, further comprising an ozone sensor within said cavity.","16.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein said gas tight compartment is integral with said ozone operating system.","17.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein said ozone operating system and said gas tight compartment are coupled to said base such that a position of the ozone operating system is fixed relative to a position of the gas tight compartment.","18.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, further comprising an air pump fluidly coupled to the ozone operating system.","19.An ozone treatment system comprising: an ozone operating system configured to fluidly couple to a proximal end of a hose of a medical device, said hose further comprising a distal end; and a compartment configured to receive and form a seal with an intermediate portion of said hose, said intermediate portion being between said proximate and distal ends; and said ozone operating system is configured to generate ozone gas for conveyance to said compartment by said hose."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Medical devices, medical instruments and medical accessories (collectively “medical devices”) require varying degrees of cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization to prevent bacteria and mold build-up and for safe use and reuse of devices on the same patient and between patients.","There are many types of medical devices that have multiple pieces and accessories that require cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization including, without limitation, hoses, tubes, facemasks, probes, compartments, reservoirs, irrigation systems, pumps and other accessories.","Current devices, systems and methods for preparing medical devices for use and/or reuse have proved to be tiring and difficult for users, hospitals and other medical device provider services.","Devices often require daily and weekly maintenance steps to prevent bacteria and mold buildup, requiring each part of the device to be cleaned individually, which is difficult and time consuming for users on a daily or weekly basis.","Other cleaning methods include soaking the component parts of a medical device in solvents or mixtures for instance of vinegar and water to disinfect the component parts.","Because of the inherent nature for many medical devices to collect bacteria and mold, a number of other products are available for consumers to make medical devices safer to use, including but not limited to sprays, UV light devices, cleaning wipes and cleaning brushes.","Ozone gas is powerful and effective for removal of odors, impurities and dangerous pathogens, working by exchanging electron charge with particles that ozone comes into contact with to form oxygen, O 2 , from the unstable ozone O3.This process is particularly useful for purifying air and water and for killing bacteria and microorganisms that the ozone comes into contact with.","Ozonators can be used to create ozone from oxygen molecules, often by applying ultraviolet light to the oxygen.","Ozone gas is made of oxygen molecules that have been ionized by radiation to form groups of three oxygen atoms, O 3 , and may be created, for instance in a device, using an ozonator, air, and the application of ultraviolet light to convert oxygen into ozone gas.","However, while ozone gas is a powerful cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing gas, ozone gas must be contained and controlled as it is not safe for users to breath ozone gas until it has safely converted back to oxygen.","The amount of time that is needed for ozone to convert safely from ozone to oxygen varies significantly based on the amount of ozone used in a treatment cycle, in some embodiments ranging from 1 minute to 24 hours.","It is a long felt need in the art to provide a device, systems and methods that can treat medical devices and medical device passageways with one device using ozone gas, requiring minimum disassembly and yet part specific treatment, all in one or more connected and closed-loop systems for safe use treatment with ozone gas and ease of use by a user.","It is further a need to provide connector units to connect a variety of medical devices and medical device passageways for treatment with ozone gas.","Other systems, methods, apparatus features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description.","It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, apparatus features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims."],[" SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to a device, system and method for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices, the system comprising, a device with an ozone operating system; a distribution line fluidly connected to the ozone operating system for receiving and distributing ozone gas; a first receptacle on the device, wherein the distribution line is fluidly coupled to the first receptacle for releasing ozone gas; a connector unit, wherein the connector unit is configured to be fluidly connected at a proximal end to the first receptacle on the device and fluidly connected at a distal end to a proximal end of a hose in one embodiment, in another embodiment to be fluidly connected to a second receptacle on the device, and in another embodiment to be fluidly connected to the proximal end of a medical device; and an exhaust port configured to be fluidly coupled to the distal end of the hose, such that ozone gas passes through the fluid passageway and is exhausted.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?"],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/481,919, filed Apr.","7, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/141,216 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,669,124), filed Apr.","28, 2016, which is a continuation in part of PCT/US2015/029418, filed May 6, 2015, said U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/141,216 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,669,124), filed Apr.","28, 2016, is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/232,773 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,358,316), filed January 14, 2014, which is a 371 of International Patent Application No.","PCT/US2012/046593, filed Jul.","13, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","61/508,341, filed Jul.","15, 2011.TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to ozone gas treatment of medical devices and more particularly, is related to devices, systems and methods using agents or gas, such as ozone gas, for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices in a ozone device with multiple cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing properties, with one or more receptacles, and receiving ports and chambers for ease of cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices, medical instruments and medical passageways, such as hoses and/or tubes.","BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Medical devices, medical instruments and medical accessories (collectively “medical devices”) require varying degrees of cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization to prevent bacteria and mold build-up and for safe use and reuse of devices on the same patient and between patients.","There are many types of medical devices that have multiple pieces and accessories that require cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization including, without limitation, hoses, tubes, facemasks, probes, compartments, reservoirs, irrigation systems, pumps and other accessories.","Current devices, systems and methods for preparing medical devices for use and/or reuse have proved to be tiring and difficult for users, hospitals and other medical device provider services.","Devices often require daily and weekly maintenance steps to prevent bacteria and mold buildup, requiring each part of the device to be cleaned individually, which is difficult and time consuming for users on a daily or weekly basis.","Other cleaning methods include soaking the component parts of a medical device in solvents or mixtures for instance of vinegar and water to disinfect the component parts.","Because of the inherent nature for many medical devices to collect bacteria and mold, a number of other products are available for consumers to make medical devices safer to use, including but not limited to sprays, UV light devices, cleaning wipes and cleaning brushes.","Ozone gas is powerful and effective for removal of odors, impurities and dangerous pathogens, working by exchanging electron charge with particles that ozone comes into contact with to form oxygen, O2, from the unstable ozone O3.This process is particularly useful for purifying air and water and for killing bacteria and microorganisms that the ozone comes into contact with.","Ozonators can be used to create ozone from oxygen molecules, often by applying ultraviolet light to the oxygen.","Ozone gas is made of oxygen molecules that have been ionized by radiation to form groups of three oxygen atoms, O3, and may be created, for instance in a device, using an ozonator, air, and the application of ultraviolet light to convert oxygen into ozone gas.","However, while ozone gas is a powerful cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing gas, ozone gas must be contained and controlled as it is not safe for users to breath ozone gas until it has safely converted back to oxygen.","The amount of time that is needed for ozone to convert safely from ozone to oxygen varies significantly based on the amount of ozone used in a treatment cycle, in some embodiments ranging from 1 minute to 24 hours.","It is a long felt need in the art to provide a device, systems and methods that can treat medical devices and medical device passageways with one device using ozone gas, requiring minimum disassembly and yet part specific treatment, all in one or more connected and closed-loop systems for safe use treatment with ozone gas and ease of use by a user.","It is further a need to provide connector units to connect a variety of medical devices and medical device passageways for treatment with ozone gas.","Other systems, methods, apparatus features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description.","It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, apparatus features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings.","The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.","Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.","FIG.","1 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","1A is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device with a connector unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","2 is a schematic illustration of an ozone process in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","2A is a schematic illustration of an ozone process in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","3 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device coupled to a hose and a medical device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","4 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device with an ozone distribution line for recirculating the ozone into the device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.","SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to a device, system and method for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices, the system comprising, a device with an ozone operating system; a distribution line fluidly connected to the ozone operating system for receiving and distributing ozone gas; a first receptacle on the device, wherein the distribution line is fluidly coupled to the first receptacle for releasing ozone gas; a connector unit, wherein the connector unit is configured to be fluidly connected at a proximal end to the first receptacle on the device and fluidly connected at a distal end to a proximal end of a hose in one embodiment, in another embodiment to be fluidly connected to a second receptacle on the device, and in another embodiment to be fluidly connected to the proximal end of a medical device; and an exhaust port configured to be fluidly coupled to the distal end of the hose, such that ozone gas passes through the fluid passageway and is exhausted.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG.","1 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device 100 for treating a medical device tube or hose 115, and medical devices and medical device accessories with ozone.","The medical devices may include any medical devices with passageways including, without limitation, tubes and hoses.","As used herein, treating with ozone refers to the use of ozone to clean, disinfect and/or sterilize In accordance with this embodiment, an ozone operating system is embedded at the bottom of the device 100 behind a compartment door for ease of access by a user.","The ozone operating system in this embodiment including an air pump, such as an aquarium pump, for pumping air and an ozone generator for receiving the air and creating ozone gas.","In this embodiment an ozone distribution line 140 is coupled to the ozone operating system wherein the distribution line 140 releases ozone into a first ozone delivering receptacle 105, as shown in FIG.","1.In accordance with this embodiment, the first receptacle 105 is configured to fluidly couple to a proximal end of a medical device hose 115, such as a continuous positive airway pressure device hose.","A second ozone receiving receptacle 130 on the device 100 is designed to engage the distal end of the medical device hose 115, such that when a top lid 132 is in a closed position, tabs 131 engage the second receptacle and form a secure seal surrounding the hose 115.In accordance with this embodiment, the second receptacle is fluidly coupled to a gas-tight compartment 135 with an exhaust port 125 embedded therein.","The gas-tight compartment 135 can be used to clean, disinfect, and/or sterilize medical devices and accessories made of materials that do not degrade in the presence of ozone, such as CPAP facemasks, as an example, thereby closing a closed loop ozone process.","As such the ozone gas traverses from the ozone operating system, to a distribution line, to a first receptacle, through a hose, through a second receptacle, into a gas-tight sanitization chamber, and to an exhaust port.","The exhaust port 125 in accordance with this embodiment is coupled to the gas-tight compartment 135 and exhausts ozone from the fluid passageway described in the present embodiment for reuse and/or release.","In accordance with this embodiment, an oxidizing catalyst is coupled to the exhaust port 125 for collecting and breaking down ozone gas into oxygen, for safe release.","In accordance with this embodiment, ozone generated in the device 100 is released from the ozone operating system into the first receptacle 105 and ozone gas traverses from the device 100 into the hose 115 and is released through the exhaust port 125.In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG.","1, the device further includes a third receptacle, 130a, wherein both the second receptacle 130 and the third receptacle 130a have a removable seal 107.In accordance with this embodiment, the removable seal 107 on the second receptacle 130 and third receptacle 130a allows the medical device hose 115 to be fluidly connected into the second receptacle 130 or third receptacle 130a while maintaining a closed-loop system and preventing release of ozone gas from the closed-loop system prior to conversion of the ozone gas back to oxygen.","In accordance with this embodiment and the closed-loop system described, the ozone gas is released into a gas-tight compartment 135 to treat medical devices and accessories placed in the gas-tight compartment 135 in the device 100.In accordance with this embodiment, medical devices and accessories can be placed in the gas-tight compartment and cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilized, while hoses and tubes are cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilized with the ozone gas from the ozone operating system, through the first receptacle and into the hose and exhaust port, in a closed-loop system as described.","In accordance with this embodiment, the transfer of ozone gas from the ozone operating system to the second and/or third receptacle 130 and 130a, can be accomplished with one or more hoses, distribution lines or connectors.","In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG.","1, the ozone treatment device 100 also includes a user interface coupled to the ozone operating system 160, a timer coupled to the ozone operating system, a sensor 145 for sensing remaining ozone gas in the hose 115, gas-tight compartments 135 and/or anywhere in the closed loop system, and a safety switch to prevent start of an ozone process or use of a medical devices during an ozone process and an oxidizing catalyst coupled to the exhaust port 125 to collect and break down ozone.","FIG.","1A is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device 100 for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing a medical device tube or hose 115, and medical devices and medical device accessories.","In accordance with this embodiment, an ozone operating system is embedded in the device 100, the ozone operating system in this embodiment including an air pump, such as an aquarium pump, for pumping air and an ozone generator for receiving the air and creating ozone gas.","In this embodiment an ozone distribution line 140 is coupled to the ozone operating system wherein the distribution line 140 releases ozone into a first receptacle 105, as shown in FIG.","1A.","In accordance with this embodiment, the first receptacle 105 is configured to be fluidly coupled to a proximal end of a connector unit 110.The connector unit is sized to be fluidly coupled at the distal end of the connector unit to the proximal end to the hose 115.In accordance with this embodiment, the second receptacle 130 on the device 100 is designed to engage the distal end of the hose 115, such that when a top lid 132 is in a closed position, tabs 131, 131a engage the second receptacle and form a secure seal surrounding the hose 115.In accordance with this embodiment the second receptacle 130 is fluidly coupled to an exhaust port 125, in this example, through a gas-tight compartment 135 with the exhaust port 125 embedded in the device 100.The gas-tight compartment 135 can be used to clean, disinfect, and/or sterilize medical devices and accessories made of materials that do not degrade in the presence of ozone, such as CPAP facemasks, as an example, thereby closing a closed loop ozone process.","As such, the ozone gas traverses from the ozone operating system, to a distribution line 140, to a first receptacle 105, through a hose 115, through a second receptacle in the hose 115, into a gas-tight compartment 135, and to an exhaust port 125.The exhaust port 125 in accordance with this embodiment is coupled to the to the gas-tight compartment 135 exhausts ozone from the fluid passageway described in the present embodiment for reuse and/or release.","In accordance with this embodiment, an oxidizing catalyst is coupled to the exhaust port 125 for collecting and breaking down ozone gas into oxygen, for safe release.","In accordance with this embodiment, ozone generated in the device 100 is released from the ozone operating system into the first receptacle 105 and ozone gas traverses from the device 100 into the hose 115 and is released through the exhaust port 125.In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG.","1A, the connector unit 110 allows the device 100 to be coupled to any device hose, by providing a first receptacle 105 on the device that fluidly couples to the connector unit 110.For example, in one embodiment the connector unit 110 may be sized to couple at the proximal end to the first receptacle 105 and on the distal end to a CPAP hose 115.In another embodiment, the connector unit 110 may be sized to couple at the proximal end to the hose and at the distal end to an endoscope.","Similarly adapters and means to change the distal end of the connector unit 110 to fit a variety of sized tubes for any medical device are disclosed herein.","FIGS.","2 and 2A are schematic sketches showing closed-loop ozone processes in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.","In accordance with this embodiment, an ozone treatment system 200 with a reverse loop ozone process is described, wherein the device has a first receptacle 205 and a second receptacle 230 that fluidly couple to a medical device hose 215 for providing a closed loop ozone process in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.","In accordance with this embodiment, the ozone treatment system 200 has an ozone operating system 202 including an ozone pump 201 coupled to an ozone generator 203, for producing ozone gas, and a distribution line 240 that carries ozone gas to a first receptacle 205.Ozone gas migrates in this embodiment through the coupled hose 215 and exits the hose into the exhaust port 225, before the ozone gas is release or recycled from the closed-loop system described.","Similar to FIG.","2, FIG.","2A shows an ozone operating system 202 fluidly coupled to a first receptacle 205 with a distribution line 240, with ozone gas migrating into the hose 215 and through the second receptacle 230 on the device 100 into a gas-tight chamber for cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical instruments and accessories in the gas tight chamber, before the ozone gas is released or recycles from the closed loop system through an exhaust port 225.In this embodiment an oxide filter 270 is further shown for collecting and breaking down ozone gas into oxygen.","In accordance with the methods disclosed in FIGS.","2 and 2A, a method of treating a medical device with ozone gas is disclosed, the method describing an ozone process of producing ozone gas in a device with an ozone operating system, migrating ozone gas through a distribution line through a first receptacle in the device and into a hose of a medical device, and exhausting ozone gas from the hose of the medical device.","In accordance with this method, a second receptacle on the device may be used on the device with an exhaust port and/or a gas-tight compartment coupled to an exhaust port and housed in the device, such that the ozone gas is re-circulated into the device before being removed, released or re-circulated from the system, in a closed-loop ozone process.","FIG.","3 shows a perspective view of an ozone device with an ozone operating system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.","In this embodiment, a distribution line 340 traverses a first receptacle 305 and attaches at a distal end to a connector unit 310.In this embodiment the distribution line traverses into the connector unit 310, which is coupled at a proximal end to a medical device 350 and at the distal end to a medical device hose 315, and ozone is released into the hose and/or into a cavity in the medical device 350.In this embodiment a second receptacle 330 and a third receptacle 330a, with a seal 307 are provided such that the hose 315 can be connected as shown through the second receptacle 330 to release ozone gas into a gas-tight compartment 335 and be exhausted through exhaust port 325.In accordance with this embodiment, a sensor 345 is provided in the gas-tight compartment 335 to sense the amount of ozone gas in the closed loop system described herein.","In this embodiment the sensor 345 is coupled to the user interface 360 for providing ozone process information to a user, including but not limited to ozone levels remaining in the gas tight compartment 335, ozone cycle time, and ozone safety signals.","In accordance with this embodiment, the device 300 and the methods and systems described may further have a user interface 360 coupled to the ozone operating system, a timer coupled to the ozone operating system, a safety switch 365 to prevent start of an ozone process or use of a medical device during an ozone process, and an oxidizing catalyst such as an magnesium oxide filter coupled to the exhaust port 325 to collect and break down ozone.","As such, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system comprising, a device 300 with an ozone operating system; a distribution line 340 fluidly connected to the ozone operating system for receiving and distributing ozone gas; a first receptacle 305 on the device, wherein the distribution line 340 traverses the first receptacle and connects to a connector unit 310; the connector unit 310, wherein the connector unit 310 is configured to be fluidly connected to a medical device 350 and to a medical device hose 315; a second receptacle 330 that engages the hose 315 when the lid 332 is in a closed position with a free end immersed in a gas-tight compartment 335 in the device 300, is described.","FIG.","4 is a perspective view of a device 400 with an ozone operating system, showing devices, methods and systems for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices and medical device accessories.","In accordance with this embodiment, an ozone operating system is embedded in the device 400, the ozone operating system in this embodiment including an air pump, such as an aquarium pump, for pumping air and an ozone generator for receiving the air and creating ozone gas.","In this embodiment an ozone distribution line 440 is coupled to the ozone operating system wherein the distribution line 440 traverses a first receptacle 405, as shown in FIG.","4.In accordance with this embodiment, the first receptacle 405 is configured to allow the distribution line 440 to traverse through the first receptacle 405 and engage the second receptacle, which is fluidly coupled to a gas-tight compartment 435 with an exhaust port 425 embedded therein.","The gas-tight compartment 435 can be used to clean, disinfect, and/or sterilize medical devices and accessories made of materials that do not degrade in the presence of ozone, such as CPAP facemasks, as an example, thereby closing a closed loop ozone process, whereby ozone gas traverses from the ozone operating system, to a distribution line, through a first receptacle and second receptacle, into a gas-tight chamber, and to an exhaust port.","The exhaust port 425 in accordance with this embodiment is coupled to the to the gas-tight compartment 435 and exhausts ozone from the fluid passageway described in the present embodiment for reuse and/or release.","In accordance with this embodiment, an oxidizing catalyst is coupled to the exhaust port 425 for collecting and breaking down ozone gas into oxygen, for safe release.","In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a device with an ozone operating system comprising; a first receptacle, wherein the first receptacle is adapted to fluidly transfer ozone gas from the ozone operating system to a hose; and a second receptacle, wherein the second receptacle is adapted to fluidly transfer ozone gas from the hose to an exhaust port, is described.","In accordance with this embodiment the device further comprises a gas-tight compartment, wherein the exhaust port is coupled to the gas-tight compartment.","The device in the present embodiment further comprises a connector unit, wherein the first end of the connector unit is configured to fluidly couple to the first receptacle and a second end is configured to fluidly couple to a first end of the hose.","In accordance with this embodiment second receptacle on the device is configured to engage with a second end of the hose, allowing ozone gas to be released from the hose, through the second receptacle, into the gas-tight compartment.","The device in the present embodiment further comprises a user interface coupled to the ozone operating system, a timer coupled to the ozone operating system, a sensor coupled to the ozone operating system for sensing remaining ozone in the medical device, an air pump coupled to the ozone operating system and an oxidizing catalyst coupled to the exhaust port to collect and break down ozone.","In addition to the devices, systems and methods shown in the proceeding examples, the closed-loop systems described include, in some embodiments, steps for delaying the start of an ozone process of a for a fixed period of time from the last ozone process for the safety of the consumers.","The step of delaying the start time may range from may range from about 30 seconds to about 24 hours, depending on the device being treated and the level of cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization required.","In addition the step of sensing remaining ozone in a the medical devices being treated further increases the safety of the present treatment systems and methods for users, while also indicating to users that a medical device has been fully treated in accordance with user guidelines and required ozone exposure numbers.","As such, the user interface may display a variety of ozone process information to a user, including but not limited to ozone cycle time, device being treated, ozone levels as detected by sensors, level of treatment required based on an assessment of bacterial, mold, dirt or other criteria on a device being treated, light or sound indicators, and consumable product indicators, for the convenience of users.","The present disclosure discloses, devices, systems and methods of using ozone gas in closed-loop systems to clean, disinfect and/or sterilize medical devices, medical device hoses and tubes and accessories.","Examples of medical devices that may be cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilized in accordance with the embodiments described in the present disclosure include but are not limited to: surgical instruments, irrigation systems for sterile instruments in sterile tissues, endoscopes and endoscopic biopsy accessories, duodenoscopes, endotracheal tubes, bronchosopes, laryngosopes blades and other respiratory equipment, esophageal manometry probes, diaphragm fitting rings and gastrointestinal endoscopes, infusion pumps, ventilators, and continuous positive airway pressure devices (CPAP), prone to bacterial build-up because of humidified air and contact with a patients mouth.","Many of the devices listed above include passageways that are difficult to clean, disinfect and sterilize, such as any of the endoscopes, probes, ventilators and CPAP devices and related hoses.","The present disclosure thus discloses unique cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing devices with one or more receptacles and connector units for cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilizing multiple medical devices, medical tubes and accessories.","The devices, systems and methods described may include multiple connector units of different sizes and shapes, multiple ozone distribution lines from a device, wherein the devices may be of any size and shape, a timer, a sensor for sensing ozone in the closed-loop systems, a display for displaying cycle parameters and information, medical device cycle levels, cycle times, a controller for controlling release of ozone into the closed-loop systems, a locking mechanism for locking the device, an exhaust port, and a oxygen catalyst coupled to the exhaust port and uniquely designed connector units that connect to multiple medical devices.","It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure.","Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure.","All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING MEDICAL DEVICES HAVING PASSAGEWAYS WITH OZONE GAS\",\n \"The present disclosure is generally related to devices, methods and systems for cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilizing a medical device, medical hoses and tubes and accessories thereof with ozone gas, in particular the disclosure relates to devices, methods and systems with multiple receptacles for providing closed-loop fluid pathways to distribute ozone gas to inner passageways and the outer compartments of medical devices.\",\n \"The devices in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure have two or more receptacles for distributing ozone gas, a gas-tight compartment, an ozone operating system, and one or more connector units configured to fluidly migrate ozone in closed-loop treatment systems.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.An ozone treatment system, comprising: an ozone operating system configured to fluidly couple to a proximal end of an ozone conveyance line, said ozone conveyance line further comprising a distal end; and a gas tight compartment comprising: a lid and base comprising a plurality of walls, wherein said lid is movable between an open and a closed position, and said lid and said plurality of walls define a cavity when said lid is in a closed position; and a receptacle configured to receive and engage with an intermediate portion of said ozone conveyance line, wherein said intermediate portion is between said proximal end and said distal end of said ozone conveyance line; wherein: said receptacle is at least partially defined by at least one of said plurality of walls and said lid; and said ozone operating system is configured to generate ozone gas for conveyance to said cavity of said gas tight compartment by said ozone conveyance line.\",\n \"2.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle is at least partially defined by said lid and one of said plurality of walls.\",\n \"3.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein: said lid is coupled to said base; at least one of said plurality of walls comprises both a lid sealing surface and a conveyance line sealing surface; and said receptacle is defined at least in part by said conveyance line sealing surface.\",\n \"4.The ozone treatment system of claim 3, wherein when said lid is in said closed position: a first portion of said lid engages said lid sealing surface; and a second portion of said lid defines at least a portion of said receptacle.\",\n \"5.The ozone treatment system of claim 4, wherein the second portion of said lid and said lid sealing surface form a seal with said intermediate portion of said ozone conveyance line.\",\n \"6.The ozone treatment system of claim 3, wherein: said lid further comprises a sealing element; and when said lid is in said closed position: a first portion of said lid engages said lid sealing surface; and said sealing element engages at least a portion of said intermediate portion of said ozone conveyance line, such that said receptacle is at least partially defined by said conveyance line sealing surface and said sealing element.\",\n \"7.The ozone treatment system of claim 6, wherein said sealing element extends from a downward facing side of said lid when said lid is in said closed position.\",\n \"8.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein: said receptacle defines a passageway into the cavity of said gas tight compartment; the distal end of said ozone conveyance line is larger than said passageway.\",\n \"9.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein said ozone conveyance line is a hose of a medical instrument.\",\n \"10.The ozone treatment system of claim 9, wherein said hose is a hose of a continuous positive airway pressure device.\",\n \"11.The ozone treatment system of claim 9, further comprising a mask coupled to the distal end of said hose.\",\n \"12.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust port fluidly coupled to said gas tight compartment, wherein the exhaust port is to exhaust ozone gas from said cavity.\",\n \"13.The ozone treatment system of claim 12, further comprising an oxidizing catalyst downstream of said exhaust port, wherein said oxidizing catalyst is configured to break down ozone gas.\",\n \"14.The ozone treatment system of claim 13, wherein said oxidizing catalyst comprises magnesium oxide.\",\n \"15.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, further comprising an ozone sensor within said cavity.\",\n \"16.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein said gas tight compartment is integral with said ozone operating system.\",\n \"17.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, wherein said ozone operating system and said gas tight compartment are coupled to said base such that a position of the ozone operating system is fixed relative to a position of the gas tight compartment.\",\n \"18.The ozone treatment system of claim 1, further comprising an air pump fluidly coupled to the ozone operating system.\",\n \"19.An ozone treatment system comprising: an ozone operating system configured to fluidly couple to a proximal end of a hose of a medical device, said hose further comprising a distal end; and a compartment configured to receive and form a seal with an intermediate portion of said hose, said intermediate portion being between said proximate and distal ends; and said ozone operating system is configured to generate ozone gas for conveyance to said compartment by said hose.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Medical devices, medical instruments and medical accessories (collectively “medical devices”) require varying degrees of cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization to prevent bacteria and mold build-up and for safe use and reuse of devices on the same patient and between patients.\",\n \"There are many types of medical devices that have multiple pieces and accessories that require cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization including, without limitation, hoses, tubes, facemasks, probes, compartments, reservoirs, irrigation systems, pumps and other accessories.\",\n \"Current devices, systems and methods for preparing medical devices for use and/or reuse have proved to be tiring and difficult for users, hospitals and other medical device provider services.\",\n \"Devices often require daily and weekly maintenance steps to prevent bacteria and mold buildup, requiring each part of the device to be cleaned individually, which is difficult and time consuming for users on a daily or weekly basis.\",\n \"Other cleaning methods include soaking the component parts of a medical device in solvents or mixtures for instance of vinegar and water to disinfect the component parts.\",\n \"Because of the inherent nature for many medical devices to collect bacteria and mold, a number of other products are available for consumers to make medical devices safer to use, including but not limited to sprays, UV light devices, cleaning wipes and cleaning brushes.\",\n \"Ozone gas is powerful and effective for removal of odors, impurities and dangerous pathogens, working by exchanging electron charge with particles that ozone comes into contact with to form oxygen, O 2 , from the unstable ozone O3.This process is particularly useful for purifying air and water and for killing bacteria and microorganisms that the ozone comes into contact with.\",\n \"Ozonators can be used to create ozone from oxygen molecules, often by applying ultraviolet light to the oxygen.\",\n \"Ozone gas is made of oxygen molecules that have been ionized by radiation to form groups of three oxygen atoms, O 3 , and may be created, for instance in a device, using an ozonator, air, and the application of ultraviolet light to convert oxygen into ozone gas.\",\n \"However, while ozone gas is a powerful cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing gas, ozone gas must be contained and controlled as it is not safe for users to breath ozone gas until it has safely converted back to oxygen.\",\n \"The amount of time that is needed for ozone to convert safely from ozone to oxygen varies significantly based on the amount of ozone used in a treatment cycle, in some embodiments ranging from 1 minute to 24 hours.\",\n \"It is a long felt need in the art to provide a device, systems and methods that can treat medical devices and medical device passageways with one device using ozone gas, requiring minimum disassembly and yet part specific treatment, all in one or more connected and closed-loop systems for safe use treatment with ozone gas and ease of use by a user.\",\n \"It is further a need to provide connector units to connect a variety of medical devices and medical device passageways for treatment with ozone gas.\",\n \"Other systems, methods, apparatus features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description.\",\n \"It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, apparatus features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to a device, system and method for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices, the system comprising, a device with an ozone operating system; a distribution line fluidly connected to the ozone operating system for receiving and distributing ozone gas; a first receptacle on the device, wherein the distribution line is fluidly coupled to the first receptacle for releasing ozone gas; a connector unit, wherein the connector unit is configured to be fluidly connected at a proximal end to the first receptacle on the device and fluidly connected at a distal end to a proximal end of a hose in one embodiment, in another embodiment to be fluidly connected to a second receptacle on the device, and in another embodiment to be fluidly connected to the proximal end of a medical device; and an exhaust port configured to be fluidly coupled to the distal end of the hose, such that ozone gas passes through the fluid passageway and is exhausted.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/481,919, filed Apr.\",\n \"7, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/141,216 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,669,124), filed Apr.\",\n \"28, 2016, which is a continuation in part of PCT/US2015/029418, filed May 6, 2015, said U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/141,216 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,669,124), filed Apr.\",\n \"28, 2016, is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/232,773 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,358,316), filed January 14, 2014, which is a 371 of International Patent Application No.\",\n \"PCT/US2012/046593, filed Jul.\",\n \"13, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"61/508,341, filed Jul.\",\n \"15, 2011.TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to ozone gas treatment of medical devices and more particularly, is related to devices, systems and methods using agents or gas, such as ozone gas, for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices in a ozone device with multiple cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing properties, with one or more receptacles, and receiving ports and chambers for ease of cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices, medical instruments and medical passageways, such as hoses and/or tubes.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Medical devices, medical instruments and medical accessories (collectively “medical devices”) require varying degrees of cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization to prevent bacteria and mold build-up and for safe use and reuse of devices on the same patient and between patients.\",\n \"There are many types of medical devices that have multiple pieces and accessories that require cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization including, without limitation, hoses, tubes, facemasks, probes, compartments, reservoirs, irrigation systems, pumps and other accessories.\",\n \"Current devices, systems and methods for preparing medical devices for use and/or reuse have proved to be tiring and difficult for users, hospitals and other medical device provider services.\",\n \"Devices often require daily and weekly maintenance steps to prevent bacteria and mold buildup, requiring each part of the device to be cleaned individually, which is difficult and time consuming for users on a daily or weekly basis.\",\n \"Other cleaning methods include soaking the component parts of a medical device in solvents or mixtures for instance of vinegar and water to disinfect the component parts.\",\n \"Because of the inherent nature for many medical devices to collect bacteria and mold, a number of other products are available for consumers to make medical devices safer to use, including but not limited to sprays, UV light devices, cleaning wipes and cleaning brushes.\",\n \"Ozone gas is powerful and effective for removal of odors, impurities and dangerous pathogens, working by exchanging electron charge with particles that ozone comes into contact with to form oxygen, O2, from the unstable ozone O3.This process is particularly useful for purifying air and water and for killing bacteria and microorganisms that the ozone comes into contact with.\",\n \"Ozonators can be used to create ozone from oxygen molecules, often by applying ultraviolet light to the oxygen.\",\n \"Ozone gas is made of oxygen molecules that have been ionized by radiation to form groups of three oxygen atoms, O3, and may be created, for instance in a device, using an ozonator, air, and the application of ultraviolet light to convert oxygen into ozone gas.\",\n \"However, while ozone gas is a powerful cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing gas, ozone gas must be contained and controlled as it is not safe for users to breath ozone gas until it has safely converted back to oxygen.\",\n \"The amount of time that is needed for ozone to convert safely from ozone to oxygen varies significantly based on the amount of ozone used in a treatment cycle, in some embodiments ranging from 1 minute to 24 hours.\",\n \"It is a long felt need in the art to provide a device, systems and methods that can treat medical devices and medical device passageways with one device using ozone gas, requiring minimum disassembly and yet part specific treatment, all in one or more connected and closed-loop systems for safe use treatment with ozone gas and ease of use by a user.\",\n \"It is further a need to provide connector units to connect a variety of medical devices and medical device passageways for treatment with ozone gas.\",\n \"Other systems, methods, apparatus features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description.\",\n \"It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, apparatus features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings.\",\n \"The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.\",\n \"Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1A is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device with a connector unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a schematic illustration of an ozone process in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2A is a schematic illustration of an ozone process in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device coupled to a hose and a medical device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device with an ozone distribution line for recirculating the ozone into the device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to a device, system and method for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices, the system comprising, a device with an ozone operating system; a distribution line fluidly connected to the ozone operating system for receiving and distributing ozone gas; a first receptacle on the device, wherein the distribution line is fluidly coupled to the first receptacle for releasing ozone gas; a connector unit, wherein the connector unit is configured to be fluidly connected at a proximal end to the first receptacle on the device and fluidly connected at a distal end to a proximal end of a hose in one embodiment, in another embodiment to be fluidly connected to a second receptacle on the device, and in another embodiment to be fluidly connected to the proximal end of a medical device; and an exhaust port configured to be fluidly coupled to the distal end of the hose, such that ozone gas passes through the fluid passageway and is exhausted.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG.\",\n \"1 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device 100 for treating a medical device tube or hose 115, and medical devices and medical device accessories with ozone.\",\n \"The medical devices may include any medical devices with passageways including, without limitation, tubes and hoses.\",\n \"As used herein, treating with ozone refers to the use of ozone to clean, disinfect and/or sterilize In accordance with this embodiment, an ozone operating system is embedded at the bottom of the device 100 behind a compartment door for ease of access by a user.\",\n \"The ozone operating system in this embodiment including an air pump, such as an aquarium pump, for pumping air and an ozone generator for receiving the air and creating ozone gas.\",\n \"In this embodiment an ozone distribution line 140 is coupled to the ozone operating system wherein the distribution line 140 releases ozone into a first ozone delivering receptacle 105, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.In accordance with this embodiment, the first receptacle 105 is configured to fluidly couple to a proximal end of a medical device hose 115, such as a continuous positive airway pressure device hose.\",\n \"A second ozone receiving receptacle 130 on the device 100 is designed to engage the distal end of the medical device hose 115, such that when a top lid 132 is in a closed position, tabs 131 engage the second receptacle and form a secure seal surrounding the hose 115.In accordance with this embodiment, the second receptacle is fluidly coupled to a gas-tight compartment 135 with an exhaust port 125 embedded therein.\",\n \"The gas-tight compartment 135 can be used to clean, disinfect, and/or sterilize medical devices and accessories made of materials that do not degrade in the presence of ozone, such as CPAP facemasks, as an example, thereby closing a closed loop ozone process.\",\n \"As such the ozone gas traverses from the ozone operating system, to a distribution line, to a first receptacle, through a hose, through a second receptacle, into a gas-tight sanitization chamber, and to an exhaust port.\",\n \"The exhaust port 125 in accordance with this embodiment is coupled to the gas-tight compartment 135 and exhausts ozone from the fluid passageway described in the present embodiment for reuse and/or release.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, an oxidizing catalyst is coupled to the exhaust port 125 for collecting and breaking down ozone gas into oxygen, for safe release.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, ozone generated in the device 100 is released from the ozone operating system into the first receptacle 105 and ozone gas traverses from the device 100 into the hose 115 and is released through the exhaust port 125.In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, the device further includes a third receptacle, 130a, wherein both the second receptacle 130 and the third receptacle 130a have a removable seal 107.In accordance with this embodiment, the removable seal 107 on the second receptacle 130 and third receptacle 130a allows the medical device hose 115 to be fluidly connected into the second receptacle 130 or third receptacle 130a while maintaining a closed-loop system and preventing release of ozone gas from the closed-loop system prior to conversion of the ozone gas back to oxygen.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment and the closed-loop system described, the ozone gas is released into a gas-tight compartment 135 to treat medical devices and accessories placed in the gas-tight compartment 135 in the device 100.In accordance with this embodiment, medical devices and accessories can be placed in the gas-tight compartment and cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilized, while hoses and tubes are cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilized with the ozone gas from the ozone operating system, through the first receptacle and into the hose and exhaust port, in a closed-loop system as described.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, the transfer of ozone gas from the ozone operating system to the second and/or third receptacle 130 and 130a, can be accomplished with one or more hoses, distribution lines or connectors.\",\n \"In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, the ozone treatment device 100 also includes a user interface coupled to the ozone operating system 160, a timer coupled to the ozone operating system, a sensor 145 for sensing remaining ozone gas in the hose 115, gas-tight compartments 135 and/or anywhere in the closed loop system, and a safety switch to prevent start of an ozone process or use of a medical devices during an ozone process and an oxidizing catalyst coupled to the exhaust port 125 to collect and break down ozone.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1A is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device 100 for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing a medical device tube or hose 115, and medical devices and medical device accessories.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, an ozone operating system is embedded in the device 100, the ozone operating system in this embodiment including an air pump, such as an aquarium pump, for pumping air and an ozone generator for receiving the air and creating ozone gas.\",\n \"In this embodiment an ozone distribution line 140 is coupled to the ozone operating system wherein the distribution line 140 releases ozone into a first receptacle 105, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"1A.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, the first receptacle 105 is configured to be fluidly coupled to a proximal end of a connector unit 110.The connector unit is sized to be fluidly coupled at the distal end of the connector unit to the proximal end to the hose 115.In accordance with this embodiment, the second receptacle 130 on the device 100 is designed to engage the distal end of the hose 115, such that when a top lid 132 is in a closed position, tabs 131, 131a engage the second receptacle and form a secure seal surrounding the hose 115.In accordance with this embodiment the second receptacle 130 is fluidly coupled to an exhaust port 125, in this example, through a gas-tight compartment 135 with the exhaust port 125 embedded in the device 100.The gas-tight compartment 135 can be used to clean, disinfect, and/or sterilize medical devices and accessories made of materials that do not degrade in the presence of ozone, such as CPAP facemasks, as an example, thereby closing a closed loop ozone process.\",\n \"As such, the ozone gas traverses from the ozone operating system, to a distribution line 140, to a first receptacle 105, through a hose 115, through a second receptacle in the hose 115, into a gas-tight compartment 135, and to an exhaust port 125.The exhaust port 125 in accordance with this embodiment is coupled to the to the gas-tight compartment 135 exhausts ozone from the fluid passageway described in the present embodiment for reuse and/or release.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, an oxidizing catalyst is coupled to the exhaust port 125 for collecting and breaking down ozone gas into oxygen, for safe release.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, ozone generated in the device 100 is released from the ozone operating system into the first receptacle 105 and ozone gas traverses from the device 100 into the hose 115 and is released through the exhaust port 125.In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"1A, the connector unit 110 allows the device 100 to be coupled to any device hose, by providing a first receptacle 105 on the device that fluidly couples to the connector unit 110.For example, in one embodiment the connector unit 110 may be sized to couple at the proximal end to the first receptacle 105 and on the distal end to a CPAP hose 115.In another embodiment, the connector unit 110 may be sized to couple at the proximal end to the hose and at the distal end to an endoscope.\",\n \"Similarly adapters and means to change the distal end of the connector unit 110 to fit a variety of sized tubes for any medical device are disclosed herein.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 2A are schematic sketches showing closed-loop ozone processes in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, an ozone treatment system 200 with a reverse loop ozone process is described, wherein the device has a first receptacle 205 and a second receptacle 230 that fluidly couple to a medical device hose 215 for providing a closed loop ozone process in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, the ozone treatment system 200 has an ozone operating system 202 including an ozone pump 201 coupled to an ozone generator 203, for producing ozone gas, and a distribution line 240 that carries ozone gas to a first receptacle 205.Ozone gas migrates in this embodiment through the coupled hose 215 and exits the hose into the exhaust port 225, before the ozone gas is release or recycled from the closed-loop system described.\",\n \"Similar to FIG.\",\n \"2, FIG.\",\n \"2A shows an ozone operating system 202 fluidly coupled to a first receptacle 205 with a distribution line 240, with ozone gas migrating into the hose 215 and through the second receptacle 230 on the device 100 into a gas-tight chamber for cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical instruments and accessories in the gas tight chamber, before the ozone gas is released or recycles from the closed loop system through an exhaust port 225.In this embodiment an oxide filter 270 is further shown for collecting and breaking down ozone gas into oxygen.\",\n \"In accordance with the methods disclosed in FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 2A, a method of treating a medical device with ozone gas is disclosed, the method describing an ozone process of producing ozone gas in a device with an ozone operating system, migrating ozone gas through a distribution line through a first receptacle in the device and into a hose of a medical device, and exhausting ozone gas from the hose of the medical device.\",\n \"In accordance with this method, a second receptacle on the device may be used on the device with an exhaust port and/or a gas-tight compartment coupled to an exhaust port and housed in the device, such that the ozone gas is re-circulated into the device before being removed, released or re-circulated from the system, in a closed-loop ozone process.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 shows a perspective view of an ozone device with an ozone operating system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a distribution line 340 traverses a first receptacle 305 and attaches at a distal end to a connector unit 310.In this embodiment the distribution line traverses into the connector unit 310, which is coupled at a proximal end to a medical device 350 and at the distal end to a medical device hose 315, and ozone is released into the hose and/or into a cavity in the medical device 350.In this embodiment a second receptacle 330 and a third receptacle 330a, with a seal 307 are provided such that the hose 315 can be connected as shown through the second receptacle 330 to release ozone gas into a gas-tight compartment 335 and be exhausted through exhaust port 325.In accordance with this embodiment, a sensor 345 is provided in the gas-tight compartment 335 to sense the amount of ozone gas in the closed loop system described herein.\",\n \"In this embodiment the sensor 345 is coupled to the user interface 360 for providing ozone process information to a user, including but not limited to ozone levels remaining in the gas tight compartment 335, ozone cycle time, and ozone safety signals.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, the device 300 and the methods and systems described may further have a user interface 360 coupled to the ozone operating system, a timer coupled to the ozone operating system, a safety switch 365 to prevent start of an ozone process or use of a medical device during an ozone process, and an oxidizing catalyst such as an magnesium oxide filter coupled to the exhaust port 325 to collect and break down ozone.\",\n \"As such, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system comprising, a device 300 with an ozone operating system; a distribution line 340 fluidly connected to the ozone operating system for receiving and distributing ozone gas; a first receptacle 305 on the device, wherein the distribution line 340 traverses the first receptacle and connects to a connector unit 310; the connector unit 310, wherein the connector unit 310 is configured to be fluidly connected to a medical device 350 and to a medical device hose 315; a second receptacle 330 that engages the hose 315 when the lid 332 is in a closed position with a free end immersed in a gas-tight compartment 335 in the device 300, is described.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a perspective view of a device 400 with an ozone operating system, showing devices, methods and systems for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices and medical device accessories.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, an ozone operating system is embedded in the device 400, the ozone operating system in this embodiment including an air pump, such as an aquarium pump, for pumping air and an ozone generator for receiving the air and creating ozone gas.\",\n \"In this embodiment an ozone distribution line 440 is coupled to the ozone operating system wherein the distribution line 440 traverses a first receptacle 405, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"4.In accordance with this embodiment, the first receptacle 405 is configured to allow the distribution line 440 to traverse through the first receptacle 405 and engage the second receptacle, which is fluidly coupled to a gas-tight compartment 435 with an exhaust port 425 embedded therein.\",\n \"The gas-tight compartment 435 can be used to clean, disinfect, and/or sterilize medical devices and accessories made of materials that do not degrade in the presence of ozone, such as CPAP facemasks, as an example, thereby closing a closed loop ozone process, whereby ozone gas traverses from the ozone operating system, to a distribution line, through a first receptacle and second receptacle, into a gas-tight chamber, and to an exhaust port.\",\n \"The exhaust port 425 in accordance with this embodiment is coupled to the to the gas-tight compartment 435 and exhausts ozone from the fluid passageway described in the present embodiment for reuse and/or release.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment, an oxidizing catalyst is coupled to the exhaust port 425 for collecting and breaking down ozone gas into oxygen, for safe release.\",\n \"In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a device with an ozone operating system comprising; a first receptacle, wherein the first receptacle is adapted to fluidly transfer ozone gas from the ozone operating system to a hose; and a second receptacle, wherein the second receptacle is adapted to fluidly transfer ozone gas from the hose to an exhaust port, is described.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment the device further comprises a gas-tight compartment, wherein the exhaust port is coupled to the gas-tight compartment.\",\n \"The device in the present embodiment further comprises a connector unit, wherein the first end of the connector unit is configured to fluidly couple to the first receptacle and a second end is configured to fluidly couple to a first end of the hose.\",\n \"In accordance with this embodiment second receptacle on the device is configured to engage with a second end of the hose, allowing ozone gas to be released from the hose, through the second receptacle, into the gas-tight compartment.\",\n \"The device in the present embodiment further comprises a user interface coupled to the ozone operating system, a timer coupled to the ozone operating system, a sensor coupled to the ozone operating system for sensing remaining ozone in the medical device, an air pump coupled to the ozone operating system and an oxidizing catalyst coupled to the exhaust port to collect and break down ozone.\",\n \"In addition to the devices, systems and methods shown in the proceeding examples, the closed-loop systems described include, in some embodiments, steps for delaying the start of an ozone process of a for a fixed period of time from the last ozone process for the safety of the consumers.\",\n \"The step of delaying the start time may range from may range from about 30 seconds to about 24 hours, depending on the device being treated and the level of cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization required.\",\n \"In addition the step of sensing remaining ozone in a the medical devices being treated further increases the safety of the present treatment systems and methods for users, while also indicating to users that a medical device has been fully treated in accordance with user guidelines and required ozone exposure numbers.\",\n \"As such, the user interface may display a variety of ozone process information to a user, including but not limited to ozone cycle time, device being treated, ozone levels as detected by sensors, level of treatment required based on an assessment of bacterial, mold, dirt or other criteria on a device being treated, light or sound indicators, and consumable product indicators, for the convenience of users.\",\n \"The present disclosure discloses, devices, systems and methods of using ozone gas in closed-loop systems to clean, disinfect and/or sterilize medical devices, medical device hoses and tubes and accessories.\",\n \"Examples of medical devices that may be cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilized in accordance with the embodiments described in the present disclosure include but are not limited to: surgical instruments, irrigation systems for sterile instruments in sterile tissues, endoscopes and endoscopic biopsy accessories, duodenoscopes, endotracheal tubes, bronchosopes, laryngosopes blades and other respiratory equipment, esophageal manometry probes, diaphragm fitting rings and gastrointestinal endoscopes, infusion pumps, ventilators, and continuous positive airway pressure devices (CPAP), prone to bacterial build-up because of humidified air and contact with a patients mouth.\",\n \"Many of the devices listed above include passageways that are difficult to clean, disinfect and sterilize, such as any of the endoscopes, probes, ventilators and CPAP devices and related hoses.\",\n \"The present disclosure thus discloses unique cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing devices with one or more receptacles and connector units for cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilizing multiple medical devices, medical tubes and accessories.\",\n \"The devices, systems and methods described may include multiple connector units of different sizes and shapes, multiple ozone distribution lines from a device, wherein the devices may be of any size and shape, a timer, a sensor for sensing ozone in the closed-loop systems, a display for displaying cycle parameters and information, medical device cycle levels, cycle times, a controller for controlling release of ozone into the closed-loop systems, a locking mechanism for locking the device, an exhaust port, and a oxygen catalyst coupled to the exhaust port and uniquely designed connector units that connect to multiple medical devices.\",\n \"It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure.\",\n \"Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure.\",\n \"All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873506"}}},{"rowIdx":4494361,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["Message Transmission Method, Access Node, Access Controller, and Access System","A message transmission method, an access node, an access controller, and an access system, where in the method, a message is processed by an access controller instead of an access node such that the access node does not need to support a relay function, reducing operation and maintenance difficulties and costs.","In the method, the access controller receives a first message from the access node, and the first message includes a first identifier.","The access controller obtains a line identifier according to the first identifier.","The access controller obtains a second message according to the line identifier, and the second message includes the line identifier.","The access controller sends the second message to a relay server."],["1.A message transmission method, comprising: receiving, by an access controller, a first message from an access node, wherein the first message comprises a first identifier; obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier; obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier, wherein the second message comprises the line identifier; and sending, by the access controller, the second message to a relay server.","2.The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining the line identifier comprises: obtaining, by the access controller, the line identifier according to a correspondence and the first identifier, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encoding, by the access controller, the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","3.The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message further comprises a first Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, wherein the second message comprises a second DHCP message, wherein obtaining the second message comprises adding, by the access controller, the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, and wherein the second DHCP message comprises the line identifier.","4.The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message further comprises a router solicitation (RS) message or a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, wherein the second message comprises a first authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, wherein obtaining the second message comprises generating, by the access controller, the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, and wherein the first AAA message comprises the line identifier.","5.The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the access controller, a fourth message from the relay server, wherein the fourth message comprises the line identifier and Internet Protocol (IP) address information comprising an IP address or an IP address prefix; obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier; obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier, wherein the third message comprises the first identifier and the IP address information; and sending, by the access controller, the third message to the access node.","6.The method according to claim 5, wherein obtaining the first identifier comprises: obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encoding, by the access controller, the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","7.The method according to claim 5, wherein the fourth message comprises a third Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, and wherein obtaining the third message comprises: deleting, by the access controller, the line identifier comprised in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, wherein the fourth DHCP message comprises the IP address information; and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, wherein the third message further comprises the fourth DHCP message.","8.The method according to claim 5, wherein the fourth message comprises a second authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, and wherein obtaining the third message comprises: obtaining, by the access controller, a router advertisement (RA) message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, wherein the RA message comprises the IP address information; and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, wherein the third message further comprises the RA message.","9.A message transmission method, comprising: receiving, by an access node, a second message from a user; obtaining, by the access node, a line identifier according to the second message, wherein the second message comprises the line identifier; obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier; obtaining, by the access node, a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, wherein the first message comprises the first identifier and the second message; and sending, by the access node, the first message to an access controller.","10.The method according to claim 9, wherein obtaining the first identifier comprises: obtaining, by the access node, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier; or encoding, by the access node, the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","11.The method according to claim 9, further comprising: receiving, by the access node, a third message from the access controller, wherein the third message comprises Internet Protocol (IP) address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, wherein the IP address information comprises an IP address or an IP address prefix, and wherein the fourth message comprises the IP address information; obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier; and sending, by the access node, the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.","12.The method according to claim 11, wherein obtaining the line identifier according to the first identifier comprises: obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encoding, by the access node, the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","13.An access controller, comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store programming instructions; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the programming instructions cause the processor to be configured to: receive a first message from an access node, wherein the first message comprises a first identifier; obtain a line identifier according to the first identifier; obtain a second message according to the line identifier, wherein the second message comprises the line identifier; and send the second message to a relay server.","14.The access controller according to claim 13, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encode the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","15.The access controller according to claim 13, wherein the first message further comprises a first Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, wherein the second message comprises a second DHCP message, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to add the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, and wherein the second DHCP message comprises the line identifier.","16.The access controller according to claim 13, wherein the first message further comprises a router solicitation (RS) message or a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, wherein the second message comprises a first authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to generate the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, and wherein the first AAA message comprises the line identifier.","17.The access controller according to claim 13, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: receive a fourth message from the relay server, wherein the fourth message comprises the line identifier and Internet Protocol (IP) address information comprising an IP address or an IP address prefix; obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier; obtain a third message according to the first identifier, wherein the third message comprises the first identifier and the IP address information; and send the third message to the access node.","18.The access controller according to claim 17, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encode the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","19.The access controller according to claim 17, wherein the fourth message comprises a third Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, and wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: delete the line identifier comprised in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, wherein the fourth DHCP message comprises the IP address information; and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, wherein the third message further comprises the fourth DHCP message.","20.The access controller according to claim 17, wherein the fourth message comprises a second authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, and wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: obtain a router advertisement (RA) message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, wherein the RA message comprises the IP address information; and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, wherein the third message further comprises the RA message.","21.An access apparatus, comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store programming instructions; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the programming instructions cause the processor to be configured to: receive a second message from a user; obtain a line identifier according to the second message, wherein the second message comprises the line identifier; obtain a first identifier according to the line identifier; obtain a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, wherein the first message comprises the first identifier and the second message; and send the first message to an access controller.","22.The access apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier; or encode the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","23.The access apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: receive a third message from the access controller, wherein the third message comprises Internet Protocol (IP) address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, wherein the IP address information comprises an IP address or an IP address prefix, and wherein the fourth message comprises the IP address information; obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier; and send the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.","24.The access apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encode the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier."],[" BACKGROUND Currently, in an access network architecture, a message is transmitted between a client device and a relay server using a message transmission path.","The message may be a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, a router solicitation (RS) message, a router advertisement (RA) message, or the like.","In a message transmission process, each access node on the message transmission path needs to support a relay function.","That is, a control plane of each access node on the message transmission path needs to be configured to implement the relay function.","When new services emerge continuously, the control plane of each access node needs to be configured for each added service, resulting in relatively high operation and maintenance costs and complexity."],[" SUMMARY Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a message transmission method, an access node, an access controller, and an access system to help reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity.","According to a first aspect, a message transmission method is provided.","The method includes receiving, by an access controller, a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and sending, by the access controller, the second message to a relay server.","In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access controller obtains, according to the first message received from the access node, the second message including the line identifier.","The access node does not need to insert a line identifier into a message that is from a user.","In this way, a control plane of the access node may be moved to the access controller.","Therefore, the control plane of the access node is separated from the access node.","For example, the access node does not need to support a relay function.","This helps reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity.","The first message and the second message may be control plane messages.","The first message may be an OpenFlow message, or the first message is a tunnel packet.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier includes encoding, by the access controller, the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","The first encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier, or the first encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier.","Optionally, the first message further includes a first DHCP message, the second message is a second DHCP message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes adding, by the access controller, the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.","Optionally, the first message further includes an RS message, the second message is a first authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes generating, by the access controller, the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.","Optionally, the method further includes receiving, by the access controller, a fourth message sent by the relay server, where the fourth message includes the line identifier and Internet Protocol (IP) address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier, where the third message includes the first identifier and the IP address information, and sending, by the access controller, the third message to the access node.","The first message and the second message are control plane messages.","The second message may be an OpenFlow message, or the second message may be a tunnel packet.","The relay server may be a device for assigning IP address information to the user, for example, an AAA server or a DHCP server that can assign IP address information.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier includes encoding, by the access controller, the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","The second encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier, or the second encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier.","Optionally, the fourth message is a third DHCP message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier includes deleting, by the access controller, the line identifier included in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, where the fourth DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, where the third message further includes the fourth DHCP message.","Optionally, the fourth message is a second AAA message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, an RA message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the third message further includes the RA message.","Optionally, the first identifier includes a physical port number, and the line identifier includes at least one of a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, or a physical port number of the access node.","The physical port number may be used to identify a physical port that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.","Optionally, the first identifier includes a tunnel identifier and/or a logical port number, and the line identifier includes at least one of a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier (VID), a virtual path identifier (VPI), or a virtual channel identifier (VCI) of the access node.","Optionally, the first identifier includes a Media Access Control (MAC) address or an IP address of the access node, and the line identifier includes at least one of an identity or a chassis number of the access node.","Optionally, the first identifier includes a tunnel identifier.","The tunnel identifier is used to identify a tunnel between the access node and the access controller.","The line identifier includes at least one of a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, a physical port number, a VID, a VPI, a VCI, or an identity of the access node.","The VPI may be used to identify a virtual path that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.","The VCI may be used to identify a virtual channel that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.","According to a second aspect, a message transmission method is provided.","The method includes receiving, by an access node, a second message sent by a user, obtaining, by the access node, a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining, by the access node, a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and sending, by the access node, the first message to an access controller.","In the method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access node may add the first identifier that corresponds to the line identifier to the first message sent to the access controller.","Therefore, a control plane of the access node is moved to the access controller, helping reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity of the access node.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier includes obtaining, by the access node, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier includes encoding, by the access node, the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","Optionally, the method further includes receiving, by the access node, a third message sent by the access controller, where the third message includes IP address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, and the fourth message includes the IP address information, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier, and sending, by the access node, the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier and the correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier includes encoding, by the access node, the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","In the method provided according to the second aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.","According to a third aspect, an access controller is provided.","The access controller includes a first receiving module configured to receive a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, a first obtaining module configured to obtain a line identifier according to the first identifier, a second obtaining module configured to obtain a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and a first sending module configured to send the second message to a relay server.","The access controller provided according to the third aspect may perform the method provided according to any one of the first aspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect.","The access controller provided according to the third aspect may be the access controller in the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.","Optionally, the first obtaining module is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, the first obtaining module is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","Optionally, the first message further includes a first DHCP message, the second message is a second DHCP message, and the second obtaining module is further configured to add the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.","Optionally, the first message further includes an RS message or a DHCP message, the second message is a first AAA message, and the second obtaining module is further configured to generate the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.","Optionally, the access controller further includes a second receiving module configured to receive a fourth message sent by the relay server, where the fourth message includes the line identifier and IP address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, a third obtaining module configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier, a fourth obtaining module configured to obtain a third message according to the first identifier, where the third message includes the first identifier and the IP address information, and a second sending module configured to send the third message to the access node.","Optionally, the third obtaining module is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, the third obtaining module is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","Optionally, the fourth message is a third DHCP message, and the fourth obtaining module is further configured to delete the line identifier included in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, where the fourth DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, where the third message further includes the fourth DHCP message.","Optionally, the fourth message is a second AAA message, and the fourth obtaining module is further configured to obtain an RA message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the third message further includes the RA message.","In the method provided according to the third aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.","According to a fourth aspect, an access apparatus is provided.","The access apparatus includes a first receiving module configured to receive a second message sent by a user, a first obtaining module configured to obtain a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, a second obtaining module configured to obtain a first identifier according to the line identifier, a third obtaining module configured to obtain a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and a first sending module configured to send the first message to an access controller.","The access apparatus provided according to the fourth aspect may perform the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.","The access apparatus provided according to the fourth aspect may be the access node in any one of the foregoing possible implementations.","Optionally, the second obtaining module is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.","Optionally, the second obtaining module is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","Optionally, the access apparatus further includes a second receiving module configured to receive a third message sent by the access controller, where the third message includes IP address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, and the fourth message includes the IP address information, a fourth obtaining module configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier, and a second sending module configured to send the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.","Optionally, the fourth obtaining module is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and the correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, the fourth obtaining module is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","In the method provided according to the fourth aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.","According to a fifth aspect, an access controller is provided.","The access controller includes a communications interface, a processor, and a memory configured to store a program.","The processor reads the program in the memory, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, obtaining a line identifier according to the first identifier, obtaining a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and sending the second message to a relay server using the communications interface.","Optionally, the processor included in the access controller may further perform the method provided according to any one of the first aspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect.","According to a sixth aspect, an access apparatus is provided.","The access apparatus includes a communications interface, a processor, and a memory configured to store a program.","The processor reads the program in the memory, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a second message sent by a user, obtaining a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, obtaining a first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and sending the first message to an access controller using the communications interface.","Optionally, the processor may further perform the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.","According to a seventh aspect, an access system is provided.","The access system includes the foregoing access controller and the foregoing access apparatus.","The access controller is the access controller provided according to any one of the third aspect or the possible implementations of the third aspect, or the access controller provided according to any one of the fifth aspect or the possible implementations of the fifth aspect.","The access apparatus may be the access apparatus provided according to any one of the fourth aspect or the possible implementations of the fourth aspect, or the access apparatus provided according to any one of the sixth aspect or the possible implementations of the sixth aspect."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No.","PCT/CN2016/085990 filed on Jun.","16, 2016, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No.","201610201117.5 filed on Mar.","31, 2016, and Chinese Patent Application No.","201510424501.7 filed on Jul.","17, 2015.All of the aforementioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.","TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to communications technologies, and in particular, to a message transmission method, an access node, an access controller, and an access system.","BACKGROUND Currently, in an access network architecture, a message is transmitted between a client device and a relay server using a message transmission path.","The message may be a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, a router solicitation (RS) message, a router advertisement (RA) message, or the like.","In a message transmission process, each access node on the message transmission path needs to support a relay function.","That is, a control plane of each access node on the message transmission path needs to be configured to implement the relay function.","When new services emerge continuously, the control plane of each access node needs to be configured for each added service, resulting in relatively high operation and maintenance costs and complexity.","SUMMARY Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a message transmission method, an access node, an access controller, and an access system to help reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity.","According to a first aspect, a message transmission method is provided.","The method includes receiving, by an access controller, a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and sending, by the access controller, the second message to a relay server.","In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access controller obtains, according to the first message received from the access node, the second message including the line identifier.","The access node does not need to insert a line identifier into a message that is from a user.","In this way, a control plane of the access node may be moved to the access controller.","Therefore, the control plane of the access node is separated from the access node.","For example, the access node does not need to support a relay function.","This helps reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity.","The first message and the second message may be control plane messages.","The first message may be an OpenFlow message, or the first message is a tunnel packet.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier includes encoding, by the access controller, the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","The first encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier, or the first encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier.","Optionally, the first message further includes a first DHCP message, the second message is a second DHCP message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes adding, by the access controller, the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.","Optionally, the first message further includes an RS message, the second message is a first authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes generating, by the access controller, the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.","Optionally, the method further includes receiving, by the access controller, a fourth message sent by the relay server, where the fourth message includes the line identifier and Internet Protocol (IP) address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier, where the third message includes the first identifier and the IP address information, and sending, by the access controller, the third message to the access node.","The first message and the second message are control plane messages.","The second message may be an OpenFlow message, or the second message may be a tunnel packet.","The relay server may be a device for assigning IP address information to the user, for example, an AAA server or a DHCP server that can assign IP address information.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier includes encoding, by the access controller, the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","The second encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier, or the second encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier.","Optionally, the fourth message is a third DHCP message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier includes deleting, by the access controller, the line identifier included in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, where the fourth DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, where the third message further includes the fourth DHCP message.","Optionally, the fourth message is a second AAA message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, an RA message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the third message further includes the RA message.","Optionally, the first identifier includes a physical port number, and the line identifier includes at least one of a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, or a physical port number of the access node.","The physical port number may be used to identify a physical port that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.","Optionally, the first identifier includes a tunnel identifier and/or a logical port number, and the line identifier includes at least one of a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier (VID), a virtual path identifier (VPI), or a virtual channel identifier (VCI) of the access node.","Optionally, the first identifier includes a Media Access Control (MAC) address or an IP address of the access node, and the line identifier includes at least one of an identity or a chassis number of the access node.","Optionally, the first identifier includes a tunnel identifier.","The tunnel identifier is used to identify a tunnel between the access node and the access controller.","The line identifier includes at least one of a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, a physical port number, a VID, a VPI, a VCI, or an identity of the access node.","The VPI may be used to identify a virtual path that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.","The VCI may be used to identify a virtual channel that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.","According to a second aspect, a message transmission method is provided.","The method includes receiving, by an access node, a second message sent by a user, obtaining, by the access node, a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining, by the access node, a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and sending, by the access node, the first message to an access controller.","In the method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access node may add the first identifier that corresponds to the line identifier to the first message sent to the access controller.","Therefore, a control plane of the access node is moved to the access controller, helping reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity of the access node.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier includes obtaining, by the access node, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier includes encoding, by the access node, the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","Optionally, the method further includes receiving, by the access node, a third message sent by the access controller, where the third message includes IP address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, and the fourth message includes the IP address information, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier, and sending, by the access node, the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier and the correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier includes encoding, by the access node, the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","In the method provided according to the second aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.","According to a third aspect, an access controller is provided.","The access controller includes a first receiving module configured to receive a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, a first obtaining module configured to obtain a line identifier according to the first identifier, a second obtaining module configured to obtain a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and a first sending module configured to send the second message to a relay server.","The access controller provided according to the third aspect may perform the method provided according to any one of the first aspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect.","The access controller provided according to the third aspect may be the access controller in the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.","Optionally, the first obtaining module is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, the first obtaining module is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","Optionally, the first message further includes a first DHCP message, the second message is a second DHCP message, and the second obtaining module is further configured to add the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.","Optionally, the first message further includes an RS message or a DHCP message, the second message is a first AAA message, and the second obtaining module is further configured to generate the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.","Optionally, the access controller further includes a second receiving module configured to receive a fourth message sent by the relay server, where the fourth message includes the line identifier and IP address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, a third obtaining module configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier, a fourth obtaining module configured to obtain a third message according to the first identifier, where the third message includes the first identifier and the IP address information, and a second sending module configured to send the third message to the access node.","Optionally, the third obtaining module is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, the third obtaining module is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","Optionally, the fourth message is a third DHCP message, and the fourth obtaining module is further configured to delete the line identifier included in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, where the fourth DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, where the third message further includes the fourth DHCP message.","Optionally, the fourth message is a second AAA message, and the fourth obtaining module is further configured to obtain an RA message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the third message further includes the RA message.","In the method provided according to the third aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.","According to a fourth aspect, an access apparatus is provided.","The access apparatus includes a first receiving module configured to receive a second message sent by a user, a first obtaining module configured to obtain a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, a second obtaining module configured to obtain a first identifier according to the line identifier, a third obtaining module configured to obtain a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and a first sending module configured to send the first message to an access controller.","The access apparatus provided according to the fourth aspect may perform the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.","The access apparatus provided according to the fourth aspect may be the access node in any one of the foregoing possible implementations.","Optionally, the second obtaining module is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.","Optionally, the second obtaining module is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","Optionally, the access apparatus further includes a second receiving module configured to receive a third message sent by the access controller, where the third message includes IP address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, and the fourth message includes the IP address information, a fourth obtaining module configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier, and a second sending module configured to send the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.","Optionally, the fourth obtaining module is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and the correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Optionally, the fourth obtaining module is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","In the method provided according to the fourth aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.","According to a fifth aspect, an access controller is provided.","The access controller includes a communications interface, a processor, and a memory configured to store a program.","The processor reads the program in the memory, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, obtaining a line identifier according to the first identifier, obtaining a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and sending the second message to a relay server using the communications interface.","Optionally, the processor included in the access controller may further perform the method provided according to any one of the first aspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect.","According to a sixth aspect, an access apparatus is provided.","The access apparatus includes a communications interface, a processor, and a memory configured to store a program.","The processor reads the program in the memory, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a second message sent by a user, obtaining a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, obtaining a first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and sending the first message to an access controller using the communications interface.","Optionally, the processor may further perform the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.","According to a seventh aspect, an access system is provided.","The access system includes the foregoing access controller and the foregoing access apparatus.","The access controller is the access controller provided according to any one of the third aspect or the possible implementations of the third aspect, or the access controller provided according to any one of the fifth aspect or the possible implementations of the fifth aspect.","The access apparatus may be the access apparatus provided according to any one of the fourth aspect or the possible implementations of the fourth aspect, or the access apparatus provided according to any one of the sixth aspect or the possible implementations of the sixth aspect.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG.","1 is a schematic diagram of an access network.","FIG.","2 is a schematic diagram of an access network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","3 is a flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","FIG.","4 is a flowchart of Embodiment 2 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","FIG.","5 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 3 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","FIG.","6 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 4 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","FIG.","7 is a flowchart of Embodiment 5 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","FIG.","8 is a flowchart of Embodiment 6 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","FIG.","9 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 7 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","FIG.","10 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 8 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","FIG.","11 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of an access controller according to the present disclosure.","FIG.","12 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of an access apparatus according to the present disclosure.","FIG.","13 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of an access controller according to the present disclosure.","FIG.","14 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of an access apparatus according to the present disclosure.","DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS For clarity of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present disclosure, and a line identifier, a tunnel identifier, a correspondence, and the like that are related to the embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail first.","In a conventional access network architecture, an access node has a complete control plane and forwarding plane.","In a message transmission process, the control plane processes a message to insert an option 82, and the forwarding plane forwards the message.","As shown in FIG.","1, using a passive optical network (PON) architecture as an example, a message is transmitted between a customer premises equipment (CPE) or a cable modem (CM) and a relay server using a message transmission path.","The message may be a DHCP message, an RS message, or an RA message.","Each access node, for example, an optical network unit (ONU), a wired cable media converter (CMC), an optical line terminal (OLT), a gateway, or a relay server that is included on the message transmission path needs to support a relay function.","A control plane of each access node processes a received message, and a data plane of each access node forwards the message that has been processed by the control plane.","In a conventional access network, when new services emerge continuously, the control plane of each access node needs to be configured for each added service, resulting in relatively high operation and maintenance costs and complexity.","To resolve the foregoing problem, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, a software-defined networking (SDN) technology is introduced to an access network architecture.","That is, an access controller is disposed in an access network, as shown in FIG.","2.A control plane of an access node is separated from a data plane, and functions of the control plane of the access node are integrated into the access controller.","The access controller processes a message, for example, a control plane message.","As shown in FIG.","2, in the access network provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the access controller is added between an OLT and a relay server.","A control plane of each access node, for example, an ONU, a CMC, or the OLT, is separated from a forwarding plane, and a function such as a DHCP message processing function, an RS message processing function, or an RA message processing function of the control plane of each access node is moved to the access controller.","Each access node does not need to support a control plane function.","The access controller may be an independent device, or may be built in the OLT.","The line identifier in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be referred to as a circuit identifier or an access loop identifier (ALI).","Further, the access node is a network node on a digital subscriber line (DSL)/Ethernet.","When the access node is on an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) DSL, a format of the line identifier includes Access-Node-Identifier atm slot/port:vpi.vci.","When the access node is on an Ethernet DSL/Ethernet line, a format of the line identifier includes Access-Node-Identifier eth slot/port [:vlan-id].","Access-Node-Identifier is an identifier of the access node such as a DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM).","slot/port is one of or any combination of a chassis number, a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, a sub-slot number, or a port number of the access node.","vpi is a VPI.","vci is a VCI.","“[ ]” in the format indicates that :vlan-id is optional.",":vlan-id is a VID.","A virtual path may be a virtual path on the DSL, and a virtual channel may be a virtual path on the DSL.","In a PON system, the line identifier includes line identifier information of an ONU part and line identifier information of an OLT part.","When the ONU is on the ATM DSL, the format of the line identifier includes Access-Node-Identifier atm slot1/port1/ONUID/slot2/port2:vpi.vci.","When the ONU is on the Ethernet DSL/Ethernet line, the format of the line identifier includes Access-Node-Identifier eth slot1/port1/ONUID/slot2/port2[:vlan-id].","Access-Node-Identifier is an identifier of the OLT.","slot1/port1 is one of or any combination of a chassis number, a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, a sub-slot number, or a port number of the OLT.","slot2/port2 is one of or any combination of a chassis number, a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, a sub-slot number, or a port number of the ONU.","ONUID/slot2/port2:vpi.vci is the line identifier information of the ONU part, and Access-Node-Identifier slot1/port1 is the line identifier information of the OLT part.","In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first identifier includes at least one of a physical port number, a tunnel identifier, a MAC address of an access node, an IP address of the access node, or a tunnel identifier of the access node.","The physical port number may be a preset value having a correspondence with first sub-information, or may be a value obtained after calculation is performed according to the first sub-information.","The first sub-information includes at least one of a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, or a physical port number of the access node.","The tunnel identifier may be a preset value having a correspondence with second sub-information, or may be a value obtained after calculation is performed according to the second sub-information.","The second sub-information includes at least one of a VID, a VPI, or a VCI of the access node.","Further, the access node and the access controller may be connected using a tunnel such as a VLAN tunnel, a virtual extensible local area network (VXLAN) tunnel, or a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) tunnel.","Correspondingly, the tunnel identifier may be an identifier of a tunnel.","For example, the tunnel identifier may be a VLAN identifier, a VXLAN identifier or an MPLS label.","In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a message such as a DHCP message, an RS message, or an RA message may be transmitted between the access node and the access controller using a tunnel.","Alternatively, an OpenFlow message may be transmitted between the access node and the access controller using a tunnel, and the OpenFlow message may carry a tunnel identifier and a message such as a DHCP message, an RS message, or an RA message.","In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier, and the correspondence may be a mapping relationship table or an encoding relationship table.","If the first identifier includes at least one of the tunnel identifier or a logical port number, and the line identifier includes the second sub-information, the correspondence may be a correspondence shown in Table 1 or Table 2.The correspondence in Table 1 is a correspondence between the tunnel identifier and the second sub-information or a correspondence between the logical port number and the second sub-information.","The correspondence in Table 2 is a correspondence between the tunnel identifier, the logical port number, and the second sub-information.","If a tunnel is established between the access node and the access controller, the tunnel identifier is an identifier of the tunnel between the access node and the access controller or the tunnel identifier included in the OpenFlow message.","If no tunnel is established between the access node and the access controller, the tunnel identifier may be the tunnel identifier included in the OpenFlow message.","If the first identifier includes the logical port number, and the line identifier includes the first sub-information, the correspondence may be a correspondence shown in Table 3.The correspondence in Table 3 is a correspondence between the physical port number and the first sub-information.","The physical port number is used to identify a physical port on a user side on the access node, that is, a physical port that is on the access node and that is used for communication with a user.","If the first identifier includes the MAC address of the access node, and the line identifier includes third sub-information, the correspondence may be a correspondence shown in Table 4.The third sub-information includes at least one of an identity or the chassis number of the access node.","The correspondence in Table 4 is a correspondence between the third sub-information and the MAC address of the access node.","If the first identifier includes the IP address of the access node, and the line identifier includes the third sub-information, the correspondence may be a correspondence shown in Table 5.The correspondence in Table 5 is a correspondence between the third sub-information and the IP address of the access node.","If the first identifier includes the tunnel identifier, and the line identifier includes at least one of the rack number, the frame number, the slot number, the physical port number, the VID, the VPI, the VCI, or an identity of the access node, the correspondence includes a correspondence between the tunnel identifier and the line identifier.","TABLE 1 Tunnel identifier or logical At least one of a customer VLAN ID port number (C-VID), a service VLAN ID (S-VID), a VID of a U interface, a VPI, or a VCI TABLE 2 Tunnel identifier and logical At least one of a C-VID, an S-VID, a VID port number of a U interface, a VPI, or a VCI TABLE 3 Physical port Rack, Frame, Slot, Port TABLE 4 MAC address access node identifier, chassis identifier or ONU identifier TABLE 5 IP address access node identifier, chassis identifier or ONU identifier The access controller in the embodiments of the present disclosure may obtain the first identifier or the line identifier according to the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5.Further, the access controller may query one or more tables of the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5 according to the obtained first identifier to obtain the line identifier.","Alternatively, the access controller may query one or more tables of the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5 according to the obtained line identifier to obtain the first identifier.","Optionally, the correspondence in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more tables of Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, Table 4, and Table 5.Correspondingly, the line identifier may include one or more pieces of information of the first sub-information, the second sub-information, or the third sub-information.","No specific examples are provided herein.","FIG.","3 is a flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","This embodiment is performed by an access controller.","The method provided in this embodiment is a method for transmitting an uplink message.","The uplink message is a message that is sent by an access node to the access controller.","Further, the method provided in Embodiment 1 includes the following steps.","Step 301: The access controller receives a first message sent by the access node, where the first message includes a first identifier.","For example, the first message may be an OpenFlow message or a tunnel message.","The first message may further include a DHCP message, an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) message, or an RS message from a user.","A tunnel may be a VLAN tunnel, a VXLAN tunnel, or an MPLS tunnel.","Step 302: The access controller obtains a line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","For example, the access controller may prestore the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","The access controller queries the correspondence using the first identifier to obtain the line identifier.","Optionally, step 302 may be replaced with following.","The access controller encodes the first identifier according to an encoding rule to obtain a line identifier.","The encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier, or the encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier.","Step 303: The access controller obtains a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier.","For example, if the first message further includes a first DHCP message, and the second message is a second DHCP message, obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes adding, by the access controller, the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.","If the first message further includes an RS message, and the second message is a first AAA message, obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes generating, by the access controller, the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.","If the first message further includes a third DHCP message, and the second message is a second AAA message, obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, the second AAA message according to the line identifier and the third DHCP message, where the second AAA message includes the line identifier.","The second AAA message further includes data and/or information included in the third DHCP message.","Step 304: The access controller sends the second message to a relay server.","For example, the relay server is a DHCP server, or an AAA server having an IP address assignment function.","In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, after receiving the first message sent by the access node, the access controller determines the line identifier according to the first identifier included in the first message, then adds the line identifier to the first message to obtain the second message, and sends the second message to the relay server.","In the process, the access node forwards the first message to the access controller, and the access controller inserts a line identifier into the first message such that the access node does not need to support a relay function, and an option 82 of the access node does not need to be maintained, reducing maintenance for and maintenance complexity of the option 82 of the access node.","In addition, the access controller may determine the line identifier according to the first identifier included in the first message such that the access controller determines a line identifier in a process of receiving an uplink message.","FIG.","4 is a flowchart of Embodiment 2 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","This embodiment is performed by an access node.","The method provided in this embodiment is a method for transmitting an uplink message.","The uplink message is a message that is sent by the access node to an access controller.","The method provided in Embodiment 2 includes the following steps.","Step 401: The access node receives a second message sent by a user, and obtains a line identifier.","For example, the second message may be from a client device or a CM used by the user.","The access node may determine the line identifier according to a port at which the second message is received.","For a specific method, details are not described herein.","Step 402: The access node obtains a first identifier according to the line identifier.","For example, the access node may store a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.","The access node queries the correspondence using the line identifier to obtain the first identifier.","Optionally, step 402 may be replaced with the following.","The access node encodes the line identifier according to an encoding rule to obtain a first identifier.","The encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier, or the encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier.","Step 403: The access node obtains a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message.","The first message is an OpenFlow message or a tunnel packet.","The first message does not include the line identifier.","Step 404: The access node sends the first message to the access controller.","In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access node sends the first message including the second message and the first identifier to the access controller.","The access node may not need to support a relay function, for example, not need to maintain an option 82.This helps reduce maintenance complexity.","FIG.","5 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 3 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","In this embodiment, a relay server is a DHCP server, and a first message that is sent by an access node to an access controller is an OpenFlow message.","The method provided in Embodiment 3 includes the following steps.","Step 501: The access node receives a first DHCP message sent by a client device.","The access node obtains a line identifier using a line on which the first DHCP message is received.","The line identifier includes first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.","Step 502: The access node obtains a physical port number, a tunnel identifier, a MAC address of the access node, and an IP address of the access node.","The access node stores a correspondence.","The correspondence may be one or more of the correspondences shown in the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5.The correspondence in Embodiment 3 includes the correspondences shown in Table 1 to Table 5.The present disclosure is not limited thereto.","In another feasible implementation, only some entries in Table 1 to Table 5 may be set.","For example, the access node obtaining the first identifier includes that the access node obtains the line identifier using the line on which the first DHCP message is received, and the access node obtains the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node according to the correspondence, the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.","Optionally, the access node may obtain the first identifier according to an encoding rule and the line identifier, and no other examples are used herein for description.","Step 503: The access node obtains an OpenFlow message according to the first DHCP message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node.","The OpenFlow message includes the first DHCP message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node.","If the access node and the access controller are connected using a tunnel, the access node may further perform tunnel encapsulation on the OpenFlow message, and sends the OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed to the access controller.","Step 504: The access node sends the OpenFlow message to the access controller.","Step 505: The access controller obtains first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.","The access controller may store the correspondence.","The correspondence stored in the access controller is the same as the correspondence stored in the access node.","For example, the access controller may query the correspondence using the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node to obtain the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.","Step 506: The access controller adds the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information to the first DHCP message to obtain a second DHCP message.","The second DHCP message includes the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.","Step 507: The access controller sends the second DHCP message to the DHCP server.","Step 508: The DHCP server assigns an IP address or an IP address prefix according to the second DHCP message.","FIG.","6 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 4 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","In this embodiment, a relay server is an AAA server, and a first message that is sent by an access node to an access controller is an OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.","The method provided in Embodiment 4 includes the following steps.","Step 601: The access node receives an RS message sent by a client device.","The access node obtains a line identifier using a line on which the RS message is received.","The line identifier includes first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.","Step 602: The access node obtains a physical port number, a tunnel identifier, a MAC address of the access node, and an IP address of the access node.","The access node stores a correspondence.","The correspondence may be one or more of the correspondences shown in the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5.The correspondence in Embodiment 3 includes the correspondences shown in Table 1 to Table 5.The present disclosure is not limited thereto.","In another feasible implementation, only some entries in Table 1 to Table 5 may be set.","For example, the access node obtains a first identifier includes that the access node obtains the line identifier using the line on which the RS message is received, and the access node obtains the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node according to the correspondence, the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.","Optionally, the access node may obtain the first identifier according to an encoding rule and the line identifier, and no other examples are used herein for description.","Step 603: The access node obtains, according to the RS message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node, an OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.","The OpenFlow message includes the RS message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node.","The access node performs tunnel encapsulation on the OpenFlow message, to obtain the OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.","Step 604: The access node sends the OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed to the access controller.","Step 605: The access controller obtains first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.","The access controller may store the correspondence.","The correspondence stored in the access controller is the same as the correspondence stored in the access node.","For example, the access controller may query the correspondence using the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node to obtain the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.","Step 606: The access controller generates an AAA message according to the first sub-information, the second sub-information, the third sub-information, and the RS message.","The AAA message includes the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.","Step 607: The access controller sends the AAA message to the AAA server.","Step 608: The AAA server assigns an IP address or an IP address prefix according to the AAA message.","Optionally, the RS message in steps 601 to 608 may be replaced with a DHCP message.","An embodiment of the DHCP message after replacement is not described in detail herein.","FIG.","7 is a flowchart of Embodiment 5 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","This embodiment is performed by an access controller.","The method provided in this embodiment is a method for transmitting a downlink message.","The downlink message is a message that is sent by the access controller to an access node.","The method provided in Embodiment 5 includes the following steps.","Step 701: The access controller receives a first message sent by a relay server, where the first message includes a line identifier and IP address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix.","The IP address information is IP address information assigned by the relay server.","Step 702: The access controller obtains a first identifier according to the line identifier.","For example, the access controller may prestore a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","The access controller queries the correspondence using the line identifier to obtain the first identifier.","Optionally, the access controller encodes the line identifier according to an encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","The encoding rule used by the access controller is the same as the encoding rule in Embodiment 2.Step 703: The access controller obtains a second message according to the first identifier, where the second message includes the first identifier and the IP address information.","The second message does not include the line identifier.","For example, the first message is a first DHCP message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the first identifier includes deleting, by the access controller, the line identifier included in the first DHCP message to obtain a second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the second message according to the first identifier and the second DHCP message, where the second message further includes the second DHCP message.","Alternatively, the first message is an AAA message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, an RA message according to the AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the second message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the second message further includes the RA message.","The second message is an OpenFlow message or an OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.","Step 704: The access controller sends the second message to the access node.","In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, in a process in which the access controller sends the downlink message to the access node, the access controller determines the first identifier according to the line identifier, then removes the line identifier from the first message, and obtains the second message according to the first identifier and the first message from which the line identifier is removed.","In this way, the access node does not need to support a relay function, helping reduce maintenance complexity.","FIG.","8 is a flowchart of Embodiment 6 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","This embodiment is performed by an access node.","The method provided in this embodiment is a method for transmitting a downlink message.","The downlink message is a message that is sent by an access controller to the access node.","The method provided in Embodiment 6 includes the following steps.","Step 801: The access node receives a second message sent by the access controller, where the second message includes IP address information and a first identifier.","The IP address information is IP address information assigned to a user.","The second message further includes an RA message or a DHCP message, and the RA message and the DHCP message do not include a line identifier and the first identifier.","If a relay server is a DHCP server, the second message further includes the DHCP message.","If a relay server is an AAA server, the second message further includes the RA message or the DHCP message.","Step 802: The access node obtains a line identifier according to the first identifier.","For example, the access node may store a correspondence.","The correspondence may be one or more of the correspondences shown in Table 1 to Table 5.For example, the access node queries the correspondence using the first identifier to obtain the line identifier.","Optionally, the access node encodes the first identifier according to an encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","The encoding rule used by the access node may be the same as the encoding rule used in Embodiment 1.Step 803: The access node obtains a first message according to the second message, where the first message does not include the first identifier and the first message includes the IP address information.","The first message may be an RA message or a DHCP message that does not include the line identifier and the first identifier.","Step 804: The access node sends the first message to a user according to the line identifier.","In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access node determines the line identifier according to the first identifier included in the second message, and sends the first message that does not include the first identifier to a user according to the line identifier.","In this way, the access node does not need to support a relay function, helping reduce maintenance complexity.","FIG.","9 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 7 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","In this embodiment, a relay server is a DHCP server, and an access controller sends an OpenFlow message to an access node.","The method provided in Embodiment 7 includes the following steps.","Step 901: The access controller receives a first DHCP message sent by the DHCP server.","The first DHCP message includes a line identifier and IP address information.","The IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix that is assigned by the DHCP server to a user.","The line identifier includes first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.","Step 902: The access controller obtains a physical port number, a tunnel identifier, and a MAC address of the access node according to the first DHCP message.","The access controller stores a correspondence.","The correspondence may be one or more of the correspondences shown in the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5.The correspondence in Embodiment 3 includes the correspondences shown in Table 1 to Table 5.The present disclosure is not limited thereto.","In another feasible implementation, only some entries in Table 1 to Table 5 may be set.","For example, that the access controller obtains a first identifier includes the access controller queries the correspondence using the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information that are included in the received first DHCP message to obtain the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.","Step 903: The access controller deletes a line identifier from the first DHCP message to obtain a second DHCP message.","The second DHCP message does not include the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.","Step 904: The access controller obtains an OpenFlow message according to the second DHCP message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.","The OpenFlow message includes the second DHCP message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.","Step 905: The access controller sends the OpenFlow message to the access node.","Step 906: The access node determines the line identifier according to the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.","A correspondence stored in the access node is the same as the correspondence stored in the access controller.","The access node obtains the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information according to the correspondence, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.","Step 907: The access node sends the second DHCP message to a user according to the line identifier.","The second DHCP message includes the IP address information that is assigned by the DHCP server to the user.","FIG.","10 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 8 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.","In this embodiment, a relay server is an AAA server, and an access controller sends an OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed to an access node.","The method provided in Embodiment 8 includes the following steps.","Step 1001: The access controller receives an AAA message sent by the AAA server.","The AAA message includes a line identifier and IP address information.","The IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix that is assigned by the AAA server to a user.","The line identifier includes first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.","Step 1002: The access controller obtains a physical port number, a tunnel identifier, and a MAC address of the access node according to the AAA message.","The access controller stores a correspondence.","The correspondence may be one or more of the correspondences shown in the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5.The correspondence in Embodiment 3 includes the correspondences shown in Table 1 to Table 5.The present disclosure is not limited thereto.","In another feasible implementation, only some entries in Table 1 to Table 5 may be set.","For example, the access controller obtains a first identifier includes that the access controller queries the correspondence using the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information that are included in the received AAA message to obtain the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.","Step 1003: The access controller obtains an RA message according to the AAA message.","The RA message does not include the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.","The RA message includes the IP address information that is assigned by the AAA server to the user.","Step 1004: The access controller obtains, according to the RA message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node, an OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.","The OpenFlow message includes the RA message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.","The access controller may perform tunnel encapsulation on the OpenFlow message to obtain the OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.","Step 1005: The access controller sends the OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed to the access node.","Step 1006: The access node determines the line identifier according to the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.","A correspondence stored in the access node is the same as the correspondence stored in the access controller.","The access node obtains the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information according to the correspondence, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.","Step 1007: The access node sends the RA message to a user according to the line identifier.","FIG.","11 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of an access controller according to the present disclosure.","The access controller provided in this embodiment may perform the method provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.","3.The access controller provided in this embodiment may be the access controller in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.","5 to FIG.","10.For specific content of a message or an identifier in this embodiment, refer to corresponding content in the embodiments corresponding to FIG.","3, and FIG.","5 to FIG.","10.Details are not described herein again.","The access controller provided in this embodiment includes a first receiving module 11 configured to receive a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, a first obtaining module 12 configured to obtain a line identifier according to the first identifier, a second obtaining module 13 configured to obtain a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and a first sending module 14 configured to send the second message to a relay server.","According to the access controller provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, in a process of receiving an uplink message, after receiving the first message sent by the access node, the access controller determines the line identifier according to the first identifier included in the first message, and obtains the second message according to the line identifier.","The access controller sends the second message to the relay server.","In the process, the access node forwards the first message to the access controller, and the access controller adds a line identifier to the first message such that the access node does not need to support a relay function, and an option 82 of the access node does not need to be maintained, reducing maintenance for and maintenance complexity of the option 82 of the access node.","In addition, the access controller may determine the line identifier according to the first identifier included in the first message such that the access controller determines the line identifier in the process of receiving the uplink message.","The first identifier is the same as the first identifier mentioned in the foregoing embodiments, and the line identifier is the same as the line identifier mentioned in the foregoing embodiments.","Details are not described herein again.","For example, the first obtaining module 12 is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Alternatively, the first obtaining module 12 is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","For example, the first message further includes a first DHCP message, the second message is a second DHCP message, and the second obtaining module 13 is further configured to add the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.","For example, the first message further includes an RS message, the second message is a first AAA message, and the second obtaining module 13 is further configured to generate the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.","Optionally, the access controller further includes a second receiving module 15 configured to receive a fourth message sent by the relay server, where the fourth message includes the line identifier and IP address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, a third obtaining module 16 configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier, a fourth obtaining module 17 configured to obtain a third message according to the first identifier, where the third message includes the first identifier and the IP address information, and a second sending module 18 configured to send the third message to the access node.","For example, the third obtaining module 16 is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Alternatively, the third obtaining module 16 is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","For example, the fourth message is a third DHCP message, and the fourth obtaining module 17 is further configured to delete the line identifier included in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, where the fourth DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, where the third message further includes the fourth DHCP message.","For example, the fourth message is a second AAA message, and the fourth obtaining module 17 is further configured to obtain an RA message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the third message further includes the RA message.","FIG.","12 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of an access apparatus according to the present disclosure.","The access apparatus provided in this embodiment may perform the method provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.","4.The access apparatus provided in this embodiment may be the access node in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.","5 to FIG.","10.For specific content of a message or an identifier in this embodiment, refer to corresponding content in the embodiments corresponding to FIG.","4, and FIG.","5 to FIG.","10.Details are not described herein again.","The access apparatus provided in this embodiment includes a first receiving module 21 configured to receive a second message sent by a user, a first obtaining module 20 configured to obtain a line identifier according to the second message, where the line identifier corresponds to the second message, and the first obtaining module 20 may obtain the line identifier according to a line on which the second message is received, a second obtaining module 22 configured to obtain a first identifier according to the line identifier, a third obtaining module 23 configured to obtain a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and a first sending module 24 configured to send the first message to an access controller.","According to the access apparatus provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, in a process of sending an uplink message, after receiving a second message from a client device, the access apparatus obtains a first identifier according to a line identifier corresponding to the second message.","The access apparatus obtains a first message according to the first identifier and the second message.","The access apparatus sends the first message to the access controller.","The access apparatus does not need to support a relay function, and does not need to maintain an option 82, reducing maintenance for and maintenance complexity of the option 82 of the access node.","For example, the second obtaining module 22 is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.","Alternatively, the second obtaining module 22 is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.","Optionally, the access apparatus further includes a second receiving module 25 configured to receive a third message sent by the access controller, where the third message includes IP address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, and the fourth message includes the IP address information, a fourth obtaining module 26 configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier, and a second sending module 27 configured to send the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.","For example, the fourth obtaining module 26 is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and the correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.","Alternatively, the fourth obtaining module 26 is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.","FIG.","13 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of an access controller according to the present disclosure.","The access controller provided in this embodiment may perform the method provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.","3.The access controller provided in this embodiment may be the access controller in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.","5 to FIG.","11.For specific content of a message or an identifier in this embodiment, refer to corresponding content in the embodiments corresponding to FIG.","3, and FIG.","5 to FIG.","11.Details are not described herein again.","The access controller provided in this embodiment includes a communications interface (not shown), a processor 31, and a memory 32 configured to store a program.","The communications interface, the processor 31, and the memory 32 are connected using a communications bus 33.The processor 31 reads the program in the memory 32, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, obtaining a line identifier according to the first identifier, obtaining a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and sending the second message to a relay server using the communications interface.","A communications interface having a receiving function may be a receive port 34 in FIG.","13, and a communications interface having a sending function may be a transmit port 35 in FIG.","13.The processor 31 included in the access controller may further perform the method provided in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.","3, and FIG.","5 to FIG.","10.Details are not described herein again.","FIG.","14 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of an access apparatus according to the present disclosure.","The access apparatus provided in this embodiment may perform the method provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.","4.The access apparatus provided in this embodiment may be the access apparatus in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.","5 to FIG.","10, and FIG.","12.For specific content of a message or an identifier in this embodiment, refer to corresponding content in the embodiments corresponding to FIG.","3, FIG.","5 to FIG.","10, and FIG.","11.Details are not described herein again.","The access apparatus provided in this embodiment includes a communications interface (not shown), a processor 41, and a memory 42 configured to store a program.","The communications interface, the processor 41, and the memory 42 may be connected using a communications bus 43.The processor 41 reads the program in the memory 42, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a second message sent by a user, obtaining a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, obtaining a first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and sending the first message to an access controller using the communications interface.","A communications interface having a receiving function may be a receive port 44 in FIG.","14, and a communications interface having a sending function may be a transmit port 45 in FIG.","14.The processor 41 included in the access apparatus may further perform the method provided in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.","3, and FIG.","5 to FIG.","10.Details are not described herein again.","An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides an access system.","The access system may include any access controller provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.","11 and any access apparatus provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.","12.Alternatively, the access system may include any access controller provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.","13 and any access apparatus provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.","14.Details are not described herein again.","It may be clearly understood by persons skilled in the art that, for the purpose of convenient and brief description, for a detailed working process of the foregoing system, apparatus, and unit, reference may be made to a corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.","In the several embodiments provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other manners.","For example, the described apparatus embodiment is merely an example.","For example, the unit division is merely logical function division and may be other division in actual implementation.","For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed.","In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented using some interfaces.","The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.","The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one position, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units.","Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.","In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit.","The integrated unit may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of a software functional unit.","When the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.","Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of the present disclosure essentially, or the part contributing to other approaches, or all or some of the technical solutions may be implemented in the form of a software product.","The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform all or some of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present disclosure.","The foregoing storage medium includes any medium that can store program encode, such as a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.","The foregoing embodiments are merely intended for describing the technical solutions of the present disclosure, but not for limiting the present disclosure.","Although the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, persons of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they may still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent replacements to some technical features thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"Message Transmission Method, Access Node, Access Controller, and Access System\",\n \"A message transmission method, an access node, an access controller, and an access system, where in the method, a message is processed by an access controller instead of an access node such that the access node does not need to support a relay function, reducing operation and maintenance difficulties and costs.\",\n \"In the method, the access controller receives a first message from the access node, and the first message includes a first identifier.\",\n \"The access controller obtains a line identifier according to the first identifier.\",\n \"The access controller obtains a second message according to the line identifier, and the second message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"The access controller sends the second message to a relay server.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A message transmission method, comprising: receiving, by an access controller, a first message from an access node, wherein the first message comprises a first identifier; obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier; obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier, wherein the second message comprises the line identifier; and sending, by the access controller, the second message to a relay server.\",\n \"2.The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining the line identifier comprises: obtaining, by the access controller, the line identifier according to a correspondence and the first identifier, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encoding, by the access controller, the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"3.The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message further comprises a first Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, wherein the second message comprises a second DHCP message, wherein obtaining the second message comprises adding, by the access controller, the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, and wherein the second DHCP message comprises the line identifier.\",\n \"4.The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message further comprises a router solicitation (RS) message or a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, wherein the second message comprises a first authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, wherein obtaining the second message comprises generating, by the access controller, the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, and wherein the first AAA message comprises the line identifier.\",\n \"5.The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the access controller, a fourth message from the relay server, wherein the fourth message comprises the line identifier and Internet Protocol (IP) address information comprising an IP address or an IP address prefix; obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier; obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier, wherein the third message comprises the first identifier and the IP address information; and sending, by the access controller, the third message to the access node.\",\n \"6.The method according to claim 5, wherein obtaining the first identifier comprises: obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encoding, by the access controller, the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"7.The method according to claim 5, wherein the fourth message comprises a third Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, and wherein obtaining the third message comprises: deleting, by the access controller, the line identifier comprised in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, wherein the fourth DHCP message comprises the IP address information; and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, wherein the third message further comprises the fourth DHCP message.\",\n \"8.The method according to claim 5, wherein the fourth message comprises a second authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, and wherein obtaining the third message comprises: obtaining, by the access controller, a router advertisement (RA) message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, wherein the RA message comprises the IP address information; and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, wherein the third message further comprises the RA message.\",\n \"9.A message transmission method, comprising: receiving, by an access node, a second message from a user; obtaining, by the access node, a line identifier according to the second message, wherein the second message comprises the line identifier; obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier; obtaining, by the access node, a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, wherein the first message comprises the first identifier and the second message; and sending, by the access node, the first message to an access controller.\",\n \"10.The method according to claim 9, wherein obtaining the first identifier comprises: obtaining, by the access node, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier; or encoding, by the access node, the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"11.The method according to claim 9, further comprising: receiving, by the access node, a third message from the access controller, wherein the third message comprises Internet Protocol (IP) address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, wherein the IP address information comprises an IP address or an IP address prefix, and wherein the fourth message comprises the IP address information; obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier; and sending, by the access node, the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.\",\n \"12.The method according to claim 11, wherein obtaining the line identifier according to the first identifier comprises: obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encoding, by the access node, the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"13.An access controller, comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store programming instructions; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the programming instructions cause the processor to be configured to: receive a first message from an access node, wherein the first message comprises a first identifier; obtain a line identifier according to the first identifier; obtain a second message according to the line identifier, wherein the second message comprises the line identifier; and send the second message to a relay server.\",\n \"14.The access controller according to claim 13, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encode the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"15.The access controller according to claim 13, wherein the first message further comprises a first Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, wherein the second message comprises a second DHCP message, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to add the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, and wherein the second DHCP message comprises the line identifier.\",\n \"16.The access controller according to claim 13, wherein the first message further comprises a router solicitation (RS) message or a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, wherein the second message comprises a first authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to generate the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, and wherein the first AAA message comprises the line identifier.\",\n \"17.The access controller according to claim 13, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: receive a fourth message from the relay server, wherein the fourth message comprises the line identifier and Internet Protocol (IP) address information comprising an IP address or an IP address prefix; obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier; obtain a third message according to the first identifier, wherein the third message comprises the first identifier and the IP address information; and send the third message to the access node.\",\n \"18.The access controller according to claim 17, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encode the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"19.The access controller according to claim 17, wherein the fourth message comprises a third Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, and wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: delete the line identifier comprised in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, wherein the fourth DHCP message comprises the IP address information; and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, wherein the third message further comprises the fourth DHCP message.\",\n \"20.The access controller according to claim 17, wherein the fourth message comprises a second authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, and wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: obtain a router advertisement (RA) message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, wherein the RA message comprises the IP address information; and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, wherein the third message further comprises the RA message.\",\n \"21.An access apparatus, comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store programming instructions; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the programming instructions cause the processor to be configured to: receive a second message from a user; obtain a line identifier according to the second message, wherein the second message comprises the line identifier; obtain a first identifier according to the line identifier; obtain a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, wherein the first message comprises the first identifier and the second message; and send the first message to an access controller.\",\n \"22.The access apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier; or encode the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"23.The access apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: receive a third message from the access controller, wherein the third message comprises Internet Protocol (IP) address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, wherein the IP address information comprises an IP address or an IP address prefix, and wherein the fourth message comprises the IP address information; obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier; and send the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.\",\n \"24.The access apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to be configured to: obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, wherein the correspondence comprises a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier; or encode the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Currently, in an access network architecture, a message is transmitted between a client device and a relay server using a message transmission path.\",\n \"The message may be a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, a router solicitation (RS) message, a router advertisement (RA) message, or the like.\",\n \"In a message transmission process, each access node on the message transmission path needs to support a relay function.\",\n \"That is, a control plane of each access node on the message transmission path needs to be configured to implement the relay function.\",\n \"When new services emerge continuously, the control plane of each access node needs to be configured for each added service, resulting in relatively high operation and maintenance costs and complexity.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a message transmission method, an access node, an access controller, and an access system to help reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity.\",\n \"According to a first aspect, a message transmission method is provided.\",\n \"The method includes receiving, by an access controller, a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and sending, by the access controller, the second message to a relay server.\",\n \"In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access controller obtains, according to the first message received from the access node, the second message including the line identifier.\",\n \"The access node does not need to insert a line identifier into a message that is from a user.\",\n \"In this way, a control plane of the access node may be moved to the access controller.\",\n \"Therefore, the control plane of the access node is separated from the access node.\",\n \"For example, the access node does not need to support a relay function.\",\n \"This helps reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity.\",\n \"The first message and the second message may be control plane messages.\",\n \"The first message may be an OpenFlow message, or the first message is a tunnel packet.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier includes encoding, by the access controller, the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"The first encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier, or the first encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the first message further includes a first DHCP message, the second message is a second DHCP message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes adding, by the access controller, the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the first message further includes an RS message, the second message is a first authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes generating, by the access controller, the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the method further includes receiving, by the access controller, a fourth message sent by the relay server, where the fourth message includes the line identifier and Internet Protocol (IP) address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier, where the third message includes the first identifier and the IP address information, and sending, by the access controller, the third message to the access node.\",\n \"The first message and the second message are control plane messages.\",\n \"The second message may be an OpenFlow message, or the second message may be a tunnel packet.\",\n \"The relay server may be a device for assigning IP address information to the user, for example, an AAA server or a DHCP server that can assign IP address information.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier includes encoding, by the access controller, the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"The second encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier, or the second encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth message is a third DHCP message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier includes deleting, by the access controller, the line identifier included in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, where the fourth DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, where the third message further includes the fourth DHCP message.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth message is a second AAA message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, an RA message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the third message further includes the RA message.\",\n \"Optionally, the first identifier includes a physical port number, and the line identifier includes at least one of a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, or a physical port number of the access node.\",\n \"The physical port number may be used to identify a physical port that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.\",\n \"Optionally, the first identifier includes a tunnel identifier and/or a logical port number, and the line identifier includes at least one of a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier (VID), a virtual path identifier (VPI), or a virtual channel identifier (VCI) of the access node.\",\n \"Optionally, the first identifier includes a Media Access Control (MAC) address or an IP address of the access node, and the line identifier includes at least one of an identity or a chassis number of the access node.\",\n \"Optionally, the first identifier includes a tunnel identifier.\",\n \"The tunnel identifier is used to identify a tunnel between the access node and the access controller.\",\n \"The line identifier includes at least one of a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, a physical port number, a VID, a VPI, a VCI, or an identity of the access node.\",\n \"The VPI may be used to identify a virtual path that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.\",\n \"The VCI may be used to identify a virtual channel that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.\",\n \"According to a second aspect, a message transmission method is provided.\",\n \"The method includes receiving, by an access node, a second message sent by a user, obtaining, by the access node, a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining, by the access node, a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and sending, by the access node, the first message to an access controller.\",\n \"In the method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access node may add the first identifier that corresponds to the line identifier to the first message sent to the access controller.\",\n \"Therefore, a control plane of the access node is moved to the access controller, helping reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity of the access node.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier includes obtaining, by the access node, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier includes encoding, by the access node, the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the method further includes receiving, by the access node, a third message sent by the access controller, where the third message includes IP address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, and the fourth message includes the IP address information, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier, and sending, by the access node, the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier and the correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier includes encoding, by the access node, the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"In the method provided according to the second aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.\",\n \"According to a third aspect, an access controller is provided.\",\n \"The access controller includes a first receiving module configured to receive a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, a first obtaining module configured to obtain a line identifier according to the first identifier, a second obtaining module configured to obtain a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and a first sending module configured to send the second message to a relay server.\",\n \"The access controller provided according to the third aspect may perform the method provided according to any one of the first aspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect.\",\n \"The access controller provided according to the third aspect may be the access controller in the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.\",\n \"Optionally, the first obtaining module is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the first obtaining module is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the first message further includes a first DHCP message, the second message is a second DHCP message, and the second obtaining module is further configured to add the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the first message further includes an RS message or a DHCP message, the second message is a first AAA message, and the second obtaining module is further configured to generate the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the access controller further includes a second receiving module configured to receive a fourth message sent by the relay server, where the fourth message includes the line identifier and IP address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, a third obtaining module configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier, a fourth obtaining module configured to obtain a third message according to the first identifier, where the third message includes the first identifier and the IP address information, and a second sending module configured to send the third message to the access node.\",\n \"Optionally, the third obtaining module is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the third obtaining module is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth message is a third DHCP message, and the fourth obtaining module is further configured to delete the line identifier included in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, where the fourth DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, where the third message further includes the fourth DHCP message.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth message is a second AAA message, and the fourth obtaining module is further configured to obtain an RA message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the third message further includes the RA message.\",\n \"In the method provided according to the third aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.\",\n \"According to a fourth aspect, an access apparatus is provided.\",\n \"The access apparatus includes a first receiving module configured to receive a second message sent by a user, a first obtaining module configured to obtain a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, a second obtaining module configured to obtain a first identifier according to the line identifier, a third obtaining module configured to obtain a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and a first sending module configured to send the first message to an access controller.\",\n \"The access apparatus provided according to the fourth aspect may perform the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.\",\n \"The access apparatus provided according to the fourth aspect may be the access node in any one of the foregoing possible implementations.\",\n \"Optionally, the second obtaining module is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the second obtaining module is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the access apparatus further includes a second receiving module configured to receive a third message sent by the access controller, where the third message includes IP address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, and the fourth message includes the IP address information, a fourth obtaining module configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier, and a second sending module configured to send the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth obtaining module is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and the correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth obtaining module is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"In the method provided according to the fourth aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.\",\n \"According to a fifth aspect, an access controller is provided.\",\n \"The access controller includes a communications interface, a processor, and a memory configured to store a program.\",\n \"The processor reads the program in the memory, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, obtaining a line identifier according to the first identifier, obtaining a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and sending the second message to a relay server using the communications interface.\",\n \"Optionally, the processor included in the access controller may further perform the method provided according to any one of the first aspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect.\",\n \"According to a sixth aspect, an access apparatus is provided.\",\n \"The access apparatus includes a communications interface, a processor, and a memory configured to store a program.\",\n \"The processor reads the program in the memory, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a second message sent by a user, obtaining a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, obtaining a first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and sending the first message to an access controller using the communications interface.\",\n \"Optionally, the processor may further perform the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.\",\n \"According to a seventh aspect, an access system is provided.\",\n \"The access system includes the foregoing access controller and the foregoing access apparatus.\",\n \"The access controller is the access controller provided according to any one of the third aspect or the possible implementations of the third aspect, or the access controller provided according to any one of the fifth aspect or the possible implementations of the fifth aspect.\",\n \"The access apparatus may be the access apparatus provided according to any one of the fourth aspect or the possible implementations of the fourth aspect, or the access apparatus provided according to any one of the sixth aspect or the possible implementations of the sixth aspect.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No.\",\n \"PCT/CN2016/085990 filed on Jun.\",\n \"16, 2016, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No.\",\n \"201610201117.5 filed on Mar.\",\n \"31, 2016, and Chinese Patent Application No.\",\n \"201510424501.7 filed on Jul.\",\n \"17, 2015.All of the aforementioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to communications technologies, and in particular, to a message transmission method, an access node, an access controller, and an access system.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Currently, in an access network architecture, a message is transmitted between a client device and a relay server using a message transmission path.\",\n \"The message may be a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message, a router solicitation (RS) message, a router advertisement (RA) message, or the like.\",\n \"In a message transmission process, each access node on the message transmission path needs to support a relay function.\",\n \"That is, a control plane of each access node on the message transmission path needs to be configured to implement the relay function.\",\n \"When new services emerge continuously, the control plane of each access node needs to be configured for each added service, resulting in relatively high operation and maintenance costs and complexity.\",\n \"SUMMARY Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a message transmission method, an access node, an access controller, and an access system to help reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity.\",\n \"According to a first aspect, a message transmission method is provided.\",\n \"The method includes receiving, by an access controller, a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and sending, by the access controller, the second message to a relay server.\",\n \"In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access controller obtains, according to the first message received from the access node, the second message including the line identifier.\",\n \"The access node does not need to insert a line identifier into a message that is from a user.\",\n \"In this way, a control plane of the access node may be moved to the access controller.\",\n \"Therefore, the control plane of the access node is separated from the access node.\",\n \"For example, the access node does not need to support a relay function.\",\n \"This helps reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity.\",\n \"The first message and the second message may be control plane messages.\",\n \"The first message may be an OpenFlow message, or the first message is a tunnel packet.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, a line identifier according to the first identifier includes encoding, by the access controller, the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"The first encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier, or the first encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the first message further includes a first DHCP message, the second message is a second DHCP message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes adding, by the access controller, the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the first message further includes an RS message, the second message is a first authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes generating, by the access controller, the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the method further includes receiving, by the access controller, a fourth message sent by the relay server, where the fourth message includes the line identifier and Internet Protocol (IP) address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier, where the third message includes the first identifier and the IP address information, and sending, by the access controller, the third message to the access node.\",\n \"The first message and the second message are control plane messages.\",\n \"The second message may be an OpenFlow message, or the second message may be a tunnel packet.\",\n \"The relay server may be a device for assigning IP address information to the user, for example, an AAA server or a DHCP server that can assign IP address information.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access controller, the first identifier according to the line identifier includes encoding, by the access controller, the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"The second encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier, or the second encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth message is a third DHCP message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier includes deleting, by the access controller, the line identifier included in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, where the fourth DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, where the third message further includes the fourth DHCP message.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth message is a second AAA message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a third message according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, an RA message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the third message further includes the RA message.\",\n \"Optionally, the first identifier includes a physical port number, and the line identifier includes at least one of a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, or a physical port number of the access node.\",\n \"The physical port number may be used to identify a physical port that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.\",\n \"Optionally, the first identifier includes a tunnel identifier and/or a logical port number, and the line identifier includes at least one of a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier (VID), a virtual path identifier (VPI), or a virtual channel identifier (VCI) of the access node.\",\n \"Optionally, the first identifier includes a Media Access Control (MAC) address or an IP address of the access node, and the line identifier includes at least one of an identity or a chassis number of the access node.\",\n \"Optionally, the first identifier includes a tunnel identifier.\",\n \"The tunnel identifier is used to identify a tunnel between the access node and the access controller.\",\n \"The line identifier includes at least one of a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, a physical port number, a VID, a VPI, a VCI, or an identity of the access node.\",\n \"The VPI may be used to identify a virtual path that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.\",\n \"The VCI may be used to identify a virtual channel that is on the access node and that is used for communication with the user.\",\n \"According to a second aspect, a message transmission method is provided.\",\n \"The method includes receiving, by an access node, a second message sent by a user, obtaining, by the access node, a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining, by the access node, a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and sending, by the access node, the first message to an access controller.\",\n \"In the method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access node may add the first identifier that corresponds to the line identifier to the first message sent to the access controller.\",\n \"Therefore, a control plane of the access node is moved to the access controller, helping reduce operation and maintenance costs and complexity of the access node.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier includes obtaining, by the access node, the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, a first identifier according to the line identifier includes encoding, by the access node, the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the method further includes receiving, by the access node, a third message sent by the access controller, where the third message includes IP address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, and the fourth message includes the IP address information, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier, and sending, by the access node, the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier and the correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, obtaining, by the access node, the line identifier according to the first identifier includes encoding, by the access node, the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"In the method provided according to the second aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.\",\n \"According to a third aspect, an access controller is provided.\",\n \"The access controller includes a first receiving module configured to receive a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, a first obtaining module configured to obtain a line identifier according to the first identifier, a second obtaining module configured to obtain a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and a first sending module configured to send the second message to a relay server.\",\n \"The access controller provided according to the third aspect may perform the method provided according to any one of the first aspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect.\",\n \"The access controller provided according to the third aspect may be the access controller in the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.\",\n \"Optionally, the first obtaining module is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the first obtaining module is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the first message further includes a first DHCP message, the second message is a second DHCP message, and the second obtaining module is further configured to add the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the first message further includes an RS message or a DHCP message, the second message is a first AAA message, and the second obtaining module is further configured to generate the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the access controller further includes a second receiving module configured to receive a fourth message sent by the relay server, where the fourth message includes the line identifier and IP address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, a third obtaining module configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier, a fourth obtaining module configured to obtain a third message according to the first identifier, where the third message includes the first identifier and the IP address information, and a second sending module configured to send the third message to the access node.\",\n \"Optionally, the third obtaining module is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the third obtaining module is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth message is a third DHCP message, and the fourth obtaining module is further configured to delete the line identifier included in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, where the fourth DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, where the third message further includes the fourth DHCP message.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth message is a second AAA message, and the fourth obtaining module is further configured to obtain an RA message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the third message further includes the RA message.\",\n \"In the method provided according to the third aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.\",\n \"According to a fourth aspect, an access apparatus is provided.\",\n \"The access apparatus includes a first receiving module configured to receive a second message sent by a user, a first obtaining module configured to obtain a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, a second obtaining module configured to obtain a first identifier according to the line identifier, a third obtaining module configured to obtain a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and a first sending module configured to send the first message to an access controller.\",\n \"The access apparatus provided according to the fourth aspect may perform the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.\",\n \"The access apparatus provided according to the fourth aspect may be the access node in any one of the foregoing possible implementations.\",\n \"Optionally, the second obtaining module is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the second obtaining module is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the access apparatus further includes a second receiving module configured to receive a third message sent by the access controller, where the third message includes IP address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, and the fourth message includes the IP address information, a fourth obtaining module configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier, and a second sending module configured to send the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth obtaining module is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and the correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the fourth obtaining module is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"In the method provided according to the fourth aspect, the first identifier may be the same as the first identifier provided according to the first aspect, and the line identifier may be the same as the line identifier provided according to the first aspect.\",\n \"According to a fifth aspect, an access controller is provided.\",\n \"The access controller includes a communications interface, a processor, and a memory configured to store a program.\",\n \"The processor reads the program in the memory, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, obtaining a line identifier according to the first identifier, obtaining a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and sending the second message to a relay server using the communications interface.\",\n \"Optionally, the processor included in the access controller may further perform the method provided according to any one of the first aspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect.\",\n \"According to a sixth aspect, an access apparatus is provided.\",\n \"The access apparatus includes a communications interface, a processor, and a memory configured to store a program.\",\n \"The processor reads the program in the memory, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a second message sent by a user, obtaining a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, obtaining a first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and sending the first message to an access controller using the communications interface.\",\n \"Optionally, the processor may further perform the method provided according to any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.\",\n \"According to a seventh aspect, an access system is provided.\",\n \"The access system includes the foregoing access controller and the foregoing access apparatus.\",\n \"The access controller is the access controller provided according to any one of the third aspect or the possible implementations of the third aspect, or the access controller provided according to any one of the fifth aspect or the possible implementations of the fifth aspect.\",\n \"The access apparatus may be the access apparatus provided according to any one of the fourth aspect or the possible implementations of the fourth aspect, or the access apparatus provided according to any one of the sixth aspect or the possible implementations of the sixth aspect.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 is a schematic diagram of an access network.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a schematic diagram of an access network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a flowchart of Embodiment 2 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 3 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 4 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a flowchart of Embodiment 5 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a flowchart of Embodiment 6 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 7 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 8 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of an access controller according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of an access apparatus according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of an access controller according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of an access apparatus according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS For clarity of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present disclosure, and a line identifier, a tunnel identifier, a correspondence, and the like that are related to the embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail first.\",\n \"In a conventional access network architecture, an access node has a complete control plane and forwarding plane.\",\n \"In a message transmission process, the control plane processes a message to insert an option 82, and the forwarding plane forwards the message.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, using a passive optical network (PON) architecture as an example, a message is transmitted between a customer premises equipment (CPE) or a cable modem (CM) and a relay server using a message transmission path.\",\n \"The message may be a DHCP message, an RS message, or an RA message.\",\n \"Each access node, for example, an optical network unit (ONU), a wired cable media converter (CMC), an optical line terminal (OLT), a gateway, or a relay server that is included on the message transmission path needs to support a relay function.\",\n \"A control plane of each access node processes a received message, and a data plane of each access node forwards the message that has been processed by the control plane.\",\n \"In a conventional access network, when new services emerge continuously, the control plane of each access node needs to be configured for each added service, resulting in relatively high operation and maintenance costs and complexity.\",\n \"To resolve the foregoing problem, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, a software-defined networking (SDN) technology is introduced to an access network architecture.\",\n \"That is, an access controller is disposed in an access network, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"2.A control plane of an access node is separated from a data plane, and functions of the control plane of the access node are integrated into the access controller.\",\n \"The access controller processes a message, for example, a control plane message.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"2, in the access network provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the access controller is added between an OLT and a relay server.\",\n \"A control plane of each access node, for example, an ONU, a CMC, or the OLT, is separated from a forwarding plane, and a function such as a DHCP message processing function, an RS message processing function, or an RA message processing function of the control plane of each access node is moved to the access controller.\",\n \"Each access node does not need to support a control plane function.\",\n \"The access controller may be an independent device, or may be built in the OLT.\",\n \"The line identifier in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be referred to as a circuit identifier or an access loop identifier (ALI).\",\n \"Further, the access node is a network node on a digital subscriber line (DSL)/Ethernet.\",\n \"When the access node is on an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) DSL, a format of the line identifier includes Access-Node-Identifier atm slot/port:vpi.vci.\",\n \"When the access node is on an Ethernet DSL/Ethernet line, a format of the line identifier includes Access-Node-Identifier eth slot/port [:vlan-id].\",\n \"Access-Node-Identifier is an identifier of the access node such as a DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM).\",\n \"slot/port is one of or any combination of a chassis number, a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, a sub-slot number, or a port number of the access node.\",\n \"vpi is a VPI.\",\n \"vci is a VCI.\",\n \"“[ ]” in the format indicates that :vlan-id is optional.\",\n \":vlan-id is a VID.\",\n \"A virtual path may be a virtual path on the DSL, and a virtual channel may be a virtual path on the DSL.\",\n \"In a PON system, the line identifier includes line identifier information of an ONU part and line identifier information of an OLT part.\",\n \"When the ONU is on the ATM DSL, the format of the line identifier includes Access-Node-Identifier atm slot1/port1/ONUID/slot2/port2:vpi.vci.\",\n \"When the ONU is on the Ethernet DSL/Ethernet line, the format of the line identifier includes Access-Node-Identifier eth slot1/port1/ONUID/slot2/port2[:vlan-id].\",\n \"Access-Node-Identifier is an identifier of the OLT.\",\n \"slot1/port1 is one of or any combination of a chassis number, a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, a sub-slot number, or a port number of the OLT.\",\n \"slot2/port2 is one of or any combination of a chassis number, a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, a sub-slot number, or a port number of the ONU.\",\n \"ONUID/slot2/port2:vpi.vci is the line identifier information of the ONU part, and Access-Node-Identifier slot1/port1 is the line identifier information of the OLT part.\",\n \"In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first identifier includes at least one of a physical port number, a tunnel identifier, a MAC address of an access node, an IP address of the access node, or a tunnel identifier of the access node.\",\n \"The physical port number may be a preset value having a correspondence with first sub-information, or may be a value obtained after calculation is performed according to the first sub-information.\",\n \"The first sub-information includes at least one of a rack number, a frame number, a slot number, or a physical port number of the access node.\",\n \"The tunnel identifier may be a preset value having a correspondence with second sub-information, or may be a value obtained after calculation is performed according to the second sub-information.\",\n \"The second sub-information includes at least one of a VID, a VPI, or a VCI of the access node.\",\n \"Further, the access node and the access controller may be connected using a tunnel such as a VLAN tunnel, a virtual extensible local area network (VXLAN) tunnel, or a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) tunnel.\",\n \"Correspondingly, the tunnel identifier may be an identifier of a tunnel.\",\n \"For example, the tunnel identifier may be a VLAN identifier, a VXLAN identifier or an MPLS label.\",\n \"In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a message such as a DHCP message, an RS message, or an RA message may be transmitted between the access node and the access controller using a tunnel.\",\n \"Alternatively, an OpenFlow message may be transmitted between the access node and the access controller using a tunnel, and the OpenFlow message may carry a tunnel identifier and a message such as a DHCP message, an RS message, or an RA message.\",\n \"In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier, and the correspondence may be a mapping relationship table or an encoding relationship table.\",\n \"If the first identifier includes at least one of the tunnel identifier or a logical port number, and the line identifier includes the second sub-information, the correspondence may be a correspondence shown in Table 1 or Table 2.The correspondence in Table 1 is a correspondence between the tunnel identifier and the second sub-information or a correspondence between the logical port number and the second sub-information.\",\n \"The correspondence in Table 2 is a correspondence between the tunnel identifier, the logical port number, and the second sub-information.\",\n \"If a tunnel is established between the access node and the access controller, the tunnel identifier is an identifier of the tunnel between the access node and the access controller or the tunnel identifier included in the OpenFlow message.\",\n \"If no tunnel is established between the access node and the access controller, the tunnel identifier may be the tunnel identifier included in the OpenFlow message.\",\n \"If the first identifier includes the logical port number, and the line identifier includes the first sub-information, the correspondence may be a correspondence shown in Table 3.The correspondence in Table 3 is a correspondence between the physical port number and the first sub-information.\",\n \"The physical port number is used to identify a physical port on a user side on the access node, that is, a physical port that is on the access node and that is used for communication with a user.\",\n \"If the first identifier includes the MAC address of the access node, and the line identifier includes third sub-information, the correspondence may be a correspondence shown in Table 4.The third sub-information includes at least one of an identity or the chassis number of the access node.\",\n \"The correspondence in Table 4 is a correspondence between the third sub-information and the MAC address of the access node.\",\n \"If the first identifier includes the IP address of the access node, and the line identifier includes the third sub-information, the correspondence may be a correspondence shown in Table 5.The correspondence in Table 5 is a correspondence between the third sub-information and the IP address of the access node.\",\n \"If the first identifier includes the tunnel identifier, and the line identifier includes at least one of the rack number, the frame number, the slot number, the physical port number, the VID, the VPI, the VCI, or an identity of the access node, the correspondence includes a correspondence between the tunnel identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"TABLE 1 Tunnel identifier or logical At least one of a customer VLAN ID port number (C-VID), a service VLAN ID (S-VID), a VID of a U interface, a VPI, or a VCI TABLE 2 Tunnel identifier and logical At least one of a C-VID, an S-VID, a VID port number of a U interface, a VPI, or a VCI TABLE 3 Physical port Rack, Frame, Slot, Port TABLE 4 MAC address access node identifier, chassis identifier or ONU identifier TABLE 5 IP address access node identifier, chassis identifier or ONU identifier The access controller in the embodiments of the present disclosure may obtain the first identifier or the line identifier according to the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5.Further, the access controller may query one or more tables of the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5 according to the obtained first identifier to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"Alternatively, the access controller may query one or more tables of the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5 according to the obtained line identifier to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the correspondence in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more tables of Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, Table 4, and Table 5.Correspondingly, the line identifier may include one or more pieces of information of the first sub-information, the second sub-information, or the third sub-information.\",\n \"No specific examples are provided herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"This embodiment is performed by an access controller.\",\n \"The method provided in this embodiment is a method for transmitting an uplink message.\",\n \"The uplink message is a message that is sent by an access node to the access controller.\",\n \"Further, the method provided in Embodiment 1 includes the following steps.\",\n \"Step 301: The access controller receives a first message sent by the access node, where the first message includes a first identifier.\",\n \"For example, the first message may be an OpenFlow message or a tunnel message.\",\n \"The first message may further include a DHCP message, an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) message, or an RS message from a user.\",\n \"A tunnel may be a VLAN tunnel, a VXLAN tunnel, or an MPLS tunnel.\",\n \"Step 302: The access controller obtains a line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"For example, the access controller may prestore the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"The access controller queries the correspondence using the first identifier to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, step 302 may be replaced with following.\",\n \"The access controller encodes the first identifier according to an encoding rule to obtain a line identifier.\",\n \"The encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier, or the encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the first identifier into the line identifier.\",\n \"Step 303: The access controller obtains a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"For example, if the first message further includes a first DHCP message, and the second message is a second DHCP message, obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes adding, by the access controller, the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"If the first message further includes an RS message, and the second message is a first AAA message, obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes generating, by the access controller, the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"If the first message further includes a third DHCP message, and the second message is a second AAA message, obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the line identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, the second AAA message according to the line identifier and the third DHCP message, where the second AAA message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"The second AAA message further includes data and/or information included in the third DHCP message.\",\n \"Step 304: The access controller sends the second message to a relay server.\",\n \"For example, the relay server is a DHCP server, or an AAA server having an IP address assignment function.\",\n \"In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, after receiving the first message sent by the access node, the access controller determines the line identifier according to the first identifier included in the first message, then adds the line identifier to the first message to obtain the second message, and sends the second message to the relay server.\",\n \"In the process, the access node forwards the first message to the access controller, and the access controller inserts a line identifier into the first message such that the access node does not need to support a relay function, and an option 82 of the access node does not need to be maintained, reducing maintenance for and maintenance complexity of the option 82 of the access node.\",\n \"In addition, the access controller may determine the line identifier according to the first identifier included in the first message such that the access controller determines a line identifier in a process of receiving an uplink message.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a flowchart of Embodiment 2 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"This embodiment is performed by an access node.\",\n \"The method provided in this embodiment is a method for transmitting an uplink message.\",\n \"The uplink message is a message that is sent by the access node to an access controller.\",\n \"The method provided in Embodiment 2 includes the following steps.\",\n \"Step 401: The access node receives a second message sent by a user, and obtains a line identifier.\",\n \"For example, the second message may be from a client device or a CM used by the user.\",\n \"The access node may determine the line identifier according to a port at which the second message is received.\",\n \"For a specific method, details are not described herein.\",\n \"Step 402: The access node obtains a first identifier according to the line identifier.\",\n \"For example, the access node may store a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.\",\n \"The access node queries the correspondence using the line identifier to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, step 402 may be replaced with the following.\",\n \"The access node encodes the line identifier according to an encoding rule to obtain a first identifier.\",\n \"The encoding rule may be an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier, or the encoding rule may be an index value that corresponds to an encoding method for encoding the line identifier into the first identifier.\",\n \"Step 403: The access node obtains a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message.\",\n \"The first message is an OpenFlow message or a tunnel packet.\",\n \"The first message does not include the line identifier.\",\n \"Step 404: The access node sends the first message to the access controller.\",\n \"In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access node sends the first message including the second message and the first identifier to the access controller.\",\n \"The access node may not need to support a relay function, for example, not need to maintain an option 82.This helps reduce maintenance complexity.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 3 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a relay server is a DHCP server, and a first message that is sent by an access node to an access controller is an OpenFlow message.\",\n \"The method provided in Embodiment 3 includes the following steps.\",\n \"Step 501: The access node receives a first DHCP message sent by a client device.\",\n \"The access node obtains a line identifier using a line on which the first DHCP message is received.\",\n \"The line identifier includes first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.\",\n \"Step 502: The access node obtains a physical port number, a tunnel identifier, a MAC address of the access node, and an IP address of the access node.\",\n \"The access node stores a correspondence.\",\n \"The correspondence may be one or more of the correspondences shown in the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5.The correspondence in Embodiment 3 includes the correspondences shown in Table 1 to Table 5.The present disclosure is not limited thereto.\",\n \"In another feasible implementation, only some entries in Table 1 to Table 5 may be set.\",\n \"For example, the access node obtaining the first identifier includes that the access node obtains the line identifier using the line on which the first DHCP message is received, and the access node obtains the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node according to the correspondence, the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.\",\n \"Optionally, the access node may obtain the first identifier according to an encoding rule and the line identifier, and no other examples are used herein for description.\",\n \"Step 503: The access node obtains an OpenFlow message according to the first DHCP message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node.\",\n \"The OpenFlow message includes the first DHCP message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node.\",\n \"If the access node and the access controller are connected using a tunnel, the access node may further perform tunnel encapsulation on the OpenFlow message, and sends the OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed to the access controller.\",\n \"Step 504: The access node sends the OpenFlow message to the access controller.\",\n \"Step 505: The access controller obtains first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.\",\n \"The access controller may store the correspondence.\",\n \"The correspondence stored in the access controller is the same as the correspondence stored in the access node.\",\n \"For example, the access controller may query the correspondence using the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node to obtain the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.\",\n \"Step 506: The access controller adds the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information to the first DHCP message to obtain a second DHCP message.\",\n \"The second DHCP message includes the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.\",\n \"Step 507: The access controller sends the second DHCP message to the DHCP server.\",\n \"Step 508: The DHCP server assigns an IP address or an IP address prefix according to the second DHCP message.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 4 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a relay server is an AAA server, and a first message that is sent by an access node to an access controller is an OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.\",\n \"The method provided in Embodiment 4 includes the following steps.\",\n \"Step 601: The access node receives an RS message sent by a client device.\",\n \"The access node obtains a line identifier using a line on which the RS message is received.\",\n \"The line identifier includes first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.\",\n \"Step 602: The access node obtains a physical port number, a tunnel identifier, a MAC address of the access node, and an IP address of the access node.\",\n \"The access node stores a correspondence.\",\n \"The correspondence may be one or more of the correspondences shown in the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5.The correspondence in Embodiment 3 includes the correspondences shown in Table 1 to Table 5.The present disclosure is not limited thereto.\",\n \"In another feasible implementation, only some entries in Table 1 to Table 5 may be set.\",\n \"For example, the access node obtains a first identifier includes that the access node obtains the line identifier using the line on which the RS message is received, and the access node obtains the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node according to the correspondence, the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.\",\n \"Optionally, the access node may obtain the first identifier according to an encoding rule and the line identifier, and no other examples are used herein for description.\",\n \"Step 603: The access node obtains, according to the RS message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node, an OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.\",\n \"The OpenFlow message includes the RS message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node.\",\n \"The access node performs tunnel encapsulation on the OpenFlow message, to obtain the OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.\",\n \"Step 604: The access node sends the OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed to the access controller.\",\n \"Step 605: The access controller obtains first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.\",\n \"The access controller may store the correspondence.\",\n \"The correspondence stored in the access controller is the same as the correspondence stored in the access node.\",\n \"For example, the access controller may query the correspondence using the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, the MAC address of the access node, and the IP address of the access node to obtain the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.\",\n \"Step 606: The access controller generates an AAA message according to the first sub-information, the second sub-information, the third sub-information, and the RS message.\",\n \"The AAA message includes the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.\",\n \"Step 607: The access controller sends the AAA message to the AAA server.\",\n \"Step 608: The AAA server assigns an IP address or an IP address prefix according to the AAA message.\",\n \"Optionally, the RS message in steps 601 to 608 may be replaced with a DHCP message.\",\n \"An embodiment of the DHCP message after replacement is not described in detail herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a flowchart of Embodiment 5 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"This embodiment is performed by an access controller.\",\n \"The method provided in this embodiment is a method for transmitting a downlink message.\",\n \"The downlink message is a message that is sent by the access controller to an access node.\",\n \"The method provided in Embodiment 5 includes the following steps.\",\n \"Step 701: The access controller receives a first message sent by a relay server, where the first message includes a line identifier and IP address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix.\",\n \"The IP address information is IP address information assigned by the relay server.\",\n \"Step 702: The access controller obtains a first identifier according to the line identifier.\",\n \"For example, the access controller may prestore a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"The access controller queries the correspondence using the line identifier to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the access controller encodes the line identifier according to an encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"The encoding rule used by the access controller is the same as the encoding rule in Embodiment 2.Step 703: The access controller obtains a second message according to the first identifier, where the second message includes the first identifier and the IP address information.\",\n \"The second message does not include the line identifier.\",\n \"For example, the first message is a first DHCP message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the first identifier includes deleting, by the access controller, the line identifier included in the first DHCP message to obtain a second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the second message according to the first identifier and the second DHCP message, where the second message further includes the second DHCP message.\",\n \"Alternatively, the first message is an AAA message, and obtaining, by the access controller, a second message according to the first identifier includes obtaining, by the access controller, an RA message according to the AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtaining, by the access controller, the second message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the second message further includes the RA message.\",\n \"The second message is an OpenFlow message or an OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.\",\n \"Step 704: The access controller sends the second message to the access node.\",\n \"In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, in a process in which the access controller sends the downlink message to the access node, the access controller determines the first identifier according to the line identifier, then removes the line identifier from the first message, and obtains the second message according to the first identifier and the first message from which the line identifier is removed.\",\n \"In this way, the access node does not need to support a relay function, helping reduce maintenance complexity.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a flowchart of Embodiment 6 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"This embodiment is performed by an access node.\",\n \"The method provided in this embodiment is a method for transmitting a downlink message.\",\n \"The downlink message is a message that is sent by an access controller to the access node.\",\n \"The method provided in Embodiment 6 includes the following steps.\",\n \"Step 801: The access node receives a second message sent by the access controller, where the second message includes IP address information and a first identifier.\",\n \"The IP address information is IP address information assigned to a user.\",\n \"The second message further includes an RA message or a DHCP message, and the RA message and the DHCP message do not include a line identifier and the first identifier.\",\n \"If a relay server is a DHCP server, the second message further includes the DHCP message.\",\n \"If a relay server is an AAA server, the second message further includes the RA message or the DHCP message.\",\n \"Step 802: The access node obtains a line identifier according to the first identifier.\",\n \"For example, the access node may store a correspondence.\",\n \"The correspondence may be one or more of the correspondences shown in Table 1 to Table 5.For example, the access node queries the correspondence using the first identifier to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the access node encodes the first identifier according to an encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"The encoding rule used by the access node may be the same as the encoding rule used in Embodiment 1.Step 803: The access node obtains a first message according to the second message, where the first message does not include the first identifier and the first message includes the IP address information.\",\n \"The first message may be an RA message or a DHCP message that does not include the line identifier and the first identifier.\",\n \"Step 804: The access node sends the first message to a user according to the line identifier.\",\n \"In the message transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the access node determines the line identifier according to the first identifier included in the second message, and sends the first message that does not include the first identifier to a user according to the line identifier.\",\n \"In this way, the access node does not need to support a relay function, helping reduce maintenance complexity.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 7 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a relay server is a DHCP server, and an access controller sends an OpenFlow message to an access node.\",\n \"The method provided in Embodiment 7 includes the following steps.\",\n \"Step 901: The access controller receives a first DHCP message sent by the DHCP server.\",\n \"The first DHCP message includes a line identifier and IP address information.\",\n \"The IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix that is assigned by the DHCP server to a user.\",\n \"The line identifier includes first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.\",\n \"Step 902: The access controller obtains a physical port number, a tunnel identifier, and a MAC address of the access node according to the first DHCP message.\",\n \"The access controller stores a correspondence.\",\n \"The correspondence may be one or more of the correspondences shown in the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5.The correspondence in Embodiment 3 includes the correspondences shown in Table 1 to Table 5.The present disclosure is not limited thereto.\",\n \"In another feasible implementation, only some entries in Table 1 to Table 5 may be set.\",\n \"For example, that the access controller obtains a first identifier includes the access controller queries the correspondence using the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information that are included in the received first DHCP message to obtain the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.\",\n \"Step 903: The access controller deletes a line identifier from the first DHCP message to obtain a second DHCP message.\",\n \"The second DHCP message does not include the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.\",\n \"Step 904: The access controller obtains an OpenFlow message according to the second DHCP message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.\",\n \"The OpenFlow message includes the second DHCP message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.\",\n \"Step 905: The access controller sends the OpenFlow message to the access node.\",\n \"Step 906: The access node determines the line identifier according to the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.\",\n \"A correspondence stored in the access node is the same as the correspondence stored in the access controller.\",\n \"The access node obtains the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information according to the correspondence, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.\",\n \"Step 907: The access node sends the second DHCP message to a user according to the line identifier.\",\n \"The second DHCP message includes the IP address information that is assigned by the DHCP server to the user.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 is a signaling diagram of Embodiment 8 of a message transmission method according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a relay server is an AAA server, and an access controller sends an OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed to an access node.\",\n \"The method provided in Embodiment 8 includes the following steps.\",\n \"Step 1001: The access controller receives an AAA message sent by the AAA server.\",\n \"The AAA message includes a line identifier and IP address information.\",\n \"The IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix that is assigned by the AAA server to a user.\",\n \"The line identifier includes first sub-information, second sub-information, and third sub-information.\",\n \"Step 1002: The access controller obtains a physical port number, a tunnel identifier, and a MAC address of the access node according to the AAA message.\",\n \"The access controller stores a correspondence.\",\n \"The correspondence may be one or more of the correspondences shown in the foregoing Table 1 to Table 5.The correspondence in Embodiment 3 includes the correspondences shown in Table 1 to Table 5.The present disclosure is not limited thereto.\",\n \"In another feasible implementation, only some entries in Table 1 to Table 5 may be set.\",\n \"For example, the access controller obtains a first identifier includes that the access controller queries the correspondence using the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information that are included in the received AAA message to obtain the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.\",\n \"Step 1003: The access controller obtains an RA message according to the AAA message.\",\n \"The RA message does not include the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information.\",\n \"The RA message includes the IP address information that is assigned by the AAA server to the user.\",\n \"Step 1004: The access controller obtains, according to the RA message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node, an OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.\",\n \"The OpenFlow message includes the RA message, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.\",\n \"The access controller may perform tunnel encapsulation on the OpenFlow message to obtain the OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed.\",\n \"Step 1005: The access controller sends the OpenFlow message on which tunnel encapsulation has been performed to the access node.\",\n \"Step 1006: The access node determines the line identifier according to the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.\",\n \"A correspondence stored in the access node is the same as the correspondence stored in the access controller.\",\n \"The access node obtains the first sub-information, the second sub-information, and the third sub-information according to the correspondence, the physical port number, the tunnel identifier, and the MAC address of the access node.\",\n \"Step 1007: The access node sends the RA message to a user according to the line identifier.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of an access controller according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"The access controller provided in this embodiment may perform the method provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"3.The access controller provided in this embodiment may be the access controller in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"5 to FIG.\",\n \"10.For specific content of a message or an identifier in this embodiment, refer to corresponding content in the embodiments corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"3, and FIG.\",\n \"5 to FIG.\",\n \"10.Details are not described herein again.\",\n \"The access controller provided in this embodiment includes a first receiving module 11 configured to receive a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, a first obtaining module 12 configured to obtain a line identifier according to the first identifier, a second obtaining module 13 configured to obtain a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and a first sending module 14 configured to send the second message to a relay server.\",\n \"According to the access controller provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, in a process of receiving an uplink message, after receiving the first message sent by the access node, the access controller determines the line identifier according to the first identifier included in the first message, and obtains the second message according to the line identifier.\",\n \"The access controller sends the second message to the relay server.\",\n \"In the process, the access node forwards the first message to the access controller, and the access controller adds a line identifier to the first message such that the access node does not need to support a relay function, and an option 82 of the access node does not need to be maintained, reducing maintenance for and maintenance complexity of the option 82 of the access node.\",\n \"In addition, the access controller may determine the line identifier according to the first identifier included in the first message such that the access controller determines the line identifier in the process of receiving the uplink message.\",\n \"The first identifier is the same as the first identifier mentioned in the foregoing embodiments, and the line identifier is the same as the line identifier mentioned in the foregoing embodiments.\",\n \"Details are not described herein again.\",\n \"For example, the first obtaining module 12 is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Alternatively, the first obtaining module 12 is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"For example, the first message further includes a first DHCP message, the second message is a second DHCP message, and the second obtaining module 13 is further configured to add the line identifier to the first DHCP message to obtain the second DHCP message, where the second DHCP message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"For example, the first message further includes an RS message, the second message is a first AAA message, and the second obtaining module 13 is further configured to generate the first AAA message according to the line identifier and the RS message, where the first AAA message includes the line identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the access controller further includes a second receiving module 15 configured to receive a fourth message sent by the relay server, where the fourth message includes the line identifier and IP address information, and the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, a third obtaining module 16 configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier, a fourth obtaining module 17 configured to obtain a third message according to the first identifier, where the third message includes the first identifier and the IP address information, and a second sending module 18 configured to send the third message to the access node.\",\n \"For example, the third obtaining module 16 is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Alternatively, the third obtaining module 16 is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"For example, the fourth message is a third DHCP message, and the fourth obtaining module 17 is further configured to delete the line identifier included in the third DHCP message to obtain a fourth DHCP message, where the fourth DHCP message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the fourth DHCP message, where the third message further includes the fourth DHCP message.\",\n \"For example, the fourth message is a second AAA message, and the fourth obtaining module 17 is further configured to obtain an RA message according to the second AAA message and the IP address information, where the RA message includes the IP address information, and obtain the third message according to the first identifier and the RA message, where the third message further includes the RA message.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of an access apparatus according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"The access apparatus provided in this embodiment may perform the method provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"4.The access apparatus provided in this embodiment may be the access node in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"5 to FIG.\",\n \"10.For specific content of a message or an identifier in this embodiment, refer to corresponding content in the embodiments corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"4, and FIG.\",\n \"5 to FIG.\",\n \"10.Details are not described herein again.\",\n \"The access apparatus provided in this embodiment includes a first receiving module 21 configured to receive a second message sent by a user, a first obtaining module 20 configured to obtain a line identifier according to the second message, where the line identifier corresponds to the second message, and the first obtaining module 20 may obtain the line identifier according to a line on which the second message is received, a second obtaining module 22 configured to obtain a first identifier according to the line identifier, a third obtaining module 23 configured to obtain a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and a first sending module 24 configured to send the first message to an access controller.\",\n \"According to the access apparatus provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, in a process of sending an uplink message, after receiving a second message from a client device, the access apparatus obtains a first identifier according to a line identifier corresponding to the second message.\",\n \"The access apparatus obtains a first message according to the first identifier and the second message.\",\n \"The access apparatus sends the first message to the access controller.\",\n \"The access apparatus does not need to support a relay function, and does not need to maintain an option 82, reducing maintenance for and maintenance complexity of the option 82 of the access node.\",\n \"For example, the second obtaining module 22 is further configured to obtain the first identifier according to the line identifier and a correspondence, where the correspondence includes a correspondence between the line identifier and the first identifier.\",\n \"Alternatively, the second obtaining module 22 is further configured to encode the line identifier according to a first encoding rule to obtain the first identifier.\",\n \"Optionally, the access apparatus further includes a second receiving module 25 configured to receive a third message sent by the access controller, where the third message includes IP address information, the first identifier, and a fourth message, the IP address information is an IP address or an IP address prefix, and the fourth message includes the IP address information, a fourth obtaining module 26 configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier, and a second sending module 27 configured to send the fourth message to the user according to the line identifier.\",\n \"For example, the fourth obtaining module 26 is further configured to obtain the line identifier according to the first identifier and the correspondence, where the correspondence includes the correspondence between the first identifier and the line identifier.\",\n \"Alternatively, the fourth obtaining module 26 is further configured to encode the first identifier according to a second encoding rule to obtain the line identifier.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of an access controller according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"The access controller provided in this embodiment may perform the method provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"3.The access controller provided in this embodiment may be the access controller in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"5 to FIG.\",\n \"11.For specific content of a message or an identifier in this embodiment, refer to corresponding content in the embodiments corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"3, and FIG.\",\n \"5 to FIG.\",\n \"11.Details are not described herein again.\",\n \"The access controller provided in this embodiment includes a communications interface (not shown), a processor 31, and a memory 32 configured to store a program.\",\n \"The communications interface, the processor 31, and the memory 32 are connected using a communications bus 33.The processor 31 reads the program in the memory 32, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a first message sent by an access node, where the first message includes a first identifier, obtaining a line identifier according to the first identifier, obtaining a second message according to the line identifier, where the second message includes the line identifier, and sending the second message to a relay server using the communications interface.\",\n \"A communications interface having a receiving function may be a receive port 34 in FIG.\",\n \"13, and a communications interface having a sending function may be a transmit port 35 in FIG.\",\n \"13.The processor 31 included in the access controller may further perform the method provided in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"3, and FIG.\",\n \"5 to FIG.\",\n \"10.Details are not described herein again.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of an access apparatus according to the present disclosure.\",\n \"The access apparatus provided in this embodiment may perform the method provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"4.The access apparatus provided in this embodiment may be the access apparatus in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"5 to FIG.\",\n \"10, and FIG.\",\n \"12.For specific content of a message or an identifier in this embodiment, refer to corresponding content in the embodiments corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"3, FIG.\",\n \"5 to FIG.\",\n \"10, and FIG.\",\n \"11.Details are not described herein again.\",\n \"The access apparatus provided in this embodiment includes a communications interface (not shown), a processor 41, and a memory 42 configured to store a program.\",\n \"The communications interface, the processor 41, and the memory 42 may be connected using a communications bus 43.The processor 41 reads the program in the memory 42, and performs, according to an instruction corresponding to the program, the operations of receiving, using the communications interface, a second message sent by a user, obtaining a line identifier according to the second message, where the second message includes the line identifier, obtaining a first identifier according to the line identifier, obtaining a first message according to the first identifier and the second message, where the first message includes the first identifier and the second message, and sending the first message to an access controller using the communications interface.\",\n \"A communications interface having a receiving function may be a receive port 44 in FIG.\",\n \"14, and a communications interface having a sending function may be a transmit port 45 in FIG.\",\n \"14.The processor 41 included in the access apparatus may further perform the method provided in any one of the embodiments corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"3, and FIG.\",\n \"5 to FIG.\",\n \"10.Details are not described herein again.\",\n \"An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides an access system.\",\n \"The access system may include any access controller provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"11 and any access apparatus provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"12.Alternatively, the access system may include any access controller provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"13 and any access apparatus provided in the embodiment corresponding to FIG.\",\n \"14.Details are not described herein again.\",\n \"It may be clearly understood by persons skilled in the art that, for the purpose of convenient and brief description, for a detailed working process of the foregoing system, apparatus, and unit, reference may be made to a corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.\",\n \"In the several embodiments provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other manners.\",\n \"For example, the described apparatus embodiment is merely an example.\",\n \"For example, the unit division is merely logical function division and may be other division in actual implementation.\",\n \"For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed.\",\n \"In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented using some interfaces.\",\n \"The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.\",\n \"The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one position, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units.\",\n \"Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.\",\n \"In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit.\",\n \"The integrated unit may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of a software functional unit.\",\n \"When the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.\",\n \"Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of the present disclosure essentially, or the part contributing to other approaches, or all or some of the technical solutions may be implemented in the form of a software product.\",\n \"The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform all or some of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The foregoing storage medium includes any medium that can store program encode, such as a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.\",\n \"The foregoing embodiments are merely intended for describing the technical solutions of the present disclosure, but not for limiting the present disclosure.\",\n \"Although the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, persons of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they may still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent replacements to some technical features thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873507"}}},{"rowIdx":4494362,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["SECURE REAL-TIME TRANSACTIONS","A method including determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Other embodiments are provided."],["1.A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform: determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction; generating a transaction code comprising a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature; providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, wherein the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","2.The system of claim 1, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","3.The system of claim 1, wherein providing the transaction code to the mobile device comprises: displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","4.The system of claim 1, wherein providing the transaction code to the mobile device comprises: transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","5.The system of claim 1, wherein the notification of the payment is received from the transaction system.","6.The system of claim 1, wherein the notification of the payment is received from the second financial institution system.","7.The system of claim 1, wherein generating the transaction code comprises: cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.","8.The system of claim 1, wherein generating the transaction code comprises: calling the transaction system to generate the transaction code.","9.The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction code further comprises one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","10.The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device sends the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","11.A method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the method comprising: determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction; generating a transaction code comprising a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature; providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, wherein the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","12.The method of claim 11, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","13.The method of claim 11, wherein providing the transaction code to the mobile device comprises: displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","14.The method of claim 11, wherein providing the transaction code to the mobile device comprises: transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","15.The method of claim 11, wherein the notification of the payment is received from the transaction system.","16.The method of claim 11, wherein the notification of the payment is received from the second financial institution system.","17.The method of claim 11, wherein generating the transaction code comprises: cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.","19.The method of claim 11, wherein generating the transaction code comprises: calling the transaction system to generate the transaction code.","19.The method of claim 11, wherein the transaction code further comprises one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","20.The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile device sends the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction."],[" BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7 ; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19 ; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/170,781, filed Jun.","1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.U.S.","patent application Ser.","Nos.","15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.","TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.","BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.","DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.","The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Turning to the drawings, FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.","System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.","7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.","The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.","In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.","In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).","In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.","In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.","In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.","In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).","For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.","In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.","For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.","In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.","For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.","In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).","This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.","In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.","In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).","In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.","In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.","For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.","For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.","For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.","As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.","In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.","In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.","In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).","In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.","In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.","In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.","The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.","For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.","The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.","For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.","In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.","In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.","In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.","In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.","For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.","For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.","By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.","In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).","In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.","In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.","In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.","In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.","In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.","In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.","In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.","The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.","As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.","In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.","In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.","In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.","For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.","For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.","In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.","In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.","In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.","In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.","In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.","In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.","In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.","In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.","In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.","In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.","In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.","Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.","In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.","In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.","22 and described below.","In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.","For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.","In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.","In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.","129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).","In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).","In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.","In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.","For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.","In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.","For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.","For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.","Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.","Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.","In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.","In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.","In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.","In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.","For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.","In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.","For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.","In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.","In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.","The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.","In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.","In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.","The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.","In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.","In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.","In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.","In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.","For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","in some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.","In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.","In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.","In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.","In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.","In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.","In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.","In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.","1)).","User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.","For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.","1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.","In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), such as Checking Account A.","When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) to use for the payment transaction.","In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve the transaction using the account.","In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to decline the transaction using the account.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.","User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.","Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.","In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.","In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.","In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.","User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.","In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.","In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), such as a new loan.","In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.","1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.","When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.","1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.","21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed.","User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), title bar 2001 (FIG.","20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.","If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.","In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.","1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.","5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.","9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.","16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.","5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.","9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.","16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.","16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.","9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.","4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.","4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.","13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.","13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.","4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.","10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.","10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.","10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.","13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.","13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.","In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.","10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.","13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.","13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.","11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.","11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.","14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.","14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.","2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.","2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.","2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.","14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.","3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.","3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.","15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.","15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.","3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.","12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.","15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.","3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.","In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.","6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.","6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.","6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), financial institution 150 (FIG.","1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.","2), method 300 (FIG.","3), method 400 (FIG.","4), method 500 (FIG.","5), method 600 (FIG.","6), method 900 (FIG.","9), method 1000 (FIG.","10), method 1100 (FIG.","11), method 1200 (FIG.","12), method 1300 (FIG.","13), method 1400 (FIG.","14), method 1500 (FIG.","15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.","16).","Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.","8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.","8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.","8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.","Continuing with FIG.","8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).","Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.","7) to a functional state after a system reset.","In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).","In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.","7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7-8).","In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.","The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.","Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.","As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.","In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.","8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/O devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.","7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.","7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.","8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.","Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.","7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.","7) of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.","7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7 and 8).","In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.","In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.","7) or USB port 712 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).","Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.","7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.","Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.","7) need not be discussed herein.","When computer 700 in FIG.","7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.","8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.","8).","A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.","In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.","Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.","7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.","In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.","In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.","Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.","Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.","It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.","For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.","1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.","For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.","Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.","The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.","Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"SECURE REAL-TIME TRANSACTIONS\",\n \"A method including determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Other embodiments are provided.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform: determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction; generating a transaction code comprising a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature; providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, wherein the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"2.The system of claim 1, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"3.The system of claim 1, wherein providing the transaction code to the mobile device comprises: displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"4.The system of claim 1, wherein providing the transaction code to the mobile device comprises: transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"5.The system of claim 1, wherein the notification of the payment is received from the transaction system.\",\n \"6.The system of claim 1, wherein the notification of the payment is received from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"7.The system of claim 1, wherein generating the transaction code comprises: cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"8.The system of claim 1, wherein generating the transaction code comprises: calling the transaction system to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"9.The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction code further comprises one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"10.The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device sends the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"11.A method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the method comprising: determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction; generating a transaction code comprising a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature; providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, wherein the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 11, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"13.The method of claim 11, wherein providing the transaction code to the mobile device comprises: displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 11, wherein providing the transaction code to the mobile device comprises: transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 11, wherein the notification of the payment is received from the transaction system.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 11, wherein the notification of the payment is received from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"17.The method of claim 11, wherein generating the transaction code comprises: cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"19.The method of claim 11, wherein generating the transaction code comprises: calling the transaction system to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"19.The method of claim 11, wherein the transaction code further comprises one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"20.The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile device sends the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7 ; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19 ; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/170,781, filed Jun.\",\n \"1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.U.S.\",\n \"patent application Ser.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.\",\n \"BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.\",\n \"The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Turning to the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.\",\n \"The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.\",\n \"In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).\",\n \"In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.\",\n \"In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.\",\n \"In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).\",\n \"For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.\",\n \"For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.\",\n \"In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).\",\n \"This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.\",\n \"As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.\",\n \"In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.\",\n \"In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).\",\n \"In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.\",\n \"For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.\",\n \"The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.\",\n \"For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.\",\n \"In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.\",\n \"The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.\",\n \"As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.\",\n \"In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.\",\n \"In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.\",\n \"For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.\",\n \"In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.\",\n \"In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.\",\n \"Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.\",\n \"In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.\",\n \"22 and described below.\",\n \"In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.\",\n \"For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.\",\n \"In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.\",\n \"129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).\",\n \"In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.\",\n \"For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.\",\n \"Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.\",\n \"For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.\",\n \"The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.\",\n \"In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.\",\n \"The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"in some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.\",\n \"In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.\",\n \"For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), such as Checking Account A.\",\n \"When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve the transaction using the account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to decline the transaction using the account.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.\",\n \"Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), such as a new loan.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.\",\n \"When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.\",\n \"If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.\",\n \"In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.\",\n \"2), method 300 (FIG.\",\n \"3), method 400 (FIG.\",\n \"4), method 500 (FIG.\",\n \"5), method 600 (FIG.\",\n \"6), method 900 (FIG.\",\n \"9), method 1000 (FIG.\",\n \"10), method 1100 (FIG.\",\n \"11), method 1200 (FIG.\",\n \"12), method 1300 (FIG.\",\n \"13), method 1400 (FIG.\",\n \"14), method 1500 (FIG.\",\n \"15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.\",\n \"16).\",\n \"Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.\",\n \"8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.\",\n \"8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.\",\n \"8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).\",\n \"Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) to a functional state after a system reset.\",\n \"In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8).\",\n \"In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.\",\n \"The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.\",\n \"Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.\",\n \"As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/O devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.\",\n \"8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.\",\n \"Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.\",\n \"7) of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8).\",\n \"In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.\",\n \"In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) or USB port 712 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).\",\n \"Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.\",\n \"Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.\",\n \"7) need not be discussed herein.\",\n \"When computer 700 in FIG.\",\n \"7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.\",\n \"8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.\",\n \"In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.\",\n \"Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.\",\n \"7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.\",\n \"Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.\",\n \"Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.\",\n \"For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.\",\n \"1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.\",\n \"For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.\",\n \"Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.\",\n \"The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.\",\n \"Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873508"}}},{"rowIdx":4494363,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["Termite Baiting Assembly","An assembly for termite baiting beneath a ground surface, the assembly incorporating a barrier plate positioned upon the ground surface; a thermal shadow cast by the barrier plate, the thermal shadow having a lateral periphery, wherein the casting of the thermal shadow extends the thermal shadow downwardly into the ground from the barrier plate; a plurality of pine wood stakes having upper ends, the wooden stakes extending into the ground from the barrier plate and being positioned by the barrier plate at the thermal shadow's lateral periphery; a plurality of mounting caps interconnecting the wooden stakes' upper ends and the barrier plate; and a termiticide body buried beneath the barrier plate and within the thermal shadow."],["1.An assembly for termite baiting beneath a ground surface, said assembly comprising: (a) a barrier plate positioned upon the ground surface; (b) a thermal shadow having a lateral periphery, the thermal shadow being cast by the barrier plate into the ground; (c) a plurality of wooden stakes having upper ends, said stakes extending into the ground from the barrier plate and being positioned by the barrier plate at the thermal shadow's lateral periphery; (d) mounting means interconnecting the wooden stakes' upper ends and the barrier plate; and (e) a termiticide body buried within the thermal shadow.","2.The assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprise a plurality of cap and plate aperture combinations, wherein each of said combinations' caps comprises a downwardly opening socket which is fitted for receiving the upper end of one of the wooden stakes.","3.The assembly of claim 2 wherein each combination among the cap and plate aperture combinations comprises a plate aperture which is fitted for receiving one of the downwardly opening sockets.","4.The assembly of claim 1 wherein each wooden stake comprises pine wood.","5.The assembly of claim 4 wherein the barrier plate and the caps are composed of plastic.","6.The assembly of claim 5 further comprising an anchor stake fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the barrier plate.","7.The assembly of claim 6 wherein the anchor stake is composed of plastic.","8.The assembly of claim 7 wherein the termiticide body is contained within a natural fiber sack.","9.The assembly of claim 8 wherein the termiticide body comprises an insecticide selected from the group consisting of diflubenzuron, noviflumuron, imidocloprid, fipronil, chlorfenapyr, lufenuron, hydramethylnon, sulfuramid, and hexaflumuron."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ground tunneling termites or subterranean termites such as those within the family Rhinotermitidae commonly horizontally extend exploratory tunnels at shallow levels beneath the ground surfaces in search of wood upon which they may feed.","Insect behavior studies have determined that termite such exploratory tunneling generally continues horizontally through zones where moisture and temperature remains relatively constant in relation to surrounding ground areas.","In contrast, termites generally dwell at and extend ancillary branching tunnels in the event that an exploratory tunnel enters a subterranean zone having a relatively low temperature and relatively high moisture content.","A common cause of such ground areas of decreased temperature and increased moisture is thermal shadowing which may underlie a fallen wooden log.","Radiant heat from the sun tends to heat such fallen log instead of directly heating the underlying ground materials, resulting in a lowering of the temperature of the ground beneath the log with respect to surrounding ground areas.","The lowered temperature of the ground beneath the log lessens the effects of the sunlight in drying moisture from the ground, resulting in a relative increase in the moisture content of the ground beneath the log.","The log itself further increases underlying moisture content by functioning as an evaporation barrier.","Upon the termites' tunneling entry into such subterranean zone of relatively low temperature and relatively high moisture, the termites sense the change and dwell in the low temperature/high moisture zone.","While in such zone, the termites extend localized exploratory tunnels in various directions to determine whether consumable wood is present in the area.","Upon finding no food source within the low temperature/high moisture zone, such as may occur when a stone produces the underlying moisture and temperature differential, the termites typically depart and carry on with their horizontal exploratory tunneling.","Alternatively, upon finding a wooden food source within the low temperature/high moisture zone, the termites typically establish a local feeding site within the zone to feed upon the wooden food surface.","The instant inventive assembly for termite baiting works consonantly with and takes advantage of the above described instinctual phenomena of termite sensing of zones of low temperature and high moisture and instinctual correlation of such sensed zones with the presence of a food source by providing a specialized barrier plate which is adapted to multiply function for creation of an underlying thermal shadow within the ground, for serving as a moisture evaporation barrier, and for serving as means for extending and supporting wooden bait sticks."],[" BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first structural component of the instant inventive assembly for subterranean termite baiting comprises a barrier plate.","In a preferred embodiment, the barrier plate component is composed of plastic and is configured as a circular disk.","In the preferred embodiment, the barrier plate has a diameter between 4″ and 7″, and has a vertical thickness between ⅛″ and ½″.","Other geometric configurations of the barrier plate such as square, rectangular, oval, pentagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.","Further structural components of the instant inventive assembly comprise a plurality of wooden stakes which are fixedly attached to and extend downwardly into the ground from the barrier plate component.","Mounting means for interconnecting upper ends of the wooden stakes with the barrier plate are provided, such means preferably comprising combinations of apertures through the plate and flanged caps which extend through such apertures and upwardly receive the upper ends of the wooden stakes.","In order to effectively perform their alternative functions as a termite attracting food source, the wooden stakes preferably comprise pine wood.","Other means for interconnecting the upper ends of the wooden stakes with the barrier plate such as wholly formed stake receiving sockets, screw connections, and stake head receiving apertures are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.","In use of the instant inventive assembly, a homeowner may initially dig a shallow pit with a spade within the ground at a point near a wall of his or her home.","In a preferred embodiment, such pit is approximately 3″ in diameter, and is approximately 4″ to 6″ deep.","Thereafter, the homeowner may place within such pit a body of termiticide such as diflubenzuron, noviflumuron, imidocloprid, fipronil, chlorfenapyr, lufenuron, hydramethylnon, sulfuramid, or hexaflumuron.","In a preferred embodiment, such termiticide material is contained within a loosely woven bag or sack such as a burlap enclosure which will allow through passage and ingress of termites.","Thereafter, the homeowner may place such termiticide body within the pit, and refill the pit with dirt to ground level.","Thereafter, the homeowner may place the invention's barrier plate component over the pit, and may successively hammer provided pine wood stakes downwardly through eyes or apertures within the plate.","Preferably, socket caps are preliminarily provided and are placed over the heads of such stakes to facilitate downward hammering of the stakes and to facilitate secure pressure fitted connections between the upper ends of the stakes and the apertures within the barrier plate.","In operation, the barrier plate slows transmission of solar radiant heat to the ground at and about a thermal shadow zone underlying the plate, resulting in a relatively low ground temperature beneath the plate.","Simultaneously, the barrier plate functions as a moisture evaporation barrier, heightening the relative moisture of the ground beneath the plate.","In the event that termites extend an exploratory horizontal tunnel through the ground to the location of such thermal shadow, the termites naturally detect the lower relative temperature at such zone and detect the soil's increased moisture content.","Upon sensing the low temperature and high moisture, the termites dwell within the thermal shadow zone and begin to feed upon the wooden stake feed food sources.","Such wooden stake food sources are advantageously aligned by the barrier plate so that they reside at the periphery of the thermal shadow zone which preferably centrally includes the buried body of termiticide.","Accordingly, the termites naturally additionally feed upon the termiticide body, resulting in termite extermination and protection in the manner of the operation of the particularly selected termiticide.","Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision of an assembly for termite baiting beneath a ground surface which incorporates structures as described above, and which arranges those structures in manners described above, for the achievement of the beneficial functions described above.","Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instant invention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, and upon review of the appended drawings."],["FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus and assemblies for insect and pest control.","More particularly, this invention relates to such assemblies which are adapted for facilitating termiticide baiting control of termites at shallow subterranean locations surrounding a building in need of termite protection.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ground tunneling termites or subterranean termites such as those within the family Rhinotermitidae commonly horizontally extend exploratory tunnels at shallow levels beneath the ground surfaces in search of wood upon which they may feed.","Insect behavior studies have determined that termite such exploratory tunneling generally continues horizontally through zones where moisture and temperature remains relatively constant in relation to surrounding ground areas.","In contrast, termites generally dwell at and extend ancillary branching tunnels in the event that an exploratory tunnel enters a subterranean zone having a relatively low temperature and relatively high moisture content.","A common cause of such ground areas of decreased temperature and increased moisture is thermal shadowing which may underlie a fallen wooden log.","Radiant heat from the sun tends to heat such fallen log instead of directly heating the underlying ground materials, resulting in a lowering of the temperature of the ground beneath the log with respect to surrounding ground areas.","The lowered temperature of the ground beneath the log lessens the effects of the sunlight in drying moisture from the ground, resulting in a relative increase in the moisture content of the ground beneath the log.","The log itself further increases underlying moisture content by functioning as an evaporation barrier.","Upon the termites' tunneling entry into such subterranean zone of relatively low temperature and relatively high moisture, the termites sense the change and dwell in the low temperature/high moisture zone.","While in such zone, the termites extend localized exploratory tunnels in various directions to determine whether consumable wood is present in the area.","Upon finding no food source within the low temperature/high moisture zone, such as may occur when a stone produces the underlying moisture and temperature differential, the termites typically depart and carry on with their horizontal exploratory tunneling.","Alternatively, upon finding a wooden food source within the low temperature/high moisture zone, the termites typically establish a local feeding site within the zone to feed upon the wooden food surface.","The instant inventive assembly for termite baiting works consonantly with and takes advantage of the above described instinctual phenomena of termite sensing of zones of low temperature and high moisture and instinctual correlation of such sensed zones with the presence of a food source by providing a specialized barrier plate which is adapted to multiply function for creation of an underlying thermal shadow within the ground, for serving as a moisture evaporation barrier, and for serving as means for extending and supporting wooden bait sticks.","BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first structural component of the instant inventive assembly for subterranean termite baiting comprises a barrier plate.","In a preferred embodiment, the barrier plate component is composed of plastic and is configured as a circular disk.","In the preferred embodiment, the barrier plate has a diameter between 4″ and 7″, and has a vertical thickness between ⅛″ and ½″.","Other geometric configurations of the barrier plate such as square, rectangular, oval, pentagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.","Further structural components of the instant inventive assembly comprise a plurality of wooden stakes which are fixedly attached to and extend downwardly into the ground from the barrier plate component.","Mounting means for interconnecting upper ends of the wooden stakes with the barrier plate are provided, such means preferably comprising combinations of apertures through the plate and flanged caps which extend through such apertures and upwardly receive the upper ends of the wooden stakes.","In order to effectively perform their alternative functions as a termite attracting food source, the wooden stakes preferably comprise pine wood.","Other means for interconnecting the upper ends of the wooden stakes with the barrier plate such as wholly formed stake receiving sockets, screw connections, and stake head receiving apertures are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.","In use of the instant inventive assembly, a homeowner may initially dig a shallow pit with a spade within the ground at a point near a wall of his or her home.","In a preferred embodiment, such pit is approximately 3″ in diameter, and is approximately 4″ to 6″ deep.","Thereafter, the homeowner may place within such pit a body of termiticide such as diflubenzuron, noviflumuron, imidocloprid, fipronil, chlorfenapyr, lufenuron, hydramethylnon, sulfuramid, or hexaflumuron.","In a preferred embodiment, such termiticide material is contained within a loosely woven bag or sack such as a burlap enclosure which will allow through passage and ingress of termites.","Thereafter, the homeowner may place such termiticide body within the pit, and refill the pit with dirt to ground level.","Thereafter, the homeowner may place the invention's barrier plate component over the pit, and may successively hammer provided pine wood stakes downwardly through eyes or apertures within the plate.","Preferably, socket caps are preliminarily provided and are placed over the heads of such stakes to facilitate downward hammering of the stakes and to facilitate secure pressure fitted connections between the upper ends of the stakes and the apertures within the barrier plate.","In operation, the barrier plate slows transmission of solar radiant heat to the ground at and about a thermal shadow zone underlying the plate, resulting in a relatively low ground temperature beneath the plate.","Simultaneously, the barrier plate functions as a moisture evaporation barrier, heightening the relative moisture of the ground beneath the plate.","In the event that termites extend an exploratory horizontal tunnel through the ground to the location of such thermal shadow, the termites naturally detect the lower relative temperature at such zone and detect the soil's increased moisture content.","Upon sensing the low temperature and high moisture, the termites dwell within the thermal shadow zone and begin to feed upon the wooden stake feed food sources.","Such wooden stake food sources are advantageously aligned by the barrier plate so that they reside at the periphery of the thermal shadow zone which preferably centrally includes the buried body of termiticide.","Accordingly, the termites naturally additionally feed upon the termiticide body, resulting in termite extermination and protection in the manner of the operation of the particularly selected termiticide.","Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision of an assembly for termite baiting beneath a ground surface which incorporates structures as described above, and which arranges those structures in manners described above, for the achievement of the beneficial functions described above.","Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instant invention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, and upon review of the appended drawings.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 is a perspective view of assembled plate and stake components of the instant inventive assembly for termite baiting.","FIG.","2 is a separated perspective view of the plate component of the structure of FIG.","1.FIG.","3 is a sectional view as indicated in FIG.","1.FIG.","4 redepicts the structure of FIG.","3, the view of FIG.","4 showing structures of the assembly in their use environment.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Drawing FIG.","2, a barrier plate component of the instant inventive termite baiting assembly is referred to generally by Reference Numeral 2.As depicted, the barrier plate 2 is circular, having a diameter between 4″ and 7″ and having a thickness between ⅛″ and ½″.","The barrier plate 2 is preferably composed of plastic, and its preferred circular configuration is intended as being representative of other geometric shapes such as squares, hexagons, ovals, and the like.","Peripheral wooden stake engaging apertures or eyes 4, 6, and 8 extend vertically through the barrier plate 2, and such plate preferably additionally includes a centrally positioned anchor stake aperture 10.Referring simultaneously to FIGS.","1-3, wooden stakes 16, 22, and 28, are provided.","Each of the stakes 16, 22, 28 preferably has a pointed lower end, and has an upper end which is held in engagement with the barrier plate 2.In addition to their plate anchoring and positioning functions, the stakes 16, 22, and 28 perform a function of providing a localized source of food for termites which causes them to dwell or remain at a subterranean locale directly underlying the barrier plate 2.Termites are known to feed upon pine wood and, in furtherance of their food source providing function, the stakes 16, 22, and 28 are preferably composed of pine wood.","Preferred means for attaching the upper ends of stakes 16, 22, and 28 to the barrier plate 2 comprise the apertures 4, 6, and 8 in combination with flanged caps 12, 18, and 24.In the preferred embodiment, such caps respectively present downwardly opening sockets 14, 20, and 26.The outside diameter of socket 14 is preferably closely fitted to the inside diameter of aperture 4, while the inner wall of socket 14 is preferably slightly conically sloped in order to establish a tight pressure fit connection with the upper end of stake 16.Flanged cap 18 having socket 20 is preferably similarly configured for downward receipt within aperture 6 and for secure holding the upper end of stake 22.The assembly's third cap and socket combination 24,26 is similarly configured for engagements with aperture 8 and the upper end of stake 28.The above described aperture and cap combinations are considered to be representative of other suitably substituted stake mounting means such as screw connections, wholly formed sockets, pressure fitted eyes, and the like.","In use of the instant inventive assembly, and referring in particular to Drawing FIG.","4, a ground surface area 41 near the outer wall of a home to be protected by the instant inventive assembly is identified.","At such ground area 41, a circular area of grass 3 may be cut by a homeowner to the level of the ground, such circular area matching the circular profile of the barrier plate 2.Thereafter, the homeowner may utilize a hand spade to dig a small pit 37 having a diameter of approximately 3″ and having a depth between 4″ and 6″.","Thereafter, the homeowner may drop a provided body of termiticide 34 into the excavated pit 37, such body of termiticide 34 preferably comprising a mixture of diflubenzuron, noviflumuron, imidocloprid, fipronil, chlorfenapyr, lufenuron, hydramethylnon, sulfuramid, or hexaflumuron, and a termite edible inactive ingredient.","In the preferred embodiment, the termiticide is encapsulated within a bag or closure 35 which is composed of a loosely woven natural fiber such as cotton, hemp, or burlap, which will allow through passage and ingress into the closure by termites.","Thereafter, the homeowner may refill the pit 37 with dirt 36, burying the termiticide body 34.Thereafter, the homeowner may place the barrier plate 2 over the refilled pit 37, and may align the plate 2 so that its apertures 4, 6, and 8 peripherally surround the pit's upper edge.","Thereafter, the homeowner may grasp wooden stake 16 and may cover the upper end of such stake with the socket 14 of flanged cap 12.Thereafter, the homeowner may extend the lower point of stake 16 through aperture 4, and may utilize a hammer to percussively strike the upper surface of the cap 12 and to drive the stake 16 and cap 12 downwardly until the socket 14 is nestingly received within aperture 4 as indicated in Drawing FIGS.","3 and 4.During such stake hammering operation, the barrier plate 2 advantageously functions as a stake placement guiding template which assures that the stake 16 resides at the lateral periphery 39 of a thermal shadow zone 40 which is downwardly cast by the barrier plate into the ground 43.Stakes 22 and 28, and caps 18 and 24, may be similarly downwardly driven through apertures 6 and 8.Upon such downward driving of stakes 16, 22, and 28, such stakes advantageously perform additional functions of securely holding the barrier plate 2 and the associated thermal shadow zone 40 in volumetric alignment with the termiticide body 34.Upon installation as indicated in FIG.","4, the barrier plate 2 additionally advantageously functions as a moisture evaporation barrier.","The barrier plate's dual functions of producing and downwardly casting the thermal shadow zone 40 and blocking evaporation of ground moisture advantageously produce localized temperature and moisture subterranean environment factors which are sensed by termites which extend exploration tunnels in the vicinity.","Termites may naturally horizontally extend such subterranean exploratory tunnels through the ground 43, and may randomly direct such a tunnel toward the thermal shadow zone 40.Upon an extension of such a tunnel into zone 40, the relatively low temperature and high moisture within such zone causes the termites to dwell in the zone and to extend branching ancillary tunnels within such zone.","Termites which tunnel near zone 40 naturally dwell at the zone and commence eating the pine wood stakes 16, 22, and 28, which held and positioned by plate 2 at the lateral periphery 39 of the zone 40.Termites feeding upon stakes 16, 22, and 28 within zone 40 naturally additionally feed upon the termiticide body 34 which is centrally positioned within zone 40.Such termites carry termiticide back to central hive areas, transmitting termiticide to other termites which interferes with termite reproductive cycles within the hive or directly acts as a termite killing biocide.","Termite feeding upon the pine wood stakes 16, 22, and 28 may eventually leave the barrier plate 2 unsecured and subject to becoming displaced away from the ground surface 41.In order to prevent such displacement of the barrier plate 2, the central ground stake aperture 10 may receive a downwardly driven plastic stake 30 having a plate retaining flanged head 32.While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modifications to the structure, arrangement, portions and components of the invention without departing from those principles.","Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with the appended claims."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"Termite Baiting Assembly\",\n \"An assembly for termite baiting beneath a ground surface, the assembly incorporating a barrier plate positioned upon the ground surface; a thermal shadow cast by the barrier plate, the thermal shadow having a lateral periphery, wherein the casting of the thermal shadow extends the thermal shadow downwardly into the ground from the barrier plate; a plurality of pine wood stakes having upper ends, the wooden stakes extending into the ground from the barrier plate and being positioned by the barrier plate at the thermal shadow's lateral periphery; a plurality of mounting caps interconnecting the wooden stakes' upper ends and the barrier plate; and a termiticide body buried beneath the barrier plate and within the thermal shadow.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.An assembly for termite baiting beneath a ground surface, said assembly comprising: (a) a barrier plate positioned upon the ground surface; (b) a thermal shadow having a lateral periphery, the thermal shadow being cast by the barrier plate into the ground; (c) a plurality of wooden stakes having upper ends, said stakes extending into the ground from the barrier plate and being positioned by the barrier plate at the thermal shadow's lateral periphery; (d) mounting means interconnecting the wooden stakes' upper ends and the barrier plate; and (e) a termiticide body buried within the thermal shadow.\",\n \"2.The assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprise a plurality of cap and plate aperture combinations, wherein each of said combinations' caps comprises a downwardly opening socket which is fitted for receiving the upper end of one of the wooden stakes.\",\n \"3.The assembly of claim 2 wherein each combination among the cap and plate aperture combinations comprises a plate aperture which is fitted for receiving one of the downwardly opening sockets.\",\n \"4.The assembly of claim 1 wherein each wooden stake comprises pine wood.\",\n \"5.The assembly of claim 4 wherein the barrier plate and the caps are composed of plastic.\",\n \"6.The assembly of claim 5 further comprising an anchor stake fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the barrier plate.\",\n \"7.The assembly of claim 6 wherein the anchor stake is composed of plastic.\",\n \"8.The assembly of claim 7 wherein the termiticide body is contained within a natural fiber sack.\",\n \"9.The assembly of claim 8 wherein the termiticide body comprises an insecticide selected from the group consisting of diflubenzuron, noviflumuron, imidocloprid, fipronil, chlorfenapyr, lufenuron, hydramethylnon, sulfuramid, and hexaflumuron.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ground tunneling termites or subterranean termites such as those within the family Rhinotermitidae commonly horizontally extend exploratory tunnels at shallow levels beneath the ground surfaces in search of wood upon which they may feed.\",\n \"Insect behavior studies have determined that termite such exploratory tunneling generally continues horizontally through zones where moisture and temperature remains relatively constant in relation to surrounding ground areas.\",\n \"In contrast, termites generally dwell at and extend ancillary branching tunnels in the event that an exploratory tunnel enters a subterranean zone having a relatively low temperature and relatively high moisture content.\",\n \"A common cause of such ground areas of decreased temperature and increased moisture is thermal shadowing which may underlie a fallen wooden log.\",\n \"Radiant heat from the sun tends to heat such fallen log instead of directly heating the underlying ground materials, resulting in a lowering of the temperature of the ground beneath the log with respect to surrounding ground areas.\",\n \"The lowered temperature of the ground beneath the log lessens the effects of the sunlight in drying moisture from the ground, resulting in a relative increase in the moisture content of the ground beneath the log.\",\n \"The log itself further increases underlying moisture content by functioning as an evaporation barrier.\",\n \"Upon the termites' tunneling entry into such subterranean zone of relatively low temperature and relatively high moisture, the termites sense the change and dwell in the low temperature/high moisture zone.\",\n \"While in such zone, the termites extend localized exploratory tunnels in various directions to determine whether consumable wood is present in the area.\",\n \"Upon finding no food source within the low temperature/high moisture zone, such as may occur when a stone produces the underlying moisture and temperature differential, the termites typically depart and carry on with their horizontal exploratory tunneling.\",\n \"Alternatively, upon finding a wooden food source within the low temperature/high moisture zone, the termites typically establish a local feeding site within the zone to feed upon the wooden food surface.\",\n \"The instant inventive assembly for termite baiting works consonantly with and takes advantage of the above described instinctual phenomena of termite sensing of zones of low temperature and high moisture and instinctual correlation of such sensed zones with the presence of a food source by providing a specialized barrier plate which is adapted to multiply function for creation of an underlying thermal shadow within the ground, for serving as a moisture evaporation barrier, and for serving as means for extending and supporting wooden bait sticks.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first structural component of the instant inventive assembly for subterranean termite baiting comprises a barrier plate.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, the barrier plate component is composed of plastic and is configured as a circular disk.\",\n \"In the preferred embodiment, the barrier plate has a diameter between 4″ and 7″, and has a vertical thickness between ⅛″ and ½″.\",\n \"Other geometric configurations of the barrier plate such as square, rectangular, oval, pentagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.\",\n \"Further structural components of the instant inventive assembly comprise a plurality of wooden stakes which are fixedly attached to and extend downwardly into the ground from the barrier plate component.\",\n \"Mounting means for interconnecting upper ends of the wooden stakes with the barrier plate are provided, such means preferably comprising combinations of apertures through the plate and flanged caps which extend through such apertures and upwardly receive the upper ends of the wooden stakes.\",\n \"In order to effectively perform their alternative functions as a termite attracting food source, the wooden stakes preferably comprise pine wood.\",\n \"Other means for interconnecting the upper ends of the wooden stakes with the barrier plate such as wholly formed stake receiving sockets, screw connections, and stake head receiving apertures are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.\",\n \"In use of the instant inventive assembly, a homeowner may initially dig a shallow pit with a spade within the ground at a point near a wall of his or her home.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, such pit is approximately 3″ in diameter, and is approximately 4″ to 6″ deep.\",\n \"Thereafter, the homeowner may place within such pit a body of termiticide such as diflubenzuron, noviflumuron, imidocloprid, fipronil, chlorfenapyr, lufenuron, hydramethylnon, sulfuramid, or hexaflumuron.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, such termiticide material is contained within a loosely woven bag or sack such as a burlap enclosure which will allow through passage and ingress of termites.\",\n \"Thereafter, the homeowner may place such termiticide body within the pit, and refill the pit with dirt to ground level.\",\n \"Thereafter, the homeowner may place the invention's barrier plate component over the pit, and may successively hammer provided pine wood stakes downwardly through eyes or apertures within the plate.\",\n \"Preferably, socket caps are preliminarily provided and are placed over the heads of such stakes to facilitate downward hammering of the stakes and to facilitate secure pressure fitted connections between the upper ends of the stakes and the apertures within the barrier plate.\",\n \"In operation, the barrier plate slows transmission of solar radiant heat to the ground at and about a thermal shadow zone underlying the plate, resulting in a relatively low ground temperature beneath the plate.\",\n \"Simultaneously, the barrier plate functions as a moisture evaporation barrier, heightening the relative moisture of the ground beneath the plate.\",\n \"In the event that termites extend an exploratory horizontal tunnel through the ground to the location of such thermal shadow, the termites naturally detect the lower relative temperature at such zone and detect the soil's increased moisture content.\",\n \"Upon sensing the low temperature and high moisture, the termites dwell within the thermal shadow zone and begin to feed upon the wooden stake feed food sources.\",\n \"Such wooden stake food sources are advantageously aligned by the barrier plate so that they reside at the periphery of the thermal shadow zone which preferably centrally includes the buried body of termiticide.\",\n \"Accordingly, the termites naturally additionally feed upon the termiticide body, resulting in termite extermination and protection in the manner of the operation of the particularly selected termiticide.\",\n \"Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision of an assembly for termite baiting beneath a ground surface which incorporates structures as described above, and which arranges those structures in manners described above, for the achievement of the beneficial functions described above.\",\n \"Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instant invention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, and upon review of the appended drawings.\"\n ],\n [\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus and assemblies for insect and pest control.\",\n \"More particularly, this invention relates to such assemblies which are adapted for facilitating termiticide baiting control of termites at shallow subterranean locations surrounding a building in need of termite protection.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ground tunneling termites or subterranean termites such as those within the family Rhinotermitidae commonly horizontally extend exploratory tunnels at shallow levels beneath the ground surfaces in search of wood upon which they may feed.\",\n \"Insect behavior studies have determined that termite such exploratory tunneling generally continues horizontally through zones where moisture and temperature remains relatively constant in relation to surrounding ground areas.\",\n \"In contrast, termites generally dwell at and extend ancillary branching tunnels in the event that an exploratory tunnel enters a subterranean zone having a relatively low temperature and relatively high moisture content.\",\n \"A common cause of such ground areas of decreased temperature and increased moisture is thermal shadowing which may underlie a fallen wooden log.\",\n \"Radiant heat from the sun tends to heat such fallen log instead of directly heating the underlying ground materials, resulting in a lowering of the temperature of the ground beneath the log with respect to surrounding ground areas.\",\n \"The lowered temperature of the ground beneath the log lessens the effects of the sunlight in drying moisture from the ground, resulting in a relative increase in the moisture content of the ground beneath the log.\",\n \"The log itself further increases underlying moisture content by functioning as an evaporation barrier.\",\n \"Upon the termites' tunneling entry into such subterranean zone of relatively low temperature and relatively high moisture, the termites sense the change and dwell in the low temperature/high moisture zone.\",\n \"While in such zone, the termites extend localized exploratory tunnels in various directions to determine whether consumable wood is present in the area.\",\n \"Upon finding no food source within the low temperature/high moisture zone, such as may occur when a stone produces the underlying moisture and temperature differential, the termites typically depart and carry on with their horizontal exploratory tunneling.\",\n \"Alternatively, upon finding a wooden food source within the low temperature/high moisture zone, the termites typically establish a local feeding site within the zone to feed upon the wooden food surface.\",\n \"The instant inventive assembly for termite baiting works consonantly with and takes advantage of the above described instinctual phenomena of termite sensing of zones of low temperature and high moisture and instinctual correlation of such sensed zones with the presence of a food source by providing a specialized barrier plate which is adapted to multiply function for creation of an underlying thermal shadow within the ground, for serving as a moisture evaporation barrier, and for serving as means for extending and supporting wooden bait sticks.\",\n \"BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first structural component of the instant inventive assembly for subterranean termite baiting comprises a barrier plate.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, the barrier plate component is composed of plastic and is configured as a circular disk.\",\n \"In the preferred embodiment, the barrier plate has a diameter between 4″ and 7″, and has a vertical thickness between ⅛″ and ½″.\",\n \"Other geometric configurations of the barrier plate such as square, rectangular, oval, pentagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.\",\n \"Further structural components of the instant inventive assembly comprise a plurality of wooden stakes which are fixedly attached to and extend downwardly into the ground from the barrier plate component.\",\n \"Mounting means for interconnecting upper ends of the wooden stakes with the barrier plate are provided, such means preferably comprising combinations of apertures through the plate and flanged caps which extend through such apertures and upwardly receive the upper ends of the wooden stakes.\",\n \"In order to effectively perform their alternative functions as a termite attracting food source, the wooden stakes preferably comprise pine wood.\",\n \"Other means for interconnecting the upper ends of the wooden stakes with the barrier plate such as wholly formed stake receiving sockets, screw connections, and stake head receiving apertures are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.\",\n \"In use of the instant inventive assembly, a homeowner may initially dig a shallow pit with a spade within the ground at a point near a wall of his or her home.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, such pit is approximately 3″ in diameter, and is approximately 4″ to 6″ deep.\",\n \"Thereafter, the homeowner may place within such pit a body of termiticide such as diflubenzuron, noviflumuron, imidocloprid, fipronil, chlorfenapyr, lufenuron, hydramethylnon, sulfuramid, or hexaflumuron.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, such termiticide material is contained within a loosely woven bag or sack such as a burlap enclosure which will allow through passage and ingress of termites.\",\n \"Thereafter, the homeowner may place such termiticide body within the pit, and refill the pit with dirt to ground level.\",\n \"Thereafter, the homeowner may place the invention's barrier plate component over the pit, and may successively hammer provided pine wood stakes downwardly through eyes or apertures within the plate.\",\n \"Preferably, socket caps are preliminarily provided and are placed over the heads of such stakes to facilitate downward hammering of the stakes and to facilitate secure pressure fitted connections between the upper ends of the stakes and the apertures within the barrier plate.\",\n \"In operation, the barrier plate slows transmission of solar radiant heat to the ground at and about a thermal shadow zone underlying the plate, resulting in a relatively low ground temperature beneath the plate.\",\n \"Simultaneously, the barrier plate functions as a moisture evaporation barrier, heightening the relative moisture of the ground beneath the plate.\",\n \"In the event that termites extend an exploratory horizontal tunnel through the ground to the location of such thermal shadow, the termites naturally detect the lower relative temperature at such zone and detect the soil's increased moisture content.\",\n \"Upon sensing the low temperature and high moisture, the termites dwell within the thermal shadow zone and begin to feed upon the wooden stake feed food sources.\",\n \"Such wooden stake food sources are advantageously aligned by the barrier plate so that they reside at the periphery of the thermal shadow zone which preferably centrally includes the buried body of termiticide.\",\n \"Accordingly, the termites naturally additionally feed upon the termiticide body, resulting in termite extermination and protection in the manner of the operation of the particularly selected termiticide.\",\n \"Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision of an assembly for termite baiting beneath a ground surface which incorporates structures as described above, and which arranges those structures in manners described above, for the achievement of the beneficial functions described above.\",\n \"Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instant invention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, and upon review of the appended drawings.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 is a perspective view of assembled plate and stake components of the instant inventive assembly for termite baiting.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a separated perspective view of the plate component of the structure of FIG.\",\n \"1.FIG.\",\n \"3 is a sectional view as indicated in FIG.\",\n \"1.FIG.\",\n \"4 redepicts the structure of FIG.\",\n \"3, the view of FIG.\",\n \"4 showing structures of the assembly in their use environment.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Drawing FIG.\",\n \"2, a barrier plate component of the instant inventive termite baiting assembly is referred to generally by Reference Numeral 2.As depicted, the barrier plate 2 is circular, having a diameter between 4″ and 7″ and having a thickness between ⅛″ and ½″.\",\n \"The barrier plate 2 is preferably composed of plastic, and its preferred circular configuration is intended as being representative of other geometric shapes such as squares, hexagons, ovals, and the like.\",\n \"Peripheral wooden stake engaging apertures or eyes 4, 6, and 8 extend vertically through the barrier plate 2, and such plate preferably additionally includes a centrally positioned anchor stake aperture 10.Referring simultaneously to FIGS.\",\n \"1-3, wooden stakes 16, 22, and 28, are provided.\",\n \"Each of the stakes 16, 22, 28 preferably has a pointed lower end, and has an upper end which is held in engagement with the barrier plate 2.In addition to their plate anchoring and positioning functions, the stakes 16, 22, and 28 perform a function of providing a localized source of food for termites which causes them to dwell or remain at a subterranean locale directly underlying the barrier plate 2.Termites are known to feed upon pine wood and, in furtherance of their food source providing function, the stakes 16, 22, and 28 are preferably composed of pine wood.\",\n \"Preferred means for attaching the upper ends of stakes 16, 22, and 28 to the barrier plate 2 comprise the apertures 4, 6, and 8 in combination with flanged caps 12, 18, and 24.In the preferred embodiment, such caps respectively present downwardly opening sockets 14, 20, and 26.The outside diameter of socket 14 is preferably closely fitted to the inside diameter of aperture 4, while the inner wall of socket 14 is preferably slightly conically sloped in order to establish a tight pressure fit connection with the upper end of stake 16.Flanged cap 18 having socket 20 is preferably similarly configured for downward receipt within aperture 6 and for secure holding the upper end of stake 22.The assembly's third cap and socket combination 24,26 is similarly configured for engagements with aperture 8 and the upper end of stake 28.The above described aperture and cap combinations are considered to be representative of other suitably substituted stake mounting means such as screw connections, wholly formed sockets, pressure fitted eyes, and the like.\",\n \"In use of the instant inventive assembly, and referring in particular to Drawing FIG.\",\n \"4, a ground surface area 41 near the outer wall of a home to be protected by the instant inventive assembly is identified.\",\n \"At such ground area 41, a circular area of grass 3 may be cut by a homeowner to the level of the ground, such circular area matching the circular profile of the barrier plate 2.Thereafter, the homeowner may utilize a hand spade to dig a small pit 37 having a diameter of approximately 3″ and having a depth between 4″ and 6″.\",\n \"Thereafter, the homeowner may drop a provided body of termiticide 34 into the excavated pit 37, such body of termiticide 34 preferably comprising a mixture of diflubenzuron, noviflumuron, imidocloprid, fipronil, chlorfenapyr, lufenuron, hydramethylnon, sulfuramid, or hexaflumuron, and a termite edible inactive ingredient.\",\n \"In the preferred embodiment, the termiticide is encapsulated within a bag or closure 35 which is composed of a loosely woven natural fiber such as cotton, hemp, or burlap, which will allow through passage and ingress into the closure by termites.\",\n \"Thereafter, the homeowner may refill the pit 37 with dirt 36, burying the termiticide body 34.Thereafter, the homeowner may place the barrier plate 2 over the refilled pit 37, and may align the plate 2 so that its apertures 4, 6, and 8 peripherally surround the pit's upper edge.\",\n \"Thereafter, the homeowner may grasp wooden stake 16 and may cover the upper end of such stake with the socket 14 of flanged cap 12.Thereafter, the homeowner may extend the lower point of stake 16 through aperture 4, and may utilize a hammer to percussively strike the upper surface of the cap 12 and to drive the stake 16 and cap 12 downwardly until the socket 14 is nestingly received within aperture 4 as indicated in Drawing FIGS.\",\n \"3 and 4.During such stake hammering operation, the barrier plate 2 advantageously functions as a stake placement guiding template which assures that the stake 16 resides at the lateral periphery 39 of a thermal shadow zone 40 which is downwardly cast by the barrier plate into the ground 43.Stakes 22 and 28, and caps 18 and 24, may be similarly downwardly driven through apertures 6 and 8.Upon such downward driving of stakes 16, 22, and 28, such stakes advantageously perform additional functions of securely holding the barrier plate 2 and the associated thermal shadow zone 40 in volumetric alignment with the termiticide body 34.Upon installation as indicated in FIG.\",\n \"4, the barrier plate 2 additionally advantageously functions as a moisture evaporation barrier.\",\n \"The barrier plate's dual functions of producing and downwardly casting the thermal shadow zone 40 and blocking evaporation of ground moisture advantageously produce localized temperature and moisture subterranean environment factors which are sensed by termites which extend exploration tunnels in the vicinity.\",\n \"Termites may naturally horizontally extend such subterranean exploratory tunnels through the ground 43, and may randomly direct such a tunnel toward the thermal shadow zone 40.Upon an extension of such a tunnel into zone 40, the relatively low temperature and high moisture within such zone causes the termites to dwell in the zone and to extend branching ancillary tunnels within such zone.\",\n \"Termites which tunnel near zone 40 naturally dwell at the zone and commence eating the pine wood stakes 16, 22, and 28, which held and positioned by plate 2 at the lateral periphery 39 of the zone 40.Termites feeding upon stakes 16, 22, and 28 within zone 40 naturally additionally feed upon the termiticide body 34 which is centrally positioned within zone 40.Such termites carry termiticide back to central hive areas, transmitting termiticide to other termites which interferes with termite reproductive cycles within the hive or directly acts as a termite killing biocide.\",\n \"Termite feeding upon the pine wood stakes 16, 22, and 28 may eventually leave the barrier plate 2 unsecured and subject to becoming displaced away from the ground surface 41.In order to prevent such displacement of the barrier plate 2, the central ground stake aperture 10 may receive a downwardly driven plastic stake 30 having a plate retaining flanged head 32.While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modifications to the structure, arrangement, portions and components of the invention without departing from those principles.\",\n \"Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with the appended claims.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873509"}}},{"rowIdx":4494364,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["METHODS FOR TARGETED GENOMIC ANALYSIS","The invention provides a method for genetic analysis in individuals that reveals both the genetic sequences and chromosomal copy number of targeted and specific genomic loci in a single assay.","The present invention further provide methods for the sensitive and specific detection of target gene sequences and gene expression profiles."],["1.A method for generating a tagged genomic library comprising: (a) treating fragmented genomic DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; and (b) ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library.","2.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides.","3.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 6 nucleotides.","4.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA contains blunt ends.","5.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the blunt ends are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.","6.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the ligating comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library, wherein the multifunctional adaptor molecule comprises: (i) a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence; (ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and (iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","7.The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library.","8.The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","9.The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.","10.The method of any of the preceding claims wherein the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 DNA polymerase.","11.The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex from the preceding claims, wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","12.A method for targeted genetic analysis comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","13.The method of claim 12, wherein steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of e) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.","14.The method of claim 13, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","15.The method of claim 14, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","16.A method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.","17.The method of claim 16, further comprising obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).","18.The method of claim 17, wherein steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.","19.The method of claim 18, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","20.The method of claim 19, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","21.A method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d).","22.The method of claim 21, further comprising obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).","23.The method of claim 22, wherein steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.","24.The method of claim 23, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","25.The method of claim 24, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","26.A method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from e).","27.The method of claim 26, wherein steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of f) comprises performing a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences from the at least two e) steps.","28.The method of claim 27, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","29.The method of claim 28, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","30.A method for targeted genetic analysis comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","31.The method of claim 30, wherein steps a) through c) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of d) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.","32.The method of claim 31, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","33.The method of claim 32, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","34.A method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in c); and (e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.","35.The method of claim 34, further comprising obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step d).","36.The method of claim 35, wherein steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from the at least two d) steps.","37.The method of claim 36, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","38.The method of claim 37, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","39.The method of any of the preceding claims wherein the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.","40.The method of any of the preceding claims wherein the tagged genomic library is amplified by PCR to generate an amplified tagged genomic library.","41.The method of any of the preceding claims wherein the genomic DNA is from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.","42.A tagged genomic library comprising tagged genomic sequences, wherein each tagged genomic sequence comprises: (a) fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; (b) a random nucleotide tag sequence; (c) a sample code sequence; and (d) a PCR primer sequence.","43.A hybrid tagged genomic library comprising hybrid tagged genomic sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged genomic sequence comprises: (a) fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; (b) a random nucleotide tag sequence; (c) a sample code sequence; (d) a PCR primer sequence; (e) a genomic target region; and (f) a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","44.A multifunctional adaptor module comprising: (a) a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; (b) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and (c) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","45.A multifunctional capture probe module comprising: (a) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; (b) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region; and (c) a third region comprising a tail sequence.","46.The multifunctional capture probe module of any of the preceding claims wherein the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.","47.A multifunctional adaptor probe hybrid module comprising: (a) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and capable of functioning as a PCR primer and (b) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region.","48.The multifunctional capture probe hybrid module of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.","49.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.","50.A composition comprising a tagged genomic library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module.","51.A composition comprising a hybrid tagged genomic library according to any of the preceding claims.","52.A reaction mixture for performing the method of any one of the preceding claims.","53.A reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged genomic library comprising: (a) fragmented genomic DNA; and (b) DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA.","54.The reaction mixture of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a multifunctional adaptor module.","55.The reaction mixture of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a multifunctional capture probe module.","56.The reaction mixture of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity."],[" BACKGROUND OF INVENTION "],[" BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Particular embodiments contemplated herein provide a method for generating a tagged DNA library comprising treating fragmented DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA; and ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence to the fragmented end-repaired DNA to generate the tagged DNA library.","In particular embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides.","In some embodiments, the present invention provides that the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 8 nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, the fragmented end-repaired DNA contains blunt ends.","In some embodiments, the blunt ends are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.","In certain embodiments, the ligating comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired DNA to generate the tagged DNA library, wherein the multifunctional adaptor molecule comprises: i) a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence; ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In additional embodiments, the method further comprises hybridizing a tagged DNA library with at least one multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library.","In further embodiments, the method further comprises isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","In some embodiments, the method further comprises 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.","In some embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 polymerase.","In particular embodiments, the method further comprises 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from the 3′ end of the multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template.","In certain embodiments, the method further comprises joining of the multifunctional capture probe and isolated tagged DNA library fragments through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase.","In further embodiments, the method further comprises performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex, wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In various particular embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the complement of the isolated target region is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the DNA target region, the target-specific region of the multifunctional capture probe and the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In various certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is joined to the isolated tagged DNA target clone in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In certain embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In further embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In additional embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to replicate a region that is 3′ relative to the sequence of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In particular embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 5′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to replicate a region that is 3′ relative to sequence of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in c); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In various embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.","In particular embodiments, the tagged DNA library is amplified by PCR to generate an amplified tagged DNA library.","In certain embodiments, the DNA is from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.","In further embodiments, a tagged DNA library comprises tagged DNA sequences, wherein each tagged DNA sequence comprises: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA; ii) a random nucleotide tag sequence; iii) a sample code sequence; and iv) a PCR primer sequence.","In additional embodiments, a hybrid tagged DNA library comprises hybrid tagged DNA sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged DNA sequence comprises: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA; ii) a random nucleotide tag sequence; iii) a sample code sequence; iv) a PCR primer sequence; and v) a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In further embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module comprises: i) a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In particular embodiments, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises: i) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; ii) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific target region; and iii) a third region comprising a tail sequence.","In some embodiments, the first region of the capture probe module is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.","In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.","In one embodiment, compositions comprise a tagged DNA library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module.","In particular embodiments, a composition comprises a hybrid tagged genomic library according to the methods of the present invention.","In certain embodiments, a composition comprises a reaction mixture for performing the methods contemplated herein.","In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged DNA library comprises: a) fragmented DNA and b) DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA.","In certain embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional adaptor module.","In additional embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional capture probe module.","In some embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity.","In one embodiment, the reaction mixture comprises a FLAP endonuclease, a DNA polymerase, and DNA ligase.","In any of the foregoing embodiments, the DNA can be isolated genomic DNA or cDNA.","In various embodiments, a method for generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: treating fragmented genomic DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; and ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library.","In particular embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 8 nucleotides.","In additional embodiments, the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA contains blunt ends.","In further embodiments, the blunt ends are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.","In some embodiments, the ligating comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library, wherein the multifunctional adaptor molecule comprises: a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence; a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library.","In certain particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","In additional particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.","In further particular embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 DNA polymerase.","In some particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex from the preceding claims, wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In particular embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of e) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.","In further embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In some embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.","In some embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).","In further embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.","In additional embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d).","In certain embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).","In particular embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.","In some embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In additional embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from e).","In particular embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of f) comprises performing a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences from the at least two e) steps.","In certain embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In additional embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In further embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of d) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.","In some embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In particular embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in c); and (e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.","In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step d).","In certain embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from the at least two d) steps.","In additional embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In further embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In some embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.","In particular embodiments, the tagged genomic library is amplified by PCR to generate an amplified tagged genomic library.","In related particular embodiments, the genomic DNA is from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.","In various embodiments, a tagged genomic library is provided comprising tagged genomic sequences, wherein each tagged genomic sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; and a PCR primer sequence.","In various related embodiments, a tagged cDNA library is provided comprising tagged cDNA sequences, wherein each tagged cDNA sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired cDNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; and a PCR primer sequence.","In various particular embodiments, a hybrid tagged genomic library is provided comprising hybrid tagged genomic sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged genomic sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; a PCR primer sequence; a genomic target region; and a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In various certain embodiments, a hybrid tagged cDNA library is provided comprising hybrid tagged cDNA sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged cDNA sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired cDNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; a PCR primer sequence; a cDNA target region; and a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In various certain embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module is provided comprising: a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In various additional embodiments, a multifunctional capture probe module is provided comprising: a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region; and a third region comprising a tail sequence.","In particular embodiments, the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.","In particular embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor probe hybrid module is provided comprising: a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and capable of functioning as a PCR primer and a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region.","In certain embodiments, the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.","In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.","In further embodiments, a composition comprising a tagged genomic library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module is provided.","In additional embodiments, a composition comprising a hybrid tagged genomic or c DNA library according to any of the preceding embodiments is provided.","In various embodiments, a reaction mixture for performing a method of any one of the preceding embodiments is provided.","In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: fragmented genomic DNA; and DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA.","In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: fragmented cDNA; and DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA.","In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises a multifunctional adaptor module.","In some embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises a multifunctional capture probe module.","In certain embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity.","In various embodiments, a method for DNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In particular embodiments, a method for DNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence; and ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In certain embodiments, the sequences of the one or more clones are compared to one or more human reference DNA sequences.","In additional embodiments, sequences that do not match the one or more human reference DNA sequences are identified.","In further embodiments, non-matching sequences are used to create a de novo assembly from the non-matching sequence data.","In some embodiments, the de novo assemblies are used to identify novel sequence rearrangements associated with the capture probe.","In various embodiments, a method for genomic copy number determination analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In some embodiments, a method for genomic copy number determination analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence; and ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In certain embodiments, the random nucleotide tag sequence is about 2 to about 50 nucleotides in length.","In further embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise analyzing all sequencing reads associated with a second read sequence by: determining the distributions of unique and redundant sequencing reads; counting the number of times a unique read is encountered; fitting a frequency distribution of the unique reads to a statistical distribution; inferring a total number of unique reads; and normalizing the total number of inferred unique read to an assumption that most human genetic loci are generally diploid.","In additional embodiments, an inferred copy number of one or more targeted loci are determined.","In some embodiments, the one or more target loci that deviate from an expected copy number value are determined.","In further embodiments, the one or more targeted loci of a gene are grouped together in a collection of loci and the copy number measurements from the collection of targeted loci are averaged and normalized.","In additional embodiments, the inferred copy number of a gene is represented by the normalized average of all the target loci representing that gene.","In certain embodiments, a method for generating a tagged RNA expression library is provided comprising: fragmenting a cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA library with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired c DNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.","In particular embodiments, a method for generating a tagged RNA expression library is provided comprising: preparing a cDNA library from the total RNA of one or more cells; fragmenting the cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired c DNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.","In various embodiments, the cDNA library is an oligo-dT primed cDNA library.","In particular embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random oligonucleotides comprising about 6 to about 20 random nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random hexamers or random octamers.","In additional embodiments, the cDNA library is fragmented to a size of about 250 bp to about 750 bp.","In further embodiments, the cDNA library is fragmented to a size of about 500 bp.","In some embodiments, the multifunctional adaptor module comprises: a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally; a second region comprising a sample code sequence, and optionally a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In related embodiments, the multifunctional adaptor module comprises a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence, a second region comprising a sample code sequence, and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise hybridizing a tagged cDNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific target region in the cDNA library.","In some embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise isolating the tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.","In some embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 DNA polymerase.","In certain embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex, wherein a tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the cDNA target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In further embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the tagged RNA expression library; (b) isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing targeted gene expression analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In additional embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the RNA expression library; (b) isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of the tagged target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In various embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged cDNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the cDNA library; (b) isolating the tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged target region in the cDNA library that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of the tagged target region in the cDNA library that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In particular embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two (a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the target region.","In additional embodiments, a method for cDNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: (a) obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first cDNA sequence and a second cDNA sequence, wherein the first cDNA sequence comprises targeted genomic cDNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; (b) performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and (c) ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In various embodiments, a method for cDNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: (a) obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first cDNA sequence and a second cDNA sequence, wherein the first cDNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; (b) performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first cDNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence; and (c) ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise analyzing all sequencing reads associated with a second read sequence by: determining the distributions of unique and redundant sequencing reads; counting the number of times a unique read is encountered; fitting a frequency distribution of the unique reads to a statistical distribution; inferring a total number of unique reads; and converting unique read counts into transcript abundance using normalization to the total reads collected within each cDNA library sample.","In certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; (b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing a concerted enzymatic processing of the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from b) that includes 5′ FLAP endonuclease activity, 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension, and nick closure by a DNA ligase to join the complement of the multifunctional capture probe to the target region that is 5′ of the multifunctional capture probe binding site in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged target region that is located 5′ of the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In various embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of d) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.","In certain embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In particular embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the target region.","In additional embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing a concerted enzymatic processing of the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from b) that includes 5′ FLAP endonuclease activity, 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension, and nick closure by a DNA ligase to join the complement of the multifunctional capture probe to the target region that is 5′ of the multifunctional capture probe binding site in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged target region that is located 5′ of the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in c); and (e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step d).","In particular embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from the at least two d) steps.","In particular embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In additional embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.","In further embodiments, the target region is a genomic target region and the DNA library is a genomic DNA library.","In some embodiments, the target region is a cDNA target region and the DNA library is a cDNA library."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/102,285, filed Dec. 10, 2013, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.","§ 119(e) of U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/794,049, filed Mar.","15, 2013, and U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/735,417, filed Dec. 10, 2012, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.","STATEMENT REGARDING SEQUENCE LISTING The Sequence Listing associated with this application is provided in text format in lieu of a paper copy, and is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification.","The name of the text file containing the Sequence Listing is CLFK_001_03US_ST25.txt.","The text file is 188 KB, was created on Jan. 10, 2018, and is being submitted electronically via EFS-Web.","BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Technical Field The invention relates generally to a method for genetic analysis in individuals that reveals both the genetic sequences and chromosomal copy number of targeted and specific genomic loci in a single assay.","In particular, the present invention relates to methods that provide sensitive and specific detection of target gene sequences or gene transcripts and methods that reveal both variant sequences and overall gene copy number in a single assay.","Description of the Related Art Both complete human genome sequences of individual human subjects and partial genome resequencing studies have revealed the basic theme that all humans appear to possess less than perfect genomes.","In particular, normal healthy human subjects are found to harbor hundreds if not thousands of genetic lesions within their genome sequences.","Many of these lesions are known or predicted to eliminate the function of the gene in which they reside.","The implication is that while normal diploid humans possess two functional copies of most genes, there are many instances in all humans where only one (or zero) functional gene copies are present.","Similarly, instances where genes are overrepresented by gene duplication/amplification events are also encountered with significant frequency.","One of the key features in biological networks is functional redundancy.","Normal, healthy individuals can tolerate the average load of genetic lesions because they possess, on average, two copies of every gene such that loss of one copy is inconsequential.","Moreover, sets of genes often perform similar functions such that minor perturbations in specific gene functions are generally compensated for within a larger network of functional elements.","While functional compensation in biological systems is a general theme, there are many instances in which specific gene loss can trigger acute disruptive events.","By way of example, cancers appear to be the consequence of genetic disease in which the compound effect of multiple individual lesions is uncontrolled cell proliferation.","Similarly, prescribed medicines are often specific chemical entities that are transported, metabolized and/or eliminated by very specific genes.","Perturbations in these genes, while generally inconsequential under normal circumstances, can manifest as adverse events (e.g., side effects) during chemical therapy.","The central aim of “personalized medicine”, increasingly referred to as “precision medicine,” is to merge genetic information that is specific to the patient with treatment options that are compatible with the individual's genetic profile.","However, the vast potential of personalized medicine has yet to be realized.","To realize this goal, there must be clinically acceptable, robust genetic diagnostic tests that can reliably determine the genetic status of relevant genes.","BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Particular embodiments contemplated herein provide a method for generating a tagged DNA library comprising treating fragmented DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA; and ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence to the fragmented end-repaired DNA to generate the tagged DNA library.","In particular embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides.","In some embodiments, the present invention provides that the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 8 nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, the fragmented end-repaired DNA contains blunt ends.","In some embodiments, the blunt ends are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.","In certain embodiments, the ligating comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired DNA to generate the tagged DNA library, wherein the multifunctional adaptor molecule comprises: i) a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence; ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In additional embodiments, the method further comprises hybridizing a tagged DNA library with at least one multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library.","In further embodiments, the method further comprises isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","In some embodiments, the method further comprises 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.","In some embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 polymerase.","In particular embodiments, the method further comprises 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from the 3′ end of the multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template.","In certain embodiments, the method further comprises joining of the multifunctional capture probe and isolated tagged DNA library fragments through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase.","In further embodiments, the method further comprises performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex, wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In various particular embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the complement of the isolated target region is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the DNA target region, the target-specific region of the multifunctional capture probe and the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In various certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is joined to the isolated tagged DNA target clone in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In certain embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In further embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In additional embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to replicate a region that is 3′ relative to the sequence of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In particular embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 5′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to replicate a region that is 3′ relative to sequence of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in c); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In various embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.","In particular embodiments, the tagged DNA library is amplified by PCR to generate an amplified tagged DNA library.","In certain embodiments, the DNA is from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.","In further embodiments, a tagged DNA library comprises tagged DNA sequences, wherein each tagged DNA sequence comprises: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA; ii) a random nucleotide tag sequence; iii) a sample code sequence; and iv) a PCR primer sequence.","In additional embodiments, a hybrid tagged DNA library comprises hybrid tagged DNA sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged DNA sequence comprises: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA; ii) a random nucleotide tag sequence; iii) a sample code sequence; iv) a PCR primer sequence; and v) a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In further embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module comprises: i) a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In particular embodiments, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises: i) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; ii) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific target region; and iii) a third region comprising a tail sequence.","In some embodiments, the first region of the capture probe module is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.","In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.","In one embodiment, compositions comprise a tagged DNA library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module.","In particular embodiments, a composition comprises a hybrid tagged genomic library according to the methods of the present invention.","In certain embodiments, a composition comprises a reaction mixture for performing the methods contemplated herein.","In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged DNA library comprises: a) fragmented DNA and b) DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA.","In certain embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional adaptor module.","In additional embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional capture probe module.","In some embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity.","In one embodiment, the reaction mixture comprises a FLAP endonuclease, a DNA polymerase, and DNA ligase.","In any of the foregoing embodiments, the DNA can be isolated genomic DNA or cDNA.","In various embodiments, a method for generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: treating fragmented genomic DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; and ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library.","In particular embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 8 nucleotides.","In additional embodiments, the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA contains blunt ends.","In further embodiments, the blunt ends are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.","In some embodiments, the ligating comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library, wherein the multifunctional adaptor molecule comprises: a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence; a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library.","In certain particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","In additional particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.","In further particular embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 DNA polymerase.","In some particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex from the preceding claims, wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In particular embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of e) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.","In further embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In some embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.","In some embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).","In further embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.","In additional embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d).","In certain embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).","In particular embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.","In some embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In additional embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from e).","In particular embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of f) comprises performing a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences from the at least two e) steps.","In certain embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In additional embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In further embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of d) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.","In some embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In particular embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in c); and (e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.","In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step d).","In certain embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from the at least two d) steps.","In additional embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In further embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In some embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.","In particular embodiments, the tagged genomic library is amplified by PCR to generate an amplified tagged genomic library.","In related particular embodiments, the genomic DNA is from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.","In various embodiments, a tagged genomic library is provided comprising tagged genomic sequences, wherein each tagged genomic sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; and a PCR primer sequence.","In various related embodiments, a tagged cDNA library is provided comprising tagged cDNA sequences, wherein each tagged cDNA sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired cDNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; and a PCR primer sequence.","In various particular embodiments, a hybrid tagged genomic library is provided comprising hybrid tagged genomic sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged genomic sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; a PCR primer sequence; a genomic target region; and a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In various certain embodiments, a hybrid tagged cDNA library is provided comprising hybrid tagged cDNA sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged cDNA sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired cDNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; a PCR primer sequence; a cDNA target region; and a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In various certain embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module is provided comprising: a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In various additional embodiments, a multifunctional capture probe module is provided comprising: a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region; and a third region comprising a tail sequence.","In particular embodiments, the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.","In particular embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor probe hybrid module is provided comprising: a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and capable of functioning as a PCR primer and a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region.","In certain embodiments, the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.","In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.","In further embodiments, a composition comprising a tagged genomic library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module is provided.","In additional embodiments, a composition comprising a hybrid tagged genomic or c DNA library according to any of the preceding embodiments is provided.","In various embodiments, a reaction mixture for performing a method of any one of the preceding embodiments is provided.","In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: fragmented genomic DNA; and DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA.","In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: fragmented cDNA; and DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA.","In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises a multifunctional adaptor module.","In some embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises a multifunctional capture probe module.","In certain embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity.","In various embodiments, a method for DNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In particular embodiments, a method for DNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence; and ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In certain embodiments, the sequences of the one or more clones are compared to one or more human reference DNA sequences.","In additional embodiments, sequences that do not match the one or more human reference DNA sequences are identified.","In further embodiments, non-matching sequences are used to create a de novo assembly from the non-matching sequence data.","In some embodiments, the de novo assemblies are used to identify novel sequence rearrangements associated with the capture probe.","In various embodiments, a method for genomic copy number determination analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In some embodiments, a method for genomic copy number determination analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence; and ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In certain embodiments, the random nucleotide tag sequence is about 2 to about 50 nucleotides in length.","In further embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise analyzing all sequencing reads associated with a second read sequence by: determining the distributions of unique and redundant sequencing reads; counting the number of times a unique read is encountered; fitting a frequency distribution of the unique reads to a statistical distribution; inferring a total number of unique reads; and normalizing the total number of inferred unique read to an assumption that most human genetic loci are generally diploid.","In additional embodiments, an inferred copy number of one or more targeted loci are determined.","In some embodiments, the one or more target loci that deviate from an expected copy number value are determined.","In further embodiments, the one or more targeted loci of a gene are grouped together in a collection of loci and the copy number measurements from the collection of targeted loci are averaged and normalized.","In additional embodiments, the inferred copy number of a gene is represented by the normalized average of all the target loci representing that gene.","In certain embodiments, a method for generating a tagged RNA expression library is provided comprising: fragmenting a cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA library with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired c DNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.","In particular embodiments, a method for generating a tagged RNA expression library is provided comprising: preparing a cDNA library from the total RNA of one or more cells; fragmenting the cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired c DNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.","In various embodiments, the cDNA library is an oligo-dT primed cDNA library.","In particular embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random oligonucleotides comprising about 6 to about 20 random nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random hexamers or random octamers.","In additional embodiments, the cDNA library is fragmented to a size of about 250 bp to about 750 bp.","In further embodiments, the cDNA library is fragmented to a size of about 500 bp.","In some embodiments, the multifunctional adaptor module comprises: a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally; a second region comprising a sample code sequence, and optionally a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In related embodiments, the multifunctional adaptor module comprises a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence, a second region comprising a sample code sequence, and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise hybridizing a tagged cDNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific target region in the cDNA library.","In some embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise isolating the tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.","In some embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 DNA polymerase.","In certain embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex, wherein a tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the cDNA target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In further embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the tagged RNA expression library; (b) isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing targeted gene expression analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In additional embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the RNA expression library; (b) isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of the tagged target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In various embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged cDNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the cDNA library; (b) isolating the tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged target region in the cDNA library that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of the tagged target region in the cDNA library that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In particular embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two (a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the target region.","In additional embodiments, a method for cDNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: (a) obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first cDNA sequence and a second cDNA sequence, wherein the first cDNA sequence comprises targeted genomic cDNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; (b) performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and (c) ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In various embodiments, a method for cDNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: (a) obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first cDNA sequence and a second cDNA sequence, wherein the first cDNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; (b) performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first cDNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence; and (c) ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise analyzing all sequencing reads associated with a second read sequence by: determining the distributions of unique and redundant sequencing reads; counting the number of times a unique read is encountered; fitting a frequency distribution of the unique reads to a statistical distribution; inferring a total number of unique reads; and converting unique read counts into transcript abundance using normalization to the total reads collected within each cDNA library sample.","In certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; (b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing a concerted enzymatic processing of the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from b) that includes 5′ FLAP endonuclease activity, 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension, and nick closure by a DNA ligase to join the complement of the multifunctional capture probe to the target region that is 5′ of the multifunctional capture probe binding site in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged target region that is located 5′ of the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In various embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of d) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.","In certain embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In particular embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the target region.","In additional embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing a concerted enzymatic processing of the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from b) that includes 5′ FLAP endonuclease activity, 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension, and nick closure by a DNA ligase to join the complement of the multifunctional capture probe to the target region that is 5′ of the multifunctional capture probe binding site in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged target region that is located 5′ of the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in c); and (e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step d).","In particular embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from the at least two d) steps.","In particular embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.","In additional embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.","In further embodiments, the target region is a genomic target region and the DNA library is a genomic DNA library.","In some embodiments, the target region is a cDNA target region and the DNA library is a cDNA library.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1: Construction of an amplifiable, sample coded, tagged genomic DNA library.","Purified genomic DNA was isolated from a source such as whole blood or a buccal cheek swab.","The DNA was fragmented (e.g.","by mechanical, enzymatic or chemical means) and the ends of the DNA were repaired, in this example, to blunt ends.","The repaired DNA was ligated to a multifunctional adaptor module that contained a universal amplification sequence, a random nucleotide tag sequence and a sample code sequence.","A specific example of a typical adaptor duplex molecule is shown by way of example.","FIG.","2A-FIG.","2B: Genomic capture probe design.","(FIG.","2A) Structure of a prototypical 114 nt probe.","Region 1 is a 34 nt sequence that shares perfect complementarity to a highly modified, 34 nt partner oligonucleotide.","The partner oligonucleotide was modified on its 5′ end with a biotin—TEG chemical entity that enabled capture on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads.","B stands for the “Bio-TEG” modification.","Region 2 is the 60 nt probe region designed to interact with genomic DNA targets.","Region 3 is a 20 nt tail that introduced PCR amplification sequences into the captured genomic fragments.","(FIG.","2B) An example of the highly modified partner strand that is complementary to region 1 of each individual probe.","FIG.","3A-FIG.","3B: Sequence “spreading” in conventional, hybridization-based capture experiments.","(FIG.","3A) Flanking fragments can “hitch-hike” into capture libraries by way of legitimate hybridization triplexes involving probe-fragment-flanking fragment interactions.","(FIG.","3B) The net result of cross-fragment hybridization is sequence “spreading”, meaning sequences that are within proximity to the target region (dashed lines) but fall outside the boundaries of the desired target.","FIG.","4A-FIG.","4D: Enzymatic processing of fragment: probe hybridized complexes.","(FIG.","4A) The purified complex of fragment (light gray) and probe (black) prior to processing.","B—biotin affinity modification.","(FIG.","4B) DNA polymerase (e.g.","T4 DNA polymerase) encoded 3′→5′ exonuclease activity removes the 3′ segment of the captured fragment.","(FIG.","4C) Upon encountering the probe: fragment duplex region, the polymerase copies the probe tail segment onto the hybridized genomic fragment.","(FIG.","4D) The final modified fragment in which the tail segment of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module has been copied onto the target genomic fragment.","FIG.","5A-FIG.","5B: Enzymatic processing of capture complexes “focuses” sequencing reads on the target region.","(FIG.","5A) Enzymatically processed fragment shown in relation to the capture probe.","The orientation of the sequencing read is specified by the probe and is denoted by the thin black arrow.","(FIG.","5B) Hypothetical trace of focused reads where “spreading” is minimized.","FIG.","6A-FIG.","6B: The “focusing effect” of directional probes.","(FIG.","6A) Typical exons average 100-150 bp.","Directional capture probes are positioned in intronic region flanking the target segment.","(FIG.","6B) The sequence read distribution for each individual probe is shown by the dashed line.","The additive coverage is shown by the solid line.","The directional nature of coverage can be used, as shown in this example, to obtain sharp focus on query regions.","FIG.","7: Demonstration of adaptor-dimer-free fragment libraries with “tunable, on/off” amplification properties.","The exact same gel image is shown in four different color and contrast schemes.","The samples were: (1) no insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 20; (2) no insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 (normal 25 nt PCR primer); (3) no insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 FLFP (full length forward primer); (4) 20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 20; (5) 20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 (normal 25 nt PCR primer); and (6) 20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 FLFP (full length forward primer).","No amplified material was visible in the adaptor alone ligation→PCR products (lanes 1-3).","The shorter, 20 nt ACA2 primer showed inefficient amplification (lane 4) relative to the “normal”, 25 nt ACA2 primer (lane 5).","Only the faintest trace of material was visible with the 58 nt ACA2 FLFP primer (lane 6).","FIG.","8: Even distribution of average fragment size following Covaris fragmentation of gDNA.","Male (M) and female (F) human gDNA (received from Promega Corporation, Madison, Wis., USA) was sheared via Covaris conditions, and 2 μL (˜120 ng) or 5 μL (˜300 ng) of the pre-fragmented (U) or the post-fragmented (C) samples were loaded on a 2% agarose gel.","The average fragment size was an even distribution centered around 200 bp.","FIG.","9: Amplification traces for proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) qPCR assay 6 demonstrating expected copy number differences between male and female samples.","Triplicate male or female genomic DNA templates were amplified by real-time PCR on the Illumina Eco instrument using PLP1 qPCR assay 6.Amplification traces clearly demonstrated copy number differences between the female and male samples.","FIG.","10: Demonstration of expected amplicon size and uniqueness following conventional PCR with PLP1 qPCR assay primers.","Male or female genomic DNA templates were amplified by conventional PCR using qPCR assay primer sets 1-8 (Example 3) and the unpurified PCR reactions were loaded directly on 2% agarose gels.","The upper bands of each doublet were consistent with the projected mobility of the assay PCR products.","The lower “fuzzy” material was most likely unused PCR primers.","FIG.","11A-FIG.","11B: Analysis of PLP1 qPCR assay performance using ABI 2×SYBR mix and conditions.","DNA fragments from genomic library I (constructed in Example 4) were used as template to measure the performance of the PLP1 qPCR assays when set up at room temperature using ABI 2×SYBR master mix in a 2 step PCR reaction.","No template control traces (FIG.","11A) and +gDNA traces (FIG.","11B) are shown to provide a qualitative picture of assay performance.","FIG.","12: Reduced insert size following post-capture processing with T4-DNA polymerase.","Four samples of adapter ligated gDNA fragments from genomic library I (constructed in Example 4) were captured as described (Example 6—PLP1 EXON 2).","Two of these samples utilized universal binding oligo C1, while the other two samples were bound with oligo C10.Samples were then either treated with T4-DNA polymerase (T4 processed) or processed similarly in a reaction solution lacking the T4 polymerase (untreated).","Post-capture processing with T4-polymerase induced an overall reduction in the size distribution of the sample, suggesting a reduction in the average size of insert.","Additionally, T4 processing resulted in the appearance of two faint bands (˜250 bp and ˜175 bp).","FIG.","13A-FIG.","13C: Direct measurement of post-capture processing sensitivity.","First, PLP1 exon 2 specific genomic DNA fragments were isolated by pull down/pull out from the female gDNA library (Example 1) using single PLP1 capture probes in independent reactions.","Captured material was quantified using an adjacent PLP1 qPCR assay primer pair, as illustrated in (FIG.","13A).","Following enzymatic processing the amount of processed complex was measured again by qPCR using one PLP1 specific primer and one probe-specific primer, as show in (FIG.","13B).","The ratio of the measurements in [B/A×100%] will yield an estimate of processing efficiency.","The PCR products from real-time reactions were extracted and subjected to gel analysis to verify that amplicons of the expected length were produced (FIG.","13C).","This was possible since both PCR reactions had discrete start and stop points.","Processing efficiency was inferred from pull-outs that yielded interpretable data from A+B+C.","FIG.","14: Gel analysis of qPCR products from real-time quantification of pre- and post-processed PLP1 exon 2 captured DNA fragments.","Six independent capture reactions (two with probe #1, two with probe #4, one with probe #2, and one with probe #3) were processed as described in FIG.","16.The probes were from the B10 universal oligo set (Example 4) and comprised universal oligo and probe ultramer.","Under these conditions, assay sets 3 (probe 4), 5 (probe 2) and 6 (probe 3) yielded PCR products consistent with the assay amplicon (top gel) or the post-processed PLP1 to adaptor amplicons (bottom gel), while no detectable products were observed in the other assay sets.","FIG.","15: Alternative enzymatic processing of fragment: probe hybridized complexes.","In contrast to the method outlined in FIG.","4, this alternative approach shifted from having the clone copy the probe to having the probe copy the clone.","This reversal in polarity means that the 5′ end of the probe was used as both the pull-down sequence and the reverse PCR sequence.","The 3′ end of the probe was left unmodified thus it was able to copy the clone using DNA polymerase; 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extended the multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template.","FIG.","16: Experimental design employed to test the alternative enzymatic processing concept.","Four well behaved qPCR assays, (10, 14, 15 and 16) were matched with probes that “pointed” at those assays.","Importantly, although the target sequences of the probe and qPCR assays were directed to regions within proximity to one another, they did not overlap.","Thus the effect of the processing could be directly tested using these well-established assay sets.","FIG.","17: Decrease in the average insert size of the library induced by the alternative processing method.","DNA fragments were hybridized to capture probes/ultramers, and captured on streptavidin beads as previously described (FIG.","12).","Post-capture processing was performed using the alternative method described in FIG.","17, and input samples as well as pre- and post-processed samples were analyzed by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis.","As was expected, the average insert size of the library was decreased in the processed samples, thus supporting the conclusion that the processing worked.","Collapsing of the library into an apparent band at the bottom of the processed sample was also observed, indicating some priming off of probe may have occurred FIG.","18A-FIG.","18D: Enhanced focusing of target sequences by the alternative processing method.","The sequence reads obtained in Example 13 were displayed in the UCSC Genome Browser to assess the coverage and distribution of captured fragments within specific target sites.","The density of sequence reads corresponding to ‘capture only’ and ‘processed’ libraries are shown (black) for two target regions on the X chromosome, one corresponding to exons of the PLP1 gene (FIG.","18A and FIG.","18B) and the other an intronic segment of the ZNF630 gene (FIG.","18C and FIG.","18D).","Reads from libraries generated by the alternative processing method (FIG.","18B and FIG.","18D) are more highly concentrated in target sites than libraries constructed by capture alone (FIG.","18A and FIG.","18C).","Capture probe binding sites are shown in red.","Each track is scaled to the maximal read density values (y-axis) observed for a given stretch of genomic coordinates (x-axis).","FIG.","19A-FIG.","19B: Diagram of vertical alignment.","All next generation sequence (NGS) analysis starts with alignment to a reference genome.","(FIG.","19A) Initial read alignment is based on configurable word string searches that can accommodate single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and, to a limited extent, insertions/deletions.","(FIG.","19B) The collective set of aligned reads is analyzed for SNVs.","In the example shown, the candidate SNV was observed twice, but the read coordinates for these two reads was identical.","The vertical alignment paradigm generates a large number of SNVs and/or insertions/deletion hypotheses that require orthogonal validation.","FIG.","20: Diagram of data analysis scheme.","Step one is to match reads to probes.","Step two will be to analyze the sequence information connected “horizontally” to each probe.","FIG.","21: Diagram of horizontal alignment “forces” reads associated with probe 1 and probe 2.Assembly will generate two contigs, one with a wild-type exon structure and one with an insertion structure.","Two important principles emerge: 1) Overlapping reads from adjacent probes will support or refute the hypothesis of an indel-containing allele of the captured exon and 2) micro-CNV alleles outside of capture probes are readily detectable by horizontal methodologies.","FIG.","22: Diagram of “low confidence” SNV calls.","Candidate nucleotide variants can be actual events harbored in the individual from whom the sample was collected and processed, but they can also be artifacts introduced during processing and sequencing of samples.","The methods described here were designed to differentiate between actual, “high confidence” variant calls and artifactual “low confidence” variant calls.","Sequencing reads covering a target region are collected from multiple different clones in both possible sequencing orientations, and each read is annotated with tag information.","The tags allow reads derived from the same cloning event to be identified and grouped.","SNVs and indels that arise within only one set of clones that are all derived from the same cloning event are low confidence calls that are discarded from further analysis.","FIG.","23A-FIG.","23C: Diagram of “high confidence” SNV calls.","Candidate nucleotide variants can be actual events harbored in the individual from whom the sample was collected and processed, but they can also be artifacts introduced during processing and sequencing of samples.","The methods described here were designed to differentiate between actual, “high confidence” variant calls and artifactual “low confidence” variant calls.","Sequencing reads covering a target region are collected from multiple different clones in both possible sequencing orientations, and each read is annotated with tag information.","The tags allow reads derived from distinct cloning events to be identified.","Examples shown are (FIG.","23A) reads with the same start point but different sequence labels, (FIG.","23B) reads in the same orientation that have different start points and different labels and (FIG.","23C) reads in opposite orientations.","In all these instances, the occurrence and detect of a variant in independent cloning events marks that variant with high confidence, and such variants are followed up with further, orthogonal validation methods.","FIG.","24: Molecularly annotated sequencing read.","(A) Forward flow cell (Illumina chemistry) graft sequences and sequencing primer binding site.","(B) Reverse flow cell graft sequence and reverse sequencing primer annealing site.","(1) Sequence label.","(2) Sample label.","(3) Forward read start site.","(4) Sequence of genomic fragment.","(5) Genomic index (probe sequence).","The combination of (1)+(3) constitutes the unique read tag that is critical for both variant calling and copy number determination.","FIG.","25: The most significant classes of DNA sequence variants (insertions, deletions, runs of point mutations and/or translocations) are also the most difficult to detect by alignment based methods.","FIG.","26A-FIG.","26B: Dual probe interrogation of target regions (e. g. exons).","(FIG.","26A) Typical exons average 100-150 bp.","Capture probes are positioned in the intronic region flanking the target segment.","These probes have opposite sequence polarity (one queries the “+” stand, the other the “−” strand.","(FIG.","26B) The sequence read distribution for each individual probe is indicated by the shaded areas and the read orientations are specified by arrows.","Key aspects are that target regions are sequenced by multiple reads in both orientations.","Moreover, each probe captures reads that sequence the adjacent probe binding sites.","This arrangement is one element that increases the confidence of variant calls.","FIG.","27A-FIG.","27B: The role of sequence tags in variant calling.","Sequence “tags” are comprised of a nucleotide code (ovals; in the case of Clearfork a collection of 16 possible three nucleotide sequences) and a ragged, arbitrary clone fragment end sequence.","(FIG.","27A) A false-positive variant call is one in which a variant is identified among a collection of sibling sequences that all bear identical sequence tags.","(FIG.","27B) A high confidence variant call is found among a collection of sequences that have different sequence tags.","FIG.","28: Copy determination using read observation statistics.","FIG.","29: Molecularly annotated sequencing read.","(A) Forward flow cell (Illumina SBS chemistry) graft sequences and sequencing primer binding site.","(B) Reverse flow cell graft sequence and reverse sequencing primer annealing site.","(1) Sequence label.","(2) Sample label.","(3) Forward read start site.","(4) Sequence of genomic fragment.","(5) Genomic index (probe sequence).","(6) Capture label.","The combination of (1)+(3) constitutes the unique read tag that is critical for copy number determination.","The combination of (5)+(6) constitutes a genomic index tag that can be used to monitor and quantify capture events.","The forward sequencing read 1 that determines the sequences of annotation elements 1, 2, 3, and 4, and paired-end reverse read 2 that determines the sequences of annotation elements 5 and 6 are indicated.","FIG.","30: Probes (e.g., multifunctional capture probes) are generally directional, meaning they capture sequences on one side (generally the 3′3′ side) of their position.","Tail sequences that add additional functionality (e.g., PCR primer binding site, binding site for partner oligo that enables biotin pull-out, etc.)","are added in addition to the core targeting 60-mer.","Sixty nucleotide targeting sequences are chosen with the following constraints and criterion: (1) The probe is positioned from −100 to +50 nt relative to the start of the target sequence.","In the illustration at right, the “start” of the target sequence is the intron:exon junction; (2) Probes are designed with redundancy, as illustrated, such that the resulting sequences from a pair of probes are overlapping in opposite orientations; (3) Probes are selected (where possible) to possess GC content not less than 33% (>20 G's or C's per 60 mer) and not more than 67% (<40 G's or C's per 60 mer); (4) Probes are selected to avoid repeats wherever possible.","This is done with the help of REPEATMASKER and/or unique alignability criterion, both of which can be viewed on the UCSC genome browser; (5) In cases the position requirement, GC requirement, and the uniqueness requirement cannot be met, selection rules are relaxed in the following order (GC>position>uniqueness).","In other words, GC and positioning are flexible; the uniqueness criterion is not.","FIG.","31A-FIG.","31B: Processing to create targeted genomic sequencing libraries.","(FIG.","31A) the initial capture complex comprises a “standard” tagged genomic library fragment, a tailed capture probe that targets a genomic “target region” that is 5′ to the probe, and a biotinylated partner Oligonucleotide that is common to all probes.","(FIG.","31B) Processing of the complex into a sequence-ready clone comprises 3 steps: (1) the 5′ FLAP endonuclease of DNA polymerase holoenzyme (e.g., full length Bst polymerase) clips the 5′ tail of the genomic clone; (2) the polymerase extends the partner oligo sequence by polymerization (can occur concurrently with step 1); and (3) Taq ligase repairs the nick between the partner oligo and the genomic fragment.","These concerted steps create a sequence-ready clone.","FIG.","32 shows post-capture/processing of PCR products.","Lane 1 is ACA2 single primer amplified, unprocessed capture complex.","Lanes 2-4 were amplified with AF+CR dual PCR primers.","FIG.","33 shows Steps 1 and 2 of a library free method for generating tagged genomic DNAs and related capture, processing, and analysis methods.","FIG.","34 shows Step 3 of a library free method for generating tagged genomic DNAs and related capture, processing, and analysis methods FIG.","35 shows Steps 4 and 5 a library free method for generating tagged genomic DNAs and related capture, processing, and analysis methods.","FIG.","36 shows a suppressive PCR strategy for avoiding primer-dimer artifacts in library free methods for generating tagged genomic DNAs.","FIG.","37 shows gel electrophoresis results of raw and sonicated gDNAs used in library free methods for generating tagged genomic DNAs.","FIG.","38 shows a qPCR amplification plot of four gDNA samples prepared by the library free method.","FIG.","39 shows the gel electrophoresis results from raw PCR products amplified from samples prepared by the library free methods.","FIG.","40 shows the gel electrophoresis results from bead-cleaned PCR products amplified from samples prepared by the library free methods.","FIG.","41 shows a qPCR amplification plot of samples prepared by the library free methods using different combinations of enzymes: T4 DNA polymerase (P), T4 DNA ligase (L), and T4 gene 32 protein (32), or no enzyme control.","FIG.","42 shows the gel electrophoresis results of PCR amplified (10 cycles or 16 cycles) samples prepared by the library free methods using different combinations of enzymes: T4 DNA polymerase (P), T4 DNA ligase (L), and T4 gene 32 protein (32), or no enzyme control.","FIG.","43 shows the gel electrophoresis results of individual samples prepared by the library free methods prior to pooling.","FIG.","44 shows CNV for PLP1 in relation to the normalizing autosomal loci KRAS and MYC across samples with variable dosages of the X chromosome.","Samples were prepared using library free methods.","FIG.","45 shows the DNA sequence start points for chrX region 15 in the XXXX (4× dosage) sample relative to the capture probe sequence.","Reads go from left to right and samples were prepared using library free methods.","FIG.","46 shows the gel electrophoresis results of cDNA prepared from RNA samples using the RNA-seq methods contemplated herein, captured cDNAs, and cDNA preps sized with the Pippin automated DNA size selector.","FIG.","47 shows the correlations of the gene expression of various transcripts in heart versus liver in libraries prepared using a total RNA versus targeted expression strategy for the library preparation.","FIG.","48 shows the correlation of absolute expression levels of various transcript measured in total RNA-seq compared to targeted RNA-seq.","FIG.","49 shows the Cq values of STDs and samples (the average of duplicate measurements described in Example 10 except (i) the experiment repeated on plate 2 and (ii) M1, M2 and M3 were measured in three sets of duplicates—average of the three measurements taken).","FIG.","50 shows the genomes per μl for each library that was made in Example 10.FIG.","51 shows the conversion of designated samples in Example 10 into 10 copy, 20 copy, 40 copy, 80 copy, etc.","libraries for downstream capture tests.","FIG.","52 shows the qPCR measurement of capture sensitivity and specificity described in Example 12.FIG.","53 shows a summary of alignment statistics for each library pool described in Example 13.FIG.","54 shows the design of an experiment for evaluating the enzymatic requirements for complex processing described in Example 20.FIG.","55 shows the list of candidate transcripts and their reported RPKM values described in Example 21.FIG.","56 shows the final read count of the data set described in Example 21.DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Overview The present invention is based at least in part, on the discovery that the coordinated utilization of several key molecular modules can be employed in performing targeted genetic analyses.","The practice of the invention will employ, unless indicated specifically to the contrary, conventional methods of chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, recombinant DNA techniques, genetics, immunology, and cell biology that are within the skill of the art, many of which are described below for the purpose of illustration.","Such techniques are explained fully in the literature.","See, e.g., Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (3rd Edition, 2001); Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2nd Edition, 1989); Maniatis et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (1982); Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (John Wiley and Sons, updated July 2008); Short Protocols in Molecular Biology: A Compendium of Methods from Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Pub.","Associates and Wiley-Interscience; Glover, DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, vol.","I & II (IRL Press, Oxford, 1985); Anand, Techniques for the Analysis of Complex Genomes, (Academic Press, New York, 1992); Transcription and Translation (B. Hames & S. Higgins, Eds., 1984); Perbal, A Practical Guide to Molecular Cloning (1984); and Harlow and Lane, Antibodies, (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1998).","All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.","B. Definitions Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs.","Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, preferred embodiments of compositions, methods and materials are described herein.","For the purposes of the present invention, the following terms are defined below.","The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e.","to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article.","By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.","The use of the alternative (e.g., “or”) should be understood to mean either one, both, or any combination thereof of the alternatives.","The term “and/or” should be understood to mean either one, or both of the alternatives.","As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% to a reference quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.","In one embodiment, the term “about” or “approximately” refers a range of quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length±15%, +10%, +9%, +8%, +7%, +6%, +5%, +4%, +3%, +2%, or +1% about a reference quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.","Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise”, “comprises” and “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements.","In particular embodiments, the terms “include,” “has,” “contains,” and “comprise” are used synonymously.","By “consisting of” is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase “consisting of.” Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present.","By “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements.","Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that no other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements.","Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “a particular embodiment,” “a related embodiment,” “a certain embodiment,” “an additional embodiment,” or “a further embodiment” or combinations thereof means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.","Thus, the appearances of the foregoing phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.","Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.","As used herein, the term “isolated” means material that is substantially or essentially free from components that normally accompany it in its native state.","In particular embodiments, the term “obtained” or “derived” is used synonymously with isolated.","As used herein, the term “DNA” refers to deoxyribonucleic acid.","In various embodiments, the term DNA refers to genomic DNA, recombinant DNA, synthetic DNA, or cDNA.","In one embodiment, DNA refers to genomic DNA or cDNA.","In particular embodiments, the DNA comprises a “target region.” DNA libraries contemplated herein include genomic DNA libraries and cDNA libraries constructed from RNA, e.g., an RNA expression library.","In various embodiments, the DNA libraries comprise one or more additional DNA sequences and/or tags.","A “target region” refers to a region of interest within a DNA sequence.","In various embodiments, targeted genetic analyses are performed on the target region.","In particular embodiments, the target region is sequenced or the copy number of the target region is determined.","C. Exemplary Embodiments The present invention contemplates, in part, a method for generating a tagged genomic library.","In particular embodiments, the method comprises treating fragmented DNA, e.g., genomic DNA or cDNA, with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA followed by ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence to generate the tagged genomic library.","In some embodiments, a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence are optionally ligated to the fragmented end-repaired DNA.","The present invention contemplates, in part, a method for generating a tagged DNA library.","In particular embodiments, the method comprises treating fragmented DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA followed by ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence to generate the tagged DNA library.","In some embodiments, a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence are optionally ligated to the fragmented end-repaired DNA.","Illustrative methods for fragmenting DNA include, but are not limited to: shearing, sonication, enzymatic digestion; including restriction digests, as well as other methods.","In particular embodiments, any method known in the art for fragmenting DNA can be employed with the present invention.","In some embodiments, the fragmented DNA is processed by end-repair enzymes to generate end-repaired DNA.","In some embodiments, the end-repair enzymes can yield for example blunt ends, 5′-overhangs, and 3′-overhangs.","In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA contains blunt ends.","In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA is processed to contain blunt ends.","In some embodiments, the blunt ends of the end-repaired DNA are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.","In some embodiments, end-repaired DNA containing blunt ends can be further processed to contain adenine (A)/thymine (T) overhang.","In some embodiments, end-repaired DNA containing blunt ends can be further processed to contain adenine (A)/thymine (T) overhang as the single base pair overhang.","In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA has non-templated 3′ overhangs.","In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA is processed to contain 3′-overhangs.","In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA is processed with terminal transferase (TdT) to contain 3′-overhangs.","In some embodiments, a G-tail can be added by TdT.","In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA is processed to contain overhang ends using partial digestion with any known restriction enzymes (e.g., with the enzyme Sau3A, and the like.","In particular embodiments, DNA fragments are tagged using one or more “random nucleotide tags” or “random nucleic acid tags.” As used herein, the terms “random nucleotide tag” or “random nucleic acid tag” refer to a polynucleotide of discrete length wherein the nucleotide sequence has been randomly generated or selected.","In particular illustrative embodiments, the length of the random nucleic acid tag is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 2 to about 75 nucleotides, about 2 to about 50 nucleotides, about 2 to about 25 nucleotides, about 2 to about 20 nucleotides, about 2 to about 15 nucleotides, about 2 to about 10 nucleotides, about 2 to about 8 nucleotides, or about 2 to about 6 nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, the length of the random nucleotide tag is from about 2 to about 6 nucleotides (see, e.g., FIG.","1).","In one embodiment, the random nucleotide tag sequence is about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, or about 10 nucleotides.","In particular embodiments, methods known in the art can be employed to add the random nucleotide tags of the present invention to the fragmented DNA.","In some embodiments, “tagmentation” can be employed.","Tagmentation is a Nextera Technology that is commercially available (from Illumina and Epicenter, USA) and which can be used to load transposon protein complexes with the random nucleotide tags and/or the multifunctional adaptor modules of the invention.","The loaded transposon complexes can then be used in creation of the tagged genomic library according to described methods.","DNA for use in the present methods can come from any source known to those of skill in the art.","DNA can be collected from any source, synthesized from RNA as copy DNA (cDNA), and processed into pure or substantially pure DNA for use in the present methods.","In some embodiments, the size of the fragmented DNA is in the range of about 2 to about 500 base pairs, about 2 to about 400 base pairs, about 2 to about 300 base pairs, about 2 to about 250 base pairs, about 2 to about 200 base pairs, about 2 to about 100 base pairs or about 2 to about 50 base pairs.","The combination of the introduced “random nucleic acid tag” or “random nucleic acid tags” with the DNA fragment end sequence constitutes a combination of two elements that will hereafter be referred to as “the genomic tag” or the “the cDNA tag.” In some embodiments the uniqueness of “the genomic tag” or the “the cDNA tag” can be determined by the combinatorial product of the diversity within the attached random nucleotide tag pool multiplied by the diversity of the DNA fragment end sequence pool.","The present invention also contemplates, in part, a multifunctional adaptor module.","As used herein, the term “multifunctional adaptor module” refers to a polynucleotide comprising: (i) a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; optionally (ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and optionally (iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.","In particular embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module comprises a PCR primer sequence, a random nucleotide tag, and a sample code sequence.","In certain embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module comprises a PCR primer sequence and a random nucleotide tag or a sample code sequence.","In some embodiments, the second region comprising the sample code is optional.","In some embodiments, the multifunctional adaptor module does not include a second region, but instead only a first and third region.","The multifunctional adaptor module of the present invention can include blunt or complementary ends appropriate for the ligation method employed, including those disclosed elsewhere herein, as well as any others known to those of skill in the art for ligating the multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented DNA.","In various embodiments, a first region comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence.","In particular embodiments, the first region comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence that is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 2 to about 75 nucleotides, about 2 to about 50 nucleotides, about 2 to about 25 nucleotides, about 2 to about 20 nucleotides, about 2 to about 15 nucleotides, about 2 to about 10 nucleotides, about 2 to about 8 nucleotides, or about 2 to about 6 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.","In particular embodiments, a second region, when optionally present, comprises a sample code sequence.","As used herein, the term “sample code sequence” refers to a polynucleotide that is used to identify the sample.","In particular embodiments, the second region comprises a sample code sequence that is from about 1 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 2 to about 75 nucleotides, about 2 to about 50 nucleotides, about 2 to about 25 nucleotides, about 2 to about 20 nucleotides, about 2 to about 15 nucleotides, about 2 to about 10 nucleotides, about 2 to about 8 nucleotides, or about 2 to about 6 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, a third region, when optionally present, comprises a PCR primer sequence.","In particular embodiments, the third region comprises a PCR primer sequence that is from about 5 to about 200 nucleotides, from about 5 to about 150 nucleotides, from about 10 to about 100 nucleotides from about 10 to about 75 nucleotides, about 10 to about 50 nucleotides, about 10 to about 40 nucleotides, about 20 to about 40 nucleotides, or about 20 to about 30 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.","In particular embodiments, a ligation step comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired DNA.","This ligation reaction can be used to generate the tagged DNA library, which comprises end-repaired DNA ligated to a multifunctional adaptor molecule and/or random nucleotide tag.","In some embodiments, a single multifunctional adaptor module is employed.","In some embodiments, more than one multifunctional adaptor module is employed.","In some embodiments, a single multifunctional adaptor module of identical sequence is ligated to each end of the fragmented end-repaired DNA.","The present invention also provides a multifunctional capture probe module.","As used herein, the term “multifunctional capture probe module” refers to a polynucleotide comprising: (i) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; (ii) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific target region; and optionally (iii) a third region comprising a tail sequence.","In one embodiment, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide, a region capable of hybridizing to a DNA target sequence, and a tail sequence.","In one embodiment, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and a region capable of hybridizing to a genomic target sequence.","In particular embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe module optionally comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence.","In various embodiments, a first region comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide.","As used herein, the term “partner oligonucleotide” refers to an oligonucleotide that is complementary to a nucleotide sequence of the multifunctional capture probe module.","In particular embodiments, the first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide is a sequence that is from about 20 to about 200 nucleotides, from about 20 to about 150 nucleotides, about 30 to about 100 nucleotides, about 30 to about 75 nucleotides, about 20 to about 50 nucleotides, about 30 to about 45 nucleotides, or about 35 to about 45 nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, the region is about 30 to about 50 nucleotides, about 30 to about 40 nucleotides, about 30 to about 35 nucleotides or about 34 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.","In particular embodiments, a second region, when optionally present, comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a specific DNA target region.","As used herein, the term “DNA target region” refers to a region of the genome or cDNA selected for analyses using the compositions and methods contemplated herein.","In particular embodiments, the second region comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a specific target region is a sequence from about 20 to about 200 nucleotides, from about 30 to about 150 nucleotides, about 50 to about 150 nucleotides, about 30 to about 100 nucleotides, about 50 to about 100 nucleotides, about 50 to about 90 nucleotides, about 50 to about 80 nucleotides, about 50 to about 70 nucleotides or about 50 to about 60 nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, the second region is about 60 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, a third region, when optionally present, comprises a tail sequence.","As used herein, the term “tail sequence” refers to a polynucleotide at the 5′ end of the multifunctional capture probe module, which in particular embodiments can serve as a PCR primer binding site.","In particular embodiments, the third region comprises a tail sequence that is from about 5 to about 100 nucleotides, about 10 to about 100 nucleotides, about 5 to about 75 nucleotides, about 5 to about 50 nucleotides, about 5 to about 25 nucleotides, or about 5 to about 20 nucleotides.","In certain embodiments, the third region is from about 10 to about 50 nucleotides, about 15 to about 40 nucleotides, about 20 to about 30 nucleotides or about 20 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.","In one embodiment, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and a region capable of hybridizing to a genomic target sequence.","In particular embodiments, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and a region capable of hybridizing to a genomic target sequence, the partner oligo may also function as a tail sequence or primer binding site.","In one embodiment, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises a tail region and a region capable of hybridizing to a genomic target sequence.","In various embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe comprises a specific member of a binding pair to enable isolation and/or purification of one or more captured fragments of a tagged DNA library that hybridizes to the multifunctional capture probe.","In particular embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe is conjugate to biotin or another suitable hapten, e.g., dinitrophenol, digoxigenin.","The present invention further contemplates, in part, hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex.","In some embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe module substantially hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the DNA library.","Hybridization or hybridizing conditions can include any reaction conditions where two nucleotide sequences form a stable complex; for example, the tagged DNA library and multifunctional capture probe module forming a stable tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","Such reaction conditions are well known in the art and those of skill in the art will appreciated that such conditions can be modified as appropriate and within the scope of the present invention.","Substantial hybridization can occur when the second region of the multifunctional capture probe complex exhibits 100%, 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 94%, 93%, 92% 91%, 90%, 89%, 88%, 85%, 80%, 75%, or 70% sequence identity, homology or complementarity to a region of the tagged DNA library.","In particular embodiments, the first region of the multifunctional capture probe module does not substantially hybridize to the region of the tagged DNA library to which the second region does substantially hybridize.","In some embodiments, the third region of the multifunctional capture probe module does not substantially hybridize to the region of the tagged DNA library to which the second region of the multifunctional capture probe module does substantially hybridize.","In some embodiments, the first and third regions of the multifunctional capture probe module do not substantially hybridize to the region of the tagged DNA library to which the second region of the multifunctional capture probe module does substantially hybridize.","In certain embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise isolating a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","In particular embodiments, methods for isolating DNA complexes are well known to those skilled in the art and any methods deemed appropriate by one of skill in the art can be employed with the methods of the present invention (Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 2007-2012).","In particular embodiments, the complexes are isolated using biotin-streptavidin isolation techniques.","In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing to the first region of the multifunctional capture probe module is modified to contain a biotin at the 5′-end or 3′-end which is capable of interacting with streptavidin linked to a column, bead or other substrate for use in DNA complex isolation methods.","In particular embodiments, a first region of a multifunctional capture probe module is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.","In some embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide prior to formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","In some embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide after the formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","In some embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide simultaneously with the formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.","In particular embodiments, removal of the single stranded 3′-ends from the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex is contemplated.","In certain embodiments, the methods comprise 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.","In certain other embodiments, the methods comprise performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template.","In certain other embodiments, the methods comprise creating a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase.","A variety of enzymes can be employed for the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.","Illustrative examples of suitable enzymes, which exhibit 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic activity, that can be employed in particular embodiments include, but are not limited to: T4 or Exonucleases I, III, V (see also, Shevelev I V, Huibscher U., “The 3′ 5′ exonucleases,” Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol.","3(5):364-76 (2002)).","In particular embodiments, the enzyme comprising 3′-5′ exonuclease activity is T4 polymerase.","In particular embodiments, an enzyme which exhibits 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic activity and is capable of primer template extension can be employed, including for example T4 or Exonucleases I, III, V. Id.","3′5′ In some embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex discussed supra and elsewhere herein.","In particular embodiments, a tail portion of a multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule.","In one embodiment, the hybrid nucleic acid molecule generated comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is also contemplated.","In certain embodiments a method for targeted genetic analysis comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In various embodiments, methods for determining copy number of a specific target region are contemplated.","In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is also contemplated.","In certain embodiments a method for targeted genetic analysis comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In various embodiments, methods for determining copy number of a specific target region are contemplated.","In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is also contemplated.","In certain embodiments a method for targeted genetic analysis comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) creating a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).","In various embodiments, methods for determining copy number of a specific target region are contemplated.","In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) creating a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In particular embodiments, PCR can be performed using any standard PCR reaction conditions well known to those of skill in the art.","In certain embodiments, the PCR reaction in e) employs two PCR primers.","In one embodiment, the PCR reaction in e) employs a first PCR primer that hybridizes to the target region.","In a particular embodiment, the PCR reaction in e) employs a second PCR primer hybridizes to the hybrid molecule at the target region/tail junction.","In certain embodiments, the PCR reaction in e) employs a first PCR primer that hybridizes to the target region and a second PCR primer hybridizes to the hybrid molecule at the target genomic region/tail junction.","In particular embodiments, the second primer hybridizes to the target region/tail junction such that at least one or more nucleotides of the primer hybridize to the target region and at least one or more nucleotides of the primer hybridize to the tail sequence.","In certain embodiments, the hybrid nucleic acid molecules obtained from step e) are sequenced and the sequences aligned horizontally, i.e., aligned to one another but not aligned to a reference sequence.","In particular embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated one or more times with one or more multifunctional capture probe module complexes.","The multifunctional capture probe complexes can be the same or different and designed to target either DNA strand of the target sequence.","In some embodiments, when the multifunctional capture probe complexes are different, they hybridize near the same target region within the tagged DNA library.","In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged DNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region In some embodiments, the method can be performed using two multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, wherein one hybridizes to the “Watson” strand (non-coding or template strand) upstream of the target region and one hybridizes to the “Crick” strand (coding or non-template strand) downstream of the target region.","In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.","In some embodiments, the sequences obtained can be aligned to one another in order to identify any of a number of differences.","In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, 500000 or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.","Copy number can provide useful information regarding unique reads and duplicative reads, as well as assisting with searching for variants of known reads.","As used herein, the terms “read,” “read sequence,” or “sequencing read” are used synonymously and refer to a polynucleotide sequence obtained by sequencing a polynucleotide.","In particular embodiments, DNA tags, e.g., a random nucleotide tag, can be used to determine copy number of a nucleic acid sequence being analyzed.","In one embodiment, a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module comprises: (i) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and capable of functioning as a PCR primer and (ii) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region.","In various embodiments, a first region of a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module comprises a PCR primer sequence.","In particular embodiments, this first region comprises a PCR primer sequence that is from about 5 to about 200 nucleotides, from about 5 to about 150 nucleotides, from about 10 to about 100 nucleotides from about 10 to about 75 nucleotides, about 10 to about 50 nucleotides, about 10 to about 40 nucleotides, about 20 to about 40 nucleotides, or about 20 to about 30 nucleotides, including any intervening number of nucleotides.","In particular embodiments, a first region of a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.","In certain embodiments, the multifunctional capture hybrid probe module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide prior to formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex.","In particular embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide after the formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex.","In some embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide simultaneously with the formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture hybrid probe module complex.","In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.","In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex so as to copy the captured tagged DNA library sequence to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprising the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex and a sequence complementary to a region of the captured tagged DNA library sequence located 3′ or 5′ of the multifunctional capture probe sequence relative to where the hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target.","In particular embodiments, the copied target region is anywhere from 1 to 5000 nt from the, 3′ or 5′-end of sequence where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target.","In certain embodiments, the complementary sequence of the region that is 3′ to the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule.","The hybrid nucleic acid molecule generated comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of captured tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ or 5′ from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region.","In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise processing a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule (i.e., a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule).","In particular embodiments, a hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region.","In one non-limiting embodiment, the hybrid nucleic acid molecule is generated by 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing that removes single stranded 3′-ends from an isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex and/or 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe.","In other particular embodiments, a hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 5′ relative to the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region.","In one non-limiting embodiment, the hybrid nucleic acid molecule is generated by the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase.","In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided.","In one embodiment, a method for targeted genetic analysis comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to form a hybrid nucleic acid molecule and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).","In particular embodiments, the hybrid nucleic acid molecules obtained from step c) are sequenced and the sequences aligned horizontally, i.e., aligned to one another but not aligned to a reference sequence.","In certain embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated one or more times with one or more multifunctional capture probe module.","The multifunctional capture probe modules can be the same or different and designed to hybridize against either strand of the genome.","In some embodiments, when the multifunctional capture probe modules are different, they hybridize anywhere from 1 to 5000 nt of the same target region in the tagged DNA library.","In particular embodiments, the method can be performed twice, using two multifunctional capture probe modules, wherein one hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region (i.e., at the 5′-end; i.e., a forward multifunctional capture probe module or complex) and one hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region on the opposite genomic strand (i.e., at the 3′-end; i.e., a reverse multifunctional capture probe module or complex).","In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged DNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region.","In some embodiments, the method can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.","In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, 500000 or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.","In particular embodiments, the sequences obtained by the method can be aligned to one another in order to identify mutations and without being aligned to a reference sequence.","In certain embodiments, the sequences obtained in can optionally be aligned to a reference sequence.","In various embodiments, methods for determining copy number of a specific target region are contemplated.","In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to form a hybrid nucleic acid molecule; d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in c); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.","In particular embodiments, PCR can be performed using any standard PCR reaction conditions well known to those of skill in the art.","In certain embodiments, the PCR reaction in d) employs two PCR primers.","In particular embodiments, the PCR reaction in d) employs two PCR primers each of which hybridize to a region downstream to the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the tagged DNA library.","In further embodiments, the region where the PCR primers hybridize is located in the region amplified in step c).","In various embodiments, the hybrid nucleic acid molecules obtained from step c) are sequenced and the sequences aligned horizontally, i.e., aligned to one another but not aligned to a reference sequence.","In particular embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated one or more times with one or more multifunctional capture probe module.","The multifunctional capture probe modules can be the same or different and designed to hybridize to either strand of the genome.","In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged DNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region.","In some embodiments, the method can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.","In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, 500000 or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.","In particular illustrative embodiments, a tagged DNA library is amplified, e.g., by PCR, to generate an amplified tagged DNA library.","All genomic target regions will have a 5′-end and a 3′-end.","In particular embodiments, the methods described herein can be performed with two multifunctional capture probe complexes which provide for amplification of a targeted genomic region from both the 5′ and 3′ directions, respectively.","In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged DNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region.","In some embodiments, the method can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.","In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.","In particular embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is a sequence analysis.","In particular embodiments, sequence analysis comprises any analysis wherein one sequence is distinguished from a second sequence.","In various embodiments, sequence analysis excludes any purely mental sequence analysis performed in the absence of a composition or method for sequencing.","In certain embodiments, sequence analysis includes, but is not limited to: sequencing, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, gene copy number analysis, haplotype analysis, mutation analysis, methylation status analysis (as determined by example, but not limited to, bisulfite conversion of unmethylated cytosine residues), targeted resequencing of DNA sequences obtained in a chromatin-immunoprecipitation experiment (CHIP-seq), paternity testing in sequence captured fetal DNA collected from pregnant maternal plasma DNA, microbial presence and population assessment in samples captured with microbe-specific capture probes, and fetal genetic sequence analysis (for example, using fetal cells or extracellular fetal DNA in maternal samples).","Copy number analyses include, but are not limited to analyses that examine the number of copies of a particular gene or mutation that occurs in a given genomic DNA sample and can further include quantitative determination of the number of copies of a given gene or sequence differences in a given sample.","Also contemplated herein, are methods for sequence alignment analysis that can be performed without the need for alignment to a reference sequence, referred to herein as horizontal sequence analysis (exemplified in, for example, FIG.","20).","Such analysis can be performed on any sequences generated by the methods contemplated herein or any other methods.","In particular embodiments, the sequence analysis comprises performing sequence alignments on the hybrid nucleic acid molecules obtained by the methods contemplated herein.","In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged DNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region.","In some embodiments, the method can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.","In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.","In particular embodiments DNA can be isolated from any biological source.","Illustrative sources for DNA include, but are not limited to: blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, or tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.","In one embodiment, tagged DNA libraries for use with the methods contemplated herein are provided.","In some embodiments, a tagged DNA library comprises tagged genomic sequences.","In particular embodiments, each tagged DNA sequence includes: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA; ii) one or more random nucleotide tag sequences; iii) one or more sample code sequences; and iv) one or more PCR primer sequences.","In one embodiment, a hybrid tagged DNA library is contemplated.","In particular embodiments, a hybrid tagged DNA library comprises hybrid tagged DNA sequences.","In certain embodiments, each hybrid tagged DNA sequence includes: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA comprising a target region; ii) one or more random nucleotide tag sequences; iii) one or more sample code sequences; iv) one or more PCR primer sequences; and v) a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.","In various embodiments, kits and compositions of reagents used in the methods contemplated herein.","In some embodiments, the composition includes a tagged DNA library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module.","In particular embodiments, the composition includes a tagged genomic library.","In certain embodiments, the composition includes a hybrid tagged genomic library.","In various embodiments, reaction mixtures for carrying out the methods contemplated herein are provided.","In particular embodiments, the reaction mixture is a reaction mixture for performing any of the methods contemplated herein.","In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture is capable generating a tagged DNA library.","In some embodiments, the reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged DNA library includes: a) fragmented DNA and b) DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA.","In particular embodiments, the reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional adaptor module.","In various embodiments, the reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional capture probe module.","In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture further comprises an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity.","In various embodiments, methods for DNA sequence analysis are provided for the sequence of one or more clones contemplated herein.","In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining one or more or a plurality of tagged DNA library clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises targeted DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads or performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or more nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence; and ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequences of the sequencing reads.","The sequence reads can be compared to one or more human reference DNA sequences.","Sequence reads that do not match the reference sequence may be identified and used to create a de novo assembly from the non-matching sequence data.","In particular embodiments, the de novo assemblies are used to identify novel sequence rearrangements associated with the capture probe.","In various embodiments, a method for copy number determination analysis is provided comprising obtaining one or more or a plurality of clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence.","In related embodiments, a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones is performed and one or more sequencing reads are obtained.","In another embodiment, a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones is performed in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence.","The sequencing reads of the one or more clones can be ordered or clustered according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In particular embodiments, a method for determining the copy number is provided.","In particular embodiments, the method comprises obtaining one or more or a plurality of clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.","In particular embodiments, the random nucleotide tag is about 2 to about 50 nucleotides in length.","The methods may further comprise analyzing all sequencing reads associated with a second read sequence by determining the distributions of unique and redundant sequencing reads; counting the number of times a unique read is encountered; fitting a frequency distribution of the unique reads to a statistical distribution; inferring a total number of unique reads; and normalizing the total number of inferred unique read to an assumption that humans are generally diploid.","In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein can be used to calculate an inferred copy number of one or more targeted loci and the deviation of that calculation, if any, from an expected copy number value.","In certain embodiments, one or more targeted loci of a gene are grouped together in a collection of loci and the copy number measurements from the collection of targeted loci are averaged and normalized.","In one embodiment, the inferred copy number of a gene can be represented by the normalized average of all the target loci representing that gene.","In various embodiments, the compositions and methods contemplated herein are also applicable to generating and analyzing RNA expression.","Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is contemplated that any of the methods and compositions that are used to make tagged gDNA libraries may also be used to create tagged cDNA libraries, and capture and process target regions corresponding to RNA sequences embodied in the cDNA for subsequent RNA expression analysis, including, without limitation, sequence analysis.","In various embodiments, a method for generating a tagged RNA expression library comprises first obtaining or preparing a cDNA library.","Methods of cDNA library synthesis are known in the art and may be applicable to various embodiments.","The cDNA library may be prepared from one or a plurality of the same or different cell types depending on the application.","In one embodiment, the method comprises fragmenting a cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA library with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired cDNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.","In a particular embodiment a tagged RNA expression library (cDNA library) is prepared by obtaining or preparing a cDNA library from the total RNA of one or more cells; fragmenting the cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired cDNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.","In certain embodiments, the cDNA library is an oligo-dT primed cDNA library.","In certain embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random oligonucleotides comprising about 6 to about 20 random nucleotides.","In particular preferred embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random hexamers or random octamers.","The cDNA libraries may be sheared or fragmented using known methods in order to achieve a desired average library fragment size.","In one embodiment, the cDNA library is fragmented to an average size of about 250 bp to about 750 bp.","In a certain embodiment, the cDNA library is fragmented to an average size of about 500 bp.","In various embodiments, RNA expression libraries contemplated herein may be captured, processed, amplified, and sequenced, etc., using any of the methods contemplated herein for capturing, processing, and sequencing tagged genomic DNA libraries, without or without minor variations.","In one embodiment, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the tagged RNA expression library; isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex; performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing and/or 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension on the isolated tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex; performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex, wherein a tail portion (e.g., a PCR primer binding site) of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the target region, the specific multifunctional capture probe sequence and the capture module tail sequence; and performing targeted gene expression analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule.","In one embodiment, a method for targeted gene expression analysis comprises: hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the RNA expression library; isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex; performing PCR on the complex to form a hybrid nucleic acid molecule.","In particular embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two hybridization steps, wherein the at least two hybridization steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.","In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes 5′ of the target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes 3′ of the target region.","In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged RNA expression or cDNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region.","In some embodiments, the method can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.","In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.","In a further embodiment, methods for cDNA sequence analysis are provided, which allow the skilled artisan to conduct gene expression analysis from the cDNA library.","In particular embodiments, any of the sequencing methods contemplated herein may be adapted to sequence the cDNA libraries with little or no deviation from their application to sequencing tagged genomic clones.","As described above, the statistical distribution of tagged cDNA sequencing reads of a target region of a cDNA in the RNA expression analyses contemplated herein, correlates to the level of gene expression of the target region in a cell from which the cDNA library was prepared or obtained.","All publications, patent applications, and issued patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, or issued patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.","Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.","The following examples are provided by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation.","Those of skill in the art will readily recognize a variety of noncritical parameters that could be changed or modified to yield essentially similar results.","EXAMPLES Example 1: Preparation of Target Genomic Region for Genetic Analyses Overview: In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise the coordinated utilization of several key molecular modules.","In the following section, each module is described separately.","At the end of this section, the interconnection of modules is described.","Section 1: Tagging of Genomic DNA Fragments Genomic DNA from an individual can be collected, processed into pure DNA, fragmented and random nucleotide sequences of one nucleotide or more, in some embodiments in the range of 2-100 nucleotides, or in the range of 2-6 nucleotides are attached to the random ends of genomic DNA fragments (FIG.","1).","The combination of the introduced random nucleotide tag sequence together with the genomic fragment end sequence constitutes a unique combination of two elements that will hereafter be referred to as a the first region of the multifunctional adaptor module.","The uniqueness of first region of the multifunctional adaptor module is determined by the combinatorial product of the diversity within the attached first region of the multifunctional adaptor module pool times the diversity of the genomic fragment end sequences.","Section 2: Addition of Sample-Specific Codes and Universal Amplification Sequences Multifunctional adapter molecules can further comprise sample-specific codes (referred to herein as the second region of the multifunctional adaptor module) and universal amplification sequences (referred to herein as the PCR primer sequence or the third region of the multifunctional adaptor module).","In addition to the introduced random nucleotides from the first region of the multifunctional adaptor module, each segment that is attached to fragmented genomic DNA may include an additional set of nucleotides that is common to each sample but different between samples such that the DNA sequence of this region can be used to uniquely identify a given samples sequences in a set of sequences where multiple samples have been combined together (in other words, sample barcoding).","In addition, the attached nucleotide sequence may contain a universal sequence that can be used to amplify (e.g., by PCR) the polynucleotides.","The combined elements of the random nucleotide tag sequence, the sample code, and the universal amplification sequence constitute an “adaptor” (also refer to as a multifunctional adaptor module) that is most commonly attached to the fragmented genomic DNA by means of nucleotide ligation.","An illustrative example of a multifunctional adaptor module ligated to fragmented gDNA are illustrated in FIG.","1 and (while not wishing to be limited by example) an exemplary set of such sequences is shown in Table 1.Within Table 1, the sets of adaptor sequences are clustered into four sets of adaptor sequences.","Within each column, all adaptors share the same two base code and all 16 possible random tags are represented.","The 16 possible adaptors are mixed prior to ligation to fragment.","Only the top, “ligation strand” of each adaptor is shown; this is the strand that becomes covalently attached to end-repaired DNA fragments.","The bottom, partner strand that is eventually lost, while shown in FIG.","1, is not included in Table 1.TABLE 1 5′ to 3′ DNA sequence of a set of 64 tagging and sample ID adapters SEQ ID SEQ ID Sample code AC NO: Sample code GA NO: GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAAAC 1 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAAGA 17 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAACAC 2 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAACGA 18 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAGAC 3 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAGGA 19 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAATAC 4 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAATGA 20 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACAAC 5 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACAGA 21 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACCAC 6 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACCGA 22 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACGAC 7 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACGGA 23 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACTAC 8 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACTGA 24 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGAAC 9 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGAGA 25 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGCAC 10 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGCGA 26 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGGAC 11 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGGGA 27 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGTAC 12 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGTGA 28 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATAAC 13 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATAGA 29 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATCAC 14 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATCGA 30 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATGAC 15 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATGGA 31 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATTAC 16 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATTGA 32 SEQ ID SEQ ID Sample code CT NO: Sample code TG NO: GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAACT 33 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAATG 49 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAACCT 34 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAACTG 50 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAGCT 35 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAGTG 51 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAATCT 36 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAATTG 52 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACACT 37 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACATG 53 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACCCT 38 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACCTG 54 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACGCT 39 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACGTG 55 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACTCT 40 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACTTG 56 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGACT 41 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGATG 57 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGCCT 42 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGCTG 58 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGGCT 43 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGGTG 59 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGTCT 44 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGTTG 60 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATACT 45 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATATG 61 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATCCT 46 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATCTG 62 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATGCT 47 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATGTG 63 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATTCT 48 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATTTG 64 The application of a single group of adaptors (i.e., a universal amplification sequence, a sample-specific code, and a set of random tags; also referred to as a multifunctional adaptor module) with a single amplification sequence on both ends of the genomic fragment has several significant advantages, including the fact that the same genomic fragment is tagged independently on its two ends.","As described in the next few sections, the two strands of any given fragment are eventually separated from one another and will behave in the present invention as independent molecules.","Therefore the presence of two different tags at the two ends of the same fragment becomes an advantage rather than a liability of the present invention.","Additionally, there is the fact that adaptor-to-adaptor ligation events are a huge problem in next-generation library construction where the initial goal is to create amplicons with dissimilar ends.","Using the methods of the present invention, the methods introduce this asymmetry later in the process and therefore identical ends are acceptable with the present invention.","An unforeseen and surprising benefit of the present methods is that adaptor dimers are not observed in the library construction methods of the present invention.","While not being bound by theory, present inventors contemplate that this may be because the rare adaptor dimer species that are formed rapidly form tight hairpin structures during the steps of denaturation and annealing that are necessary for PCR amplification and it is further contemplated that these hairpin structures are completely resistant to further primer-directed amplification.","The ability to make adaptor-dimer free libraries is a significant technical feature in extremely low input applications like single-to-few cell genomic analysis, circulating DNA analysis (as in fetal diagnostics, tissue transplantation rejection surveillance, or cancer screening applications) or single cell transcriptome analysis.","As such, the present methods provide significant utility in such applications.","An additional significant feature of single-primer amplicons is that it is possible to “turn on” amplification with a PCR primer of 25 nt and to “turn off” amplification with a longer 58 nt primer.","This is described in more detail, and the significance to the present invention is highlighted, in section 6-5 below.","Overall The adaptor strategy in which a single universal amplification sequence is used on both ends of target fragments eliminates issues with adaptor dimer.","This is clearly demonstrated by way of example in Example 3: Construction of single-adaptor genomic library.","Section 3: Library Quantification An additional aspect of the present methods for genomic analysis strategy is that the “coverage depth” is known, that is, the average number of genomic copies present in a library are known or can be determined.","The cover depth is measured using purified ligation reactions prior to the bulk amplification of the library that is necessary for subsequent steps.","By way of illustration, if 50 genomes worth of DNA is put into the library scheme of an embodiment of the present invention and there is 100% efficient ligation of adaptors to both ends of the fragments, then the coverage depth is 100 because each adaptor end acts independently of the other, then 2 ends times 50 genomes=100 in coverage.","The simple fact that adaptor-dimers do not amplify with the universal PCR primer contemplated herein but fragments adapted on both ends do means that library quantitation will simply be a matter of measuring library complexity with quantitative PCR (qPCR) using universal primer and calibrating the results against standards with known coverage depth.","Here the phrase “genome copies” and “coverage depth” mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably.","The present methods will carry forward anywhere from 4-1000, preferably 20-100 fold coverage depth into the next phase of sample processing according to the present invention.","Section 4: Library Amplification In particular embodiments, a portion of the adaptor ligated genomic fragment library equivalent to 20-100 fold coverage depth will be amplified using standard PCR techniques with a single, universal primer sequence driving amplification.","At this stage it is advantageous, in particular embodiments, to convert the picograms of material in the initial library into micrograms of amplified material, implying a 10,000-fold amplification.","Section 5: Hybridization of Target Library Fragments to Capture Probes Advances in oligonucleotide synthesis chemistries have created new opportunities for sophisticated genome capture strategies.","In particular, the availability of long oligonucleotides (100-200 nt in length) that have reasonable per base synthesis costs, relatively high yields, and exquisite base accuracy are now commercially available from a variety of vendors.","This capability has the present inventor to create multifunctional capture probes (FIG.","2).","The elements of an illustrative example of a multifunctional capture probe comprises: Region 1 comprises a 34 nt region common to all probes that hybridizes to a modified complementary oligonucleotide (also referred to as a partner oligonucleotide).","This modified oligonucleotide further comprises on the 5′ end a biotin—TEG modification that is a biotin capable of binding tightly to streptavidin protein, a long hydrophilic spacer arm that alleviates steric hindrance of biotin binding.","On the 3′ end, the oligonucleotide terminates with a dideoxy-cytosine residue that renders this partner oligonucleotide inert to primer extension.","This element of probe design allows for adapting an unlimited number of probes with biotin capture functionality without having to directly modify said probes.","Region 2 comprises custom 60 nt regions that are target-specific and that interact with gDNA fragment molecules.","This region is designed by computational methods that account for uniqueness of sequence within the genome, the presence of common SNPs that may compromise binding efficiency, and secondary structure considerations.","Region 3 comprises a 20 nt segment that will serve as a PCR primer binding site in subsequent fragment amplification.","This feature is described in further detail in the next paragraph.","A multiplicity of probes can be used to capture genomic regions of interest (multiplexing of probes).","At least two probes may be employed to thoroughly query a typical coding exon of 100-150 bp in length.","By way of example, this indicates that 20 probes will be used to capture a typical 10 exon gene and a total of 2000 probes will be used to interrogate a 100 gene panel.","The hybridization of genomic library fragments to probes can be performed by thermal denaturation followed by reannealing.","In one embodiment, the steps comprise: 1.Combining genomic library fragments with pooled probe sequences (in this case “probe sequences” refers to the combination of individual probes together with an equal molar quantity of the highly modified partner oligonucleotide) at a specific target to probe ratio ranging anywhere from 1 part target to 1 part probe to 1 part target to 1,000,000 parts probe.","In one embodiment, the optimal ratio is about 1 part fragment to 10,000 parts probe.","2.Heating the combined fragment+probe in a solution containing 1M NaCl, 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 1 mM EDTA and 0.1% Tween 20 (non-ionic detergent) to 95° C. for >30 sec to denature all double-strand DNA structure.","3.Cooling the combined probe and fragment in controlled steps, for example 1° C. decrease in temperature every 2 minutes, down to <60° C. This slow cooling will result in duplexes between target genomic fragments and probe sequences.","4.Binding of the probe: fragment complexes to carboxyl coated, streptavidin modified paramagnetic beads and “pull out” of these beads using a strong magnet.","5.Washing of the bound complexes with a solution containing 25% (v/v) formamide, 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.1 mM EDTA and 0.05% Tween 20.In particular embodiments, the wash step is performed at least twice.","6.Resuspension of the washed beads in a solution that is amenable to the subsequent enzyme processing step(s).","Capture Reactions: Embodiments of the capture reaction are demonstrated in Example 3 (Construction of single-adaptor genomic library) and employ qPCR assays developed and further described in Example 5 (Validation of PLP1 qPCR assays).","Section 6: Enzymatic Processing of Hybridized Probe: Target Complexes As currently practiced in the art, hybridization-based sequence capture methods generally result in a suboptimal enrichment of target sequences.","From literature and commercial publications it can be estimated that, at best, about 5%-10% of reads map to their intended target sequences.","The remaining reads often map near the intended target and commercial vendors have resorted to redefining “on-target” as reads that land anywhere within ˜1000 bases of the intended locus.","The reasons for this “spreading” effect are incompletely understood, but they are likely a result of legitimate sequence hybridization events (see, e.g., FIG.","3).","The enzymatic processing of complexes as contemplated herein more sharply focuses the captured sequences on the exact regions of interest.","In this step, a DNA polymerase that also possesses a 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity is employed.","An illustrative example of such an enzyme is T4 DNA polymerase.","This enzyme will “chew off” dangling tail sequences down to the duplex region formed between the probe and target sequence.","It will then copy the tail segment on the probe.","See, e.g., FIG.","4.Benefits provided by this step include, but are not limited to: 1.By employing this type of enzymatic processing, only those fragments that were in direct, duplexed hybridization with probe will be carried forward.","The final sequencing library is a chimeric (hybrid) set of molecules derived from both the fragment and the probe.","2.The probe is strand-specific and therefore the captured target has an inherent directionality to it (illustrated in FIG.","5).","This means that only one of two strands generated from a single fragment will interact with probe, and processing will “focus” reads to a region 5′ of the probe sequence.","At this point, the complementary strand of the fragment becomes a completely independent species.","By placing directional probes on either side of a target region (e.g.","an exon), the technology enables highly specific focusing of sequencing reads on target regions (FIG.","6).","3.Target molecules that are legitimately cross-hybridized with target fragments (but not with probe; FIG.","3) do not acquire essential probe sequence and are therefore lost in the subsequent amplification step.","4.The actual “tail” sequence of the probe becomes copied into target fragments as part of the amplification sequence.","All commercially practicable sequencing platforms (e.g.","Illumina's reversible terminator chemistry sequencing platforms) require sequencing libraries in which the target fragments have asymmetric ends; this is often referred to as a “forward” and a “reverse” adaptor sequence, or in the shorthand of sequencing labs, “P1” and “P2”.","In particular embodiments, up to this point, fragment libraries contemplated herein have a single species on the end; called “P1”.","The enzymatic processing step achieves two things.","First, it “erases” (by 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity) one of these P1 ends.","Second, it “adds” (by DNA polymerase copying of the probe tail sequence) the basis of a P2 end that is dissimilar from P1.5.Enzymatically-modified target molecules with legitimate P1-P2 ends can be selectively enriched in the PCR amplification step that follows processing.","This is achieved by the use of long PCR primers.","In particular long primers are necessary to add the full functionality required for next-generation sequencing, and they also confer selectivity to amplification.","Residual P1-P1 library fragments that are “contaminants” from the first round of amplification fail to amplify with longer P1 primers.","This is a significant advantage of the present method.","The initial P1-P1 library amplifies effectively with a single, 25 nt PCR primer.","When this primer length is extended to 57 nt—to add sequencing functionality—these same P1-P1 molecules are not amplified to any appreciable extent.","Therefore amplification of the initial library can be “turned on” with a 25 nt primer and “turned off” with a 57 nt primer.","Overall The inability of P1-insert-P1 libraries to amplify is demonstrated Example 3 (Construction of single-adaptor genomic library).","The preferential amplification of P1-insert-P2 processed DNA fragments is shown in Example 3 (Construction of single-adaptor genomic library).","Example 3 further demonstrates the substantial improvement in target specificity that accompanies processing.","Finally, the “sensitivity” of processing, meaning the percent of initial complexes that are processed, is demonstrated to be on the order of 10% of all captured complexes in Example 9 (Direct measurement of post-capture processing).","Section 7: Amplification and Sequencing The core adaptor and primer sequences applied to initial proof-of-concept experiments are shown in Table 2.Enzymatically processed complex from step 6 is added directly to a PCR amplification reaction that contains full-length forward and reverse PCR primers.","Following amplification, the library can be purified, quantified, loaded on a high-throughput, next-generation sequencer (in this embodiment, the libraries are configured for the Illumina reversible terminator-based platforms), and the sequence of ˜millions of fragments is determined.","At this stage, single reads of >36 nt, preferably 72 or 100+ nt in length can be observed.","TABLE 2 Genesis of primer sequences SEQ ID Description Sequence (5′ to 3′) NO: Forward amplification primer for full- AATGATACGGCGACCACCGA 65 length library.","Forward primer sequence present on AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACAC 66 Illumina's paired-end (PE) flow cell.","Non-palindromic 4mer of all four bases.","GTCA This was added to make the read 1 sequencing primer the same length and position as the Illumina standard.","ACA2.PCR primers ACA2 and CAC3 TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA 67 predate NuGEN ACA2 forward sequencing primer (FSP)- ACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATA 68 read 1 CA ACA2 full length forward amplification AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGT 69 primer (FLFP).","Final length = 58 nt.","CATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA Reverse amplification primer for full- CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACG 70 length library.","PE flow cell reverse primer CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGAT 71 These are the nine 5′ bases from the GTGACTGG TruSeq Reverse adaptor that were inserted to create a read 2 primer site CAC3 reverse primer CACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCAC 72 CAC3 reverse sequencing primer (RSP)- GTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTC 73 read 2 AC CAC3 full length reverse primer (FLRP).","CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTG 74 Final length = 57 nt.","GCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCAC Section 8.Data Analysis.","There are at least two major aspects to post-sequencing data analysis.","The first is the identification of sequence variants—single nucleotide variants, micro-insertions and/or micro-deletions relative to an established set of reference sequences.","While complex, these methods are well documented in the field and one of skill in the art would understand such methods.","The second is the determination of copy number variation from the targeted sequencing data.","Example 2: Copy Number Determinations Copy number determination finds a variety of uses in the field of DNA sequencing.","By way of non-limiting example, massive parallel DNA sequencing technologies provide at least two opportunities to interrogate and analyze biological samples.","One well-established aspect is determination of DNA sequences, meaning the de novo sequences present in the sample (e.g., the sequencing of a newly isolated microbe) or the resequencing of known regions for variants (e.g., the search for variants within known genes).","A second aspect of massive parallel sequencing is quantitative biology and the ability to count the number of times a particular sequence is encountered.","This is a fundamental aspect of technologies like “RNA-seq” and “CHIP-seq”, where counting is used to infer gene expression or the association of a particular protein with genomic DNA, respectively.","This example relates to the quantitative, counting-based aspects of DNA sequencing.","DNA fragments are most often counted as constellations of sequences that share high degrees of similarity (i.e., they align to specific regions of a known genomic sequence).","Often the sequences within these clusters are identical.","Note that DNA sequences with either a) different starting and ending DNA sequence reads or b) with high quality sequence differences from other reads within the set are most often considered “unique reads”.","Thus, different starting sequence location and sequence variation are one form of “tagging” that is used to differentiate unique events from clones.","In the present example, random nucleotide tags (e.g., random six nucleotide sequences) are also introduced onto genomic fragments during the course of library construction.","The combination of 1) the random nucleotide tag sequence with 2) the start point of the DNA sequencing read and 3) the actual sequence of the read collectively make up a tag.","This tag enables one to differentiate between convergent events where the same fragment was cloned twice (such fragments will have different random nucleotide tag sequences that were introduced during library construction) and fragments of the same origin that were replicated during library amplification (these “clones” will have the same random nucleotide segment and the same clone start points).","This type of tagging further enables quantitative analysis of genomic DNA specifically, and populations of DNA molecules (e.g., RNA-seq libraries) more generally.","The introduction of random nucleotide tags (random Nmer combined with DNA clone ends) into DNA sequencing libraries allows, in theory, each unique clone within the library to be identified by its unique tag sequence.","The specification of“in theory” acknowledges confounding features of ordinary experimental data sets that may occur such as errors in sequencing, errors introduced during library amplification, introduction of contaminating clones from other libraries, etc.","All of these sources can and will confound the theoretical consideration posed here.","In the context of sequence capture and targeted resequencing, the tagging of libraries can enable quantitative analysis of locus copy number within a captured library.","Consider, by way of non-limiting example, a library constructed from the equivalent of 100 diploid genomes of input that was created from a male subject.","The prediction is that approximately 200 library clones will be present at each autosomal locus, and 100 clones will be present at each X-chromosome locus.","If an autosomal region is captured and sequenced 2000 times, then all 200 tags will be encountered with a confidence interval exceeding 99% certainty.","For the X-chromosomal region, 2000 reads would, in theory, reveal a total of 100 tags.","By way of illustration, this example supports the general concept that the creation of DNA tags within a DNA sequencing library can preserve copy number differences.","This general framework can be applied to the methods described herein.","Empirical evidence suggest that adjustments may need to be made for differences in cloning efficiencies on a locus-by-locus basis, for sporadic introduction of artifactual tags from experimental error, etc.","The implementation of this concept into practice may differ in different contexts and may involve case-by-case sequence analysis methods, but the general principle outlined here will underlie all such applications.","To this point, the creation of tagged DNA libraries has been considered in the context of genomic DNA analysis, yet it must be emphasized that this concept applies to all counting-based DNA sequencing applications.","In particular embodiments, tagging may be applied to RNA-seq, where cDNA molecules produced from mRNA of a sample are cloned by methods that create tags.","Such approaches may substantially increase the fidelity of sequence-based gene expression analysis.","In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that tagging can increase the resolution of chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP-seq) experiments.","In various embodiments, tagging will enhance the quantitative aspects of sequence counting used to determine the presence and abundance of microbes in microbiome compartments and environmental samples.","Example 3: Construction of Single Adaptor Genomic Library Purpose: The goal of this example was to create a genomic DNA library from acoustically fragmented ProMega female hgDNA (˜200 bp).","Summary: The results clearly demonstrated the significant features of the present methods for adaptor design.","In particular, the adaptor-alone ligation reaction had no detectable adaptor dimer species present.","This was very significant in the context of extremely low input sequencing library preparation technology, as with current methods, the limits of input are invariably determined by the background levels of adaptor dimer.","Highly specialized technologies have been applied in attempts to keep adaptor dimer contamination in check.","These include size exclusion methods such as columns or gel purification, expensive custom oligonucleotide modifications designed to minimize adaptor self-ligation events, and adaptor sequence modifications that allow for restriction digestion destruction of adaptor dimers following library construction.","The simple, single adaptor, single primer concept contemplated herein addresses the adaptor dimer issue with a simple solution that evokes the basic principles of DNA structural principles.","This extremely low input technology will be useful for the construction of genomic libraries for genomic analysis, for transcriptome analysis of cloned double-stranded cDNA as, for example, in RNA-seq applications of one or a few specific cells, and in rescuing the few intact fragments that may be present in a highly modified, poorly preserved formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) nucleic acid sample.","Another essential feature of the adaptor design of the present invention is the ability to “turn on” and “turn off” PCR amplification of the target amplicon library by using different PCR primer lengths.","As has been clearly demonstrated, the optimal primer length for library amplification was 25 nt primer species with a projected Tm (under standard ionic strength conditions)≥55° C. A shorter, lower Tm primer displayed less efficient amplification of and appeared to favor amplicons with smaller average insert sizes.","There is ample precedent that primers in this size class work well when paired with opposite primers of dissimilar sequence.","Taken together, these data demonstrated that the adaptor and PCR amplification methods of the present invention produce adaptor-dimer-free fragment libraries with “tunable, on/off” amplification properties.","Methods Hydrated primers that were received from IDT to 100 μM in TEzero (10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.1 mM EDTA).","Fragment Repair: Thawed gDNA and 500 ng gDNA was end repaired by combining: 14 μL water 5 μL hgDNA 2.5 μL 10× end repair buffer 2.5 μL 1 mM dNTPs Mix and add 1 μL end repair enzyme and 0.5 μL PreCR enzyme repair mix.","The mixture was incubated at 20° C. for 30 min and 70° C. for 10 min; and held at 10° C. Adaptor Annealing: Combined 68 μL of TEzero, 2 μL of 5M NaCl, 20 L of oligo 11 and 10 μL of oligo 12.Heated to 95° C. for 10 sec, 65° C. for 5 min and cooled to RT.","TABLE 3 Adapter sequences Adap_P23 and Adapt_L23 SEQ ID Oligo NO: ID Name Sequence Description 75 11 Adap_P23 TCCGTGTATTCGAAT Number 23 of the initial 64 adapter set, partner strand 23 12 Adap_L23 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATAC Number 23 of the initial 64 ACGGA adapter set, ligation strand Ligations: Combined in a total volume of 20 μL; 1=no insert, 2=100 ng end-repaired hgDNA.","13 μL or 8 μL water 0 or 5 μL end-repaired fragment=100 ng.","2 μL 10× T4 ligase buffer 3 μL 50% PEG8000 1 μL 10 μM ACA2 adaptor #23 duplex Mix and add 1 μL of T4 DNA ligase Incubated at 23° C. for 30 min and 65° C. for 10 min.","Added 80 μL/rxn of TEz and 120 μL of beads.","Mixed and incubated at RT for 10 min.","Washed twice with 200 μL aliquots of 70% EtOH:water v/v and resuspended in 50 μL of TEz.","PCR Amplification: Each 10 μL aliquot of ligation mix=20 ng of library.","Planned to amplify for 18 cycles.","TABLE 4 Reaction mixtures 100 μL 600 μL Water 50 300 10X STD Taq buffer 10 60 25 mM MgCl2 10 60 10 μM PCR primer 10 60 Template 10 60 DMSO 5 30 10 mM dNTPs 5 30 Taq polymerase 1 6 Made 600 μL mix containing all components except primer and template.","Made 6 of 80 μL aliquots.","Added 10 μL no insert ligation to set 1 and 10 μL of hgDNA insert to set 2.Added 10 μM primer of the primers shown below in pairs to the no insert and hgDNA insert ligation mixes.","Mixed.","Thermal cycled for 18 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec and 72° C.-60 sec; finish for 2 min at 72° C. and held at 10° C. TABLE 5 Primer sequences SEQ ID Oligo NO: ID Name Sequence 76 3 ACA2_20 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA 77 5 ACA2 TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA 78 8 ACA2_FLFP AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCACACGTCATGCAGGA CCAGAGAATTCGAATACA Purified PCR product with 120 μL of beads.","Washed twice with 200 μL of 70% EtOH.","Dry beads and elute DNA with 50 μL of TEz.","Analyzed 5 μL of each sample on a 2% agarose gel.","Results The exact same gel image is shown in four different color and contrast schemes in FIG.","7.The samples loaded on the gel were: 1.No insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 20 2.No insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 (normal 25 nt PCR primer) 3.No insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 FLFP (full length forward primer) 4.20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 20 5.20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 (normal 25 nt PCR primer) 6.20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 FLFP (full length forward primer) It was clear that there was no amplified material in the adaptor alone ligation→PCR products (lanes 1-3).","The shorter, 20 nt ACA2 primer showed inefficient amplification (lane 4) relative to the “normal”, 25 nt ACA2 primer (lane 5).","Only the faintest trace of material was visible with the 58 nt ACA2 FLFP primer (lane 6).","In further embodiments, it may be useful to titrate in the amount of the ACA2 primer and monitor yield.","Normal high-yield PCR primers possess 1 μM of both the forward and reverse primers for a total of 2 μM in primer (per 100 μL PCR reaction).","Therefore, addition of ACA2 to 2 μM (since it is both the forward and reverse primer) may increase yield.","Similarly, in particular embodiments, it may be useful to monitor amplification characteristics of libraries at primer annealing temperatures lower than 60° C. Example 4: Fragmentation of gDNA Purpose: For initial proof-of principle experiments sheared human gDNA from male and female was needed.","The present example employs human female and male gDNA from Promega.","Based on quantities shown on the tubes, these were diluted to 1000 μL of 100 ng/L DNA and subjected them to Covaris conditions that were intended to generate fragments in the range of 200 bp.","Summary: There are at least two components to the laboratory research infrastructure.","One is the ability to quantify DNA, and the other is the ability to visualize the size distribution of DNA on gels.","In the present example, the Qubit 2.0 instrument from Life Technologies was employed to measure DNA concentration.","It was found that the readings recorded were generally lower than our previous experience with Nanodrop.","The Qubit reading was based on dsDNA-specific dye binding and fluorescence.","One major advantage of the Qubit is that it can be used to quantify DNA amplification reactions (e.g.","PCR) without prior clean-up.","In these experiments it was found that the Promega gDNA thought to be 100 ng/μL was measured at ˜60 ng/μL by Qubit.","With respect to gels and qualitative assessment of size distribution, there was electrophoresis and documentation that the system that worked effectively.","In the present example, fragmented gDNA was found to have a mean size distribution centered on the desired ˜200 bp.","Methods and Results: After Covaris treatment, DNA concentrations were measured using the Qubit instrument.","The gDNA was diluted 10-fold, and 2 μL were added to 200 μL final volume of assay solution.","The reading for both female and male samples registered at ˜60 ng/mL, meaning the starting solutions are 60 ng/μL.","While this was below what was initially anticipated, it was well within the appropriate range for particular embodiments.","We then loaded 2 μL (120 ng) and 5 μL (300 ng) of both pre-fragmented and post-fragmented material on a 2% agarose gel (FIG.","8).","In the top row, the labels stand for M—male gDNA and F—female gDNA.","In the bottom row, the labels are U—unfragmented and C— Covaris fragmented.","One important observation was that the average fragment size was an even distribution centered around 200 bp.","Example 5: Validation of PLP1 qPCR Assays Purpose: The proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) gene on chromosome X was examined for initial proof-of-concept capture studies.","This gene was chosen because it is relevant to cancer and resides on the X chromosome, meaning it has a natural copy variation between males and females.","The 187 nt exon 2 region of Ref-Seq transcript NM000533.3 of PLP1 was used as the target region.","For proof of principle studies, the ability to monitor regions in and around PLP1 exon2 by qPCR was needed.","This example provides description of the design and validation of eight such assays.","Summary: Eight qPCR assays were designed (in this case, meaning simple primer pairs) to monitor PLP1 exon 2 capture.","Five were on-target, meaning they are within a region targeted by capture probes.","Two are “near-target,” meaning one assay is positioned at a genomic coordinate 200 bp of the target region and one assay is positioned 1000 bp from the target region on the opposite strand.","These two assays were designed to quantify “spreading”, the phenomenon where region near-by the target locus are pulled along as “hitch-hikers” in capture experiments.","Finally, one assay was designed against a region of chromosome 9, and it is designed to monitor an arbitrary and unrelated segment of human gDNA.","Here, the example shows that all eight assays produce a PCR fragment that is consistent with the predicted sizes of the amplicons.","The example showed that the PLP1 assays, which were situated on chromosome X, appropriately had higher specific activities per ng of input gDNA in females than in males.","These data validated the use of these assays in further experiments to monitor gDNA capture.","Method, Results, and Discussion: A 400 bp region centered around the PLP1 exon 2 was submitted to PRIMER3 for generation of amplicons that were 80-100 bp in length, for primers that were 24 nt in length, on average, and that had Tms of 60°-65° C. The search region was manipulated to obtain primer pairs (qPCR amplicons) that “walk” from the 5′ intron-exon boundary of exon 2 through the CDS and into the 3′ exon-intron boundary.","Nearby, proximity capture assays were also designed that were distal to exon 2, toward exon 3, and positioned ˜200 nt and ˜1000 nt away from exon 2.These would be used to monitor “hitchhiker” genomic fragments that are captured in secondary hybridization events.","Finally, one assay was created on chr9 to monitor bulk genomic DNA levels during experiments.","The primer sequences of these assays are shown below and the details are appended to the end of this example.","TABLE 6 qPCR primer sequences “walking” the 5′ introns-exon boundary of PLP1 exon 2 through the CDS SEQ ID Assay NO: Name Sequence Description Assay 1 79 F1 TTAGAGTGCTGTGCAAGATGTCTG Forward qPCR primer that sits within PLP1 exon2 80 R1 ACCCCAAAGAAACACAATCCAGT Reverse qPCR primer that sits within PLP1 exon2 Assay 2 81 F2 GCCACTGGATTGTGTTTCTTTG Forward qPCR primer that sits within PLP 1 exon2 82 R2 TCAATTAGCTTTTCTGTGCCAGTG Reverse qPCR primer that sits within PLP1 exon2 Assay 3 83 F3 ACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGGACAT Forward qPCR primer that sits within PLP1 exon2 84 R3 TCTTGGTAGTTTTTGGAGAAATAGGTC Reverse qPCR primer that sits within PLP1 exon2 Assay 4 85 F4 ttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGA Forward qPCR primer that sits within and flanks upstream region of PLP1 exon2 (lower case).","86 R4 CACCCCAAAGAAACACAATCCAGT Reverse qPCR primer that sits within and flanks upstream region of PLP1 exon2 (lower case).","Assay 5 87 F5 CCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAA Forward qPCR primer that sits within and flanks downstream region of PLP1 exon2 (lower case).","88 R5 tgggagggcaggtacttacACATT Reverse qPCR primer that sits within and flanks downstream region of PLP1 exon2 (lower case).","Assay 6 89 F6 CCCCTTGTTTTCTTACACGTGTTCT Forward qPCR primer that is 200 bp downstream of PLP1 exon2 90 R6 CCTCCCTTGGCTTCTCCATACCTA Reverse qPCR primer that is 200 bp downstream of PLP1 exon2 Assay 7 91 F7 GTGTGTCATTGTTTGGGAAAATGG Forward qPCR primer that is 1000 bp downstream of PLP1 exon2 (actually in exon3) 92 R7 CACCCCTTGTTATTGCCACAAAAT Reverse qPCR primer that is 1000 bp downstream of PLP1 exon2 (actually in exon3) Assay 8 93 F8 TACCAGCCAAGCCCATACTAGAGG Forward qPCR primer unlinked to chrX PLP1 locus that sits in chr9 94 R8 GGGATCAACAGTGGCATAATTGAA Reverse qPCR primer unlinked to chrX PLP1 locus that sits in chr9 To validate primer pair performance, PCR reactions were set-up that contained either male or female genomic DNA as template.","These were then amplified by real-time PCR on the Illumina Eco instrument or by conventional PCR.","The reasoning was that by qPCR, female should have slightly more PLP1 (chrX) signal than male.","By conventional PCR, we were able to check amplicon size and uniqueness.","Both tests yielded data consistent with the interpretation that all eight assays performed well.","PCR Reaction Set Up: For each female or male PCR reaction, a 250 μL master mix was made on ice containing: 100 μL of water 25 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer 25 μL 25 mM MgCl2 25 μL of 60 ng/μL sheared gDNA (female and male were the same concentration by Qubit) 12.5 μL DMSO 12.5 μL 10 mM dNTPs 6.25 μL EvaGreen dye (Biotum) 5 μL ROX dye (InVitrogen) Mix well and add 2.5 μL Taq DNA polymerase.","TABLE 7 Cq values from PLP1 qPCR assay validation Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 chrX chrX chrX chrX chrX chrX chrX chr9 F 23.27371 24.01229 24.19554 22.3413 22.10594 22.65759 22.31407 23.33794 22.49233 23.87286 22.53665 22.49127 22.19686 22.73586 22.0446 22.33889 22.40355 23.68538 22.50178 22.42961 22.23099 22.83415 22.32891 M 24.00953 23.56869 23.2648 23.51487 23.11367 23.65077 22.15477 23.63462 23.48547 23.95081 23.18794 23.25046 22.93675 23.66965 21.23208 23.77216 23.16852 24.16562 23.21774 22.93373 22.95635 23.61168 22.16391 F 22.98351 22.96939 23.77912 22.51921 22.42073 22.17793 22.74253 22.2292 M 23.80544 23.40756 24.05821 23.22349 23.23302 23.00226 23.64403 21.85026 M − F 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 −0.4 For the experiment, 24 μL of mix was aliquoted into two sets of 8 strip tubes (female or male) and added 6 μL of primer mix that contained 10 μM of the forward and reverse primers from each assay.","After mixing, three identical 5 μL amounts were aliquoted into columns of a 48-well Eco PCR plate (triplicate female on top in columns, triplicate male samples in columns on the bottom).","The instrument was set to monitor SYBR and ROX and to cycle to 95° C. for 30 sec, 60° C. for 30 sec and 72° C. for 30 sec for 40 cycles.","A JPG image of the amplification traces for assay 6 is shown in FIG.","9.The copy difference between the female and male samples was clear.","All of the “Cq” values were gathered (value where the fluorescence curve passes some auto-defined baseline) for the female and male samples, then differences between averages of triplicate measurements were calculated.","This is shown in Table 7 above (bottom line=M-F), where all values are positive except for the chr9 assay.","The overall data indicated that all eight assays perform similarly (Cq values from 22-24) and that the chrX assays generally had a higher signal in females.","The conventional PCR reaction was cycled for 30 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec and 72° C.-30 sec; 72° C. rest for 2 min, 10° C. hold.","A total of 5 μL of product was loaded directly on a 2% agarose gel without purification and is shown in FIG.","10.The upper bands of each doublet were consistent with the projected mobility of the assay PCR products.","The lower “fuzzy” material was most likely unused PCR primers.","From the results of real-time PCR and of conventional PCR followed by gel analysis it can be concluded that these eight assays amplify their intended regions exclusively and that they are suitable for monitoring fragment enrichment.","Example 5 Appendix: Details on Assay Design PLP1 gene: Transcript ID NM 000533.3; Exon 2-187 nt; CDS2 From UCSC browser.","CDS in BOLD UPPERCASE UNDERLINED; primer sequences are in italics.","Flanking Sequence in Lowercase SEQ ID NO: NAME SEQUENCE 95 Forward strand agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 96 Reverse complement tccaccccagtcccctgctagttactaaggtactgaagagtt ctctatctccaggatggagagagggaaaaaaaagatgggtct gtgtgggagggcaggtacttacACATTGATGAGATACTCATA GTCTTGGTAGTTTTTGGAGAAATAGGTCTCAATTAGCTTTTC TGTGCCAGTGAGGGCTTCATGTCCACAGCCACAGAACAGTGC CACCCCAAAGAAACACAATCCAGTGGCCACCAGGGAAGCAAA GGGGGCCCCTACCAGACATCTTGCACAGCACTCTAACAAGCc tggggaagaagaaggggaaacagtcaggcacatccagtaggt agctcatgccactcaaacccctctgccaggccctgtgctcac aggctcggagatagtgggcac 97 qPCR assay 1, 77nt: agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAG GTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 98 qPCR assay 2, 83 nt: agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 99 qPCR assay 3, 81 nt: agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 100 qPCR assay 4, 97 nt: agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 101 qPCR assay 5,95 nt: agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 102 qPCR assay 6,200 bp CCCCTTGTTTTCTTACACGTGTTCTgacttctgctaggtgtg distal to exon 2, 100bp gttcatattgcccaagttggagcctccagcgtagTAGGTATG product GAGAAGCCAAGGGAGG >chrX: 103040918 + 103041017 100bp 103 qPCR assay 7, 1000 bp GTGTGTCATTGTTTGGGAAAATGGctaggacatcccgacaag distal to exon 2 (in exon gtgatcatcctcaggATTTTGTGGCAATAACAAGGGGTG 3), 81 bp product >chrX: 103041614 + 103041694 81bp 104 qPCR assay 8, unlinked TACCAGCCAAGCCCATACTAGAGGctgtccccagatgctagc assay on chr 9, 96 bp aaccatctgattgaataaccatctgtatcaTTCAATTATGCC product ACTGTTGATCCC >chr9: 103041653 + 103041748 96bp Example 6: Capture of PLP1 Exon 2 Purpose: In one embodiment, the Clearfork Bioscience v1.0 DNA capture strategy entails the use of multifunctional probes targeted at specific genomic target regions.","The goal was to validate the approach using Ultramers™ (Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), Coralville, Iowa; ultramers is the trade name given to specialty synthesis synthetic oligonucleotides ranging in length from 45-200 nt) targeted to PLP1 exon 2.Summary: In this example, the capture reaction was demonstrated.","Ultramers from IDT-DNA worked well for capture; the basic protocol through the capture step in terms of reagent stochiometries was sound; and PEG molecular crowding agent interfered with effective capture.","Post capture enzymatic processing was subsequently addressed.","Brief Description: The multifunctional probes are diagrammed in FIG.","2.The goal of this experimental data set was to test all three features of these probes.","Region 1 was the binding site for a 34 nt universal, 5′ biotin-TEG and 3′ dideoxycytosine-modified universal “pull-down” oligo.","Two of these universal regions were designed to validate/verify equivalent (hopefully) performance.","The sequences of these two universal oligos are shown below in Table 8.TABLE 8 Pull-down oligo sequences targeting PLP exon 2: SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence Description 105 Univ_seq_1 /5BioTEG/CACTGGACTATGTAGT One of two 5′ biotin-TEG and 3′ ACCTCACTCAGCAATAC/3ddC/ dideoxycytosine modified universal capture oligos 106 Univ_seq_10 /5BioTEG/GGCAACGAACGGACTG One of two 5′ biotin-TEG and 3′ GAATCTACGGTCACCAA/3ddC/ dideoxycytosine modified universal capture oligos Below is a brief description of how these sequences were selected.","The functional role of these oligos was to hybridize to capture probes and to thereby provide a stably bound biotin extension that could be used for capture on streptavidin modified magnetic beads.","10 random sequences were generated by a random DNA sequence generator set to have a rough base composition of 50% GC.","The University of California, Riverside Computing and Communications web site was used.","The ten sequences were then screened by BLAT to the hg19 build of the human genome.","Only sequence 3 showed a significant alignment.","The two sequences ending in “C” were chosen since these could be blocked with ddC.","Both sequences were analyzed by the IDT OligoAnalyzer.","Sequence 1 is 47% GC and has a 76° C. melting temp in 1M NaCl.","Sequence 2 has a 57% GC content and an 86° C. melting temp in high salt.","The sequences selected, 1 and 10, are the actual “universal” 5′ Biotin TEG-ddC complementary probe sequences.","The reverse complements of these were used as the tails on capture probes.","These sequences were subsequently altered by adding four bases, A, G, C and T, to increase the length to 34 bases.","This length worked well with SBC and there was no compelling reason to change.","Second, some of the CGCG type motifs were disrupted to lower self-dimer formation.","Region 2 encompassed the portion of the probe that was designed to contact genomic sequences in sample genomic libraries.","In this experiment, the target region was exon 2 of PLP1.The DNA sequence of PLP1 exon 2 is shown below.","The CDS exon 2 is highlighted in BOLD UPPERCASE UNDERLINED type.","The evenly spaced-capture probe sequences are shaded.","SEQ ID NO: NAME SEQUENCE 107 Forward agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcagaggggtttgag strand tggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgactgtttccccttcttcttcccca gGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGCAAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCT GGTGGCCACTGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGGAC ATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTATTTCTCCAAAAAC TACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGTgtaagtacctgccctcccacacag acccatcttttttttccctctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtac cttagtaactagcaggggactggggtgga Region 3 was complementary to a validated PCR primer called CAC3.The sequence of the CAC3 PCR primer is: (SEQ ID NO: 72) CACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCAC.","The sequences of the ultramers that include these probe regions are shown in Table 9.TABLE 9 Sequences of ultramers used in the PLP1 exon 2 capture SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence Description 108 B1_PLP1ex2_p1 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTTGAGTGGCAT Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GAGCTACCTACTGGATGTGCCTGACTGTTTCC exon 2 and compatible CCTTCTTCTTCCCCAGGGTATTGCTGAGTGAG with Universal seq 1 GTACTACATAGTCCAGTG 109 B1_PLP1ex2_p2 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACATGTCTGGTAGG Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCACTGGAT exon 2 and compatible TGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGTATTGCTGAGTGAG with Universal seq 1 GTACTACATAGTCCAGTG 110 B1_PLP1ex2_p3 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCTTGGTAGTTTT Ultramer targeted to PLP1 TGGAGAAATAGGTCTCAATTAGCTTTTCTGTG exon 2 and compatible CCAGTGAGGGCTTCATGGTATTGCTGAGTGAG with Universal seq 1 GTACTACATAGTCCAGTG 111 B1_PLP1ex2_p4 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACATCTCCAGGATG Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GAGAGAGGGAAAAAAAAGATGGGTCTGTGTGG exon 2 and compatible GAGGGCAGGTACTTACGGTATTGCTGAGTGAG with Universal seq 1 GTACTACATAGTCCAGTG 112 B10_PLP1ex2_p1 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTTGAGTGGCAT Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GAGCTACCTACTGGATGTGCCTGACTGTTTCC exon 2 and compatible CCTTCTTCTTCCCCAGGTTGGTGACCGTAGAT with Universal seq 10 TCCAGTCCGTTCGTTGCC 113 B10_PLP1ex2_p2 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACATGTCTGGTAGG Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCACTGGAT exon 2 and compatible TGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGTTGGTGACCGTAGAT with Universal seq 10 TCCAGTCCGTTCGTTGCC 114 B10_PLP1ex2_p3 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCTTGGTAGTTTT Ultramer targeted to PLP1 TGGAGAAATAGGTCTCAATTAGCTTTTCTGTG exon 2 and compatible CCAGTGAGGGCTTCATGTTGGTGACCGTAGAT with Universal seq 10 TCCAGTCCGTTCGTTGCC 115 B10_PLP1ex2_p4 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACATCTCCAGGATG Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GAGAGAGGGAAAAAAAAGATGGGTCTGTGTGG exon 2 and compatible GAGGGCAGGTACTTACGTTGGTGACCGTAGAT with Universal seq 10 TCCAGTCCGTTCGTTGCC Considerations about Moles, Micrograms and Molecules: The genomic library constructed in Example 3 (hgDNA library from Promega female) was used.","A large scale (800 μL) amplification of this library was performed starting with 20 μL of ligation mix as input.","The purified library (400 μL) had a final concentration of 22 ng/μL.","One microgram per experiment described here was used.","Furthermore, based on the total adaptor being 50 bp and the inserts being 150-200 bp, there was an assumption that 75% of the library mass is genomic DNA.","Based on this assumption, and that one human genome has a mass 3 pg, then there were roughly (750×10−9/3×10−12=250,000) 250,000 copies of any given genomic region present.","Previous experience and literature suggested that a 10,000-fold molar excess of probes is a reasonable place to start.","This implies 2,500,000,000 molecules of probe.","2.5×109 molecules/6.02×1023 molecules/mole=4.15×1015 moles=4 amol probe.","Translating this to volume of a stock solution, 1 μL of 4 nM (in each probe)=4 amol of probe.","Finally, Invitrogen's MyOne strep-coated C1 beads bind about 1 pmol of biotinylated 500 bb dsDNA/1 μL of beads.","In this experiment, a total of 4 amol×4 probes=16 amol in probe were added.","1 μL of beads binds 1000 amol, 1 μL is a practical amount of beads to work with, and 1 μL of beads is a 60-fold excess of binding capacity over added probe.","Therefore, in this example the following parameters were calculated: the number of target molecules in a unit mass of library (250,000 copies of a unique diploid locus/1 μg of library); the molarity of probe necessary to address the target loci with a 10,000-fold molar excess of probe (4 amol of each probe, 16 amol total probe (4 probes), 1 μL of a 4 nM solution of probes; and the amount of beads necessary to quantitatively capture all of the added probe (1 μL binds 1000 amol of dsDNA and/or unbound probe).","Buffers and Working Solutions Solution 1—binding probes: hydrated universal binding partners and PLP1 probes to 100 μM.","In two separate tubes, combined 92 μL TEz+0.05% Tween-20 buffer, 4 μL universal oligo and 1 μL each of the four cognate (with the universal oligo) probes.","This generated two of 1 μM stock probe solution.","Diluted each of these 4 μL into 1000 μL of TEz+Tween to provide a 4 nM working solution of probes.","4× Binding buffer=4M NaCl, 40 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.4 mM EDTA, and 0.4% Tween 20.Made 50 mls by combining 40 mls of 5M NaCl, 2 mls of 1M Tris pH 8.0, 2 mls of 10% Tween20, 40 μL of 0.5 M EDTA and 6 mls of water.","Wash buffer=25% formamide, 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.1 mM EDTA and 0.05% Tween 20.Made 50 mls by combining 37 mls of water, 12.5 mls of formamide, 500 μL of 1M Tris pH8.0, 10 μL of 0.5M EDTA, and 250 μL of 10% Tween 20.Beads.","Combined 250 μL of 4× bind and 750 μL of water to make 1× binding buffer.","Added 10 μL of beads to 90 μL of 1× bind, pulled aside with magnet, washed the beads 2× with 100 μL of 1× bind, and resuspended washed beads in 100 μL 1× bind.","Ten microliters of washed beads is equivalent to 1 μL of beads as they come out of the manufacturer's tube.","Methods The following three parameters were tested: 1.Universal biotin oligo 1 versus oligo 10; 2.Binding in 1× bind versus 1× bind plus 7.5% PEG8000 (a molecular crowding agent that may enhance the rate of annealing); and 3.Fold-enrichment of PLP1 region after straight binding and after binding plus enzymatic processing To test these parameters eight samples (2×2×2) were generated.","These samples contained 50 μL of 20 ng/μL genomic DNA, 25 μL of 4× binding buffer, 1 μL of binding probes and either 24 μL of water or 20 μL of 50% PEG8000+4 μL of water (four sample with and 4 samples without PEG).","From the IDT DNA website OligoAnalyzer, it was described that the Tm of oligos shifts to dramatically higher temperatures in high salt (e.g., 1M NaCl).","Thus, the sample was melted at 95° C. and then dropped the temperature in 1° C. and 2 min increments to 60° C. (35 cycles of AutoX on our ABI2720 thermal cycler where each cycle drops by one degree and each cycle lasts 2 min).","After the samples cooled to room temperature (RT), 10 μL of washed beads were added per sample and incubated for 20 min.","The beads were pulled out with a strong magnet and the solution aspirated and discarded.","The beads were washed four times with 200 μL washes of wash buffer; each time the beads were resuspended, they were incubated a RT for 5 min.","After the final wash, the majority of remaining wash was carefully aspirated from the tubes.","A set of four tubes was treated with T4 DNA polymerase.","A cocktail was made by combining 10 μL of New England Biolab 10× Quick blunting buffer, 10 μL of 1 mM dNTPs from the same kit, 10 μL of water and 1 μL of T4 DNA polymerase.","20 μL was added to a set of four tubes and the reaction was incubated at 20° C. for 15 min.","For PCR amplification following capture, the non-T4 treated samples (captured only) were amplified with ACA2-25 (TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA; SEQ ID NO: 67) in single primer reactions.","The T4-treated samples were amplified with ACA2FL and CAC3FL primers (AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATA CA (SEQ ID NO: 69) and CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCA C (SEQ ID NO: 74), respectively).","The core reaction mixes contained, per 400 μL reaction, 120 L of water, 40 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer (NEB), 40 μL of 25 mM MgCl2, 80 μL of 10 μM single primer or 40 μL+40 μL of F and R primer, 20 μL of DMSO, 20 μL of 10 mM dNTPs and 4 μL of Taq polymerase.","80 μL aliquots were added to beads that had been resuspended in L of TEz (binding only) or 20 μL of T4 mix.","The final volumes were 100 μL.","These samples were amplified by PCR for 30 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec and 72° C.-60 sec.","The gel analysis—5 μL of post-PCR material was loaded per lane—is shown in the results section.","Qubit readings indicated that each PCR reaction had a concentration of ˜20-25 ng/μL.","For post-amplification analysis, a 500 μL (final volume) master mix of conventional PCR mix was made by combining 200 μL water, 50 μL 10× Taq buffer, 50 μL 25 mM MgCl2, 25 μL of DMSO, 25 μL of 10 mM dNTPs, 12.5 μL EvaGreen (Biotum) and 5 μL Taq polymerase (NEB).","42 μL aliquots were distributed into 8 tubes and 12 μL of F+R 10 μM PLP1 primer mixes (the assays are described in Example 5: Validation of PLP1 qPCR assays) were added.","9 μL of mix was distributed, each assay in 8 columns.","A total of 6 samples, 1 μL of sample per well, was assayed.","These samples were: (a) Row 1: gDNA library starting material (b) Row 2: Biotin oligo 1 capture material (c) Row 3: Biotin oligo 1+PEG capture (d) Row 4: Biotin oligo 10 capture material (e) Row 5: Biotin oligo 10+PEG capture material (f) Row 6: TEz NTC control The T4 treated samples were not assayed because gel analysis showed that only aberrant material was treated by PCR amplification.","Results The capture only libraries produced a smear that looked like the input genomic library, as expected.","The samples left to right were (1) oligo 1, (2) oligo 1+PEG, (3) oligo 10, and (4) oligo 10+PEG.","The T4-treated samples were contaminated with residual T4 polymerase (5-8).","In particular embodiments, T4 polymerase is heat inactivated.","The Qubit measured yields of the four capture only libraries is shown below in Table 10.TABLE 10 Qubit measured yields of the four capture only libraries C1 universal oligo 23.2 ng/μL C1 + PEG 27.2 ng/μL C10 universal oligo 24.8 ng/μL C10 + PEG 25.6 ng/μL For qPCR, all eight validated PLP1 assays (Example 5) were used in columns and samples in rows.","The array of the samples was: (a) Row 1: 1 μL of 25 ng/μL gDNA library (b) Row 2: 1 μL of ˜25 ng/μL C1 capture sample (c) Row 3: 1 μL of ˜25 ng/μL C1+P capture sample (d) Row 4: 1 μL of ˜25 ng/μL C10 capture sample (e) Row 5: 1 μL of ˜25 ng/μL C10+P capture sample (f) Row 6: 1 μL TEz (NTC) In this configuration, 1 sample per well, the data were meant to be more of a qualitative overview than a rigorous quantitative measurement.","The data are shown in the tables below.","The top table is raw Cq values.","The next table is Cq values converted to absolute values based on the assumption that all samples and assays conform to the same two-fold standard curve.","The bottom table shows the quotient of captured sample divided by gDNA library.","This provides a sense of fold-enrichment following capture.","TABLE 11 Results of the eight PLP1 qPCR assays demonstrating successful capture-induced enrichment of target sequences Cq Values Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA lib 22 25 29 25 25 26 25 25 C1 14 11 11 11 9 15 23 22 C1 + P 18 15 18 14 13 18 29 26 C10 12 12 13 12 10 15 22 25 C10 + P 16 13 15 13 12 18 27 25 NTC 29 25 34 28 30 28 30 31 Cq Values Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA lib 33 3 0 4 3 2 3 2 C1 4782 56660 50773 43156 138885 2950 10 28 C1 + P 293 3196 407 6187 16082 450 0 1 C10 29864 34343 11961 28507 123383 2894 31 3 C10 + P 1234 11632 3976 10060 25772 413 1 2 NTC 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 cap/gDNA Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 C1 147 19303 330609 11735 48601 1720 3 11 C1 + P 9 1089 2649 1682 5628 262 0 1 C10 917 1170 77886 7752 43176 1688 10 1 C10 + P 38 3963 25890 2736 9019 241 0 1 Several conclusions were drawn from the data: (1) The capture worked.","The average capture enrichment across on-target assays 1-5 for C1 was 82,000×.","The average for C10 was 28,000×.","Anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands fold enrichment at assay sites was observed.","This implies that ultramers work and that the basic probe design is effective.","This meant that the basic stoichiometry of gDNA to probe to beads was correct; (2) The two biotin designs worked approximately the same; (3) PEG inhibits rather than enhanced capture efficiency; and (4) Significant “by-catch” at assay 6, which was 200 bp from target was observed.","Less stray activity was seen for a region 1000 bp away.","In particular embodiments, it may be important to determine if enzymatic processing of the captured complex contributes to sensitivity (fold-enrichment) and specificity (degree of “by-catch”) in this scheme.","Example 7: PLP1 qPCR Assays in SYBR Space Purpose: In some cases it is useful for real-time conditions to exactly mimic non-real-time amplification conditions.","In this example this meant to set up on ice and three stage, relatively slow PCR reactions.","Alternatively, some assays do not require replication of a set amplification conditions; rather they are intended strictly to make quantitative measurements.","For example, the PLP1 qPCR assays are preferably not used to produce fragments, but only to measure locus enrichment.","In this type of situation, qPCR reaction set up at room temperature and fast cycling are advantages.","In this experiment, the eight PLP1 assays in ABI 2×SYBR mix were tested.","These are the same primer assays as described in the Example 5 (Validation of PLP1 qPCR assays).","Summary: These data suggested that at least six of eight PLP1 qPCR assays could be used with SYBR green qPCR mix and conditions.","Methods: PLP1 assay performance was measured against the female gDNA library (Example 3: hgDNA library from Promega female).","Per 10 μL well combined 5 L ABI 2×SYBR master mix, 0.2 μL of 10 μM stock F+R primer, 1 μL of gDNA library (20 ng/μL) and 3.8 μL water (larger volume master mixes were made and aliquoted).","Made triplicate no-template-control and triplicate gDNA library measurements across each assay.","Cycled for 40 cycles on the Illumina Eco real-time PCR using standard 2 step PCR (15 sec at 95° C., 45 sec at 60° C.) with ROX passive reference dye normalization.","Results: The called Cq values for each well are shown in Table 12 below.","The NTC is very clean; the gDNA Cq's are variable, likely due to pipetting.","The general theme is that Assay 1 and 7 were poor performers while the remaining assays worked reasonably well in SYBR space.","In FIG.","11, the NTC traces (A) and +gDNA traces (B) were copied to provide a qualitative picture of assay performance.","TABLE 12 Called Cq values from rapid SYBR-green-based PLP1 assays Assay 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 NTC 38 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 35 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 gDNA 35 25 25 24 27 22 32 26 35 25 25 24 26 23 32 27 32 24 22 22 23 21 29 24 Example 8: Measurement of PLP1 Exon2 Enrichment Before and after Enzymatic Processing of Complexes Purpose: In this example the enzymatic processing of the complex was tested directly for yield by measuring the “specific activity” of PLP1 exon2 DNA in pre- and post-processed capture complex.","ultramers support excellent capture efficiency and the core capture protocol performed well.","Summary: This experiment demonstrated that post-capture processing with T4-DNA polymerase dramatically improved the specificity of the capture reaction.","Background: In Example 6 (Capture of PLP1 exon 2) the successful capture was described, however the post-capture processing step where T4 polymerase was not removed prior to PCR yielded an artifactual library.","Here, the same basic experiment is repeated except that T4 was heat inactivated at 95° C. for 1 min prior to PCR.","Methods, Results, and Discussion: In this experiment, four samples were generated which included two universal biotin capture probes in order to assess capture efficiency of complexes before and after enzyme processing.","Each sample contained 50 μL of 20 ng/μL genomic DNA, 20 μL of 4× binding buffer, 1 μL of binding probes and either 9 μL of water for a final volume of 80 μL.","Samples were melted at 95° C. for one minute and annealed by cooling the temperature in 1° C., 2 min increments to 60° C. (35 cycles of AutoX on our ABI2720 thermal cycler) followed by cooling to RT.","A total of 10 μL of washed beads (equivalent to 1 μL of MyOne bead solution—streptavidin-coated C1—Invitrogen) were then added per sample and incubated for 20 min.","The beads were pulled out with a magnet and the solution aspirated and discarded.","The beads were washed four times with 200 μL washes of wash buffer; each time the beads were resuspended, they were incubated at RT for 5 min.","After the final wash, the majority of remaining wash was carefully aspirated from the tubes, leaving beads coated with capture complex.","For T4 processing of two of the samples, we prepared 50 μL of enzymatic processing mix that contained 40 μL of water, 5 μL of 10× quick blunt buffer (New England Biolabs), 5 μL of 1 mM dNTPs and 0.5 μL of T4 DNA polymerase.","Two aliquots of complex were suspended in 20 μL (each) of T4 mix and incubated at 20° C. for 15 min, 95° C. for 1 min, and cooled to RT.","The “untreated” controls were suspended in 20 μL of the same buffer (40 μL of water, 5 μL of 10× quick blunt buffer (New England Biolabs), 5 μL of 1 mM dNTPs) that lacked T4 polymerase.","To measure specific activity, both the capture alone and capture+processing samples were amplified by 30 cycles of PCR.","The DNA was then quantified and PLP1 assay signals measured in a specific and known amount of amplified DNA.","In this example two amplification reactions were set-up.","For capture alone, amplification was performed with ACA2-25 (TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA; SEQ ID NO: 67) since these libraries are only amplifiable with this single primer.","For enzyme-processed complexes, amplification was performed with ACA2FL and CAC3FL primers (AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATA CA (SEQ ID NO: 69) and CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCA C (SEQ ID NO: 74), respectively).","100 μL of PCR mix contained 10 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer (all reagents NEB unless otherwise specified), 10 μL of 25 mM MgCl2, 20 μL of 10 μM single primer or 10 μL+10 μL of 10 μM dual primers, 20 μL of template (untreated control or T4 processed, beads and all), 5 μL of DMSO, 5 μL of 10 mM dNTPs and 1 μL of Taq DNA polymerase (all set up one ice prior to amplification).","Samples were amplified for 30 cycles of PCR in a three step, 95° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec, 72° C.-60 sec, protocol followed by 72° C. for 2 min and rested at 10° C. Following amplification, DNA yield was measured and the PCR amplified material examined by DNA gel electrophoresis.","Qubit (InVitrogen) measured (DNA HS kit) yields are shown in Table 13 below.","These data highlight a basic feature that dual primer amplification supports overall yields than single primer amplification.","TABLE 13 Qubit quantification of amplified DNA Sample Yield (ng/μL) C1 biotin, unprocessed complex 23 C10 biotin, unprocessed complex 24 C1 biotin, T4-processed complex 38 C10 biotin, T4-processed complex 34 The gel image (2% agarose, 100 ng of material loaded) is shown in FIG.","12.Processing had two noticeable effects.","First, it produced two faint bands of ˜250 bp (upper arrow) and ˜175 bp (lower arrow) in addition to an expected smear.","The lower band was consistent with inadvertent cloning of probe (115 bp of adaptor+60 bp probe=175 bp).","Second, processing reduced the overall size distribution of the sample.","This was noteworthy since the 50 bp single adaptors were replaced by 115 bp full-length adaptors, which was expected to create an overall upward shift of 65 bp in processed material.","The interpretation was that processing reduced the average insert size of the library significantly.","Two efforts were made to measure enrichment efficiency by qPCR.","In the first, more qualitative effort, all eight PLP1 assays (described in detail in Example 5: Validation of PLP1 qPCR assays) were used to measure six samples: 1.25 ng/assay of starting gDNA library 2.0.25 ng/assay of untreated C1 3.0.25 ng/assay of untreated C10 4.0.25 ng/assay of T4 treated C1 5.0.25 ng/assay of T4 treated C10 6.No template control The Cq values from these single measurements are shown in Table 14 below.","The gDNA and NTC controls did perform well (top and bottom, lightest shades) and were not evaluated further.","TABLE 14 Cq values of qualitative PLP1 assay analysis of enrichment efficiencies Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA N/A 27 29 40 27 30 23 32 un-C1 12 8 8 9 5 11 24 29 un-C10 16 14 14 15 9 10 30 31 T4-C1 7 6 3 3 4 19 25 N/A T4-C10 4 3 4 6 3 17 26 28 NTC 32 32 31 23 24 28 24 30 The T4-treated samples (darkest shading) had so much signal (Cq's less than 10) that quantitative analysis was not very informative.","But at a qualitative level, two trends were clear in comparison to untreated capture complexes (middle shading).","One was that on-target signal from assays 1-5 increases (lower Cq's) dramatically.","The other was that off-target signal from Assay 6, which is 200 bp away from the target region, decreased significantly upon processing.","While the data have some bumps and warts the central message was that processing greatly enhanced specificity of PLP1 exon2 signal.","To capture more quantitative aspects of this experiment, the untreated C10 capture amplicons were diluted 1000-fold and the processed C10 amplicons 15,000 fold prior to qPCR; this was done to bring Cq values into a measurable range.","The starting gDNA library was then examined and these diluted samples in quadruplicate wells of the qPCR plate across two on-target assays (Assays 2 and 5) and two off-target assays (Assays 6 and 7).","The Cq values of the quadruplicate wells were averaged and these values are shown in Table 15 below.","Once again the gDNA signal was poor; the impact of poor signal on data interpretation was not terribly significant because the goal of these experiments was to compare PLP1 exon2 signal in unprocessed versus T4 polymerase treated capture complexes.","The Cq values were converted to absolute values using a “universal” standard curve that assumes 2-fold amplification with every PCR cycle.","The third segment of the table shows the adjustment for dilutions.","The fourth segment, ratios of unprocessed and T4-treated to gDNA is not as useful; however, at the bottom of the table is the quantitative ratios of unprocessed versus T4-treated complex.","In Example 6, it was observed that untreated capture enrichment of 82,000× for C1 and 28,000× for C10 (as in all these experiments, the gDNA denominator was derived from very low signal, so the fold range had a qualitative aspect to it), so a reasonable estimate was that capture alone produced a 50,000× enrichment of the 300 bp PLP1 exon2 region.","Processing increased this enrichment another 50-fold (average of 83× and 24× from the Table 15), pushing enrichment to 2.5 million-fold and 10 million fold (3 billion bases per genome over 300 bp target).","At the level of qPCR measurements, capture+processing therefore appeared to approach best-case scenarios in terms of enrichment.","It was noteworthy that the off-target signal that was 200 bp removed from the target monitored by Assay 6, while greatly enriched by capture alone (the hitch-hiker, cross-hyb effect), dropped significantly with processing.","TABLE 15 Cq values of quantitative PLP1 assay analysis of enrichment efficiencies Raw Cq values Cq Assay 2 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 gDNA 27 33 35 27 capture 15 12 17 32 cap + enz 13 11 24 31 Cq converted to absolute values abs val Assay 2 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 gDNA 81 1 0 95 capture 253464 2538822 89450 3 cap + enz 1408479 4050620 506 4 Absolute values adjusted for dilutions of samples abs val Assay 2 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 gDNA 81 1 0 95 capture 253465648 2538821701 89449912 2573 cap + enz 21127189405 60759299218 7584546 66931 Ratios of captured samples to gDNA /gDNA Assay 2 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 capture 3126652 2394181716 239697693 cap + enz 260618748 57297762664 20324204 Ratios of unprocessed to processed sample enz/cap Assay 2 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 cap + enz 83 24 0.08 This experiment addressed the specificity of capture+processing—the non-target qPCR signal.","The specific activity per ng of amplified DNA—from PLP1 exon 2 was greatly enhanced by post-capture processing.","This experiment did not address sensitivity, that is, the percent of capture complexes that are converted by enzyme.","A quantitative understanding of both specificity and sensitivity of the present method may also be important in particular embodiments.","Example 9: Direct Measurement of Post-Capture Processing Purpose: In the Example 8, it was determined that post-capture processing achieved the desired aim of substantially increasing target capture specificity.","The other critical parameter to be examined is sensitivity, i.e.","the percentage of the initially captured complexes that are recovered in the final sequencing library.","In this example, we demonstrated by direct measurement of sensitivity that enzymatic processing is effective for >10% of the initially captured sequences.","Summary: The data from this experiment indicated that 10% of the on-target capture complexes were processed by T4 polymerase into post-capture sequencing library fragments.","Considerations: By way of reference, a schematic illustration of post-capture processing is shown in FIG.","4.Here, the sensitivity of processing was measured in a three-step procedure, which is illustrated on the lower right of FIG.","13.First, single PLP1 capture probes were used in independent reactions to pull down/pull out PLP1 exon 2 specific genomic DNA fragments from the female gDNA library (Example 3: hgDNA library from Promega female).","As there were four probes, four pull-downs were performed.","The amount of captured material was measured using an adjacent PLP1 qPCR assay primer pair, as illustrated in FIG.","13(A).","Following enzymatic processing of the complex, again by qPCR, the amount of processed complex was measured by using one PLP1 specific primer and one probe-specific primer, as show in FIG.","13(B).","The ratio of the measurements in [B/A×100%] yielded an estimate of processing efficiency.","Critical to the correct interpretation of the experimental results, the PCR products were extracted from real-time reactions and verified that amplicons of the expected length were produced by gel analysis FIG.","13(C).","This was possible because both PCR reactions had discrete start and stop points.","Pull-outs that yield interpretable data from A+B+C were used to determine processing efficiency.","Assays: Individual probes needed to be matched to qPCR assays.","Six combinations of probes matched to pre- and post-process qPCR assays were elected.","These are shown below with probe sequences in italics, PLP1 exon2 specific primers shaded.","The darker shaded primers are those that are paired with the CAC3 primer after processing.","The expected product sizes of the PCR amplicons are also shown for each assay set: SEQ ID NO: NAME SEQUENCE 116 Probe 1 and assay 1; agtgcccactatcccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 1 = 77 bp; agggg CAC3⇄R1 = GCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC 167 bp AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 117 Probe 1 and assay 2; agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 2 = 83 bp; agggg CAC3⇄R2 = GCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC 224 bp: AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 118 Assay 3 and probe 4; agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 3 = 81 bp; aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac F3⇄CAC3 = 187 bp: tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 119 Assay 2 and probe 4; agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 2 = 83 bp; aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac F2⇄CAC3 = 216 bp: tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 120 Probe 2 and assay 5; agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 5 = 95 bp; aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac CAC3⇄R5 = tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC 209 bp: AAG GGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 121 Assay 4 and probe 3; agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 4 = 97 bp; aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac F4⇄CAC3 = 204 bp: tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG AC ACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga Methods Probes.","In these assays the B10 universal oligo set of probes (24 Aug. 2012 Experiment 4—Capture of PLP1 exon 2) was chosen.","To make individual capture probes, 1 L of universal oligo 10 (100 μM) was combined with 1 μL of 100 μM probe ultramer and 98 L of TEz+0.05% Tween20.This was further diluted 4 μL into 996 μL TEz+Tween to provide a 4 nM working solution.","Capture.","For capture 50 μL of 22 ng/μL gDNA library, 20 μL of 4× binding buffer, 1 μL of probe and 9 μL of water were combined.","There were six independent capture reactions (two with probe #1, two with probe #4, one with probe #2 and one with probe #3).","These were heated to 95° C. for 1 min then cooled in 35 “cycles” of −1° C. and 2 min to 60° C. as described earlier.","Following annealing, 10 μL of washed beads (=1 μL of stock beads) was added and binding was incubated for 20 min at RT.","Beads were then pulled aside and washed 4 times, 5 min each, with 200 μL aliquots of wash buffer.","After the last wash, all remaining accessible fluid was aspirated from the beads.","Processing.","Beads were resuspended in 10 μL of quick blunt solution (200 μL=20 μL of 10× quick blunting buffer, 20 μL of 1 mM dNTP and 160 μL water).","Each of the six aliquots of beads was split into two 5 μL aliquot.","5 μL of QB buffer without enzyme was added to one set of tubes (these are the capture-only aliquot).","To the other 5 μL aliquots, 5 L of QB buffer containing 0.025 μL of T4 polymerase (this was made by combining 100 μL QB buffer with 0.5 μL of T4 polymerase and distributing 5 μL aliquots) was added.","Both the capture only and the capture+processing tubes were incubated at 20° C. for 15 min, 98° C. for 1 min, cooled to RT and placed immediately on magnets.","˜10 μL of supernatant was pulled from the six pairs of capture-only and T4-processed complexes (now 12 tubes total).","These supernatants were used directly in qPCR as described below.","qPCR.","For these assays, standard Taq reaction mix and 3 step thermal cycling were chosen.","Twelve of 40 μL qPCR mix were constructed, each containing: 14 μL of water 4 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer 4 μL of 25 mM MgCl2 4 μL of a blend of F and R primer at 10 μM each 8 μL of template (supernatant from above) 2 μL of DMSO 2 μL of 10 mM dNTPs 1 μL of EvaGreen 0.8 μL of ROX 0.4 μL of Taq polymerase Reactions were distributed in quads and cycled for 40 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 55° C.-30 sec, 72° C.-60 sec.","Following PCR, reaction mix was pooled from each of the four wells of the quad and 5 μL was analyzed on 2% agarose gels.","Results To interpret the experimental data, the agarose gels that are shown in FIG.","14 were examined.","Under the cycling conditions used with the primers used (etc.)","it was observed that assay sets 3, 5 and 6 yielded PCR products consistent with the assay amplicon (top gel) or the post-processed PLP1 to adaptor amplicons (bottom gel).","The more successful assay sets corresponded to: Probe 4 with assay 3 Probe 2 with assay 5 Probe 3 with assay 4 The qPCR Cq values are shown in Table 16 below.","Assays 1 and 2 failed gel analysis.","Successful assays are shown in assays 3, 5 and 4.To derive % processing values, Cq's were converted to absolute values (In “Excel speak”, Abs value=power(10, log 10(½)*Cq+10).","The quotient of post-processed over capture only was then expressed as a percentage.","This measurement assumed that the amplification efficiency of the all amplicons was the same and conforms to an idealized standard curve (probably reasonably accurate).","Assuming this was correct, then approximately 10% of captured material appears to be processed.","TABLE 16 qPCR analysis of post-capture processing sensitivity probe 1 probe 1 probe 4 probe 4 probe 2 probe 3 assay 1 assay 2 assay 3 assay 2 assay 5 assay 4 capture 23 21 25 21 25 26 post-process 16 23 29 22 28 29 % processed 7% 17% 10% Example 10: Construction of Expanded Code Male and Female gDNA Libraries Purpose: Build set of 16 coded male and female gDNA libraries that will be used to test multiple capture parameters in a single MiSeq sequencing run.","Methods Step 1: gDNA.","Repaired gDNA was prepared.","Step 2: All 16 possible adaptor codes were generated.","These codes are four base structures in which the base positions at −4 and −3 (relative to the insert) are random bases and the base positions at −2 and −1 are sample codes.","There are four “clusters” of sample codes.","These are: Cluster 1: AC, GA, CT, TG Cluster 2: AA, GC, CG, TT Cluster 3: AG, GT, CA, TC Cluster 4: AT, GG, CC, TA Clusters 2-4 were ordered as 100 μM oligos in plates.","One set of plates had ligation strand and one set of plates had partner strands.","The plate array was A1-H1, A2-H2, etc.","To anneal adaptors in two sets of 96 well PCR plates, 70 μL/well of “annealing solution” containing 68 μL of TEz and 2 μL of 5M NaCl was added to 20 μL partner strand oligo and 10 L ligation strand oligo, covered with tape, and annealed 10 sec at 95° C., 5 min 65° C., and cooled to RT.","Pooled sets of 16—random codes that have the same sample code—into sets of four.","Red=set AA, GC, CG and TT.","Purple=set AG, GT, CA and TC.","Blue=set AT, GG, CC and TA (laid out in this order).","Step 3: It is easiest to create 16 ligation for female DNA and 16 ligations for male DNA in which both types received the same set of 16 unique adaptor types.","This will allow us to decide later which combinations of samples we want to create with maximum flexibility.","To do this, End-repaired gDNA from the experiment was used.","I will perform the requisite 32 ligation in 20 μL/rxn as follows: Two gDNA cocktails were made, one female and one male, that contain: 144 μL water 32 μL 10× lig buffer 48 μL 50% PEG8000 64 μL gDNA The cocktails were mixed and aliquoted into 16 tubes with 18 μL each.","2 L of adaptors and 0.5 μL HC T4 ligase were added and the resulting reactions were incubated at 22° C. for 60 min, 65° C. for 10 min, and cooled to RT.","80 μL TEz, then 120 μL Ampure beads were also added to the reactions, mixed and incubated 10 min at RT.","The reactions were wash twice with 200 μL of 70% EtOH/water (v/v), air dried, and resuspended in 100 μL TEz.","Step 4: qPCR.","Make qPCR master mix containing: 175 μL of water 50 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer 50 μL of 25 mM MgCl2 100 μL of ACA2 primer (10 μM) (50 μL of template—added later) 25 μL of DMSO 25 μL of 10 mM dNTPs 12.5 μL of Eva green 10 μL of ROX 5 μL of Taq DNA polymerase 9 μL was distributed into the 48 wells of an Illumina Eco qPCR plate.","Two serial dilutions of library calibration standard were made that are 10 pg/μL and 1 pg/μL.","The remainder of the plate was loaded with libraries as shown in the tables below.","TABLE 17 Sample key for 48 well assay plate 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 A 10 pg/μL 1 pg/μL F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 STD STD B 10 pg/μL 1 pg/μL F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 STD STD C F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12 F13 F14 D F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12 F13 F14 E F15 F16 M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 F F15 F16 M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 The second plate had the layout shown in Table 18 below.","TABLE 18 Sample key for 48 well assay plate 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 A 100 pg/μL 10 pg/μL 1 pg/μL NTC F15 M1 M2 M3 STD STD STD B 100 pg/μL 10 pg/μL 1 pg/μL NTC F15 M1 M2 M3 STD STD STD C M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 D M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 E M9 M10 M11 M12 M13 M14 M15 M16 F M9 M10 M11 M12 M13 M14 M15 M16 Ligation efficiency was measured by the following cycling program: 72° C.-2 min 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec, and 72° C.-60 sec; 40 cycles Results: FIG.","49 shows the Cq values of STDs and samples (the average of duplicate measurements except (i) the experiment repeated on plate 2 and (ii) M1, M2 and M3 were measured in three sets of duplicates—average of the three measurements taken).","These were converted to arbitrary absolute values by the equation quantity=power (10, log 10(½)*Cq+8) in Excel.","Values were then normalized to the known standards by multiplying abs values by 10/1583 (plate 1) or 10/1469 (plate 2).","Genomes per μL was calculated by multiplying by ⅞ (to account for adaptor mass) and then dividing by 3 pg/genome.","The ligation efficiency was calculated (20 ng/ligation & 1/100th measured=200 pg into ligation), and the calculated efficiency indicated that ˜5% conversion to library is about average.","This was the same for libraries made without fill-in, which suggested that the fill-in reaction has rapid kinetics and can occur as the sample heats to 94° C. in the first cycle.","The goal of this experiment was to create ligation mixes containing gDNA library and to quantify genome equivalents per μL of ligation mix so that measured numbers of genomes can be amplified into microgram quantities of library material.","FIG.","50 shows the genomes per μL for each library that was made.","The goal of FIG.","51 was to convert designated samples (picked by random drawing) into 10 copy, 20 copy, 40 copy, 80 copy, etc.","libraries for downstream capture tests.","The table transposes the genomes per μL into μL per PCR reaction to achieve the indicated depth of coverage.","The table assumes a 200 μL PCR per sample and 40 μL of template input.","These experiments may be used as guides where actual libraries are generated and purified.","Example 11: Validation of 8 New Capture qPCR Assays Purpose: Validate the performance of eight new qPCR primer sets designed to follow capture efficiency of the expanded probe collection.","Summary: All eight assays produced amplicons of the expected size when used to amplify human gDNA.","Quantitative analysis of the chrX:154376051 region (4× in females, 2× in males) showed a surprisingly tight correlation between observed and expected copies.","Methods: Eight segments for assay design that represent a sampling of the 49 probe target regions were chosen.","To design assays, the DNA segment that is within 200 bp of the 5′ end of the probe was identified.","The eight regions, as shown in Table 19 below, were chosen to be a more-or-less random selection of target regions.","The 200 bp segments were submitted to PRIMER3 PCR primer picking in which we specified amplicons of 50-100 bp, primer Tm's of 65° C. (optimal) and primer lengths of 24 nt (optimal).","Table 19 below shows the region and unique genomic attributes, the forward (F) and reverse (R) primer sequences, the expected amplicon length, and the actual amplicon within the context of the genomic sequence.","TABLE 19 Genomic capture targets, and primers for their interrogation SEQ ID NO: Assay Region Feature Name Sequence Product 122 9 CYP2D6 4X in CYP2D6_F GGCTTCGACTGAACGTCTCCA 53 bp males and females 123 CYP2D6_R AGTGCTCCATGGCTGCTCAGTT 124 10 chrX- 4X in chrX- GAACCAGAGGAACGCTGTGGTA 52 bp 154376051 females, 15_1_F ACT 2X in males 125 chrX- GACGTGTGCCTAGATGCGTTTTC 15_1_R 126 11 chrX- 4X in chrX- TGGCTGAAAAGTCTCCTTGAAA 53 bp 154376051 females, 15_2_F CTG 2X in males 127 chrX- CTCAGTGGGTCTCCTTGAGAGAGGT 15_2_R 128 12 chrX- 6X in chrX- CTTTCCTCCAGTCACAAGCCAT 78 bp 6929264 females, 69_F CTA 5X in males (2 on chr19, one on chrX) 129 chrX- CATGCTGATAGAAAGTCCCCTGGTA 69_R 130 13 KRAS 2X in KRAS_r1_F TTTTCACACAGCCAGGAGTCTT 66 bp region 1 females TTC and males 131 KRAS_r1_R GGGAGATCCGACAATACAGATTGAA 132 14 KRAS 2X in KRAS_r2_F CCTGTCTTGTCTTTGCTGATGT 73 bp region 2 females TTC and males 133 KRAS_r2_R ACAAAACAGGCTCAGGACTTAGCAA 134 15 MYC 2X in MYC_r2_1_F CAACGTTAGCTTCACCAACAGG 92 bp region 2 females AAC and males 135 MYC_r2_1_R GCTGGTAGAAGTTCTCCTCCTCGTC 136 16 MYC 2X in MYC_r2_2_F GTCTGCTCCACCTCCAGCTTGTA 93 bp region 2 females and males 137 MYC_r2_2_R GTTGAGAGGGTAGGGGAAGACCAC The performance of each primer pair was investigated by performing 100 L PCR reactions that contained 200 ng (2 ng/μL) of female genomic DNA.","The reaction mixes contained, per 100 μL, 50 μL water, 10 μL 10×STD Taq buffer, 10 μL 25 mM MgCl2, 10 μL of an F+R primer blend in which each primer was present at 10 μM, 10 μL of 20 ng/μL gDNA, 5 L of DMSO, 5 μL of 10 mM dNTPs, and 1 μL of Taq polymerase.","Reactions were set up on ice.","Amplifications were performed for 30 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec, and 72° C.-30 sec, followed by a 2 min incubation at 72° C. and hold at 10° C. Five μL of PCR product was examined on a 2% agarose gel.","PCR products were purified on Qiagen PCR purification columns by combining the remaining 95 μL of PCR product with 500 μL PB.","The material was spun through the column at 6 KRPM for 30 sec and washed with 750 μL PE, spun at 13.2 KRPM.","The products were eluted from the columns with 50 μL of EB and quantified by Qubit.","For qPCR analysis, the chrX-154376051 region (assays 10 & 11) was examined in more detail.","The purified PCR products were diluted to 100 fg/μL, 10 fg/μL and 1 fg/μL.","Genomic DNA was diluted to 10 ng/μL.","Two microliters of either standards or gDNA was combined with 8 μL of PCR master mix per well of the 48-well Eco qPCR plate.","Master mix contained, per 500 μL of final reaction volume (that accounts for the addition of template) 175 L of water, 50 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer, 50 μL of 25 mM MgCl2, 50 μL of F+R 10 μM primer blend, 25 μL of DMSO, 25 μL of 10 mM dNTPs, 12.5 μL EvaGreen, 10 μL of ROX and L of Taq polymerase.","Thirty two μL of mix was distributed to 16 wells and 8 μL of templates were added.","These were then distributed in quads to the qPCR plate.","The plate layout is shown in Table 20 below.","Conditions for Assay 10 are indicated in bold.","Conditions for Assay 11 are indicated in underlined italics.","TABLE 20 Plate layout for qPCR interrogation of chrX-154376051 region 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 A 100 fg PCR prod 10 fg PCR prod 1 fg PCR prod NTC B C 100 fg PCR prod 10 fg PCR prod 1 fg PCR prod NTC D E F-gDNA M-gDNA F-gDNA M-gDNA F Results and Discussion: Gel analysis of the PCR products amplified from genomic DNA showed that all eight PCR reactions produced unique products of the expected size (data not shown).","The amplicons were sufficiently clean (no extra bands, no left-over primer) and were useful for generating standard curves for quantitative analysis.","The amplicons were purified using Qiagen PCR spin columns and eluted products in 50 μL.","The product yields were: Assay 9-18.4 ng/μL; Assay 10-26.1 ng/μL; Assay 11-13.9 ng/μL; Assay 12-26.6 ng/μL; Assay 13-7.9 ng/μL; Assay 14-19.2 ng/μL; Assay 15-23.1 ng/μL; and Assay 16—20.4 ng/μL.","Quantitative analysis was performed with assays 10 & 11 that correspond to a cryptic segmental duplication on chromosome X such that females have four copies and males have two copies.","The average Cq values are shown in Table 21 below.","These were used to generate the standard curves shown.","The two reactions were basically superimposable.","Using these curves we calculated the absolute quantities in units of femtograms of both the STD curve wells and the genomic input wells.","The data are shown in Table 21 below the standard curve data.","TABLE 21 Cq values of standard samples analyzed with assays 10 and 11 STD Curve 10 13 17 20 31 STD Curve 11 13 16 20 33 F then M Samples 21 22 21 22 One point of this example was to emphasize the strength of quantitative molecular biology.","In this experiment, 2 μL of STDs were added and sampled, meaning that the 1 fg/μL STD really had 2 fg in the qPCR reaction.","This corresponds to 17,500 molecules of the 53 bp fragment of Assay 10.20 ng of genomic DNA were put into the reaction.","This corresponds to 6667 genomes worth of DNA.","The genomic DNA was fragmented to an average size of 200 bp, meaning that only 75% of the target regions will remain intact.","Hence, the gDNA had about 5000 “qPCR actionable” genome copies.","Finally, in males the expected average of one copy of the duplicated X region per genome, and in females the expected average was two.","The expected versus observed values, broken out by numbers of molecules observed, turned out to be as follows: Expected males=5000 copies; Observed males=3500 copies; Expected females=10000 copies; and Observed females=7000 copies.","TABLE 22 Expected vs.","Observed Values STD curve 10 102.8004 9.421966 1.02996 F then M samples 0.447179 0.204926 STD curve 11 98.27451 10.35326 0.983644 F then M samples 0.388559 0.174757 Example 12: Further Post-Capture Processing Strategy Purpose: An alternative method to achieve post-capture processing (see FIG.","15) was developed.","Summary: Post-capture processing steps performed with redesigned probes appeared to enhance the already robust capture by an additional 5-9-fold.","Overall the test was very successful.","Background: In other embodiments of the assay design, it was contemplated to use an exonuclease step at the 3′ end of clones prior to copying of the probe tail sequence that added a PCR priming site.","The particular embodiments, it was further contemplated to shift from having the clone copy the probe to having the probe copy the clone.","The reversal in polarity means that we use the 5′ end of the probe as both the pull-down sequence and the reverse PCR primer sequence.","The 3′ end of the probe is left unmodified and can then copy the clone using DNA polymerase.","Conceptually, there are some advantages to this approach.","First, because there was a shift from a step that required both exonuclease activity and polymerization to a simple polymerization step, this step can be done in concert with PCR.","Moreover, this step can be done at 72° C. with a thermostable polymerase enzyme, meaning potential secondary structures of single strand clones are less of an issue.","Finally, the implication was that probes were shortened from 114 nt to 95 nt; and this provided a cost saving advantage.","Four well behaved qPCR assays (Example 11: Validation of eight new capture qPCR assays), assays 10, 14, 15 and 16 with probes that “point” at those assays were matched.","While the probe and qPCR assays were within proximity to one another, their DNA sequences did not overlap with one another (See FIG.","16).","The sequences of the probes and corresponding assays are shown in Tables 23 and 24 below.","TABLE 23 Genomic capture targets and primers for their interrogation SEQ ID NO: Assay Region Feature Name Sequence Product 138 10 chrX- 4X in females, 2X chrX-15_1_F GAACCAGAGGAACGCT 52 bp 154376051 in males GTGGTAACT 139 chrX-15_1_R GACGTGTGCCTAGATG CGTTTTC 140 14 KRAS 2X in females and KRAS_r2_F CCTGTCTTGTCTTTGC 73 bp region 2 males TGATGTTTC 141 KRAS_r2_R ACAAAACAGGCTCAGGACTTAGCAA 142 15 MYC 2X in females and MYC_r2_1_F CAACGTTAGCTTCACC 92 bp region 2 males AACAGGAAC 143 MYC_r2_1_R GCTGGTAGAAGTTCTCCTCCTCGTC 144 16 MYC 2X in females and MYC_r2_2_F GTCTGCTCCACCTCCA 93 bp region 2 males GCTTGTA 145 MYC_r2_2_R GTTGAGAGGGTAGGGGAAGACCAC TABLE 24 Capture probe sequences and genomic targets SEQ ID NO: Assay Region 60 mer probe sequence 146 10 chrX- AGAATTCATTGCCAGCTATAAATC 154376051_2x_chrX: 154376979: TGTGGAAACGCTGCCACACAATCT region_1: 1011 nt: 929: 988: − TAGCACACAAGA 147 14 KRAS_NM_033360_chr12: 25378485: TAAATGACATAACAGTTATGATTT region_2: 161 nt: −62: −3: + TGCAGAAAACAGATCTGTATTTAT TTCAGTGTTACT 148 15 MYC_NM_002467_chr8: 128750431: AGGTTTCCGCACCAAGACCCCTTT region_2: 773 nt: −62: −3: + AACTCAAGACTGCCTCCCGCTTTG TGTGCCCCGCTC 149 16 MYC_NM_002467_chr8: 128751122: AGAGCAGAGAATCCGAGGACGGAG region_2: 773 nt: 630: 689: − AGAAGGCGCTGGAGTCTTGCGAGG CGCAGGACTTGG Methods: A gDNA library was remade from samples F13-F16 (Example 10) by combining 20 μL of each ligation mix into 80 μL total and amplifying in 800 μL total.","Beads were cleaned to 400 μL and pool concentration at 32 ng/μL was measured by Qubit.","Oligos from IDT, listed below, were resuspended to 100 μM.","ultramers come as 4 nmol, so these were suspended in 40 μL TEzero.","Four 2 μL aliquots of the four test probes were combined with 8 μL of 100 μM universal tail sequence (derived from the first 35 bases of the full length reverse primer #9) to give a 50 μM tube of duplex.","This duplex was diluted 10 μL into 990 μL of TEzero+Tween to give 500 nM, and 10 into 990 again to get 5 nM.","Combined 40 μL of gDNA was combined with 15 μL of 4× bind and 5 L of capture duplex.","The reaction mix was annealed and captured on 2 μLs of washed MyOne strep coated beads.","The reaction was washed four times with wash buffer and aspirated wash buffer from bead pellet.","To measure capture alone, one bead pellet was resuspended in 100 μL PCR mix that contained single PCR primer ACA2.To measure capture+processing, another bead pellet was resuspended in 100 μL of PCR mix that contained the full-length ACA2 forward primer (oligo #8) and full-length CAC3 reverse primer (oligo #9).","The latter sample was incubated for 72° C. for 2 min.","Both samples were amplified for 25 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec, and 72° C.-60 sec.","After a hold at 72° C. for 2 min and cooling to RT, the PCR amplicons were purified on bead and resuspended in 50 μL of TEzero.","For qPCR, samples were assayed with assays 9-16 (assays 10, 14, 15, and 16 are targets), using EvaGreen as the reporter dye, ROX as the STD dye, and 3 step PCR of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec and 72° C.-60 sec for 40 cycles.","The original gDNA library was present at 2 ng/μL final concentration.","The captured sample and capture+processed samples were present at 2 pg/L final concentration (diluted in TEzero+0.05% Tween20).","Results and Discussion: PCR yields of the capture only was 27.8 ng/μL and of the capture+processing was 40.4 ng/μL.","These robust yields indicated that amplification went to completion.","The 2% agarose gel image shows the starting input library, the captured library and the capture+processing library (FIG.","17).","If processing worked, the average insert size of the library should decrease, which it did.","The fact that the bottom end of the library is more or less “a band” indicates that there may be some priming off of probe.","Because the 3′ end of our probes are exposed in this format, it may be possible to eliminate residual, unbound probe with Exonuclease I, a ssDNA specific, 3′→5′ exonuclease.","An important metric in this experiment was qPCR measurement of capture sensitivity and specificity.","qPCR data is shown in FIG.","52.With respect to specificity, only those regions targeted (light gray highlight) exhibited significant enrichment.","Moreover, the processed library had a significant increase in specific activity for all target regions relative to capture alone.","These data indicated that this additional probe design embodiment could be used for efficient post-capture processing.","Example 13: Sequence Analysis of Post-Capture Processing Strategy Purpose: The purpose of this experiment was to assess the enrichment and coverage of target regions in sequencing libraries.","Summary: The level of enrichment and focusing of target sequences was dramatically improved by coupling hybridization-based capture with enzymatic processing, compared to capture alone.","Background: Prior experiments disclosed herein have demonstrated that post-capture processing increases the target content and specific activity of enrichment libraries as measured by qPCR.","In this experiment, next generation DNA sequencing was used to compare the representation and distribution of target sequences in libraries generated by capture alone or by the alternative processing method.","Methods: Two enrichment library pools were constructed from an equal mix of male and female human genomic DNA using a set of 49 capture probes that target sites within specific genes (KRAS, MYC, PLP1, CYP2D6 and AMY1) and duplicated regions on the X chromosome.","Probe sequences are shown in Table 25 below TABLE 25 qPCR analysis of capture sensitivity and specificity SEQ ID Probe NO: No.","Name Probe Sequence 150 1 CYP2D6_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAAGCACCTAGCCC CATTCCTGCTGAGCAGGAGGTGGCAGGTACCCCAGACTGGGAGGTAA 151 2 CYP2D6_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGTCGGTGGGGCC AGGATGAGGCCCAGTCTGTTCACACATGGCTGCTGCCTCTCAGCTCT 152 3 AMY1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACACCTGAGTAGCAT CATTGTAGTTCTCGATATCTCCACTTCCAGTTTTACATTTACCATCA 153 4 chrX_15_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCCTGGCCCTCAGC CAGTACAGAAAGTCATTTGTCAAGGCCTTCAGTTGGCAGACGTGCTC 154 5 chrX_15_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGAATTCATTGCC AGCTATAAATCTGTGGAAACGCTGCCACACAATCTTAGCACACAAGA 155 6 chrX_477_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGACTTCAAAGAAA TTACAAGTTGACATCTTGGACTCTACCCCTCGTACTTTATCTCCTAT 156 7 chrX_477_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTCTCTTTGGGGTC AAGAAAGAATCCCTAGTGGATTTGGGATTCTAGAGGAGGTGTTATAA 157 8 chrX_478_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTGCGATACCATGC TGAAGATGAGCTAACCCAACCAGCCAAGCAGGCAGGGCTGCGAAGGA 158 9 chrX_478_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGGGGTAGGTGGAA AACCCAAGTAATGTGATTTTGTAACATCCACTGCTGCATTTGTTTGC 159 10 chrX_69_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTACTTCCCTCCA GTTTTGTTGCTTGCAAAACAACAGAATCTTCTCTCCATGAAATCATG 160 11 chrX_69_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCAGGGGTATCTAT TATCCCCATTTTCTCACAAAGGAAACCAAGATAAAAGGTTTAAATGG 161 12 PLP1_ex1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGAAATTCTCTTGT GAATTCCTGTGTCCTCTTGAATCTTCAATGCTAAAGTTTTTGAAACT 162 13 PLP1_ex2_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGGGTTTGAGTGGC ATGAGCTACCTACTGGATGTGCCTGACTGTTTCCCCTTCTTCTTCCC 163 14 PLP1_ex2_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCTATCTCCAGGAT GGAGAGAGGGAAAAAAAAGATGGGTCTGTGTGGGAGGGCAGGTACTT 164 15 PLP1_ex3_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGAAAGAAGCCAGG TCTTCAATTAATAAGATTCCCTGGTCTCGTTTGTCTACCTGTTAATG 165 16 PLP1_ex3_M ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCAGACTCGCGCCC AATTTTCCCCCACCCCTTGTTATTGCCACAAAATCCTGAGGATGATC 166 17 PLP1_ex3_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTCTTTCTTCTTCC TTTATGGGGCCCTCCTGCTGGCTGAGGGCTTCTACACCACCGGCGCA 167 18 PLP1_ex4_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGTTTGTGTTTCTA CATCTGCAGGCTGATGCTGATTTCTAACCACCCCATGTCAATCATTT 168 19 PLP1_ex4_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAACCAAATATATA GTGCTTCCATAGTGGGTAGGAGAGCCAAAGCACCCGTACCCTAACTC 169 20 PLP1_ex5_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGTCTCCATGTGG CCCCGTAACTCCATAAAGCTTACCCTGCTTGCTTTTTGTGTCTTACT 170 21 PLP4_ex5_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCCATGGGTGTAAT TTGTATGGTATTAGCTACTCCCTTGTAAAATAACCCAAATAACCCAC 171 22 PLP1_ex6_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTTACAGTGGAGC ATATTACTGCTGTTGCAAGAAACAGTTCTTCCTCTTTCATTTTCCTG 172 23 PLP1_ex6_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACATAGCTGTACCCA CACTATCTCAGGCCTATTTACTTGCCAAGATCATTCAAAGTCAACTC 173 24 PLP1_ex7_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGATTTGAGGAGGG AGTGCTTTCTTTTCTACTCTCATTCACATTCTCTCTTCTGTTCCCTA 174 25 PLP1_ex7_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCAGCATTGTAGGC TGTGTGGTTAGAGCCTCGCTATTAGAGAAAGGGGGATTTCTACGGGG 175 26 KRAS_ex1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTGTTACCTTTAAA AGACATCTGCTTTCTGCCAAAATTAATGTGCTGAACTTAAACTTACC 176 27 KRAS_ex1_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTCCCAGTAAATT ACTCTTACCAATGCAACAGACTTTAAAGAAGTTGTGTTTTACAATGC 177 28 KRAS_ex2_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTAAATGACATAAC AGTTATGATTTTGCAGAAAACAGATCTGTATTTATTTCAGTGTTACT 178 29 KRAS_ex2_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGACAGGTTTTGAA AGATATTTGTGTTACTAATGACTGTGCTATAACTTTTTTTTCTTTCC 179 30 KRA S_ex3_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACACTCAAAAAATAA AAACTATAATTACTCCTTAATGTCAGCTTATTATATTCAATTTAAAC 180 31 KRAS_ex3_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAACACCTTTTTTG AAGTAAAAGGTGCACTGTAATAATCCAGACTGTGTTTCTCCCTTCTC 181 32 KRAS_ex4_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGAAACCTTTATCT GTATCAAAGAATGGTCCTGCACCAGTAATATGCATATTAAAACAAGA 182 33 KRAS_ex4_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGTGTATTAACCTT ATGTGTGACATGTTCTAATATAGTCACATTTTCATTATTTTTATTAT 183 34 MYC_r1_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCCCCAGCCAGCGG TCCGCAACCCTTGCCGCATCCACGAAACTTTGCCCATAGCAGCGGGC 184 35 MYC_r1_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCGACTCATCTCAG CATTAAAGTGATAAAAAAATAAATTAAAAGGCAAGTGGACTTCGGTG 185 36 MYC_r2_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCTGTGGCGCGCAC TGCGCGCTGCGCCAGGTTTCCGCACCAAGACCCCTTTAACTCAAGAC 186 37 MYC_r2_F2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTCTACTGCGACG AGGAGGAGAACTTCTACCAGCAGCAGCAGCAGAGCGAGCTGCAGCCC 187 38 MYC_r2_F3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACACCGAGCTGCTGG GAGGAGACATGGTGAACCAGAGTTTCATCTGCGACCCGGACGACGAG 188 39 MYC_r2_F4 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGCCGCCGCCTCAG AGTGCATCGACCCCTCGGTGGTCTTCCCCTACCCTCTCAACGACAGC 189 40 MYC_r2_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGGCGGCTAGGGGA CAGGGGCGGGGTGGGCAGCAGCTCGAATTTCTTCCAGATATCCTCGC 190 41 MYC_r2_R2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGACGAGCTTGGC GGCGGCCGAGAAGCCGCTCCACATACAGTCCTGGATGATGATGTTTT 191 42 MYC_r2_R3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGGAGAGCAGAGA ATCCGAGGACGGAGAGAAGGCGCTGGAGTCTTGCGAGGCGCAGGACT 192 43 MYC_r2_R4 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTAAGAGTGGCCCG TTAAATAAGCTGCCAATGAAAATGGGAAAGGTATCCAGCCGCCCACT 193 44 MYC_r3_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTGTATTTGTACA GCATTAATCTGGTAATTGATTATTTTAATGTAACCTTGCTAAAGGAG 194 45 MYC_r3_F2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGAGGCCACAGCAA ACCTCCTCACAGCCCACTGGTCCTCAAGAGGTGCCACGTCTCCACAC 195 46 MYC_r3_F3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGAGGAGGAACGA GCTAAAACGGAGCTTTTTTGCCCTGCGTGACCAGATCCCGGAGTTGG 196 47 MYC_r3_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTCCAACTTGACCC TCTTGGCAGCAGGATAGTCCTTCCGAGTGGAGGGAGGCGCTGCGTAG 197 48 MYC_r3_R2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGCTTGGACGGACA GGATGTATGCTGTGGCTTTTTTAAGGATAACTACCTTGGGGGCCTTT 198 49 MYC_r3_R3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGCATTTGATCATG CATTTGAAACAAGTTCATAGGTGATTGCTCAGGACATTTCTGTTAGA The first library pool was generated as described for the ‘capture plus processing’ library in Example 12.The second pool was generated as described for the ‘capture only’ library in Example 12 except for the following modification.","After capture, a second round of PCR was performed to convert single primer, ACA2-amplified libraries into dual primer, heterologous end libraries suitable for Illumina sequencing.","To do this, libraries were diluted and re-amplified with the following primers: primer #55 AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAG (SEQ ID NO: 199) and primer #56 CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGAGAATTCGAATAC A (SEQ ID NO: 200).","The 100 μL reaction mix contained 40 ng of library, 10 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer, 10 μL of 25 mM MgCl2, 10 μL of 55 and 10 μL of 56 primer that were both at 10 uM, 5 μL of DMSO, 5 μL of dNTP and 1 μL of Taq DNA polymerase.","The samples were amplified for 2 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 50° C.-30 sec, 52.5° C.-30 sec, 55° C.-30 sec, 57.5° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec, 72° C.-1 min.","They were then amplified for 8 cycles of 94 C-30 sec, 60 C-30 sec and 72 C-60 sec followed by 72° C. for 2 min.","PCR mixes were purified with beads and resuspended in 50 μL each.","Results and Discussion: Both pools were analyzed using an Illumina MiSeq Personal Sequencer.","The 50 nucleotide sequence reads from each library pool were trimmed to remove 4 base barcode sequences and mapped to the human genome reference sequence (version hg19) using the Bowtie sequence alignment program.","Approximately 80% of reads in both libraries aligned unambiguously to the reference sequence.","Further characterization of aligned reads revealed that coupling hybridization-based capture with enzymatic processing resulted in a 979,592-fold enrichment of the 4.9 kilobase target region relative to the input genomic DNA.","This represented a 3-fold improvement in library content when compared to the unprocessed, ‘capture only’ approach.","Overall, nearly 4 out of 5 sequences obtained by this alternative processing method mapped to genomic sites that were specifically targeted by capture probes.","A summary of alignment statistics for each library pool are shown in FIG.","53.Reads from each library pool were also displayed in the UCSC Genome Browser to assess local sequence coverage and distribution around target sites.","A close-up view of two segments of the X chromosome shows that processed libraries produced sequence coverage that was more highly concentrated within targeted sites than ‘capture only’ libraries did (FIG.","18).","Moreover, the sequences mapping to target regions were more uniformly distributed in the processed libraries than the unprocessed controls.","Taken together, these data indicated that the alternative processing method dramatically improved the quantity and quality of target sequences present in enriched libraries.","Example 14: Bioinformatics Overview: Traditional Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis is “vertical.” The unique design of the inventive molecules contemplated herein enables a “horizontal” approach that will revolutionize the approach to clinical resequencing.","“Vertical” as used herein, with regard to sequence alignments, refers to approaches exemplified by FIG.","19.Previous approaches to informatics analysis involve a first step in which short reads are aligned to a reference genome.","Following alignment, overlapping reads are analyzed for base changes that may be indicative of a SNV (single nucleotide variant).","The approach was nick-named here as “vertical” because it relies on alignments that are often depicted as vertical stacks of reads.","Various programs make allowances for SNVs and Indels (insertions/deletions), but the core approach is alignment-recognition-based.","In contrast, the paired-end read data obtained by the methods contemplated herein will have DNA tagged sequence information in read 1 and probe ID information in read 2.The first step in data analysis is to match reads to probes.","Step two is analyzing the sequence information connected “horizontally” to each probe.","See, e.g., FIG.","20.At sufficient read depth, horizontal, probe-based sequence association does not rely on alignment.","Rather, reads can be assembled into contigs de novo.","The advantage of the method is that it is extremely robust to insertions/deletions and multiple sequence changes in a short stretch of sequence, both situations where conventional, alignment-based methods struggle and have the most difficulty detecting.","Moreover, the combination of horizontal association with probes and tagging facilitates more accurate hypothesis generation (i.e., determination if an observed sequence variant is likely to be true or false).","CNV and Structural Variation I: In large scale copy number variation (CNV) analyses, the method comprises determination of unique read numbers associated with captured sequence regions.","The vast majority of observed CNV is “micro-CNV” that involves base insertions and deletions that are on the order of 2-100 bp in length.","Vertical alignment methods struggle with micro insertions/deletions (indel) because they require relaxation of alignment stringency that promotes large numbers of false-positive hypotheses.","Horizontal methods and de novo contig assembly require no such relaxation of alignment parameters and they demand that structural variation is accounted for.","Consider the simple case of a small insertion within one allele of an exon, as exemplified in FIG.","21.In this example, horizontal alignment “forces” reads to be associated with probe 1 and probe 2.Assembly will generate two contigs, one with a wild-type exon structure and one with an insertion structure.","Two principles emerge from this analysis: 1) Overlapping reads from adjacent probes will support or refute the hypothesis of an indel-containing allele of the captured exon; and 2) micro-CNV alleles outside of capture probes are readily detectable by horizontal methodologies.","CNV and Structural Variation II: Validation of CNV often involves vertical alignment methods.","In these studies, typically perfect alignments to a reference sequence are demanded.","Such methods are vulnerable to SNVs (such as common SNPs) where reads crossing SNVs that differ from the reference will be discarded.","The net result will be chronic underestimation of copy number.","The horizontal methods possible with the present invention methods should be used going forward.","Horizontal hypothesis testing of SNVs I: Vertical, alignment-based methods for SNV detection are difficult to analyze.","Homozygous variant alleles involving a single base are fairly straightforward to identify, but these changes are rare.","More commonly, SNVs are heterozygous, and variants may occur at several contiguous or closely spaced positions (error prone repair tends to lay down tracks where several bases are non-consensus).","The heterozygous SNV hypotheses run the spectrum from true, high coverage detection where (strictly as an hypothetical example) 49 reads possess a SNV and 47 reads possess the wild-type, reference base.","Calls become much more speculative when read depth thins and the numbers of SNV versus WT reads deviate significantly from 50/50 (e.g., 10 total reads where 8 are WT and 2 are variant).","Hypotheses nominated for orthogonal validation are invariably subject to an arbitrary cut-off.","In particular embodiments, where horizontal probe-based association is combined with tags, far greater granularity in SNV hypotheses is achieved.","SNVs that reside on a single tag (tag=code+end-point), especially in cases where reads within the same tag are WT, are disregarded.","See, e.g., FIG.","22.Horizontal hypothesis testing of SNVs II: SNV hypotheses that arise on two different tags, even if the read start sites are identical (A), or that arise on different reads that horizontally associate with the same probe (B), or that arise from different probe associations at the same exon (C) are necessarily hypotheses that must be seriously considered.","See, e.g., FIG.","23.Example 15: Molecular Annotation Overview: This example describes the interplay between “molecular annotation” of sequencing libraries (FIG.","24) and the informatics used in subsequent steps to evaluate the resulting sequencing information.","The reverse read from a probe has utility.","Reverse read 2, which determines the DNA sequence of the probe region, has significant utility in all downstream analysis considerations.","For example, utility can be found in variant calling and the output from this in copy number determination.","These two aspects of data analysis are described below.","Read 2 Probe Sequence: A probe set is a unique and known collection of sequences, which can include one or two probes or even tens of thousands of probes.","This means that read_2 can be used to identify any and all of the probes within an experiment.","This of course assumes that read 2 is of sufficient length and that probes are designed such that the region interrogated by read_2 constitutes a unique identifier.","Table 26 describes a collection of 192 probes and the 10 nt read_2 sequence that serves as a unique identifier for each probe.","Note that two probes (CYP2C19_r5_F and CYP2C9r5F) naturally share identical 10 nt 5′ DNA sequences, and a 2 nt code of “AG” or “CT” was added to distinguish between them.","TABLE 26 Collection of 192 probes SEQ SEQ ID ID Name Sequence NO: 10 nt read_2 NO: CYP2D6_F AAGCACCTAGCCCCATTCCTGCT 201 AAGCACCTAG 393 GAGCAGGAGGTGGCAGGTACCCC AGACTGGGAGGTAA CYP2D6_R AGTCGGTGGGGCCAGGATGAGGC 202 AGTCGGTGGG 394 CCAGTCTGTTCACACATGGCTGC TGCCTCTCAGCTCT AMY1_F ACCTGAGTAGCATCATTGTAGTT 203 ACCTGAGTAG 395 CTCGATATCTCCACTTCCAGTTT TACATTTACCATCA chrX_15_F CCTGGCCCTCAGCCAGTACAGAA 204 CCTGGCCCTC 396 AGTCATTTGTCAAGGCCTTCAGT TGGCAGACGTGCTC chrX_15_R AGAATTCATTGCCAGCTATAAAT 205 AGAATTCATT 397 CTGTGGAAACGCTGCCACACAAT CTTAGCACACAAGA chrX_477_F GACTTCAAAGAAATTACAAGTTG 206 GACTTCAAAG 398 ACATCTTGGACTCTACCCCTCGT ACTTTATCTCCTAT chrX_477_R TCTCTTTGGGGTCAAGAAAGAAT 207 TCTCTTTGGG 399 CCCTAGTGGATTTGGGATTCTAG AGGAGGTGTTATAA chrX_478_F TGCGATACCATGCTGAAGATGAG 208 TGCGATACCA 400 CTAACCCAACCAGCCAAGCAGGC AGGGCTGCGAAGGA chrX_478_R GGGGTAGGTGGAAAACCCAAGTA 209 GGGGTAGGTG 401 ATGTGATTTTGTAACATCCACTG CTGCATTTGTTTGC chrX_69_F TTACTTCCCTCCAGTTTTGTTGC 210 TTACTTCCCT 402 TTGCAAAACAACAGAATCTTCTC TCCATGAAATCATG chrX_69_R CAGGGGTATCTATTATCCCCATT 211 CAGGGGTATC 403 TTCTCACAAAGGAAACCAAGATA AAAGGTTTAAATGG PLP1_ex1_F GAAATTCTCTTGTGAATTCCTGT 212 GAAATTCTCT 404 GTCCTCTTGAATCTTCAATGCTA AAGTTTTTGAAACT PLP1_ex2_F GGGTTTGAGTGGCATGAGCTACC 213 GGGTTTGAGT 405 TACTGGATGTGCCTGACTGTTTC CCCTTCTTCTTCCC PLP1_ex2_R CTATCTCCAGGATGGAGAGAGGG 214 CTATCTCCAG 406 AAAAAAAAGATGGGTCTGTGTGG GAGGGCAGGTACTT PLP1_ex3_F GAAAGAAGCCAGGTCTTCAATTA 215 GAAAGAAGCC 407 ATAAGATTCCCTGGTCTCGTTTG TCTACCTGTTAATG PLP1_ex3_M CAGACTCGCGCCCAATTTTCCCC 216 CAGACTCGCG 408 CACCCCTTGTTATTGCCACAAAA TCCTGAGGATGATC PLP1_ex3_R TCTTTCTTCTTCCTTTATGGGGC 217 TCTTTCTTCT 409 CCTCCTGCTGGCTGAGGGCTTCT ACACCACCGGCGCA PLP1_ex4_F GTTTGTGTTTCTACATCTGCAGG 218 GTTTGTGTTT 410 CTGATGCTGATTTCTAACCACCC CATGTCAATCATTT PLP1_ex4_R AACCAAATATATAGTGCTTCCAT 219 AACCAAATAT 411 AGTGGGTAGGAGAGCCAAAGCAC CCGTACCCTAACTC PLP1_ex5_F AGTCTCCATGTGGCCCCGTAACT 220 AGTCTCCATG 412 CCATAAAGCTTACCCTGCTTGCT TTTTGTGTCTTACT PLP1_ex5_R CCATGGGTGTAATTTGTATGGTA 221 CCATGGGTGT 413 TTAGCTACTCCCTTGTAAAATAA CCCAAATAACCCAC PLP1_ex6_F TTTACAGTGGAGCATATTACTGC 222 TTTACAGTGG 414 TGTTGCAAGAAACAGTTCTTCCT CTTTCATTTTCCTG PLP1_ex6_R ATAGCTGTACCCACACTATCTCA 223 ATAGCTGTAC 415 GGCCTATTTACTTGCCAAGATCA TTCAAAGTCAACTC PLP1_ex7_F GATTTGAGGAGGGAGTGCTTTCT 224 GATTTGAGGA 416 TTTCTACTCTCATTCACATTCTC TCTTCTGTTCCCTA PLP1_ex7_R CAGCATTGTAGGCTGTGTGGTTA 225 CAGCATTGTA 417 GAGCCTCGCTATTAGAGAAAGGG GGATTTCTACGGGG KRAS_ex1_F TGTTACCTTTAAAAGACATCTGC 226 TGTTACCTTT 418 TTTCTGCCAAAATTAATGTGCTG AACTTAAACTTACC KRAS_ex1_R TTCCCAGTAAATTACTCTTACCA 227 TTCCCAGTAA 419 ATGCAACAGACTTTAAAGAAGTT GTGTTTTACAATGC KRAS_ex2_F TAAATGACATAACAGTTATGATT 228 TAAATGACAT 420 TTGCAGAAAACAGATCTGTATTT ATTTCAGTGTTACT KRAS_ex2_R GACAGGTTTTGAAAGATATTTGT 229 GACAGGTTTT 421 GTTACTAATGACTGTGCTATAAC TTTTTTTTCTTTCC KRAS_ex3_F ACTCAAAAAATAAAAACTATAAT 230 ACTCAAAAAA 422 TACTCCTTAATGTCAGCTTATTA TATTCAATTTAAAC KRAS_ex3_R AACACCTTTTTTGAAGTAAAAGG 231 AACACCTTTT 423 TGCACTGTAATAATCCAGACTGT GTTTCTCCCTTCTC KRAS_ex4_F GAAACCTTTATCTGTATCAAAGA 232 GAAACCTTTA 424 ATGGTCCTGCACCAGTAATATGC ATATTAAAACAAGA KRAS_ex4_R GTGTATTAACCTTATGTGTGACA 233 GTGTATTAAC 425 TGTTCTAATATAGTCACATTTTC ATTATTTTTATTAT MYC_r1_F1 CCCCAGCCAGCGGTCCGCAACCC 234 CCCCAGCCAG 426 TTGCCGCATCCACGAAACTTTGC CCATAGCAGCGGGC MYC_r1_R1 CGACTCATCTCAGCATTAAAGTG 235 CGACTCATCT 427 ATAAAAAAATAAATTAAAAGGCA AGTGGACTTCGGTG MYC_r2_F1 CTGTGGCGCGCACTGCGCGCTGC 236 CTGTGGCGCG 428 GCCAGGTTTCCGCACCAAGACCC CTTTAACTCAAGAC MYC_r2_F2 TTCTACTGCGACGAGGAGGAGAA 237 TTCTACTGCG 429 CTTCTACCAGCAGCAGCAGCAGA GCGAGCTGCAGCCC MYC_r2_F3 ACCGAGCTGCTGGGAGGAGACAT 238 ACCGAGCTGC 430 GGTGAACCAGAGTTTCATCTGCG ACCCGGACGACGAG MYC_r2_F4 GCCGCCGCCTCAGAGTGCATCGA 239 GCCGCCGCCT 431 CCCCTCGGTGGTCTTCCCCTACC CTCTCAACGACAGC MYC_r2_R1 GGCGGCTAGGGGACAGGGGCGGG 240 GGCGGCTAGG 432 GTGGGCAGCAGCTCGAATTTCTT CCAGATATCCTCGC MYC_r2_R2 AGACGAGCTTGGCGGCGGCCGAG 241 AGACGAGCTT 433 AAGCCGCTCCACATACAGTCCTG GATGATGATGTTTT MYC_r2_R3 AGGAGAGCAGAGAATCCGAGGAC 242 AGGAGAGCAG 434 GGAGAGAAGGCGCTGGAGTCTTG CGAGGCGCAGGACT MYC_r2_R4 TAAGAGTGGCCCGTTAAATAAGC 243 TAAGAGTGGC 435 TGCCAATGAAAATGGGAAAGGTA TCCAGCCGCCCACT MYC_r3_F1 TTGTATTTGTACAGCATTAATCT 244 TTGTATTTGT 436 GGTAATTGATTATTTTAATGTAA CCTTGCTAAAGGAG MYC_r3_F2 GAGGCCACAGCAAACCTCCTCAC 245 GAGGCCACAG 437 AGCCCACTGGTCCTCAAGAGGTG CCACGTCTCCACAC MYC_r3_F3 AGAGGAGGAACGAGCTAAAACGG 246 AGAGGAGGAA 438 AGCTTTTTTGCCCTGCGTGACCA GATCCCGGAGTTGG MYC_r3_R1 TCCAACTTGACCCTCTTGGCAGC 247 TCCAACTTGA 439 AGGATAGTCCTTCCGAGTGGAGG GAGGCGCTGCGTAG MYC_r3_R2 GCTTGGACGGACAGGATGTATGC 248 GCTTGGACGG 440 TGTGGCTTTTTTAAGGATAACTA CCTTGGGGGCCTTT MYC_r3_R3 GCATTTGATCATGCATTTGAAAC 249 GCATTTGATC 441 AAGTTCATAGGTGATTGCTCAGG ACATTTCTGTTAGA AMY1A_r_9 CATCATTGTTGAAAACAATGAAT 250 CATCATTGTT 442 CCTCTGTTTCCTCTCCCAAAAGC CACTTGGTTGCTCC AMY1A_r-10 TTTATCTCCAGAAATGACATCAC 251 TTTATCTCCA 443 AGTATGTGCCAGCAGGAAGACCA GTTTGCAAAGTTAA AMY1A_r_8 CTATTAGAGGACATGTCTAAATA 252 CTATTAGAGG 444 CATATTCTCACCTTATTTGGCGC CATCGATGTTCACA AR_r1_F TCTGAGCAAGAGAAGGGGAGGCG 253 TCTGAGCAAG 445 GGGTAAGGGAAGTAGGTGGAAGA TTCAGCCAAGCTCA AR_r1_R CCAGAACACAGAGTGACTCTGCC 254 CCAGAACACA 446 CTGGGCCGAAAGGCGACATTTCT GGAAGGAAAAACTT AR_r2_F CTTCACTTGCCTATTTCTGCCAT 255 CTTCACTTGC 447 TCAGTGACATGTGTTGCATTGGT TTTTTGTGTCTTTC AR_r2_R GTGTCTCTCTCTGGAAGGTAAAG 256 GTGTCTCTCT 448 GAGAAAGGGAAAGAGAAGTGCAT GTGCAAGACCCTTT AR_r3_F CCGAAGAAAGAGACTCTGGAAAC 257 CCGAAGAAAG 449 TCATTATCAGGTCTATCAACTCT TGTATTTGTTCTCC AR_r3_R ACTAGAAAATGAGGGAGAAGGGG 258 ACTAGAAAAT 450 GAGAGAGGAAGGAGGAGGAAGAG AAAGAAAAGTATCT AR_r4_F GTAGTTGCATTGTGTGTTTTTGA 259 GTAGTTGCAT 451 CCACTGATGATAAATTCAAGTCT CTCTTCCTTCCCAA AR_r4_R CATAGGAGCGTTCACTAAATATG 260 CATAGGAGCG 452 ATCCCCCTTATCTCATGCTCCCA CTTCCCTTTTCCTT AR_r5_F CTCAGACTTAGCTCAACCCGTCA 261 CTCAGACTTA 453 GTACCCAGACTGACCACTGCCTC TGCCTCTTCTTCTC AR_r5_R CACCAACCAGGTCTGGCCAAGCT 262 CACCAACCAG 454 GCTGTATTTTAGTGAGGTCTGGG CCCCAGGAGCACTT ATR_r44_F GGAAGATACAGTTGTTGAGAAAA 263 GGAAGATACA 455 GGAAATTGAGAGAAAACACAATT AGTAAGAGTAACTC ATR_r44_R TTTTAGATTTATATTGGCCTCAT 264 TTTTAGATTT 456 ATGTATATGGATATTTCATAGGC ATTGTGTTTCTTTT ATR_r45_F TGTAGGGGCCAATAATTATATTC 265 TGTAGGGGCC 457 GAGGTTACTGTTAAATTATTTAC AAAGTATAGGTGAT ATR_r45_R TTTGAGTAAAGATTTTTAAATTC 266 TTTGAGTAAA 458 TAACATTGTTAGTTTGTAATAAA ATGTATTGTTTCTA ATR_r46_F CATATCAAGTTCATTTGTAGAGA 267 CATATCAAGT 459 TGAGGACTACAGCCCATATCAAG CTATACCTTCTACT ATR_r46_R ATGTCAGCAAGATTTCTTCTTGC 268 ATGTCAGCAA 460 AAAGATAACATCATACCATAATA TTTGTTTCAATTTT ATR_r47_F CAACCACAGATTCATACCAAATG 269 CAACCACAGA 461 CATTACTTTTAGATTATTAACAT ATTCTTTTACATAA ATR_r47_R AAGAAAGGTAGTAATTCCAAATT 270 AAGAAAGGTA 462 ATTAACATCTGTTTTTGGTTTTA TGTTTCTTCTTTTT C4A_r20_F GGCCTATGTGTGGCCACCCCAGT 271 GGCCTATGTG 463 CCAGCTCCGGGTGTTCCGCGAGT TCCACCTGCACCTC C4A_r24_R AGGCGTGGCCTCCCTCTTGAGGC 272 AGGCGTGGCC 464 TTCCTCGAGGCTGTGGGGAGCAA ACCATGATCTACTT C4A_r1_F CCTAGCTTGGCCAGAAGGTAGCA 273 CCTAGCTTGG 465 GACAGACAGACGGATCTAACCTC TCTTGGATCCTCCA C4A_r1_R TGAATCGGGTCCCGATGCCAGCC 274 TGAATCGGGT 466 CTGCCCCAATCCAAGCACCCAGC ATCCCGCCTCCAGG C4A_r2_F AGGGAGAGCAGGGGTGGAGGTGT 275 AGGGAGAGCA 467 CAGAGCGAAGTCTGACTGCTGAT CCTGTCTGTTCTCC C4A_r2_R TGACACTTACAAGACAGATGGGA 276 TGACACTTAC 468 ACAGGGCAGGAGGCCCCCACAAG CAGCAGGAGGGCAT C4A_r3_F CCTTTTTGGTCAGCTGTCTCTTG 277 CCTTTTTGGT 469 CTCTGTGACCCGCTCCCTCTCCC TCTCCCTCTCCTGA C4A_r3_R CAAACTCATCCTGAGAGGGCTCG 278 CAAACTCATC 470 GAGGGGGTTAAAGGTTGAGGCCC TGGGGCTGAGACTC C4A_r4_F AGTTTGACCCACCCTCCCCTTGC 279 AGTTTGACCC 471 ACATGGACCCCTGCTCACCTCTC TCCTCCTCCACTCC C4A_r4_R AAGGGGAGAAGTGCTCACAGGCA 280 AAGGGGAGAA 472 GGAGGTCACATCAGTGGCCAGGA TCAGGAAGGCCAGA CCL4_r1_F GTTCTGAAGCTTCTGAGTTCTGC 281 GTTCTGAAGC 473 AGCCTCACCTCTGAGAAAACCTC TTTGCCACCAATAC CCL4_r2_F GGCAGTGTTGATCTCACCCTGGC 282 GGCAGTGTTG 474 CTTTCCTTTCAGTGGGCTCAGAC CCTCCCACCGCCTG CCL4_r2_R ACCACAGCTGGCTGGGAGCAGAG 283 ACCACAGCTG 475 GCTGCTGGTCTCATAGTAATCTA CCACAAAGTTGCGA CCL4_r3_F TCAGGTGACCTTCCCTGAAGACT 284 TCAGGTGACC 476 TCCTGTCTCTGAGCAGCTCAGTT CAGTTCCAGGTCAT CYP2C19_r1_F GGAGCATATAGTGGGCCTAGGTG 285 GGAGCATATA 477 ATTGGCCACTTTATCCATCAAAG AGGCACACACACTT CYP2C19_r1_R CCTTTCAAAGTATTTTACTTTAC 286 CCTTTCAAAG 478 AATGATCTCTTGTAACATTGTAC CTCTAGGGATATAC CYP2C19_r3_F ATGGGGAGGATGGAAAACAGACT 287 ATGGGGAGGA 479 AGCAGAGCTTCTCGGGCAGAGCT TGGCCCATCCACAT CYP2C19_r3_R GATCTGGCCACCCCTGAAATGTT 288 GATCTGGCCA 480 TCCAAGAATGTCAGTAGAGAGGA GAGCAGTCCAGAAA CYP2C19_r5_F AGCAACCAGAGCTTGGCATATTG 289 AGCAACCAGA 481 TATCTATACCTTTATTAAATGCT TTTAATTTAATAAATT CYP2C19_r5_R CAAAACTAGTCAATGAATCACAA 290 CAAAACTAGT 482 ATACGCAAGCAGTCACATAACTA AGCTTTTGTTAACA CYP2C9_r1_F AAGGAGCATATAGTGGACCTAGG 291 AAGGAGCATA 483 TGATTGGTCAATTTATCCATCAA AGAGGCACACACCG CYP2C9_r1_F AGCCTTTCAAAGTATTTTACTTT 292 AGCCTTTCAA 484 ACCATTACCTCTTGTAACATGTA CCTCTAGGGATACA CYP2C9_r3_F GGGGAGGATGGAAAACAGAGACT 293 GGGGAGGATG 485 TACAGAGCTCCTCGGGCAGAGCT TGGCCCATCCACAT CYP2C9_r3_R GATATGGCCACCCCTGAAATGTT 294 GATATGGCCA 486 TCCAAGAATGTCAGTAGAGAAGA TAGTAGTCCAGTAA CYP2C9_r5_F CTCAACCAGAGCTTGGTATATGG 295 CTCAACCAGA 487 TATGTATGCTTTTATTAAAATCT TTTAATTTAATAAATT CYP2C9_r5_R CAGAACTAGTCAACAAATCACAA 296 CAGAACTAGT 488 ATTCACAAGCAGTCACATAACTA AGCTTTTGTTTACA CYP2D6_r1_F GGAAGTCCCCCAAACCTGCTTCC 297 GGAAGTCCCC 489 CCTTCTCAGCCTGGCTTCTGGTC CAGCCTGTGGTTTC CYP2D6_r1_R GCCTGGTGGGGTGGGGGTGCCAG 298 GCCTGGTGGG 490 GTGTGTCCAGAGGAGCCCATTTG GTAGTGAGGCAGGT CYP2D6_r2_F GCCCAGCTCGGACTACGGTCATC 299 GCCCAGCTCG 491 ACCCACCCGGGTCCCACGGAAAT CTGTCTCTGTCCCC CYP2D6_r2_R AATAGGACTAGGACCTGTAGTCT 300 AATAGGACTA 492 GGGGGGATCCTGGCTTGACAAGA GGCCCTGACCCTCC CYP2D6_r5_F AAGTTCATGGGCCCCCGCCTGTA 301 AAGTTCATGG 493 CCCTTCCTCCCTCGGCCCCTGCA CTGTTTCCCAGATG CYP2D6_r5_R GGGCTGACAGGTGCAGAATTGGA 302 GGGCTGACAG 494 GGTCATTTGGGGGCTACCCCGTT CTGTCCCGAGTATG CYP2D6_r8_F CATTGCTTTATTGTACATTAGAG 303 CATTGCTTTA 495 CCTCTGGCTAGGGAGCAGGCTGG GGACTAGGTACCCC CYP2D6_r8_R TGGAGTCTTGCAGGGGTATCACC 304 TGGAGTCTTG 496 CAGGAGCCAGGCTCACTGACGCC CCTCCCCTCCCCAC DCC_r1_F AGTGCATGTGTGTGAGTGCTGCC 305 AGTGCATGTG 497 GCTGCCCGCGACCCCTGGCCCCG AAGGTGTTGGCTGA DCC_r1_R AATGAGAAGGGAAGTGGGGTACG 306 AATGAGAAGG 498 GAAGGGGGTGCGACGAGAAGAAA GGAAAGAGCCACTT DCC_r2_F GGAATCTAAGCCTGAGATTTATT 307 GGAATCTAAG 499 TGAATACATGAACATATTTCCCT GTGCTCTCTTGTTC DCC_r2_R AAGATGGCATTCATCTGGCCTTG 308 AAGATGGCAT 500 GGAATGGATGAAAGGAAGCAGCA ACTTTCAAATGGGT DCC_r2 GGTAAAGTCCCTCATCTGGCTTG 309 GGTAAAGTCC 501 TGGTGTCTGGAATGAAGTATGTT TTGTATCAGCAGAG DCC_r3_F TTTATTGGCGATTATTGTGCTTT 310 TTTATTGGCG 502 ATTTGGAAGACTTATTCTTCCTT CTTTGTTTTTCTCC DCC_r3_R GAAAAAAATTGTTTTTCAACTTA 311 GAAAAAAATT 503 TTCCAGAGAATATCATTCTGAAG GCAACAAAGAGCAT DCC_r4_F ATATATCATTTATCTTTGCAATG 312 ATATATCATT 504 TTTTTCATATATCATATGATACT GTGTTTTCCCCTCA DCC_r4_R ATTAGAGAAATATAAATAGCAGC 313 ATTAGAGAAA 505 ATATACCATACAAAAGTACACTT TACAAAAAAGTCTT EP300_r18_F ATACTCCATCTCCCGTAAAAATA 314 ATACTCCATC 506 GTGAGACTTGAGTAATGTTTGAT GTCACTTGTCTTTC EP300_r18_R CAGTCACCACTATATTATTCTAG 315 CAGTCACCAC 507 GTATCCCAGAAAAGTTAAAGTCA AATCTGAAACACAT EP300_r19_F TTCTTACTGTTCTAGCTTGTCCT 316 TTCTTACTGT 508 TAAGGCCTCTGTGCTTTTTAACA AATGGTTTCTTTTG EP300_r19_R TCCGCATGCACTCCCTGGACATG 317 TCCGCATGCA 509 TGGACACATGGACCATGGTCCAC ACCTGGCCAAGCTT EP300_r20_F CTTGGCTTGGGCTGTGTTGTGTG 318 CTTGGCTTGG 510 AACGGAACAGTTCACCCCAGTAT GGCCTTCTTGCCGA EP300_r20_R GCTGTGCATAATCACTGGACAAC 319 GCTGTGCATA 511 AAACTAATTAGCACTTTTCAAAA TAATGCAGTTACTT EP300_r21_F GAACAGCAGTCAGATTGCTCATC 320 GAACAGCAGT 512 TCTATCACTTTTTCTCATTGTGT CCCTTTTCTCTCCT EP300_r21_R AGAGAATGAAAGGGAAAAAGAAA 321 AGAGAATGAA 513 AGCCAAAGCGTACTGACTATTCA AGGGGATCGTACTT EP300_r22_F TATTGCAAGTTTTCATTTGGTTA 322 TATTGCAAGT 514 AGGTTTGGGGTTAATTTTGGAAT TGGCTCTGCTCTTC EP300_r22_R AAAACTTGTTAATATTCACGATA 323 AAAACTTGTT 515 AAGAAAAATTCCAGAGAAAGTAA CAACGTTAAGACTT PTEN_r1_F GCAGAAGAAGCCCCGCCACCAGC 324 GCAGAAGAAG 516 AGCTTCTGCCATCTCTCTCCTCC TTTTTCTTCAGCCA PTEN_r1_R CTACTCCCACGTTCTAAGAGAGT 325 CTACTCCCAC 517 GACAGAAAGGTAAAGAGGAGCAG CCGCAGAAATGGAT PTEN_r2_F AGTATTCTTTTAGTTTGATTGCT 326 AGTATTCTTT 518 GCATATTTCAGATATTTCTTTCC TTAACTAAAGTACT PTEN_r2_R AATGAAAACACAACATGAATATA 327 AATGAAAACA 519 AACATCAATATTTGAAATAGAAA ATCAAAGCATTCTT PTEN_r3_F GTAATTTCAAATGTTAGCTCATT 328 GTAATTTCAA 520 TTTGTTAATGGTGGCTTTTTGTT TGTTTGTTTTGTTT PTEN_r3_R CTTTCACTTAATAGTTGTTTTAG 329 CTTTCACTTA 521 AAGATATTTGCAAGCATACAAAT AAGAAAACATACTT PTEN_r4_F GTACTTTTTTTTCTTCCTAAGTG 330 GTACTTTTTT 522 CAAAAGATAACTTTATATCACTT TTAAACTTTTCTTT PTEN_r4_R ACAGTAAGATACAGTCTATCGGG 331 ACAGTAAGAT 523 TTTAAGTTATACAACATAGTACA GTACATTCATACCT PTEN_r5_F TACTTGTTAATTAAAAATTCAAG 332 TACTTGTTAA 524 AGTTTTTTTTTCTTATTCTGAGG TTATCTTTTTACCA PTEN_r5_R CCAAAATCTGTTTTCCAATAAAT 333 CCAAAATCTG 525 TCTCAGATCCAGGAAGAGGAAAG GAAAAACATCAAAA RHD_r1_F TCAAGTAGGTGTTGGAGAGAGGG 334 TCAAGTAGGT 526 GTGATGCCTGGTGCTGGTGGAAC CCCTGCACAGAGAC RHD_r2_F CCTGTCCTTTCGGGGTCCATTCC 335 CCTGTCCTTT 527 CTCTATGACCCAGAAGTGATCCA GCCACCATCCCAAT RHD_r5_F AACCCCTCGAGGCTCAGACCTTT 336 AACCCCTCGA 528 GGAGCAGGAGTGTGATTCTGGCC AACCACCCTCTCTG RHD_r5_R CATAAATATGTGTGCTAGTCCTG 337 CATAAATATG 529 TTAGACCCAAGTGCTGCCCAAGG GCAGCGCCCTGCTC RHD_r6_F TTGCAGCAAGATGGTGTTCTCTC 338 TTGCAGCAAG 530 TCTACCTTGCTTCCTTTACCCAC ACGCTATTTCTTTG RHD_r7_F GAGATCAAGCCAAAATCAGTATG 339 GAGATCAAGC 531 TGGGTTCATCTGCAATAAAAATG TTTGTTTTGCTTTT RHD_r7_R GCAACAGTGAGAGGAAGTTGTCT 340 GCAACAGTGA 532 TGTTTTTGAACAGGCCTTGTTTT TCTTGGATGCTTTT RUNX1_r1_F CTGCCATTTCATTACAGGCAAAG 341 CTGCCATTTC 533 CTGAGCAAAAGTAGATATTACAA GACCAGCATGTACT RUNX1_r1_R AAGGTAAAAGAAATCATTGAGTC 342 AAGGTAAAAG 534 CCCCGCCTTCAGAAGAGGGTGCA TTTTCAGGAGGAAG RUNX1_r3_F GCGGATCTCCCCCGGCCTCGCCG 343 GCGGATCTCC 535 GCCTCCGCCTGTCCTCCCACCAC CCTCTCCGGGCCAG RUNX1_r3_R CTGGTAGGAGCTGTTTGCAGGGT 344 CTGGTAGGAG 536 CCTAACTCAATCGGCTTGTTGTG ATGCGTATCCCCGT RUNX1_r4_F TTTTGAAATGTGGGTTTGTTGCC 345 TTTTGAAATG 537 ATGAAACGTGTTTCAAGCATAGT TTTGACAGATAACG RUNX1_r4_R TGCCCTAAAAGTGTATGTATAAC 346 TGCCCTAAAA 538 ATCCCTGATGTCTGCATTTGTCC TTTGACTGGTGTTT RUNX1_r5_F GTATACCAGCCTGGAGGGTGTAC 347 GTATACCAGC 539 CAGCCTGGAGGGTGTACCAGCCC CAAGTGGATGCACT RUNX1_r5_R TTCAACAGATATGTTCAGGCCAC 348 TTCAACAGAT 540 CAACCTCATTCTGTTTTGTTCTC TATCGTGTCCCCAC SKI_r4_F AGGATGTGTCTGGGTGGTGCTTG 349 AGGATGTGTC 541 GGGACAGAGGCACCTTCCCGACA CCCGCCTGCCCCTC SKI_r4_R CCTCAGCCAGTGCCACCCCCACA 350 CCTCAGCCAG 542 GCCCACAGGGAGGAGGCACAGAA AGCGACTCACACGT SKI_r5_F CTGGTGTGGAGCTGCCGGGCACT 351 CTGGTGTGGA 543 TCCATGACTTTGTTTCTGTCTCT GCTTCCTCCTCAGT SKI_r5_R CTGGTGCAGGCTGTGCTCACTGC 352 CTGGTGCAGG 544 CCGTGCCCTGGACCTCCCAGCAC CACTCGCCCCGCTC SKI_r6_F GTCATGGTGAGGGGTGTGCTGGG 353 GTCATGGTGA 545 ACCGGCTGGGCAGTGACCCCGAG CCGCCTCCGGCCCC SKI_r6_R CCGGGGCCCACGGCGGCTCCACG 354 CCGGGGCCCA 546 CCCACCGTGCTGCGTGCCTCAGT CTCCCCACCCGCAT SRY_r1_F CTGTAAGTTATCGTAAAAAGGAG 355 CTGTAAGTTA 547 CATCTAGGTAGGTCTTTGTAGCC AATGTTACCCGATT SRY_r1_M1 AGTAAAATAAGTTTCGAACTCTG 356 AGTAAAATAA 548 GCACCTTTCAATTTTGTCGCACT CTCCTTGTTTTTGA SRY_r1_M2 GAAGCAAACTGCAATTCTTCGGC 357 GAAGCAAACT 549 AGCATCTTCGCCTTCCGACGAGG TCGATACTTATAAT SRY_r1_M3 AATGGCCATTCTTCCAGGAGGCA 358 AATGGCCATT 550 CAGAAATTACAGGCCATGCACAG AGAGAAATACCCGA SRY_r1_M4 CTTGCGCCTCTGATCGCGAGACC 359 CTTGCGCCTC 551 ACACGATGAATGCGTTCATGGGT CGCTTCACTCTATC SRY_r1_R GAAAGCTGTAACTCTAAGTATCA 360 GAAAGCTGTA 552 GTGTGAAACGGGAGAAAACAGTA AAGGCAACGTCCAG TNFRSF14_r1_F AGTTCCTCTGCTGGAGTTCATCC 361 AGTTCCTCTG 553 TGCTAGCTGGGTTCCCGAGCTGC CGGTCTGAGCCTGA TNFRSF14_r1_R TCTGTGGGAGGCCCTGGGGTCAG 362 TCTGTGGGAG 554 AACTGGGATCTGCGAGCAGACGG AGAGGAGGCTCGGG TNFRSF14_r2_F CAAGCCTGGCAGAGCCCACAGGG 363 CAAGCCTGGC 555 CAGCCAGGGCATCTCCCAATGCC TGTCCTGACCCCCT TNFRSF14_r2_R TGTCTGGGGCAGAAGGGGGCAAG 364 TGTCTGGGGC 556 AGTGTCTGCCCTCGGCCCACAGA GCTGGCCCGCCAAA TNFRSF14_r3_F TGATGGGTGGGCTCCCGAAGGGG 365 TGATGGGTGG 557 CCTCCCGCAGACTTGCGAAGTTC CCACTCTCTGGGCG TNFRSF14_r3_R CAGGGTGCGGGGGCATCCAGGCT 366 CAGGGTGCGG 558 GCCCAAGCGGAGGCTGGGCCGGC TGTGCTGGCCTCTT UGT1A1_rP_P CTCCACCTTCTTTATCTCTGAAA 367 CTCCACCTTC 559 GTGAACTCCCTGCTACCTTTGTG GACTGACAGCTTTT UGT1A1_r1_F TCGATCCAAAGTAATACATCTGA 368 TCGATCCAAA 560 AAGAATATACGCATGTAAAAGTC CCACTCCAATACAC UGT1A1_r1_M1 CTGCAGCAGAGGGGACATGAAAT 369 CTGCAGCAGA 561 AGTTGTCCTAGCACCTGACGCCT CGTTGTACATCAGA UGT1A1_r1_M2 ACTCTTTCACATCCTCCCTTTGG 370 ACTCTTTCAC 562 AATGGCACAGGGTACGTCTTCAA GGTGTAAAATGCTC UGT1A1_r1_M3 GCGTGTGATCAAAACATACAAGA 371 GCGTGTGATC 563 AAATAAAAAAGGACTCTGCTATG CTTTTGTCTGGCTG UGT1A1_r1_M4 ACATCAAAGCTGCTTTCTGCCAG 372 ACATCAAAGC 564 GGAGGCCATGAGCTCCTTGTTGT GCAGTAAGTGGGAA UGT1A1_r1_M5 CTCTGCCCACTGTATTCTTCTTG 373 CTCTGCCCAC 565 CATGCACTGCCATGCAGCCTGGA ATTTGAGGCTACCC UGT1A1_r1_M6 TCATGTGATCTGAATGAGAGGAG 374 TCATGTGATC 566 AGAGGCCTGGGCACGTAGGAGAA TGGGTTGGGGCACT UGT1A1_r1_M7 TGCGACGTGGTTTATTCCCCGTA 375 TGCGACGTGG 567 TGCAACCCTTGCCTCAGAATTCC TTCAGAGAGAGGTG UGT1A1_r1_R CTTCACAAAGTCACTTCTAAACA 376 CTTCACAAAG 568 GCCAGACAGATGCAGAGCTCAAT AGGTCCTGGACAGT UGT1A1_r2_F ACTGTATGTAGTCATCAAAGAAT 377 ACTGTATGTA 569 ATGAGAAAAAATTAACTGAAAAT TTTTCTTCTGGCTC UGT1A1_r2_R ATTAATCTGGAAGCTGGAAGTCT 378 ATTAATCTGG 570 GGGATTAGCGCTCCTGTGAAAAT AGATATGAGGCCAT UGT1A1_r3_F CAGATTTGTTTTCTAATCATATT 379 CAGATTTGTT 571 ATGTTCTTTCTTTACGTTCTGCT CTTTTTGCCCCTCC UGT1A1_r3_R GCTTAAGCCATTTTCTTAATTTG 380 GCTTAAGCCA 572 ACCCTGGTTTGACCTATACATCC AATCCGCCCAACAT UGT1A1_r4_F TGTGTCCAGCTGTGAAACTCAGA 381 TGTGTCCAGC 573 GATGTAACTGCTGACATCCTCCC TATTTTGCATCTCA UGT1A1_r4_R ATTTGAAACAATTTTATCATGAA 382 ATTTGAAACA 574 TGCCATGACCAAAGTATTCTTCT GTATCTTCTTTCTT UGT1A1_r5_F ATAAAGAGAGGATTGTTCATACC 383 ATAAAGAGAG 575 ACAGGTGTTCCAGGCATAACGAA ACTGTCTTTGTGTT UGT1A1_r5_R TTTTCAAGTTTGGAAATGACTAG 384 TTTTCAAGTT 576 GGAATGGTTCAAAATTTTACCTT ATTTCCCACCCACT VHL_r1_F CGCCCCGCGTCCGACCCGCGGAT 385 CGCCCCGCGT 577 CCCGCGGCGTCCGGCCCGGGTGG TCTGGATCGCGGAG VHL_r1_M1 TAGAGGGGCTTCAGACCGTGCTA 386 TAGAGGGGCT 578 TCGTCCCTGCTGGGTCGGGCCTA AGCGCCGGGCCCGT VHL_r1_M2 GGCGCCGAGGAGGAGATGGAGGC 387 GGCGCCGAGG 579 CGGGCGGCCGCGGCCCGTGCTGC GCTCGGTGAACTCG VHL_r1_R CCATACGGGCAGCACGACGCGCG 388 CCATACGGGC 580 GACTGCGATTGCAGAAGATGACC TGGGAGGGCTCGCG VHL_r2_F GGTGTGGGCCACCGTGCCCAGCC 389 GGTGTGGGCC 581 ACCGGTGTGGCTCTTTAACAACC TTTGCTTGTCCCGA VHL_r2_R AAGTGGTCTATCCTGTACTTACC 390 AAGTGGTCTA 582 ACAACAACCTTATCTTTTTAAAA AGTAAAACGTCAGT VHL_r3_F CTTGTTCGTTCCTTGTACTGAGA 391 CTTGTTCGTT 583 CCCTAGTCTGCCACTGAGGATTT GGTTTTTGCCCTTC VHL_r3_R ATCAAGACTCATCAGTACCATCA 392 ATCAAGACTC 584 AAAGCTGAGATGAAACAGTGTAA GTTTCAACAGAAAT In paired-end sequencing experiments, read_1 and read_2 are derived from the same DNA clone.","This implies that the read_1 genomic sequence (parts (3) and (4) in FIG.","24) is present because it was associated with a particular probe (part (5) in FIG.","24).","Taken in total, this data indicates that each DNA sequence present in a collection of next-generation sequences can be associated with the probe sequence that targeted it.","All DNA sequences associated with a particular probe can be retrieved.","The present paradigm for next-generation resequencing analysis (targeted or otherwise) is to align reads back to a reference genome.","Knowledge of the targeting probe association affords a novel workflow in which reads are first sorted by probe and then analyzed by either alignment-based methods, de novo assembly methods, or both.","As described in Example 14, probe-associated-read-scaffold-assembly (PARSAR) solves one of the more complex and difficult issues in variant discovery, which is that the most interesting variants are those that deviate most significantly from the reference sequence, yet these are the very sequences that will be most refractile to conventional sequence based alignment (FIG.","25).","Using probe-association followed by de novo local assembly, such variants are easily identified.","Probe-based read grouping is used in conjunction with other aspects of molecular design to identify variants with a high-degree of first-pass confidence.","As shown in FIG.","26, probes are generally designed to bracket target regions.","The overlapping aspect of reads allows potential variant sites to be queried by independent reads in both orientations.","In addition, this dual-probe design ensures that adjacent probe binding sites themselves are sequenced.","This is an important feature where probe capture performance may be in question.","As an example, variant alleles where single nucleotide variants underlie one of the capture probe sequences are identified by this molecular design and can be accounted for in downstream informatics analysis.","An additional aspect of flow of information from molecular annotation to downstream variant analysis involves sequence “tags”, defined as the combination of a three base sequence label and ragged sequence start sites ((1)+(3) in FIG.","24).","Sequence tags define the uniqueness of each sequencing clone.","As illustrated in FIG.","27, variants that occur within a collection of sibling clones that share identical sequence tags are likely to be false positives.","In contrast, variants are shared among sequences with different tags—even if they occur at low frequency—have a higher probability of being true positive variants.","This system of tagging sequences and using tags to assign confidence predictions to variant calling has the prospect of substantially decreasing the burden of downstream variant validation (which can be costly and time consuming).","Molecular annotation is described in more detail in the document Example 16, which describes the molecular technology sequencing platform.","In summary, one of the distinguishing features of the technology platforms contemplated herein is the fact that all “annealing probe” events are copied into DNA clones that also possess additional molecular annotation.","Sequences are segregated by probe and by sample labels into a collection belonging to a specific target region of a specific input sample.","Combinations of alignment and de novo assembly can then be used for variant detection.","Finally, redundancy in the appearance of candidate variants can be used to assign confidence in variant calling.","In addition to variant analysis, methods for copy number determination were also provided.","These two elements are tightly coupled, specifically because copy number determination is dependent on high confidence sequencing reads.","The overall schema for determining copy number from sequence information is shown in FIG.","28.Example 16: Molecular Technology Sequencing Platform Overview: The genomic sequencing platforms contemplated herein provide methods to: (1) Address genomic samples from multiple individuals in a single sequencing run; (2) Detect single (and/or multiple) nucleotide variants (SNVs) and single (and/or multiple) nucleotide insertions and deletions (SNIDs) with high confidence; (3) Detect large and small scale copy number variations (CNVs) in all queried gene environments; (4) Detect micro-scale translocations, inversions and insertion/deletion events in queried gene environments; (5) Develop a technological system that is scalable from ≥exome-scale investigation (≥1-2% of the overall human genome sequence) to ≤single gene-scale validation; (6) Achieve high specificity (low false-negative rate) and high sensitivity (low false-positive rate) in genomic variation tests; (7) Create a molecular and bioinformatics technology that is simple, portable and scalable in its execution; and (8) Provide molecular methods that are readily amenable to quality control measurements.","The overall schematic of genomic sequencing read is shown in FIG.","29.A description of each element is as follows: (1) The “sequence label” is a set of (contiguous*) nucleotides (i.e.","a unique set of 3 mers) that is used in conjunction with the read start position (3) to establish the uniqueness of each sequencing read.","In founding documents, the combination of this label and the read start point were referred to as the “unique sequence tag.” Because the sequence label is the first set of bases encountered and in sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) chemistry all four DNA bases must be equally represented at each read position, the constraints on the sequencing label are not only uniqueness, but also that the collection of bases used in the collective set of sequence labels must have all four bases present at all positions sequenced.","The use of unique sequence tags to determine local CNVs is described in the bioinformatics section of this document.","(2) The “sample label” is a set of (contiguous*) nucleotide codes that uniquely identify a particular sample within a set of multiplexed samples.","As with the sequencing label, the collection of sample labels must also contain all four bases to satisfy the requirements of SBS sequence base calling.","The sample codes are intentionally positioned next to genomic DNA fragments.","The driver for this design is ligation bias, meaning that there are base preferences for DNA ligation efficiency in the ˜2 bases upstream and the 1-2 bases downstream of the ligation junction.","By placing the sample code at the ligation junction, all fragments within a specific sample experience the ligation influences/biases.","*—Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is contemplated that the sequence labels and sample labels could be created as inter-digitated nucleotide sequences.","(3) The “read start point” within genomic fragments is one of two key elements that define a “unique sequence read.” As discussed in section (1) above, the unique identifying “tag” for each read is comprised of the sequencing label AND the read start point.","As considered in more detail below, the collection of unique [(1)+(3)] sequence tags is essential for determination of large scale CNV.","Here “large scale CNV” is defined as any CNV that involves the entirety of at least one probe binding region plus some adjacent sequence.","Large scale CNV can be as large as gain or loss of entire chromosomes.","[(1)+(2)] The sequence label and sample label are embedded in adaptor sequences that are ligated to end-repaired genomic fragments in the initial stage of library construction process where a whole genome library is created.","(4) The sequencing read.","The sequence information from genomic fragments is, of course, a central focus of the genomic assays.","Each read is considered in the context of multiple, overlapping reads produced within the same assay.","(5) The probe level—“genomic indexing.” The overall genomics assay strategy is to combine multiple sequence labels into a composite “molecular annotation” that places each sequencing read into a larger framework of genomic analysis.","Within this operational paradigm, Read 1 reveals elements (1-4) of each annotated clone.","Read 2 reveals the probe sequence that retrieved each clone by hybridization based capture and subsequent enzymatic processing.","The probe sequence information is central to the genomics strategy because all reads are initially clustered according to the probe that captured them.","This clustering of information on a probe-by-probe basis is termed “genomic indexing” because each read is indexed to a genomic probe prior to analysis.","One of the interesting features of the probe label is that the constellation of all probe sequences within a capture reaction is well-defined (we know which probes went into the capture reaction).","This implies that Read 2 does not necessarily need to cover the entire 60 nt probe sequence.","Rather, Read 2 only needs to be of sufficient length to enable unambiguous identification of all probes within a specific reaction.","As one non-limiting example, the probe set discussed in Example 15 consists of 192 probes that can be differentiated based on only 7 nt of 5′ probe sequence (two of the probes with identical 7 nt 5′ termini were tagged with dinucleotide codes so they could be informatically differentiated).","(6) The capture label.","The composition of the libraries is determined by the intimate molecular interaction between probes and target sequences.","The performance of each unique probe sequence can be monitored using the capture label, which can be as simple as a string of several (4-6) random bases.","The diversity and statistical distribution of capture labels detected in sequencing is a direct measure of probe performance.","By way of example, imagine a case where very few sequences are associated with a particular probe sequence.","It may be tempting to attribute this deficit of sequences to poor probe performance, and therefore to initiate iterative cycles of probe redesigns.","However, sequence under-representation may also be a consequence of sequences that do not ligate well to adaptors and or sequences that do not amplify well with the particular PCR regimen that is used.","The use of capture labels allows differentiation of these failure modes.","With poor probe performance, the very few capture events that do occur will manifest as very few capture labels that show up multiple times.","In contrast, poor representation for reasons upstream of the actual capture reaction (ligation, PCR, end-repair, etc.)","will result in a large constellation of capture labels that will be, by and large, uniquely represented.","In particular embodiments, as one transitions into automated designs of thousands of probes, the ability to informatically QC probe performance will become increasingly important.","Example 17: Probe Selection and Implementation Summary: Probe sequence selection and the methods to use them have, necessarily, been developed in concert.","This example describes probe selection criterion in Section I and the laboratory methods that make them most effective in Section II.","See, e.g., FIG.","30.Section I.","Selection of Targeting Probes.","In the most general terms, target enrichment probes are 60 nt in length.","Probes are generally directional, meaning they capture sequences on one side (generally the 3′ side) of their position.","Tail sequences that add additional functionality (e.g., PCR primer binding site, binding site for complementary oligo that enables biotin pull-out, etc) are added in addition to the core targeting 60-mer.","Sixty nucleotide targeting sequences are chosen with the following constraints and criterion: (1) The probe is positioned from −100 to +50 nt relative to the start of the target sequence.","In FIG.","30, the “start” of the target sequence is the intron:exon junction; (2) Probes are designed with redundancy, as illustrated, such that the resulting sequences from a pair of probes are overlapping in opposite orientations; (3) Probes are selected (where possible) to possess GC content not less than 33% (>20 G's or C's per 60 mer) and not more than 67% (<40 G's or C's per 60 mer); (4) Probes are selected to avoid repeats wherever possible.","This is done with the help of REPEATMASKER and/or unique alignability criterion, both of which can be viewed on the UCSC genome browser; and (5) In case the position requirement, GC requirement, and the uniqueness requirement cannot be met, selection rules are relaxed in the following order (GC>position>uniqueness).","In other words, GC and positioning are flexible; the uniqueness criterion is not.","Section II.","Laboratory Methods.","The input to target enrichment is probes, a gDNA library, and buffers, which have been described elsewhere herein.","The first step in targeted enrichment is melting of the gDNA library, which begins in a form as double-stranded PCR fragments.","This is achieved by denaturation of the gDNA, preferably at a concentration of 100 ng/μL in a total volume of 10 μL, at 98° C. for 2 min followed by immediate transfer to ice.","The gDNA library is suspended in a low salt buffer that contains 10 mM Tris pH 8.0 and 0.1 mM EDTA.","The second step is to add 5 L of concentrated binding buffer (4M NaCl, 40 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.4 mM EDTA and 0.4% Tween20).","While these conditions are specific, the overarching concept is that the concentration of salt must be increased to 2N osmolarity to achieve rapid kinetic association of complementary DNA strands.","Five microliters of probe is also added such that the final concentration of probe is 250 pM in each probe.","The mixture of gDNA library, buffer and probe is heated to 98° C. for 2 min and cooled in 1° C. increments for four min each down to 68° C. In the third step, probe:gDNA complexes (the probe has a biotin associated with it) are bound to magnetic beads that are coated with streptavidin.","In the fourth step, stringent washing is used to remove unwanted associations between probe and non-target sequences that may occur because of, for example, short matches of nucleotide sequence between probe and gDNA.","Stringency is achieved by using low-salt, high-formamide wash buffer as, for example, a buffer containing 30%-35% formamide (v/v), 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.1 mM EDTA and 0.5% Tween 20).","Several washes of the beads are used to achieve the desired purity of target sequence (e.g., four).","The washed beads possess target sequences bound to probe that are processed, amplified, and sequenced.","In summary, low salt melting of the gDNA library, high salt probe annealing, and high formamide washes are used in concert with probe designs to achieve high levels of target sequence enrichment.","Example 18: Exemplary Sequences Overview: Exemplary genome tags, sample codes and library information are shown in Tables 27-29 below.","TABLE 27 Exemplary Genome tags Genome tags APC CAA GAT TAG ACA CCC GCG TCT AGT CGG GGC TGA ATG CTT GTA TTC TABLE 28 Exemplary Sample Codes Sample codes GAA TCA CGA ATA TAC GCC AGC CTC APG CCG TGG GTG CAT ACT GGT TTT TABLE 29 Exemplary Library Genome Sample tags codes Sample ID Input AAC ATA NA18917 50 genomes ACA CCG NA18917 100 genomes AGT GGT NA18917 200 genomes ATG TAC NA18917 400 genomes CAA AGC NA12878 50 genomes CCC CAT NA12878 100 genomes CGG GTG NA12878 200 genomes CTT TCA NA12878 400 genomes GAT GCG GGC GTA TAG TCT TGA TTC Example 19: Construction of Tagged, Targeted, Genomic Library Summary: Several ways to construct tagged, targeted genomic sequencing libraries are contemplated herein.","In this embodiment, DNA repair is used to attach probe-associated sequences to captured genomic fragments.","This approach worked well for creating sequence-ready targeted genomic libraries.","Concept: An important principle of the library construction is that the sequence ready clones are comprised of DNA sequences derived from both genomic fragments and capture probes.","This “recombination” of parts greatly enriches for those genomic fragments that are in direct contact with probe, and it enables focused sequencing reads on one side of a probe sequence.","In this design, the tripartite complex formed between the target genomic library fragment, the capture probe and the common partner oligo possesses a structure reminiscent of a DNA replication fork.","Such forks occur during normal DNA replication, but they also occur during DNA repair processes.","In the latter case, it is often necessary to trim 5′ displaced strands to enable joining of the newly polymerized strand to the adjacent 3′ sequence.","This repair process requires two enzymes and three enzymatic activities.","DNA polymerase holoenzymes like E. coli DNA polymerase or Bst DNA polymerase possess two of these activities, a 5′ to 3′ endonuclease activity that removes these 5′ displaced flaps and, of course, DNA polymerase activity.","In particular embodiments, Bst polymerase is preferred because it also lacks 3′ to 5′ nuclease activity that is often associated with DNA polymerase holoenzymes.","See, e.g., FIG.","31.This feature is useful because it suggests that the single-stranded 3′ DNA protrusions of the target genomic clones do not require protection.","The other enzyme and activity required is a nick-closing DNA ligase such as the NAD+-requiring Taq DNA ligase.","Following processing, processed fragments are amplified by PCR to allow for size selection and quantification prior to sequencing.","Proof of Principle Oligonucleotides: For this experiment, eight target regions were chosen that correspond to eight genomic regions for which we have qPCR assays.","The forward and reverse primers for these eight regions are shown in Table 30.The capture probes are the exact reverse complement of capture probes that were used and validated elsewhere herein.","These probes span a % GC range from 22% to 73% as noted in Table 32.TABLE 30 Proof of principle oligonucleotides SEQ ID qPCR NO: Assay Name Sequence 585 17 SRY_F CTGGTGCTCCATTCTTGAGTGTGT 586 SRY_R GGACAACAGGTTGTACAGGGATGA 587 18 VHL_F TACAGGAGACTGGACATCGTCAGG 588 VHL_R CTTTCTGCACATTTGGGTGGTCTT 589 19 UGT_F GGTGATCAGATGGACAATGCAAAG 590 UGT_R TCATTTCCAGAACATTCAGGGTCA 591 20 TNF_F ACCTCAATGGCCTAAGCAAGTGTC 592 TNF_R GCCTCTTACCTGGGTCACACATTT 593 21 RUNX_F ATCTTGCAACCTGGTTCTTCATGG 594 RUNX_R GCTGGCAATGATGAAAACTACTCG 595 22 RHD_F CCAAGTTTCAACTCTGCTCTGCTG 596 RHD_R GTTGAACACGGCATTCTTCCTTTC 597 23 PTEN_F GGAAAGGGACGAACTGGTGTAATG 598 PTEN_R AAATCTAGGGCCTCTTGTGCCTTT 599 24 EP300_F AGCCCCATGGATCTTTCTACCATT 600 EP300_R ATACTGCCAGGGCTCCTGATACTG Capture probe Name Sequence 601 17 SRY_rlf_V3 ATCGGGTAACATTGGCTACAAAGACCTACCTAGATGC TCCTTTTTACGATAACTTACAGGTGAAAACCAGGATCA ACTCCCGTGCCAGTCACATCTCGT 602 SRY_rlr_V3 ATTATAAGTATCGACCTCGTCGGAAGGCGAAGATGCTG CCGAAGAATTGCAGTTTGCTTCGTGAAAACCAGGATCA ACTCCCGTGCCAGTCACATCTCGT Probes were synthesized as ultramers by IDT, rehydrated to 100 uM, and pooled; each probe in the pool is present at 6.25 uM.","To create a 100× stock solution in which each probe was present at 100 nM, 10 uM of pool and 10 μL of 100 uM common, biotinylated partner oligo were combined in 605 μL of TEzero+0.05% Tween 20 (TT).","The 100× stock was further diluted 100-fold (10 μL into 990 μL TT) to give a working solution in which each probe is present at a concentration of 1 nM.","Capture/Processing Protocols: One objective of the proof of principle study was to validate probe performance and test the efficiency of processing on sequence-ready library yield.","The genomic library pool was derived from a 16 sample set library.","For probe annealing, four of 10 μL library aliquots in separate PCR strip tubes were heated to 98° C. for 2 min and cooled on ice.","Five μL of 4× bind buffer and five μL of probe were added to each tube, and the solution was annealed using a 1° C. step for four min thermal cycler program from 98° C. to 69° C. Annealed complexes were bound to streptavidin-coated magnetic beads, washed four times with 25% formamide-containing wash buffer and one time with TEzero.","The final complexes were suspended in 2 μL of TEzero.","Four treatments of the four complexes were investigated: (1) No processing, amplification with ACA2 primer alone to determine raw capture efficiency; (2) No processing, amplification with AF and CR to determine unprocessed amplification and capture efficiency; (3) PreCR processing in 10 μL prior to AF and CR amplification to explore low volume processing; and (4) PreCR processing in 50 μL prior to AF and CR amplification to establish high volume processing effects.","PreCR processing was accomplished by adding the manufacturer's recommended solution that contained per 100 μL: 82 μL of water 10 μL of Thermopol buffer 1 μL of 100×NAD+ 1 μL of 10 mM dNTPs 2 μL of PreCR enzyme mix Ten μL of PreCR cocktail was added to tube 3 and 50 μL was added to tube 4.These were incubated at 37 C for 20 min.","Following PreCR treatment, all four samples were resuspended to 50 μL by the addition of TEzero, and Q5 PCR cocktail with the appropriate PCR primers was added to a final volume of 250 μL.","Each aliquot of PCR cocktail contained: 125 μL water 50 μL 5× Q5 reaction buffer 25 μL of 10 uM primer (either ACA2 or a 1:1 blend of AF and CR) 5 μL of 10 mM dNTPs 2.5 μL of Q5 hot start enzyme 50 μL of each PCR reaction mix was aliquoted to a tube containing 1.25 L EvaGreen and 1 μL ROX dyes, mixed, and quadruplicate 10 μL aliquots were added to a qPCR optical PCR plate.","The remaining 200 μL was split into to 100 μL aliquots.","Both the qPCR and conventional PCR reaction were cycled as: 98° C.-30 sec 98° C.-10 sec, 69° C.-10 sec, 72° C.-10 sec for 40 cycles (qPCR) and plateau cycle (conventional).","The real-time PCR reaction was monitored to determine the optimal stopping point for the conventional PCR reactions.","For the ACA2 reaction, the stopping point was at 21 cycles.","For the remaining reactions, the stopping point was at 28 cycles.","These qPCR reactions are further described in the Results section, infra.","Ten μL of raw PCR was collected for gel analysis and a remaining aliquot of 100 μL was purified 1:1 with beads.","The purified PCR product was eluted with 50 μL TEzero and quantified by Qubit.","The DNA yields were: (1) 7.44 ng/μL; (2) 10.6 ng/μL; (3) 12.1 ng/μL; and (4) 15.7 ng/μL.","qPCR Analysis of Capture/Processing: A single Eco qPCR plate containing an array of eight assays—Assays 17-24 (Table 32) by six samples was used to assess capture efficiency.","The six samples were: 1.10 ng/μL of original gDNA library 2.NTC 3.0.01 ng/μL of sample 1 4.0.01 ng/μL of sample 2 5.0.01 ng/μL of sample 3 6.0.01 ng/μL of sample 4 The Q5 hot start assay mixture contained: 237.5 μL H2O 100 μL 5× Q5 reaction buffer 10 μL dNTPs 12.5 μL EvaGreen 10 μL ROX 5 μL Q5 hot start enzyme This cocktail was distributed in 48 μL aliquots and 3 μL of Assay primer (10 uM in both F and R primer) was added.","This was distributed in columns.","Two μL of sample was added in rows and the plate was cycled as described above.","Results: Amplification of Complexes: While the fluorescence profile of amplifying complexes is used primarily to identify the amplification plateau (which occurs much sooner for single primer than dual primer amplicons), the Cq value can be used to look at the content of amplicon between samples.","In this experiment, the observed Cq values were: Sample Conditions Cq 1 no PreCR, ACA2 single primer 15 2 no PreCR, AF + CR 21 3 10 μL PreCR, AF + CR 20 4 50 μL PreCR, AF + CR 19 These data demonstrated that PreCR treatment increased the abundance of P1+P2 (AF+CR) amplicons.","Gel images of the post-processing PCR products shown in FIG.","33 show that PreCR treatment supported the amplification of a larger size distribution of clones.","The untreated, sample 2 amplicon is primarily a cluster of small size fragments.","Sample 3 and to a greater extent sample 4 are more broadly distributed smears.","The qPCR results showing target enrichment are shown in Table 31 below.","The raw sequence capture in sample 1 was surprisingly high.","At least two factors may have contributed to such an unexpected improvement over historical data sets: (1) The core annealing process (pre-melt, higher temps, low salt binding to strep beads) has been optimized; and (2) A longer partner oligo (40 nt vs 35 nt) was used.","Even with no PreCR treatment, P1+P2 (AF+CR) amplifiable material was made (sample 2) and substantial enrichment of target signal over gDNA (and/or NTC) was observed.","PreCR treated complex also yielded enrichment levels comparable to unprocessed (sample 1) control.","This is a fantastic demonstration of the fact that PreCR processing can stimulate the recombination of the probe-based partner oligo with the genomic library-based target clones.","While the levels of enrichment are not remarkable, the majority of clone material is small and falls outside the range of the qPCR assay.","As noted elsewhere herein, judicious bead enrichment can dramatically increase the proportion of the library that covers the qPCR site.","In addition, the results indicated that more PreCR is not necessarily better.","Sample 3 (10 μL PreCR treatment) outperformed Sample 4 (50 μL PreCR treatment) with respect to enrichment specific activity in 6 of 8 assays.","TABLE 31 qPCR enrichment data for V3 experimental samples Cqs Assay 17 Assay 18 Assay 19 Assay 20 Assay 21 Assay 22 Assay 23 Assay 24 gDNA lib 24 21 21 22 22 22 22 22 NTC 35 31 34 26 33 N/A 30 29 sample 1 16 13 13 12 14 13 15 14 sample 2 21 18 19 16 18 18 22 20 sample 3 16 14 15 13 14 15 17 15 sample 4 16 14 15 13 15 15 17 15 Abs value Assay 17 Assay 18 Assay 19 Assay 20 Assay 21 Assay 22 Assay 23 Assay 24 gDNA lib 5 40 36 32 20 22 34 29 NTC 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 sample 1 1918 14374 9372 20243 8444 10189 2820 8133 sample 2 59 382 172 1526 295 403 34 87 sample 3 1085 5090 3051 10275 5213 4144 1068 2822 sample 4 1492 5381 2751 8770 3866 2777 777 2233 Adj value Assay 17 Assay 18 Assay 19 Assay 20 Assay 21 Assay 22 Assay 23 Assay 24 gDNA lib 5 40 36 32 20 22 34 29 NTC 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 sample 1 1918016 14374082 9372333 20243011 8443797 10188837 2820166 8132920 sample 2 59292 381694 171590 1526000 295038 403467 33575 87344 sample 3 1085442 5089739 3050781 10275412 5212989 4143563 1068184 2821950 sample 4 1491501 5380882 2751029 8770152 3865764 2777330 777035 2232604 Fold enrich Assay 17 Assay 18 Assay 19 Assay 20 Assay 21 Assay 22 Assay 23 Assay 24 sample 1 378673 356798 262412 641805 415341 453405 84090 281573 sample 2 11706 9475 4804 48382 14513 17954 1001 3024 sample 3 214298 126339 85418 325782 256421 184389 31850 97700 sample 4 294466 133566 77025 278058 190152 123592 23169 77296 Discussion: The capture and processing methods disclosed in this example performed well using untreated complexes.","Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is contemplated that one reason that the untreated complexes performed so well was because both the capture probe and genomic fragments possess primer binding sites.","Appendix to Example 19 The primer and amplicon designs for this example are shown below in Table 32.TABLE 32 Sequences used to perform Example 19 SEQ ID NO: Target Name Sequence % GC 603 SRY_r1, F qPCR primer CTGGTGCTCCATTCTTGAGTGTGT Assay 17 604 R qPCR primer GGACAACAGGTTGTACAGGGATGA 605 qPCR Amplicon CTGGTGCTCCATTCTTGAGTGTGTGGCTTTCGTACAGT CATCCCTGTACAACCTGTTGTCC 606 F-probe CTGTAAGTTATCGTAAAAAGGAGCATCTAGGTAGGTCT 40% TTGTAGCCAATGTTACCCGATT 607 R-probe GAAGCAAACTGCAATTCTTCGGCAGCATCTTCGCCTTC 47% CGACGAGGTCGATACTTATAAT 608 F-probe reverse AATCGGGTAACATTGGCTACAAAGACCTACCTAGATGC complement TCCTTTTTACGATAACTTACAG 609 R-probe reverse ATTATAAGTATCGACCTCGTCGGAAGGCGAAGATGCTG complement CCGAAGAATTGCAGTTTGCTTC 610 VHL_r3Assay F qPCR primer TACAGGAGACTGGACATCGTCAGG 18 611 R qPCR primer CTTTCTGCACATTTGGGTGGTCTT 612 qPCR Amplicon TACAGGAGACTGGACATCGTCAGGTCGCTCTACGAAGA TCTGGAAGACCACCCAAATGTGCAGAAAG 613 F-probe CTTGTTCGTTCCTTGTACTGAGACCCTAGTCTGCCACT 48% GAGGATTTGGTTTTTGCCCTTC 614 R-probe ATCAAGACTCATCAGTACCATCAAAAGCTGAGATGAAA 35% CAGTGTAAGTTTCAACAGAAAT 615 F-probe reverse GAAGGGCAAAAACCAAATCCTCAGTGGCAGACTAGGGT complement CTCAGTACAAGGAACGAACAAG 616 R-probe reverse ATTTCTGTTGAAACTTACACTGTTTCATCTCAGCTTTT complement GATGGTACTGATGAGTCTTGAT 617 UGT1A1_r4, F qPCR primer GGTGATCAGATGGACAATGCAAAG Assay 19 618 R qPCR primer TCATTTCCAGAACATTCAGGGTCA 619 qPCR Amplicon GGTGATCAGATGGACAATGCAAAGCGCATGGAGACTAA GGGAGCTGGAGTGACCCTGAATGTTCTGGAAATGA 620 F-probe TGTGTCCAGCTGTGAAACTCAGAGATGTAACTGCTGAC 45% ATCCTCCCTATTTTGCATCTCA 621 R-probe ATTTGAAACAATTTTATCATGAATGCCATGACCAAAGT 28% ATTCTTCTGTATCTTCTTTCTT 622 F-probe reverse TGAGATGCAAAATAGGGAGGATGTCAGCAGTTACATCT complement CTGAGTTTCACAGCTGGACACA 623 R-probe reverse AAGAAAGAAGATACAGAAGAATACTTTGGTCATGGCAT complement TCATGATAAAATTGTTTCAAAT 624 TNFRSF14_r3, F qPCR primer ACCTCAATGGCCTAAGCAAGTGTC Assay 20 625 R qPCR primer GCCTCTTACCTGGGTCACACATTT 626 qPCR Amplicon ACCTCAATGGCCTAAGCAAGTGTCTGCAGTGCCAAATG TGTGACCCAGGTAAGAGGC 627 F-probe TGATGGGTGGGCTCCCGAAGGGGCCTCCCGCAGACTTG 67% CGAAGTTCCCACTCTCTGGGCG 628 R-probe CAGGGTGCGGGGGCATCCAGGCTGCCCAAGCGGAGGCT 73% GGGCCGGCTGTGCTGGCCTCTT 629 F-probe reverse CGCCCAGAGAGTGGGAACTTCGCAAGTCTGCGGGAGGC complement CCCTTCGGGAGCCCACCCATCA 630 R-probe reverse AAGAGGCCAGCACAGCCGGCCCAGCCTCCGCTTGGGCA complement GCCTGGATGCCCCCGCACCCTG 631 RUNX_r4, F qPCR primer ATCTTGCAACCTGGTTCTTCATGG Assay 21 632 R qPCR primer GCTGGCAATGATGAAAACTACTCG 633 qPCR Amplicon AATCTTGCAACCTGGTTCTTCATGGCTGCGGTAGCATT TCTCAGCTCAGCCGAGTAGTTTTCATCATTGCCAGC 634 F-probe TTTTGAAATGTGGGTTTGTTGCCATGAAACGTGTTTCA 37% AGCATAGTTTTGACAGATAACG 635 R-probe TGCCCTAAAAGTGTATGTATAACATCCCTGATGTCTGC 40% ATTTGTCCTTTGACTGGTGTTT 636 F-probe reverse CGTTATCTGTCAAAACTATGCTTGAAACACGTTTCATG complement GCAACAAACCCACATTTCAAAA 637 R-probe reverse AAACACCAGTCAAAGGACAAATGCAGACATCAGGGATG complement TTATACATACACTTTTAGGGCA 638 RHD_r5Assay F qPCR primer CCAAGTTTCAACTCTGCTCTGCTG 22 639 R qPCR primer GTTGAACACGGCATTCTTCCTTTC 640 qPCR Amplicon CCAAGTTTCAACTCTGCTCTGCTGAGAAGTCCAATCGA AAGGAAGAATGCCGTGTTCAAC 641 F-probe AACCCCTCGAGGCTCAGACCTTTGGAGCAGGAGTGTGA 58% TTCTGGCCAACCACCCTCTCTG 642 R-probe CATAAATATGTGTGCTAGTCCTGTTAGACCCAAGTGCT 55% GCCCAAGGGCAGCGCCCTGCTC 643 F-probe reverse CAGAGAGGGTGGTTGGCCAGAATCACACTCCTGCTCCA complement AAGGTCTGAGCCTCGAGGGGTT 644 R-probe reverse GAGCAGGGCGCTGCCCTTGGGCAGCACTTGGGTCTAAC complement AGGACTAGCACACATATTTATG 645 PTEN_r5, F qPCR primer GGAAAGGGACGAACTGGTGTAATG Assay 23 646 R qPCR primer AAATCTAGGGCCTCTTGTGCCTTT 647 qPCR Amplicon GGAAAGGGACGAACTGGTGTAATGATATGTGCATATTT ATTACATCGGGGCAAATTTTTAAAGGCACAAGAGGCCC TAGATTT 648 F-probe TACTTGTTAATTAAAAATTCAAGAGTTTTTTTTTCTTA 22% TTCTGAGGTTATCTTTTTACCA 649 R-probe CCAAAATCTGTTTTCCAATAAATTCTCAGATCCAGGAA 33% GAGGAAAGGAAAAACATCAAAA 650 F-probe reverse TGGTAAAAAGATAACCTCAGAATAAGAAAAAAAAACTC complement TTGAATTTTTAATTAACAAGTA 651 R-probe reverse TTTTGATGTTTTTCCTTTCCTCTTCCTGGATCTGAGAA complement TTTATTGGAAAACAGATTTTGG 652 EP300_r18, F qPCR primer AGCCCCATGGATCTTTCTACCATT Assay 24 653 R qPCR primer ATACTGCCAGGGCTCCTGATACTG 654 qPCR Amplicon AGCCCCATGGATCTTTCTACCATTAAGAGGAAGTTAGA CACTGGACAGTATCAGGAGCCCTGGCAGTAT 655 F-probe ATACTCCATCTCCCGTAAAAATAGTGAGACTTGAGTAA 37% TGTTTGATGTCACTTGTCTTTC 656 R-probe CAGTCACCACTATATTATTCTAGGTATCCCAGAAAAGT 33% TAAAGTCAAATCTGAAACACAT 657 F-probe reverse GAAAGACAAGTGACATCAAACATTACTCAAGTCTCACT complement ATTTTTACGGGAGATGGAGTAT 658 R-probe reverse ATGTGTTTCAGATTTGACTTTAACTTTTCTGGGATACC complement TAGAATAATATAGTGGTGACTG 659 Additional Tail sequence for GTGAAAACCAGGATCAACTCCCGTGCCAGTCACATCTC oligos capture probes GT 660 Common partner /5BioTEG/ACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATC oligo sequence CTGGTTTTCAC 661 Forward AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGTCATGCAG amplification GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA primer AF 662 Reverse CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGG amplification AGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCAC primer CR Example 20: Library-Free Targeted Genomic Analysis Summary: This example demonstrates a library-free genomic analysis.","The goals were to identify the most useful parameters for implementing such methods in a reliable, reproducible, low-cost, and high-throughput format.","In particular, it was discovered that T4 polymerase can copy many and diverse genomic sequences provided it is supplemented with T4 gene 32 protein in the presence of PEG8000—a molecular crowding agent.","In addition, it was found that suppression PCR just upstream of sequence library construction is a powerful method to enrich for long insert sequencing clones.","Background: The molecular concepts behind library-free methods include: (1) fragmenting gDNA to ˜400 bp or performing 1st strand cDNA synthesis with random 15-mers in the presence of ddNTPs (FIG.","33); (2) melting the gDNA or cDNA with labeled capture probes and purify the end-repaired gDNA/cDNA.","For gDNA, the genomic sequence is repaired with a sequence tag that comprises a random hexamer sequence contained within the tail portion (FIG.","33); (3) processing the DNA complex in a single reaction at 20° C. The Buffer used is NEB CutSmart (NEB#4 and BSA), ATP, dNTPs, and PEG8000.The complex is processed with T4 DNA polymerase, T4 gene 32 protein (SB), and T4 DNA ligase.","The adapter ligation strand is 5′ phosphorylated and the partner strand comprises a 3′ ddC.","The opposite end of the adapter is staggered and can be blocked.","A blunt configuration makes no self-dimer, is extremely efficiency and attaches the P1 containing ligation strand to the P2 containing target.","(FIG.","34); (4) PCR amplification to add flow cell compatible sequences and to introduce sample-specific index sequence to each reaction (FIG.","35); and (5) DNA sequencing (FIG.","35).","One potential artifact that may occur in particular embodiments is associated with the abundance of unoccupied probes.","The 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity of T4 DNA polymerase is capable of generating a blunt end on these molecules, which then becomes a substrate for ligation to the P1 adaptor sequence (FIG.","36).","These short “oligo-dimer” products will, without intervention, overwhelm the subsequent PCR reaction.","To circumvent the potential artifact, a suppressive PCR design was used, in which a 25 nt segment of P2 was included in the P1 adaptor.","Following suppression PCR amplification with this segment, forward and reverse primers with P1 or P2-specific extensions are used to add the index sequence and the flow cell-compatible extensions.","The oligonucleotides that enable post-processing suppressive PCR, full-length amplification and sequencing are shown in the Table 33 below.","TABLE 33 SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence Description 663 LF_part AGTTGATCCTGGTTATACA/3ddC/ Adaptor partner strand strand 664 LF_lig /5Phos/GTGTATAACCAGGATCAACTCC Adaptor ligation strand CGTGCCAGT strand 665 LF_I1P GTGAAAACCAGGATCAACTCCCGTGCCAG Index 1 sequencing TCAC primer 666 LF_FSP GTCATGCAGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTATACA Library-free Forward C sequencing primer 667 LF_Single ACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTT Post-processing primer amplification primer sequence 668 LF_FLFP AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACAC Library-free forward GTCATGCAGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTATACA amplification primer C 669 LF_FLRP_N701 CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATTCGCC Index N701 reverse TTAGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGG primer TTTTCAC 670 LF_FLRP_N702 CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATCTAGT Index N702 reverse ACGGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGG primer TTTTCAC 671 LF_FLRP_N703 CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATTTCTG Index N703 reverse CCTGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGG primer TTTTCAC 672 LF_FLRP_N704 CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGCTCA Index N704 reverse GGAGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGG primer TTTTCAC Materials: Genomic DNA samples were collected from 4 subjects and purified using the Oragene saliva collection kit.","The samples that were sequenced in this study were: Genomic DNA samples and Illumina Indexes used in this study Coriel ID # Sample description Illumina Index ID NA19240 Yoruba female Index N701 reverse primer GM03623 Aneuploid XXX and chr18 trisomy Index N702 reverse primer GM11226 XXXX Index N703 reverse primer GM18917 Yoruban/Nigerian - harbors deletion Index N704 reverse variants 1, 2, 4, 9 primer The probes used in these experiments are provided in Table 34 below.","Hexamer tags are required to establish independent capture events with the same sequencing start site from sibling clones that arise during post-capture amplification.","TABLE 34 SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence 673 CYP2D6_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAGC ACCTAGCCCCATTCCTGCTGAGCAGGAGGTGGCAGGTACCCCAGA CTGGGAGGTAA 674 CYP2D6_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGTC GGTGGGGCCAGGATGAGGCCCAGTCTGTTCACACATGGCTGCTGC CTCTCAGCTCT 675 AMY1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNACCT GAGTAGCATCATTGTAGTTCTCGATATCTCCACTTCCAGTTTTAC ATTTACCATCA 676 chrX_15_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCTG GCCCTCAGCCAGTACAGAAAGTCATTTGTCAAGGCCTTCAGTTGG CAGACGTGCTC 677 chrX_15_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGAA TTCATTGCCAGCTATAAATCTGTGGAAACGCTGCCACACAATCTT AGCACACAAGA 678 chrX_477_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACT TCAAAGAAATTACAAGTTGACATCTTGGACTCTACCCCTCGTACT TTATCTCCTAT 679 chrX_477_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTCTC TTTGGGGTCAAGAAAGAATCCCTAGTGGATTTGGGATTCTAGAGG AGGTGTTATAA 680 chrX_478_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGCG ATACCATGCTGAAGATGAGCTAACCCAACCAGCCAAGCAGGCAGG GCTGCGAAGGA 681 chrX_478_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGGGG TAGGTGGAAAACCCAAGTAATGTGATTTTGTAACATCCACTGCTG CATTTGTTTGC 682 chrX_69_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTAC TTCCCTCCAGTTTTGTTGCTTGCAAAACAACAGAATCTTCTCTCC ATGAAATCATG 683 chrX_69_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGG GGTATCTATTATCCCCATTTTCTCACAAAGGAAACCAAGATAAAA GGTTTAAATGG 684 PLP1_ex1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAA TTCTCTTGTGAATTCCTGTGTCCTCTTGAATCTTCAATGCTAAAG TTTTTGAAACT 685 PLP1_ex2_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGGGT TTGAGTGGCATGAGCTACCTACTGGATGTGCCTGACTGTTTCCCC TTCTTCTTCCC 686 PLP1_ex2_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTAT CTCCAGGATGGAGAGAGGGAAAAAAAAGATGGGTCTGTGTGGGAG GGCAGGTACTT 687 PLP1_ex3_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAA GAAGCCAGGTCTTCAATTAATAAGATTCCCTGGTCTCGTTTGTCT ACCTGTTAATG 688 PLP1_ex3_M ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGA CTCGCGCCCAATTTTCCCCCACCCCTTGTTATTGCCACAAAATCC TGAGGATGATC 689 PLP1_ex3_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTCTT TCTTCTTCCTTTATGGGGCCCTCCTGCTGGCTGAGGGCTTCTACA CCACCGGCGCA 690 PLP1_ex4_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGTTT GTGTTTCTACATCTGCAGGCTGATGCTGATTTCTAACCACCCCAT GTCAATCATTT 691 PLP1_ex4_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAACC AAATATATAGTGCTTCCATAGTGGGTAGGAGAGCCAAAGCACCCG TACCCTAACTC 692 PLP1_ex5_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGTC TCCATGTGGCCCCGTAACTCCATAAAGCTTACCCTGCTTGCTTTT TGTGTCTTACT 693 PLP1_ex5_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCAT GGGTGTAATTTGTATGGTATTAGCTACTCCCTTGTAAAATAACCC AAATAACCCAC 694 PLP1_ex6_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTTA CAGTGGAGCATATTACTGCTGTTGCAAGAAACAGTTCTTCCTCTT TCATTTTCCTG 695 PLP1_ex6_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATAG CTGTACCCACACTATCTCAGGCCTATTTACTTGCCAAGATCATTC AAAGTCAACTC 696 PLP1_ex7_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGATT TGAGGAGGGAGTGCTTTCTTTTCTACTCTCATTCACATTCTCTCT TCTGTTCCCTA 697 PLP1_ex7_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGC ATTGTAGGCTGTGTGGTTAGAGCCTCGCTATTAGAGAAAGGGGGA TTTCTACGGGG 698 KRAS_ex1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGTT ACCTTTAAAAGACATCTGCTTTCTGCCAAAATTAATGTGCTGAAC TTAAACTTACC 699 KRAS_ex1_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTCC CAGTAAATTACTCTTACCAATGCAACAGACTTTAAAGAAGTTGTG TTTTACAATGC 700 KRAS_ex2_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTAAA TGACATAACAGTTATGATTTTGCAGAAAACAGATCTGTATTTATT TCAGTGTTACT 701 KRAS_ex2_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACA GGTTTTGAAAGATATTTGTGTTACTAATGACTGTGCTATAACTTT TTTTTCTTTCC 702 KRAS_ex3_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNACTC AAAAAATAAAAACTATAATTACTCCTTAATGTCAGCTTATTATAT TCAATTTAAAC 703 KRAS_ex3_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAACA CCTTTTTTGAAGTAAAAGGTGCACTGTAATAATCCAGACTGTGTT TCTCCCTTCTC 704 KRAS_ex4_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAA CCTTTATCTGTATCAAAGAATGGTCCTGCACCAGTAATATGCATA TTAAAACAAGA 705 KRAS_ex4_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGTGT ATTAACCTTATGTGTGACATGTTCTAATATAGTCACATTTTCATT ATTTTTATTAT 706 MYC_r1_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCCC AGCCAGCGGTCCGCAACCCTTGCCGCATCCACGAAACTTTGCCCA TAGCAGCGGGC 707 MYC_r1_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNcgac tcatctcagcattaaagtgataaaaaaataaattaaaaggcaagt ggacttcggtg 708 MYC_r2_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNctgt ggcgcgcactgcgcgctgcgccaggtttccgcaccaagacccctt taactcaagac 709 MYC_r2_F2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTCT ACTGCGACGAGGAGGAGAACTTCTACCAGCAGCAGCAGCAGAGCG AGCTGCAGCCC 710 MYC_r2_F3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNACCG AGCTGCTGGGAGGAGACATGGTGAACCAGAGTTTCATCTGCGACC CGGACGACGAG 711 MYC_r2_F4 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCCG CCGCCTCAGAGTGCATCGACCCCTCGGTGGTCTTCCCCTACCCTC TCAACGACAGC 712 MYC_r2_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGGCG GCTAGGGGACAGGGGCGGGGTGGGCAGCAGCTCGAATTTCTTCCA GATATCCTCGC 713 MYC_r2_R2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGAC GAGCTTGGCGGCGGCCGAGAAGCCGCTCCACATACAGTCCTGGAT GATGATGTTTT 714 MYC_r2_R3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGGA GAGCAGAGAATCCGAGGACGGAGAGAAGGCGCTGGAGTCTTGCGA GGCGCAGGACT 715 MYC_r2_R4 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNtaag agtggcccgttaaataagctgccaatgaaaatgggaaaggtatcc agccgcccact 716 MYC_r3_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNttgt atttgtacagcattaatctggtaattgattattttaatgtaacct tgctaaaggag 717 MYC_r3_F2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAGG CCACAGCAAACCTCCTCACAGCCCACTGGTCCTCAAGAGGTGCCA CGTCTCCACAC 718 MYC_r3_F3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGAG GAGGAACGAGCTAAAACGGAGCTTTTTTGCCCTGCGTGACCAGAT CCCGGAGTTGG 719 MYC_r3_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTCCA ACTTGACCCTCTTGGCAGCAGGATAGTCCTTCCGAGTGGAGGGAG GCGCTGCGTAG 720 MYC_r3_R2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCTT GGACGGACAGGATGTATGCTGTGGCTTTTTTAAGGATAACTACCT TGGGGGCCTTT 721 MYC_r3_R3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCAT TTGATCATGCATTTGAAACAAGTTCATAGGTGATTGCTCAGGACA TTTCTGTTAGA Methods, Results and Discussion: Part I.","Four gDNAs (F, S, C and L) were diluted to 20 ng/μL in 150 μL final volume.","The samples were sonicated to 500 bp and 125 L was purified with 125 μL of beads.","The starting material and purified, fragmented gDNA are shown in FIG.","37.The concentrations of gDNA were: (1) F—137 ng/μL; (2) S—129 ng/μL; (3) C—153 ng/μL; and (4) L—124 ng/μL.","For capture, 10 μL of gDNA sample was heated to 98° C. for 2 min (to achieve strand dissociation) and cooled on ice.","5 μL of 4× bind and 5 μL of the 49 probe pool (SEQ ID NOs: 150-198) (1 nM in each probe combined with 50 nM universal oligo 61, were added and the mix was annealed (98° C. 2 min followed by 4 min incubations at successive 1° C. lower temperatures down to 69° C.).","The complexes were bound to 2 μL of MyOne strep beads that were suspended in 180 μL TEzero (total volume 200 μL) for 30 min, washed four times, 5 min each with 25% formamide wash, washed once with TEzero, and the supernatants were withdrawn from the bead complexes.","For processing and adaptor ligation, 100 μL of T4 mix was made that contained: 60 μL water; 10 μL NEB “CutSmart” buffer; 15 μL 50% PEG8000; 10 μL 10 mM ATP; 1 μL 1 mM dNTP blend; 1 μL T4 gene 32 protein (NEB); and 0.5 μL T4 DNA polymerase (NEB).","25 μL of mix was added to each of the four samples and incubated at 20° C. for 15 min followed by a 70° C. incubation for 10 min to heat inactivate the T4 polymerase.","Following the inactivation step, 1.25 μL of adaptor (10 μM) and 1.25 μL of HC T4 DNA ligase were added.","This mixture was further incubated at 22° C. for 30 min and 65° C. for 10 min.","One attractive feature of the library free methods is that processed complexes are still attached to beads.","Beads were pulled from the ligation buffer and washed once with 200 μL of TEzero.","The complexes were then resuspended in 2 μL.","For amplification, single primer amplification in a 20 μL volume was used to both amplify target fragments and to enrich for long genomic fragments over probe “stubs”.","Following the amplification, a larger volume PCR reaction with full length primers were used to create a “sequence-ready” library.","A Q5-based single primer PCR amplification buffer was made by combining 57 μL water, 20 μL 5× Q5 reaction buffer, 10 μL of single primer 117 (see Table 33), 2 μL of 10 mM dNTPs, and 1 μL of Q5 hot start polymerase.","Eighteen μL was added to each tube followed by amplification for 20 cycles (98° C.-30 sec; 98° C.-10 sec, 69° C.-10 sec, 72° C.-10 sec for 20 cycles; 10° C. hold).","Following the PCR, the beads were pulled out and the L of pre-amp supernatant was transferred to 280 μL of PCR mix that contained 163.5 μL water, 60 μL 5× Q5 buffer, 15 μL of forward primer 118 (10 uM), 15 uM of reverse primer 119 (10 uM), 6 μL of 10 mM dNTPs, 13.5 μL of EvaGreen+ROX dye blend (1.25 parts EG to 1 part ROX), and 3 μL of Q5 hot start polymerase (adding the dye to all reactions was unintended).","Two 100 μL aliquots were amplified by conventional PCR (98° C.-10 sec, 69° C.-10 sec, 72° C.-10 sec) and quadruplicate ten μL aliquots were amplified under qPCR conditions.","FIG.","38 shows the amplification plot that was observed for all four samples.","The reaction seems to go through an inflection/plateau reminiscent of PCR and the conventional reactions were stopped at 20 cycles (now 40 total cycles of PCR).","FIG.","39 shows a 2% agarose gel containing the products of these amplification reactions.","FIG.","40 shows a 2% agarose gel containing the amplification products following bead purification.","The library-free samples were assayed to determine if gene specific targets were captured and selectively amplified using the well-validated qPCR capture assays described elsewhere herein.","The target regions for Assays 1-16 are shown in Table 35.TABLE 35 Target regions for assays 1-16.Assay Sequence Assay 1 PLP1 exon 2 Assay 2 PLP1 exon 2 Assay 3 PLP1 exon 2 Assay 4 PLP1 upstream of exon 2 Assay 5 PLP1 downstream of exon 2 Assay 6 PLP1 200 bp downstream of exon 2 Assay 7 PLP1 exon 3 Assay 8 Chr 9, off target Assay 9 CYP2D6 Assay 10 Chr X: 154376051 Assay 11 Chr X: 154376051 Assay 12 Chr X: 6929264 Assay 13 KRAS Region 1 Assay 14 KRAS Region 2 Assay 15 Myc Region 2 Assay 16 Myc Region 2 For qPCR analysis, genomic DNA from sample F at 10 ng/μL (2 μL is added to 8 μL of PCR mix to give a final volume and concentration of 10 μL and 2 ng/μL, respectively) was used as control.","Purified processed material from the F and S samples was diluted to 0.01 ng/μL=10 pg/μL and 2 μL was added to each 8 μL PCR reaction to give a final concentration of 2 pg/μL.","The results are shown in Table 36.TABLE 36 qPCR Results Cqs Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA 23 22 25 22 22 23 23 19 F-lib 13 13 13 13 13 20 12 35 S-lib 14 14 13 13 14 20 13 N/A Assay 9 Assay 10 Assay 11 Assay 12 Assay 13 Assay 14 Assay 15 Assay 16 gDNA 21 21 22 22 22 21 21 21 F-lib 11 13 13 16 18 17 14 13 S-lib 11 13 14 17 17 16 13 12 Abs Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA 16 24 4 17 22 15 8 146 F-lib 12150 13296 8874 16739 13738 79 22495 0 S-lib 6142 7704 10410 10093 6425 132 14648 Assay 9 Assay 10 Assay 11 Assay 12 Assay 13 Assay 14 Assay 15 Assay 16 gDNA 60 39 18 30 17 43 49 37 F-lib 45447 11671 11034 1288 440 853 6373 16448 S-lib 68935 12477 7634 678 1077 1203 10171 19305 Adj Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA 16 24 4 17 22 15 8 146 F-lib 12150333 13296288 8874203 16739230 13737864 79482 22495321 2 S-lib 6141637 7703565 10410406 10093396 6424647 131876 14648060 0 Assay 9 Assay 10 Assay 11 Assay 12 Assay 13 Assay 14 Assay 15 Assay 16 gDNA 60 39 18 30 17 43 49 37 F-lib 45447322 11670722 11034289 1288163 440236 852919 6373326 16447972 S-lib 68934509 12476684 7634492 677562 1077493 1203428 10170993 19304903 Adj Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 F-lib 778820 562525 2393851 987542 627702 5247 2657954 0 S-lib 393671 325914 2808248 595466 293551 8706 1730754 0 Assay 9 Assay 10 Assay 11 Assay 12 Assay 13 Assay 14 Assay 15 Assay 16 F-lib 757399 300823 627284 42799 25665 19716 130461 439562 S-lib 1148823 321597 434010 22512 62817 27819 208198 515912 The qPCR data indicated that the library-free technology is very effective at retrieving the targeted genomic regions and at leaving off-target regions behind (e.g., Assays 6, 8).","The fold purifications, often >500,000-fold, were directly comparable to data from earlier experiments generated with libraries as disclosed elsewhere herein.","Methods, Results and Discussion: Part II Leave-One-Out Analysis: The enzymatic requirements for complex processing were evaluated: the design of experiment is shown in FIG.","54.To make capture complexes for analysis, twelve identical reactions were created.","Ten μL of 135 ng/μL sonicated gDNA was melted, annealed with a tagged, bound to streptavidin coated beads, washed and resuspended in TEzero as described supra.","Five hundred L of processing master mix was prepared by combining 270 μL water, 50 μL 10× CutSmart buffer, 50 μL of 10 mM ATP, 75 μL of 50% PEG8000, and 5 μL of 10 mM dNTPs.","This buffer was divided into 10 90 μL aliquots (duplicate tests were performed) and enzyme was added in the amounts described above (per 90 μL of master mix was added 1 μL of T4 gene 32 protein, 0.5 μL of T4 polymerase, 5 μL of adaptor and/or 5 μL of HC T4 ligase).","Following T4 fill-in and ligation as described supra, the complexes were washed free of processing mix in TEzero and resuspended in 2 μL TEzero.","Complexes were resuspended in 20 μL final volume each of single primer amplification mix and amplified for 20 cycles as described supra.","The beads were then pulled aside using a magnet and the 20 μL clarified amplification was diluted into 180 μL of full-length F+R (118+119) PCR amplification mix.","Fifty μL was pulled aside for qPCR analysis and the remaining 150 μL was split in two and amplified by conventional PCR.","The 50 μL qPCR samples were mixed with 2.5 μL of dye blend and 10 μL aliquots were monitored by fluorescence change.","The traces of this experiment are shown in FIG.","41.One of the two conventional PCR aliquots was pulled at 10 cycles and the other at 16 cycles of PCR.","Aliquots of these raw PCR reactions (5 μL of each reaction) were analyzed on 2% agarose gels.","The results are shown in FIG.","42.The surprising result is that all three enzymes are required for the efficient production of amplifiable library material.","A more subtle observation is that the size distribution of all-three-enzyme-material at 10 cycles is significantly larger than the size distribution of P+L alone that appears at 16 cycles.","These data together with the qPCR from the initial investigation support the interpretation that T4 DNA polymerase in conjunction with T4 gene 32 protein in the presence of the molecular crowding agent PEG8000 (the latter contribution has not been evaluated) is capable of efficiently copying captured genomic material onto capture probes.","Methods, Results and Discussion: Part III—Generation of a Library-Free Sequencing Library: The methods described above were used to produce a DNA sequencing library with the four Coriel samples shown in the “Materials” section of this report.","Each one of the four samples was coded with an individual index code in the final PCR step.","The final library constituents (shown separately prior to pooling) are shown in the gel image in FIG.","43.The “normal” library smear usually stretches from 175 bp upward.","Here, the smallest fragments are >300 bp.","Similarly, the largest fragments appear to be 750 bp or larger.","Larger fragments do not give rise to optimal libraries.","These samples were all twice purified on 80% bead:sample ratios.","These samples were pooled into a 16.9 ng/μL pool that, with an estimated average insert size of 400 bp, is ˜65 nM.","The samples were sequenced.","The library-free methods worked well for CNV analyses.","Unique read counts for the X-linked genePLP1 were normalized to the autosomal loci KRAS and MYC and the plot of these data is shown in FIG.","44.The data illustrate that absolute copy number is lost with the library-free procedure (the “copies” of KRAS relative to MYC are no longer comparable).","However, relative copy number (the change of PLP1 relative to the autosomal normalizers) is robustly detected.","The sequencing results also showed striking features related to read start sites relative to probe.","FIG.","45 shows that reads are detected as far as 900 bp from the probe; and between coordinates 1100 and 1300 every single start point is used multiple times.","These data indicated that reads start at every single possible base position and that there is little ligation/processing bias.","In addition, there are very few reads that start within 100 bp of the probe, consistent with the very large size distribution of the library that was observed on gels.","Example 21: Targeted Gene Expression Analysis Overview: This example demonstrates the development of targeted gene expression libraries.","The input is RNA, not DNA, and therefore double-strand cDNA synthesis step is required.","A preferred method is 1st strand synthesis using an RNAse H− reverse transcriptase or a kit that exhibits RNAse H-like activity (e.g., Promega's GoScript) and priming with random hexamers.","A preferred method for 2nd strand synthesis is to use a kit that includes E. coli DNA polymerase holoenzyme, NAD+-dependent ligase and RNAse H (e.g., New England Biolabs 2nd strand cDNA synthesis module).","Because there is a very wide range of transcript copies, there must be a correspondingly wide range of random tags that are introduced on adaptors to sheared and end-repaired cDNA.","Accordingly, random 8-mers (65,536 possible sequences) were used.","The adaptor was engineered with a random 8-mer sequence followed by 10-12 fixed bases that can both serve as an annealing site for a complementary 10-12 that facilitates ligation and that is used as a sample identifier in the case of multiplexed samples.","The actual number of unique versus duplicated reads—in other words the statistical distribution of reads—is one important factor in determining expression levels.","One potential source of error are reads that are duplicated after the capture event.","To identify these errors, a random tag was added to the capture probe such that each capture event is labeled.","The treatment and sequencing of targeted RNA-seq libraries follows the same procedure as treatment of genomic libraries.","The informatics analysis starts with the removal of post-capture duplicate reads and alignment to the target transcriptome.","The unique read counts among aligning reads are then determined.","While the data can then be fit to a statistical distribution, it was found that the raw unique read counts are a very close approximation to actual expression levels.","Purpose: The purpose of these experiments was to make targeted expression sequencing libraries from heart and liver total RNAs and to make both total RNA and targeted RNA libraries from the same starting material a direct comparison could be made.","Summary: The RNA counts from total RNA libraries and from targeted RNA libraries showed good agreement along two parameters.","First, the expression ratios between heart vs liver samples were well correlated.","Second, the measurement of absolute abundance of different transcripts within a given sample was in good agreement when total RNA counts were compared to targeted RNA counts.","These first-pass data indicated that quantitative targeted nucleic acid methods can be extended beyond genomic DNA into the analysis of cDNA libraries.","Strategy: To create a reasonable total RNA library that is depleted of rRNA, dT priming was used.","To create targeted RNA libraries, total RNA samples were initially primed with IDT-supplied random hexamers.","Random hexamer priming likely provides the most comprehensive coverage of the transcriptome.","The total RNA libraries were sequenced after amplification with PCR primers that introduce P1 and P2 flow cell sequences.","For targeted analysis, the capture, washing, processing and amplification steps were performed as contemplated elsewhere herein.","The targeted clones were then sequenced.","Methods Oligonucleotides: For total RNA libraries the poly-dT primer: TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTVN (SEQ ID NO: 722) was used.","For targeted RNA-seq, an adaptor design was created in which the first 8 bases were random and the next 12 served as a “code” and an anchor sequence for a 12 mer partner strand oligo that could therefore form a ligatable duplex.","The sequences of these adaptors were: SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence 723 RNA_L_1 TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACANNNNNNNNGA CTCCGATCCC 724 RNA_P_1 GGGATCGGAGTC 725 RNA_L_2 TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACANNNNNNNNCG GAACTCGGAG 726 RNA_P_2 CTCCGAGTTCCG cDNA Library Construction: The following methods were used to synthesize the four following cDNA libraries: (1) Heart total RNA (dT primed); (2) Heart targeted RNA (N6 primed); (3) Liver total RNA; and (4) Liver targeted RNA (N6 primed).","One g/L total RNA was diluted 10-fold to 100 ng/μL in TEz.","The following components were combined in a total volume of 10 μL, heated to 65° C. and transferred to ice: 2 μL of diluted total RNA (100 ng); 2 μL of 5 uM poly-dTVN primer or 2 μL of 50 uM N6 (IDT); and 6 μL of water.","The mix was combined with 10 μL of 1st strand cocktail (4 μL 5× GoScript buffer; 1.6 μL 25 mM Mg++ (2 mM final concentration); 1.0 μL 10 mM dNTPs (500 uM final concentration); 1.0 μL GoScript enzyme; and 2.4 μL water) and incubated at 42° C. for 30 min, then 70° C. for 10 min.","Sixty microliters of 2nd strand synthesis reagents (48 μL water, mix; 8 μL 10× second strand synthesis buffer; 4 μL second strand enzyme mix) were added to each reaction and incubated at 16° C. for 2 hours.","Following the second strand synthesis 55 μL TEz was added to each reaction and reactions were transferred to glass Covaris sonication tubes and sonicated to about 500 bp.","125 μL of the sonicated sample was transferred to a PCR strip tube and 125 μL beads were added.","Following purification, the sample was resuspended to a final volume of 20 μL.","End repair was carried out for 19 μL of the reaction using the methods contemplated herein.","The end repaired fragments were then ligated to adaptors at 22° C. for 30 min and heat inactivated at 65° C. for 10 min.","Ligation was carried out in a 40 μL final volume: L of repaired fragments; 2 μL of 10 uM adaptor (10 uM in L strand, 20 uM in P strand); 4 L 10× buffer; 6 μL 50% PEG8000; 1 μL water; and 2 μL HC T4 ligase.","60 μL TEz and 100 μL beads were added to each reaction and the sample was purified to a final volume of 20 μL.","Library amplification was monitored using qPCR and each library was amplified by PCR by combining 20 μL of purified ligation mix with 130 μL PCR mix (75 μL 2× NEBNext master mix, 15 μL ACA2-20, 40 μL water).","50 μL was aliquoted into a well that contains 2.5 μL EvaGreen+ROX and further aliquoted to 10 μL in qPCR plate.","The remaining 100 μL was kept in PCR strip tube.","The PCR amplification was carried out at 72° C.-30 sec, 98° C.-30 sec, and variable cycles of 98° C.-10 sec, 60° C.-10 sec, 72° C.-10 sec.","For dT libraries, 100 μL PCR reactions were purified with 120 μL beads.","ACA2-20 (a 20 nt PCR primer) amplified material was diluted 20-fold—5 μL into 95 μL of PCR mix—that contains 50 μL 2×NEBNext master mix, 5 μL of F primer, 5 μL of R-primer and 35 μL of water.","The F primer is oligo #8, ACA2_FLFP AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATA CA (SEQ ID NO: 69) and the reverse primer is oligo #63, exome CAC3_FLRP CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATAC A (SEQ ID NO: 74).","Amplification was carried out for 8 cycles.","This step was included to grow the shorter, 20 bp ACA2 terminal sequences into longer P1 and P2, flow cell-compatible and sequencable sequences.","Constructs that pick up the two different primers will amplify while those that have only one sequence will be suppressed.","The resulting DNA was purified by adding 100 μL beads to the 100 μL PCR rxn and resuspended in a final volume of 50 μL.","DNA was quantified by Qubit and examined by gel electrophoresis.","The DNA was sequenced using the forward primer oligo #7, ACA2_FSP ACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA (SEQ ID NO: 68) and the reverse primer oligo #62, exome CAC3_RSP GTGACTGGCACGGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA (SEQ ID NO: 73).","dT-primed RNA was sequenced in runs_48 & 49.The DNA gel of samples is shown in FIG.","46.The large fragment size distribution of dT-primed total RNA libraries was somewhat surprising.","For targeted RNA sequencing, Ns-primed libraries were resuspended in 40 L of TEz.","Fragment content in heart and liver libraries was quantified: 153 fg/μL of heart sample cDNA and 760 fg/μL of liver sample cDNA.","Based on these data, 40 μL of the heart ligation sample and 8 μL of the liver ligation sample were carried into downstream PCR amplification.","Progress of library amplification was monitored using qPCR and the library was amplified by PCR combining 40 μL of purified ligation mix (heart) or 8 μL of ligation mix+32 μL of TEz (liver) with 210 μL PCR mix (125 μL 2×NEB Next master mix, 25 L ACA2, 60 μL water).","50 μL was aliquoted into a well that contains 2.5 μL EvaGreen+ROX and further aliquoted into 10 μL aliquots in a qPCR plate.","The remaining 100 μL was placed in a PCR strip tube.","The PCR amplification was carried out at 72° C.-30 sec, 98° C.-30 sec, and variable cycles of 98° C.-10 sec, 60° C.-10 sec, 72° C.-10 sec.","200 μL of PCR products were purified with 200 μL beads and resuspended in a final volume of 25 μL.","The concentration of PCR products was 41 ng/μL for the heart library and 42 ng/μL for the liver library.","For capture, heart and liver samples were combined and two of “2×” capture reactions were performed with tagged RNA-seq-specific probes (see Appendix, infra for sequences), washed, processed C+P (final yield=40 μL of 23 ng/μL), and size selected 240-600 bp fragments on a Pippin automated DNA size selector.","5.4 ng/μL of fragments were recovered from the Pippin=20.8 nM.","A flow cell was loaded with the fragments and 51 nt first reads and 24 nt second reads were collected.","Results and Discussion: To determine useful RNA-seq data, a heart versus liver sample was chosen for comparison.","21 transcripts were parsed out of transcripts reported in the RNA-seq Atlas (medicalgenomics.org/rna_seq_atlas) based on their absolute abundance in one or the other tissue (RPKM values of about 100, 10, 1 etc.","in heart or liver) and on their ratios between tissues (again about 100, 10, 1, 0.1, 0.01 for heart vs liver ratios).","The list of candidate transcripts and their reported RPKM values are shown in FIG.","55.The targeted RNA-seq library was compared to an untargeted, total RNA library made from the same total RNA sample.","Poly dT priming was used to convert total RNA, which is primarily rRNA, into non-rRNA transcript libraries.","For targeted RNA-seq, random hexamers were used.","For the dT primed total RNA libraries, reads can be derived along the entire length of a transcript, some of which are quite long.","As an example, the distribution of reads along MYH7 in heart was examined and reads derived from near the 5′ end of this long transcript were found.","To compare one (long) transcript to another (short) transcript, counts were normalized by transcript length (often referred to as the reads per million per Kb or RPKM method).","Following this 1st degree normalization, counts were also normalize between total and targeted samples.","The final read count data set is shown in FIG.","56.Visual inspection revealed a good correlation between all three types of data (Atlas, Total and Targeted).","One important comparison was between that total RNA-seq sample prepared herein and the targeted RNA-seq sample prepared herein, because both data sets were derived from the same total RNA samples.","Two important points of comparison include: (1) The correlation of the actual heart versus liver expression ratio; and (2) the correlation of the absolute abundances of transcripts within a specific sample between total and targeted counts.","The first point addresses the preservation of expression profiles, but ignores the actual magnitude of counts being compared.","An expression ratio heart versus liver comparison plot for total versus targeted expression ratios is shown in FIG.","47.This plot shows an exceptional correlation (r2=0.95) between “expression profiles” generated by the two methods.","The second point can be more rigorous because it asks for an absolute comparison between the two methods.","A comparison of absolute expression levels as measured in total RNA-seq or targeted RNA-seq is shown in FIG.","48, where log 10(count) values are plotted against one another.","This comparison was sensitive not only to targeting, but also to the fact that the RNA-seq libraries were prepared by fundamentally different methods (dT priming for total, random hexamer priming for targeted).","Despite the different methods of preparation there was an excellent correlation between the two methods.","This study demonstrated that the core methods of labeling with random tags combined with sequence-specific capture can produce target-specific RNA transcript data that preserves absolute expression abundance, reveals transcript-specific sequence information, and dramatically reduces the complexity of transcriptome data.","APPENDIX PROBE SEQUENCES USED FOR RNA-SEQ ANALYSIS.","SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence 727 APOB_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCCGAAGAGGAAA TGCTGGAAAATGTCAGCCTGGTCTGTCCAAAAGATGCGACCCGATTC 728 APOB_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGCTGACCTCAT CGAGATTGGCTTGGAAGGAAAAGGCTTTGAGCCAACATTGGAAGCT 729 ATP5E_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTACTGGAGACAGG CTGGACTCAGCTACATCCGATACTCCCAGATCTGTGCAAAAGCAGTG 730 ATP5E_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTGAAGACAGAAT TCAAAGCAAATGCTGAGAAGACTTCTGGCAGCAACGTAAAAATTGTG 731 BVES_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNACAGAGTCCAGCC CATTGAGAGAATCAACTGCCATAGGTTTTACACCTGAGTTAGAAAGT 732 BVES_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGCCAGCTCCAGT GACAGTGACGACGGCTTGCACCAGTTTCTTCGGGGTACCTCCAGCA 733 DKK3_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACACGCAGCACA AATTGCGCAGCGCGGTGGAAGAGATGGAGGCAGAAGAAGCTGCTGC 734 DKK3_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGGTGTATGTGTG CAAGCCGACCTTCGTGGGGAGCCGTGACCAAGATGGGGAGATCCTG 735 FGA_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATGAGGATCGTCT GCCTGGTCCTAAGTGTGGTGGGCACAGCATGGACTGCAGATAGTGGT 736 FGA_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATTTTTTCTGTTT ATTGCGATCAAGAGACCAGTTTGGGAGGATGGCTTTTGATCCAGCA 737 FGL1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGTGTTCAGTTTCA TCCTTGTTACCACCGCTCTGACAATGGGCAGGGAAATTTCGGCGCTC 738 FGL1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGCAAACCTGAAT GGTGTATACTACAGCGGCCCCTACACGGCTAAAACAGACAATGGGA 739 HAND2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCATCCCCAACGTA CCCGCCGACACCAAACTCTCCAAAATCAAGACCCTGCGCCTGGCCA 740 HAND2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGACCAGAATGGC GAGGCGGAGGCCTTCAAGGCAGAGATCAAGAAGACCGACGTGAAAG 741 MGP_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTGATCCTTCTTG CCATCCTGGCCGCCTTAGCGGTAGTAACTTTGTGTTATGAATCACAT 742 MGP_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGAGCTCAATAGG GAAGCCTGTGATGACTACAGACTTTGCGAACGCTACGCCATGGTTT 743 MGST1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAGAAGTATCTTC GAACAGATGACAGAGTAGAACGTGTACGCAGAGCCCACCTGAATGA 744 MGST1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTATTCCTTGAGTG GTCCCGACCCCTCTACAGCCATCCTGCACTTCAGACTATTTGTCGG 745 MYH7_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGACCAGGCCTT TTGACCTCAAGAAGGATGTCTTCGTGCCTGATGACAAACAGGAGTTT 746 MYH7_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGAGCTCTTCAAA CTCAAGAACGCCTATGAGGAGTCCCTGGAACATCTGGAGACCTTCA 747 NEBL_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGGTCTTCTATA AGCCTGTTATTGAAGACTTAAGCATGGAATTGGCCAGAAAATGCACG 748 NEBL_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAAGAGCAAAACT ACAAGGCCACTCCGGTAAGCATGACCCCGGAGATAGAGAGAGTGAG 749 PDE4DIP_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGGATATCGCACTC TGTCCCAGCACCTCAATGACCTGAAGAAGGAGAACTTCAGCCTCAAG 750 PDE4DIP_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAAGCCAAGCTG CTGCAGAGAAGTTGGTGCAAGCCTTAATGGAAAGAAATTCAGAATT 751 PDIA4_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCGGACGAGGATT CTTCTAACAGAGAAAATGCCATTGAGGATGAAGAGGAGGAGGAGGAG 752 PDIA4_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGTCAAGGTCGTG GTGGGAAAGACCTTTGACTCCATTGTGATGGACCCCAAGAAGGACG 753 RP9P_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGATCACGAGTTA TGAAAAACCTCCTCCTGGGCTTATCAAGGTTGGCATTGCAAATGGT 754 RP9P_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAAGTTTCTTCAT CGTTGTCCTCCCTGCTGGTCACATGAGTTTACGATTCCTTAGAAGTG 755 SERPINF2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCCGGCGCGTTCC GACTGGCTGCCAGGATGTACCTGCAGAAAGGATTTCCCATCAAAGA 756 SERPINF2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCCTGAAAGGCTT CCCCCGCGGAGACAAGCTTTTCGGCCCTGACTTAAAACTTGTGCCC 757 SOD2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAACAACCTGAACG TCACCGAGGAGAAGTACCAGGAGGCGTTGGCCAAGGGAGATGTTAC 758 SOD2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGGAGAAGCTGAC GGCTGCATCTGTTGGTGTCCAAGGCTCAGGTTGGGGTTGGCTTGGT 759 STARD10_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACCAAGACTTTC GCAGCTTCCGGTCAGAGTGTGAGGCTGAGGTGGGCTGGAACCTGACC 760 STARD10_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGATGTACAAGGC GTGCCTCAAGTACCCCGAGTGGAAACAGAAGCACCTGCCTCACTTCA 761 TAF1A_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTCAGTGAAGAAT TAAAAGGGCCTGTGACAGATGATGAAGAAGTGGAAACATCTGTGCTC 762 TAF1A_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAACCACCTTGC GTGGGTTCAAGAAGAGTGGAACTCCAGGAAAAACTGGTGGCCAGGC 763 TFR2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTTTGGGGTCTAT TCCAGAGAGCGCAACAACTGTCCCCAAGATCCTCTCAGACCGTCTAC 764 TFR2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGGCCTACCCATT CCTGCACACAAAGGAGGACACTTATGAGAACCTGCATAAGGTGCTG 765 TMEM14A_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATCGGTTTTGGTT ATGCAGCCCTCGTGACATTTGGAAGCATTTTTGGATATAAGCGGAGA 766 TMEM14A_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCTTTCTTCCTGG CTACCATAATGGGTGTGAGATTTAAGAGGTCCAAGAAAATAATGCC 767 TRAPPC1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCACAACCTGTACC TGTTTGACCGGAATGGAGTGTGTCTGCACTACAGCGAATGGCACCGC 768 TRAPPC1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATCCGAGATGTGC TGCACCACATCTACAGTGCGCTGTATGTGGAGCTGGTGGTGAAGAA 769 APOB_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCCGAAGAGGAAA TGCTGGAAAATGTCAGCCTGGTCTGTCCAAAAGATGCGACCCGATTC 770 APOB_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGCTGACCTCAT CGAGATTGGCTTGGAAGGAAAAGGCTTTGAGCCAACATTGGAAGCT 771 ATP5E_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTACTGGAGACAGG CTGGACTCAGCTACATCCGATACTCCCAGATCTGTGCAAAAGCAGTG 772 ATP5E_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTGAAGACAGAAT TCAAAGCAAATGCTGAGAAGACTTCTGGCAGCAACGTAAAAATTGTG 773 BVES_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNACAGAGTCCAGCC CATTGAGAGAATCAACTGCCATAGGTTTTACACCTGAGTTAGAAAGT 774 BVES_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGCCAGCTCCAGT GACAGTGACGACGGCTTGCACCAGTTTCTTCGGGGTACCTCCAGCA 775 DKK3_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACACGCAGCACA AATTGCGCAGCGCGGTGGAAGAGATGGAGGCAGAAGAAGCTGCTGC 776 DKK3_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGGTGTATGTGTG CAAGCCGACCTTCGTGGGGAGCCGTGACCAAGATGGGGAGATCCTG 777 FGA_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATGAGGATCGTCT GCCTGGTCCTAAGTGTGGTGGGCACAGCATGGACTGCAGATAGTGGT 778 FGA_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATTTTTTCTGTTT ATTGCGATCAAGAGACCAGTTTGGGAGGATGGCTTTTGATCCAGCA 779 FGL1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGTGTTCAGTTTCA TCCTTGTTACCACCGCTCTGACAATGGGCAGGGAAATTTCGGCGCTC 780 FGL1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGCAAACCTGAAT GGTGTATACTACAGCGGCCCCTACACGGCTAAAACAGACAATGGGA 781 HAND2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCATCCCCAACGTA CCCGCCGACACCAAACTCTCCAAAATCAAGACCCTGCGCCTGGCCA 782 HAND2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGACCAGAATGGC GAGGCGGAGGCCTTCAAGGCAGAGATCAAGAAGACCGACGTGAAAG 783 MGP_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTGATCCTTCTTG CCATCCTGGCCGCCTTAGCGGTAGTAACTTTGTGTTATGAATCACAT 784 MGP_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGAGCTCAATAGG GAAGCCTGTGATGACTACAGACTTTGCGAACGCTACGCCATGGTTT 785 MGST1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAGAAGTATCTTC GAACAGATGACAGAGTAGAACGTGTACGCAGAGCCCACCTGAATGA 786 MGST1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTATTCCTTGAGTG GTCCCGACCCCTCTACAGCCATCCTGCACTTCAGACTATTTGTCGG 787 MYH7_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGACCAGGCCTT TTGACCTCAAGAAGGATGTCTTCGTGCCTGATGACAAACAGGAGTTT 788 MYH7_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGAGCTCTTCAAA CTCAAGAACGCCTATGAGGAGTCCCTGGAACATCTGGAGACCTTCA 789 NEBL_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGGTCTTCTATA AGCCTGTTATTGAAGACTTAAGCATGGAATTGGCCAGAAAATGCACG 790 NEBL_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAAGAGCAAAACT ACAAGGCCACTCCGGTAAGCATGACCCCGGAGATAGAGAGAGTGAG 791 PDE4DIP_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGGATATCGCACTC TGTCCCAGCACCTCAATGACCTGAAGAAGGAGAACTTCAGCCTCAAG 792 PDE4DIP_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAAGCCAAGCTG CTGCAGAGAAGTTGGTGCAAGCCTTAATGGAAAGAAATTCAGAATT 793 PDIA4_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCGGACGAGGATT CTTCTAACAGAGAAAATGCCATTGAGGATGAAGAGGAGGAGGAGGAG 794 PDIA4_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGTCAAGGTCGTG GTGGGAAAGACCTTTGACTCCATTGTGATGGACCCCAAGAAGGACG 795 RP9P_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGATCACGAGTTA TGAAAAACCTCCTCCTGGGCTTATCAAGGTTGGCATTGCAAATGGT 796 RP9P_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAAGTTTCTTCAT CGTTGTCCTCCCTGCTGGTCACATGAGTTTACGATTCCTTAGAAGTG 797 SERPINF2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCCGGCGCGTTCC GACTGGCTGCCAGGATGTACCTGCAGAAAGGATTTCCCATCAAAGA 798 SERPINF2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCCTGAAAGGCTT CCCCCGCGGAGACAAGCTTTTCGGCCCTGACTTAAAACTTGTGCCC 799 SOD2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAACAACCTGAACG TCACCGAGGAGAAGTACCAGGAGGCGTTGGCCAAGGGAGATGTTAC 800 SOD2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGGAGAAGCTGAC GGCTGCATCTGTTGGTGTCCAAGGCTCAGGTTGGGGTTGGCTTGGT 801 STARD10_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACCAAGACTTTC GCAGCTTCCGGTCAGAGTGTGAGGCTGAGGTGGGCTGGAACCTGACC 802 STARD10_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGATGTACAAGGC GTGCCTCAAGTACCCCGAGTGGAAACAGAAGCACCTGCCTCACTTCA 803 TAF1A_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTCAGTGAAGAAT TAAAAGGGCCTGTGACAGATGATGAAGAAGTGGAAACATCTGTGCTC 804 TAF1A_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAACCACCTTGC GTGGGTTCAAGAAGAGTGGAACTCCAGGAAAAACTGGTGGCCAGGC 805 TFR2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTTTGGGGTCTAT TCCAGAGAGCGCAACAACTGTCCCCAAGATCCTCTCAGACCGTCTAC 806 TFR2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGGCCTACCCATT CCTGCACACAAAGGAGGACACTTATGAGAACCTGCATAAGGTGCTG 807 TMEM14A_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATCGGTTTTGGTT ATGCAGCCCTCGTGACATTTGGAAGCATTTTTGGATATAAGCGGAGA 808 TMEM14A_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCTTTCTTCCTGG CTACCATAATGGGTGTGAGATTTAAGAGGTCCAAGAAAATAATGCC 809 TRAPPC1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCACAACCTGTACC TGTTTGACCGGAATGGAGTGTGTCTGCACTACAGCGAATGGCACCGC 810 TRAPPC1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATCCGAGATGTGC TGCACCACATCTACAGTGCGCTGTATGTGGAGCTGGTGGTGAAGAA In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.","Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"METHODS FOR TARGETED GENOMIC ANALYSIS\",\n \"The invention provides a method for genetic analysis in individuals that reveals both the genetic sequences and chromosomal copy number of targeted and specific genomic loci in a single assay.\",\n \"The present invention further provide methods for the sensitive and specific detection of target gene sequences and gene expression profiles.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method for generating a tagged genomic library comprising: (a) treating fragmented genomic DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; and (b) ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library.\",\n \"2.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides.\",\n \"3.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 6 nucleotides.\",\n \"4.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA contains blunt ends.\",\n \"5.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the blunt ends are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.\",\n \"6.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the ligating comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library, wherein the multifunctional adaptor molecule comprises: (i) a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence; (ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and (iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"7.The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library.\",\n \"8.The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"9.The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.\",\n \"10.The method of any of the preceding claims wherein the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 DNA polymerase.\",\n \"11.The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex from the preceding claims, wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"12.A method for targeted genetic analysis comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"13.The method of claim 12, wherein steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of e) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 13, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 14, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"16.A method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.\",\n \"17.The method of claim 16, further comprising obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).\",\n \"18.The method of claim 17, wherein steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.\",\n \"19.The method of claim 18, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"20.The method of claim 19, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"21.A method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d).\",\n \"22.The method of claim 21, further comprising obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).\",\n \"23.The method of claim 22, wherein steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.\",\n \"24.The method of claim 23, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"25.The method of claim 24, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"26.A method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from e).\",\n \"27.The method of claim 26, wherein steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of f) comprises performing a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences from the at least two e) steps.\",\n \"28.The method of claim 27, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"29.The method of claim 28, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"30.A method for targeted genetic analysis comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"31.The method of claim 30, wherein steps a) through c) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of d) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"32.The method of claim 31, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"33.The method of claim 32, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"34.A method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in c); and (e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.\",\n \"35.The method of claim 34, further comprising obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step d).\",\n \"36.The method of claim 35, wherein steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"37.The method of claim 36, wherein at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"38.The method of claim 37, wherein at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"39.The method of any of the preceding claims wherein the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.\",\n \"40.The method of any of the preceding claims wherein the tagged genomic library is amplified by PCR to generate an amplified tagged genomic library.\",\n \"41.The method of any of the preceding claims wherein the genomic DNA is from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.\",\n \"42.A tagged genomic library comprising tagged genomic sequences, wherein each tagged genomic sequence comprises: (a) fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; (b) a random nucleotide tag sequence; (c) a sample code sequence; and (d) a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"43.A hybrid tagged genomic library comprising hybrid tagged genomic sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged genomic sequence comprises: (a) fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; (b) a random nucleotide tag sequence; (c) a sample code sequence; (d) a PCR primer sequence; (e) a genomic target region; and (f) a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"44.A multifunctional adaptor module comprising: (a) a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; (b) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and (c) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"45.A multifunctional capture probe module comprising: (a) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; (b) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region; and (c) a third region comprising a tail sequence.\",\n \"46.The multifunctional capture probe module of any of the preceding claims wherein the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"47.A multifunctional adaptor probe hybrid module comprising: (a) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and capable of functioning as a PCR primer and (b) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region.\",\n \"48.The multifunctional capture probe hybrid module of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"49.The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.\",\n \"50.A composition comprising a tagged genomic library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"51.A composition comprising a hybrid tagged genomic library according to any of the preceding claims.\",\n \"52.A reaction mixture for performing the method of any one of the preceding claims.\",\n \"53.A reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged genomic library comprising: (a) fragmented genomic DNA; and (b) DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA.\",\n \"54.The reaction mixture of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a multifunctional adaptor module.\",\n \"55.The reaction mixture of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"56.The reaction mixture of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF INVENTION \"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Particular embodiments contemplated herein provide a method for generating a tagged DNA library comprising treating fragmented DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA; and ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence to the fragmented end-repaired DNA to generate the tagged DNA library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the present invention provides that the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 8 nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the fragmented end-repaired DNA contains blunt ends.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the blunt ends are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the ligating comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired DNA to generate the tagged DNA library, wherein the multifunctional adaptor molecule comprises: i) a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence; ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, the method further comprises hybridizing a tagged DNA library with at least one multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the method further comprises isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method further comprises 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 polymerase.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the method further comprises 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from the 3′ end of the multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the method further comprises joining of the multifunctional capture probe and isolated tagged DNA library fragments through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the method further comprises performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex, wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In various particular embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the complement of the isolated target region is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the DNA target region, the target-specific region of the multifunctional capture probe and the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In various certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is joined to the isolated tagged DNA target clone in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In further embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to replicate a region that is 3′ relative to the sequence of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 5′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to replicate a region that is 3′ relative to sequence of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in c); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the tagged DNA library is amplified by PCR to generate an amplified tagged DNA library.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the DNA is from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.\",\n \"In further embodiments, a tagged DNA library comprises tagged DNA sequences, wherein each tagged DNA sequence comprises: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA; ii) a random nucleotide tag sequence; iii) a sample code sequence; and iv) a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a hybrid tagged DNA library comprises hybrid tagged DNA sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged DNA sequence comprises: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA; ii) a random nucleotide tag sequence; iii) a sample code sequence; iv) a PCR primer sequence; and v) a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In further embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module comprises: i) a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises: i) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; ii) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific target region; and iii) a third region comprising a tail sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first region of the capture probe module is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.\",\n \"In one embodiment, compositions comprise a tagged DNA library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a composition comprises a hybrid tagged genomic library according to the methods of the present invention.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a composition comprises a reaction mixture for performing the methods contemplated herein.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged DNA library comprises: a) fragmented DNA and b) DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional adaptor module.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the reaction mixture comprises a FLAP endonuclease, a DNA polymerase, and DNA ligase.\",\n \"In any of the foregoing embodiments, the DNA can be isolated genomic DNA or cDNA.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: treating fragmented genomic DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; and ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 8 nucleotides.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA contains blunt ends.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the blunt ends are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the ligating comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library, wherein the multifunctional adaptor molecule comprises: a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence; a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library.\",\n \"In certain particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"In additional particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.\",\n \"In further particular embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 DNA polymerase.\",\n \"In some particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex from the preceding claims, wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of e) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"In further embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).\",\n \"In further embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from e).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of f) comprises performing a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences from the at least two e) steps.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In further embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of d) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in c); and (e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step d).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In further embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the tagged genomic library is amplified by PCR to generate an amplified tagged genomic library.\",\n \"In related particular embodiments, the genomic DNA is from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a tagged genomic library is provided comprising tagged genomic sequences, wherein each tagged genomic sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; and a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In various related embodiments, a tagged cDNA library is provided comprising tagged cDNA sequences, wherein each tagged cDNA sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired cDNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; and a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In various particular embodiments, a hybrid tagged genomic library is provided comprising hybrid tagged genomic sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged genomic sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; a PCR primer sequence; a genomic target region; and a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In various certain embodiments, a hybrid tagged cDNA library is provided comprising hybrid tagged cDNA sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged cDNA sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired cDNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; a PCR primer sequence; a cDNA target region; and a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In various certain embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module is provided comprising: a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In various additional embodiments, a multifunctional capture probe module is provided comprising: a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region; and a third region comprising a tail sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor probe hybrid module is provided comprising: a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and capable of functioning as a PCR primer and a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.\",\n \"In further embodiments, a composition comprising a tagged genomic library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module is provided.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a composition comprising a hybrid tagged genomic or c DNA library according to any of the preceding embodiments is provided.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a reaction mixture for performing a method of any one of the preceding embodiments is provided.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: fragmented genomic DNA; and DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: fragmented cDNA; and DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises a multifunctional adaptor module.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises a multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for DNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for DNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence; and ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sequences of the one or more clones are compared to one or more human reference DNA sequences.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, sequences that do not match the one or more human reference DNA sequences are identified.\",\n \"In further embodiments, non-matching sequences are used to create a de novo assembly from the non-matching sequence data.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the de novo assemblies are used to identify novel sequence rearrangements associated with the capture probe.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for genomic copy number determination analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a method for genomic copy number determination analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence; and ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the random nucleotide tag sequence is about 2 to about 50 nucleotides in length.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise analyzing all sequencing reads associated with a second read sequence by: determining the distributions of unique and redundant sequencing reads; counting the number of times a unique read is encountered; fitting a frequency distribution of the unique reads to a statistical distribution; inferring a total number of unique reads; and normalizing the total number of inferred unique read to an assumption that most human genetic loci are generally diploid.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, an inferred copy number of one or more targeted loci are determined.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more target loci that deviate from an expected copy number value are determined.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the one or more targeted loci of a gene are grouped together in a collection of loci and the copy number measurements from the collection of targeted loci are averaged and normalized.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, the inferred copy number of a gene is represented by the normalized average of all the target loci representing that gene.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a method for generating a tagged RNA expression library is provided comprising: fragmenting a cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA library with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired c DNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for generating a tagged RNA expression library is provided comprising: preparing a cDNA library from the total RNA of one or more cells; fragmenting the cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired c DNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the cDNA library is an oligo-dT primed cDNA library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random oligonucleotides comprising about 6 to about 20 random nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random hexamers or random octamers.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, the cDNA library is fragmented to a size of about 250 bp to about 750 bp.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the cDNA library is fragmented to a size of about 500 bp.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the multifunctional adaptor module comprises: a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally; a second region comprising a sample code sequence, and optionally a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In related embodiments, the multifunctional adaptor module comprises a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence, a second region comprising a sample code sequence, and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise hybridizing a tagged cDNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific target region in the cDNA library.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise isolating the tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 DNA polymerase.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex, wherein a tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the cDNA target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In further embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the tagged RNA expression library; (b) isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing targeted gene expression analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the RNA expression library; (b) isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of the tagged target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged cDNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the cDNA library; (b) isolating the tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged target region in the cDNA library that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of the tagged target region in the cDNA library that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two (a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the target region.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a method for cDNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: (a) obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first cDNA sequence and a second cDNA sequence, wherein the first cDNA sequence comprises targeted genomic cDNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; (b) performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and (c) ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for cDNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: (a) obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first cDNA sequence and a second cDNA sequence, wherein the first cDNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; (b) performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first cDNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence; and (c) ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise analyzing all sequencing reads associated with a second read sequence by: determining the distributions of unique and redundant sequencing reads; counting the number of times a unique read is encountered; fitting a frequency distribution of the unique reads to a statistical distribution; inferring a total number of unique reads; and converting unique read counts into transcript abundance using normalization to the total reads collected within each cDNA library sample.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; (b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing a concerted enzymatic processing of the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from b) that includes 5′ FLAP endonuclease activity, 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension, and nick closure by a DNA ligase to join the complement of the multifunctional capture probe to the target region that is 5′ of the multifunctional capture probe binding site in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged target region that is located 5′ of the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In various embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of d) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the target region.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing a concerted enzymatic processing of the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from b) that includes 5′ FLAP endonuclease activity, 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension, and nick closure by a DNA ligase to join the complement of the multifunctional capture probe to the target region that is 5′ of the multifunctional capture probe binding site in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged target region that is located 5′ of the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in c); and (e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step d).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the target region is a genomic target region and the DNA library is a genomic DNA library.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the target region is a cDNA target region and the DNA library is a cDNA library.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/102,285, filed Dec. 10, 2013, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.\",\n \"§ 119(e) of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/794,049, filed Mar.\",\n \"15, 2013, and U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/735,417, filed Dec. 10, 2012, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"STATEMENT REGARDING SEQUENCE LISTING The Sequence Listing associated with this application is provided in text format in lieu of a paper copy, and is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification.\",\n \"The name of the text file containing the Sequence Listing is CLFK_001_03US_ST25.txt.\",\n \"The text file is 188 KB, was created on Jan. 10, 2018, and is being submitted electronically via EFS-Web.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Technical Field The invention relates generally to a method for genetic analysis in individuals that reveals both the genetic sequences and chromosomal copy number of targeted and specific genomic loci in a single assay.\",\n \"In particular, the present invention relates to methods that provide sensitive and specific detection of target gene sequences or gene transcripts and methods that reveal both variant sequences and overall gene copy number in a single assay.\",\n \"Description of the Related Art Both complete human genome sequences of individual human subjects and partial genome resequencing studies have revealed the basic theme that all humans appear to possess less than perfect genomes.\",\n \"In particular, normal healthy human subjects are found to harbor hundreds if not thousands of genetic lesions within their genome sequences.\",\n \"Many of these lesions are known or predicted to eliminate the function of the gene in which they reside.\",\n \"The implication is that while normal diploid humans possess two functional copies of most genes, there are many instances in all humans where only one (or zero) functional gene copies are present.\",\n \"Similarly, instances where genes are overrepresented by gene duplication/amplification events are also encountered with significant frequency.\",\n \"One of the key features in biological networks is functional redundancy.\",\n \"Normal, healthy individuals can tolerate the average load of genetic lesions because they possess, on average, two copies of every gene such that loss of one copy is inconsequential.\",\n \"Moreover, sets of genes often perform similar functions such that minor perturbations in specific gene functions are generally compensated for within a larger network of functional elements.\",\n \"While functional compensation in biological systems is a general theme, there are many instances in which specific gene loss can trigger acute disruptive events.\",\n \"By way of example, cancers appear to be the consequence of genetic disease in which the compound effect of multiple individual lesions is uncontrolled cell proliferation.\",\n \"Similarly, prescribed medicines are often specific chemical entities that are transported, metabolized and/or eliminated by very specific genes.\",\n \"Perturbations in these genes, while generally inconsequential under normal circumstances, can manifest as adverse events (e.g., side effects) during chemical therapy.\",\n \"The central aim of “personalized medicine”, increasingly referred to as “precision medicine,” is to merge genetic information that is specific to the patient with treatment options that are compatible with the individual's genetic profile.\",\n \"However, the vast potential of personalized medicine has yet to be realized.\",\n \"To realize this goal, there must be clinically acceptable, robust genetic diagnostic tests that can reliably determine the genetic status of relevant genes.\",\n \"BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Particular embodiments contemplated herein provide a method for generating a tagged DNA library comprising treating fragmented DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA; and ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence to the fragmented end-repaired DNA to generate the tagged DNA library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the present invention provides that the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 8 nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the fragmented end-repaired DNA contains blunt ends.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the blunt ends are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the ligating comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired DNA to generate the tagged DNA library, wherein the multifunctional adaptor molecule comprises: i) a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence; ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, the method further comprises hybridizing a tagged DNA library with at least one multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the method further comprises isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method further comprises 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 polymerase.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the method further comprises 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from the 3′ end of the multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the method further comprises joining of the multifunctional capture probe and isolated tagged DNA library fragments through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the method further comprises performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex, wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In various particular embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the complement of the isolated target region is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the DNA target region, the target-specific region of the multifunctional capture probe and the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In various certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is joined to the isolated tagged DNA target clone in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In further embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to replicate a region that is 3′ relative to the sequence of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing the creation of a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 5′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to replicate a region that is 3′ relative to sequence of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the multifunctional capture probe; d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in c); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the tagged DNA library is amplified by PCR to generate an amplified tagged DNA library.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the DNA is from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.\",\n \"In further embodiments, a tagged DNA library comprises tagged DNA sequences, wherein each tagged DNA sequence comprises: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA; ii) a random nucleotide tag sequence; iii) a sample code sequence; and iv) a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a hybrid tagged DNA library comprises hybrid tagged DNA sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged DNA sequence comprises: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA; ii) a random nucleotide tag sequence; iii) a sample code sequence; iv) a PCR primer sequence; and v) a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In further embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module comprises: i) a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises: i) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; ii) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific target region; and iii) a third region comprising a tail sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first region of the capture probe module is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.\",\n \"In one embodiment, compositions comprise a tagged DNA library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a composition comprises a hybrid tagged genomic library according to the methods of the present invention.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a composition comprises a reaction mixture for performing the methods contemplated herein.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged DNA library comprises: a) fragmented DNA and b) DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional adaptor module.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a reaction mixture further comprises an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the reaction mixture comprises a FLAP endonuclease, a DNA polymerase, and DNA ligase.\",\n \"In any of the foregoing embodiments, the DNA can be isolated genomic DNA or cDNA.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: treating fragmented genomic DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; and ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the random nucleic acid tag sequence is from about 2 to about 8 nucleotides.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA contains blunt ends.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the blunt ends are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the ligating comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA to generate the tagged genomic library, wherein the multifunctional adaptor molecule comprises: a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence; a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library.\",\n \"In certain particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"In additional particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.\",\n \"In further particular embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 DNA polymerase.\",\n \"In some particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex from the preceding claims, wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of e) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"In further embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).\",\n \"In further embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module complex selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step e).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment is performed using the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two e) steps.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the genomic target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; (e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in d); and (f) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from e).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of f) comprises performing a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences from the at least two e) steps.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In further embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of d) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific genomic target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged genomic library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged genomic library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured tagged genomic target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged genomic target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in c); and (e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific genomic target region.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step d).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In further embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the tagged genomic library is amplified by PCR to generate an amplified tagged genomic library.\",\n \"In related particular embodiments, the genomic DNA is from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a tagged genomic library is provided comprising tagged genomic sequences, wherein each tagged genomic sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; and a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In various related embodiments, a tagged cDNA library is provided comprising tagged cDNA sequences, wherein each tagged cDNA sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired cDNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; and a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In various particular embodiments, a hybrid tagged genomic library is provided comprising hybrid tagged genomic sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged genomic sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; a PCR primer sequence; a genomic target region; and a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In various certain embodiments, a hybrid tagged cDNA library is provided comprising hybrid tagged cDNA sequences for use in targeted genetic analysis, wherein each hybrid tagged cDNA sequence comprises: fragmented end-repaired cDNA; a random nucleotide tag sequence; a sample code sequence; a PCR primer sequence; a cDNA target region; and a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In various certain embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module is provided comprising: a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In various additional embodiments, a multifunctional capture probe module is provided comprising: a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region; and a third region comprising a tail sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor probe hybrid module is provided comprising: a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and capable of functioning as a PCR primer and a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first region is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.\",\n \"In further embodiments, a composition comprising a tagged genomic library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module is provided.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a composition comprising a hybrid tagged genomic or c DNA library according to any of the preceding embodiments is provided.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a reaction mixture for performing a method of any one of the preceding embodiments is provided.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: fragmented genomic DNA; and DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired genomic DNA.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged genomic library is provided comprising: fragmented cDNA; and DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises a multifunctional adaptor module.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises a multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a reaction mixture comprises an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for DNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for DNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence; and ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sequences of the one or more clones are compared to one or more human reference DNA sequences.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, sequences that do not match the one or more human reference DNA sequences are identified.\",\n \"In further embodiments, non-matching sequences are used to create a de novo assembly from the non-matching sequence data.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the de novo assemblies are used to identify novel sequence rearrangements associated with the capture probe.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for genomic copy number determination analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a method for genomic copy number determination analysis is provided comprising: obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence; and ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the random nucleotide tag sequence is about 2 to about 50 nucleotides in length.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise analyzing all sequencing reads associated with a second read sequence by: determining the distributions of unique and redundant sequencing reads; counting the number of times a unique read is encountered; fitting a frequency distribution of the unique reads to a statistical distribution; inferring a total number of unique reads; and normalizing the total number of inferred unique read to an assumption that most human genetic loci are generally diploid.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, an inferred copy number of one or more targeted loci are determined.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more target loci that deviate from an expected copy number value are determined.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the one or more targeted loci of a gene are grouped together in a collection of loci and the copy number measurements from the collection of targeted loci are averaged and normalized.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, the inferred copy number of a gene is represented by the normalized average of all the target loci representing that gene.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a method for generating a tagged RNA expression library is provided comprising: fragmenting a cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA library with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired c DNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for generating a tagged RNA expression library is provided comprising: preparing a cDNA library from the total RNA of one or more cells; fragmenting the cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired c DNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the cDNA library is an oligo-dT primed cDNA library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random oligonucleotides comprising about 6 to about 20 random nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random hexamers or random octamers.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, the cDNA library is fragmented to a size of about 250 bp to about 750 bp.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the cDNA library is fragmented to a size of about 500 bp.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the multifunctional adaptor module comprises: a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence, and optionally; a second region comprising a sample code sequence, and optionally a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In related embodiments, the multifunctional adaptor module comprises a first region comprising a random nucleic acid tag sequence, a second region comprising a sample code sequence, and a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise hybridizing a tagged cDNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes to a specific target region in the cDNA library.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise isolating the tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the enzyme for use in the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing is T4 DNA polymerase.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex, wherein a tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the cDNA target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In further embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the tagged RNA expression library; (b) isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); (c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; (d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and (e) performing targeted gene expression analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the RNA expression library; (b) isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged target region that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of the tagged target region that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged cDNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the cDNA library; (b) isolating the tagged cDNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe on the complex from b) to replicate a region of the captured, tagged target region in the cDNA library that is 3′ of the multifunctional capture probe in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of the tagged target region in the cDNA library that is located in the 3′ direction from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two (a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the target region.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a method for cDNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: (a) obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first cDNA sequence and a second cDNA sequence, wherein the first cDNA sequence comprises targeted genomic cDNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; (b) performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads; and (c) ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for cDNA sequence analysis is provided comprising: (a) obtaining one or more clones, each clone comprising a first cDNA sequence and a second cDNA sequence, wherein the first cDNA sequence comprises targeted genomic DNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; (b) performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first cDNA sequence and the second cDNA sequence; and (c) ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise analyzing all sequencing reads associated with a second read sequence by: determining the distributions of unique and redundant sequencing reads; counting the number of times a unique read is encountered; fitting a frequency distribution of the unique reads to a statistical distribution; inferring a total number of unique reads; and converting unique read counts into transcript abundance using normalization to the total reads collected within each cDNA library sample.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; (b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing a concerted enzymatic processing of the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from b) that includes 5′ FLAP endonuclease activity, 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension, and nick closure by a DNA ligase to join the complement of the multifunctional capture probe to the target region that is 5′ of the multifunctional capture probe binding site in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged target region that is located 5′ of the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target region; and (d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In various embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated at least about twice and the targeted genetic analysis of d) comprises a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule sequences obtained from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the target region.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region is provided comprising: (a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; (b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); (c) performing a concerted enzymatic processing of the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from b) that includes 5′ FLAP endonuclease activity, 5′ to 3′ DNA polymerase extension, and nick closure by a DNA ligase to join the complement of the multifunctional capture probe to the target region that is 5′ of the multifunctional capture probe binding site in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and a region of the tagged target region that is located 5′ of the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region; and (d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule in c); and (e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise obtaining the sequences of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from step d).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, steps a) through d) are repeated at least about twice and a sequence alignment of the hybrid nucleic acid molecules from the at least two d) steps.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two a) steps, wherein the at least two a) steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is sequence analysis.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the target region is a genomic target region and the DNA library is a genomic DNA library.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the target region is a cDNA target region and the DNA library is a cDNA library.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1: Construction of an amplifiable, sample coded, tagged genomic DNA library.\",\n \"Purified genomic DNA was isolated from a source such as whole blood or a buccal cheek swab.\",\n \"The DNA was fragmented (e.g.\",\n \"by mechanical, enzymatic or chemical means) and the ends of the DNA were repaired, in this example, to blunt ends.\",\n \"The repaired DNA was ligated to a multifunctional adaptor module that contained a universal amplification sequence, a random nucleotide tag sequence and a sample code sequence.\",\n \"A specific example of a typical adaptor duplex molecule is shown by way of example.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2A-FIG.\",\n \"2B: Genomic capture probe design.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"2A) Structure of a prototypical 114 nt probe.\",\n \"Region 1 is a 34 nt sequence that shares perfect complementarity to a highly modified, 34 nt partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"The partner oligonucleotide was modified on its 5′ end with a biotin—TEG chemical entity that enabled capture on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads.\",\n \"B stands for the “Bio-TEG” modification.\",\n \"Region 2 is the 60 nt probe region designed to interact with genomic DNA targets.\",\n \"Region 3 is a 20 nt tail that introduced PCR amplification sequences into the captured genomic fragments.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"2B) An example of the highly modified partner strand that is complementary to region 1 of each individual probe.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A-FIG.\",\n \"3B: Sequence “spreading” in conventional, hybridization-based capture experiments.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"3A) Flanking fragments can “hitch-hike” into capture libraries by way of legitimate hybridization triplexes involving probe-fragment-flanking fragment interactions.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"3B) The net result of cross-fragment hybridization is sequence “spreading”, meaning sequences that are within proximity to the target region (dashed lines) but fall outside the boundaries of the desired target.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4A-FIG.\",\n \"4D: Enzymatic processing of fragment: probe hybridized complexes.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"4A) The purified complex of fragment (light gray) and probe (black) prior to processing.\",\n \"B—biotin affinity modification.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"4B) DNA polymerase (e.g.\",\n \"T4 DNA polymerase) encoded 3′→5′ exonuclease activity removes the 3′ segment of the captured fragment.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"4C) Upon encountering the probe: fragment duplex region, the polymerase copies the probe tail segment onto the hybridized genomic fragment.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"4D) The final modified fragment in which the tail segment of the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module has been copied onto the target genomic fragment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5A-FIG.\",\n \"5B: Enzymatic processing of capture complexes “focuses” sequencing reads on the target region.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"5A) Enzymatically processed fragment shown in relation to the capture probe.\",\n \"The orientation of the sequencing read is specified by the probe and is denoted by the thin black arrow.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"5B) Hypothetical trace of focused reads where “spreading” is minimized.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6A-FIG.\",\n \"6B: The “focusing effect” of directional probes.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"6A) Typical exons average 100-150 bp.\",\n \"Directional capture probes are positioned in intronic region flanking the target segment.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"6B) The sequence read distribution for each individual probe is shown by the dashed line.\",\n \"The additive coverage is shown by the solid line.\",\n \"The directional nature of coverage can be used, as shown in this example, to obtain sharp focus on query regions.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7: Demonstration of adaptor-dimer-free fragment libraries with “tunable, on/off” amplification properties.\",\n \"The exact same gel image is shown in four different color and contrast schemes.\",\n \"The samples were: (1) no insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 20; (2) no insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 (normal 25 nt PCR primer); (3) no insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 FLFP (full length forward primer); (4) 20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 20; (5) 20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 (normal 25 nt PCR primer); and (6) 20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 FLFP (full length forward primer).\",\n \"No amplified material was visible in the adaptor alone ligation→PCR products (lanes 1-3).\",\n \"The shorter, 20 nt ACA2 primer showed inefficient amplification (lane 4) relative to the “normal”, 25 nt ACA2 primer (lane 5).\",\n \"Only the faintest trace of material was visible with the 58 nt ACA2 FLFP primer (lane 6).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8: Even distribution of average fragment size following Covaris fragmentation of gDNA.\",\n \"Male (M) and female (F) human gDNA (received from Promega Corporation, Madison, Wis., USA) was sheared via Covaris conditions, and 2 μL (˜120 ng) or 5 μL (˜300 ng) of the pre-fragmented (U) or the post-fragmented (C) samples were loaded on a 2% agarose gel.\",\n \"The average fragment size was an even distribution centered around 200 bp.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9: Amplification traces for proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) qPCR assay 6 demonstrating expected copy number differences between male and female samples.\",\n \"Triplicate male or female genomic DNA templates were amplified by real-time PCR on the Illumina Eco instrument using PLP1 qPCR assay 6.Amplification traces clearly demonstrated copy number differences between the female and male samples.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10: Demonstration of expected amplicon size and uniqueness following conventional PCR with PLP1 qPCR assay primers.\",\n \"Male or female genomic DNA templates were amplified by conventional PCR using qPCR assay primer sets 1-8 (Example 3) and the unpurified PCR reactions were loaded directly on 2% agarose gels.\",\n \"The upper bands of each doublet were consistent with the projected mobility of the assay PCR products.\",\n \"The lower “fuzzy” material was most likely unused PCR primers.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11A-FIG.\",\n \"11B: Analysis of PLP1 qPCR assay performance using ABI 2×SYBR mix and conditions.\",\n \"DNA fragments from genomic library I (constructed in Example 4) were used as template to measure the performance of the PLP1 qPCR assays when set up at room temperature using ABI 2×SYBR master mix in a 2 step PCR reaction.\",\n \"No template control traces (FIG.\",\n \"11A) and +gDNA traces (FIG.\",\n \"11B) are shown to provide a qualitative picture of assay performance.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12: Reduced insert size following post-capture processing with T4-DNA polymerase.\",\n \"Four samples of adapter ligated gDNA fragments from genomic library I (constructed in Example 4) were captured as described (Example 6—PLP1 EXON 2).\",\n \"Two of these samples utilized universal binding oligo C1, while the other two samples were bound with oligo C10.Samples were then either treated with T4-DNA polymerase (T4 processed) or processed similarly in a reaction solution lacking the T4 polymerase (untreated).\",\n \"Post-capture processing with T4-polymerase induced an overall reduction in the size distribution of the sample, suggesting a reduction in the average size of insert.\",\n \"Additionally, T4 processing resulted in the appearance of two faint bands (˜250 bp and ˜175 bp).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13A-FIG.\",\n \"13C: Direct measurement of post-capture processing sensitivity.\",\n \"First, PLP1 exon 2 specific genomic DNA fragments were isolated by pull down/pull out from the female gDNA library (Example 1) using single PLP1 capture probes in independent reactions.\",\n \"Captured material was quantified using an adjacent PLP1 qPCR assay primer pair, as illustrated in (FIG.\",\n \"13A).\",\n \"Following enzymatic processing the amount of processed complex was measured again by qPCR using one PLP1 specific primer and one probe-specific primer, as show in (FIG.\",\n \"13B).\",\n \"The ratio of the measurements in [B/A×100%] will yield an estimate of processing efficiency.\",\n \"The PCR products from real-time reactions were extracted and subjected to gel analysis to verify that amplicons of the expected length were produced (FIG.\",\n \"13C).\",\n \"This was possible since both PCR reactions had discrete start and stop points.\",\n \"Processing efficiency was inferred from pull-outs that yielded interpretable data from A+B+C.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14: Gel analysis of qPCR products from real-time quantification of pre- and post-processed PLP1 exon 2 captured DNA fragments.\",\n \"Six independent capture reactions (two with probe #1, two with probe #4, one with probe #2, and one with probe #3) were processed as described in FIG.\",\n \"16.The probes were from the B10 universal oligo set (Example 4) and comprised universal oligo and probe ultramer.\",\n \"Under these conditions, assay sets 3 (probe 4), 5 (probe 2) and 6 (probe 3) yielded PCR products consistent with the assay amplicon (top gel) or the post-processed PLP1 to adaptor amplicons (bottom gel), while no detectable products were observed in the other assay sets.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"15: Alternative enzymatic processing of fragment: probe hybridized complexes.\",\n \"In contrast to the method outlined in FIG.\",\n \"4, this alternative approach shifted from having the clone copy the probe to having the probe copy the clone.\",\n \"This reversal in polarity means that the 5′ end of the probe was used as both the pull-down sequence and the reverse PCR sequence.\",\n \"The 3′ end of the probe was left unmodified thus it was able to copy the clone using DNA polymerase; 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extended the multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"16: Experimental design employed to test the alternative enzymatic processing concept.\",\n \"Four well behaved qPCR assays, (10, 14, 15 and 16) were matched with probes that “pointed” at those assays.\",\n \"Importantly, although the target sequences of the probe and qPCR assays were directed to regions within proximity to one another, they did not overlap.\",\n \"Thus the effect of the processing could be directly tested using these well-established assay sets.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17: Decrease in the average insert size of the library induced by the alternative processing method.\",\n \"DNA fragments were hybridized to capture probes/ultramers, and captured on streptavidin beads as previously described (FIG.\",\n \"12).\",\n \"Post-capture processing was performed using the alternative method described in FIG.\",\n \"17, and input samples as well as pre- and post-processed samples were analyzed by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis.\",\n \"As was expected, the average insert size of the library was decreased in the processed samples, thus supporting the conclusion that the processing worked.\",\n \"Collapsing of the library into an apparent band at the bottom of the processed sample was also observed, indicating some priming off of probe may have occurred FIG.\",\n \"18A-FIG.\",\n \"18D: Enhanced focusing of target sequences by the alternative processing method.\",\n \"The sequence reads obtained in Example 13 were displayed in the UCSC Genome Browser to assess the coverage and distribution of captured fragments within specific target sites.\",\n \"The density of sequence reads corresponding to ‘capture only’ and ‘processed’ libraries are shown (black) for two target regions on the X chromosome, one corresponding to exons of the PLP1 gene (FIG.\",\n \"18A and FIG.\",\n \"18B) and the other an intronic segment of the ZNF630 gene (FIG.\",\n \"18C and FIG.\",\n \"18D).\",\n \"Reads from libraries generated by the alternative processing method (FIG.\",\n \"18B and FIG.\",\n \"18D) are more highly concentrated in target sites than libraries constructed by capture alone (FIG.\",\n \"18A and FIG.\",\n \"18C).\",\n \"Capture probe binding sites are shown in red.\",\n \"Each track is scaled to the maximal read density values (y-axis) observed for a given stretch of genomic coordinates (x-axis).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"19A-FIG.\",\n \"19B: Diagram of vertical alignment.\",\n \"All next generation sequence (NGS) analysis starts with alignment to a reference genome.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"19A) Initial read alignment is based on configurable word string searches that can accommodate single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and, to a limited extent, insertions/deletions.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"19B) The collective set of aligned reads is analyzed for SNVs.\",\n \"In the example shown, the candidate SNV was observed twice, but the read coordinates for these two reads was identical.\",\n \"The vertical alignment paradigm generates a large number of SNVs and/or insertions/deletion hypotheses that require orthogonal validation.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20: Diagram of data analysis scheme.\",\n \"Step one is to match reads to probes.\",\n \"Step two will be to analyze the sequence information connected “horizontally” to each probe.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"21: Diagram of horizontal alignment “forces” reads associated with probe 1 and probe 2.Assembly will generate two contigs, one with a wild-type exon structure and one with an insertion structure.\",\n \"Two important principles emerge: 1) Overlapping reads from adjacent probes will support or refute the hypothesis of an indel-containing allele of the captured exon and 2) micro-CNV alleles outside of capture probes are readily detectable by horizontal methodologies.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"22: Diagram of “low confidence” SNV calls.\",\n \"Candidate nucleotide variants can be actual events harbored in the individual from whom the sample was collected and processed, but they can also be artifacts introduced during processing and sequencing of samples.\",\n \"The methods described here were designed to differentiate between actual, “high confidence” variant calls and artifactual “low confidence” variant calls.\",\n \"Sequencing reads covering a target region are collected from multiple different clones in both possible sequencing orientations, and each read is annotated with tag information.\",\n \"The tags allow reads derived from the same cloning event to be identified and grouped.\",\n \"SNVs and indels that arise within only one set of clones that are all derived from the same cloning event are low confidence calls that are discarded from further analysis.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"23A-FIG.\",\n \"23C: Diagram of “high confidence” SNV calls.\",\n \"Candidate nucleotide variants can be actual events harbored in the individual from whom the sample was collected and processed, but they can also be artifacts introduced during processing and sequencing of samples.\",\n \"The methods described here were designed to differentiate between actual, “high confidence” variant calls and artifactual “low confidence” variant calls.\",\n \"Sequencing reads covering a target region are collected from multiple different clones in both possible sequencing orientations, and each read is annotated with tag information.\",\n \"The tags allow reads derived from distinct cloning events to be identified.\",\n \"Examples shown are (FIG.\",\n \"23A) reads with the same start point but different sequence labels, (FIG.\",\n \"23B) reads in the same orientation that have different start points and different labels and (FIG.\",\n \"23C) reads in opposite orientations.\",\n \"In all these instances, the occurrence and detect of a variant in independent cloning events marks that variant with high confidence, and such variants are followed up with further, orthogonal validation methods.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24: Molecularly annotated sequencing read.\",\n \"(A) Forward flow cell (Illumina chemistry) graft sequences and sequencing primer binding site.\",\n \"(B) Reverse flow cell graft sequence and reverse sequencing primer annealing site.\",\n \"(1) Sequence label.\",\n \"(2) Sample label.\",\n \"(3) Forward read start site.\",\n \"(4) Sequence of genomic fragment.\",\n \"(5) Genomic index (probe sequence).\",\n \"The combination of (1)+(3) constitutes the unique read tag that is critical for both variant calling and copy number determination.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"25: The most significant classes of DNA sequence variants (insertions, deletions, runs of point mutations and/or translocations) are also the most difficult to detect by alignment based methods.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"26A-FIG.\",\n \"26B: Dual probe interrogation of target regions (e. g. exons).\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"26A) Typical exons average 100-150 bp.\",\n \"Capture probes are positioned in the intronic region flanking the target segment.\",\n \"These probes have opposite sequence polarity (one queries the “+” stand, the other the “−” strand.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"26B) The sequence read distribution for each individual probe is indicated by the shaded areas and the read orientations are specified by arrows.\",\n \"Key aspects are that target regions are sequenced by multiple reads in both orientations.\",\n \"Moreover, each probe captures reads that sequence the adjacent probe binding sites.\",\n \"This arrangement is one element that increases the confidence of variant calls.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"27A-FIG.\",\n \"27B: The role of sequence tags in variant calling.\",\n \"Sequence “tags” are comprised of a nucleotide code (ovals; in the case of Clearfork a collection of 16 possible three nucleotide sequences) and a ragged, arbitrary clone fragment end sequence.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"27A) A false-positive variant call is one in which a variant is identified among a collection of sibling sequences that all bear identical sequence tags.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"27B) A high confidence variant call is found among a collection of sequences that have different sequence tags.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"28: Copy determination using read observation statistics.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"29: Molecularly annotated sequencing read.\",\n \"(A) Forward flow cell (Illumina SBS chemistry) graft sequences and sequencing primer binding site.\",\n \"(B) Reverse flow cell graft sequence and reverse sequencing primer annealing site.\",\n \"(1) Sequence label.\",\n \"(2) Sample label.\",\n \"(3) Forward read start site.\",\n \"(4) Sequence of genomic fragment.\",\n \"(5) Genomic index (probe sequence).\",\n \"(6) Capture label.\",\n \"The combination of (1)+(3) constitutes the unique read tag that is critical for copy number determination.\",\n \"The combination of (5)+(6) constitutes a genomic index tag that can be used to monitor and quantify capture events.\",\n \"The forward sequencing read 1 that determines the sequences of annotation elements 1, 2, 3, and 4, and paired-end reverse read 2 that determines the sequences of annotation elements 5 and 6 are indicated.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"30: Probes (e.g., multifunctional capture probes) are generally directional, meaning they capture sequences on one side (generally the 3′3′ side) of their position.\",\n \"Tail sequences that add additional functionality (e.g., PCR primer binding site, binding site for partner oligo that enables biotin pull-out, etc.)\",\n \"are added in addition to the core targeting 60-mer.\",\n \"Sixty nucleotide targeting sequences are chosen with the following constraints and criterion: (1) The probe is positioned from −100 to +50 nt relative to the start of the target sequence.\",\n \"In the illustration at right, the “start” of the target sequence is the intron:exon junction; (2) Probes are designed with redundancy, as illustrated, such that the resulting sequences from a pair of probes are overlapping in opposite orientations; (3) Probes are selected (where possible) to possess GC content not less than 33% (>20 G's or C's per 60 mer) and not more than 67% (<40 G's or C's per 60 mer); (4) Probes are selected to avoid repeats wherever possible.\",\n \"This is done with the help of REPEATMASKER and/or unique alignability criterion, both of which can be viewed on the UCSC genome browser; (5) In cases the position requirement, GC requirement, and the uniqueness requirement cannot be met, selection rules are relaxed in the following order (GC>position>uniqueness).\",\n \"In other words, GC and positioning are flexible; the uniqueness criterion is not.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"31A-FIG.\",\n \"31B: Processing to create targeted genomic sequencing libraries.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"31A) the initial capture complex comprises a “standard” tagged genomic library fragment, a tailed capture probe that targets a genomic “target region” that is 5′ to the probe, and a biotinylated partner Oligonucleotide that is common to all probes.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"31B) Processing of the complex into a sequence-ready clone comprises 3 steps: (1) the 5′ FLAP endonuclease of DNA polymerase holoenzyme (e.g., full length Bst polymerase) clips the 5′ tail of the genomic clone; (2) the polymerase extends the partner oligo sequence by polymerization (can occur concurrently with step 1); and (3) Taq ligase repairs the nick between the partner oligo and the genomic fragment.\",\n \"These concerted steps create a sequence-ready clone.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"32 shows post-capture/processing of PCR products.\",\n \"Lane 1 is ACA2 single primer amplified, unprocessed capture complex.\",\n \"Lanes 2-4 were amplified with AF+CR dual PCR primers.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"33 shows Steps 1 and 2 of a library free method for generating tagged genomic DNAs and related capture, processing, and analysis methods.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"34 shows Step 3 of a library free method for generating tagged genomic DNAs and related capture, processing, and analysis methods FIG.\",\n \"35 shows Steps 4 and 5 a library free method for generating tagged genomic DNAs and related capture, processing, and analysis methods.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"36 shows a suppressive PCR strategy for avoiding primer-dimer artifacts in library free methods for generating tagged genomic DNAs.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"37 shows gel electrophoresis results of raw and sonicated gDNAs used in library free methods for generating tagged genomic DNAs.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"38 shows a qPCR amplification plot of four gDNA samples prepared by the library free method.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"39 shows the gel electrophoresis results from raw PCR products amplified from samples prepared by the library free methods.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"40 shows the gel electrophoresis results from bead-cleaned PCR products amplified from samples prepared by the library free methods.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"41 shows a qPCR amplification plot of samples prepared by the library free methods using different combinations of enzymes: T4 DNA polymerase (P), T4 DNA ligase (L), and T4 gene 32 protein (32), or no enzyme control.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"42 shows the gel electrophoresis results of PCR amplified (10 cycles or 16 cycles) samples prepared by the library free methods using different combinations of enzymes: T4 DNA polymerase (P), T4 DNA ligase (L), and T4 gene 32 protein (32), or no enzyme control.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"43 shows the gel electrophoresis results of individual samples prepared by the library free methods prior to pooling.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"44 shows CNV for PLP1 in relation to the normalizing autosomal loci KRAS and MYC across samples with variable dosages of the X chromosome.\",\n \"Samples were prepared using library free methods.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"45 shows the DNA sequence start points for chrX region 15 in the XXXX (4× dosage) sample relative to the capture probe sequence.\",\n \"Reads go from left to right and samples were prepared using library free methods.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"46 shows the gel electrophoresis results of cDNA prepared from RNA samples using the RNA-seq methods contemplated herein, captured cDNAs, and cDNA preps sized with the Pippin automated DNA size selector.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"47 shows the correlations of the gene expression of various transcripts in heart versus liver in libraries prepared using a total RNA versus targeted expression strategy for the library preparation.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"48 shows the correlation of absolute expression levels of various transcript measured in total RNA-seq compared to targeted RNA-seq.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"49 shows the Cq values of STDs and samples (the average of duplicate measurements described in Example 10 except (i) the experiment repeated on plate 2 and (ii) M1, M2 and M3 were measured in three sets of duplicates—average of the three measurements taken).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"50 shows the genomes per μl for each library that was made in Example 10.FIG.\",\n \"51 shows the conversion of designated samples in Example 10 into 10 copy, 20 copy, 40 copy, 80 copy, etc.\",\n \"libraries for downstream capture tests.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"52 shows the qPCR measurement of capture sensitivity and specificity described in Example 12.FIG.\",\n \"53 shows a summary of alignment statistics for each library pool described in Example 13.FIG.\",\n \"54 shows the design of an experiment for evaluating the enzymatic requirements for complex processing described in Example 20.FIG.\",\n \"55 shows the list of candidate transcripts and their reported RPKM values described in Example 21.FIG.\",\n \"56 shows the final read count of the data set described in Example 21.DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Overview The present invention is based at least in part, on the discovery that the coordinated utilization of several key molecular modules can be employed in performing targeted genetic analyses.\",\n \"The practice of the invention will employ, unless indicated specifically to the contrary, conventional methods of chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, recombinant DNA techniques, genetics, immunology, and cell biology that are within the skill of the art, many of which are described below for the purpose of illustration.\",\n \"Such techniques are explained fully in the literature.\",\n \"See, e.g., Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (3rd Edition, 2001); Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2nd Edition, 1989); Maniatis et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (1982); Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (John Wiley and Sons, updated July 2008); Short Protocols in Molecular Biology: A Compendium of Methods from Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Pub.\",\n \"Associates and Wiley-Interscience; Glover, DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, vol.\",\n \"I & II (IRL Press, Oxford, 1985); Anand, Techniques for the Analysis of Complex Genomes, (Academic Press, New York, 1992); Transcription and Translation (B. Hames & S. Higgins, Eds., 1984); Perbal, A Practical Guide to Molecular Cloning (1984); and Harlow and Lane, Antibodies, (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1998).\",\n \"All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"B. Definitions Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs.\",\n \"Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, preferred embodiments of compositions, methods and materials are described herein.\",\n \"For the purposes of the present invention, the following terms are defined below.\",\n \"The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e.\",\n \"to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article.\",\n \"By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.\",\n \"The use of the alternative (e.g., “or”) should be understood to mean either one, both, or any combination thereof of the alternatives.\",\n \"The term “and/or” should be understood to mean either one, or both of the alternatives.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% to a reference quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the term “about” or “approximately” refers a range of quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length±15%, +10%, +9%, +8%, +7%, +6%, +5%, +4%, +3%, +2%, or +1% about a reference quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.\",\n \"Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise”, “comprises” and “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the terms “include,” “has,” “contains,” and “comprise” are used synonymously.\",\n \"By “consisting of” is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase “consisting of.” Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present.\",\n \"By “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements.\",\n \"Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that no other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements.\",\n \"Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “a particular embodiment,” “a related embodiment,” “a certain embodiment,” “an additional embodiment,” or “a further embodiment” or combinations thereof means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"Thus, the appearances of the foregoing phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.\",\n \"Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “isolated” means material that is substantially or essentially free from components that normally accompany it in its native state.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the term “obtained” or “derived” is used synonymously with isolated.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “DNA” refers to deoxyribonucleic acid.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the term DNA refers to genomic DNA, recombinant DNA, synthetic DNA, or cDNA.\",\n \"In one embodiment, DNA refers to genomic DNA or cDNA.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the DNA comprises a “target region.” DNA libraries contemplated herein include genomic DNA libraries and cDNA libraries constructed from RNA, e.g., an RNA expression library.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the DNA libraries comprise one or more additional DNA sequences and/or tags.\",\n \"A “target region” refers to a region of interest within a DNA sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, targeted genetic analyses are performed on the target region.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the target region is sequenced or the copy number of the target region is determined.\",\n \"C. Exemplary Embodiments The present invention contemplates, in part, a method for generating a tagged genomic library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the method comprises treating fragmented DNA, e.g., genomic DNA or cDNA, with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA followed by ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence to generate the tagged genomic library.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence are optionally ligated to the fragmented end-repaired DNA.\",\n \"The present invention contemplates, in part, a method for generating a tagged DNA library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the method comprises treating fragmented DNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA followed by ligating a random nucleic acid tag sequence to generate the tagged DNA library.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a sample code sequence and/or a PCR primer sequence are optionally ligated to the fragmented end-repaired DNA.\",\n \"Illustrative methods for fragmenting DNA include, but are not limited to: shearing, sonication, enzymatic digestion; including restriction digests, as well as other methods.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, any method known in the art for fragmenting DNA can be employed with the present invention.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the fragmented DNA is processed by end-repair enzymes to generate end-repaired DNA.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the end-repair enzymes can yield for example blunt ends, 5′-overhangs, and 3′-overhangs.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA contains blunt ends.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA is processed to contain blunt ends.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the blunt ends of the end-repaired DNA are further modified to contain a single base pair overhang.\",\n \"In some embodiments, end-repaired DNA containing blunt ends can be further processed to contain adenine (A)/thymine (T) overhang.\",\n \"In some embodiments, end-repaired DNA containing blunt ends can be further processed to contain adenine (A)/thymine (T) overhang as the single base pair overhang.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA has non-templated 3′ overhangs.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA is processed to contain 3′-overhangs.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA is processed with terminal transferase (TdT) to contain 3′-overhangs.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a G-tail can be added by TdT.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the end-repaired DNA is processed to contain overhang ends using partial digestion with any known restriction enzymes (e.g., with the enzyme Sau3A, and the like.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, DNA fragments are tagged using one or more “random nucleotide tags” or “random nucleic acid tags.” As used herein, the terms “random nucleotide tag” or “random nucleic acid tag” refer to a polynucleotide of discrete length wherein the nucleotide sequence has been randomly generated or selected.\",\n \"In particular illustrative embodiments, the length of the random nucleic acid tag is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 2 to about 75 nucleotides, about 2 to about 50 nucleotides, about 2 to about 25 nucleotides, about 2 to about 20 nucleotides, about 2 to about 15 nucleotides, about 2 to about 10 nucleotides, about 2 to about 8 nucleotides, or about 2 to about 6 nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the length of the random nucleotide tag is from about 2 to about 6 nucleotides (see, e.g., FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the random nucleotide tag sequence is about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, or about 10 nucleotides.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, methods known in the art can be employed to add the random nucleotide tags of the present invention to the fragmented DNA.\",\n \"In some embodiments, “tagmentation” can be employed.\",\n \"Tagmentation is a Nextera Technology that is commercially available (from Illumina and Epicenter, USA) and which can be used to load transposon protein complexes with the random nucleotide tags and/or the multifunctional adaptor modules of the invention.\",\n \"The loaded transposon complexes can then be used in creation of the tagged genomic library according to described methods.\",\n \"DNA for use in the present methods can come from any source known to those of skill in the art.\",\n \"DNA can be collected from any source, synthesized from RNA as copy DNA (cDNA), and processed into pure or substantially pure DNA for use in the present methods.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the size of the fragmented DNA is in the range of about 2 to about 500 base pairs, about 2 to about 400 base pairs, about 2 to about 300 base pairs, about 2 to about 250 base pairs, about 2 to about 200 base pairs, about 2 to about 100 base pairs or about 2 to about 50 base pairs.\",\n \"The combination of the introduced “random nucleic acid tag” or “random nucleic acid tags” with the DNA fragment end sequence constitutes a combination of two elements that will hereafter be referred to as “the genomic tag” or the “the cDNA tag.” In some embodiments the uniqueness of “the genomic tag” or the “the cDNA tag” can be determined by the combinatorial product of the diversity within the attached random nucleotide tag pool multiplied by the diversity of the DNA fragment end sequence pool.\",\n \"The present invention also contemplates, in part, a multifunctional adaptor module.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “multifunctional adaptor module” refers to a polynucleotide comprising: (i) a first region comprising a random nucleotide tag sequence; optionally (ii) a second region comprising a sample code sequence; and optionally (iii) a third region comprising a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module comprises a PCR primer sequence, a random nucleotide tag, and a sample code sequence.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a multifunctional adaptor module comprises a PCR primer sequence and a random nucleotide tag or a sample code sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second region comprising the sample code is optional.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the multifunctional adaptor module does not include a second region, but instead only a first and third region.\",\n \"The multifunctional adaptor module of the present invention can include blunt or complementary ends appropriate for the ligation method employed, including those disclosed elsewhere herein, as well as any others known to those of skill in the art for ligating the multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented DNA.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a first region comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the first region comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence that is from about 2 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 2 to about 75 nucleotides, about 2 to about 50 nucleotides, about 2 to about 25 nucleotides, about 2 to about 20 nucleotides, about 2 to about 15 nucleotides, about 2 to about 10 nucleotides, about 2 to about 8 nucleotides, or about 2 to about 6 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a second region, when optionally present, comprises a sample code sequence.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “sample code sequence” refers to a polynucleotide that is used to identify the sample.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the second region comprises a sample code sequence that is from about 1 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 2 to about 75 nucleotides, about 2 to about 50 nucleotides, about 2 to about 25 nucleotides, about 2 to about 20 nucleotides, about 2 to about 15 nucleotides, about 2 to about 10 nucleotides, about 2 to about 8 nucleotides, or about 2 to about 6 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a third region, when optionally present, comprises a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the third region comprises a PCR primer sequence that is from about 5 to about 200 nucleotides, from about 5 to about 150 nucleotides, from about 10 to about 100 nucleotides from about 10 to about 75 nucleotides, about 10 to about 50 nucleotides, about 10 to about 40 nucleotides, about 20 to about 40 nucleotides, or about 20 to about 30 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a ligation step comprises ligating a multifunctional adaptor module to the fragmented end-repaired DNA.\",\n \"This ligation reaction can be used to generate the tagged DNA library, which comprises end-repaired DNA ligated to a multifunctional adaptor molecule and/or random nucleotide tag.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a single multifunctional adaptor module is employed.\",\n \"In some embodiments, more than one multifunctional adaptor module is employed.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a single multifunctional adaptor module of identical sequence is ligated to each end of the fragmented end-repaired DNA.\",\n \"The present invention also provides a multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “multifunctional capture probe module” refers to a polynucleotide comprising: (i) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide; (ii) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific target region; and optionally (iii) a third region comprising a tail sequence.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide, a region capable of hybridizing to a DNA target sequence, and a tail sequence.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and a region capable of hybridizing to a genomic target sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe module optionally comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a first region comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “partner oligonucleotide” refers to an oligonucleotide that is complementary to a nucleotide sequence of the multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide is a sequence that is from about 20 to about 200 nucleotides, from about 20 to about 150 nucleotides, about 30 to about 100 nucleotides, about 30 to about 75 nucleotides, about 20 to about 50 nucleotides, about 30 to about 45 nucleotides, or about 35 to about 45 nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the region is about 30 to about 50 nucleotides, about 30 to about 40 nucleotides, about 30 to about 35 nucleotides or about 34 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a second region, when optionally present, comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a specific DNA target region.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “DNA target region” refers to a region of the genome or cDNA selected for analyses using the compositions and methods contemplated herein.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the second region comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a specific target region is a sequence from about 20 to about 200 nucleotides, from about 30 to about 150 nucleotides, about 50 to about 150 nucleotides, about 30 to about 100 nucleotides, about 50 to about 100 nucleotides, about 50 to about 90 nucleotides, about 50 to about 80 nucleotides, about 50 to about 70 nucleotides or about 50 to about 60 nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the second region is about 60 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a third region, when optionally present, comprises a tail sequence.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “tail sequence” refers to a polynucleotide at the 5′ end of the multifunctional capture probe module, which in particular embodiments can serve as a PCR primer binding site.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the third region comprises a tail sequence that is from about 5 to about 100 nucleotides, about 10 to about 100 nucleotides, about 5 to about 75 nucleotides, about 5 to about 50 nucleotides, about 5 to about 25 nucleotides, or about 5 to about 20 nucleotides.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the third region is from about 10 to about 50 nucleotides, about 15 to about 40 nucleotides, about 20 to about 30 nucleotides or about 20 nucleotides, or any intervening number of nucleotides.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and a region capable of hybridizing to a genomic target sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises a region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and a region capable of hybridizing to a genomic target sequence, the partner oligo may also function as a tail sequence or primer binding site.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a multifunctional capture probe module comprises a tail region and a region capable of hybridizing to a genomic target sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe comprises a specific member of a binding pair to enable isolation and/or purification of one or more captured fragments of a tagged DNA library that hybridizes to the multifunctional capture probe.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe is conjugate to biotin or another suitable hapten, e.g., dinitrophenol, digoxigenin.\",\n \"The present invention further contemplates, in part, hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module to form a complex.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe module substantially hybridizes to a specific genomic target region in the DNA library.\",\n \"Hybridization or hybridizing conditions can include any reaction conditions where two nucleotide sequences form a stable complex; for example, the tagged DNA library and multifunctional capture probe module forming a stable tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"Such reaction conditions are well known in the art and those of skill in the art will appreciated that such conditions can be modified as appropriate and within the scope of the present invention.\",\n \"Substantial hybridization can occur when the second region of the multifunctional capture probe complex exhibits 100%, 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 94%, 93%, 92% 91%, 90%, 89%, 88%, 85%, 80%, 75%, or 70% sequence identity, homology or complementarity to a region of the tagged DNA library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the first region of the multifunctional capture probe module does not substantially hybridize to the region of the tagged DNA library to which the second region does substantially hybridize.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the third region of the multifunctional capture probe module does not substantially hybridize to the region of the tagged DNA library to which the second region of the multifunctional capture probe module does substantially hybridize.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first and third regions of the multifunctional capture probe module do not substantially hybridize to the region of the tagged DNA library to which the second region of the multifunctional capture probe module does substantially hybridize.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise isolating a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, methods for isolating DNA complexes are well known to those skilled in the art and any methods deemed appropriate by one of skill in the art can be employed with the methods of the present invention (Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 2007-2012).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the complexes are isolated using biotin-streptavidin isolation techniques.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing to the first region of the multifunctional capture probe module is modified to contain a biotin at the 5′-end or 3′-end which is capable of interacting with streptavidin linked to a column, bead or other substrate for use in DNA complex isolation methods.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a first region of a multifunctional capture probe module is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide prior to formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide after the formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide simultaneously with the formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, removal of the single stranded 3′-ends from the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex is contemplated.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods comprise 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to remove the single stranded 3′ ends.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, the methods comprise performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, the methods comprise creating a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase.\",\n \"A variety of enzymes can be employed for the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing of the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex.\",\n \"Illustrative examples of suitable enzymes, which exhibit 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic activity, that can be employed in particular embodiments include, but are not limited to: T4 or Exonucleases I, III, V (see also, Shevelev I V, Huibscher U., “The 3′ 5′ exonucleases,” Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol.\",\n \"3(5):364-76 (2002)).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the enzyme comprising 3′-5′ exonuclease activity is T4 polymerase.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, an enzyme which exhibits 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic activity and is capable of primer template extension can be employed, including for example T4 or Exonucleases I, III, V. Id.\",\n \"3′5′ In some embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatically processed complex discussed supra and elsewhere herein.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a tail portion of a multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the hybrid nucleic acid molecule generated comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is also contemplated.\",\n \"In certain embodiments a method for targeted genetic analysis comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In various embodiments, methods for determining copy number of a specific target region are contemplated.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing on the isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from b) using an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity to remove the single stranded 3′ ends; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is also contemplated.\",\n \"In certain embodiments a method for targeted genetic analysis comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In various embodiments, methods for determining copy number of a specific target region are contemplated.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) performing 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of multifunctional capture probe utilizing the isolated tagged DNA library fragments as template; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is also contemplated.\",\n \"In certain embodiments a method for targeted genetic analysis comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the genomic library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) creating a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; and e) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from d).\",\n \"In various embodiments, methods for determining copy number of a specific target region are contemplated.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex from a); c) creating a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule through the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase; d) performing a PCR reaction on the enzymatically processed complex from c) wherein the tail portion of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is replicated in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the target region capable of hybridizing to the multifunctional capture probe module and the complement of the multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence; e) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in d); and f) quantitating the PCR reaction in e), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, PCR can be performed using any standard PCR reaction conditions well known to those of skill in the art.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the PCR reaction in e) employs two PCR primers.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the PCR reaction in e) employs a first PCR primer that hybridizes to the target region.\",\n \"In a particular embodiment, the PCR reaction in e) employs a second PCR primer hybridizes to the hybrid molecule at the target region/tail junction.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the PCR reaction in e) employs a first PCR primer that hybridizes to the target region and a second PCR primer hybridizes to the hybrid molecule at the target genomic region/tail junction.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the second primer hybridizes to the target region/tail junction such that at least one or more nucleotides of the primer hybridize to the target region and at least one or more nucleotides of the primer hybridize to the tail sequence.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the hybrid nucleic acid molecules obtained from step e) are sequenced and the sequences aligned horizontally, i.e., aligned to one another but not aligned to a reference sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, steps a) through e) are repeated one or more times with one or more multifunctional capture probe module complexes.\",\n \"The multifunctional capture probe complexes can be the same or different and designed to target either DNA strand of the target sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, when the multifunctional capture probe complexes are different, they hybridize near the same target region within the tagged DNA library.\",\n \"In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged DNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region In some embodiments, the method can be performed using two multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, wherein one hybridizes to the “Watson” strand (non-coding or template strand) upstream of the target region and one hybridizes to the “Crick” strand (coding or non-template strand) downstream of the target region.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the sequences obtained can be aligned to one another in order to identify any of a number of differences.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, 500000 or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.\",\n \"Copy number can provide useful information regarding unique reads and duplicative reads, as well as assisting with searching for variants of known reads.\",\n \"As used herein, the terms “read,” “read sequence,” or “sequencing read” are used synonymously and refer to a polynucleotide sequence obtained by sequencing a polynucleotide.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, DNA tags, e.g., a random nucleotide tag, can be used to determine copy number of a nucleic acid sequence being analyzed.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module comprises: (i) a first region capable of hybridizing to a partner oligonucleotide and capable of functioning as a PCR primer and (ii) a second region capable of hybridizing to a specific genomic target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a first region of a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module comprises a PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, this first region comprises a PCR primer sequence that is from about 5 to about 200 nucleotides, from about 5 to about 150 nucleotides, from about 10 to about 100 nucleotides from about 10 to about 75 nucleotides, about 10 to about 50 nucleotides, about 10 to about 40 nucleotides, about 20 to about 40 nucleotides, or about 20 to about 30 nucleotides, including any intervening number of nucleotides.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a first region of a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module is bound to a partner oligonucleotide.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the multifunctional capture hybrid probe module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide prior to formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide after the formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module is bound to the partner oligonucleotide simultaneously with the formation of a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture hybrid probe module complex.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the partner oligonucleotide is chemically modified.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise performing PCR on the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex so as to copy the captured tagged DNA library sequence to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprising the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex and a sequence complementary to a region of the captured tagged DNA library sequence located 3′ or 5′ of the multifunctional capture probe sequence relative to where the hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the copied target region is anywhere from 1 to 5000 nt from the, 3′ or 5′-end of sequence where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the genomic target.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the complementary sequence of the region that is 3′ to the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"The hybrid nucleic acid molecule generated comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of captured tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ or 5′ from the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise processing a tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule (i.e., a hybrid multifunctional capture probe-isolated tagged DNA target molecule).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 3′ relative to the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region.\",\n \"In one non-limiting embodiment, the hybrid nucleic acid molecule is generated by 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing that removes single stranded 3′-ends from an isolated tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe module complex and/or 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension of the multifunctional capture probe.\",\n \"In other particular embodiments, a hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module and the complement of a region of the tagged DNA library sequence that is located 5′ relative to the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the target region.\",\n \"In one non-limiting embodiment, the hybrid nucleic acid molecule is generated by the concerted action of a 5′ FLAP endonuclease, DNA polymerization and nick closure by a DNA ligase.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for targeted genetic analysis is provided.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a method for targeted genetic analysis comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to form a hybrid nucleic acid molecule and d) performing targeted genetic analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule from c).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the hybrid nucleic acid molecules obtained from step c) are sequenced and the sequences aligned horizontally, i.e., aligned to one another but not aligned to a reference sequence.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated one or more times with one or more multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"The multifunctional capture probe modules can be the same or different and designed to hybridize against either strand of the genome.\",\n \"In some embodiments, when the multifunctional capture probe modules are different, they hybridize anywhere from 1 to 5000 nt of the same target region in the tagged DNA library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the method can be performed twice, using two multifunctional capture probe modules, wherein one hybridizes upstream of the genomic target region (i.e., at the 5′-end; i.e., a forward multifunctional capture probe module or complex) and one hybridizes downstream of the genomic target region on the opposite genomic strand (i.e., at the 3′-end; i.e., a reverse multifunctional capture probe module or complex).\",\n \"In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged DNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, 500000 or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the sequences obtained by the method can be aligned to one another in order to identify mutations and without being aligned to a reference sequence.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the sequences obtained in can optionally be aligned to a reference sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, methods for determining copy number of a specific target region are contemplated.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for determining copy number of a specific target region comprises: a) hybridizing a tagged DNA library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module comprises selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the DNA library; b) isolating the tagged DNA library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex from a); c) performing PCR on the complex from b) to form a hybrid nucleic acid molecule; d) performing PCR amplification of the hybrid nucleic acid in c); and e) quantitating the PCR reaction in d), wherein the quantitation allows for a determination of copy number of the specific target region.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, PCR can be performed using any standard PCR reaction conditions well known to those of skill in the art.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the PCR reaction in d) employs two PCR primers.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the PCR reaction in d) employs two PCR primers each of which hybridize to a region downstream to the location where the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module hybridizes to the tagged DNA library.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the region where the PCR primers hybridize is located in the region amplified in step c).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the hybrid nucleic acid molecules obtained from step c) are sequenced and the sequences aligned horizontally, i.e., aligned to one another but not aligned to a reference sequence.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, steps a) through c) are repeated one or more times with one or more multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"The multifunctional capture probe modules can be the same or different and designed to hybridize to either strand of the genome.\",\n \"In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged DNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, 500000 or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.\",\n \"In particular illustrative embodiments, a tagged DNA library is amplified, e.g., by PCR, to generate an amplified tagged DNA library.\",\n \"All genomic target regions will have a 5′-end and a 3′-end.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the methods described herein can be performed with two multifunctional capture probe complexes which provide for amplification of a targeted genomic region from both the 5′ and 3′ directions, respectively.\",\n \"In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged DNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the targeted genetic analysis is a sequence analysis.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, sequence analysis comprises any analysis wherein one sequence is distinguished from a second sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, sequence analysis excludes any purely mental sequence analysis performed in the absence of a composition or method for sequencing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, sequence analysis includes, but is not limited to: sequencing, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, gene copy number analysis, haplotype analysis, mutation analysis, methylation status analysis (as determined by example, but not limited to, bisulfite conversion of unmethylated cytosine residues), targeted resequencing of DNA sequences obtained in a chromatin-immunoprecipitation experiment (CHIP-seq), paternity testing in sequence captured fetal DNA collected from pregnant maternal plasma DNA, microbial presence and population assessment in samples captured with microbe-specific capture probes, and fetal genetic sequence analysis (for example, using fetal cells or extracellular fetal DNA in maternal samples).\",\n \"Copy number analyses include, but are not limited to analyses that examine the number of copies of a particular gene or mutation that occurs in a given genomic DNA sample and can further include quantitative determination of the number of copies of a given gene or sequence differences in a given sample.\",\n \"Also contemplated herein, are methods for sequence alignment analysis that can be performed without the need for alignment to a reference sequence, referred to herein as horizontal sequence analysis (exemplified in, for example, FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"Such analysis can be performed on any sequences generated by the methods contemplated herein or any other methods.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the sequence analysis comprises performing sequence alignments on the hybrid nucleic acid molecules obtained by the methods contemplated herein.\",\n \"In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged DNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.\",\n \"In particular embodiments DNA can be isolated from any biological source.\",\n \"Illustrative sources for DNA include, but are not limited to: blood, skin, hair, hair follicles, saliva, oral mucous, vaginal mucous, sweat, tears, epithelial tissues, urine, semen, seminal fluid, seminal plasma, prostatic fluid, pre-ejaculatory fluid (Cowper's fluid), excreta, biopsy, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, or tissue extract sample or biopsy sample.\",\n \"In one embodiment, tagged DNA libraries for use with the methods contemplated herein are provided.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a tagged DNA library comprises tagged genomic sequences.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, each tagged DNA sequence includes: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA; ii) one or more random nucleotide tag sequences; iii) one or more sample code sequences; and iv) one or more PCR primer sequences.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a hybrid tagged DNA library is contemplated.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a hybrid tagged DNA library comprises hybrid tagged DNA sequences.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, each hybrid tagged DNA sequence includes: i) fragmented end-repaired DNA comprising a target region; ii) one or more random nucleotide tag sequences; iii) one or more sample code sequences; iv) one or more PCR primer sequences; and v) a multifunctional capture probe module tail sequence.\",\n \"In various embodiments, kits and compositions of reagents used in the methods contemplated herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the composition includes a tagged DNA library, a multifunctional adaptor module and a multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the composition includes a tagged genomic library.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the composition includes a hybrid tagged genomic library.\",\n \"In various embodiments, reaction mixtures for carrying out the methods contemplated herein are provided.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the reaction mixture is a reaction mixture for performing any of the methods contemplated herein.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture is capable generating a tagged DNA library.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the reaction mixture capable of generating a tagged DNA library includes: a) fragmented DNA and b) DNA end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired DNA.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional adaptor module.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the reaction mixture further comprises a multifunctional capture probe module.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture further comprises an enzyme with 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and PCR amplification activity.\",\n \"In various embodiments, methods for DNA sequence analysis are provided for the sequence of one or more clones contemplated herein.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining one or more or a plurality of tagged DNA library clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises targeted DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; performing a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones and obtaining one or more sequencing reads or performing a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or more nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence; and ordering or clustering the sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequences of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"The sequence reads can be compared to one or more human reference DNA sequences.\",\n \"Sequence reads that do not match the reference sequence may be identified and used to create a de novo assembly from the non-matching sequence data.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the de novo assemblies are used to identify novel sequence rearrangements associated with the capture probe.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for copy number determination analysis is provided comprising obtaining one or more or a plurality of clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence.\",\n \"In related embodiments, a paired end sequencing reaction on the one or more clones is performed and one or more sequencing reads are obtained.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a sequencing reaction on the one or more clones is performed in which a single long sequencing read of greater than about 100 nucleotides is obtained, wherein the read is sufficient to identify both the first DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence.\",\n \"The sequencing reads of the one or more clones can be ordered or clustered according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, a method for determining the copy number is provided.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the method comprises obtaining one or more or a plurality of clones, each clone comprising a first DNA sequence and a second DNA sequence, wherein the first DNA sequence comprises a random nucleotide tag sequence and a targeted DNA sequence and the second DNA sequence comprises a capture probe sequence; ordering or clustering sequencing reads of the one or more clones according to the probe sequence of the sequencing reads.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the random nucleotide tag is about 2 to about 50 nucleotides in length.\",\n \"The methods may further comprise analyzing all sequencing reads associated with a second read sequence by determining the distributions of unique and redundant sequencing reads; counting the number of times a unique read is encountered; fitting a frequency distribution of the unique reads to a statistical distribution; inferring a total number of unique reads; and normalizing the total number of inferred unique read to an assumption that humans are generally diploid.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein can be used to calculate an inferred copy number of one or more targeted loci and the deviation of that calculation, if any, from an expected copy number value.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, one or more targeted loci of a gene are grouped together in a collection of loci and the copy number measurements from the collection of targeted loci are averaged and normalized.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the inferred copy number of a gene can be represented by the normalized average of all the target loci representing that gene.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the compositions and methods contemplated herein are also applicable to generating and analyzing RNA expression.\",\n \"Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is contemplated that any of the methods and compositions that are used to make tagged gDNA libraries may also be used to create tagged cDNA libraries, and capture and process target regions corresponding to RNA sequences embodied in the cDNA for subsequent RNA expression analysis, including, without limitation, sequence analysis.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a method for generating a tagged RNA expression library comprises first obtaining or preparing a cDNA library.\",\n \"Methods of cDNA library synthesis are known in the art and may be applicable to various embodiments.\",\n \"The cDNA library may be prepared from one or a plurality of the same or different cell types depending on the application.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the method comprises fragmenting a cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA library with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired cDNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.\",\n \"In a particular embodiment a tagged RNA expression library (cDNA library) is prepared by obtaining or preparing a cDNA library from the total RNA of one or more cells; fragmenting the cDNA library; treating the fragmented cDNA with end-repair enzymes to generate fragmented end-repaired cDNA; and ligating a multifunctional adapter molecule to the fragmented end-repaired cDNA to generate a tagged RNA expression library.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the cDNA library is an oligo-dT primed cDNA library.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random oligonucleotides comprising about 6 to about 20 random nucleotides.\",\n \"In particular preferred embodiments, the cDNA library is primed by random hexamers or random octamers.\",\n \"The cDNA libraries may be sheared or fragmented using known methods in order to achieve a desired average library fragment size.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the cDNA library is fragmented to an average size of about 250 bp to about 750 bp.\",\n \"In a certain embodiment, the cDNA library is fragmented to an average size of about 500 bp.\",\n \"In various embodiments, RNA expression libraries contemplated herein may be captured, processed, amplified, and sequenced, etc., using any of the methods contemplated herein for capturing, processing, and sequencing tagged genomic DNA libraries, without or without minor variations.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a method for targeted gene expression analysis is provided comprising: hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the tagged RNA expression library; isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex; performing 3′-5′ exonuclease enzymatic processing and/or 5′-3′ DNA polymerase extension on the isolated tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe module complex; performing PCR on the enzymatically processed complex, wherein a tail portion (e.g., a PCR primer binding site) of the multifunctional capture probe molecule is copied in order to generate a hybrid nucleic acid molecule, wherein the hybrid nucleic acid molecule comprises the complement of the target region, the specific multifunctional capture probe sequence and the capture module tail sequence; and performing targeted gene expression analysis on the hybrid nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a method for targeted gene expression analysis comprises: hybridizing a tagged RNA expression library with a multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex, wherein the multifunctional capture probe hybrid module selectively hybridizes to a specific target region in the RNA expression library; isolating the tagged RNA expression library-multifunctional capture probe hybrid module complex; performing PCR on the complex to form a hybrid nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, at least two different multifunctional capture probe modules are used in the at least two hybridization steps, wherein the at least two hybridization steps employ one multifunctional capture probe module each.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes 5′ of the target region and at least one multifunctional capture probe module hybridizes 3′ of the target region.\",\n \"In one embodiment, one or more multifunctional capture probe hybridize within about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, or more bp of the target region in a tagged RNA expression or cDNA library, included all intervening distances from the target region.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method can further be performed multiple times with any number of multifunctional probe modules, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more multifunctional capture probe modules per target region, any number of which hybridize to the Watson or Crick strand in any combination.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a plurality of target regions are interrogated, e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, or more in a single reaction, using one or more multifunctional probe modules.\",\n \"In a further embodiment, methods for cDNA sequence analysis are provided, which allow the skilled artisan to conduct gene expression analysis from the cDNA library.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, any of the sequencing methods contemplated herein may be adapted to sequence the cDNA libraries with little or no deviation from their application to sequencing tagged genomic clones.\",\n \"As described above, the statistical distribution of tagged cDNA sequencing reads of a target region of a cDNA in the RNA expression analyses contemplated herein, correlates to the level of gene expression of the target region in a cell from which the cDNA library was prepared or obtained.\",\n \"All publications, patent applications, and issued patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, or issued patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.\",\n \"Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.\",\n \"The following examples are provided by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation.\",\n \"Those of skill in the art will readily recognize a variety of noncritical parameters that could be changed or modified to yield essentially similar results.\",\n \"EXAMPLES Example 1: Preparation of Target Genomic Region for Genetic Analyses Overview: In particular embodiments, the methods contemplated herein comprise the coordinated utilization of several key molecular modules.\",\n \"In the following section, each module is described separately.\",\n \"At the end of this section, the interconnection of modules is described.\",\n \"Section 1: Tagging of Genomic DNA Fragments Genomic DNA from an individual can be collected, processed into pure DNA, fragmented and random nucleotide sequences of one nucleotide or more, in some embodiments in the range of 2-100 nucleotides, or in the range of 2-6 nucleotides are attached to the random ends of genomic DNA fragments (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The combination of the introduced random nucleotide tag sequence together with the genomic fragment end sequence constitutes a unique combination of two elements that will hereafter be referred to as a the first region of the multifunctional adaptor module.\",\n \"The uniqueness of first region of the multifunctional adaptor module is determined by the combinatorial product of the diversity within the attached first region of the multifunctional adaptor module pool times the diversity of the genomic fragment end sequences.\",\n \"Section 2: Addition of Sample-Specific Codes and Universal Amplification Sequences Multifunctional adapter molecules can further comprise sample-specific codes (referred to herein as the second region of the multifunctional adaptor module) and universal amplification sequences (referred to herein as the PCR primer sequence or the third region of the multifunctional adaptor module).\",\n \"In addition to the introduced random nucleotides from the first region of the multifunctional adaptor module, each segment that is attached to fragmented genomic DNA may include an additional set of nucleotides that is common to each sample but different between samples such that the DNA sequence of this region can be used to uniquely identify a given samples sequences in a set of sequences where multiple samples have been combined together (in other words, sample barcoding).\",\n \"In addition, the attached nucleotide sequence may contain a universal sequence that can be used to amplify (e.g., by PCR) the polynucleotides.\",\n \"The combined elements of the random nucleotide tag sequence, the sample code, and the universal amplification sequence constitute an “adaptor” (also refer to as a multifunctional adaptor module) that is most commonly attached to the fragmented genomic DNA by means of nucleotide ligation.\",\n \"An illustrative example of a multifunctional adaptor module ligated to fragmented gDNA are illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1 and (while not wishing to be limited by example) an exemplary set of such sequences is shown in Table 1.Within Table 1, the sets of adaptor sequences are clustered into four sets of adaptor sequences.\",\n \"Within each column, all adaptors share the same two base code and all 16 possible random tags are represented.\",\n \"The 16 possible adaptors are mixed prior to ligation to fragment.\",\n \"Only the top, “ligation strand” of each adaptor is shown; this is the strand that becomes covalently attached to end-repaired DNA fragments.\",\n \"The bottom, partner strand that is eventually lost, while shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, is not included in Table 1.TABLE 1 5′ to 3′ DNA sequence of a set of 64 tagging and sample ID adapters SEQ ID SEQ ID Sample code AC NO: Sample code GA NO: GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAAAC 1 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAAGA 17 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAACAC 2 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAACGA 18 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAGAC 3 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAGGA 19 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAATAC 4 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAATGA 20 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACAAC 5 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACAGA 21 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACCAC 6 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACCGA 22 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACGAC 7 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACGGA 23 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACTAC 8 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACTGA 24 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGAAC 9 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGAGA 25 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGCAC 10 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGCGA 26 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGGAC 11 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGGGA 27 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGTAC 12 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGTGA 28 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATAAC 13 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATAGA 29 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATCAC 14 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATCGA 30 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATGAC 15 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATGGA 31 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATTAC 16 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATTGA 32 SEQ ID SEQ ID Sample code CT NO: Sample code TG NO: GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAACT 33 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAATG 49 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAACCT 34 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAACTG 50 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAGCT 35 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAAGTG 51 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAATCT 36 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAATTG 52 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACACT 37 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACATG 53 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACCCT 38 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACCTG 54 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACGCT 39 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACGTG 55 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACTCT 40 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACACTTG 56 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGACT 41 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGATG 57 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGCCT 42 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGCTG 58 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGGCT 43 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGGTG 59 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGTCT 44 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACAGTTG 60 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATACT 45 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATATG 61 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATCCT 46 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATCTG 62 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATGCT 47 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATGTG 63 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATTCT 48 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACATTTG 64 The application of a single group of adaptors (i.e., a universal amplification sequence, a sample-specific code, and a set of random tags; also referred to as a multifunctional adaptor module) with a single amplification sequence on both ends of the genomic fragment has several significant advantages, including the fact that the same genomic fragment is tagged independently on its two ends.\",\n \"As described in the next few sections, the two strands of any given fragment are eventually separated from one another and will behave in the present invention as independent molecules.\",\n \"Therefore the presence of two different tags at the two ends of the same fragment becomes an advantage rather than a liability of the present invention.\",\n \"Additionally, there is the fact that adaptor-to-adaptor ligation events are a huge problem in next-generation library construction where the initial goal is to create amplicons with dissimilar ends.\",\n \"Using the methods of the present invention, the methods introduce this asymmetry later in the process and therefore identical ends are acceptable with the present invention.\",\n \"An unforeseen and surprising benefit of the present methods is that adaptor dimers are not observed in the library construction methods of the present invention.\",\n \"While not being bound by theory, present inventors contemplate that this may be because the rare adaptor dimer species that are formed rapidly form tight hairpin structures during the steps of denaturation and annealing that are necessary for PCR amplification and it is further contemplated that these hairpin structures are completely resistant to further primer-directed amplification.\",\n \"The ability to make adaptor-dimer free libraries is a significant technical feature in extremely low input applications like single-to-few cell genomic analysis, circulating DNA analysis (as in fetal diagnostics, tissue transplantation rejection surveillance, or cancer screening applications) or single cell transcriptome analysis.\",\n \"As such, the present methods provide significant utility in such applications.\",\n \"An additional significant feature of single-primer amplicons is that it is possible to “turn on” amplification with a PCR primer of 25 nt and to “turn off” amplification with a longer 58 nt primer.\",\n \"This is described in more detail, and the significance to the present invention is highlighted, in section 6-5 below.\",\n \"Overall The adaptor strategy in which a single universal amplification sequence is used on both ends of target fragments eliminates issues with adaptor dimer.\",\n \"This is clearly demonstrated by way of example in Example 3: Construction of single-adaptor genomic library.\",\n \"Section 3: Library Quantification An additional aspect of the present methods for genomic analysis strategy is that the “coverage depth” is known, that is, the average number of genomic copies present in a library are known or can be determined.\",\n \"The cover depth is measured using purified ligation reactions prior to the bulk amplification of the library that is necessary for subsequent steps.\",\n \"By way of illustration, if 50 genomes worth of DNA is put into the library scheme of an embodiment of the present invention and there is 100% efficient ligation of adaptors to both ends of the fragments, then the coverage depth is 100 because each adaptor end acts independently of the other, then 2 ends times 50 genomes=100 in coverage.\",\n \"The simple fact that adaptor-dimers do not amplify with the universal PCR primer contemplated herein but fragments adapted on both ends do means that library quantitation will simply be a matter of measuring library complexity with quantitative PCR (qPCR) using universal primer and calibrating the results against standards with known coverage depth.\",\n \"Here the phrase “genome copies” and “coverage depth” mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably.\",\n \"The present methods will carry forward anywhere from 4-1000, preferably 20-100 fold coverage depth into the next phase of sample processing according to the present invention.\",\n \"Section 4: Library Amplification In particular embodiments, a portion of the adaptor ligated genomic fragment library equivalent to 20-100 fold coverage depth will be amplified using standard PCR techniques with a single, universal primer sequence driving amplification.\",\n \"At this stage it is advantageous, in particular embodiments, to convert the picograms of material in the initial library into micrograms of amplified material, implying a 10,000-fold amplification.\",\n \"Section 5: Hybridization of Target Library Fragments to Capture Probes Advances in oligonucleotide synthesis chemistries have created new opportunities for sophisticated genome capture strategies.\",\n \"In particular, the availability of long oligonucleotides (100-200 nt in length) that have reasonable per base synthesis costs, relatively high yields, and exquisite base accuracy are now commercially available from a variety of vendors.\",\n \"This capability has the present inventor to create multifunctional capture probes (FIG.\",\n \"2).\",\n \"The elements of an illustrative example of a multifunctional capture probe comprises: Region 1 comprises a 34 nt region common to all probes that hybridizes to a modified complementary oligonucleotide (also referred to as a partner oligonucleotide).\",\n \"This modified oligonucleotide further comprises on the 5′ end a biotin—TEG modification that is a biotin capable of binding tightly to streptavidin protein, a long hydrophilic spacer arm that alleviates steric hindrance of biotin binding.\",\n \"On the 3′ end, the oligonucleotide terminates with a dideoxy-cytosine residue that renders this partner oligonucleotide inert to primer extension.\",\n \"This element of probe design allows for adapting an unlimited number of probes with biotin capture functionality without having to directly modify said probes.\",\n \"Region 2 comprises custom 60 nt regions that are target-specific and that interact with gDNA fragment molecules.\",\n \"This region is designed by computational methods that account for uniqueness of sequence within the genome, the presence of common SNPs that may compromise binding efficiency, and secondary structure considerations.\",\n \"Region 3 comprises a 20 nt segment that will serve as a PCR primer binding site in subsequent fragment amplification.\",\n \"This feature is described in further detail in the next paragraph.\",\n \"A multiplicity of probes can be used to capture genomic regions of interest (multiplexing of probes).\",\n \"At least two probes may be employed to thoroughly query a typical coding exon of 100-150 bp in length.\",\n \"By way of example, this indicates that 20 probes will be used to capture a typical 10 exon gene and a total of 2000 probes will be used to interrogate a 100 gene panel.\",\n \"The hybridization of genomic library fragments to probes can be performed by thermal denaturation followed by reannealing.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the steps comprise: 1.Combining genomic library fragments with pooled probe sequences (in this case “probe sequences” refers to the combination of individual probes together with an equal molar quantity of the highly modified partner oligonucleotide) at a specific target to probe ratio ranging anywhere from 1 part target to 1 part probe to 1 part target to 1,000,000 parts probe.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the optimal ratio is about 1 part fragment to 10,000 parts probe.\",\n \"2.Heating the combined fragment+probe in a solution containing 1M NaCl, 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 1 mM EDTA and 0.1% Tween 20 (non-ionic detergent) to 95° C. for >30 sec to denature all double-strand DNA structure.\",\n \"3.Cooling the combined probe and fragment in controlled steps, for example 1° C. decrease in temperature every 2 minutes, down to <60° C. This slow cooling will result in duplexes between target genomic fragments and probe sequences.\",\n \"4.Binding of the probe: fragment complexes to carboxyl coated, streptavidin modified paramagnetic beads and “pull out” of these beads using a strong magnet.\",\n \"5.Washing of the bound complexes with a solution containing 25% (v/v) formamide, 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.1 mM EDTA and 0.05% Tween 20.In particular embodiments, the wash step is performed at least twice.\",\n \"6.Resuspension of the washed beads in a solution that is amenable to the subsequent enzyme processing step(s).\",\n \"Capture Reactions: Embodiments of the capture reaction are demonstrated in Example 3 (Construction of single-adaptor genomic library) and employ qPCR assays developed and further described in Example 5 (Validation of PLP1 qPCR assays).\",\n \"Section 6: Enzymatic Processing of Hybridized Probe: Target Complexes As currently practiced in the art, hybridization-based sequence capture methods generally result in a suboptimal enrichment of target sequences.\",\n \"From literature and commercial publications it can be estimated that, at best, about 5%-10% of reads map to their intended target sequences.\",\n \"The remaining reads often map near the intended target and commercial vendors have resorted to redefining “on-target” as reads that land anywhere within ˜1000 bases of the intended locus.\",\n \"The reasons for this “spreading” effect are incompletely understood, but they are likely a result of legitimate sequence hybridization events (see, e.g., FIG.\",\n \"3).\",\n \"The enzymatic processing of complexes as contemplated herein more sharply focuses the captured sequences on the exact regions of interest.\",\n \"In this step, a DNA polymerase that also possesses a 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity is employed.\",\n \"An illustrative example of such an enzyme is T4 DNA polymerase.\",\n \"This enzyme will “chew off” dangling tail sequences down to the duplex region formed between the probe and target sequence.\",\n \"It will then copy the tail segment on the probe.\",\n \"See, e.g., FIG.\",\n \"4.Benefits provided by this step include, but are not limited to: 1.By employing this type of enzymatic processing, only those fragments that were in direct, duplexed hybridization with probe will be carried forward.\",\n \"The final sequencing library is a chimeric (hybrid) set of molecules derived from both the fragment and the probe.\",\n \"2.The probe is strand-specific and therefore the captured target has an inherent directionality to it (illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"5).\",\n \"This means that only one of two strands generated from a single fragment will interact with probe, and processing will “focus” reads to a region 5′ of the probe sequence.\",\n \"At this point, the complementary strand of the fragment becomes a completely independent species.\",\n \"By placing directional probes on either side of a target region (e.g.\",\n \"an exon), the technology enables highly specific focusing of sequencing reads on target regions (FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"3.Target molecules that are legitimately cross-hybridized with target fragments (but not with probe; FIG.\",\n \"3) do not acquire essential probe sequence and are therefore lost in the subsequent amplification step.\",\n \"4.The actual “tail” sequence of the probe becomes copied into target fragments as part of the amplification sequence.\",\n \"All commercially practicable sequencing platforms (e.g.\",\n \"Illumina's reversible terminator chemistry sequencing platforms) require sequencing libraries in which the target fragments have asymmetric ends; this is often referred to as a “forward” and a “reverse” adaptor sequence, or in the shorthand of sequencing labs, “P1” and “P2”.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, up to this point, fragment libraries contemplated herein have a single species on the end; called “P1”.\",\n \"The enzymatic processing step achieves two things.\",\n \"First, it “erases” (by 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity) one of these P1 ends.\",\n \"Second, it “adds” (by DNA polymerase copying of the probe tail sequence) the basis of a P2 end that is dissimilar from P1.5.Enzymatically-modified target molecules with legitimate P1-P2 ends can be selectively enriched in the PCR amplification step that follows processing.\",\n \"This is achieved by the use of long PCR primers.\",\n \"In particular long primers are necessary to add the full functionality required for next-generation sequencing, and they also confer selectivity to amplification.\",\n \"Residual P1-P1 library fragments that are “contaminants” from the first round of amplification fail to amplify with longer P1 primers.\",\n \"This is a significant advantage of the present method.\",\n \"The initial P1-P1 library amplifies effectively with a single, 25 nt PCR primer.\",\n \"When this primer length is extended to 57 nt—to add sequencing functionality—these same P1-P1 molecules are not amplified to any appreciable extent.\",\n \"Therefore amplification of the initial library can be “turned on” with a 25 nt primer and “turned off” with a 57 nt primer.\",\n \"Overall The inability of P1-insert-P1 libraries to amplify is demonstrated Example 3 (Construction of single-adaptor genomic library).\",\n \"The preferential amplification of P1-insert-P2 processed DNA fragments is shown in Example 3 (Construction of single-adaptor genomic library).\",\n \"Example 3 further demonstrates the substantial improvement in target specificity that accompanies processing.\",\n \"Finally, the “sensitivity” of processing, meaning the percent of initial complexes that are processed, is demonstrated to be on the order of 10% of all captured complexes in Example 9 (Direct measurement of post-capture processing).\",\n \"Section 7: Amplification and Sequencing The core adaptor and primer sequences applied to initial proof-of-concept experiments are shown in Table 2.Enzymatically processed complex from step 6 is added directly to a PCR amplification reaction that contains full-length forward and reverse PCR primers.\",\n \"Following amplification, the library can be purified, quantified, loaded on a high-throughput, next-generation sequencer (in this embodiment, the libraries are configured for the Illumina reversible terminator-based platforms), and the sequence of ˜millions of fragments is determined.\",\n \"At this stage, single reads of >36 nt, preferably 72 or 100+ nt in length can be observed.\",\n \"TABLE 2 Genesis of primer sequences SEQ ID Description Sequence (5′ to 3′) NO: Forward amplification primer for full- AATGATACGGCGACCACCGA 65 length library.\",\n \"Forward primer sequence present on AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACAC 66 Illumina's paired-end (PE) flow cell.\",\n \"Non-palindromic 4mer of all four bases.\",\n \"GTCA This was added to make the read 1 sequencing primer the same length and position as the Illumina standard.\",\n \"ACA2.PCR primers ACA2 and CAC3 TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA 67 predate NuGEN ACA2 forward sequencing primer (FSP)- ACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATA 68 read 1 CA ACA2 full length forward amplification AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGT 69 primer (FLFP).\",\n \"Final length = 58 nt.\",\n \"CATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA Reverse amplification primer for full- CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACG 70 length library.\",\n \"PE flow cell reverse primer CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGAT 71 These are the nine 5′ bases from the GTGACTGG TruSeq Reverse adaptor that were inserted to create a read 2 primer site CAC3 reverse primer CACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCAC 72 CAC3 reverse sequencing primer (RSP)- GTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTC 73 read 2 AC CAC3 full length reverse primer (FLRP).\",\n \"CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTG 74 Final length = 57 nt.\",\n \"GCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCAC Section 8.Data Analysis.\",\n \"There are at least two major aspects to post-sequencing data analysis.\",\n \"The first is the identification of sequence variants—single nucleotide variants, micro-insertions and/or micro-deletions relative to an established set of reference sequences.\",\n \"While complex, these methods are well documented in the field and one of skill in the art would understand such methods.\",\n \"The second is the determination of copy number variation from the targeted sequencing data.\",\n \"Example 2: Copy Number Determinations Copy number determination finds a variety of uses in the field of DNA sequencing.\",\n \"By way of non-limiting example, massive parallel DNA sequencing technologies provide at least two opportunities to interrogate and analyze biological samples.\",\n \"One well-established aspect is determination of DNA sequences, meaning the de novo sequences present in the sample (e.g., the sequencing of a newly isolated microbe) or the resequencing of known regions for variants (e.g., the search for variants within known genes).\",\n \"A second aspect of massive parallel sequencing is quantitative biology and the ability to count the number of times a particular sequence is encountered.\",\n \"This is a fundamental aspect of technologies like “RNA-seq” and “CHIP-seq”, where counting is used to infer gene expression or the association of a particular protein with genomic DNA, respectively.\",\n \"This example relates to the quantitative, counting-based aspects of DNA sequencing.\",\n \"DNA fragments are most often counted as constellations of sequences that share high degrees of similarity (i.e., they align to specific regions of a known genomic sequence).\",\n \"Often the sequences within these clusters are identical.\",\n \"Note that DNA sequences with either a) different starting and ending DNA sequence reads or b) with high quality sequence differences from other reads within the set are most often considered “unique reads”.\",\n \"Thus, different starting sequence location and sequence variation are one form of “tagging” that is used to differentiate unique events from clones.\",\n \"In the present example, random nucleotide tags (e.g., random six nucleotide sequences) are also introduced onto genomic fragments during the course of library construction.\",\n \"The combination of 1) the random nucleotide tag sequence with 2) the start point of the DNA sequencing read and 3) the actual sequence of the read collectively make up a tag.\",\n \"This tag enables one to differentiate between convergent events where the same fragment was cloned twice (such fragments will have different random nucleotide tag sequences that were introduced during library construction) and fragments of the same origin that were replicated during library amplification (these “clones” will have the same random nucleotide segment and the same clone start points).\",\n \"This type of tagging further enables quantitative analysis of genomic DNA specifically, and populations of DNA molecules (e.g., RNA-seq libraries) more generally.\",\n \"The introduction of random nucleotide tags (random Nmer combined with DNA clone ends) into DNA sequencing libraries allows, in theory, each unique clone within the library to be identified by its unique tag sequence.\",\n \"The specification of“in theory” acknowledges confounding features of ordinary experimental data sets that may occur such as errors in sequencing, errors introduced during library amplification, introduction of contaminating clones from other libraries, etc.\",\n \"All of these sources can and will confound the theoretical consideration posed here.\",\n \"In the context of sequence capture and targeted resequencing, the tagging of libraries can enable quantitative analysis of locus copy number within a captured library.\",\n \"Consider, by way of non-limiting example, a library constructed from the equivalent of 100 diploid genomes of input that was created from a male subject.\",\n \"The prediction is that approximately 200 library clones will be present at each autosomal locus, and 100 clones will be present at each X-chromosome locus.\",\n \"If an autosomal region is captured and sequenced 2000 times, then all 200 tags will be encountered with a confidence interval exceeding 99% certainty.\",\n \"For the X-chromosomal region, 2000 reads would, in theory, reveal a total of 100 tags.\",\n \"By way of illustration, this example supports the general concept that the creation of DNA tags within a DNA sequencing library can preserve copy number differences.\",\n \"This general framework can be applied to the methods described herein.\",\n \"Empirical evidence suggest that adjustments may need to be made for differences in cloning efficiencies on a locus-by-locus basis, for sporadic introduction of artifactual tags from experimental error, etc.\",\n \"The implementation of this concept into practice may differ in different contexts and may involve case-by-case sequence analysis methods, but the general principle outlined here will underlie all such applications.\",\n \"To this point, the creation of tagged DNA libraries has been considered in the context of genomic DNA analysis, yet it must be emphasized that this concept applies to all counting-based DNA sequencing applications.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, tagging may be applied to RNA-seq, where cDNA molecules produced from mRNA of a sample are cloned by methods that create tags.\",\n \"Such approaches may substantially increase the fidelity of sequence-based gene expression analysis.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that tagging can increase the resolution of chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP-seq) experiments.\",\n \"In various embodiments, tagging will enhance the quantitative aspects of sequence counting used to determine the presence and abundance of microbes in microbiome compartments and environmental samples.\",\n \"Example 3: Construction of Single Adaptor Genomic Library Purpose: The goal of this example was to create a genomic DNA library from acoustically fragmented ProMega female hgDNA (˜200 bp).\",\n \"Summary: The results clearly demonstrated the significant features of the present methods for adaptor design.\",\n \"In particular, the adaptor-alone ligation reaction had no detectable adaptor dimer species present.\",\n \"This was very significant in the context of extremely low input sequencing library preparation technology, as with current methods, the limits of input are invariably determined by the background levels of adaptor dimer.\",\n \"Highly specialized technologies have been applied in attempts to keep adaptor dimer contamination in check.\",\n \"These include size exclusion methods such as columns or gel purification, expensive custom oligonucleotide modifications designed to minimize adaptor self-ligation events, and adaptor sequence modifications that allow for restriction digestion destruction of adaptor dimers following library construction.\",\n \"The simple, single adaptor, single primer concept contemplated herein addresses the adaptor dimer issue with a simple solution that evokes the basic principles of DNA structural principles.\",\n \"This extremely low input technology will be useful for the construction of genomic libraries for genomic analysis, for transcriptome analysis of cloned double-stranded cDNA as, for example, in RNA-seq applications of one or a few specific cells, and in rescuing the few intact fragments that may be present in a highly modified, poorly preserved formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) nucleic acid sample.\",\n \"Another essential feature of the adaptor design of the present invention is the ability to “turn on” and “turn off” PCR amplification of the target amplicon library by using different PCR primer lengths.\",\n \"As has been clearly demonstrated, the optimal primer length for library amplification was 25 nt primer species with a projected Tm (under standard ionic strength conditions)≥55° C. A shorter, lower Tm primer displayed less efficient amplification of and appeared to favor amplicons with smaller average insert sizes.\",\n \"There is ample precedent that primers in this size class work well when paired with opposite primers of dissimilar sequence.\",\n \"Taken together, these data demonstrated that the adaptor and PCR amplification methods of the present invention produce adaptor-dimer-free fragment libraries with “tunable, on/off” amplification properties.\",\n \"Methods Hydrated primers that were received from IDT to 100 μM in TEzero (10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.1 mM EDTA).\",\n \"Fragment Repair: Thawed gDNA and 500 ng gDNA was end repaired by combining: 14 μL water 5 μL hgDNA 2.5 μL 10× end repair buffer 2.5 μL 1 mM dNTPs Mix and add 1 μL end repair enzyme and 0.5 μL PreCR enzyme repair mix.\",\n \"The mixture was incubated at 20° C. for 30 min and 70° C. for 10 min; and held at 10° C. Adaptor Annealing: Combined 68 μL of TEzero, 2 μL of 5M NaCl, 20 L of oligo 11 and 10 μL of oligo 12.Heated to 95° C. for 10 sec, 65° C. for 5 min and cooled to RT.\",\n \"TABLE 3 Adapter sequences Adap_P23 and Adapt_L23 SEQ ID Oligo NO: ID Name Sequence Description 75 11 Adap_P23 TCCGTGTATTCGAAT Number 23 of the initial 64 adapter set, partner strand 23 12 Adap_L23 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATAC Number 23 of the initial 64 ACGGA adapter set, ligation strand Ligations: Combined in a total volume of 20 μL; 1=no insert, 2=100 ng end-repaired hgDNA.\",\n \"13 μL or 8 μL water 0 or 5 μL end-repaired fragment=100 ng.\",\n \"2 μL 10× T4 ligase buffer 3 μL 50% PEG8000 1 μL 10 μM ACA2 adaptor #23 duplex Mix and add 1 μL of T4 DNA ligase Incubated at 23° C. for 30 min and 65° C. for 10 min.\",\n \"Added 80 μL/rxn of TEz and 120 μL of beads.\",\n \"Mixed and incubated at RT for 10 min.\",\n \"Washed twice with 200 μL aliquots of 70% EtOH:water v/v and resuspended in 50 μL of TEz.\",\n \"PCR Amplification: Each 10 μL aliquot of ligation mix=20 ng of library.\",\n \"Planned to amplify for 18 cycles.\",\n \"TABLE 4 Reaction mixtures 100 μL 600 μL Water 50 300 10X STD Taq buffer 10 60 25 mM MgCl2 10 60 10 μM PCR primer 10 60 Template 10 60 DMSO 5 30 10 mM dNTPs 5 30 Taq polymerase 1 6 Made 600 μL mix containing all components except primer and template.\",\n \"Made 6 of 80 μL aliquots.\",\n \"Added 10 μL no insert ligation to set 1 and 10 μL of hgDNA insert to set 2.Added 10 μM primer of the primers shown below in pairs to the no insert and hgDNA insert ligation mixes.\",\n \"Mixed.\",\n \"Thermal cycled for 18 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec and 72° C.-60 sec; finish for 2 min at 72° C. and held at 10° C. TABLE 5 Primer sequences SEQ ID Oligo NO: ID Name Sequence 76 3 ACA2_20 GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA 77 5 ACA2 TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA 78 8 ACA2_FLFP AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCACACGTCATGCAGGA CCAGAGAATTCGAATACA Purified PCR product with 120 μL of beads.\",\n \"Washed twice with 200 μL of 70% EtOH.\",\n \"Dry beads and elute DNA with 50 μL of TEz.\",\n \"Analyzed 5 μL of each sample on a 2% agarose gel.\",\n \"Results The exact same gel image is shown in four different color and contrast schemes in FIG.\",\n \"7.The samples loaded on the gel were: 1.No insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 20 2.No insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 (normal 25 nt PCR primer) 3.No insert, adaptor-only ligation amplified with ACA2 FLFP (full length forward primer) 4.20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 20 5.20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 (normal 25 nt PCR primer) 6.20 ng of ˜200 bp hgDNA insert+adaptor ligation amplified with ACA2 FLFP (full length forward primer) It was clear that there was no amplified material in the adaptor alone ligation→PCR products (lanes 1-3).\",\n \"The shorter, 20 nt ACA2 primer showed inefficient amplification (lane 4) relative to the “normal”, 25 nt ACA2 primer (lane 5).\",\n \"Only the faintest trace of material was visible with the 58 nt ACA2 FLFP primer (lane 6).\",\n \"In further embodiments, it may be useful to titrate in the amount of the ACA2 primer and monitor yield.\",\n \"Normal high-yield PCR primers possess 1 μM of both the forward and reverse primers for a total of 2 μM in primer (per 100 μL PCR reaction).\",\n \"Therefore, addition of ACA2 to 2 μM (since it is both the forward and reverse primer) may increase yield.\",\n \"Similarly, in particular embodiments, it may be useful to monitor amplification characteristics of libraries at primer annealing temperatures lower than 60° C. Example 4: Fragmentation of gDNA Purpose: For initial proof-of principle experiments sheared human gDNA from male and female was needed.\",\n \"The present example employs human female and male gDNA from Promega.\",\n \"Based on quantities shown on the tubes, these were diluted to 1000 μL of 100 ng/L DNA and subjected them to Covaris conditions that were intended to generate fragments in the range of 200 bp.\",\n \"Summary: There are at least two components to the laboratory research infrastructure.\",\n \"One is the ability to quantify DNA, and the other is the ability to visualize the size distribution of DNA on gels.\",\n \"In the present example, the Qubit 2.0 instrument from Life Technologies was employed to measure DNA concentration.\",\n \"It was found that the readings recorded were generally lower than our previous experience with Nanodrop.\",\n \"The Qubit reading was based on dsDNA-specific dye binding and fluorescence.\",\n \"One major advantage of the Qubit is that it can be used to quantify DNA amplification reactions (e.g.\",\n \"PCR) without prior clean-up.\",\n \"In these experiments it was found that the Promega gDNA thought to be 100 ng/μL was measured at ˜60 ng/μL by Qubit.\",\n \"With respect to gels and qualitative assessment of size distribution, there was electrophoresis and documentation that the system that worked effectively.\",\n \"In the present example, fragmented gDNA was found to have a mean size distribution centered on the desired ˜200 bp.\",\n \"Methods and Results: After Covaris treatment, DNA concentrations were measured using the Qubit instrument.\",\n \"The gDNA was diluted 10-fold, and 2 μL were added to 200 μL final volume of assay solution.\",\n \"The reading for both female and male samples registered at ˜60 ng/mL, meaning the starting solutions are 60 ng/μL.\",\n \"While this was below what was initially anticipated, it was well within the appropriate range for particular embodiments.\",\n \"We then loaded 2 μL (120 ng) and 5 μL (300 ng) of both pre-fragmented and post-fragmented material on a 2% agarose gel (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"In the top row, the labels stand for M—male gDNA and F—female gDNA.\",\n \"In the bottom row, the labels are U—unfragmented and C— Covaris fragmented.\",\n \"One important observation was that the average fragment size was an even distribution centered around 200 bp.\",\n \"Example 5: Validation of PLP1 qPCR Assays Purpose: The proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) gene on chromosome X was examined for initial proof-of-concept capture studies.\",\n \"This gene was chosen because it is relevant to cancer and resides on the X chromosome, meaning it has a natural copy variation between males and females.\",\n \"The 187 nt exon 2 region of Ref-Seq transcript NM000533.3 of PLP1 was used as the target region.\",\n \"For proof of principle studies, the ability to monitor regions in and around PLP1 exon2 by qPCR was needed.\",\n \"This example provides description of the design and validation of eight such assays.\",\n \"Summary: Eight qPCR assays were designed (in this case, meaning simple primer pairs) to monitor PLP1 exon 2 capture.\",\n \"Five were on-target, meaning they are within a region targeted by capture probes.\",\n \"Two are “near-target,” meaning one assay is positioned at a genomic coordinate 200 bp of the target region and one assay is positioned 1000 bp from the target region on the opposite strand.\",\n \"These two assays were designed to quantify “spreading”, the phenomenon where region near-by the target locus are pulled along as “hitch-hikers” in capture experiments.\",\n \"Finally, one assay was designed against a region of chromosome 9, and it is designed to monitor an arbitrary and unrelated segment of human gDNA.\",\n \"Here, the example shows that all eight assays produce a PCR fragment that is consistent with the predicted sizes of the amplicons.\",\n \"The example showed that the PLP1 assays, which were situated on chromosome X, appropriately had higher specific activities per ng of input gDNA in females than in males.\",\n \"These data validated the use of these assays in further experiments to monitor gDNA capture.\",\n \"Method, Results, and Discussion: A 400 bp region centered around the PLP1 exon 2 was submitted to PRIMER3 for generation of amplicons that were 80-100 bp in length, for primers that were 24 nt in length, on average, and that had Tms of 60°-65° C. The search region was manipulated to obtain primer pairs (qPCR amplicons) that “walk” from the 5′ intron-exon boundary of exon 2 through the CDS and into the 3′ exon-intron boundary.\",\n \"Nearby, proximity capture assays were also designed that were distal to exon 2, toward exon 3, and positioned ˜200 nt and ˜1000 nt away from exon 2.These would be used to monitor “hitchhiker” genomic fragments that are captured in secondary hybridization events.\",\n \"Finally, one assay was created on chr9 to monitor bulk genomic DNA levels during experiments.\",\n \"The primer sequences of these assays are shown below and the details are appended to the end of this example.\",\n \"TABLE 6 qPCR primer sequences “walking” the 5′ introns-exon boundary of PLP1 exon 2 through the CDS SEQ ID Assay NO: Name Sequence Description Assay 1 79 F1 TTAGAGTGCTGTGCAAGATGTCTG Forward qPCR primer that sits within PLP1 exon2 80 R1 ACCCCAAAGAAACACAATCCAGT Reverse qPCR primer that sits within PLP1 exon2 Assay 2 81 F2 GCCACTGGATTGTGTTTCTTTG Forward qPCR primer that sits within PLP 1 exon2 82 R2 TCAATTAGCTTTTCTGTGCCAGTG Reverse qPCR primer that sits within PLP1 exon2 Assay 3 83 F3 ACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGGACAT Forward qPCR primer that sits within PLP1 exon2 84 R3 TCTTGGTAGTTTTTGGAGAAATAGGTC Reverse qPCR primer that sits within PLP1 exon2 Assay 4 85 F4 ttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGA Forward qPCR primer that sits within and flanks upstream region of PLP1 exon2 (lower case).\",\n \"86 R4 CACCCCAAAGAAACACAATCCAGT Reverse qPCR primer that sits within and flanks upstream region of PLP1 exon2 (lower case).\",\n \"Assay 5 87 F5 CCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAA Forward qPCR primer that sits within and flanks downstream region of PLP1 exon2 (lower case).\",\n \"88 R5 tgggagggcaggtacttacACATT Reverse qPCR primer that sits within and flanks downstream region of PLP1 exon2 (lower case).\",\n \"Assay 6 89 F6 CCCCTTGTTTTCTTACACGTGTTCT Forward qPCR primer that is 200 bp downstream of PLP1 exon2 90 R6 CCTCCCTTGGCTTCTCCATACCTA Reverse qPCR primer that is 200 bp downstream of PLP1 exon2 Assay 7 91 F7 GTGTGTCATTGTTTGGGAAAATGG Forward qPCR primer that is 1000 bp downstream of PLP1 exon2 (actually in exon3) 92 R7 CACCCCTTGTTATTGCCACAAAAT Reverse qPCR primer that is 1000 bp downstream of PLP1 exon2 (actually in exon3) Assay 8 93 F8 TACCAGCCAAGCCCATACTAGAGG Forward qPCR primer unlinked to chrX PLP1 locus that sits in chr9 94 R8 GGGATCAACAGTGGCATAATTGAA Reverse qPCR primer unlinked to chrX PLP1 locus that sits in chr9 To validate primer pair performance, PCR reactions were set-up that contained either male or female genomic DNA as template.\",\n \"These were then amplified by real-time PCR on the Illumina Eco instrument or by conventional PCR.\",\n \"The reasoning was that by qPCR, female should have slightly more PLP1 (chrX) signal than male.\",\n \"By conventional PCR, we were able to check amplicon size and uniqueness.\",\n \"Both tests yielded data consistent with the interpretation that all eight assays performed well.\",\n \"PCR Reaction Set Up: For each female or male PCR reaction, a 250 μL master mix was made on ice containing: 100 μL of water 25 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer 25 μL 25 mM MgCl2 25 μL of 60 ng/μL sheared gDNA (female and male were the same concentration by Qubit) 12.5 μL DMSO 12.5 μL 10 mM dNTPs 6.25 μL EvaGreen dye (Biotum) 5 μL ROX dye (InVitrogen) Mix well and add 2.5 μL Taq DNA polymerase.\",\n \"TABLE 7 Cq values from PLP1 qPCR assay validation Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 chrX chrX chrX chrX chrX chrX chrX chr9 F 23.27371 24.01229 24.19554 22.3413 22.10594 22.65759 22.31407 23.33794 22.49233 23.87286 22.53665 22.49127 22.19686 22.73586 22.0446 22.33889 22.40355 23.68538 22.50178 22.42961 22.23099 22.83415 22.32891 M 24.00953 23.56869 23.2648 23.51487 23.11367 23.65077 22.15477 23.63462 23.48547 23.95081 23.18794 23.25046 22.93675 23.66965 21.23208 23.77216 23.16852 24.16562 23.21774 22.93373 22.95635 23.61168 22.16391 F 22.98351 22.96939 23.77912 22.51921 22.42073 22.17793 22.74253 22.2292 M 23.80544 23.40756 24.05821 23.22349 23.23302 23.00226 23.64403 21.85026 M − F 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 −0.4 For the experiment, 24 μL of mix was aliquoted into two sets of 8 strip tubes (female or male) and added 6 μL of primer mix that contained 10 μM of the forward and reverse primers from each assay.\",\n \"After mixing, three identical 5 μL amounts were aliquoted into columns of a 48-well Eco PCR plate (triplicate female on top in columns, triplicate male samples in columns on the bottom).\",\n \"The instrument was set to monitor SYBR and ROX and to cycle to 95° C. for 30 sec, 60° C. for 30 sec and 72° C. for 30 sec for 40 cycles.\",\n \"A JPG image of the amplification traces for assay 6 is shown in FIG.\",\n \"9.The copy difference between the female and male samples was clear.\",\n \"All of the “Cq” values were gathered (value where the fluorescence curve passes some auto-defined baseline) for the female and male samples, then differences between averages of triplicate measurements were calculated.\",\n \"This is shown in Table 7 above (bottom line=M-F), where all values are positive except for the chr9 assay.\",\n \"The overall data indicated that all eight assays perform similarly (Cq values from 22-24) and that the chrX assays generally had a higher signal in females.\",\n \"The conventional PCR reaction was cycled for 30 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec and 72° C.-30 sec; 72° C. rest for 2 min, 10° C. hold.\",\n \"A total of 5 μL of product was loaded directly on a 2% agarose gel without purification and is shown in FIG.\",\n \"10.The upper bands of each doublet were consistent with the projected mobility of the assay PCR products.\",\n \"The lower “fuzzy” material was most likely unused PCR primers.\",\n \"From the results of real-time PCR and of conventional PCR followed by gel analysis it can be concluded that these eight assays amplify their intended regions exclusively and that they are suitable for monitoring fragment enrichment.\",\n \"Example 5 Appendix: Details on Assay Design PLP1 gene: Transcript ID NM 000533.3; Exon 2-187 nt; CDS2 From UCSC browser.\",\n \"CDS in BOLD UPPERCASE UNDERLINED; primer sequences are in italics.\",\n \"Flanking Sequence in Lowercase SEQ ID NO: NAME SEQUENCE 95 Forward strand agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 96 Reverse complement tccaccccagtcccctgctagttactaaggtactgaagagtt ctctatctccaggatggagagagggaaaaaaaagatgggtct gtgtgggagggcaggtacttacACATTGATGAGATACTCATA GTCTTGGTAGTTTTTGGAGAAATAGGTCTCAATTAGCTTTTC TGTGCCAGTGAGGGCTTCATGTCCACAGCCACAGAACAGTGC CACCCCAAAGAAACACAATCCAGTGGCCACCAGGGAAGCAAA GGGGGCCCCTACCAGACATCTTGCACAGCACTCTAACAAGCc tggggaagaagaaggggaaacagtcaggcacatccagtaggt agctcatgccactcaaacccctctgccaggccctgtgctcac aggctcggagatagtgggcac 97 qPCR assay 1, 77nt: agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAG GTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 98 qPCR assay 2, 83 nt: agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 99 qPCR assay 3, 81 nt: agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 100 qPCR assay 4, 97 nt: agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 101 qPCR assay 5,95 nt: agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 102 qPCR assay 6,200 bp CCCCTTGTTTTCTTACACGTGTTCTgacttctgctaggtgtg distal to exon 2, 100bp gttcatattgcccaagttggagcctccagcgtagTAGGTATG product GAGAAGCCAAGGGAGG >chrX: 103040918 + 103041017 100bp 103 qPCR assay 7, 1000 bp GTGTGTCATTGTTTGGGAAAATGGctaggacatcccgacaag distal to exon 2 (in exon gtgatcatcctcaggATTTTGTGGCAATAACAAGGGGTG 3), 81 bp product >chrX: 103041614 + 103041694 81bp 104 qPCR assay 8, unlinked TACCAGCCAAGCCCATACTAGAGGctgtccccagatgctagc assay on chr 9, 96 bp aaccatctgattgaataaccatctgtatcaTTCAATTATGCC product ACTGTTGATCCC >chr9: 103041653 + 103041748 96bp Example 6: Capture of PLP1 Exon 2 Purpose: In one embodiment, the Clearfork Bioscience v1.0 DNA capture strategy entails the use of multifunctional probes targeted at specific genomic target regions.\",\n \"The goal was to validate the approach using Ultramers™ (Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), Coralville, Iowa; ultramers is the trade name given to specialty synthesis synthetic oligonucleotides ranging in length from 45-200 nt) targeted to PLP1 exon 2.Summary: In this example, the capture reaction was demonstrated.\",\n \"Ultramers from IDT-DNA worked well for capture; the basic protocol through the capture step in terms of reagent stochiometries was sound; and PEG molecular crowding agent interfered with effective capture.\",\n \"Post capture enzymatic processing was subsequently addressed.\",\n \"Brief Description: The multifunctional probes are diagrammed in FIG.\",\n \"2.The goal of this experimental data set was to test all three features of these probes.\",\n \"Region 1 was the binding site for a 34 nt universal, 5′ biotin-TEG and 3′ dideoxycytosine-modified universal “pull-down” oligo.\",\n \"Two of these universal regions were designed to validate/verify equivalent (hopefully) performance.\",\n \"The sequences of these two universal oligos are shown below in Table 8.TABLE 8 Pull-down oligo sequences targeting PLP exon 2: SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence Description 105 Univ_seq_1 /5BioTEG/CACTGGACTATGTAGT One of two 5′ biotin-TEG and 3′ ACCTCACTCAGCAATAC/3ddC/ dideoxycytosine modified universal capture oligos 106 Univ_seq_10 /5BioTEG/GGCAACGAACGGACTG One of two 5′ biotin-TEG and 3′ GAATCTACGGTCACCAA/3ddC/ dideoxycytosine modified universal capture oligos Below is a brief description of how these sequences were selected.\",\n \"The functional role of these oligos was to hybridize to capture probes and to thereby provide a stably bound biotin extension that could be used for capture on streptavidin modified magnetic beads.\",\n \"10 random sequences were generated by a random DNA sequence generator set to have a rough base composition of 50% GC.\",\n \"The University of California, Riverside Computing and Communications web site was used.\",\n \"The ten sequences were then screened by BLAT to the hg19 build of the human genome.\",\n \"Only sequence 3 showed a significant alignment.\",\n \"The two sequences ending in “C” were chosen since these could be blocked with ddC.\",\n \"Both sequences were analyzed by the IDT OligoAnalyzer.\",\n \"Sequence 1 is 47% GC and has a 76° C. melting temp in 1M NaCl.\",\n \"Sequence 2 has a 57% GC content and an 86° C. melting temp in high salt.\",\n \"The sequences selected, 1 and 10, are the actual “universal” 5′ Biotin TEG-ddC complementary probe sequences.\",\n \"The reverse complements of these were used as the tails on capture probes.\",\n \"These sequences were subsequently altered by adding four bases, A, G, C and T, to increase the length to 34 bases.\",\n \"This length worked well with SBC and there was no compelling reason to change.\",\n \"Second, some of the CGCG type motifs were disrupted to lower self-dimer formation.\",\n \"Region 2 encompassed the portion of the probe that was designed to contact genomic sequences in sample genomic libraries.\",\n \"In this experiment, the target region was exon 2 of PLP1.The DNA sequence of PLP1 exon 2 is shown below.\",\n \"The CDS exon 2 is highlighted in BOLD UPPERCASE UNDERLINED type.\",\n \"The evenly spaced-capture probe sequences are shaded.\",\n \"SEQ ID NO: NAME SEQUENCE 107 Forward agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcagaggggtttgag strand tggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgactgtttccccttcttcttcccca gGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGCAAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCT GGTGGCCACTGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGGAC ATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTATTTCTCCAAAAAC TACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGTgtaagtacctgccctcccacacag acccatcttttttttccctctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtac cttagtaactagcaggggactggggtgga Region 3 was complementary to a validated PCR primer called CAC3.The sequence of the CAC3 PCR primer is: (SEQ ID NO: 72) CACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCAC.\",\n \"The sequences of the ultramers that include these probe regions are shown in Table 9.TABLE 9 Sequences of ultramers used in the PLP1 exon 2 capture SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence Description 108 B1_PLP1ex2_p1 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTTGAGTGGCAT Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GAGCTACCTACTGGATGTGCCTGACTGTTTCC exon 2 and compatible CCTTCTTCTTCCCCAGGGTATTGCTGAGTGAG with Universal seq 1 GTACTACATAGTCCAGTG 109 B1_PLP1ex2_p2 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACATGTCTGGTAGG Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCACTGGAT exon 2 and compatible TGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGTATTGCTGAGTGAG with Universal seq 1 GTACTACATAGTCCAGTG 110 B1_PLP1ex2_p3 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCTTGGTAGTTTT Ultramer targeted to PLP1 TGGAGAAATAGGTCTCAATTAGCTTTTCTGTG exon 2 and compatible CCAGTGAGGGCTTCATGGTATTGCTGAGTGAG with Universal seq 1 GTACTACATAGTCCAGTG 111 B1_PLP1ex2_p4 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACATCTCCAGGATG Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GAGAGAGGGAAAAAAAAGATGGGTCTGTGTGG exon 2 and compatible GAGGGCAGGTACTTACGGTATTGCTGAGTGAG with Universal seq 1 GTACTACATAGTCCAGTG 112 B10_PLP1ex2_p1 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTTGAGTGGCAT Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GAGCTACCTACTGGATGTGCCTGACTGTTTCC exon 2 and compatible CCTTCTTCTTCCCCAGGTTGGTGACCGTAGAT with Universal seq 10 TCCAGTCCGTTCGTTGCC 113 B10_PLP1ex2_p2 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACATGTCTGGTAGG Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCACTGGAT exon 2 and compatible TGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGTTGGTGACCGTAGAT with Universal seq 10 TCCAGTCCGTTCGTTGCC 114 B10_PLP1ex2_p3 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCTTGGTAGTTTT Ultramer targeted to PLP1 TGGAGAAATAGGTCTCAATTAGCTTTTCTGTG exon 2 and compatible CCAGTGAGGGCTTCATGTTGGTGACCGTAGAT with Universal seq 10 TCCAGTCCGTTCGTTGCC 115 B10_PLP1ex2_p4 GAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACATCTCCAGGATG Ultramer targeted to PLP1 GAGAGAGGGAAAAAAAAGATGGGTCTGTGTGG exon 2 and compatible GAGGGCAGGTACTTACGTTGGTGACCGTAGAT with Universal seq 10 TCCAGTCCGTTCGTTGCC Considerations about Moles, Micrograms and Molecules: The genomic library constructed in Example 3 (hgDNA library from Promega female) was used.\",\n \"A large scale (800 μL) amplification of this library was performed starting with 20 μL of ligation mix as input.\",\n \"The purified library (400 μL) had a final concentration of 22 ng/μL.\",\n \"One microgram per experiment described here was used.\",\n \"Furthermore, based on the total adaptor being 50 bp and the inserts being 150-200 bp, there was an assumption that 75% of the library mass is genomic DNA.\",\n \"Based on this assumption, and that one human genome has a mass 3 pg, then there were roughly (750×10−9/3×10−12=250,000) 250,000 copies of any given genomic region present.\",\n \"Previous experience and literature suggested that a 10,000-fold molar excess of probes is a reasonable place to start.\",\n \"This implies 2,500,000,000 molecules of probe.\",\n \"2.5×109 molecules/6.02×1023 molecules/mole=4.15×1015 moles=4 amol probe.\",\n \"Translating this to volume of a stock solution, 1 μL of 4 nM (in each probe)=4 amol of probe.\",\n \"Finally, Invitrogen's MyOne strep-coated C1 beads bind about 1 pmol of biotinylated 500 bb dsDNA/1 μL of beads.\",\n \"In this experiment, a total of 4 amol×4 probes=16 amol in probe were added.\",\n \"1 μL of beads binds 1000 amol, 1 μL is a practical amount of beads to work with, and 1 μL of beads is a 60-fold excess of binding capacity over added probe.\",\n \"Therefore, in this example the following parameters were calculated: the number of target molecules in a unit mass of library (250,000 copies of a unique diploid locus/1 μg of library); the molarity of probe necessary to address the target loci with a 10,000-fold molar excess of probe (4 amol of each probe, 16 amol total probe (4 probes), 1 μL of a 4 nM solution of probes; and the amount of beads necessary to quantitatively capture all of the added probe (1 μL binds 1000 amol of dsDNA and/or unbound probe).\",\n \"Buffers and Working Solutions Solution 1—binding probes: hydrated universal binding partners and PLP1 probes to 100 μM.\",\n \"In two separate tubes, combined 92 μL TEz+0.05% Tween-20 buffer, 4 μL universal oligo and 1 μL each of the four cognate (with the universal oligo) probes.\",\n \"This generated two of 1 μM stock probe solution.\",\n \"Diluted each of these 4 μL into 1000 μL of TEz+Tween to provide a 4 nM working solution of probes.\",\n \"4× Binding buffer=4M NaCl, 40 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.4 mM EDTA, and 0.4% Tween 20.Made 50 mls by combining 40 mls of 5M NaCl, 2 mls of 1M Tris pH 8.0, 2 mls of 10% Tween20, 40 μL of 0.5 M EDTA and 6 mls of water.\",\n \"Wash buffer=25% formamide, 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.1 mM EDTA and 0.05% Tween 20.Made 50 mls by combining 37 mls of water, 12.5 mls of formamide, 500 μL of 1M Tris pH8.0, 10 μL of 0.5M EDTA, and 250 μL of 10% Tween 20.Beads.\",\n \"Combined 250 μL of 4× bind and 750 μL of water to make 1× binding buffer.\",\n \"Added 10 μL of beads to 90 μL of 1× bind, pulled aside with magnet, washed the beads 2× with 100 μL of 1× bind, and resuspended washed beads in 100 μL 1× bind.\",\n \"Ten microliters of washed beads is equivalent to 1 μL of beads as they come out of the manufacturer's tube.\",\n \"Methods The following three parameters were tested: 1.Universal biotin oligo 1 versus oligo 10; 2.Binding in 1× bind versus 1× bind plus 7.5% PEG8000 (a molecular crowding agent that may enhance the rate of annealing); and 3.Fold-enrichment of PLP1 region after straight binding and after binding plus enzymatic processing To test these parameters eight samples (2×2×2) were generated.\",\n \"These samples contained 50 μL of 20 ng/μL genomic DNA, 25 μL of 4× binding buffer, 1 μL of binding probes and either 24 μL of water or 20 μL of 50% PEG8000+4 μL of water (four sample with and 4 samples without PEG).\",\n \"From the IDT DNA website OligoAnalyzer, it was described that the Tm of oligos shifts to dramatically higher temperatures in high salt (e.g., 1M NaCl).\",\n \"Thus, the sample was melted at 95° C. and then dropped the temperature in 1° C. and 2 min increments to 60° C. (35 cycles of AutoX on our ABI2720 thermal cycler where each cycle drops by one degree and each cycle lasts 2 min).\",\n \"After the samples cooled to room temperature (RT), 10 μL of washed beads were added per sample and incubated for 20 min.\",\n \"The beads were pulled out with a strong magnet and the solution aspirated and discarded.\",\n \"The beads were washed four times with 200 μL washes of wash buffer; each time the beads were resuspended, they were incubated a RT for 5 min.\",\n \"After the final wash, the majority of remaining wash was carefully aspirated from the tubes.\",\n \"A set of four tubes was treated with T4 DNA polymerase.\",\n \"A cocktail was made by combining 10 μL of New England Biolab 10× Quick blunting buffer, 10 μL of 1 mM dNTPs from the same kit, 10 μL of water and 1 μL of T4 DNA polymerase.\",\n \"20 μL was added to a set of four tubes and the reaction was incubated at 20° C. for 15 min.\",\n \"For PCR amplification following capture, the non-T4 treated samples (captured only) were amplified with ACA2-25 (TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA; SEQ ID NO: 67) in single primer reactions.\",\n \"The T4-treated samples were amplified with ACA2FL and CAC3FL primers (AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATA CA (SEQ ID NO: 69) and CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCA C (SEQ ID NO: 74), respectively).\",\n \"The core reaction mixes contained, per 400 μL reaction, 120 L of water, 40 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer (NEB), 40 μL of 25 mM MgCl2, 80 μL of 10 μM single primer or 40 μL+40 μL of F and R primer, 20 μL of DMSO, 20 μL of 10 mM dNTPs and 4 μL of Taq polymerase.\",\n \"80 μL aliquots were added to beads that had been resuspended in L of TEz (binding only) or 20 μL of T4 mix.\",\n \"The final volumes were 100 μL.\",\n \"These samples were amplified by PCR for 30 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec and 72° C.-60 sec.\",\n \"The gel analysis—5 μL of post-PCR material was loaded per lane—is shown in the results section.\",\n \"Qubit readings indicated that each PCR reaction had a concentration of ˜20-25 ng/μL.\",\n \"For post-amplification analysis, a 500 μL (final volume) master mix of conventional PCR mix was made by combining 200 μL water, 50 μL 10× Taq buffer, 50 μL 25 mM MgCl2, 25 μL of DMSO, 25 μL of 10 mM dNTPs, 12.5 μL EvaGreen (Biotum) and 5 μL Taq polymerase (NEB).\",\n \"42 μL aliquots were distributed into 8 tubes and 12 μL of F+R 10 μM PLP1 primer mixes (the assays are described in Example 5: Validation of PLP1 qPCR assays) were added.\",\n \"9 μL of mix was distributed, each assay in 8 columns.\",\n \"A total of 6 samples, 1 μL of sample per well, was assayed.\",\n \"These samples were: (a) Row 1: gDNA library starting material (b) Row 2: Biotin oligo 1 capture material (c) Row 3: Biotin oligo 1+PEG capture (d) Row 4: Biotin oligo 10 capture material (e) Row 5: Biotin oligo 10+PEG capture material (f) Row 6: TEz NTC control The T4 treated samples were not assayed because gel analysis showed that only aberrant material was treated by PCR amplification.\",\n \"Results The capture only libraries produced a smear that looked like the input genomic library, as expected.\",\n \"The samples left to right were (1) oligo 1, (2) oligo 1+PEG, (3) oligo 10, and (4) oligo 10+PEG.\",\n \"The T4-treated samples were contaminated with residual T4 polymerase (5-8).\",\n \"In particular embodiments, T4 polymerase is heat inactivated.\",\n \"The Qubit measured yields of the four capture only libraries is shown below in Table 10.TABLE 10 Qubit measured yields of the four capture only libraries C1 universal oligo 23.2 ng/μL C1 + PEG 27.2 ng/μL C10 universal oligo 24.8 ng/μL C10 + PEG 25.6 ng/μL For qPCR, all eight validated PLP1 assays (Example 5) were used in columns and samples in rows.\",\n \"The array of the samples was: (a) Row 1: 1 μL of 25 ng/μL gDNA library (b) Row 2: 1 μL of ˜25 ng/μL C1 capture sample (c) Row 3: 1 μL of ˜25 ng/μL C1+P capture sample (d) Row 4: 1 μL of ˜25 ng/μL C10 capture sample (e) Row 5: 1 μL of ˜25 ng/μL C10+P capture sample (f) Row 6: 1 μL TEz (NTC) In this configuration, 1 sample per well, the data were meant to be more of a qualitative overview than a rigorous quantitative measurement.\",\n \"The data are shown in the tables below.\",\n \"The top table is raw Cq values.\",\n \"The next table is Cq values converted to absolute values based on the assumption that all samples and assays conform to the same two-fold standard curve.\",\n \"The bottom table shows the quotient of captured sample divided by gDNA library.\",\n \"This provides a sense of fold-enrichment following capture.\",\n \"TABLE 11 Results of the eight PLP1 qPCR assays demonstrating successful capture-induced enrichment of target sequences Cq Values Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA lib 22 25 29 25 25 26 25 25 C1 14 11 11 11 9 15 23 22 C1 + P 18 15 18 14 13 18 29 26 C10 12 12 13 12 10 15 22 25 C10 + P 16 13 15 13 12 18 27 25 NTC 29 25 34 28 30 28 30 31 Cq Values Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA lib 33 3 0 4 3 2 3 2 C1 4782 56660 50773 43156 138885 2950 10 28 C1 + P 293 3196 407 6187 16082 450 0 1 C10 29864 34343 11961 28507 123383 2894 31 3 C10 + P 1234 11632 3976 10060 25772 413 1 2 NTC 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 cap/gDNA Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 C1 147 19303 330609 11735 48601 1720 3 11 C1 + P 9 1089 2649 1682 5628 262 0 1 C10 917 1170 77886 7752 43176 1688 10 1 C10 + P 38 3963 25890 2736 9019 241 0 1 Several conclusions were drawn from the data: (1) The capture worked.\",\n \"The average capture enrichment across on-target assays 1-5 for C1 was 82,000×.\",\n \"The average for C10 was 28,000×.\",\n \"Anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands fold enrichment at assay sites was observed.\",\n \"This implies that ultramers work and that the basic probe design is effective.\",\n \"This meant that the basic stoichiometry of gDNA to probe to beads was correct; (2) The two biotin designs worked approximately the same; (3) PEG inhibits rather than enhanced capture efficiency; and (4) Significant “by-catch” at assay 6, which was 200 bp from target was observed.\",\n \"Less stray activity was seen for a region 1000 bp away.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, it may be important to determine if enzymatic processing of the captured complex contributes to sensitivity (fold-enrichment) and specificity (degree of “by-catch”) in this scheme.\",\n \"Example 7: PLP1 qPCR Assays in SYBR Space Purpose: In some cases it is useful for real-time conditions to exactly mimic non-real-time amplification conditions.\",\n \"In this example this meant to set up on ice and three stage, relatively slow PCR reactions.\",\n \"Alternatively, some assays do not require replication of a set amplification conditions; rather they are intended strictly to make quantitative measurements.\",\n \"For example, the PLP1 qPCR assays are preferably not used to produce fragments, but only to measure locus enrichment.\",\n \"In this type of situation, qPCR reaction set up at room temperature and fast cycling are advantages.\",\n \"In this experiment, the eight PLP1 assays in ABI 2×SYBR mix were tested.\",\n \"These are the same primer assays as described in the Example 5 (Validation of PLP1 qPCR assays).\",\n \"Summary: These data suggested that at least six of eight PLP1 qPCR assays could be used with SYBR green qPCR mix and conditions.\",\n \"Methods: PLP1 assay performance was measured against the female gDNA library (Example 3: hgDNA library from Promega female).\",\n \"Per 10 μL well combined 5 L ABI 2×SYBR master mix, 0.2 μL of 10 μM stock F+R primer, 1 μL of gDNA library (20 ng/μL) and 3.8 μL water (larger volume master mixes were made and aliquoted).\",\n \"Made triplicate no-template-control and triplicate gDNA library measurements across each assay.\",\n \"Cycled for 40 cycles on the Illumina Eco real-time PCR using standard 2 step PCR (15 sec at 95° C., 45 sec at 60° C.) with ROX passive reference dye normalization.\",\n \"Results: The called Cq values for each well are shown in Table 12 below.\",\n \"The NTC is very clean; the gDNA Cq's are variable, likely due to pipetting.\",\n \"The general theme is that Assay 1 and 7 were poor performers while the remaining assays worked reasonably well in SYBR space.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"11, the NTC traces (A) and +gDNA traces (B) were copied to provide a qualitative picture of assay performance.\",\n \"TABLE 12 Called Cq values from rapid SYBR-green-based PLP1 assays Assay 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 NTC 38 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 35 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 gDNA 35 25 25 24 27 22 32 26 35 25 25 24 26 23 32 27 32 24 22 22 23 21 29 24 Example 8: Measurement of PLP1 Exon2 Enrichment Before and after Enzymatic Processing of Complexes Purpose: In this example the enzymatic processing of the complex was tested directly for yield by measuring the “specific activity” of PLP1 exon2 DNA in pre- and post-processed capture complex.\",\n \"ultramers support excellent capture efficiency and the core capture protocol performed well.\",\n \"Summary: This experiment demonstrated that post-capture processing with T4-DNA polymerase dramatically improved the specificity of the capture reaction.\",\n \"Background: In Example 6 (Capture of PLP1 exon 2) the successful capture was described, however the post-capture processing step where T4 polymerase was not removed prior to PCR yielded an artifactual library.\",\n \"Here, the same basic experiment is repeated except that T4 was heat inactivated at 95° C. for 1 min prior to PCR.\",\n \"Methods, Results, and Discussion: In this experiment, four samples were generated which included two universal biotin capture probes in order to assess capture efficiency of complexes before and after enzyme processing.\",\n \"Each sample contained 50 μL of 20 ng/μL genomic DNA, 20 μL of 4× binding buffer, 1 μL of binding probes and either 9 μL of water for a final volume of 80 μL.\",\n \"Samples were melted at 95° C. for one minute and annealed by cooling the temperature in 1° C., 2 min increments to 60° C. (35 cycles of AutoX on our ABI2720 thermal cycler) followed by cooling to RT.\",\n \"A total of 10 μL of washed beads (equivalent to 1 μL of MyOne bead solution—streptavidin-coated C1—Invitrogen) were then added per sample and incubated for 20 min.\",\n \"The beads were pulled out with a magnet and the solution aspirated and discarded.\",\n \"The beads were washed four times with 200 μL washes of wash buffer; each time the beads were resuspended, they were incubated at RT for 5 min.\",\n \"After the final wash, the majority of remaining wash was carefully aspirated from the tubes, leaving beads coated with capture complex.\",\n \"For T4 processing of two of the samples, we prepared 50 μL of enzymatic processing mix that contained 40 μL of water, 5 μL of 10× quick blunt buffer (New England Biolabs), 5 μL of 1 mM dNTPs and 0.5 μL of T4 DNA polymerase.\",\n \"Two aliquots of complex were suspended in 20 μL (each) of T4 mix and incubated at 20° C. for 15 min, 95° C. for 1 min, and cooled to RT.\",\n \"The “untreated” controls were suspended in 20 μL of the same buffer (40 μL of water, 5 μL of 10× quick blunt buffer (New England Biolabs), 5 μL of 1 mM dNTPs) that lacked T4 polymerase.\",\n \"To measure specific activity, both the capture alone and capture+processing samples were amplified by 30 cycles of PCR.\",\n \"The DNA was then quantified and PLP1 assay signals measured in a specific and known amount of amplified DNA.\",\n \"In this example two amplification reactions were set-up.\",\n \"For capture alone, amplification was performed with ACA2-25 (TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA; SEQ ID NO: 67) since these libraries are only amplifiable with this single primer.\",\n \"For enzyme-processed complexes, amplification was performed with ACA2FL and CAC3FL primers (AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATA CA (SEQ ID NO: 69) and CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCA C (SEQ ID NO: 74), respectively).\",\n \"100 μL of PCR mix contained 10 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer (all reagents NEB unless otherwise specified), 10 μL of 25 mM MgCl2, 20 μL of 10 μM single primer or 10 μL+10 μL of 10 μM dual primers, 20 μL of template (untreated control or T4 processed, beads and all), 5 μL of DMSO, 5 μL of 10 mM dNTPs and 1 μL of Taq DNA polymerase (all set up one ice prior to amplification).\",\n \"Samples were amplified for 30 cycles of PCR in a three step, 95° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec, 72° C.-60 sec, protocol followed by 72° C. for 2 min and rested at 10° C. Following amplification, DNA yield was measured and the PCR amplified material examined by DNA gel electrophoresis.\",\n \"Qubit (InVitrogen) measured (DNA HS kit) yields are shown in Table 13 below.\",\n \"These data highlight a basic feature that dual primer amplification supports overall yields than single primer amplification.\",\n \"TABLE 13 Qubit quantification of amplified DNA Sample Yield (ng/μL) C1 biotin, unprocessed complex 23 C10 biotin, unprocessed complex 24 C1 biotin, T4-processed complex 38 C10 biotin, T4-processed complex 34 The gel image (2% agarose, 100 ng of material loaded) is shown in FIG.\",\n \"12.Processing had two noticeable effects.\",\n \"First, it produced two faint bands of ˜250 bp (upper arrow) and ˜175 bp (lower arrow) in addition to an expected smear.\",\n \"The lower band was consistent with inadvertent cloning of probe (115 bp of adaptor+60 bp probe=175 bp).\",\n \"Second, processing reduced the overall size distribution of the sample.\",\n \"This was noteworthy since the 50 bp single adaptors were replaced by 115 bp full-length adaptors, which was expected to create an overall upward shift of 65 bp in processed material.\",\n \"The interpretation was that processing reduced the average insert size of the library significantly.\",\n \"Two efforts were made to measure enrichment efficiency by qPCR.\",\n \"In the first, more qualitative effort, all eight PLP1 assays (described in detail in Example 5: Validation of PLP1 qPCR assays) were used to measure six samples: 1.25 ng/assay of starting gDNA library 2.0.25 ng/assay of untreated C1 3.0.25 ng/assay of untreated C10 4.0.25 ng/assay of T4 treated C1 5.0.25 ng/assay of T4 treated C10 6.No template control The Cq values from these single measurements are shown in Table 14 below.\",\n \"The gDNA and NTC controls did perform well (top and bottom, lightest shades) and were not evaluated further.\",\n \"TABLE 14 Cq values of qualitative PLP1 assay analysis of enrichment efficiencies Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA N/A 27 29 40 27 30 23 32 un-C1 12 8 8 9 5 11 24 29 un-C10 16 14 14 15 9 10 30 31 T4-C1 7 6 3 3 4 19 25 N/A T4-C10 4 3 4 6 3 17 26 28 NTC 32 32 31 23 24 28 24 30 The T4-treated samples (darkest shading) had so much signal (Cq's less than 10) that quantitative analysis was not very informative.\",\n \"But at a qualitative level, two trends were clear in comparison to untreated capture complexes (middle shading).\",\n \"One was that on-target signal from assays 1-5 increases (lower Cq's) dramatically.\",\n \"The other was that off-target signal from Assay 6, which is 200 bp away from the target region, decreased significantly upon processing.\",\n \"While the data have some bumps and warts the central message was that processing greatly enhanced specificity of PLP1 exon2 signal.\",\n \"To capture more quantitative aspects of this experiment, the untreated C10 capture amplicons were diluted 1000-fold and the processed C10 amplicons 15,000 fold prior to qPCR; this was done to bring Cq values into a measurable range.\",\n \"The starting gDNA library was then examined and these diluted samples in quadruplicate wells of the qPCR plate across two on-target assays (Assays 2 and 5) and two off-target assays (Assays 6 and 7).\",\n \"The Cq values of the quadruplicate wells were averaged and these values are shown in Table 15 below.\",\n \"Once again the gDNA signal was poor; the impact of poor signal on data interpretation was not terribly significant because the goal of these experiments was to compare PLP1 exon2 signal in unprocessed versus T4 polymerase treated capture complexes.\",\n \"The Cq values were converted to absolute values using a “universal” standard curve that assumes 2-fold amplification with every PCR cycle.\",\n \"The third segment of the table shows the adjustment for dilutions.\",\n \"The fourth segment, ratios of unprocessed and T4-treated to gDNA is not as useful; however, at the bottom of the table is the quantitative ratios of unprocessed versus T4-treated complex.\",\n \"In Example 6, it was observed that untreated capture enrichment of 82,000× for C1 and 28,000× for C10 (as in all these experiments, the gDNA denominator was derived from very low signal, so the fold range had a qualitative aspect to it), so a reasonable estimate was that capture alone produced a 50,000× enrichment of the 300 bp PLP1 exon2 region.\",\n \"Processing increased this enrichment another 50-fold (average of 83× and 24× from the Table 15), pushing enrichment to 2.5 million-fold and 10 million fold (3 billion bases per genome over 300 bp target).\",\n \"At the level of qPCR measurements, capture+processing therefore appeared to approach best-case scenarios in terms of enrichment.\",\n \"It was noteworthy that the off-target signal that was 200 bp removed from the target monitored by Assay 6, while greatly enriched by capture alone (the hitch-hiker, cross-hyb effect), dropped significantly with processing.\",\n \"TABLE 15 Cq values of quantitative PLP1 assay analysis of enrichment efficiencies Raw Cq values Cq Assay 2 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 gDNA 27 33 35 27 capture 15 12 17 32 cap + enz 13 11 24 31 Cq converted to absolute values abs val Assay 2 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 gDNA 81 1 0 95 capture 253464 2538822 89450 3 cap + enz 1408479 4050620 506 4 Absolute values adjusted for dilutions of samples abs val Assay 2 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 gDNA 81 1 0 95 capture 253465648 2538821701 89449912 2573 cap + enz 21127189405 60759299218 7584546 66931 Ratios of captured samples to gDNA /gDNA Assay 2 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 capture 3126652 2394181716 239697693 cap + enz 260618748 57297762664 20324204 Ratios of unprocessed to processed sample enz/cap Assay 2 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 cap + enz 83 24 0.08 This experiment addressed the specificity of capture+processing—the non-target qPCR signal.\",\n \"The specific activity per ng of amplified DNA—from PLP1 exon 2 was greatly enhanced by post-capture processing.\",\n \"This experiment did not address sensitivity, that is, the percent of capture complexes that are converted by enzyme.\",\n \"A quantitative understanding of both specificity and sensitivity of the present method may also be important in particular embodiments.\",\n \"Example 9: Direct Measurement of Post-Capture Processing Purpose: In the Example 8, it was determined that post-capture processing achieved the desired aim of substantially increasing target capture specificity.\",\n \"The other critical parameter to be examined is sensitivity, i.e.\",\n \"the percentage of the initially captured complexes that are recovered in the final sequencing library.\",\n \"In this example, we demonstrated by direct measurement of sensitivity that enzymatic processing is effective for >10% of the initially captured sequences.\",\n \"Summary: The data from this experiment indicated that 10% of the on-target capture complexes were processed by T4 polymerase into post-capture sequencing library fragments.\",\n \"Considerations: By way of reference, a schematic illustration of post-capture processing is shown in FIG.\",\n \"4.Here, the sensitivity of processing was measured in a three-step procedure, which is illustrated on the lower right of FIG.\",\n \"13.First, single PLP1 capture probes were used in independent reactions to pull down/pull out PLP1 exon 2 specific genomic DNA fragments from the female gDNA library (Example 3: hgDNA library from Promega female).\",\n \"As there were four probes, four pull-downs were performed.\",\n \"The amount of captured material was measured using an adjacent PLP1 qPCR assay primer pair, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13(A).\",\n \"Following enzymatic processing of the complex, again by qPCR, the amount of processed complex was measured by using one PLP1 specific primer and one probe-specific primer, as show in FIG.\",\n \"13(B).\",\n \"The ratio of the measurements in [B/A×100%] yielded an estimate of processing efficiency.\",\n \"Critical to the correct interpretation of the experimental results, the PCR products were extracted from real-time reactions and verified that amplicons of the expected length were produced by gel analysis FIG.\",\n \"13(C).\",\n \"This was possible because both PCR reactions had discrete start and stop points.\",\n \"Pull-outs that yield interpretable data from A+B+C were used to determine processing efficiency.\",\n \"Assays: Individual probes needed to be matched to qPCR assays.\",\n \"Six combinations of probes matched to pre- and post-process qPCR assays were elected.\",\n \"These are shown below with probe sequences in italics, PLP1 exon2 specific primers shaded.\",\n \"The darker shaded primers are those that are paired with the CAC3 primer after processing.\",\n \"The expected product sizes of the PCR amplicons are also shown for each assay set: SEQ ID NO: NAME SEQUENCE 116 Probe 1 and assay 1; agtgcccactatcccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 1 = 77 bp; agggg CAC3⇄R1 = GCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC 167 bp AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 117 Probe 1 and assay 2; agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 2 = 83 bp; agggg CAC3⇄R2 = GCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC 224 bp: AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 118 Assay 3 and probe 4; agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 3 = 81 bp; aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac F3⇄CAC3 = 187 bp: tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 119 Assay 2 and probe 4; agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 2 = 83 bp; aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac F2⇄CAC3 = 216 bp: tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 120 Probe 2 and assay 5; agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 5 = 95 bp; aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac CAC3⇄R5 = tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC 209 bp: AAG GGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG ACATGAAGCCCTCACTGGCACAGAAAAGCTAATTGAGACCTA TTTCTCCAAAAACTACCAAGACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga 121 Assay 4 and probe 3; agtgcccactatctccgagcctgtgagcacagggcctggcag qPCR assay 4 = 97 bp; aggggtttgagtggcatgagctacctactggatgtgcctgac F4⇄CAC3 = 204 bp: tgtttccccttcttcttccccagGCTTGTTAGAGTGCTGTGC AAGATGTCTGGTAGGGGCCCCCTTTGCTTCCCTGGTGGCCAC TGGATTGTGTTTCTTTGGGGTGGCACTGTTCTGTGGCTGTGG AC ACTATGAGTATCTCATCAATGT gtaagtacctgccctcccacacagacccatcttttttttccc tctctccatcctggagatagagaactcttcagtaccttagta actagcaggggactggggtgga Methods Probes.\",\n \"In these assays the B10 universal oligo set of probes (24 Aug. 2012 Experiment 4—Capture of PLP1 exon 2) was chosen.\",\n \"To make individual capture probes, 1 L of universal oligo 10 (100 μM) was combined with 1 μL of 100 μM probe ultramer and 98 L of TEz+0.05% Tween20.This was further diluted 4 μL into 996 μL TEz+Tween to provide a 4 nM working solution.\",\n \"Capture.\",\n \"For capture 50 μL of 22 ng/μL gDNA library, 20 μL of 4× binding buffer, 1 μL of probe and 9 μL of water were combined.\",\n \"There were six independent capture reactions (two with probe #1, two with probe #4, one with probe #2 and one with probe #3).\",\n \"These were heated to 95° C. for 1 min then cooled in 35 “cycles” of −1° C. and 2 min to 60° C. as described earlier.\",\n \"Following annealing, 10 μL of washed beads (=1 μL of stock beads) was added and binding was incubated for 20 min at RT.\",\n \"Beads were then pulled aside and washed 4 times, 5 min each, with 200 μL aliquots of wash buffer.\",\n \"After the last wash, all remaining accessible fluid was aspirated from the beads.\",\n \"Processing.\",\n \"Beads were resuspended in 10 μL of quick blunt solution (200 μL=20 μL of 10× quick blunting buffer, 20 μL of 1 mM dNTP and 160 μL water).\",\n \"Each of the six aliquots of beads was split into two 5 μL aliquot.\",\n \"5 μL of QB buffer without enzyme was added to one set of tubes (these are the capture-only aliquot).\",\n \"To the other 5 μL aliquots, 5 L of QB buffer containing 0.025 μL of T4 polymerase (this was made by combining 100 μL QB buffer with 0.5 μL of T4 polymerase and distributing 5 μL aliquots) was added.\",\n \"Both the capture only and the capture+processing tubes were incubated at 20° C. for 15 min, 98° C. for 1 min, cooled to RT and placed immediately on magnets.\",\n \"˜10 μL of supernatant was pulled from the six pairs of capture-only and T4-processed complexes (now 12 tubes total).\",\n \"These supernatants were used directly in qPCR as described below.\",\n \"qPCR.\",\n \"For these assays, standard Taq reaction mix and 3 step thermal cycling were chosen.\",\n \"Twelve of 40 μL qPCR mix were constructed, each containing: 14 μL of water 4 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer 4 μL of 25 mM MgCl2 4 μL of a blend of F and R primer at 10 μM each 8 μL of template (supernatant from above) 2 μL of DMSO 2 μL of 10 mM dNTPs 1 μL of EvaGreen 0.8 μL of ROX 0.4 μL of Taq polymerase Reactions were distributed in quads and cycled for 40 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 55° C.-30 sec, 72° C.-60 sec.\",\n \"Following PCR, reaction mix was pooled from each of the four wells of the quad and 5 μL was analyzed on 2% agarose gels.\",\n \"Results To interpret the experimental data, the agarose gels that are shown in FIG.\",\n \"14 were examined.\",\n \"Under the cycling conditions used with the primers used (etc.)\",\n \"it was observed that assay sets 3, 5 and 6 yielded PCR products consistent with the assay amplicon (top gel) or the post-processed PLP1 to adaptor amplicons (bottom gel).\",\n \"The more successful assay sets corresponded to: Probe 4 with assay 3 Probe 2 with assay 5 Probe 3 with assay 4 The qPCR Cq values are shown in Table 16 below.\",\n \"Assays 1 and 2 failed gel analysis.\",\n \"Successful assays are shown in assays 3, 5 and 4.To derive % processing values, Cq's were converted to absolute values (In “Excel speak”, Abs value=power(10, log 10(½)*Cq+10).\",\n \"The quotient of post-processed over capture only was then expressed as a percentage.\",\n \"This measurement assumed that the amplification efficiency of the all amplicons was the same and conforms to an idealized standard curve (probably reasonably accurate).\",\n \"Assuming this was correct, then approximately 10% of captured material appears to be processed.\",\n \"TABLE 16 qPCR analysis of post-capture processing sensitivity probe 1 probe 1 probe 4 probe 4 probe 2 probe 3 assay 1 assay 2 assay 3 assay 2 assay 5 assay 4 capture 23 21 25 21 25 26 post-process 16 23 29 22 28 29 % processed 7% 17% 10% Example 10: Construction of Expanded Code Male and Female gDNA Libraries Purpose: Build set of 16 coded male and female gDNA libraries that will be used to test multiple capture parameters in a single MiSeq sequencing run.\",\n \"Methods Step 1: gDNA.\",\n \"Repaired gDNA was prepared.\",\n \"Step 2: All 16 possible adaptor codes were generated.\",\n \"These codes are four base structures in which the base positions at −4 and −3 (relative to the insert) are random bases and the base positions at −2 and −1 are sample codes.\",\n \"There are four “clusters” of sample codes.\",\n \"These are: Cluster 1: AC, GA, CT, TG Cluster 2: AA, GC, CG, TT Cluster 3: AG, GT, CA, TC Cluster 4: AT, GG, CC, TA Clusters 2-4 were ordered as 100 μM oligos in plates.\",\n \"One set of plates had ligation strand and one set of plates had partner strands.\",\n \"The plate array was A1-H1, A2-H2, etc.\",\n \"To anneal adaptors in two sets of 96 well PCR plates, 70 μL/well of “annealing solution” containing 68 μL of TEz and 2 μL of 5M NaCl was added to 20 μL partner strand oligo and 10 L ligation strand oligo, covered with tape, and annealed 10 sec at 95° C., 5 min 65° C., and cooled to RT.\",\n \"Pooled sets of 16—random codes that have the same sample code—into sets of four.\",\n \"Red=set AA, GC, CG and TT.\",\n \"Purple=set AG, GT, CA and TC.\",\n \"Blue=set AT, GG, CC and TA (laid out in this order).\",\n \"Step 3: It is easiest to create 16 ligation for female DNA and 16 ligations for male DNA in which both types received the same set of 16 unique adaptor types.\",\n \"This will allow us to decide later which combinations of samples we want to create with maximum flexibility.\",\n \"To do this, End-repaired gDNA from the experiment was used.\",\n \"I will perform the requisite 32 ligation in 20 μL/rxn as follows: Two gDNA cocktails were made, one female and one male, that contain: 144 μL water 32 μL 10× lig buffer 48 μL 50% PEG8000 64 μL gDNA The cocktails were mixed and aliquoted into 16 tubes with 18 μL each.\",\n \"2 L of adaptors and 0.5 μL HC T4 ligase were added and the resulting reactions were incubated at 22° C. for 60 min, 65° C. for 10 min, and cooled to RT.\",\n \"80 μL TEz, then 120 μL Ampure beads were also added to the reactions, mixed and incubated 10 min at RT.\",\n \"The reactions were wash twice with 200 μL of 70% EtOH/water (v/v), air dried, and resuspended in 100 μL TEz.\",\n \"Step 4: qPCR.\",\n \"Make qPCR master mix containing: 175 μL of water 50 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer 50 μL of 25 mM MgCl2 100 μL of ACA2 primer (10 μM) (50 μL of template—added later) 25 μL of DMSO 25 μL of 10 mM dNTPs 12.5 μL of Eva green 10 μL of ROX 5 μL of Taq DNA polymerase 9 μL was distributed into the 48 wells of an Illumina Eco qPCR plate.\",\n \"Two serial dilutions of library calibration standard were made that are 10 pg/μL and 1 pg/μL.\",\n \"The remainder of the plate was loaded with libraries as shown in the tables below.\",\n \"TABLE 17 Sample key for 48 well assay plate 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 A 10 pg/μL 1 pg/μL F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 STD STD B 10 pg/μL 1 pg/μL F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 STD STD C F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12 F13 F14 D F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12 F13 F14 E F15 F16 M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 F F15 F16 M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 The second plate had the layout shown in Table 18 below.\",\n \"TABLE 18 Sample key for 48 well assay plate 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 A 100 pg/μL 10 pg/μL 1 pg/μL NTC F15 M1 M2 M3 STD STD STD B 100 pg/μL 10 pg/μL 1 pg/μL NTC F15 M1 M2 M3 STD STD STD C M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 D M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 E M9 M10 M11 M12 M13 M14 M15 M16 F M9 M10 M11 M12 M13 M14 M15 M16 Ligation efficiency was measured by the following cycling program: 72° C.-2 min 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec, and 72° C.-60 sec; 40 cycles Results: FIG.\",\n \"49 shows the Cq values of STDs and samples (the average of duplicate measurements except (i) the experiment repeated on plate 2 and (ii) M1, M2 and M3 were measured in three sets of duplicates—average of the three measurements taken).\",\n \"These were converted to arbitrary absolute values by the equation quantity=power (10, log 10(½)*Cq+8) in Excel.\",\n \"Values were then normalized to the known standards by multiplying abs values by 10/1583 (plate 1) or 10/1469 (plate 2).\",\n \"Genomes per μL was calculated by multiplying by ⅞ (to account for adaptor mass) and then dividing by 3 pg/genome.\",\n \"The ligation efficiency was calculated (20 ng/ligation & 1/100th measured=200 pg into ligation), and the calculated efficiency indicated that ˜5% conversion to library is about average.\",\n \"This was the same for libraries made without fill-in, which suggested that the fill-in reaction has rapid kinetics and can occur as the sample heats to 94° C. in the first cycle.\",\n \"The goal of this experiment was to create ligation mixes containing gDNA library and to quantify genome equivalents per μL of ligation mix so that measured numbers of genomes can be amplified into microgram quantities of library material.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"50 shows the genomes per μL for each library that was made.\",\n \"The goal of FIG.\",\n \"51 was to convert designated samples (picked by random drawing) into 10 copy, 20 copy, 40 copy, 80 copy, etc.\",\n \"libraries for downstream capture tests.\",\n \"The table transposes the genomes per μL into μL per PCR reaction to achieve the indicated depth of coverage.\",\n \"The table assumes a 200 μL PCR per sample and 40 μL of template input.\",\n \"These experiments may be used as guides where actual libraries are generated and purified.\",\n \"Example 11: Validation of 8 New Capture qPCR Assays Purpose: Validate the performance of eight new qPCR primer sets designed to follow capture efficiency of the expanded probe collection.\",\n \"Summary: All eight assays produced amplicons of the expected size when used to amplify human gDNA.\",\n \"Quantitative analysis of the chrX:154376051 region (4× in females, 2× in males) showed a surprisingly tight correlation between observed and expected copies.\",\n \"Methods: Eight segments for assay design that represent a sampling of the 49 probe target regions were chosen.\",\n \"To design assays, the DNA segment that is within 200 bp of the 5′ end of the probe was identified.\",\n \"The eight regions, as shown in Table 19 below, were chosen to be a more-or-less random selection of target regions.\",\n \"The 200 bp segments were submitted to PRIMER3 PCR primer picking in which we specified amplicons of 50-100 bp, primer Tm's of 65° C. (optimal) and primer lengths of 24 nt (optimal).\",\n \"Table 19 below shows the region and unique genomic attributes, the forward (F) and reverse (R) primer sequences, the expected amplicon length, and the actual amplicon within the context of the genomic sequence.\",\n \"TABLE 19 Genomic capture targets, and primers for their interrogation SEQ ID NO: Assay Region Feature Name Sequence Product 122 9 CYP2D6 4X in CYP2D6_F GGCTTCGACTGAACGTCTCCA 53 bp males and females 123 CYP2D6_R AGTGCTCCATGGCTGCTCAGTT 124 10 chrX- 4X in chrX- GAACCAGAGGAACGCTGTGGTA 52 bp 154376051 females, 15_1_F ACT 2X in males 125 chrX- GACGTGTGCCTAGATGCGTTTTC 15_1_R 126 11 chrX- 4X in chrX- TGGCTGAAAAGTCTCCTTGAAA 53 bp 154376051 females, 15_2_F CTG 2X in males 127 chrX- CTCAGTGGGTCTCCTTGAGAGAGGT 15_2_R 128 12 chrX- 6X in chrX- CTTTCCTCCAGTCACAAGCCAT 78 bp 6929264 females, 69_F CTA 5X in males (2 on chr19, one on chrX) 129 chrX- CATGCTGATAGAAAGTCCCCTGGTA 69_R 130 13 KRAS 2X in KRAS_r1_F TTTTCACACAGCCAGGAGTCTT 66 bp region 1 females TTC and males 131 KRAS_r1_R GGGAGATCCGACAATACAGATTGAA 132 14 KRAS 2X in KRAS_r2_F CCTGTCTTGTCTTTGCTGATGT 73 bp region 2 females TTC and males 133 KRAS_r2_R ACAAAACAGGCTCAGGACTTAGCAA 134 15 MYC 2X in MYC_r2_1_F CAACGTTAGCTTCACCAACAGG 92 bp region 2 females AAC and males 135 MYC_r2_1_R GCTGGTAGAAGTTCTCCTCCTCGTC 136 16 MYC 2X in MYC_r2_2_F GTCTGCTCCACCTCCAGCTTGTA 93 bp region 2 females and males 137 MYC_r2_2_R GTTGAGAGGGTAGGGGAAGACCAC The performance of each primer pair was investigated by performing 100 L PCR reactions that contained 200 ng (2 ng/μL) of female genomic DNA.\",\n \"The reaction mixes contained, per 100 μL, 50 μL water, 10 μL 10×STD Taq buffer, 10 μL 25 mM MgCl2, 10 μL of an F+R primer blend in which each primer was present at 10 μM, 10 μL of 20 ng/μL gDNA, 5 L of DMSO, 5 μL of 10 mM dNTPs, and 1 μL of Taq polymerase.\",\n \"Reactions were set up on ice.\",\n \"Amplifications were performed for 30 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec, and 72° C.-30 sec, followed by a 2 min incubation at 72° C. and hold at 10° C. Five μL of PCR product was examined on a 2% agarose gel.\",\n \"PCR products were purified on Qiagen PCR purification columns by combining the remaining 95 μL of PCR product with 500 μL PB.\",\n \"The material was spun through the column at 6 KRPM for 30 sec and washed with 750 μL PE, spun at 13.2 KRPM.\",\n \"The products were eluted from the columns with 50 μL of EB and quantified by Qubit.\",\n \"For qPCR analysis, the chrX-154376051 region (assays 10 & 11) was examined in more detail.\",\n \"The purified PCR products were diluted to 100 fg/μL, 10 fg/μL and 1 fg/μL.\",\n \"Genomic DNA was diluted to 10 ng/μL.\",\n \"Two microliters of either standards or gDNA was combined with 8 μL of PCR master mix per well of the 48-well Eco qPCR plate.\",\n \"Master mix contained, per 500 μL of final reaction volume (that accounts for the addition of template) 175 L of water, 50 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer, 50 μL of 25 mM MgCl2, 50 μL of F+R 10 μM primer blend, 25 μL of DMSO, 25 μL of 10 mM dNTPs, 12.5 μL EvaGreen, 10 μL of ROX and L of Taq polymerase.\",\n \"Thirty two μL of mix was distributed to 16 wells and 8 μL of templates were added.\",\n \"These were then distributed in quads to the qPCR plate.\",\n \"The plate layout is shown in Table 20 below.\",\n \"Conditions for Assay 10 are indicated in bold.\",\n \"Conditions for Assay 11 are indicated in underlined italics.\",\n \"TABLE 20 Plate layout for qPCR interrogation of chrX-154376051 region 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 A 100 fg PCR prod 10 fg PCR prod 1 fg PCR prod NTC B C 100 fg PCR prod 10 fg PCR prod 1 fg PCR prod NTC D E F-gDNA M-gDNA F-gDNA M-gDNA F Results and Discussion: Gel analysis of the PCR products amplified from genomic DNA showed that all eight PCR reactions produced unique products of the expected size (data not shown).\",\n \"The amplicons were sufficiently clean (no extra bands, no left-over primer) and were useful for generating standard curves for quantitative analysis.\",\n \"The amplicons were purified using Qiagen PCR spin columns and eluted products in 50 μL.\",\n \"The product yields were: Assay 9-18.4 ng/μL; Assay 10-26.1 ng/μL; Assay 11-13.9 ng/μL; Assay 12-26.6 ng/μL; Assay 13-7.9 ng/μL; Assay 14-19.2 ng/μL; Assay 15-23.1 ng/μL; and Assay 16—20.4 ng/μL.\",\n \"Quantitative analysis was performed with assays 10 & 11 that correspond to a cryptic segmental duplication on chromosome X such that females have four copies and males have two copies.\",\n \"The average Cq values are shown in Table 21 below.\",\n \"These were used to generate the standard curves shown.\",\n \"The two reactions were basically superimposable.\",\n \"Using these curves we calculated the absolute quantities in units of femtograms of both the STD curve wells and the genomic input wells.\",\n \"The data are shown in Table 21 below the standard curve data.\",\n \"TABLE 21 Cq values of standard samples analyzed with assays 10 and 11 STD Curve 10 13 17 20 31 STD Curve 11 13 16 20 33 F then M Samples 21 22 21 22 One point of this example was to emphasize the strength of quantitative molecular biology.\",\n \"In this experiment, 2 μL of STDs were added and sampled, meaning that the 1 fg/μL STD really had 2 fg in the qPCR reaction.\",\n \"This corresponds to 17,500 molecules of the 53 bp fragment of Assay 10.20 ng of genomic DNA were put into the reaction.\",\n \"This corresponds to 6667 genomes worth of DNA.\",\n \"The genomic DNA was fragmented to an average size of 200 bp, meaning that only 75% of the target regions will remain intact.\",\n \"Hence, the gDNA had about 5000 “qPCR actionable” genome copies.\",\n \"Finally, in males the expected average of one copy of the duplicated X region per genome, and in females the expected average was two.\",\n \"The expected versus observed values, broken out by numbers of molecules observed, turned out to be as follows: Expected males=5000 copies; Observed males=3500 copies; Expected females=10000 copies; and Observed females=7000 copies.\",\n \"TABLE 22 Expected vs.\",\n \"Observed Values STD curve 10 102.8004 9.421966 1.02996 F then M samples 0.447179 0.204926 STD curve 11 98.27451 10.35326 0.983644 F then M samples 0.388559 0.174757 Example 12: Further Post-Capture Processing Strategy Purpose: An alternative method to achieve post-capture processing (see FIG.\",\n \"15) was developed.\",\n \"Summary: Post-capture processing steps performed with redesigned probes appeared to enhance the already robust capture by an additional 5-9-fold.\",\n \"Overall the test was very successful.\",\n \"Background: In other embodiments of the assay design, it was contemplated to use an exonuclease step at the 3′ end of clones prior to copying of the probe tail sequence that added a PCR priming site.\",\n \"The particular embodiments, it was further contemplated to shift from having the clone copy the probe to having the probe copy the clone.\",\n \"The reversal in polarity means that we use the 5′ end of the probe as both the pull-down sequence and the reverse PCR primer sequence.\",\n \"The 3′ end of the probe is left unmodified and can then copy the clone using DNA polymerase.\",\n \"Conceptually, there are some advantages to this approach.\",\n \"First, because there was a shift from a step that required both exonuclease activity and polymerization to a simple polymerization step, this step can be done in concert with PCR.\",\n \"Moreover, this step can be done at 72° C. with a thermostable polymerase enzyme, meaning potential secondary structures of single strand clones are less of an issue.\",\n \"Finally, the implication was that probes were shortened from 114 nt to 95 nt; and this provided a cost saving advantage.\",\n \"Four well behaved qPCR assays (Example 11: Validation of eight new capture qPCR assays), assays 10, 14, 15 and 16 with probes that “point” at those assays were matched.\",\n \"While the probe and qPCR assays were within proximity to one another, their DNA sequences did not overlap with one another (See FIG.\",\n \"16).\",\n \"The sequences of the probes and corresponding assays are shown in Tables 23 and 24 below.\",\n \"TABLE 23 Genomic capture targets and primers for their interrogation SEQ ID NO: Assay Region Feature Name Sequence Product 138 10 chrX- 4X in females, 2X chrX-15_1_F GAACCAGAGGAACGCT 52 bp 154376051 in males GTGGTAACT 139 chrX-15_1_R GACGTGTGCCTAGATG CGTTTTC 140 14 KRAS 2X in females and KRAS_r2_F CCTGTCTTGTCTTTGC 73 bp region 2 males TGATGTTTC 141 KRAS_r2_R ACAAAACAGGCTCAGGACTTAGCAA 142 15 MYC 2X in females and MYC_r2_1_F CAACGTTAGCTTCACC 92 bp region 2 males AACAGGAAC 143 MYC_r2_1_R GCTGGTAGAAGTTCTCCTCCTCGTC 144 16 MYC 2X in females and MYC_r2_2_F GTCTGCTCCACCTCCA 93 bp region 2 males GCTTGTA 145 MYC_r2_2_R GTTGAGAGGGTAGGGGAAGACCAC TABLE 24 Capture probe sequences and genomic targets SEQ ID NO: Assay Region 60 mer probe sequence 146 10 chrX- AGAATTCATTGCCAGCTATAAATC 154376051_2x_chrX: 154376979: TGTGGAAACGCTGCCACACAATCT region_1: 1011 nt: 929: 988: − TAGCACACAAGA 147 14 KRAS_NM_033360_chr12: 25378485: TAAATGACATAACAGTTATGATTT region_2: 161 nt: −62: −3: + TGCAGAAAACAGATCTGTATTTAT TTCAGTGTTACT 148 15 MYC_NM_002467_chr8: 128750431: AGGTTTCCGCACCAAGACCCCTTT region_2: 773 nt: −62: −3: + AACTCAAGACTGCCTCCCGCTTTG TGTGCCCCGCTC 149 16 MYC_NM_002467_chr8: 128751122: AGAGCAGAGAATCCGAGGACGGAG region_2: 773 nt: 630: 689: − AGAAGGCGCTGGAGTCTTGCGAGG CGCAGGACTTGG Methods: A gDNA library was remade from samples F13-F16 (Example 10) by combining 20 μL of each ligation mix into 80 μL total and amplifying in 800 μL total.\",\n \"Beads were cleaned to 400 μL and pool concentration at 32 ng/μL was measured by Qubit.\",\n \"Oligos from IDT, listed below, were resuspended to 100 μM.\",\n \"ultramers come as 4 nmol, so these were suspended in 40 μL TEzero.\",\n \"Four 2 μL aliquots of the four test probes were combined with 8 μL of 100 μM universal tail sequence (derived from the first 35 bases of the full length reverse primer #9) to give a 50 μM tube of duplex.\",\n \"This duplex was diluted 10 μL into 990 μL of TEzero+Tween to give 500 nM, and 10 into 990 again to get 5 nM.\",\n \"Combined 40 μL of gDNA was combined with 15 μL of 4× bind and 5 L of capture duplex.\",\n \"The reaction mix was annealed and captured on 2 μLs of washed MyOne strep coated beads.\",\n \"The reaction was washed four times with wash buffer and aspirated wash buffer from bead pellet.\",\n \"To measure capture alone, one bead pellet was resuspended in 100 μL PCR mix that contained single PCR primer ACA2.To measure capture+processing, another bead pellet was resuspended in 100 μL of PCR mix that contained the full-length ACA2 forward primer (oligo #8) and full-length CAC3 reverse primer (oligo #9).\",\n \"The latter sample was incubated for 72° C. for 2 min.\",\n \"Both samples were amplified for 25 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec, and 72° C.-60 sec.\",\n \"After a hold at 72° C. for 2 min and cooling to RT, the PCR amplicons were purified on bead and resuspended in 50 μL of TEzero.\",\n \"For qPCR, samples were assayed with assays 9-16 (assays 10, 14, 15, and 16 are targets), using EvaGreen as the reporter dye, ROX as the STD dye, and 3 step PCR of 94° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec and 72° C.-60 sec for 40 cycles.\",\n \"The original gDNA library was present at 2 ng/μL final concentration.\",\n \"The captured sample and capture+processed samples were present at 2 pg/L final concentration (diluted in TEzero+0.05% Tween20).\",\n \"Results and Discussion: PCR yields of the capture only was 27.8 ng/μL and of the capture+processing was 40.4 ng/μL.\",\n \"These robust yields indicated that amplification went to completion.\",\n \"The 2% agarose gel image shows the starting input library, the captured library and the capture+processing library (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"If processing worked, the average insert size of the library should decrease, which it did.\",\n \"The fact that the bottom end of the library is more or less “a band” indicates that there may be some priming off of probe.\",\n \"Because the 3′ end of our probes are exposed in this format, it may be possible to eliminate residual, unbound probe with Exonuclease I, a ssDNA specific, 3′→5′ exonuclease.\",\n \"An important metric in this experiment was qPCR measurement of capture sensitivity and specificity.\",\n \"qPCR data is shown in FIG.\",\n \"52.With respect to specificity, only those regions targeted (light gray highlight) exhibited significant enrichment.\",\n \"Moreover, the processed library had a significant increase in specific activity for all target regions relative to capture alone.\",\n \"These data indicated that this additional probe design embodiment could be used for efficient post-capture processing.\",\n \"Example 13: Sequence Analysis of Post-Capture Processing Strategy Purpose: The purpose of this experiment was to assess the enrichment and coverage of target regions in sequencing libraries.\",\n \"Summary: The level of enrichment and focusing of target sequences was dramatically improved by coupling hybridization-based capture with enzymatic processing, compared to capture alone.\",\n \"Background: Prior experiments disclosed herein have demonstrated that post-capture processing increases the target content and specific activity of enrichment libraries as measured by qPCR.\",\n \"In this experiment, next generation DNA sequencing was used to compare the representation and distribution of target sequences in libraries generated by capture alone or by the alternative processing method.\",\n \"Methods: Two enrichment library pools were constructed from an equal mix of male and female human genomic DNA using a set of 49 capture probes that target sites within specific genes (KRAS, MYC, PLP1, CYP2D6 and AMY1) and duplicated regions on the X chromosome.\",\n \"Probe sequences are shown in Table 25 below TABLE 25 qPCR analysis of capture sensitivity and specificity SEQ ID Probe NO: No.\",\n \"Name Probe Sequence 150 1 CYP2D6_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAAGCACCTAGCCC CATTCCTGCTGAGCAGGAGGTGGCAGGTACCCCAGACTGGGAGGTAA 151 2 CYP2D6_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGTCGGTGGGGCC AGGATGAGGCCCAGTCTGTTCACACATGGCTGCTGCCTCTCAGCTCT 152 3 AMY1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACACCTGAGTAGCAT CATTGTAGTTCTCGATATCTCCACTTCCAGTTTTACATTTACCATCA 153 4 chrX_15_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCCTGGCCCTCAGC CAGTACAGAAAGTCATTTGTCAAGGCCTTCAGTTGGCAGACGTGCTC 154 5 chrX_15_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGAATTCATTGCC AGCTATAAATCTGTGGAAACGCTGCCACACAATCTTAGCACACAAGA 155 6 chrX_477_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGACTTCAAAGAAA TTACAAGTTGACATCTTGGACTCTACCCCTCGTACTTTATCTCCTAT 156 7 chrX_477_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTCTCTTTGGGGTC AAGAAAGAATCCCTAGTGGATTTGGGATTCTAGAGGAGGTGTTATAA 157 8 chrX_478_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTGCGATACCATGC TGAAGATGAGCTAACCCAACCAGCCAAGCAGGCAGGGCTGCGAAGGA 158 9 chrX_478_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGGGGTAGGTGGAA AACCCAAGTAATGTGATTTTGTAACATCCACTGCTGCATTTGTTTGC 159 10 chrX_69_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTACTTCCCTCCA GTTTTGTTGCTTGCAAAACAACAGAATCTTCTCTCCATGAAATCATG 160 11 chrX_69_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCAGGGGTATCTAT TATCCCCATTTTCTCACAAAGGAAACCAAGATAAAAGGTTTAAATGG 161 12 PLP1_ex1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGAAATTCTCTTGT GAATTCCTGTGTCCTCTTGAATCTTCAATGCTAAAGTTTTTGAAACT 162 13 PLP1_ex2_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGGGTTTGAGTGGC ATGAGCTACCTACTGGATGTGCCTGACTGTTTCCCCTTCTTCTTCCC 163 14 PLP1_ex2_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCTATCTCCAGGAT GGAGAGAGGGAAAAAAAAGATGGGTCTGTGTGGGAGGGCAGGTACTT 164 15 PLP1_ex3_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGAAAGAAGCCAGG TCTTCAATTAATAAGATTCCCTGGTCTCGTTTGTCTACCTGTTAATG 165 16 PLP1_ex3_M ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCAGACTCGCGCCC AATTTTCCCCCACCCCTTGTTATTGCCACAAAATCCTGAGGATGATC 166 17 PLP1_ex3_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTCTTTCTTCTTCC TTTATGGGGCCCTCCTGCTGGCTGAGGGCTTCTACACCACCGGCGCA 167 18 PLP1_ex4_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGTTTGTGTTTCTA CATCTGCAGGCTGATGCTGATTTCTAACCACCCCATGTCAATCATTT 168 19 PLP1_ex4_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAACCAAATATATA GTGCTTCCATAGTGGGTAGGAGAGCCAAAGCACCCGTACCCTAACTC 169 20 PLP1_ex5_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGTCTCCATGTGG CCCCGTAACTCCATAAAGCTTACCCTGCTTGCTTTTTGTGTCTTACT 170 21 PLP4_ex5_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCCATGGGTGTAAT TTGTATGGTATTAGCTACTCCCTTGTAAAATAACCCAAATAACCCAC 171 22 PLP1_ex6_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTTACAGTGGAGC ATATTACTGCTGTTGCAAGAAACAGTTCTTCCTCTTTCATTTTCCTG 172 23 PLP1_ex6_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACATAGCTGTACCCA CACTATCTCAGGCCTATTTACTTGCCAAGATCATTCAAAGTCAACTC 173 24 PLP1_ex7_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGATTTGAGGAGGG AGTGCTTTCTTTTCTACTCTCATTCACATTCTCTCTTCTGTTCCCTA 174 25 PLP1_ex7_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCAGCATTGTAGGC TGTGTGGTTAGAGCCTCGCTATTAGAGAAAGGGGGATTTCTACGGGG 175 26 KRAS_ex1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTGTTACCTTTAAA AGACATCTGCTTTCTGCCAAAATTAATGTGCTGAACTTAAACTTACC 176 27 KRAS_ex1_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTCCCAGTAAATT ACTCTTACCAATGCAACAGACTTTAAAGAAGTTGTGTTTTACAATGC 177 28 KRAS_ex2_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTAAATGACATAAC AGTTATGATTTTGCAGAAAACAGATCTGTATTTATTTCAGTGTTACT 178 29 KRAS_ex2_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGACAGGTTTTGAA AGATATTTGTGTTACTAATGACTGTGCTATAACTTTTTTTTCTTTCC 179 30 KRA S_ex3_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACACTCAAAAAATAA AAACTATAATTACTCCTTAATGTCAGCTTATTATATTCAATTTAAAC 180 31 KRAS_ex3_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAACACCTTTTTTG AAGTAAAAGGTGCACTGTAATAATCCAGACTGTGTTTCTCCCTTCTC 181 32 KRAS_ex4_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGAAACCTTTATCT GTATCAAAGAATGGTCCTGCACCAGTAATATGCATATTAAAACAAGA 182 33 KRAS_ex4_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGTGTATTAACCTT ATGTGTGACATGTTCTAATATAGTCACATTTTCATTATTTTTATTAT 183 34 MYC_r1_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCCCCAGCCAGCGG TCCGCAACCCTTGCCGCATCCACGAAACTTTGCCCATAGCAGCGGGC 184 35 MYC_r1_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCGACTCATCTCAG CATTAAAGTGATAAAAAAATAAATTAAAAGGCAAGTGGACTTCGGTG 185 36 MYC_r2_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACCTGTGGCGCGCAC TGCGCGCTGCGCCAGGTTTCCGCACCAAGACCCCTTTAACTCAAGAC 186 37 MYC_r2_F2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTCTACTGCGACG AGGAGGAGAACTTCTACCAGCAGCAGCAGCAGAGCGAGCTGCAGCCC 187 38 MYC_r2_F3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACACCGAGCTGCTGG GAGGAGACATGGTGAACCAGAGTTTCATCTGCGACCCGGACGACGAG 188 39 MYC_r2_F4 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGCCGCCGCCTCAG AGTGCATCGACCCCTCGGTGGTCTTCCCCTACCCTCTCAACGACAGC 189 40 MYC_r2_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGGCGGCTAGGGGA CAGGGGCGGGGTGGGCAGCAGCTCGAATTTCTTCCAGATATCCTCGC 190 41 MYC_r2_R2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGACGAGCTTGGC GGCGGCCGAGAAGCCGCTCCACATACAGTCCTGGATGATGATGTTTT 191 42 MYC_r2_R3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGGAGAGCAGAGA ATCCGAGGACGGAGAGAAGGCGCTGGAGTCTTGCGAGGCGCAGGACT 192 43 MYC_r2_R4 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTAAGAGTGGCCCG TTAAATAAGCTGCCAATGAAAATGGGAAAGGTATCCAGCCGCCCACT 193 44 MYC_r3_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTTGTATTTGTACA GCATTAATCTGGTAATTGATTATTTTAATGTAACCTTGCTAAAGGAG 194 45 MYC_r3_F2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGAGGCCACAGCAA ACCTCCTCACAGCCCACTGGTCCTCAAGAGGTGCCACGTCTCCACAC 195 46 MYC_r3_F3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACAGAGGAGGAACGA GCTAAAACGGAGCTTTTTTGCCCTGCGTGACCAGATCCCGGAGTTGG 196 47 MYC_r3_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACTCCAACTTGACCC TCTTGGCAGCAGGATAGTCCTTCCGAGTGGAGGGAGGCGCTGCGTAG 197 48 MYC_r3_R2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGCTTGGACGGACA GGATGTATGCTGTGGCTTTTTTAAGGATAACTACCTTGGGGGCCTTT 198 49 MYC_r3_R3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACGCATTTGATCATG CATTTGAAACAAGTTCATAGGTGATTGCTCAGGACATTTCTGTTAGA The first library pool was generated as described for the ‘capture plus processing’ library in Example 12.The second pool was generated as described for the ‘capture only’ library in Example 12 except for the following modification.\",\n \"After capture, a second round of PCR was performed to convert single primer, ACA2-amplified libraries into dual primer, heterologous end libraries suitable for Illumina sequencing.\",\n \"To do this, libraries were diluted and re-amplified with the following primers: primer #55 AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAG (SEQ ID NO: 199) and primer #56 CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGAGAATTCGAATAC A (SEQ ID NO: 200).\",\n \"The 100 μL reaction mix contained 40 ng of library, 10 μL of 10×STD Taq buffer, 10 μL of 25 mM MgCl2, 10 μL of 55 and 10 μL of 56 primer that were both at 10 uM, 5 μL of DMSO, 5 μL of dNTP and 1 μL of Taq DNA polymerase.\",\n \"The samples were amplified for 2 cycles of 94° C.-30 sec, 50° C.-30 sec, 52.5° C.-30 sec, 55° C.-30 sec, 57.5° C.-30 sec, 60° C.-30 sec, 72° C.-1 min.\",\n \"They were then amplified for 8 cycles of 94 C-30 sec, 60 C-30 sec and 72 C-60 sec followed by 72° C. for 2 min.\",\n \"PCR mixes were purified with beads and resuspended in 50 μL each.\",\n \"Results and Discussion: Both pools were analyzed using an Illumina MiSeq Personal Sequencer.\",\n \"The 50 nucleotide sequence reads from each library pool were trimmed to remove 4 base barcode sequences and mapped to the human genome reference sequence (version hg19) using the Bowtie sequence alignment program.\",\n \"Approximately 80% of reads in both libraries aligned unambiguously to the reference sequence.\",\n \"Further characterization of aligned reads revealed that coupling hybridization-based capture with enzymatic processing resulted in a 979,592-fold enrichment of the 4.9 kilobase target region relative to the input genomic DNA.\",\n \"This represented a 3-fold improvement in library content when compared to the unprocessed, ‘capture only’ approach.\",\n \"Overall, nearly 4 out of 5 sequences obtained by this alternative processing method mapped to genomic sites that were specifically targeted by capture probes.\",\n \"A summary of alignment statistics for each library pool are shown in FIG.\",\n \"53.Reads from each library pool were also displayed in the UCSC Genome Browser to assess local sequence coverage and distribution around target sites.\",\n \"A close-up view of two segments of the X chromosome shows that processed libraries produced sequence coverage that was more highly concentrated within targeted sites than ‘capture only’ libraries did (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"Moreover, the sequences mapping to target regions were more uniformly distributed in the processed libraries than the unprocessed controls.\",\n \"Taken together, these data indicated that the alternative processing method dramatically improved the quantity and quality of target sequences present in enriched libraries.\",\n \"Example 14: Bioinformatics Overview: Traditional Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis is “vertical.” The unique design of the inventive molecules contemplated herein enables a “horizontal” approach that will revolutionize the approach to clinical resequencing.\",\n \"“Vertical” as used herein, with regard to sequence alignments, refers to approaches exemplified by FIG.\",\n \"19.Previous approaches to informatics analysis involve a first step in which short reads are aligned to a reference genome.\",\n \"Following alignment, overlapping reads are analyzed for base changes that may be indicative of a SNV (single nucleotide variant).\",\n \"The approach was nick-named here as “vertical” because it relies on alignments that are often depicted as vertical stacks of reads.\",\n \"Various programs make allowances for SNVs and Indels (insertions/deletions), but the core approach is alignment-recognition-based.\",\n \"In contrast, the paired-end read data obtained by the methods contemplated herein will have DNA tagged sequence information in read 1 and probe ID information in read 2.The first step in data analysis is to match reads to probes.\",\n \"Step two is analyzing the sequence information connected “horizontally” to each probe.\",\n \"See, e.g., FIG.\",\n \"20.At sufficient read depth, horizontal, probe-based sequence association does not rely on alignment.\",\n \"Rather, reads can be assembled into contigs de novo.\",\n \"The advantage of the method is that it is extremely robust to insertions/deletions and multiple sequence changes in a short stretch of sequence, both situations where conventional, alignment-based methods struggle and have the most difficulty detecting.\",\n \"Moreover, the combination of horizontal association with probes and tagging facilitates more accurate hypothesis generation (i.e., determination if an observed sequence variant is likely to be true or false).\",\n \"CNV and Structural Variation I: In large scale copy number variation (CNV) analyses, the method comprises determination of unique read numbers associated with captured sequence regions.\",\n \"The vast majority of observed CNV is “micro-CNV” that involves base insertions and deletions that are on the order of 2-100 bp in length.\",\n \"Vertical alignment methods struggle with micro insertions/deletions (indel) because they require relaxation of alignment stringency that promotes large numbers of false-positive hypotheses.\",\n \"Horizontal methods and de novo contig assembly require no such relaxation of alignment parameters and they demand that structural variation is accounted for.\",\n \"Consider the simple case of a small insertion within one allele of an exon, as exemplified in FIG.\",\n \"21.In this example, horizontal alignment “forces” reads to be associated with probe 1 and probe 2.Assembly will generate two contigs, one with a wild-type exon structure and one with an insertion structure.\",\n \"Two principles emerge from this analysis: 1) Overlapping reads from adjacent probes will support or refute the hypothesis of an indel-containing allele of the captured exon; and 2) micro-CNV alleles outside of capture probes are readily detectable by horizontal methodologies.\",\n \"CNV and Structural Variation II: Validation of CNV often involves vertical alignment methods.\",\n \"In these studies, typically perfect alignments to a reference sequence are demanded.\",\n \"Such methods are vulnerable to SNVs (such as common SNPs) where reads crossing SNVs that differ from the reference will be discarded.\",\n \"The net result will be chronic underestimation of copy number.\",\n \"The horizontal methods possible with the present invention methods should be used going forward.\",\n \"Horizontal hypothesis testing of SNVs I: Vertical, alignment-based methods for SNV detection are difficult to analyze.\",\n \"Homozygous variant alleles involving a single base are fairly straightforward to identify, but these changes are rare.\",\n \"More commonly, SNVs are heterozygous, and variants may occur at several contiguous or closely spaced positions (error prone repair tends to lay down tracks where several bases are non-consensus).\",\n \"The heterozygous SNV hypotheses run the spectrum from true, high coverage detection where (strictly as an hypothetical example) 49 reads possess a SNV and 47 reads possess the wild-type, reference base.\",\n \"Calls become much more speculative when read depth thins and the numbers of SNV versus WT reads deviate significantly from 50/50 (e.g., 10 total reads where 8 are WT and 2 are variant).\",\n \"Hypotheses nominated for orthogonal validation are invariably subject to an arbitrary cut-off.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, where horizontal probe-based association is combined with tags, far greater granularity in SNV hypotheses is achieved.\",\n \"SNVs that reside on a single tag (tag=code+end-point), especially in cases where reads within the same tag are WT, are disregarded.\",\n \"See, e.g., FIG.\",\n \"22.Horizontal hypothesis testing of SNVs II: SNV hypotheses that arise on two different tags, even if the read start sites are identical (A), or that arise on different reads that horizontally associate with the same probe (B), or that arise from different probe associations at the same exon (C) are necessarily hypotheses that must be seriously considered.\",\n \"See, e.g., FIG.\",\n \"23.Example 15: Molecular Annotation Overview: This example describes the interplay between “molecular annotation” of sequencing libraries (FIG.\",\n \"24) and the informatics used in subsequent steps to evaluate the resulting sequencing information.\",\n \"The reverse read from a probe has utility.\",\n \"Reverse read 2, which determines the DNA sequence of the probe region, has significant utility in all downstream analysis considerations.\",\n \"For example, utility can be found in variant calling and the output from this in copy number determination.\",\n \"These two aspects of data analysis are described below.\",\n \"Read 2 Probe Sequence: A probe set is a unique and known collection of sequences, which can include one or two probes or even tens of thousands of probes.\",\n \"This means that read_2 can be used to identify any and all of the probes within an experiment.\",\n \"This of course assumes that read 2 is of sufficient length and that probes are designed such that the region interrogated by read_2 constitutes a unique identifier.\",\n \"Table 26 describes a collection of 192 probes and the 10 nt read_2 sequence that serves as a unique identifier for each probe.\",\n \"Note that two probes (CYP2C19_r5_F and CYP2C9r5F) naturally share identical 10 nt 5′ DNA sequences, and a 2 nt code of “AG” or “CT” was added to distinguish between them.\",\n \"TABLE 26 Collection of 192 probes SEQ SEQ ID ID Name Sequence NO: 10 nt read_2 NO: CYP2D6_F AAGCACCTAGCCCCATTCCTGCT 201 AAGCACCTAG 393 GAGCAGGAGGTGGCAGGTACCCC AGACTGGGAGGTAA CYP2D6_R AGTCGGTGGGGCCAGGATGAGGC 202 AGTCGGTGGG 394 CCAGTCTGTTCACACATGGCTGC TGCCTCTCAGCTCT AMY1_F ACCTGAGTAGCATCATTGTAGTT 203 ACCTGAGTAG 395 CTCGATATCTCCACTTCCAGTTT TACATTTACCATCA chrX_15_F CCTGGCCCTCAGCCAGTACAGAA 204 CCTGGCCCTC 396 AGTCATTTGTCAAGGCCTTCAGT TGGCAGACGTGCTC chrX_15_R AGAATTCATTGCCAGCTATAAAT 205 AGAATTCATT 397 CTGTGGAAACGCTGCCACACAAT CTTAGCACACAAGA chrX_477_F GACTTCAAAGAAATTACAAGTTG 206 GACTTCAAAG 398 ACATCTTGGACTCTACCCCTCGT ACTTTATCTCCTAT chrX_477_R TCTCTTTGGGGTCAAGAAAGAAT 207 TCTCTTTGGG 399 CCCTAGTGGATTTGGGATTCTAG AGGAGGTGTTATAA chrX_478_F TGCGATACCATGCTGAAGATGAG 208 TGCGATACCA 400 CTAACCCAACCAGCCAAGCAGGC AGGGCTGCGAAGGA chrX_478_R GGGGTAGGTGGAAAACCCAAGTA 209 GGGGTAGGTG 401 ATGTGATTTTGTAACATCCACTG CTGCATTTGTTTGC chrX_69_F TTACTTCCCTCCAGTTTTGTTGC 210 TTACTTCCCT 402 TTGCAAAACAACAGAATCTTCTC TCCATGAAATCATG chrX_69_R CAGGGGTATCTATTATCCCCATT 211 CAGGGGTATC 403 TTCTCACAAAGGAAACCAAGATA AAAGGTTTAAATGG PLP1_ex1_F GAAATTCTCTTGTGAATTCCTGT 212 GAAATTCTCT 404 GTCCTCTTGAATCTTCAATGCTA AAGTTTTTGAAACT PLP1_ex2_F GGGTTTGAGTGGCATGAGCTACC 213 GGGTTTGAGT 405 TACTGGATGTGCCTGACTGTTTC CCCTTCTTCTTCCC PLP1_ex2_R CTATCTCCAGGATGGAGAGAGGG 214 CTATCTCCAG 406 AAAAAAAAGATGGGTCTGTGTGG GAGGGCAGGTACTT PLP1_ex3_F GAAAGAAGCCAGGTCTTCAATTA 215 GAAAGAAGCC 407 ATAAGATTCCCTGGTCTCGTTTG TCTACCTGTTAATG PLP1_ex3_M CAGACTCGCGCCCAATTTTCCCC 216 CAGACTCGCG 408 CACCCCTTGTTATTGCCACAAAA TCCTGAGGATGATC PLP1_ex3_R TCTTTCTTCTTCCTTTATGGGGC 217 TCTTTCTTCT 409 CCTCCTGCTGGCTGAGGGCTTCT ACACCACCGGCGCA PLP1_ex4_F GTTTGTGTTTCTACATCTGCAGG 218 GTTTGTGTTT 410 CTGATGCTGATTTCTAACCACCC CATGTCAATCATTT PLP1_ex4_R AACCAAATATATAGTGCTTCCAT 219 AACCAAATAT 411 AGTGGGTAGGAGAGCCAAAGCAC CCGTACCCTAACTC PLP1_ex5_F AGTCTCCATGTGGCCCCGTAACT 220 AGTCTCCATG 412 CCATAAAGCTTACCCTGCTTGCT TTTTGTGTCTTACT PLP1_ex5_R CCATGGGTGTAATTTGTATGGTA 221 CCATGGGTGT 413 TTAGCTACTCCCTTGTAAAATAA CCCAAATAACCCAC PLP1_ex6_F TTTACAGTGGAGCATATTACTGC 222 TTTACAGTGG 414 TGTTGCAAGAAACAGTTCTTCCT CTTTCATTTTCCTG PLP1_ex6_R ATAGCTGTACCCACACTATCTCA 223 ATAGCTGTAC 415 GGCCTATTTACTTGCCAAGATCA TTCAAAGTCAACTC PLP1_ex7_F GATTTGAGGAGGGAGTGCTTTCT 224 GATTTGAGGA 416 TTTCTACTCTCATTCACATTCTC TCTTCTGTTCCCTA PLP1_ex7_R CAGCATTGTAGGCTGTGTGGTTA 225 CAGCATTGTA 417 GAGCCTCGCTATTAGAGAAAGGG GGATTTCTACGGGG KRAS_ex1_F TGTTACCTTTAAAAGACATCTGC 226 TGTTACCTTT 418 TTTCTGCCAAAATTAATGTGCTG AACTTAAACTTACC KRAS_ex1_R TTCCCAGTAAATTACTCTTACCA 227 TTCCCAGTAA 419 ATGCAACAGACTTTAAAGAAGTT GTGTTTTACAATGC KRAS_ex2_F TAAATGACATAACAGTTATGATT 228 TAAATGACAT 420 TTGCAGAAAACAGATCTGTATTT ATTTCAGTGTTACT KRAS_ex2_R GACAGGTTTTGAAAGATATTTGT 229 GACAGGTTTT 421 GTTACTAATGACTGTGCTATAAC TTTTTTTTCTTTCC KRAS_ex3_F ACTCAAAAAATAAAAACTATAAT 230 ACTCAAAAAA 422 TACTCCTTAATGTCAGCTTATTA TATTCAATTTAAAC KRAS_ex3_R AACACCTTTTTTGAAGTAAAAGG 231 AACACCTTTT 423 TGCACTGTAATAATCCAGACTGT GTTTCTCCCTTCTC KRAS_ex4_F GAAACCTTTATCTGTATCAAAGA 232 GAAACCTTTA 424 ATGGTCCTGCACCAGTAATATGC ATATTAAAACAAGA KRAS_ex4_R GTGTATTAACCTTATGTGTGACA 233 GTGTATTAAC 425 TGTTCTAATATAGTCACATTTTC ATTATTTTTATTAT MYC_r1_F1 CCCCAGCCAGCGGTCCGCAACCC 234 CCCCAGCCAG 426 TTGCCGCATCCACGAAACTTTGC CCATAGCAGCGGGC MYC_r1_R1 CGACTCATCTCAGCATTAAAGTG 235 CGACTCATCT 427 ATAAAAAAATAAATTAAAAGGCA AGTGGACTTCGGTG MYC_r2_F1 CTGTGGCGCGCACTGCGCGCTGC 236 CTGTGGCGCG 428 GCCAGGTTTCCGCACCAAGACCC CTTTAACTCAAGAC MYC_r2_F2 TTCTACTGCGACGAGGAGGAGAA 237 TTCTACTGCG 429 CTTCTACCAGCAGCAGCAGCAGA GCGAGCTGCAGCCC MYC_r2_F3 ACCGAGCTGCTGGGAGGAGACAT 238 ACCGAGCTGC 430 GGTGAACCAGAGTTTCATCTGCG ACCCGGACGACGAG MYC_r2_F4 GCCGCCGCCTCAGAGTGCATCGA 239 GCCGCCGCCT 431 CCCCTCGGTGGTCTTCCCCTACC CTCTCAACGACAGC MYC_r2_R1 GGCGGCTAGGGGACAGGGGCGGG 240 GGCGGCTAGG 432 GTGGGCAGCAGCTCGAATTTCTT CCAGATATCCTCGC MYC_r2_R2 AGACGAGCTTGGCGGCGGCCGAG 241 AGACGAGCTT 433 AAGCCGCTCCACATACAGTCCTG GATGATGATGTTTT MYC_r2_R3 AGGAGAGCAGAGAATCCGAGGAC 242 AGGAGAGCAG 434 GGAGAGAAGGCGCTGGAGTCTTG CGAGGCGCAGGACT MYC_r2_R4 TAAGAGTGGCCCGTTAAATAAGC 243 TAAGAGTGGC 435 TGCCAATGAAAATGGGAAAGGTA TCCAGCCGCCCACT MYC_r3_F1 TTGTATTTGTACAGCATTAATCT 244 TTGTATTTGT 436 GGTAATTGATTATTTTAATGTAA CCTTGCTAAAGGAG MYC_r3_F2 GAGGCCACAGCAAACCTCCTCAC 245 GAGGCCACAG 437 AGCCCACTGGTCCTCAAGAGGTG CCACGTCTCCACAC MYC_r3_F3 AGAGGAGGAACGAGCTAAAACGG 246 AGAGGAGGAA 438 AGCTTTTTTGCCCTGCGTGACCA GATCCCGGAGTTGG MYC_r3_R1 TCCAACTTGACCCTCTTGGCAGC 247 TCCAACTTGA 439 AGGATAGTCCTTCCGAGTGGAGG GAGGCGCTGCGTAG MYC_r3_R2 GCTTGGACGGACAGGATGTATGC 248 GCTTGGACGG 440 TGTGGCTTTTTTAAGGATAACTA CCTTGGGGGCCTTT MYC_r3_R3 GCATTTGATCATGCATTTGAAAC 249 GCATTTGATC 441 AAGTTCATAGGTGATTGCTCAGG ACATTTCTGTTAGA AMY1A_r_9 CATCATTGTTGAAAACAATGAAT 250 CATCATTGTT 442 CCTCTGTTTCCTCTCCCAAAAGC CACTTGGTTGCTCC AMY1A_r-10 TTTATCTCCAGAAATGACATCAC 251 TTTATCTCCA 443 AGTATGTGCCAGCAGGAAGACCA GTTTGCAAAGTTAA AMY1A_r_8 CTATTAGAGGACATGTCTAAATA 252 CTATTAGAGG 444 CATATTCTCACCTTATTTGGCGC CATCGATGTTCACA AR_r1_F TCTGAGCAAGAGAAGGGGAGGCG 253 TCTGAGCAAG 445 GGGTAAGGGAAGTAGGTGGAAGA TTCAGCCAAGCTCA AR_r1_R CCAGAACACAGAGTGACTCTGCC 254 CCAGAACACA 446 CTGGGCCGAAAGGCGACATTTCT GGAAGGAAAAACTT AR_r2_F CTTCACTTGCCTATTTCTGCCAT 255 CTTCACTTGC 447 TCAGTGACATGTGTTGCATTGGT TTTTTGTGTCTTTC AR_r2_R GTGTCTCTCTCTGGAAGGTAAAG 256 GTGTCTCTCT 448 GAGAAAGGGAAAGAGAAGTGCAT GTGCAAGACCCTTT AR_r3_F CCGAAGAAAGAGACTCTGGAAAC 257 CCGAAGAAAG 449 TCATTATCAGGTCTATCAACTCT TGTATTTGTTCTCC AR_r3_R ACTAGAAAATGAGGGAGAAGGGG 258 ACTAGAAAAT 450 GAGAGAGGAAGGAGGAGGAAGAG AAAGAAAAGTATCT AR_r4_F GTAGTTGCATTGTGTGTTTTTGA 259 GTAGTTGCAT 451 CCACTGATGATAAATTCAAGTCT CTCTTCCTTCCCAA AR_r4_R CATAGGAGCGTTCACTAAATATG 260 CATAGGAGCG 452 ATCCCCCTTATCTCATGCTCCCA CTTCCCTTTTCCTT AR_r5_F CTCAGACTTAGCTCAACCCGTCA 261 CTCAGACTTA 453 GTACCCAGACTGACCACTGCCTC TGCCTCTTCTTCTC AR_r5_R CACCAACCAGGTCTGGCCAAGCT 262 CACCAACCAG 454 GCTGTATTTTAGTGAGGTCTGGG CCCCAGGAGCACTT ATR_r44_F GGAAGATACAGTTGTTGAGAAAA 263 GGAAGATACA 455 GGAAATTGAGAGAAAACACAATT AGTAAGAGTAACTC ATR_r44_R TTTTAGATTTATATTGGCCTCAT 264 TTTTAGATTT 456 ATGTATATGGATATTTCATAGGC ATTGTGTTTCTTTT ATR_r45_F TGTAGGGGCCAATAATTATATTC 265 TGTAGGGGCC 457 GAGGTTACTGTTAAATTATTTAC AAAGTATAGGTGAT ATR_r45_R TTTGAGTAAAGATTTTTAAATTC 266 TTTGAGTAAA 458 TAACATTGTTAGTTTGTAATAAA ATGTATTGTTTCTA ATR_r46_F CATATCAAGTTCATTTGTAGAGA 267 CATATCAAGT 459 TGAGGACTACAGCCCATATCAAG CTATACCTTCTACT ATR_r46_R ATGTCAGCAAGATTTCTTCTTGC 268 ATGTCAGCAA 460 AAAGATAACATCATACCATAATA TTTGTTTCAATTTT ATR_r47_F CAACCACAGATTCATACCAAATG 269 CAACCACAGA 461 CATTACTTTTAGATTATTAACAT ATTCTTTTACATAA ATR_r47_R AAGAAAGGTAGTAATTCCAAATT 270 AAGAAAGGTA 462 ATTAACATCTGTTTTTGGTTTTA TGTTTCTTCTTTTT C4A_r20_F GGCCTATGTGTGGCCACCCCAGT 271 GGCCTATGTG 463 CCAGCTCCGGGTGTTCCGCGAGT TCCACCTGCACCTC C4A_r24_R AGGCGTGGCCTCCCTCTTGAGGC 272 AGGCGTGGCC 464 TTCCTCGAGGCTGTGGGGAGCAA ACCATGATCTACTT C4A_r1_F CCTAGCTTGGCCAGAAGGTAGCA 273 CCTAGCTTGG 465 GACAGACAGACGGATCTAACCTC TCTTGGATCCTCCA C4A_r1_R TGAATCGGGTCCCGATGCCAGCC 274 TGAATCGGGT 466 CTGCCCCAATCCAAGCACCCAGC ATCCCGCCTCCAGG C4A_r2_F AGGGAGAGCAGGGGTGGAGGTGT 275 AGGGAGAGCA 467 CAGAGCGAAGTCTGACTGCTGAT CCTGTCTGTTCTCC C4A_r2_R TGACACTTACAAGACAGATGGGA 276 TGACACTTAC 468 ACAGGGCAGGAGGCCCCCACAAG CAGCAGGAGGGCAT C4A_r3_F CCTTTTTGGTCAGCTGTCTCTTG 277 CCTTTTTGGT 469 CTCTGTGACCCGCTCCCTCTCCC TCTCCCTCTCCTGA C4A_r3_R CAAACTCATCCTGAGAGGGCTCG 278 CAAACTCATC 470 GAGGGGGTTAAAGGTTGAGGCCC TGGGGCTGAGACTC C4A_r4_F AGTTTGACCCACCCTCCCCTTGC 279 AGTTTGACCC 471 ACATGGACCCCTGCTCACCTCTC TCCTCCTCCACTCC C4A_r4_R AAGGGGAGAAGTGCTCACAGGCA 280 AAGGGGAGAA 472 GGAGGTCACATCAGTGGCCAGGA TCAGGAAGGCCAGA CCL4_r1_F GTTCTGAAGCTTCTGAGTTCTGC 281 GTTCTGAAGC 473 AGCCTCACCTCTGAGAAAACCTC TTTGCCACCAATAC CCL4_r2_F GGCAGTGTTGATCTCACCCTGGC 282 GGCAGTGTTG 474 CTTTCCTTTCAGTGGGCTCAGAC CCTCCCACCGCCTG CCL4_r2_R ACCACAGCTGGCTGGGAGCAGAG 283 ACCACAGCTG 475 GCTGCTGGTCTCATAGTAATCTA CCACAAAGTTGCGA CCL4_r3_F TCAGGTGACCTTCCCTGAAGACT 284 TCAGGTGACC 476 TCCTGTCTCTGAGCAGCTCAGTT CAGTTCCAGGTCAT CYP2C19_r1_F GGAGCATATAGTGGGCCTAGGTG 285 GGAGCATATA 477 ATTGGCCACTTTATCCATCAAAG AGGCACACACACTT CYP2C19_r1_R CCTTTCAAAGTATTTTACTTTAC 286 CCTTTCAAAG 478 AATGATCTCTTGTAACATTGTAC CTCTAGGGATATAC CYP2C19_r3_F ATGGGGAGGATGGAAAACAGACT 287 ATGGGGAGGA 479 AGCAGAGCTTCTCGGGCAGAGCT TGGCCCATCCACAT CYP2C19_r3_R GATCTGGCCACCCCTGAAATGTT 288 GATCTGGCCA 480 TCCAAGAATGTCAGTAGAGAGGA GAGCAGTCCAGAAA CYP2C19_r5_F AGCAACCAGAGCTTGGCATATTG 289 AGCAACCAGA 481 TATCTATACCTTTATTAAATGCT TTTAATTTAATAAATT CYP2C19_r5_R CAAAACTAGTCAATGAATCACAA 290 CAAAACTAGT 482 ATACGCAAGCAGTCACATAACTA AGCTTTTGTTAACA CYP2C9_r1_F AAGGAGCATATAGTGGACCTAGG 291 AAGGAGCATA 483 TGATTGGTCAATTTATCCATCAA AGAGGCACACACCG CYP2C9_r1_F AGCCTTTCAAAGTATTTTACTTT 292 AGCCTTTCAA 484 ACCATTACCTCTTGTAACATGTA CCTCTAGGGATACA CYP2C9_r3_F GGGGAGGATGGAAAACAGAGACT 293 GGGGAGGATG 485 TACAGAGCTCCTCGGGCAGAGCT TGGCCCATCCACAT CYP2C9_r3_R GATATGGCCACCCCTGAAATGTT 294 GATATGGCCA 486 TCCAAGAATGTCAGTAGAGAAGA TAGTAGTCCAGTAA CYP2C9_r5_F CTCAACCAGAGCTTGGTATATGG 295 CTCAACCAGA 487 TATGTATGCTTTTATTAAAATCT TTTAATTTAATAAATT CYP2C9_r5_R CAGAACTAGTCAACAAATCACAA 296 CAGAACTAGT 488 ATTCACAAGCAGTCACATAACTA AGCTTTTGTTTACA CYP2D6_r1_F GGAAGTCCCCCAAACCTGCTTCC 297 GGAAGTCCCC 489 CCTTCTCAGCCTGGCTTCTGGTC CAGCCTGTGGTTTC CYP2D6_r1_R GCCTGGTGGGGTGGGGGTGCCAG 298 GCCTGGTGGG 490 GTGTGTCCAGAGGAGCCCATTTG GTAGTGAGGCAGGT CYP2D6_r2_F GCCCAGCTCGGACTACGGTCATC 299 GCCCAGCTCG 491 ACCCACCCGGGTCCCACGGAAAT CTGTCTCTGTCCCC CYP2D6_r2_R AATAGGACTAGGACCTGTAGTCT 300 AATAGGACTA 492 GGGGGGATCCTGGCTTGACAAGA GGCCCTGACCCTCC CYP2D6_r5_F AAGTTCATGGGCCCCCGCCTGTA 301 AAGTTCATGG 493 CCCTTCCTCCCTCGGCCCCTGCA CTGTTTCCCAGATG CYP2D6_r5_R GGGCTGACAGGTGCAGAATTGGA 302 GGGCTGACAG 494 GGTCATTTGGGGGCTACCCCGTT CTGTCCCGAGTATG CYP2D6_r8_F CATTGCTTTATTGTACATTAGAG 303 CATTGCTTTA 495 CCTCTGGCTAGGGAGCAGGCTGG GGACTAGGTACCCC CYP2D6_r8_R TGGAGTCTTGCAGGGGTATCACC 304 TGGAGTCTTG 496 CAGGAGCCAGGCTCACTGACGCC CCTCCCCTCCCCAC DCC_r1_F AGTGCATGTGTGTGAGTGCTGCC 305 AGTGCATGTG 497 GCTGCCCGCGACCCCTGGCCCCG AAGGTGTTGGCTGA DCC_r1_R AATGAGAAGGGAAGTGGGGTACG 306 AATGAGAAGG 498 GAAGGGGGTGCGACGAGAAGAAA GGAAAGAGCCACTT DCC_r2_F GGAATCTAAGCCTGAGATTTATT 307 GGAATCTAAG 499 TGAATACATGAACATATTTCCCT GTGCTCTCTTGTTC DCC_r2_R AAGATGGCATTCATCTGGCCTTG 308 AAGATGGCAT 500 GGAATGGATGAAAGGAAGCAGCA ACTTTCAAATGGGT DCC_r2 GGTAAAGTCCCTCATCTGGCTTG 309 GGTAAAGTCC 501 TGGTGTCTGGAATGAAGTATGTT TTGTATCAGCAGAG DCC_r3_F TTTATTGGCGATTATTGTGCTTT 310 TTTATTGGCG 502 ATTTGGAAGACTTATTCTTCCTT CTTTGTTTTTCTCC DCC_r3_R GAAAAAAATTGTTTTTCAACTTA 311 GAAAAAAATT 503 TTCCAGAGAATATCATTCTGAAG GCAACAAAGAGCAT DCC_r4_F ATATATCATTTATCTTTGCAATG 312 ATATATCATT 504 TTTTTCATATATCATATGATACT GTGTTTTCCCCTCA DCC_r4_R ATTAGAGAAATATAAATAGCAGC 313 ATTAGAGAAA 505 ATATACCATACAAAAGTACACTT TACAAAAAAGTCTT EP300_r18_F ATACTCCATCTCCCGTAAAAATA 314 ATACTCCATC 506 GTGAGACTTGAGTAATGTTTGAT GTCACTTGTCTTTC EP300_r18_R CAGTCACCACTATATTATTCTAG 315 CAGTCACCAC 507 GTATCCCAGAAAAGTTAAAGTCA AATCTGAAACACAT EP300_r19_F TTCTTACTGTTCTAGCTTGTCCT 316 TTCTTACTGT 508 TAAGGCCTCTGTGCTTTTTAACA AATGGTTTCTTTTG EP300_r19_R TCCGCATGCACTCCCTGGACATG 317 TCCGCATGCA 509 TGGACACATGGACCATGGTCCAC ACCTGGCCAAGCTT EP300_r20_F CTTGGCTTGGGCTGTGTTGTGTG 318 CTTGGCTTGG 510 AACGGAACAGTTCACCCCAGTAT GGCCTTCTTGCCGA EP300_r20_R GCTGTGCATAATCACTGGACAAC 319 GCTGTGCATA 511 AAACTAATTAGCACTTTTCAAAA TAATGCAGTTACTT EP300_r21_F GAACAGCAGTCAGATTGCTCATC 320 GAACAGCAGT 512 TCTATCACTTTTTCTCATTGTGT CCCTTTTCTCTCCT EP300_r21_R AGAGAATGAAAGGGAAAAAGAAA 321 AGAGAATGAA 513 AGCCAAAGCGTACTGACTATTCA AGGGGATCGTACTT EP300_r22_F TATTGCAAGTTTTCATTTGGTTA 322 TATTGCAAGT 514 AGGTTTGGGGTTAATTTTGGAAT TGGCTCTGCTCTTC EP300_r22_R AAAACTTGTTAATATTCACGATA 323 AAAACTTGTT 515 AAGAAAAATTCCAGAGAAAGTAA CAACGTTAAGACTT PTEN_r1_F GCAGAAGAAGCCCCGCCACCAGC 324 GCAGAAGAAG 516 AGCTTCTGCCATCTCTCTCCTCC TTTTTCTTCAGCCA PTEN_r1_R CTACTCCCACGTTCTAAGAGAGT 325 CTACTCCCAC 517 GACAGAAAGGTAAAGAGGAGCAG CCGCAGAAATGGAT PTEN_r2_F AGTATTCTTTTAGTTTGATTGCT 326 AGTATTCTTT 518 GCATATTTCAGATATTTCTTTCC TTAACTAAAGTACT PTEN_r2_R AATGAAAACACAACATGAATATA 327 AATGAAAACA 519 AACATCAATATTTGAAATAGAAA ATCAAAGCATTCTT PTEN_r3_F GTAATTTCAAATGTTAGCTCATT 328 GTAATTTCAA 520 TTTGTTAATGGTGGCTTTTTGTT TGTTTGTTTTGTTT PTEN_r3_R CTTTCACTTAATAGTTGTTTTAG 329 CTTTCACTTA 521 AAGATATTTGCAAGCATACAAAT AAGAAAACATACTT PTEN_r4_F GTACTTTTTTTTCTTCCTAAGTG 330 GTACTTTTTT 522 CAAAAGATAACTTTATATCACTT TTAAACTTTTCTTT PTEN_r4_R ACAGTAAGATACAGTCTATCGGG 331 ACAGTAAGAT 523 TTTAAGTTATACAACATAGTACA GTACATTCATACCT PTEN_r5_F TACTTGTTAATTAAAAATTCAAG 332 TACTTGTTAA 524 AGTTTTTTTTTCTTATTCTGAGG TTATCTTTTTACCA PTEN_r5_R CCAAAATCTGTTTTCCAATAAAT 333 CCAAAATCTG 525 TCTCAGATCCAGGAAGAGGAAAG GAAAAACATCAAAA RHD_r1_F TCAAGTAGGTGTTGGAGAGAGGG 334 TCAAGTAGGT 526 GTGATGCCTGGTGCTGGTGGAAC CCCTGCACAGAGAC RHD_r2_F CCTGTCCTTTCGGGGTCCATTCC 335 CCTGTCCTTT 527 CTCTATGACCCAGAAGTGATCCA GCCACCATCCCAAT RHD_r5_F AACCCCTCGAGGCTCAGACCTTT 336 AACCCCTCGA 528 GGAGCAGGAGTGTGATTCTGGCC AACCACCCTCTCTG RHD_r5_R CATAAATATGTGTGCTAGTCCTG 337 CATAAATATG 529 TTAGACCCAAGTGCTGCCCAAGG GCAGCGCCCTGCTC RHD_r6_F TTGCAGCAAGATGGTGTTCTCTC 338 TTGCAGCAAG 530 TCTACCTTGCTTCCTTTACCCAC ACGCTATTTCTTTG RHD_r7_F GAGATCAAGCCAAAATCAGTATG 339 GAGATCAAGC 531 TGGGTTCATCTGCAATAAAAATG TTTGTTTTGCTTTT RHD_r7_R GCAACAGTGAGAGGAAGTTGTCT 340 GCAACAGTGA 532 TGTTTTTGAACAGGCCTTGTTTT TCTTGGATGCTTTT RUNX1_r1_F CTGCCATTTCATTACAGGCAAAG 341 CTGCCATTTC 533 CTGAGCAAAAGTAGATATTACAA GACCAGCATGTACT RUNX1_r1_R AAGGTAAAAGAAATCATTGAGTC 342 AAGGTAAAAG 534 CCCCGCCTTCAGAAGAGGGTGCA TTTTCAGGAGGAAG RUNX1_r3_F GCGGATCTCCCCCGGCCTCGCCG 343 GCGGATCTCC 535 GCCTCCGCCTGTCCTCCCACCAC CCTCTCCGGGCCAG RUNX1_r3_R CTGGTAGGAGCTGTTTGCAGGGT 344 CTGGTAGGAG 536 CCTAACTCAATCGGCTTGTTGTG ATGCGTATCCCCGT RUNX1_r4_F TTTTGAAATGTGGGTTTGTTGCC 345 TTTTGAAATG 537 ATGAAACGTGTTTCAAGCATAGT TTTGACAGATAACG RUNX1_r4_R TGCCCTAAAAGTGTATGTATAAC 346 TGCCCTAAAA 538 ATCCCTGATGTCTGCATTTGTCC TTTGACTGGTGTTT RUNX1_r5_F GTATACCAGCCTGGAGGGTGTAC 347 GTATACCAGC 539 CAGCCTGGAGGGTGTACCAGCCC CAAGTGGATGCACT RUNX1_r5_R TTCAACAGATATGTTCAGGCCAC 348 TTCAACAGAT 540 CAACCTCATTCTGTTTTGTTCTC TATCGTGTCCCCAC SKI_r4_F AGGATGTGTCTGGGTGGTGCTTG 349 AGGATGTGTC 541 GGGACAGAGGCACCTTCCCGACA CCCGCCTGCCCCTC SKI_r4_R CCTCAGCCAGTGCCACCCCCACA 350 CCTCAGCCAG 542 GCCCACAGGGAGGAGGCACAGAA AGCGACTCACACGT SKI_r5_F CTGGTGTGGAGCTGCCGGGCACT 351 CTGGTGTGGA 543 TCCATGACTTTGTTTCTGTCTCT GCTTCCTCCTCAGT SKI_r5_R CTGGTGCAGGCTGTGCTCACTGC 352 CTGGTGCAGG 544 CCGTGCCCTGGACCTCCCAGCAC CACTCGCCCCGCTC SKI_r6_F GTCATGGTGAGGGGTGTGCTGGG 353 GTCATGGTGA 545 ACCGGCTGGGCAGTGACCCCGAG CCGCCTCCGGCCCC SKI_r6_R CCGGGGCCCACGGCGGCTCCACG 354 CCGGGGCCCA 546 CCCACCGTGCTGCGTGCCTCAGT CTCCCCACCCGCAT SRY_r1_F CTGTAAGTTATCGTAAAAAGGAG 355 CTGTAAGTTA 547 CATCTAGGTAGGTCTTTGTAGCC AATGTTACCCGATT SRY_r1_M1 AGTAAAATAAGTTTCGAACTCTG 356 AGTAAAATAA 548 GCACCTTTCAATTTTGTCGCACT CTCCTTGTTTTTGA SRY_r1_M2 GAAGCAAACTGCAATTCTTCGGC 357 GAAGCAAACT 549 AGCATCTTCGCCTTCCGACGAGG TCGATACTTATAAT SRY_r1_M3 AATGGCCATTCTTCCAGGAGGCA 358 AATGGCCATT 550 CAGAAATTACAGGCCATGCACAG AGAGAAATACCCGA SRY_r1_M4 CTTGCGCCTCTGATCGCGAGACC 359 CTTGCGCCTC 551 ACACGATGAATGCGTTCATGGGT CGCTTCACTCTATC SRY_r1_R GAAAGCTGTAACTCTAAGTATCA 360 GAAAGCTGTA 552 GTGTGAAACGGGAGAAAACAGTA AAGGCAACGTCCAG TNFRSF14_r1_F AGTTCCTCTGCTGGAGTTCATCC 361 AGTTCCTCTG 553 TGCTAGCTGGGTTCCCGAGCTGC CGGTCTGAGCCTGA TNFRSF14_r1_R TCTGTGGGAGGCCCTGGGGTCAG 362 TCTGTGGGAG 554 AACTGGGATCTGCGAGCAGACGG AGAGGAGGCTCGGG TNFRSF14_r2_F CAAGCCTGGCAGAGCCCACAGGG 363 CAAGCCTGGC 555 CAGCCAGGGCATCTCCCAATGCC TGTCCTGACCCCCT TNFRSF14_r2_R TGTCTGGGGCAGAAGGGGGCAAG 364 TGTCTGGGGC 556 AGTGTCTGCCCTCGGCCCACAGA GCTGGCCCGCCAAA TNFRSF14_r3_F TGATGGGTGGGCTCCCGAAGGGG 365 TGATGGGTGG 557 CCTCCCGCAGACTTGCGAAGTTC CCACTCTCTGGGCG TNFRSF14_r3_R CAGGGTGCGGGGGCATCCAGGCT 366 CAGGGTGCGG 558 GCCCAAGCGGAGGCTGGGCCGGC TGTGCTGGCCTCTT UGT1A1_rP_P CTCCACCTTCTTTATCTCTGAAA 367 CTCCACCTTC 559 GTGAACTCCCTGCTACCTTTGTG GACTGACAGCTTTT UGT1A1_r1_F TCGATCCAAAGTAATACATCTGA 368 TCGATCCAAA 560 AAGAATATACGCATGTAAAAGTC CCACTCCAATACAC UGT1A1_r1_M1 CTGCAGCAGAGGGGACATGAAAT 369 CTGCAGCAGA 561 AGTTGTCCTAGCACCTGACGCCT CGTTGTACATCAGA UGT1A1_r1_M2 ACTCTTTCACATCCTCCCTTTGG 370 ACTCTTTCAC 562 AATGGCACAGGGTACGTCTTCAA GGTGTAAAATGCTC UGT1A1_r1_M3 GCGTGTGATCAAAACATACAAGA 371 GCGTGTGATC 563 AAATAAAAAAGGACTCTGCTATG CTTTTGTCTGGCTG UGT1A1_r1_M4 ACATCAAAGCTGCTTTCTGCCAG 372 ACATCAAAGC 564 GGAGGCCATGAGCTCCTTGTTGT GCAGTAAGTGGGAA UGT1A1_r1_M5 CTCTGCCCACTGTATTCTTCTTG 373 CTCTGCCCAC 565 CATGCACTGCCATGCAGCCTGGA ATTTGAGGCTACCC UGT1A1_r1_M6 TCATGTGATCTGAATGAGAGGAG 374 TCATGTGATC 566 AGAGGCCTGGGCACGTAGGAGAA TGGGTTGGGGCACT UGT1A1_r1_M7 TGCGACGTGGTTTATTCCCCGTA 375 TGCGACGTGG 567 TGCAACCCTTGCCTCAGAATTCC TTCAGAGAGAGGTG UGT1A1_r1_R CTTCACAAAGTCACTTCTAAACA 376 CTTCACAAAG 568 GCCAGACAGATGCAGAGCTCAAT AGGTCCTGGACAGT UGT1A1_r2_F ACTGTATGTAGTCATCAAAGAAT 377 ACTGTATGTA 569 ATGAGAAAAAATTAACTGAAAAT TTTTCTTCTGGCTC UGT1A1_r2_R ATTAATCTGGAAGCTGGAAGTCT 378 ATTAATCTGG 570 GGGATTAGCGCTCCTGTGAAAAT AGATATGAGGCCAT UGT1A1_r3_F CAGATTTGTTTTCTAATCATATT 379 CAGATTTGTT 571 ATGTTCTTTCTTTACGTTCTGCT CTTTTTGCCCCTCC UGT1A1_r3_R GCTTAAGCCATTTTCTTAATTTG 380 GCTTAAGCCA 572 ACCCTGGTTTGACCTATACATCC AATCCGCCCAACAT UGT1A1_r4_F TGTGTCCAGCTGTGAAACTCAGA 381 TGTGTCCAGC 573 GATGTAACTGCTGACATCCTCCC TATTTTGCATCTCA UGT1A1_r4_R ATTTGAAACAATTTTATCATGAA 382 ATTTGAAACA 574 TGCCATGACCAAAGTATTCTTCT GTATCTTCTTTCTT UGT1A1_r5_F ATAAAGAGAGGATTGTTCATACC 383 ATAAAGAGAG 575 ACAGGTGTTCCAGGCATAACGAA ACTGTCTTTGTGTT UGT1A1_r5_R TTTTCAAGTTTGGAAATGACTAG 384 TTTTCAAGTT 576 GGAATGGTTCAAAATTTTACCTT ATTTCCCACCCACT VHL_r1_F CGCCCCGCGTCCGACCCGCGGAT 385 CGCCCCGCGT 577 CCCGCGGCGTCCGGCCCGGGTGG TCTGGATCGCGGAG VHL_r1_M1 TAGAGGGGCTTCAGACCGTGCTA 386 TAGAGGGGCT 578 TCGTCCCTGCTGGGTCGGGCCTA AGCGCCGGGCCCGT VHL_r1_M2 GGCGCCGAGGAGGAGATGGAGGC 387 GGCGCCGAGG 579 CGGGCGGCCGCGGCCCGTGCTGC GCTCGGTGAACTCG VHL_r1_R CCATACGGGCAGCACGACGCGCG 388 CCATACGGGC 580 GACTGCGATTGCAGAAGATGACC TGGGAGGGCTCGCG VHL_r2_F GGTGTGGGCCACCGTGCCCAGCC 389 GGTGTGGGCC 581 ACCGGTGTGGCTCTTTAACAACC TTTGCTTGTCCCGA VHL_r2_R AAGTGGTCTATCCTGTACTTACC 390 AAGTGGTCTA 582 ACAACAACCTTATCTTTTTAAAA AGTAAAACGTCAGT VHL_r3_F CTTGTTCGTTCCTTGTACTGAGA 391 CTTGTTCGTT 583 CCCTAGTCTGCCACTGAGGATTT GGTTTTTGCCCTTC VHL_r3_R ATCAAGACTCATCAGTACCATCA 392 ATCAAGACTC 584 AAAGCTGAGATGAAACAGTGTAA GTTTCAACAGAAAT In paired-end sequencing experiments, read_1 and read_2 are derived from the same DNA clone.\",\n \"This implies that the read_1 genomic sequence (parts (3) and (4) in FIG.\",\n \"24) is present because it was associated with a particular probe (part (5) in FIG.\",\n \"24).\",\n \"Taken in total, this data indicates that each DNA sequence present in a collection of next-generation sequences can be associated with the probe sequence that targeted it.\",\n \"All DNA sequences associated with a particular probe can be retrieved.\",\n \"The present paradigm for next-generation resequencing analysis (targeted or otherwise) is to align reads back to a reference genome.\",\n \"Knowledge of the targeting probe association affords a novel workflow in which reads are first sorted by probe and then analyzed by either alignment-based methods, de novo assembly methods, or both.\",\n \"As described in Example 14, probe-associated-read-scaffold-assembly (PARSAR) solves one of the more complex and difficult issues in variant discovery, which is that the most interesting variants are those that deviate most significantly from the reference sequence, yet these are the very sequences that will be most refractile to conventional sequence based alignment (FIG.\",\n \"25).\",\n \"Using probe-association followed by de novo local assembly, such variants are easily identified.\",\n \"Probe-based read grouping is used in conjunction with other aspects of molecular design to identify variants with a high-degree of first-pass confidence.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"26, probes are generally designed to bracket target regions.\",\n \"The overlapping aspect of reads allows potential variant sites to be queried by independent reads in both orientations.\",\n \"In addition, this dual-probe design ensures that adjacent probe binding sites themselves are sequenced.\",\n \"This is an important feature where probe capture performance may be in question.\",\n \"As an example, variant alleles where single nucleotide variants underlie one of the capture probe sequences are identified by this molecular design and can be accounted for in downstream informatics analysis.\",\n \"An additional aspect of flow of information from molecular annotation to downstream variant analysis involves sequence “tags”, defined as the combination of a three base sequence label and ragged sequence start sites ((1)+(3) in FIG.\",\n \"24).\",\n \"Sequence tags define the uniqueness of each sequencing clone.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"27, variants that occur within a collection of sibling clones that share identical sequence tags are likely to be false positives.\",\n \"In contrast, variants are shared among sequences with different tags—even if they occur at low frequency—have a higher probability of being true positive variants.\",\n \"This system of tagging sequences and using tags to assign confidence predictions to variant calling has the prospect of substantially decreasing the burden of downstream variant validation (which can be costly and time consuming).\",\n \"Molecular annotation is described in more detail in the document Example 16, which describes the molecular technology sequencing platform.\",\n \"In summary, one of the distinguishing features of the technology platforms contemplated herein is the fact that all “annealing probe” events are copied into DNA clones that also possess additional molecular annotation.\",\n \"Sequences are segregated by probe and by sample labels into a collection belonging to a specific target region of a specific input sample.\",\n \"Combinations of alignment and de novo assembly can then be used for variant detection.\",\n \"Finally, redundancy in the appearance of candidate variants can be used to assign confidence in variant calling.\",\n \"In addition to variant analysis, methods for copy number determination were also provided.\",\n \"These two elements are tightly coupled, specifically because copy number determination is dependent on high confidence sequencing reads.\",\n \"The overall schema for determining copy number from sequence information is shown in FIG.\",\n \"28.Example 16: Molecular Technology Sequencing Platform Overview: The genomic sequencing platforms contemplated herein provide methods to: (1) Address genomic samples from multiple individuals in a single sequencing run; (2) Detect single (and/or multiple) nucleotide variants (SNVs) and single (and/or multiple) nucleotide insertions and deletions (SNIDs) with high confidence; (3) Detect large and small scale copy number variations (CNVs) in all queried gene environments; (4) Detect micro-scale translocations, inversions and insertion/deletion events in queried gene environments; (5) Develop a technological system that is scalable from ≥exome-scale investigation (≥1-2% of the overall human genome sequence) to ≤single gene-scale validation; (6) Achieve high specificity (low false-negative rate) and high sensitivity (low false-positive rate) in genomic variation tests; (7) Create a molecular and bioinformatics technology that is simple, portable and scalable in its execution; and (8) Provide molecular methods that are readily amenable to quality control measurements.\",\n \"The overall schematic of genomic sequencing read is shown in FIG.\",\n \"29.A description of each element is as follows: (1) The “sequence label” is a set of (contiguous*) nucleotides (i.e.\",\n \"a unique set of 3 mers) that is used in conjunction with the read start position (3) to establish the uniqueness of each sequencing read.\",\n \"In founding documents, the combination of this label and the read start point were referred to as the “unique sequence tag.” Because the sequence label is the first set of bases encountered and in sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) chemistry all four DNA bases must be equally represented at each read position, the constraints on the sequencing label are not only uniqueness, but also that the collection of bases used in the collective set of sequence labels must have all four bases present at all positions sequenced.\",\n \"The use of unique sequence tags to determine local CNVs is described in the bioinformatics section of this document.\",\n \"(2) The “sample label” is a set of (contiguous*) nucleotide codes that uniquely identify a particular sample within a set of multiplexed samples.\",\n \"As with the sequencing label, the collection of sample labels must also contain all four bases to satisfy the requirements of SBS sequence base calling.\",\n \"The sample codes are intentionally positioned next to genomic DNA fragments.\",\n \"The driver for this design is ligation bias, meaning that there are base preferences for DNA ligation efficiency in the ˜2 bases upstream and the 1-2 bases downstream of the ligation junction.\",\n \"By placing the sample code at the ligation junction, all fragments within a specific sample experience the ligation influences/biases.\",\n \"*—Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is contemplated that the sequence labels and sample labels could be created as inter-digitated nucleotide sequences.\",\n \"(3) The “read start point” within genomic fragments is one of two key elements that define a “unique sequence read.” As discussed in section (1) above, the unique identifying “tag” for each read is comprised of the sequencing label AND the read start point.\",\n \"As considered in more detail below, the collection of unique [(1)+(3)] sequence tags is essential for determination of large scale CNV.\",\n \"Here “large scale CNV” is defined as any CNV that involves the entirety of at least one probe binding region plus some adjacent sequence.\",\n \"Large scale CNV can be as large as gain or loss of entire chromosomes.\",\n \"[(1)+(2)] The sequence label and sample label are embedded in adaptor sequences that are ligated to end-repaired genomic fragments in the initial stage of library construction process where a whole genome library is created.\",\n \"(4) The sequencing read.\",\n \"The sequence information from genomic fragments is, of course, a central focus of the genomic assays.\",\n \"Each read is considered in the context of multiple, overlapping reads produced within the same assay.\",\n \"(5) The probe level—“genomic indexing.” The overall genomics assay strategy is to combine multiple sequence labels into a composite “molecular annotation” that places each sequencing read into a larger framework of genomic analysis.\",\n \"Within this operational paradigm, Read 1 reveals elements (1-4) of each annotated clone.\",\n \"Read 2 reveals the probe sequence that retrieved each clone by hybridization based capture and subsequent enzymatic processing.\",\n \"The probe sequence information is central to the genomics strategy because all reads are initially clustered according to the probe that captured them.\",\n \"This clustering of information on a probe-by-probe basis is termed “genomic indexing” because each read is indexed to a genomic probe prior to analysis.\",\n \"One of the interesting features of the probe label is that the constellation of all probe sequences within a capture reaction is well-defined (we know which probes went into the capture reaction).\",\n \"This implies that Read 2 does not necessarily need to cover the entire 60 nt probe sequence.\",\n \"Rather, Read 2 only needs to be of sufficient length to enable unambiguous identification of all probes within a specific reaction.\",\n \"As one non-limiting example, the probe set discussed in Example 15 consists of 192 probes that can be differentiated based on only 7 nt of 5′ probe sequence (two of the probes with identical 7 nt 5′ termini were tagged with dinucleotide codes so they could be informatically differentiated).\",\n \"(6) The capture label.\",\n \"The composition of the libraries is determined by the intimate molecular interaction between probes and target sequences.\",\n \"The performance of each unique probe sequence can be monitored using the capture label, which can be as simple as a string of several (4-6) random bases.\",\n \"The diversity and statistical distribution of capture labels detected in sequencing is a direct measure of probe performance.\",\n \"By way of example, imagine a case where very few sequences are associated with a particular probe sequence.\",\n \"It may be tempting to attribute this deficit of sequences to poor probe performance, and therefore to initiate iterative cycles of probe redesigns.\",\n \"However, sequence under-representation may also be a consequence of sequences that do not ligate well to adaptors and or sequences that do not amplify well with the particular PCR regimen that is used.\",\n \"The use of capture labels allows differentiation of these failure modes.\",\n \"With poor probe performance, the very few capture events that do occur will manifest as very few capture labels that show up multiple times.\",\n \"In contrast, poor representation for reasons upstream of the actual capture reaction (ligation, PCR, end-repair, etc.)\",\n \"will result in a large constellation of capture labels that will be, by and large, uniquely represented.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, as one transitions into automated designs of thousands of probes, the ability to informatically QC probe performance will become increasingly important.\",\n \"Example 17: Probe Selection and Implementation Summary: Probe sequence selection and the methods to use them have, necessarily, been developed in concert.\",\n \"This example describes probe selection criterion in Section I and the laboratory methods that make them most effective in Section II.\",\n \"See, e.g., FIG.\",\n \"30.Section I.\",\n \"Selection of Targeting Probes.\",\n \"In the most general terms, target enrichment probes are 60 nt in length.\",\n \"Probes are generally directional, meaning they capture sequences on one side (generally the 3′ side) of their position.\",\n \"Tail sequences that add additional functionality (e.g., PCR primer binding site, binding site for complementary oligo that enables biotin pull-out, etc) are added in addition to the core targeting 60-mer.\",\n \"Sixty nucleotide targeting sequences are chosen with the following constraints and criterion: (1) The probe is positioned from −100 to +50 nt relative to the start of the target sequence.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"30, the “start” of the target sequence is the intron:exon junction; (2) Probes are designed with redundancy, as illustrated, such that the resulting sequences from a pair of probes are overlapping in opposite orientations; (3) Probes are selected (where possible) to possess GC content not less than 33% (>20 G's or C's per 60 mer) and not more than 67% (<40 G's or C's per 60 mer); (4) Probes are selected to avoid repeats wherever possible.\",\n \"This is done with the help of REPEATMASKER and/or unique alignability criterion, both of which can be viewed on the UCSC genome browser; and (5) In case the position requirement, GC requirement, and the uniqueness requirement cannot be met, selection rules are relaxed in the following order (GC>position>uniqueness).\",\n \"In other words, GC and positioning are flexible; the uniqueness criterion is not.\",\n \"Section II.\",\n \"Laboratory Methods.\",\n \"The input to target enrichment is probes, a gDNA library, and buffers, which have been described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"The first step in targeted enrichment is melting of the gDNA library, which begins in a form as double-stranded PCR fragments.\",\n \"This is achieved by denaturation of the gDNA, preferably at a concentration of 100 ng/μL in a total volume of 10 μL, at 98° C. for 2 min followed by immediate transfer to ice.\",\n \"The gDNA library is suspended in a low salt buffer that contains 10 mM Tris pH 8.0 and 0.1 mM EDTA.\",\n \"The second step is to add 5 L of concentrated binding buffer (4M NaCl, 40 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.4 mM EDTA and 0.4% Tween20).\",\n \"While these conditions are specific, the overarching concept is that the concentration of salt must be increased to 2N osmolarity to achieve rapid kinetic association of complementary DNA strands.\",\n \"Five microliters of probe is also added such that the final concentration of probe is 250 pM in each probe.\",\n \"The mixture of gDNA library, buffer and probe is heated to 98° C. for 2 min and cooled in 1° C. increments for four min each down to 68° C. In the third step, probe:gDNA complexes (the probe has a biotin associated with it) are bound to magnetic beads that are coated with streptavidin.\",\n \"In the fourth step, stringent washing is used to remove unwanted associations between probe and non-target sequences that may occur because of, for example, short matches of nucleotide sequence between probe and gDNA.\",\n \"Stringency is achieved by using low-salt, high-formamide wash buffer as, for example, a buffer containing 30%-35% formamide (v/v), 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.1 mM EDTA and 0.5% Tween 20).\",\n \"Several washes of the beads are used to achieve the desired purity of target sequence (e.g., four).\",\n \"The washed beads possess target sequences bound to probe that are processed, amplified, and sequenced.\",\n \"In summary, low salt melting of the gDNA library, high salt probe annealing, and high formamide washes are used in concert with probe designs to achieve high levels of target sequence enrichment.\",\n \"Example 18: Exemplary Sequences Overview: Exemplary genome tags, sample codes and library information are shown in Tables 27-29 below.\",\n \"TABLE 27 Exemplary Genome tags Genome tags APC CAA GAT TAG ACA CCC GCG TCT AGT CGG GGC TGA ATG CTT GTA TTC TABLE 28 Exemplary Sample Codes Sample codes GAA TCA CGA ATA TAC GCC AGC CTC APG CCG TGG GTG CAT ACT GGT TTT TABLE 29 Exemplary Library Genome Sample tags codes Sample ID Input AAC ATA NA18917 50 genomes ACA CCG NA18917 100 genomes AGT GGT NA18917 200 genomes ATG TAC NA18917 400 genomes CAA AGC NA12878 50 genomes CCC CAT NA12878 100 genomes CGG GTG NA12878 200 genomes CTT TCA NA12878 400 genomes GAT GCG GGC GTA TAG TCT TGA TTC Example 19: Construction of Tagged, Targeted, Genomic Library Summary: Several ways to construct tagged, targeted genomic sequencing libraries are contemplated herein.\",\n \"In this embodiment, DNA repair is used to attach probe-associated sequences to captured genomic fragments.\",\n \"This approach worked well for creating sequence-ready targeted genomic libraries.\",\n \"Concept: An important principle of the library construction is that the sequence ready clones are comprised of DNA sequences derived from both genomic fragments and capture probes.\",\n \"This “recombination” of parts greatly enriches for those genomic fragments that are in direct contact with probe, and it enables focused sequencing reads on one side of a probe sequence.\",\n \"In this design, the tripartite complex formed between the target genomic library fragment, the capture probe and the common partner oligo possesses a structure reminiscent of a DNA replication fork.\",\n \"Such forks occur during normal DNA replication, but they also occur during DNA repair processes.\",\n \"In the latter case, it is often necessary to trim 5′ displaced strands to enable joining of the newly polymerized strand to the adjacent 3′ sequence.\",\n \"This repair process requires two enzymes and three enzymatic activities.\",\n \"DNA polymerase holoenzymes like E. coli DNA polymerase or Bst DNA polymerase possess two of these activities, a 5′ to 3′ endonuclease activity that removes these 5′ displaced flaps and, of course, DNA polymerase activity.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, Bst polymerase is preferred because it also lacks 3′ to 5′ nuclease activity that is often associated with DNA polymerase holoenzymes.\",\n \"See, e.g., FIG.\",\n \"31.This feature is useful because it suggests that the single-stranded 3′ DNA protrusions of the target genomic clones do not require protection.\",\n \"The other enzyme and activity required is a nick-closing DNA ligase such as the NAD+-requiring Taq DNA ligase.\",\n \"Following processing, processed fragments are amplified by PCR to allow for size selection and quantification prior to sequencing.\",\n \"Proof of Principle Oligonucleotides: For this experiment, eight target regions were chosen that correspond to eight genomic regions for which we have qPCR assays.\",\n \"The forward and reverse primers for these eight regions are shown in Table 30.The capture probes are the exact reverse complement of capture probes that were used and validated elsewhere herein.\",\n \"These probes span a % GC range from 22% to 73% as noted in Table 32.TABLE 30 Proof of principle oligonucleotides SEQ ID qPCR NO: Assay Name Sequence 585 17 SRY_F CTGGTGCTCCATTCTTGAGTGTGT 586 SRY_R GGACAACAGGTTGTACAGGGATGA 587 18 VHL_F TACAGGAGACTGGACATCGTCAGG 588 VHL_R CTTTCTGCACATTTGGGTGGTCTT 589 19 UGT_F GGTGATCAGATGGACAATGCAAAG 590 UGT_R TCATTTCCAGAACATTCAGGGTCA 591 20 TNF_F ACCTCAATGGCCTAAGCAAGTGTC 592 TNF_R GCCTCTTACCTGGGTCACACATTT 593 21 RUNX_F ATCTTGCAACCTGGTTCTTCATGG 594 RUNX_R GCTGGCAATGATGAAAACTACTCG 595 22 RHD_F CCAAGTTTCAACTCTGCTCTGCTG 596 RHD_R GTTGAACACGGCATTCTTCCTTTC 597 23 PTEN_F GGAAAGGGACGAACTGGTGTAATG 598 PTEN_R AAATCTAGGGCCTCTTGTGCCTTT 599 24 EP300_F AGCCCCATGGATCTTTCTACCATT 600 EP300_R ATACTGCCAGGGCTCCTGATACTG Capture probe Name Sequence 601 17 SRY_rlf_V3 ATCGGGTAACATTGGCTACAAAGACCTACCTAGATGC TCCTTTTTACGATAACTTACAGGTGAAAACCAGGATCA ACTCCCGTGCCAGTCACATCTCGT 602 SRY_rlr_V3 ATTATAAGTATCGACCTCGTCGGAAGGCGAAGATGCTG CCGAAGAATTGCAGTTTGCTTCGTGAAAACCAGGATCA ACTCCCGTGCCAGTCACATCTCGT Probes were synthesized as ultramers by IDT, rehydrated to 100 uM, and pooled; each probe in the pool is present at 6.25 uM.\",\n \"To create a 100× stock solution in which each probe was present at 100 nM, 10 uM of pool and 10 μL of 100 uM common, biotinylated partner oligo were combined in 605 μL of TEzero+0.05% Tween 20 (TT).\",\n \"The 100× stock was further diluted 100-fold (10 μL into 990 μL TT) to give a working solution in which each probe is present at a concentration of 1 nM.\",\n \"Capture/Processing Protocols: One objective of the proof of principle study was to validate probe performance and test the efficiency of processing on sequence-ready library yield.\",\n \"The genomic library pool was derived from a 16 sample set library.\",\n \"For probe annealing, four of 10 μL library aliquots in separate PCR strip tubes were heated to 98° C. for 2 min and cooled on ice.\",\n \"Five μL of 4× bind buffer and five μL of probe were added to each tube, and the solution was annealed using a 1° C. step for four min thermal cycler program from 98° C. to 69° C. Annealed complexes were bound to streptavidin-coated magnetic beads, washed four times with 25% formamide-containing wash buffer and one time with TEzero.\",\n \"The final complexes were suspended in 2 μL of TEzero.\",\n \"Four treatments of the four complexes were investigated: (1) No processing, amplification with ACA2 primer alone to determine raw capture efficiency; (2) No processing, amplification with AF and CR to determine unprocessed amplification and capture efficiency; (3) PreCR processing in 10 μL prior to AF and CR amplification to explore low volume processing; and (4) PreCR processing in 50 μL prior to AF and CR amplification to establish high volume processing effects.\",\n \"PreCR processing was accomplished by adding the manufacturer's recommended solution that contained per 100 μL: 82 μL of water 10 μL of Thermopol buffer 1 μL of 100×NAD+ 1 μL of 10 mM dNTPs 2 μL of PreCR enzyme mix Ten μL of PreCR cocktail was added to tube 3 and 50 μL was added to tube 4.These were incubated at 37 C for 20 min.\",\n \"Following PreCR treatment, all four samples were resuspended to 50 μL by the addition of TEzero, and Q5 PCR cocktail with the appropriate PCR primers was added to a final volume of 250 μL.\",\n \"Each aliquot of PCR cocktail contained: 125 μL water 50 μL 5× Q5 reaction buffer 25 μL of 10 uM primer (either ACA2 or a 1:1 blend of AF and CR) 5 μL of 10 mM dNTPs 2.5 μL of Q5 hot start enzyme 50 μL of each PCR reaction mix was aliquoted to a tube containing 1.25 L EvaGreen and 1 μL ROX dyes, mixed, and quadruplicate 10 μL aliquots were added to a qPCR optical PCR plate.\",\n \"The remaining 200 μL was split into to 100 μL aliquots.\",\n \"Both the qPCR and conventional PCR reaction were cycled as: 98° C.-30 sec 98° C.-10 sec, 69° C.-10 sec, 72° C.-10 sec for 40 cycles (qPCR) and plateau cycle (conventional).\",\n \"The real-time PCR reaction was monitored to determine the optimal stopping point for the conventional PCR reactions.\",\n \"For the ACA2 reaction, the stopping point was at 21 cycles.\",\n \"For the remaining reactions, the stopping point was at 28 cycles.\",\n \"These qPCR reactions are further described in the Results section, infra.\",\n \"Ten μL of raw PCR was collected for gel analysis and a remaining aliquot of 100 μL was purified 1:1 with beads.\",\n \"The purified PCR product was eluted with 50 μL TEzero and quantified by Qubit.\",\n \"The DNA yields were: (1) 7.44 ng/μL; (2) 10.6 ng/μL; (3) 12.1 ng/μL; and (4) 15.7 ng/μL.\",\n \"qPCR Analysis of Capture/Processing: A single Eco qPCR plate containing an array of eight assays—Assays 17-24 (Table 32) by six samples was used to assess capture efficiency.\",\n \"The six samples were: 1.10 ng/μL of original gDNA library 2.NTC 3.0.01 ng/μL of sample 1 4.0.01 ng/μL of sample 2 5.0.01 ng/μL of sample 3 6.0.01 ng/μL of sample 4 The Q5 hot start assay mixture contained: 237.5 μL H2O 100 μL 5× Q5 reaction buffer 10 μL dNTPs 12.5 μL EvaGreen 10 μL ROX 5 μL Q5 hot start enzyme This cocktail was distributed in 48 μL aliquots and 3 μL of Assay primer (10 uM in both F and R primer) was added.\",\n \"This was distributed in columns.\",\n \"Two μL of sample was added in rows and the plate was cycled as described above.\",\n \"Results: Amplification of Complexes: While the fluorescence profile of amplifying complexes is used primarily to identify the amplification plateau (which occurs much sooner for single primer than dual primer amplicons), the Cq value can be used to look at the content of amplicon between samples.\",\n \"In this experiment, the observed Cq values were: Sample Conditions Cq 1 no PreCR, ACA2 single primer 15 2 no PreCR, AF + CR 21 3 10 μL PreCR, AF + CR 20 4 50 μL PreCR, AF + CR 19 These data demonstrated that PreCR treatment increased the abundance of P1+P2 (AF+CR) amplicons.\",\n \"Gel images of the post-processing PCR products shown in FIG.\",\n \"33 show that PreCR treatment supported the amplification of a larger size distribution of clones.\",\n \"The untreated, sample 2 amplicon is primarily a cluster of small size fragments.\",\n \"Sample 3 and to a greater extent sample 4 are more broadly distributed smears.\",\n \"The qPCR results showing target enrichment are shown in Table 31 below.\",\n \"The raw sequence capture in sample 1 was surprisingly high.\",\n \"At least two factors may have contributed to such an unexpected improvement over historical data sets: (1) The core annealing process (pre-melt, higher temps, low salt binding to strep beads) has been optimized; and (2) A longer partner oligo (40 nt vs 35 nt) was used.\",\n \"Even with no PreCR treatment, P1+P2 (AF+CR) amplifiable material was made (sample 2) and substantial enrichment of target signal over gDNA (and/or NTC) was observed.\",\n \"PreCR treated complex also yielded enrichment levels comparable to unprocessed (sample 1) control.\",\n \"This is a fantastic demonstration of the fact that PreCR processing can stimulate the recombination of the probe-based partner oligo with the genomic library-based target clones.\",\n \"While the levels of enrichment are not remarkable, the majority of clone material is small and falls outside the range of the qPCR assay.\",\n \"As noted elsewhere herein, judicious bead enrichment can dramatically increase the proportion of the library that covers the qPCR site.\",\n \"In addition, the results indicated that more PreCR is not necessarily better.\",\n \"Sample 3 (10 μL PreCR treatment) outperformed Sample 4 (50 μL PreCR treatment) with respect to enrichment specific activity in 6 of 8 assays.\",\n \"TABLE 31 qPCR enrichment data for V3 experimental samples Cqs Assay 17 Assay 18 Assay 19 Assay 20 Assay 21 Assay 22 Assay 23 Assay 24 gDNA lib 24 21 21 22 22 22 22 22 NTC 35 31 34 26 33 N/A 30 29 sample 1 16 13 13 12 14 13 15 14 sample 2 21 18 19 16 18 18 22 20 sample 3 16 14 15 13 14 15 17 15 sample 4 16 14 15 13 15 15 17 15 Abs value Assay 17 Assay 18 Assay 19 Assay 20 Assay 21 Assay 22 Assay 23 Assay 24 gDNA lib 5 40 36 32 20 22 34 29 NTC 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 sample 1 1918 14374 9372 20243 8444 10189 2820 8133 sample 2 59 382 172 1526 295 403 34 87 sample 3 1085 5090 3051 10275 5213 4144 1068 2822 sample 4 1492 5381 2751 8770 3866 2777 777 2233 Adj value Assay 17 Assay 18 Assay 19 Assay 20 Assay 21 Assay 22 Assay 23 Assay 24 gDNA lib 5 40 36 32 20 22 34 29 NTC 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 sample 1 1918016 14374082 9372333 20243011 8443797 10188837 2820166 8132920 sample 2 59292 381694 171590 1526000 295038 403467 33575 87344 sample 3 1085442 5089739 3050781 10275412 5212989 4143563 1068184 2821950 sample 4 1491501 5380882 2751029 8770152 3865764 2777330 777035 2232604 Fold enrich Assay 17 Assay 18 Assay 19 Assay 20 Assay 21 Assay 22 Assay 23 Assay 24 sample 1 378673 356798 262412 641805 415341 453405 84090 281573 sample 2 11706 9475 4804 48382 14513 17954 1001 3024 sample 3 214298 126339 85418 325782 256421 184389 31850 97700 sample 4 294466 133566 77025 278058 190152 123592 23169 77296 Discussion: The capture and processing methods disclosed in this example performed well using untreated complexes.\",\n \"Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is contemplated that one reason that the untreated complexes performed so well was because both the capture probe and genomic fragments possess primer binding sites.\",\n \"Appendix to Example 19 The primer and amplicon designs for this example are shown below in Table 32.TABLE 32 Sequences used to perform Example 19 SEQ ID NO: Target Name Sequence % GC 603 SRY_r1, F qPCR primer CTGGTGCTCCATTCTTGAGTGTGT Assay 17 604 R qPCR primer GGACAACAGGTTGTACAGGGATGA 605 qPCR Amplicon CTGGTGCTCCATTCTTGAGTGTGTGGCTTTCGTACAGT CATCCCTGTACAACCTGTTGTCC 606 F-probe CTGTAAGTTATCGTAAAAAGGAGCATCTAGGTAGGTCT 40% TTGTAGCCAATGTTACCCGATT 607 R-probe GAAGCAAACTGCAATTCTTCGGCAGCATCTTCGCCTTC 47% CGACGAGGTCGATACTTATAAT 608 F-probe reverse AATCGGGTAACATTGGCTACAAAGACCTACCTAGATGC complement TCCTTTTTACGATAACTTACAG 609 R-probe reverse ATTATAAGTATCGACCTCGTCGGAAGGCGAAGATGCTG complement CCGAAGAATTGCAGTTTGCTTC 610 VHL_r3Assay F qPCR primer TACAGGAGACTGGACATCGTCAGG 18 611 R qPCR primer CTTTCTGCACATTTGGGTGGTCTT 612 qPCR Amplicon TACAGGAGACTGGACATCGTCAGGTCGCTCTACGAAGA TCTGGAAGACCACCCAAATGTGCAGAAAG 613 F-probe CTTGTTCGTTCCTTGTACTGAGACCCTAGTCTGCCACT 48% GAGGATTTGGTTTTTGCCCTTC 614 R-probe ATCAAGACTCATCAGTACCATCAAAAGCTGAGATGAAA 35% CAGTGTAAGTTTCAACAGAAAT 615 F-probe reverse GAAGGGCAAAAACCAAATCCTCAGTGGCAGACTAGGGT complement CTCAGTACAAGGAACGAACAAG 616 R-probe reverse ATTTCTGTTGAAACTTACACTGTTTCATCTCAGCTTTT complement GATGGTACTGATGAGTCTTGAT 617 UGT1A1_r4, F qPCR primer GGTGATCAGATGGACAATGCAAAG Assay 19 618 R qPCR primer TCATTTCCAGAACATTCAGGGTCA 619 qPCR Amplicon GGTGATCAGATGGACAATGCAAAGCGCATGGAGACTAA GGGAGCTGGAGTGACCCTGAATGTTCTGGAAATGA 620 F-probe TGTGTCCAGCTGTGAAACTCAGAGATGTAACTGCTGAC 45% ATCCTCCCTATTTTGCATCTCA 621 R-probe ATTTGAAACAATTTTATCATGAATGCCATGACCAAAGT 28% ATTCTTCTGTATCTTCTTTCTT 622 F-probe reverse TGAGATGCAAAATAGGGAGGATGTCAGCAGTTACATCT complement CTGAGTTTCACAGCTGGACACA 623 R-probe reverse AAGAAAGAAGATACAGAAGAATACTTTGGTCATGGCAT complement TCATGATAAAATTGTTTCAAAT 624 TNFRSF14_r3, F qPCR primer ACCTCAATGGCCTAAGCAAGTGTC Assay 20 625 R qPCR primer GCCTCTTACCTGGGTCACACATTT 626 qPCR Amplicon ACCTCAATGGCCTAAGCAAGTGTCTGCAGTGCCAAATG TGTGACCCAGGTAAGAGGC 627 F-probe TGATGGGTGGGCTCCCGAAGGGGCCTCCCGCAGACTTG 67% CGAAGTTCCCACTCTCTGGGCG 628 R-probe CAGGGTGCGGGGGCATCCAGGCTGCCCAAGCGGAGGCT 73% GGGCCGGCTGTGCTGGCCTCTT 629 F-probe reverse CGCCCAGAGAGTGGGAACTTCGCAAGTCTGCGGGAGGC complement CCCTTCGGGAGCCCACCCATCA 630 R-probe reverse AAGAGGCCAGCACAGCCGGCCCAGCCTCCGCTTGGGCA complement GCCTGGATGCCCCCGCACCCTG 631 RUNX_r4, F qPCR primer ATCTTGCAACCTGGTTCTTCATGG Assay 21 632 R qPCR primer GCTGGCAATGATGAAAACTACTCG 633 qPCR Amplicon AATCTTGCAACCTGGTTCTTCATGGCTGCGGTAGCATT TCTCAGCTCAGCCGAGTAGTTTTCATCATTGCCAGC 634 F-probe TTTTGAAATGTGGGTTTGTTGCCATGAAACGTGTTTCA 37% AGCATAGTTTTGACAGATAACG 635 R-probe TGCCCTAAAAGTGTATGTATAACATCCCTGATGTCTGC 40% ATTTGTCCTTTGACTGGTGTTT 636 F-probe reverse CGTTATCTGTCAAAACTATGCTTGAAACACGTTTCATG complement GCAACAAACCCACATTTCAAAA 637 R-probe reverse AAACACCAGTCAAAGGACAAATGCAGACATCAGGGATG complement TTATACATACACTTTTAGGGCA 638 RHD_r5Assay F qPCR primer CCAAGTTTCAACTCTGCTCTGCTG 22 639 R qPCR primer GTTGAACACGGCATTCTTCCTTTC 640 qPCR Amplicon CCAAGTTTCAACTCTGCTCTGCTGAGAAGTCCAATCGA AAGGAAGAATGCCGTGTTCAAC 641 F-probe AACCCCTCGAGGCTCAGACCTTTGGAGCAGGAGTGTGA 58% TTCTGGCCAACCACCCTCTCTG 642 R-probe CATAAATATGTGTGCTAGTCCTGTTAGACCCAAGTGCT 55% GCCCAAGGGCAGCGCCCTGCTC 643 F-probe reverse CAGAGAGGGTGGTTGGCCAGAATCACACTCCTGCTCCA complement AAGGTCTGAGCCTCGAGGGGTT 644 R-probe reverse GAGCAGGGCGCTGCCCTTGGGCAGCACTTGGGTCTAAC complement AGGACTAGCACACATATTTATG 645 PTEN_r5, F qPCR primer GGAAAGGGACGAACTGGTGTAATG Assay 23 646 R qPCR primer AAATCTAGGGCCTCTTGTGCCTTT 647 qPCR Amplicon GGAAAGGGACGAACTGGTGTAATGATATGTGCATATTT ATTACATCGGGGCAAATTTTTAAAGGCACAAGAGGCCC TAGATTT 648 F-probe TACTTGTTAATTAAAAATTCAAGAGTTTTTTTTTCTTA 22% TTCTGAGGTTATCTTTTTACCA 649 R-probe CCAAAATCTGTTTTCCAATAAATTCTCAGATCCAGGAA 33% GAGGAAAGGAAAAACATCAAAA 650 F-probe reverse TGGTAAAAAGATAACCTCAGAATAAGAAAAAAAAACTC complement TTGAATTTTTAATTAACAAGTA 651 R-probe reverse TTTTGATGTTTTTCCTTTCCTCTTCCTGGATCTGAGAA complement TTTATTGGAAAACAGATTTTGG 652 EP300_r18, F qPCR primer AGCCCCATGGATCTTTCTACCATT Assay 24 653 R qPCR primer ATACTGCCAGGGCTCCTGATACTG 654 qPCR Amplicon AGCCCCATGGATCTTTCTACCATTAAGAGGAAGTTAGA CACTGGACAGTATCAGGAGCCCTGGCAGTAT 655 F-probe ATACTCCATCTCCCGTAAAAATAGTGAGACTTGAGTAA 37% TGTTTGATGTCACTTGTCTTTC 656 R-probe CAGTCACCACTATATTATTCTAGGTATCCCAGAAAAGT 33% TAAAGTCAAATCTGAAACACAT 657 F-probe reverse GAAAGACAAGTGACATCAAACATTACTCAAGTCTCACT complement ATTTTTACGGGAGATGGAGTAT 658 R-probe reverse ATGTGTTTCAGATTTGACTTTAACTTTTCTGGGATACC complement TAGAATAATATAGTGGTGACTG 659 Additional Tail sequence for GTGAAAACCAGGATCAACTCCCGTGCCAGTCACATCTC oligos capture probes GT 660 Common partner /5BioTEG/ACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATC oligo sequence CTGGTTTTCAC 661 Forward AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGTCATGCAG amplification GACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA primer AF 662 Reverse CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGG amplification AGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCAC primer CR Example 20: Library-Free Targeted Genomic Analysis Summary: This example demonstrates a library-free genomic analysis.\",\n \"The goals were to identify the most useful parameters for implementing such methods in a reliable, reproducible, low-cost, and high-throughput format.\",\n \"In particular, it was discovered that T4 polymerase can copy many and diverse genomic sequences provided it is supplemented with T4 gene 32 protein in the presence of PEG8000—a molecular crowding agent.\",\n \"In addition, it was found that suppression PCR just upstream of sequence library construction is a powerful method to enrich for long insert sequencing clones.\",\n \"Background: The molecular concepts behind library-free methods include: (1) fragmenting gDNA to ˜400 bp or performing 1st strand cDNA synthesis with random 15-mers in the presence of ddNTPs (FIG.\",\n \"33); (2) melting the gDNA or cDNA with labeled capture probes and purify the end-repaired gDNA/cDNA.\",\n \"For gDNA, the genomic sequence is repaired with a sequence tag that comprises a random hexamer sequence contained within the tail portion (FIG.\",\n \"33); (3) processing the DNA complex in a single reaction at 20° C. The Buffer used is NEB CutSmart (NEB#4 and BSA), ATP, dNTPs, and PEG8000.The complex is processed with T4 DNA polymerase, T4 gene 32 protein (SB), and T4 DNA ligase.\",\n \"The adapter ligation strand is 5′ phosphorylated and the partner strand comprises a 3′ ddC.\",\n \"The opposite end of the adapter is staggered and can be blocked.\",\n \"A blunt configuration makes no self-dimer, is extremely efficiency and attaches the P1 containing ligation strand to the P2 containing target.\",\n \"(FIG.\",\n \"34); (4) PCR amplification to add flow cell compatible sequences and to introduce sample-specific index sequence to each reaction (FIG.\",\n \"35); and (5) DNA sequencing (FIG.\",\n \"35).\",\n \"One potential artifact that may occur in particular embodiments is associated with the abundance of unoccupied probes.\",\n \"The 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity of T4 DNA polymerase is capable of generating a blunt end on these molecules, which then becomes a substrate for ligation to the P1 adaptor sequence (FIG.\",\n \"36).\",\n \"These short “oligo-dimer” products will, without intervention, overwhelm the subsequent PCR reaction.\",\n \"To circumvent the potential artifact, a suppressive PCR design was used, in which a 25 nt segment of P2 was included in the P1 adaptor.\",\n \"Following suppression PCR amplification with this segment, forward and reverse primers with P1 or P2-specific extensions are used to add the index sequence and the flow cell-compatible extensions.\",\n \"The oligonucleotides that enable post-processing suppressive PCR, full-length amplification and sequencing are shown in the Table 33 below.\",\n \"TABLE 33 SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence Description 663 LF_part AGTTGATCCTGGTTATACA/3ddC/ Adaptor partner strand strand 664 LF_lig /5Phos/GTGTATAACCAGGATCAACTCC Adaptor ligation strand CGTGCCAGT strand 665 LF_I1P GTGAAAACCAGGATCAACTCCCGTGCCAG Index 1 sequencing TCAC primer 666 LF_FSP GTCATGCAGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTATACA Library-free Forward C sequencing primer 667 LF_Single ACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTT Post-processing primer amplification primer sequence 668 LF_FLFP AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACAC Library-free forward GTCATGCAGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTATACA amplification primer C 669 LF_FLRP_N701 CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATTCGCC Index N701 reverse TTAGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGG primer TTTTCAC 670 LF_FLRP_N702 CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATCTAGT Index N702 reverse ACGGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGG primer TTTTCAC 671 LF_FLRP_N703 CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATTTCTG Index N703 reverse CCTGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGG primer TTTTCAC 672 LF_FLRP_N704 CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGCTCA Index N704 reverse GGAGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGG primer TTTTCAC Materials: Genomic DNA samples were collected from 4 subjects and purified using the Oragene saliva collection kit.\",\n \"The samples that were sequenced in this study were: Genomic DNA samples and Illumina Indexes used in this study Coriel ID # Sample description Illumina Index ID NA19240 Yoruba female Index N701 reverse primer GM03623 Aneuploid XXX and chr18 trisomy Index N702 reverse primer GM11226 XXXX Index N703 reverse primer GM18917 Yoruban/Nigerian - harbors deletion Index N704 reverse variants 1, 2, 4, 9 primer The probes used in these experiments are provided in Table 34 below.\",\n \"Hexamer tags are required to establish independent capture events with the same sequencing start site from sibling clones that arise during post-capture amplification.\",\n \"TABLE 34 SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence 673 CYP2D6_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAGC ACCTAGCCCCATTCCTGCTGAGCAGGAGGTGGCAGGTACCCCAGA CTGGGAGGTAA 674 CYP2D6_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGTC GGTGGGGCCAGGATGAGGCCCAGTCTGTTCACACATGGCTGCTGC CTCTCAGCTCT 675 AMY1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNACCT GAGTAGCATCATTGTAGTTCTCGATATCTCCACTTCCAGTTTTAC ATTTACCATCA 676 chrX_15_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCTG GCCCTCAGCCAGTACAGAAAGTCATTTGTCAAGGCCTTCAGTTGG CAGACGTGCTC 677 chrX_15_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGAA TTCATTGCCAGCTATAAATCTGTGGAAACGCTGCCACACAATCTT AGCACACAAGA 678 chrX_477_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACT TCAAAGAAATTACAAGTTGACATCTTGGACTCTACCCCTCGTACT TTATCTCCTAT 679 chrX_477_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTCTC TTTGGGGTCAAGAAAGAATCCCTAGTGGATTTGGGATTCTAGAGG AGGTGTTATAA 680 chrX_478_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGCG ATACCATGCTGAAGATGAGCTAACCCAACCAGCCAAGCAGGCAGG GCTGCGAAGGA 681 chrX_478_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGGGG TAGGTGGAAAACCCAAGTAATGTGATTTTGTAACATCCACTGCTG CATTTGTTTGC 682 chrX_69_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTAC TTCCCTCCAGTTTTGTTGCTTGCAAAACAACAGAATCTTCTCTCC ATGAAATCATG 683 chrX_69_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGG GGTATCTATTATCCCCATTTTCTCACAAAGGAAACCAAGATAAAA GGTTTAAATGG 684 PLP1_ex1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAA TTCTCTTGTGAATTCCTGTGTCCTCTTGAATCTTCAATGCTAAAG TTTTTGAAACT 685 PLP1_ex2_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGGGT TTGAGTGGCATGAGCTACCTACTGGATGTGCCTGACTGTTTCCCC TTCTTCTTCCC 686 PLP1_ex2_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTAT CTCCAGGATGGAGAGAGGGAAAAAAAAGATGGGTCTGTGTGGGAG GGCAGGTACTT 687 PLP1_ex3_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAA GAAGCCAGGTCTTCAATTAATAAGATTCCCTGGTCTCGTTTGTCT ACCTGTTAATG 688 PLP1_ex3_M ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGA CTCGCGCCCAATTTTCCCCCACCCCTTGTTATTGCCACAAAATCC TGAGGATGATC 689 PLP1_ex3_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTCTT TCTTCTTCCTTTATGGGGCCCTCCTGCTGGCTGAGGGCTTCTACA CCACCGGCGCA 690 PLP1_ex4_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGTTT GTGTTTCTACATCTGCAGGCTGATGCTGATTTCTAACCACCCCAT GTCAATCATTT 691 PLP1_ex4_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAACC AAATATATAGTGCTTCCATAGTGGGTAGGAGAGCCAAAGCACCCG TACCCTAACTC 692 PLP1_ex5_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGTC TCCATGTGGCCCCGTAACTCCATAAAGCTTACCCTGCTTGCTTTT TGTGTCTTACT 693 PLP1_ex5_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCAT GGGTGTAATTTGTATGGTATTAGCTACTCCCTTGTAAAATAACCC AAATAACCCAC 694 PLP1_ex6_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTTA CAGTGGAGCATATTACTGCTGTTGCAAGAAACAGTTCTTCCTCTT TCATTTTCCTG 695 PLP1_ex6_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATAG CTGTACCCACACTATCTCAGGCCTATTTACTTGCCAAGATCATTC AAAGTCAACTC 696 PLP1_ex7_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGATT TGAGGAGGGAGTGCTTTCTTTTCTACTCTCATTCACATTCTCTCT TCTGTTCCCTA 697 PLP1_ex7_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGC ATTGTAGGCTGTGTGGTTAGAGCCTCGCTATTAGAGAAAGGGGGA TTTCTACGGGG 698 KRAS_ex1_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGTT ACCTTTAAAAGACATCTGCTTTCTGCCAAAATTAATGTGCTGAAC TTAAACTTACC 699 KRAS_ex1_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTCC CAGTAAATTACTCTTACCAATGCAACAGACTTTAAAGAAGTTGTG TTTTACAATGC 700 KRAS_ex2_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTAAA TGACATAACAGTTATGATTTTGCAGAAAACAGATCTGTATTTATT TCAGTGTTACT 701 KRAS_ex2_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACA GGTTTTGAAAGATATTTGTGTTACTAATGACTGTGCTATAACTTT TTTTTCTTTCC 702 KRAS_ex3_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNACTC AAAAAATAAAAACTATAATTACTCCTTAATGTCAGCTTATTATAT TCAATTTAAAC 703 KRAS_ex3_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAACA CCTTTTTTGAAGTAAAAGGTGCACTGTAATAATCCAGACTGTGTT TCTCCCTTCTC 704 KRAS_ex4_F ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAA CCTTTATCTGTATCAAAGAATGGTCCTGCACCAGTAATATGCATA TTAAAACAAGA 705 KRAS_ex4_R ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGTGT ATTAACCTTATGTGTGACATGTTCTAATATAGTCACATTTTCATT ATTTTTATTAT 706 MYC_r1_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCCC AGCCAGCGGTCCGCAACCCTTGCCGCATCCACGAAACTTTGCCCA TAGCAGCGGGC 707 MYC_r1_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNcgac tcatctcagcattaaagtgataaaaaaataaattaaaaggcaagt ggacttcggtg 708 MYC_r2_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNctgt ggcgcgcactgcgcgctgcgccaggtttccgcaccaagacccctt taactcaagac 709 MYC_r2_F2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTCT ACTGCGACGAGGAGGAGAACTTCTACCAGCAGCAGCAGCAGAGCG AGCTGCAGCCC 710 MYC_r2_F3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNACCG AGCTGCTGGGAGGAGACATGGTGAACCAGAGTTTCATCTGCGACC CGGACGACGAG 711 MYC_r2_F4 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCCG CCGCCTCAGAGTGCATCGACCCCTCGGTGGTCTTCCCCTACCCTC TCAACGACAGC 712 MYC_r2_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGGCG GCTAGGGGACAGGGGCGGGGTGGGCAGCAGCTCGAATTTCTTCCA GATATCCTCGC 713 MYC_r2_R2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGAC GAGCTTGGCGGCGGCCGAGAAGCCGCTCCACATACAGTCCTGGAT GATGATGTTTT 714 MYC_r2_R3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGGA GAGCAGAGAATCCGAGGACGGAGAGAAGGCGCTGGAGTCTTGCGA GGCGCAGGACT 715 MYC_r2_R4 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNtaag agtggcccgttaaataagctgccaatgaaaatgggaaaggtatcc agccgcccact 716 MYC_r3_F1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNttgt atttgtacagcattaatctggtaattgattattttaatgtaacct tgctaaaggag 717 MYC_r3_F2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAGG CCACAGCAAACCTCCTCACAGCCCACTGGTCCTCAAGAGGTGCCA CGTCTCCACAC 718 MYC_r3_F3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGAG GAGGAACGAGCTAAAACGGAGCTTTTTTGCCCTGCGTGACCAGAT CCCGGAGTTGG 719 MYC_r3_R1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTCCA ACTTGACCCTCTTGGCAGCAGGATAGTCCTTCCGAGTGGAGGGAG GCGCTGCGTAG 720 MYC_r3_R2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCTT GGACGGACAGGATGTATGCTGTGGCTTTTTTAAGGATAACTACCT TGGGGGCCTTT 721 MYC_r3_R3 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCAT TTGATCATGCATTTGAAACAAGTTCATAGGTGATTGCTCAGGACA TTTCTGTTAGA Methods, Results and Discussion: Part I.\",\n \"Four gDNAs (F, S, C and L) were diluted to 20 ng/μL in 150 μL final volume.\",\n \"The samples were sonicated to 500 bp and 125 L was purified with 125 μL of beads.\",\n \"The starting material and purified, fragmented gDNA are shown in FIG.\",\n \"37.The concentrations of gDNA were: (1) F—137 ng/μL; (2) S—129 ng/μL; (3) C—153 ng/μL; and (4) L—124 ng/μL.\",\n \"For capture, 10 μL of gDNA sample was heated to 98° C. for 2 min (to achieve strand dissociation) and cooled on ice.\",\n \"5 μL of 4× bind and 5 μL of the 49 probe pool (SEQ ID NOs: 150-198) (1 nM in each probe combined with 50 nM universal oligo 61, were added and the mix was annealed (98° C. 2 min followed by 4 min incubations at successive 1° C. lower temperatures down to 69° C.).\",\n \"The complexes were bound to 2 μL of MyOne strep beads that were suspended in 180 μL TEzero (total volume 200 μL) for 30 min, washed four times, 5 min each with 25% formamide wash, washed once with TEzero, and the supernatants were withdrawn from the bead complexes.\",\n \"For processing and adaptor ligation, 100 μL of T4 mix was made that contained: 60 μL water; 10 μL NEB “CutSmart” buffer; 15 μL 50% PEG8000; 10 μL 10 mM ATP; 1 μL 1 mM dNTP blend; 1 μL T4 gene 32 protein (NEB); and 0.5 μL T4 DNA polymerase (NEB).\",\n \"25 μL of mix was added to each of the four samples and incubated at 20° C. for 15 min followed by a 70° C. incubation for 10 min to heat inactivate the T4 polymerase.\",\n \"Following the inactivation step, 1.25 μL of adaptor (10 μM) and 1.25 μL of HC T4 DNA ligase were added.\",\n \"This mixture was further incubated at 22° C. for 30 min and 65° C. for 10 min.\",\n \"One attractive feature of the library free methods is that processed complexes are still attached to beads.\",\n \"Beads were pulled from the ligation buffer and washed once with 200 μL of TEzero.\",\n \"The complexes were then resuspended in 2 μL.\",\n \"For amplification, single primer amplification in a 20 μL volume was used to both amplify target fragments and to enrich for long genomic fragments over probe “stubs”.\",\n \"Following the amplification, a larger volume PCR reaction with full length primers were used to create a “sequence-ready” library.\",\n \"A Q5-based single primer PCR amplification buffer was made by combining 57 μL water, 20 μL 5× Q5 reaction buffer, 10 μL of single primer 117 (see Table 33), 2 μL of 10 mM dNTPs, and 1 μL of Q5 hot start polymerase.\",\n \"Eighteen μL was added to each tube followed by amplification for 20 cycles (98° C.-30 sec; 98° C.-10 sec, 69° C.-10 sec, 72° C.-10 sec for 20 cycles; 10° C. hold).\",\n \"Following the PCR, the beads were pulled out and the L of pre-amp supernatant was transferred to 280 μL of PCR mix that contained 163.5 μL water, 60 μL 5× Q5 buffer, 15 μL of forward primer 118 (10 uM), 15 uM of reverse primer 119 (10 uM), 6 μL of 10 mM dNTPs, 13.5 μL of EvaGreen+ROX dye blend (1.25 parts EG to 1 part ROX), and 3 μL of Q5 hot start polymerase (adding the dye to all reactions was unintended).\",\n \"Two 100 μL aliquots were amplified by conventional PCR (98° C.-10 sec, 69° C.-10 sec, 72° C.-10 sec) and quadruplicate ten μL aliquots were amplified under qPCR conditions.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"38 shows the amplification plot that was observed for all four samples.\",\n \"The reaction seems to go through an inflection/plateau reminiscent of PCR and the conventional reactions were stopped at 20 cycles (now 40 total cycles of PCR).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"39 shows a 2% agarose gel containing the products of these amplification reactions.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"40 shows a 2% agarose gel containing the amplification products following bead purification.\",\n \"The library-free samples were assayed to determine if gene specific targets were captured and selectively amplified using the well-validated qPCR capture assays described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"The target regions for Assays 1-16 are shown in Table 35.TABLE 35 Target regions for assays 1-16.Assay Sequence Assay 1 PLP1 exon 2 Assay 2 PLP1 exon 2 Assay 3 PLP1 exon 2 Assay 4 PLP1 upstream of exon 2 Assay 5 PLP1 downstream of exon 2 Assay 6 PLP1 200 bp downstream of exon 2 Assay 7 PLP1 exon 3 Assay 8 Chr 9, off target Assay 9 CYP2D6 Assay 10 Chr X: 154376051 Assay 11 Chr X: 154376051 Assay 12 Chr X: 6929264 Assay 13 KRAS Region 1 Assay 14 KRAS Region 2 Assay 15 Myc Region 2 Assay 16 Myc Region 2 For qPCR analysis, genomic DNA from sample F at 10 ng/μL (2 μL is added to 8 μL of PCR mix to give a final volume and concentration of 10 μL and 2 ng/μL, respectively) was used as control.\",\n \"Purified processed material from the F and S samples was diluted to 0.01 ng/μL=10 pg/μL and 2 μL was added to each 8 μL PCR reaction to give a final concentration of 2 pg/μL.\",\n \"The results are shown in Table 36.TABLE 36 qPCR Results Cqs Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA 23 22 25 22 22 23 23 19 F-lib 13 13 13 13 13 20 12 35 S-lib 14 14 13 13 14 20 13 N/A Assay 9 Assay 10 Assay 11 Assay 12 Assay 13 Assay 14 Assay 15 Assay 16 gDNA 21 21 22 22 22 21 21 21 F-lib 11 13 13 16 18 17 14 13 S-lib 11 13 14 17 17 16 13 12 Abs Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA 16 24 4 17 22 15 8 146 F-lib 12150 13296 8874 16739 13738 79 22495 0 S-lib 6142 7704 10410 10093 6425 132 14648 Assay 9 Assay 10 Assay 11 Assay 12 Assay 13 Assay 14 Assay 15 Assay 16 gDNA 60 39 18 30 17 43 49 37 F-lib 45447 11671 11034 1288 440 853 6373 16448 S-lib 68935 12477 7634 678 1077 1203 10171 19305 Adj Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 gDNA 16 24 4 17 22 15 8 146 F-lib 12150333 13296288 8874203 16739230 13737864 79482 22495321 2 S-lib 6141637 7703565 10410406 10093396 6424647 131876 14648060 0 Assay 9 Assay 10 Assay 11 Assay 12 Assay 13 Assay 14 Assay 15 Assay 16 gDNA 60 39 18 30 17 43 49 37 F-lib 45447322 11670722 11034289 1288163 440236 852919 6373326 16447972 S-lib 68934509 12476684 7634492 677562 1077493 1203428 10170993 19304903 Adj Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Assay 4 Assay 5 Assay 6 Assay 7 Assay 8 F-lib 778820 562525 2393851 987542 627702 5247 2657954 0 S-lib 393671 325914 2808248 595466 293551 8706 1730754 0 Assay 9 Assay 10 Assay 11 Assay 12 Assay 13 Assay 14 Assay 15 Assay 16 F-lib 757399 300823 627284 42799 25665 19716 130461 439562 S-lib 1148823 321597 434010 22512 62817 27819 208198 515912 The qPCR data indicated that the library-free technology is very effective at retrieving the targeted genomic regions and at leaving off-target regions behind (e.g., Assays 6, 8).\",\n \"The fold purifications, often >500,000-fold, were directly comparable to data from earlier experiments generated with libraries as disclosed elsewhere herein.\",\n \"Methods, Results and Discussion: Part II Leave-One-Out Analysis: The enzymatic requirements for complex processing were evaluated: the design of experiment is shown in FIG.\",\n \"54.To make capture complexes for analysis, twelve identical reactions were created.\",\n \"Ten μL of 135 ng/μL sonicated gDNA was melted, annealed with a tagged, bound to streptavidin coated beads, washed and resuspended in TEzero as described supra.\",\n \"Five hundred L of processing master mix was prepared by combining 270 μL water, 50 μL 10× CutSmart buffer, 50 μL of 10 mM ATP, 75 μL of 50% PEG8000, and 5 μL of 10 mM dNTPs.\",\n \"This buffer was divided into 10 90 μL aliquots (duplicate tests were performed) and enzyme was added in the amounts described above (per 90 μL of master mix was added 1 μL of T4 gene 32 protein, 0.5 μL of T4 polymerase, 5 μL of adaptor and/or 5 μL of HC T4 ligase).\",\n \"Following T4 fill-in and ligation as described supra, the complexes were washed free of processing mix in TEzero and resuspended in 2 μL TEzero.\",\n \"Complexes were resuspended in 20 μL final volume each of single primer amplification mix and amplified for 20 cycles as described supra.\",\n \"The beads were then pulled aside using a magnet and the 20 μL clarified amplification was diluted into 180 μL of full-length F+R (118+119) PCR amplification mix.\",\n \"Fifty μL was pulled aside for qPCR analysis and the remaining 150 μL was split in two and amplified by conventional PCR.\",\n \"The 50 μL qPCR samples were mixed with 2.5 μL of dye blend and 10 μL aliquots were monitored by fluorescence change.\",\n \"The traces of this experiment are shown in FIG.\",\n \"41.One of the two conventional PCR aliquots was pulled at 10 cycles and the other at 16 cycles of PCR.\",\n \"Aliquots of these raw PCR reactions (5 μL of each reaction) were analyzed on 2% agarose gels.\",\n \"The results are shown in FIG.\",\n \"42.The surprising result is that all three enzymes are required for the efficient production of amplifiable library material.\",\n \"A more subtle observation is that the size distribution of all-three-enzyme-material at 10 cycles is significantly larger than the size distribution of P+L alone that appears at 16 cycles.\",\n \"These data together with the qPCR from the initial investigation support the interpretation that T4 DNA polymerase in conjunction with T4 gene 32 protein in the presence of the molecular crowding agent PEG8000 (the latter contribution has not been evaluated) is capable of efficiently copying captured genomic material onto capture probes.\",\n \"Methods, Results and Discussion: Part III—Generation of a Library-Free Sequencing Library: The methods described above were used to produce a DNA sequencing library with the four Coriel samples shown in the “Materials” section of this report.\",\n \"Each one of the four samples was coded with an individual index code in the final PCR step.\",\n \"The final library constituents (shown separately prior to pooling) are shown in the gel image in FIG.\",\n \"43.The “normal” library smear usually stretches from 175 bp upward.\",\n \"Here, the smallest fragments are >300 bp.\",\n \"Similarly, the largest fragments appear to be 750 bp or larger.\",\n \"Larger fragments do not give rise to optimal libraries.\",\n \"These samples were all twice purified on 80% bead:sample ratios.\",\n \"These samples were pooled into a 16.9 ng/μL pool that, with an estimated average insert size of 400 bp, is ˜65 nM.\",\n \"The samples were sequenced.\",\n \"The library-free methods worked well for CNV analyses.\",\n \"Unique read counts for the X-linked genePLP1 were normalized to the autosomal loci KRAS and MYC and the plot of these data is shown in FIG.\",\n \"44.The data illustrate that absolute copy number is lost with the library-free procedure (the “copies” of KRAS relative to MYC are no longer comparable).\",\n \"However, relative copy number (the change of PLP1 relative to the autosomal normalizers) is robustly detected.\",\n \"The sequencing results also showed striking features related to read start sites relative to probe.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"45 shows that reads are detected as far as 900 bp from the probe; and between coordinates 1100 and 1300 every single start point is used multiple times.\",\n \"These data indicated that reads start at every single possible base position and that there is little ligation/processing bias.\",\n \"In addition, there are very few reads that start within 100 bp of the probe, consistent with the very large size distribution of the library that was observed on gels.\",\n \"Example 21: Targeted Gene Expression Analysis Overview: This example demonstrates the development of targeted gene expression libraries.\",\n \"The input is RNA, not DNA, and therefore double-strand cDNA synthesis step is required.\",\n \"A preferred method is 1st strand synthesis using an RNAse H− reverse transcriptase or a kit that exhibits RNAse H-like activity (e.g., Promega's GoScript) and priming with random hexamers.\",\n \"A preferred method for 2nd strand synthesis is to use a kit that includes E. coli DNA polymerase holoenzyme, NAD+-dependent ligase and RNAse H (e.g., New England Biolabs 2nd strand cDNA synthesis module).\",\n \"Because there is a very wide range of transcript copies, there must be a correspondingly wide range of random tags that are introduced on adaptors to sheared and end-repaired cDNA.\",\n \"Accordingly, random 8-mers (65,536 possible sequences) were used.\",\n \"The adaptor was engineered with a random 8-mer sequence followed by 10-12 fixed bases that can both serve as an annealing site for a complementary 10-12 that facilitates ligation and that is used as a sample identifier in the case of multiplexed samples.\",\n \"The actual number of unique versus duplicated reads—in other words the statistical distribution of reads—is one important factor in determining expression levels.\",\n \"One potential source of error are reads that are duplicated after the capture event.\",\n \"To identify these errors, a random tag was added to the capture probe such that each capture event is labeled.\",\n \"The treatment and sequencing of targeted RNA-seq libraries follows the same procedure as treatment of genomic libraries.\",\n \"The informatics analysis starts with the removal of post-capture duplicate reads and alignment to the target transcriptome.\",\n \"The unique read counts among aligning reads are then determined.\",\n \"While the data can then be fit to a statistical distribution, it was found that the raw unique read counts are a very close approximation to actual expression levels.\",\n \"Purpose: The purpose of these experiments was to make targeted expression sequencing libraries from heart and liver total RNAs and to make both total RNA and targeted RNA libraries from the same starting material a direct comparison could be made.\",\n \"Summary: The RNA counts from total RNA libraries and from targeted RNA libraries showed good agreement along two parameters.\",\n \"First, the expression ratios between heart vs liver samples were well correlated.\",\n \"Second, the measurement of absolute abundance of different transcripts within a given sample was in good agreement when total RNA counts were compared to targeted RNA counts.\",\n \"These first-pass data indicated that quantitative targeted nucleic acid methods can be extended beyond genomic DNA into the analysis of cDNA libraries.\",\n \"Strategy: To create a reasonable total RNA library that is depleted of rRNA, dT priming was used.\",\n \"To create targeted RNA libraries, total RNA samples were initially primed with IDT-supplied random hexamers.\",\n \"Random hexamer priming likely provides the most comprehensive coverage of the transcriptome.\",\n \"The total RNA libraries were sequenced after amplification with PCR primers that introduce P1 and P2 flow cell sequences.\",\n \"For targeted analysis, the capture, washing, processing and amplification steps were performed as contemplated elsewhere herein.\",\n \"The targeted clones were then sequenced.\",\n \"Methods Oligonucleotides: For total RNA libraries the poly-dT primer: TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTVN (SEQ ID NO: 722) was used.\",\n \"For targeted RNA-seq, an adaptor design was created in which the first 8 bases were random and the next 12 served as a “code” and an anchor sequence for a 12 mer partner strand oligo that could therefore form a ligatable duplex.\",\n \"The sequences of these adaptors were: SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence 723 RNA_L_1 TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACANNNNNNNNGA CTCCGATCCC 724 RNA_P_1 GGGATCGGAGTC 725 RNA_L_2 TGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACANNNNNNNNCG GAACTCGGAG 726 RNA_P_2 CTCCGAGTTCCG cDNA Library Construction: The following methods were used to synthesize the four following cDNA libraries: (1) Heart total RNA (dT primed); (2) Heart targeted RNA (N6 primed); (3) Liver total RNA; and (4) Liver targeted RNA (N6 primed).\",\n \"One g/L total RNA was diluted 10-fold to 100 ng/μL in TEz.\",\n \"The following components were combined in a total volume of 10 μL, heated to 65° C. and transferred to ice: 2 μL of diluted total RNA (100 ng); 2 μL of 5 uM poly-dTVN primer or 2 μL of 50 uM N6 (IDT); and 6 μL of water.\",\n \"The mix was combined with 10 μL of 1st strand cocktail (4 μL 5× GoScript buffer; 1.6 μL 25 mM Mg++ (2 mM final concentration); 1.0 μL 10 mM dNTPs (500 uM final concentration); 1.0 μL GoScript enzyme; and 2.4 μL water) and incubated at 42° C. for 30 min, then 70° C. for 10 min.\",\n \"Sixty microliters of 2nd strand synthesis reagents (48 μL water, mix; 8 μL 10× second strand synthesis buffer; 4 μL second strand enzyme mix) were added to each reaction and incubated at 16° C. for 2 hours.\",\n \"Following the second strand synthesis 55 μL TEz was added to each reaction and reactions were transferred to glass Covaris sonication tubes and sonicated to about 500 bp.\",\n \"125 μL of the sonicated sample was transferred to a PCR strip tube and 125 μL beads were added.\",\n \"Following purification, the sample was resuspended to a final volume of 20 μL.\",\n \"End repair was carried out for 19 μL of the reaction using the methods contemplated herein.\",\n \"The end repaired fragments were then ligated to adaptors at 22° C. for 30 min and heat inactivated at 65° C. for 10 min.\",\n \"Ligation was carried out in a 40 μL final volume: L of repaired fragments; 2 μL of 10 uM adaptor (10 uM in L strand, 20 uM in P strand); 4 L 10× buffer; 6 μL 50% PEG8000; 1 μL water; and 2 μL HC T4 ligase.\",\n \"60 μL TEz and 100 μL beads were added to each reaction and the sample was purified to a final volume of 20 μL.\",\n \"Library amplification was monitored using qPCR and each library was amplified by PCR by combining 20 μL of purified ligation mix with 130 μL PCR mix (75 μL 2× NEBNext master mix, 15 μL ACA2-20, 40 μL water).\",\n \"50 μL was aliquoted into a well that contains 2.5 μL EvaGreen+ROX and further aliquoted to 10 μL in qPCR plate.\",\n \"The remaining 100 μL was kept in PCR strip tube.\",\n \"The PCR amplification was carried out at 72° C.-30 sec, 98° C.-30 sec, and variable cycles of 98° C.-10 sec, 60° C.-10 sec, 72° C.-10 sec.\",\n \"For dT libraries, 100 μL PCR reactions were purified with 120 μL beads.\",\n \"ACA2-20 (a 20 nt PCR primer) amplified material was diluted 20-fold—5 μL into 95 μL of PCR mix—that contains 50 μL 2×NEBNext master mix, 5 μL of F primer, 5 μL of R-primer and 35 μL of water.\",\n \"The F primer is oligo #8, ACA2_FLFP AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATA CA (SEQ ID NO: 69) and the reverse primer is oligo #63, exome CAC3_FLRP CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATGTGACTGGCACGGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATAC A (SEQ ID NO: 74).\",\n \"Amplification was carried out for 8 cycles.\",\n \"This step was included to grow the shorter, 20 bp ACA2 terminal sequences into longer P1 and P2, flow cell-compatible and sequencable sequences.\",\n \"Constructs that pick up the two different primers will amplify while those that have only one sequence will be suppressed.\",\n \"The resulting DNA was purified by adding 100 μL beads to the 100 μL PCR rxn and resuspended in a final volume of 50 μL.\",\n \"DNA was quantified by Qubit and examined by gel electrophoresis.\",\n \"The DNA was sequenced using the forward primer oligo #7, ACA2_FSP ACACGTCATGCAGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA (SEQ ID NO: 68) and the reverse primer oligo #62, exome CAC3_RSP GTGACTGGCACGGGACCAGAGAATTCGAATACA (SEQ ID NO: 73).\",\n \"dT-primed RNA was sequenced in runs_48 & 49.The DNA gel of samples is shown in FIG.\",\n \"46.The large fragment size distribution of dT-primed total RNA libraries was somewhat surprising.\",\n \"For targeted RNA sequencing, Ns-primed libraries were resuspended in 40 L of TEz.\",\n \"Fragment content in heart and liver libraries was quantified: 153 fg/μL of heart sample cDNA and 760 fg/μL of liver sample cDNA.\",\n \"Based on these data, 40 μL of the heart ligation sample and 8 μL of the liver ligation sample were carried into downstream PCR amplification.\",\n \"Progress of library amplification was monitored using qPCR and the library was amplified by PCR combining 40 μL of purified ligation mix (heart) or 8 μL of ligation mix+32 μL of TEz (liver) with 210 μL PCR mix (125 μL 2×NEB Next master mix, 25 L ACA2, 60 μL water).\",\n \"50 μL was aliquoted into a well that contains 2.5 μL EvaGreen+ROX and further aliquoted into 10 μL aliquots in a qPCR plate.\",\n \"The remaining 100 μL was placed in a PCR strip tube.\",\n \"The PCR amplification was carried out at 72° C.-30 sec, 98° C.-30 sec, and variable cycles of 98° C.-10 sec, 60° C.-10 sec, 72° C.-10 sec.\",\n \"200 μL of PCR products were purified with 200 μL beads and resuspended in a final volume of 25 μL.\",\n \"The concentration of PCR products was 41 ng/μL for the heart library and 42 ng/μL for the liver library.\",\n \"For capture, heart and liver samples were combined and two of “2×” capture reactions were performed with tagged RNA-seq-specific probes (see Appendix, infra for sequences), washed, processed C+P (final yield=40 μL of 23 ng/μL), and size selected 240-600 bp fragments on a Pippin automated DNA size selector.\",\n \"5.4 ng/μL of fragments were recovered from the Pippin=20.8 nM.\",\n \"A flow cell was loaded with the fragments and 51 nt first reads and 24 nt second reads were collected.\",\n \"Results and Discussion: To determine useful RNA-seq data, a heart versus liver sample was chosen for comparison.\",\n \"21 transcripts were parsed out of transcripts reported in the RNA-seq Atlas (medicalgenomics.org/rna_seq_atlas) based on their absolute abundance in one or the other tissue (RPKM values of about 100, 10, 1 etc.\",\n \"in heart or liver) and on their ratios between tissues (again about 100, 10, 1, 0.1, 0.01 for heart vs liver ratios).\",\n \"The list of candidate transcripts and their reported RPKM values are shown in FIG.\",\n \"55.The targeted RNA-seq library was compared to an untargeted, total RNA library made from the same total RNA sample.\",\n \"Poly dT priming was used to convert total RNA, which is primarily rRNA, into non-rRNA transcript libraries.\",\n \"For targeted RNA-seq, random hexamers were used.\",\n \"For the dT primed total RNA libraries, reads can be derived along the entire length of a transcript, some of which are quite long.\",\n \"As an example, the distribution of reads along MYH7 in heart was examined and reads derived from near the 5′ end of this long transcript were found.\",\n \"To compare one (long) transcript to another (short) transcript, counts were normalized by transcript length (often referred to as the reads per million per Kb or RPKM method).\",\n \"Following this 1st degree normalization, counts were also normalize between total and targeted samples.\",\n \"The final read count data set is shown in FIG.\",\n \"56.Visual inspection revealed a good correlation between all three types of data (Atlas, Total and Targeted).\",\n \"One important comparison was between that total RNA-seq sample prepared herein and the targeted RNA-seq sample prepared herein, because both data sets were derived from the same total RNA samples.\",\n \"Two important points of comparison include: (1) The correlation of the actual heart versus liver expression ratio; and (2) the correlation of the absolute abundances of transcripts within a specific sample between total and targeted counts.\",\n \"The first point addresses the preservation of expression profiles, but ignores the actual magnitude of counts being compared.\",\n \"An expression ratio heart versus liver comparison plot for total versus targeted expression ratios is shown in FIG.\",\n \"47.This plot shows an exceptional correlation (r2=0.95) between “expression profiles” generated by the two methods.\",\n \"The second point can be more rigorous because it asks for an absolute comparison between the two methods.\",\n \"A comparison of absolute expression levels as measured in total RNA-seq or targeted RNA-seq is shown in FIG.\",\n \"48, where log 10(count) values are plotted against one another.\",\n \"This comparison was sensitive not only to targeting, but also to the fact that the RNA-seq libraries were prepared by fundamentally different methods (dT priming for total, random hexamer priming for targeted).\",\n \"Despite the different methods of preparation there was an excellent correlation between the two methods.\",\n \"This study demonstrated that the core methods of labeling with random tags combined with sequence-specific capture can produce target-specific RNA transcript data that preserves absolute expression abundance, reveals transcript-specific sequence information, and dramatically reduces the complexity of transcriptome data.\",\n \"APPENDIX PROBE SEQUENCES USED FOR RNA-SEQ ANALYSIS.\",\n \"SEQ ID NO: Name Sequence 727 APOB_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCCGAAGAGGAAA TGCTGGAAAATGTCAGCCTGGTCTGTCCAAAAGATGCGACCCGATTC 728 APOB_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGCTGACCTCAT CGAGATTGGCTTGGAAGGAAAAGGCTTTGAGCCAACATTGGAAGCT 729 ATP5E_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTACTGGAGACAGG CTGGACTCAGCTACATCCGATACTCCCAGATCTGTGCAAAAGCAGTG 730 ATP5E_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTGAAGACAGAAT TCAAAGCAAATGCTGAGAAGACTTCTGGCAGCAACGTAAAAATTGTG 731 BVES_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNACAGAGTCCAGCC CATTGAGAGAATCAACTGCCATAGGTTTTACACCTGAGTTAGAAAGT 732 BVES_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGCCAGCTCCAGT GACAGTGACGACGGCTTGCACCAGTTTCTTCGGGGTACCTCCAGCA 733 DKK3_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACACGCAGCACA AATTGCGCAGCGCGGTGGAAGAGATGGAGGCAGAAGAAGCTGCTGC 734 DKK3_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGGTGTATGTGTG CAAGCCGACCTTCGTGGGGAGCCGTGACCAAGATGGGGAGATCCTG 735 FGA_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATGAGGATCGTCT GCCTGGTCCTAAGTGTGGTGGGCACAGCATGGACTGCAGATAGTGGT 736 FGA_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATTTTTTCTGTTT ATTGCGATCAAGAGACCAGTTTGGGAGGATGGCTTTTGATCCAGCA 737 FGL1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGTGTTCAGTTTCA TCCTTGTTACCACCGCTCTGACAATGGGCAGGGAAATTTCGGCGCTC 738 FGL1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGCAAACCTGAAT GGTGTATACTACAGCGGCCCCTACACGGCTAAAACAGACAATGGGA 739 HAND2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCATCCCCAACGTA CCCGCCGACACCAAACTCTCCAAAATCAAGACCCTGCGCCTGGCCA 740 HAND2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGACCAGAATGGC GAGGCGGAGGCCTTCAAGGCAGAGATCAAGAAGACCGACGTGAAAG 741 MGP_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTGATCCTTCTTG CCATCCTGGCCGCCTTAGCGGTAGTAACTTTGTGTTATGAATCACAT 742 MGP_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGAGCTCAATAGG GAAGCCTGTGATGACTACAGACTTTGCGAACGCTACGCCATGGTTT 743 MGST1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAGAAGTATCTTC GAACAGATGACAGAGTAGAACGTGTACGCAGAGCCCACCTGAATGA 744 MGST1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTATTCCTTGAGTG GTCCCGACCCCTCTACAGCCATCCTGCACTTCAGACTATTTGTCGG 745 MYH7_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGACCAGGCCTT TTGACCTCAAGAAGGATGTCTTCGTGCCTGATGACAAACAGGAGTTT 746 MYH7_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGAGCTCTTCAAA CTCAAGAACGCCTATGAGGAGTCCCTGGAACATCTGGAGACCTTCA 747 NEBL_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGGTCTTCTATA AGCCTGTTATTGAAGACTTAAGCATGGAATTGGCCAGAAAATGCACG 748 NEBL_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAAGAGCAAAACT ACAAGGCCACTCCGGTAAGCATGACCCCGGAGATAGAGAGAGTGAG 749 PDE4DIP_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGGATATCGCACTC TGTCCCAGCACCTCAATGACCTGAAGAAGGAGAACTTCAGCCTCAAG 750 PDE4DIP_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAAGCCAAGCTG CTGCAGAGAAGTTGGTGCAAGCCTTAATGGAAAGAAATTCAGAATT 751 PDIA4_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCGGACGAGGATT CTTCTAACAGAGAAAATGCCATTGAGGATGAAGAGGAGGAGGAGGAG 752 PDIA4_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGTCAAGGTCGTG GTGGGAAAGACCTTTGACTCCATTGTGATGGACCCCAAGAAGGACG 753 RP9P_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGATCACGAGTTA TGAAAAACCTCCTCCTGGGCTTATCAAGGTTGGCATTGCAAATGGT 754 RP9P_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAAGTTTCTTCAT CGTTGTCCTCCCTGCTGGTCACATGAGTTTACGATTCCTTAGAAGTG 755 SERPINF2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCCGGCGCGTTCC GACTGGCTGCCAGGATGTACCTGCAGAAAGGATTTCCCATCAAAGA 756 SERPINF2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCCTGAAAGGCTT CCCCCGCGGAGACAAGCTTTTCGGCCCTGACTTAAAACTTGTGCCC 757 SOD2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAACAACCTGAACG TCACCGAGGAGAAGTACCAGGAGGCGTTGGCCAAGGGAGATGTTAC 758 SOD2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGGAGAAGCTGAC GGCTGCATCTGTTGGTGTCCAAGGCTCAGGTTGGGGTTGGCTTGGT 759 STARD10_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACCAAGACTTTC GCAGCTTCCGGTCAGAGTGTGAGGCTGAGGTGGGCTGGAACCTGACC 760 STARD10_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGATGTACAAGGC GTGCCTCAAGTACCCCGAGTGGAAACAGAAGCACCTGCCTCACTTCA 761 TAF1A_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTCAGTGAAGAAT TAAAAGGGCCTGTGACAGATGATGAAGAAGTGGAAACATCTGTGCTC 762 TAF1A_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAACCACCTTGC GTGGGTTCAAGAAGAGTGGAACTCCAGGAAAAACTGGTGGCCAGGC 763 TFR2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTTTGGGGTCTAT TCCAGAGAGCGCAACAACTGTCCCCAAGATCCTCTCAGACCGTCTAC 764 TFR2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGGCCTACCCATT CCTGCACACAAAGGAGGACACTTATGAGAACCTGCATAAGGTGCTG 765 TMEM14A_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATCGGTTTTGGTT ATGCAGCCCTCGTGACATTTGGAAGCATTTTTGGATATAAGCGGAGA 766 TMEM14A_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCTTTCTTCCTGG CTACCATAATGGGTGTGAGATTTAAGAGGTCCAAGAAAATAATGCC 767 TRAPPC1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCACAACCTGTACC TGTTTGACCGGAATGGAGTGTGTCTGCACTACAGCGAATGGCACCGC 768 TRAPPC1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATCCGAGATGTGC TGCACCACATCTACAGTGCGCTGTATGTGGAGCTGGTGGTGAAGAA 769 APOB_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCCGAAGAGGAAA TGCTGGAAAATGTCAGCCTGGTCTGTCCAAAAGATGCGACCCGATTC 770 APOB_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGCTGACCTCAT CGAGATTGGCTTGGAAGGAAAAGGCTTTGAGCCAACATTGGAAGCT 771 ATP5E_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTACTGGAGACAGG CTGGACTCAGCTACATCCGATACTCCCAGATCTGTGCAAAAGCAGTG 772 ATP5E_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTGAAGACAGAAT TCAAAGCAAATGCTGAGAAGACTTCTGGCAGCAACGTAAAAATTGTG 773 BVES_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNACAGAGTCCAGCC CATTGAGAGAATCAACTGCCATAGGTTTTACACCTGAGTTAGAAAGT 774 BVES_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGCCAGCTCCAGT GACAGTGACGACGGCTTGCACCAGTTTCTTCGGGGTACCTCCAGCA 775 DKK3_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACACGCAGCACA AATTGCGCAGCGCGGTGGAAGAGATGGAGGCAGAAGAAGCTGCTGC 776 DKK3_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGGTGTATGTGTG CAAGCCGACCTTCGTGGGGAGCCGTGACCAAGATGGGGAGATCCTG 777 FGA_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATGAGGATCGTCT GCCTGGTCCTAAGTGTGGTGGGCACAGCATGGACTGCAGATAGTGGT 778 FGA_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATTTTTTCTGTTT ATTGCGATCAAGAGACCAGTTTGGGAGGATGGCTTTTGATCCAGCA 779 FGL1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGTGTTCAGTTTCA TCCTTGTTACCACCGCTCTGACAATGGGCAGGGAAATTTCGGCGCTC 780 FGL1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTGCAAACCTGAAT GGTGTATACTACAGCGGCCCCTACACGGCTAAAACAGACAATGGGA 781 HAND2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCATCCCCAACGTA CCCGCCGACACCAAACTCTCCAAAATCAAGACCCTGCGCCTGGCCA 782 HAND2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGACCAGAATGGC GAGGCGGAGGCCTTCAAGGCAGAGATCAAGAAGACCGACGTGAAAG 783 MGP_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTGATCCTTCTTG CCATCCTGGCCGCCTTAGCGGTAGTAACTTTGTGTTATGAATCACAT 784 MGP_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGAGCTCAATAGG GAAGCCTGTGATGACTACAGACTTTGCGAACGCTACGCCATGGTTT 785 MGST1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAGAAGTATCTTC GAACAGATGACAGAGTAGAACGTGTACGCAGAGCCCACCTGAATGA 786 MGST1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTATTCCTTGAGTG GTCCCGACCCCTCTACAGCCATCCTGCACTTCAGACTATTTGTCGG 787 MYH7_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGACCAGGCCTT TTGACCTCAAGAAGGATGTCTTCGTGCCTGATGACAAACAGGAGTTT 788 MYH7_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGAGCTCTTCAAA CTCAAGAACGCCTATGAGGAGTCCCTGGAACATCTGGAGACCTTCA 789 NEBL_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCAGGTCTTCTATA AGCCTGTTATTGAAGACTTAAGCATGGAATTGGCCAGAAAATGCACG 790 NEBL_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAAGAGCAAAACT ACAAGGCCACTCCGGTAAGCATGACCCCGGAGATAGAGAGAGTGAG 791 PDE4DIP_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGGATATCGCACTC TGTCCCAGCACCTCAATGACCTGAAGAAGGAGAACTTCAGCCTCAAG 792 PDE4DIP_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAAGCCAAGCTG CTGCAGAGAAGTTGGTGCAAGCCTTAATGGAAAGAAATTCAGAATT 793 PDIA4_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCGGACGAGGATT CTTCTAACAGAGAAAATGCCATTGAGGATGAAGAGGAGGAGGAGGAG 794 PDIA4_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCGTCAAGGTCGTG GTGGGAAAGACCTTTGACTCCATTGTGATGGACCCCAAGAAGGACG 795 RP9P_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGATCACGAGTTA TGAAAAACCTCCTCCTGGGCTTATCAAGGTTGGCATTGCAAATGGT 796 RP9P_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAAAGTTTCTTCAT CGTTGTCCTCCCTGCTGGTCACATGAGTTTACGATTCCTTAGAAGTG 797 SERPINF2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCCCGGCGCGTTCC GACTGGCTGCCAGGATGTACCTGCAGAAAGGATTTCCCATCAAAGA 798 SERPINF2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCCTGAAAGGCTT CCCCCGCGGAGACAAGCTTTTCGGCCCTGACTTAAAACTTGTGCCC 799 SOD2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAACAACCTGAACG TCACCGAGGAGAAGTACCAGGAGGCGTTGGCCAAGGGAGATGTTAC 800 SOD2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGGAGAAGCTGAC GGCTGCATCTGTTGGTGTCCAAGGCTCAGGTTGGGGTTGGCTTGGT 801 STARD10_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGACCAAGACTTTC GCAGCTTCCGGTCAGAGTGTGAGGCTGAGGTGGGCTGGAACCTGACC 802 STARD10_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGATGTACAAGGC GTGCCTCAAGTACCCCGAGTGGAAACAGAAGCACCTGCCTCACTTCA 803 TAF1A_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNTTCAGTGAAGAAT TAAAAGGGCCTGTGACAGATGATGAAGAAGTGGAAACATCTGTGCTC 804 TAF1A_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGAAACCACCTTGC GTGGGTTCAAGAAGAGTGGAACTCCAGGAAAAACTGGTGGCCAGGC 805 TFR2_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCTTTGGGGTCTAT TCCAGAGAGCGCAACAACTGTCCCCAAGATCCTCTCAGACCGTCTAC 806 TFR2_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNAGGCCTACCCATT CCTGCACACAAAGGAGGACACTTATGAGAACCTGCATAAGGTGCTG 807 TMEM14A_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATCGGTTTTGGTT ATGCAGCCCTCGTGACATTTGGAAGCATTTTTGGATATAAGCGGAGA 808 TMEM14A_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNGCTTTCTTCCTGG CTACCATAATGGGTGTGAGATTTAAGAGGTCCAAGAAAATAATGCC 809 TRAPPC1_1 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNCACAACCTGTACC TGTTTGACCGGAATGGAGTGTGTCTGCACTACAGCGAATGGCACCGC 810 TRAPPC1_2 ATGTGACTGGCACGGGAGTTGATCCTGGTTTTCACNNNNNNATCCGAGATGTGC TGCACCACATCTACAGTGCGCTGTATGTGGAGCTGGTGGTGAAGAA In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.\",\n \"Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873510"}}},{"rowIdx":4494365,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["X-Ray Imaging Unit For Medical Imaging","The application relates to an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging.","The unit comprising a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement (R) around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement (L) and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement (P) of the upper shelf around the column The rotating part is configured to be positioned by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging"],["1-61.","(canceled) 62.An X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging, the X-ray imaging unit comprising: a column; an upper shelf coupled to the column through a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement (P) of the upper shelf with respect to the column; a rotating part rotatably coupled to the upper shelf and having a rotation axis with respect to the upper shelf, the rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit, the first X-ray source and the X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement (R) of the rotating part; and a second x-ray source; wherein the upper shelf is configured to enable the rotation axis to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement (L).","63.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, wherein the first X-ray source and the detector unit are configured to provide a Panoramic image and the rotating part is configured to be positioned by at least one of the rotational, linear and pivot movements during a Panoramic imaging.","64.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, wherein the first X-ray source and the detector unit are configured to provide a computed tomography image when the detector unit is attached to the rotating unit, and the rotating part is configured to be positioned by at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements during a computed tomography imaging.","65.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62 further comprising a lower shelf for positioning a patient to be imaged for the Panoramic and/or computed tomography imaging, and the rotating part is configured to be positioned over the lower shelf.","66.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, further comprising a patient positioning means for Panoramic, computed tomographic, and Cephalometric imaging.","67.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, wherein the rotating part is positioned over the patient positioning means to provide at least one of a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image.","68.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, further comprising a control unit which operates to move the rotating part by controlling the linear movement and the pivot movement of the rotating part during the imaging.","69.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, wherein the rotating part is moved by the linear movement, the pivot movement, and the rotational movement during the imaging to provide one of a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image.","70.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, wherein the second X-ray source is configured to provide, together with the detector unit, a Cephalometric image.","71.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 70, wherein the first X-ray source is configured to provide, together with the detector unit, a Panoramic image and a computed tomography image.","72.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 70, further comprising: a first arm configured to attach a Cephalometric head to the X-ray imaging unit, comprising a Cephalometric patient support configured to support the patient to be imaged; and a second arm configured to attach the second X-ray source to the X-ray imaging unit.","73.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 72, wherein the second X-ray source comprises a beam limiting device, and the second X-ray source is configured to perform a scanning movement (S) by at least one of rotating around a rotation axis of the second X-ray source and moving the beam limiting device.","74.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 73, wherein the rotation axis of the second X-ray source passes through a focal spot of the second X-ray source.","75.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 73, wherein the second X-ray source is configured to scan the patient by means of the beam limiting device attached to the second X-ray source and the scanning movement, and the detector unit is configured to move synchronously with the second X-ray source by the rotational, linear, and pivot movements during Cephalometric imaging.","76.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 70, wherein the rotating part comprises a Cephalometric collimator configured for Cephalometric imaging and the rotating part is configured to be positioned over the Cephalometric head by the pivot movement.","77.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62 configured to be adapted by means of a height movement (Z).","78.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 77, wherein the column comprises the height adapting means configured to adapt a height (Z) of the rotating part.","79.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62 further comprising height adapting means configured to perform the height movement (Z) by a telescopic or counter weighted movement.","80.A method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit comprising a column, an upper shelf coupled to the column through a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement (P) of the upper shelf with respect to the column, and a rotating part rotatably coupled to the upper shelf and having a rotation axis with respect to the upper shelf, the rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit, the method comprising: acquiring a plurality of images by means of at least a rotational movement (R) of the rotating part; and while acquiring the plurality of images, positioning the rotating part by linearly moving the rotation axis with respect to the upper shelf, pivoting the upper shelf, and rotating the rotating part.","81.The method of claim 80 wherein the X-ray imaging unit further comprises a second X-ray source and the method further comprises: operating the first X-ray source and the detector together when the plurality of images acquiring Panoramic images or tomography images; and operating the second X-ray source and the detector to acquire the plurality of images when acquiring Cephalometric images."],[" BACKGROUND FIGS.","1 a -1 b represent a modern digital Panoramic/Cephalometric/Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) combination unit 100 having typically a column 140 that includes an up and down movement Z to adapt a height of the unit 100 to a height of a patient for Panoramic, Cephalometric, and CBCT imaging modes.","An upper shelf 150 of the unit 100 is attached to the column 140 e.g.","with a fixed joint.","The upper shelf 150 supports a rotating part 120 .","The rotating part 120 —so-called gantry—has typically a form of a letter C incorporating an X-ray source 124 on one end and an X-ray imaging detector unit 126 on the other end, The rotating part 120 rotates R typically up to 400 degrees around a rotation axis 122 .","The X-ray source 124 is common for all the three imaging modes and an X-ray beam limiting device 128 is attached in front of the X-ray source 124 .","The detector unit 126 can consist of one or two detectors.","The one-detector unit 126 can comprise one Cephalometric detector, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, one Panoramic/CBCT/Cephalometric combination detector, or one shot detector configured to be used in Cephalometric imaging.","In two-detector cases, the detector unit 126 can comprise one Cephalometric detector, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, and the CBCT detector.","There are several ways to attach the detectors in respect to each other and to change the detector that is located within an X-ray beam.","During imaging, the beam limiting device 128 controls a size and shape of the X-ray beam so that it matches any requirements of a selected imaging mode, selected image size, and related detector size.","The rotation axis 122 fixes the rotation part 120 to the upper shelf 150 and it is typically attached to at least one linear movement so that the rotation axis 122 and, thus, a rotation center of the rotation part 120 in respect to the upper shelf 150 can be adjusted along a Y-movement that is parallel to the upper shelf 150 during the imaging.","Furthermore, there can be a second linear X-movement perpendicular to the first one so that the rotation axis 122 can be positioned within a plane defined the linear movements X, Y.","In addition, there can be even a third N-movement that moves a fixing point of the rotation axis 122 an respect to the rotation part 120 .","Moving the rotation axis 122 along the X-ray beam NA may be used to change a magnification within the Panoramic and CBCT imaging modes.","Moving the rotation axis 122 perpendicular to the X-ray beam NP enables a change between offset scanning and symmetrical scanning in the CBCT imaging, thus, affecting the Field Of View (FOV).","A Cephalometric arm 160 is used to attach a Cephalometric head 162 to the unit 100 .","It has typically a dedicated X-ray imaging detector 164 at one end and a secondary collimator 166 at the other end.","Between these two main parts 164 , 166 hang Cephalometric patient positioning support parts 168 , 169 , which consist of ear rods 168 and a nose (nasion) support 169 .","The patient's head is supported from an outer part of an ear canal with the ear rods 168 and from a nose using the corresponding support 169 .","The Cephalometric X-ray detector 164 is attached to the head 162 with a C d -movement that moves the detector 164 perpendicularly to the X-ray beam.","Alternatively, it is possible to perform the Cephalometric imaging by a one shot technique, when the detector 164 is sufficiently large.","The Cephalometric secondary collimator 166 is also attached to the head 162 with a C-movement that is parallel to the Cd-movement and, thus, also perpendicular to the X-ray beam.","The support parts 168 , 169 are attached to the head 162 in a manner that enables them to rotate to two main imaging positions: the lateral and posterior anterior (PA) projections.","The lateral projection is basically a side view and the PA projection is from a back-to-front view of a skull.","For Panoramic and CBCT imaging, a patient is typically supported by means of a lower shelf 142 and possibly also by means of a temple support 143 .","The support points are typically a tip of a chin and a forehead or temple of a patient.","The Panoramic imaging unit 100 uses the rotation R and linear X-, Y-, or both X- and Y-movements during the scan resulting in a Panoramic image.","Furthermore, depending on the sensor technology used, the image is clocked out using Time Delay Integration (TDI) or full frame read-out mode of the detector.","The Panoramic (sharp) layer is defined by the velocities of the movements and, in the case of the readout rate of the Panoramic detector.","When using a full frame detector, the final shape of the layer is calculated on the computer after the scan.","Rotation angle is typically about 270 degrees.","In the unit 100 the CBCT imaging is typically implemented by using a rotation movement R and reading out the CBCT detector with a full frame mode.","Thus, projection X-ray images of the Region Of Interest (ROI) are typically produced in a way that the center of the ROI and the rotation movement R coincide.","The effective rotation angle (aperture) is ranging typically from approximately 180 to 360 degrees depending on the unit 100 .","In the Cephalometric imaging the patient is supported by patient positioning structures 168 , 169 located at the Cephalometric head 162 of the unit 100 .","The X-ray beam is arranged to scan the patient's head with a combination of rotation R and linear Y-movement.","The beam is then further collimated by the secondary collimator 166 and finally captured by the Cephalometric detector 164 , which both move in synchronism with the beam."],[" SUMMARY One object of the invention is to eliminate drawbacks of the known Panoramic/Cephalometric/Computed Tomography (CT) combination units and to provide a cheaper and more compact X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging, which includes a rotating part including a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement (P) of the upper shelf around the column.","The rotating part is configured to be positioned by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.","The term “medical imaging” refers to e.g.","a dental, extraoral, oral, maxillofacial, or ears, nose, and throat imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which unit includes a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The method includes positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit includes a rotating part which includes a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column, The computer program includes positioning code for positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium which includes a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit includes a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The computer program includes positioning code for positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for the Cephalometric imaging, and the Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, are used for providing a Cephalometric image.","One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The method comprises using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, The computer program comprises a use code for using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The computer program comprises a use code for using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for the Cephalometric imaging, and the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator are positioned by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.","The method comprises positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a computer program tier controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.","The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.","The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is attached to a column.","The unit further comprises a Cephalometric head comprising a Cephalometric patient support, which is configured to support a patient to be imaged, and a first arm tear attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a. first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is attached to a column.","The method comprises supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating pan.","One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer, The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is attached to a column.","The computer program comprises a supporting code for supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and an attaching code for attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is attached to a column.","The computer program comprises a supporting code for supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and an attaching code for attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means configured to move the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for positioning the at least one detector for the imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.","The method comprises positioning by means of the moving means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.","One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.","The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning by means of the moving means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and an imaging code for providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.","One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.","The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning by means of the moving, means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and an imaging code for providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.","Further embodiments of the invention are defined in dependent claims.","The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.","The definitions of the below-defined verbs and terms shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this description/specification.","The verb “to comprise” is used in this document as an open limitation that neither excludes nor requires the existence of unrecited features.","The verbs “to include” and “to have/has” are defined as to comprise.","The terms “a”, “an” and “at least one”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one and the term “plurality” is defined as two or more than two.","The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more.","The term “or” is generally employed in its sense comprising “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise."],["CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to Finnish Patent Application Nos.","20155002, 20155003, 20155004, and 20155005, filed Jan. 2, 2015, and Finnish Patent Application No.","20145617, filed Jun.","26, 2014, the applications of which are incorporated herein by reference, in their entireties.","TECHNICAL FIELD The application relates generally to an X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging.","BACKGROUND FIGS.","1a-1b represent a modern digital Panoramic/Cephalometric/Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) combination unit 100 having typically a column 140 that includes an up and down movement Z to adapt a height of the unit 100 to a height of a patient for Panoramic, Cephalometric, and CBCT imaging modes.","An upper shelf 150 of the unit 100 is attached to the column 140 e.g.","with a fixed joint.","The upper shelf 150 supports a rotating part 120.The rotating part 120—so-called gantry—has typically a form of a letter C incorporating an X-ray source 124 on one end and an X-ray imaging detector unit 126 on the other end, The rotating part 120 rotates R typically up to 400 degrees around a rotation axis 122.The X-ray source 124 is common for all the three imaging modes and an X-ray beam limiting device 128 is attached in front of the X-ray source 124.The detector unit 126 can consist of one or two detectors.","The one-detector unit 126 can comprise one Cephalometric detector, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, one Panoramic/CBCT/Cephalometric combination detector, or one shot detector configured to be used in Cephalometric imaging.","In two-detector cases, the detector unit 126 can comprise one Cephalometric detector, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, and the CBCT detector.","There are several ways to attach the detectors in respect to each other and to change the detector that is located within an X-ray beam.","During imaging, the beam limiting device 128 controls a size and shape of the X-ray beam so that it matches any requirements of a selected imaging mode, selected image size, and related detector size.","The rotation axis 122 fixes the rotation part 120 to the upper shelf 150 and it is typically attached to at least one linear movement so that the rotation axis 122 and, thus, a rotation center of the rotation part 120 in respect to the upper shelf 150 can be adjusted along a Y-movement that is parallel to the upper shelf 150 during the imaging.","Furthermore, there can be a second linear X-movement perpendicular to the first one so that the rotation axis 122 can be positioned within a plane defined the linear movements X, Y.","In addition, there can be even a third N-movement that moves a fixing point of the rotation axis 122 an respect to the rotation part 120.Moving the rotation axis 122 along the X-ray beam NA may be used to change a magnification within the Panoramic and CBCT imaging modes.","Moving the rotation axis 122 perpendicular to the X-ray beam NP enables a change between offset scanning and symmetrical scanning in the CBCT imaging, thus, affecting the Field Of View (FOV).","A Cephalometric arm 160 is used to attach a Cephalometric head 162 to the unit 100.It has typically a dedicated X-ray imaging detector 164 at one end and a secondary collimator 166 at the other end.","Between these two main parts 164, 166 hang Cephalometric patient positioning support parts 168, 169, which consist of ear rods 168 and a nose (nasion) support 169.The patient's head is supported from an outer part of an ear canal with the ear rods 168 and from a nose using the corresponding support 169.The Cephalometric X-ray detector 164 is attached to the head 162 with a Cd-movement that moves the detector 164 perpendicularly to the X-ray beam.","Alternatively, it is possible to perform the Cephalometric imaging by a one shot technique, when the detector 164 is sufficiently large.","The Cephalometric secondary collimator 166 is also attached to the head 162 with a C-movement that is parallel to the Cd-movement and, thus, also perpendicular to the X-ray beam.","The support parts 168, 169 are attached to the head 162 in a manner that enables them to rotate to two main imaging positions: the lateral and posterior anterior (PA) projections.","The lateral projection is basically a side view and the PA projection is from a back-to-front view of a skull.","For Panoramic and CBCT imaging, a patient is typically supported by means of a lower shelf 142 and possibly also by means of a temple support 143.The support points are typically a tip of a chin and a forehead or temple of a patient.","The Panoramic imaging unit 100 uses the rotation R and linear X-, Y-, or both X- and Y-movements during the scan resulting in a Panoramic image.","Furthermore, depending on the sensor technology used, the image is clocked out using Time Delay Integration (TDI) or full frame read-out mode of the detector.","The Panoramic (sharp) layer is defined by the velocities of the movements and, in the case of the readout rate of the Panoramic detector.","When using a full frame detector, the final shape of the layer is calculated on the computer after the scan.","Rotation angle is typically about 270 degrees.","In the unit 100 the CBCT imaging is typically implemented by using a rotation movement R and reading out the CBCT detector with a full frame mode.","Thus, projection X-ray images of the Region Of Interest (ROI) are typically produced in a way that the center of the ROI and the rotation movement R coincide.","The effective rotation angle (aperture) is ranging typically from approximately 180 to 360 degrees depending on the unit 100.In the Cephalometric imaging the patient is supported by patient positioning structures 168, 169 located at the Cephalometric head 162 of the unit 100.The X-ray beam is arranged to scan the patient's head with a combination of rotation R and linear Y-movement.","The beam is then further collimated by the secondary collimator 166 and finally captured by the Cephalometric detector 164, which both move in synchronism with the beam.","SUMMARY One object of the invention is to eliminate drawbacks of the known Panoramic/Cephalometric/Computed Tomography (CT) combination units and to provide a cheaper and more compact X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging, which includes a rotating part including a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement (P) of the upper shelf around the column.","The rotating part is configured to be positioned by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.","The term “medical imaging” refers to e.g.","a dental, extraoral, oral, maxillofacial, or ears, nose, and throat imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which unit includes a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The method includes positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit includes a rotating part which includes a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column, The computer program includes positioning code for positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium which includes a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit includes a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The computer program includes positioning code for positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for the Cephalometric imaging, and the Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, are used for providing a Cephalometric image.","One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The method comprises using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, The computer program comprises a use code for using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The computer program comprises a use code for using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for the Cephalometric imaging, and the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator are positioned by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.","The method comprises positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a computer program tier controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.","The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.","The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.","The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is attached to a column.","The unit further comprises a Cephalometric head comprising a Cephalometric patient support, which is configured to support a patient to be imaged, and a first arm tear attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a. first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is attached to a column.","The method comprises supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating pan.","One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer, The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is attached to a column.","The computer program comprises a supporting code for supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and an attaching code for attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.","The upper shelf is attached to a column.","The computer program comprises a supporting code for supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and an attaching code for attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.","One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means configured to move the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for positioning the at least one detector for the imaging.","One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.","The method comprises positioning by means of the moving means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.","One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.","The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning by means of the moving means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and an imaging code for providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.","One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.","The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.","The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.","The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning by means of the moving, means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and an imaging code for providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.","Further embodiments of the invention are defined in dependent claims.","The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.","The definitions of the below-defined verbs and terms shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this description/specification.","The verb “to comprise” is used in this document as an open limitation that neither excludes nor requires the existence of unrecited features.","The verbs “to include” and “to have/has” are defined as to comprise.","The terms “a”, “an” and “at least one”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one and the term “plurality” is defined as two or more than two.","The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more.","The term “or” is generally employed in its sense comprising “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which FIGS.","1a-1b represent a known digital Panoramic/Cephalometric/CT combination unit from the front and from above; FIG.","2a represents an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging and its main parts and movements; FIG.","2b represents an X-ray imaging unit and a patient in a Panoramic/CT imaging position during an imaging; FIG.","2c represents an X-ray imaging unit and a patient in a Cephalometric imaging position during an imaging; FIG.","2d represents a Cephalometric collimator used in Cephalometric imaging; FIG.","2e represents functional elements of the X-ray imaging unit; FIG.","2f represents an exemplary embodiment of a two detector X-ray imaging unit, exemplarily configured in a Panoramic imaging position; FIG.","2g represent an exemplary embodiment of a two detector X-ray imaging unit, exemplarily configured between a Panoramic imaging position and a CT imaging position; FIG.","2h represents an exemplary embodiment of two detector X-ray imaging unit, exemplarily configured to another CT imaging position; and FIG.","2i represents an exemplary embodiment of a one detector X-ray imaging unit.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG.","2a represents main parts of an X-ray imaging unit 200, which can be used in medical imaging, e.g.","in extraoral dental imaging.","The unit 200 includes a rotating part (gantry) 220, which includes an X-ray unit which includes a first X-ray source 224.An X-ray imaging detector unit (head) 226 is attached to the rotating part 220.A position of the detector unit 226 can be adjustable, e.g.","the detector unit 266 is rotable or movable in a linear fashion.","The X-ray source 224 and/or the detector unit 226 provides e.g.","a Panoramic, CT, or Cephalometric image by means of at least a rotational movement R around a rotation axis 222 of the rotating part 220.The R-movement of the rotating part 220 is e.g., up to 400 degrees around the rotation axis 222.The rotating part 220 includes a rotating motor, which is configured to rotate the rotating part 220 by means of rotation means (not shown).","Alternatively, the rotating motor can be in an upper shelf 250 of the unit 200.The rotating part 220 has e.g.","a form approximating a letter C and the X-ray source 224 is on one end of the rotating part 220.The X-ray source 224 is common for two imaging modes—the Panoramic imaging and CT imaging, e.g.","the CBCT imaging, where an X-ray beam is a cone-shaped beam.","In additional CT imaging techniques, the X-ray beam can be a pyramidal-shaped beam, half-moon -shaped cone beam, or other shaped beam.","In addition, the X-ray source unit includes a beam limiting device 228 for the X-ray source 224 and a beam limiting motor configured to adjust the device 228.During imaging the beam limiting device 228 controls the size and shape of the X-ray beam so that it matches the needs of a selected imaging protocol, selected image size, and related detector size.","On the other end of the rotating part 220 is the detector unit 226, which can include e.g.","one or two X-ray detectors 227a, 227b (see FIGS.","2f-2h).","An exemplary embodiment of a one-detector X-ray unit 226 can include one X-ray detector 227 which may include one Panoramic detector, one Cephalometric detector, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, one Panoramic/CT combination detector, one Panoramic/CT/Cephalometric combination detector, or one detector configured to be used in Panoramic/CT imaging and in one-shot Cephalometric imaging.","The one detector X-ray detector unit can be adjustable, e.g.","by rotating the detector unit 226 relative to the rotating part 220 so that the one detector of the detector unit 226 can he positioned preferably perpendicularly to the used X-ray source 224 or 265 (described in further detail herein) and/or by moving one detector or detector unit 226 in a linear fashion relative to the rotating part 220 for adjusting a distance between the one detector or detector unit 226 and the X-ray source 224 in Panoramic/CT imaging.","In an exemplary embodiment of a two-detector X-ray detector unit 226, the detector unit 226 can include one Panoramic detector and one CT detector 227b, or one Cephalometric detector 227a, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, and the CI detector 2271).","In a two-detector embodiment of the detector unit 226, the detectors are arranged e.g.","successively in Panoramic imaging, whereupon the Panoramic or Cephalometric detector 227a is arranged as a front detector for arranging magnification ratio for the imaging mode, and the CT detector 227b as a rear detector.","The swap of the detectors 227a, 227b is arranged so that the front detector 227a moves aside by means of moving means 230, e.g.","a rail 231a, 231 b and a rotator configured to move along the rail 231a, 231b and to rotate so that the front detector 227a slides e.g.","next to a rear detector 227h, when it is necessary to use the rear detector 227a in CT imaging or the front detector 227a in Cephalometric imaging, Alternatively, the front detector 227a can be moved to another position relative to the rear detector 227b in Cephalometric imaging.","The place of the front detector 227a in Cephalometric imaging may depend upon on how the front detector 227a is displaced by means of the swap movement, and the R- and L-, movements relative to the used X-ray source 265.The Cephalometric detector 227a can he positioned preferably perpendicularly to the used X-ray source 265.The front detector 227a returns similarly by sliding, when it is necessary to move the front detector 227a back to the front position.","The rotating part 220 can comprise a detector motor 235 configured to move at least one detector by means of the moving means 230, if the detector unit 226 includes separate detectors 227a, 227b for the Panoramic and CT imaging.","In addition, the unit 200 includes a column 240 for adapting a height Z of the unit 200—and the rotating part 220.The column 240 comprises height adapting means 241 which may include e.g.","a height motor, a gear, and a threaded rod, and telescopic or counter weighted means configured to be driven by the height motor, for providing an up/down movement Z to adapt the height of the rotating part 220 to the height of the patient 201 for the Panoramic, Cephalometric, or CT imaging modes.","The height adapting means 241 can realize the Z-movement e.g.","as a movement of the height adapting means and/or as a telescopic or counterweighted movement.","A lower shelf 242 is attached to the column 240 and the rotating part 220 is configured to be positioned over the lower shelf 242 during the Panoramic and CT imaging.","The lower shelf 242 is used for positioning a patient 201 for the Panoramic and/or CT imaging and for supporting the patient 201 e.g.","from a tip of the patient's 201 chin during the imaging.","Alternatively, when the unit 200 includes a seated patient's 201 positioning system (not shown), the Z-movement is realized e.g.","by adapting in the Z-direction the height of at least one of the following: a chair, the lower shelf 242, and the column 240.The lower shelf 242 can also include a head support (not shown), which supports e.g.","the patient's 201 forehead and/or temple in the Panoramic/CT imaging position.","The unit 200 includes said upper shelf 250, which supports the rotating part 220.The upper shelf 250 is attached to e.g.","an upper end of the column 240 with a pivoting joint (means) 252, which enables a pivot movement P of the upper shelf 250 around the column 240 and in respect'to a lower shelf 242 so that the rotating part 220 is over e.g.","the lower shelf 242.The upper shelf 250 includes pivot movement means 253, which includes e.g.","a pivot motor 253 configured to pivot the upper shelf 250 around the column 240 by means of the pivoting joint 252.The upper shelf 250 includes linear movement means 223, e.g.","a linear conveyor configured to support the rotation means of the rotating part 220 and to enable the rotating part 220 to rotate around the rotation axis 222, at least one rail and/or track configured to guide the linear conveyor in the upper shelf 250, and a linear motor configured to drive the linear conveyor along the at least one rail and the upper shelf 250, which enable the rotating part 220 and the rotation means to move with respect to the upper shelf 250 by means of a linear movement L. The linear movement means 223 of the upper shelf 250 can be provided so that L movement in a plane of the upper shelf 250 is a direct linear movement, e.g.","it is parallel to the upper shelf 250 or it is in a certain angle with respect to the parallel direction, or the L-movement in the plane of the upper shelf 250 is a non-direct linear movement having e.g.","a curved path or a devious path.","The rotation means attach the rotating part 220 to the upper shelf 250.The rotation means are able to move with at least one L-movement so that the axis 222 and, thus, the rotation center in respect to the upper shelf 250 can be adjusted along the L-movement.","Thus, the axis 222 can be positioned within a plane defined by the P-movement of the upper shelf 250 and the L-movement of the rotating part 220 during the imaging.","By using a rotating P-movement, rather than a linear X-movement, to adjust the lateral position of the rotating axis 220, it is possible to design much lighter and thinner upper shelf 250, thus giving the unit 200 a smaller footprint.","In contrast, the conventional method of relying on a linear X-movement requires a wider upper shelf 250, and relying on an NP-movement requires a wider rotation part 220, as depicted in FIG.","1b.","The X-ray source 224 on the one end of the rotating part 220 typically weighs more than the detector unit 226 on the other end, As a result, a movement of the center of the gravity of the rotating part 220 can cause a varying load to a joint construction (not shown) of the rotating part 220, which includes the linear movement means 223, so that the rotating part 220 wobbles during the imaging and, thus, reduces the image quality.","In order to eliminate these problems, the upper shelf 250 includes a controlling arrangement (not shown) that enables the R-movement of the rotating part 220 in relation to the upper shelf 250 so that the axis 222 travels substantially with the center of the gravity of the rotating part 220, which, in turn, stays in a neutral axis of the joint construction of the rotating part 220 during the imaging.","A virtual rotation axis of the rotating part 220 is achieved by synchronizing R-, L-, and P-movements during the scanning.","The controlling arrangement, by operating the rotating part 220 in the manner described above, removes any torque applied to the joint construction and increases an image quality by removing artifacts caused by wobbling.","In addition, the controlling arrangement enables to produce a lighter, cheaper, and slender structure of the rotating part 220 and its joint construction In addition, the unit 200 includes on one side of the column 240 a first Cephalometric arm 260 that has a certain first length.","The arm 260 attaches a Cephalometric head (unit) 262 to the unit 200 at a certain first distance that corresponds with the first length from the column 240.The Cephalometric head (support) 262, which has a significantly simpler structure than in traditional Cephalometric units, includes Cephalometric patient support means 268, 269, e.g.","two ear rods 268 and a nose (nasion) support 269, for supporting the patient 201 to be imaged.","The patient's 201 head is supported e.g.","from an outer part of the ear canal with the ear rods 268 and from the nose using the nose support 269.The ear rods 268 and nose support 269 can be attached to the Cephalometric head 262 in a manner that enables them to rotate e.g.","to two main imaging positions: lateral and PA projections.","The lateral projection is basically a side view and the PA projection is from back to front view of a skull of the patient 201.The ear rods 268 can be tiltable or rotable ear rods having a down position, where the ear rods 268 support the patient 201, and an up position, where it is possible to place the patient 201 in the Cephalometric imaging position or where the patient 201 can depart from the Cephalometric imaging position, when the tilted or rotated ear rods 268 in the up position provide a clear passage of the patient 201.In addition, the unit 200 may include on other side of the column 240 a second Cephalometric arm 261 that has a certain second length.","Attached to the second Cephalometric arm 261 is a second X-ray source 265, which is used in Cephalometric imaging.","The second Cephalometric arm holds the second x-ray source at a second distance from the unit 200, corresponding to a second length from the column 240.The X-ray source 265 includes a beam limiting device 267 for the Cephalometric imaging.","Optionally, the beam limiting device 267 can be attached to the X-ray source 265.The X-ray source 265 can be configured to rotate around a rotation axis 264 by means of rotation means 263 configured to perform a scanning movement S. The axis 264 of the X-ray source 265 is in line with a focal spot of the X-ray source 265 so that it passes through the focal spot.","The arm 261 or the X-ray source 265 includes a rotating motor, which is configured to rotate the X-ray source 265 around the axis 264, which coincides with the focal spot of the X-ray source 265.The arms 260, 261 can be separate arms attached to the column 240, or it is possible to use one arm 260, 261, which includes the Cephalometric head 262 in its one end and the X-ray source 265 with the beam limiting device 267 in the other end of the single arm 260, 261.FIG.","2d illustrates how the Cephalometric, combination, or one-shot detector of the detector unit 226 attached to the rotating part 220 can be used to perform Cephalometric imaging.","In addition, FIG.","2d shows that the rotating pan 220 can include a Cephalometric (secondary) collimator 266, which is used in the Cephalometric imaging together with one detector of the detector unit 226.The Cephalometric collimator 266 is attached, e.g., to one (right) side of the rotating pan 220 (e.g.","X-ray source 224), as depicted in FIG.","2c.","Alternatively, the Cephalometric collimator can be attached e.g.","to another (left) side of the rotating part 220 (e.g.","X-ray source 224).","In addition, the rotating part 220 can include a detector motor 235 configured to rotate at least one detector of the detector unit 226 for the Cephalometric imaging, and a collimator motor configured to adjust a position (height) of the Cephalometric collimator 266 in the Z-direction and/or a position of the collimator of the X-ray source 224.Alternatively, or in addition, the beam limiting motor or the collimator motor can he configured to adjust both the device 228 and the Cephalometric collimator 266.The rotating part 220 is driven over the Cephalometric head (support) 262, e.g.","with the P-, R-, and L-movements, so that the detector unit 226 and the Cephalometric collimator 266 are positioned for the Cephalometric imaging.","The X-ray source 265 can be configured to provide, together with e.g., the detector unit 226 (e.g.","the Cephalometric detector 227a attached to the detector unit 226) and the Cephalometric collimator 266 in the rotating part 220, a Cephalometric image from the positioned patient 201, when it is rotated around the axis 264 by means of the S-movement, and the detector unit 226 and the Cephalometric collimator 266 are arranged to move e.g.","by means of at least one of the P-, R-, and L-movements of the rotating part 220.Alternatively, the scanning movement of the x-ray beam—e.g.","a linear S-movement—can be performed by moving the beam limiting device 267 of the X-ray source 265.If the one-shot detector is used, the detector unit 226 and the Cephalometric collimator 266 are positioned by means of at least one of the P-, R-, and L-movements, but the image can be taken without these movements and/or without the S-movement.","Thus, there is no need for a dedicated holder or the Cs-movement for the detector unit 164 and the Cd-movement of the Cephalometric collimator 166, when the scanning movement is executed with e.g.","the P-, R-, L-, and S-movements.","The arms 260, 261 can be arranged so that a height of the Cephalometric head 262 with the ear rods 268 and nose support 269 is fixed relative to the X-ray source 265.However, the fixed height may cause problems, because an anatomy of patients 201 varies—e.g., the vertical distance where ear openings are located compared to patient's 201 shoulders differs significantly from one patient 201 to another.","Thus, either the patient 201 is located too low in the resultant Cephalometric image, showing only upper vertebras, or the patient 201 is located so high in the images that the shoulder of the patient 201 touches the detector unit 226, which is a problem especially with a scanning.","Furthermore, the preferred Cephalometric imaging geometry requires that the focal spot and the tips of the ear rods 268 are at the same (horizontal) axis.","In order to eliminate these problems, variable length ear rods 268 can be used while keeping the arms 260, 261 fixed height relative to each other.","Alternatively or in addition, in order to eliminate these problems, the unit 200 can comprise Cephalometric height adjusting means (not shown) that are configured to independently adjust the height—in respect to the column 240—of the arms 260, 261 that support the Cephalometric head 262 at the one end and the X-ray source 265 on the other end.","When the operator has adjusted the height of the arms 260, 261 by means of an up/down Zc-movement, the focal spot follows the tips of the ear rods 268 automatically and, thus, the geometry (ear rod tip to focal spot line) remains intact.","Yet, the detector unit 226 and the Cephalometric collimator 266 on each side of the patient 201 take their height from the column 240 and, thus, are on a different height in respect to the ear rods 268 and the patient 201 than before the adjustment.","The Cephalometric height adjusting means provides a way to adapt an exposed area to a given anatomy of the patient 201 by enabling an operator (user) to adjust the height of the patient 201 without compromising the geometry.","Since the first and second X-ray sources 224, 265 can be arranged at different heights with respect to the column 240 in the Z direction by means of the height adapting means 241 and/or the Cephalometric height adjusting means, it is possible to position the patient 201 without any additional adjustment of the Cephalometric head 262 in the Z direction as it is needed when using the X-ray source 224 of the rotating part 220 for the Cephalometric imaging.","The movements of unit 200 are simple, because the traditional X-movement, as well as the Cd- and Cs-movements of the detector unit 226 and the secondary collimator 266 in the Cephalometric head 262, are replaced by using the P-movement instead.","The movements are carried out using the L-movement and the P-movement of the upper shelf 250.In addition, by using the P-movement, the structure of unit 200 is made simpler and cheaper, because the Cephalometric imaging can optionally be implemented by using only one “non-detachable” detector unit 226.This reduces the risk of breaking the detector unit 226 because there is no need to remove it from a holder of the rotating part 220 to detach it from a holder of the Cephalometric head 262 when changing the imaging mode from the Panoramic/CT mode to the Cephalometric mode.","The detector for the Panoramic imaging in the detector unit 226 can be rotated from the Panoramic imaging position to the Cephalometric imaging position so that it is possible to use the same detector in both Panoramic and Cephalometric imaging.","In addition, the structure of unit 200 provides a simple workflow when e.g.","the change from the Panoramic/CT mode to the Cephalometric mode—the movement of the rotating part 220 from the Panoramic/CT imaging position to the Cephalometric position without changing the detector unit 226 from one holder to other holder—is automated, thus decreasing both the amount of manual work required and the time needed for the work flow.","It is also possible that the unit 200 includes the upper shelf 250 that pivots around the column 240 and the rotating pan 220 that is configured to be positioned by means of the above-described L- and P-movements for providing the Panoramic and/or CT imaging, but has a more conventional Cephalometric head 262 comprising the Cephalometric detector, the secondary collimator, and the patient positioning support parts.","Cephalometric imaging is provided by means of the X-ray source 224 of the rotating part 220, and the secondary collimator and the Cephalometric detector of the Cephalometric head 262.The X-ray source 224 is arranged to scan the patient's 201 head with the R- and L-movements.","The X-ray beam is collimated by the secondary collimator and captured by the Cephalometric detector, which are synchronized with the X-ray beam.","It is also possible that the unit 200 is provided so that it comprises only one X-ray source, which has several positions for providing the Panoramic, CT, and Cephalometric imagings.","The one X-ray source is positioned relative to the rotating part 220 during the imagings.","FIG.","2b represents a positioning of the patient 201 during the Panoramic/CT imaging.","The patient 201 is supported by the lower shelf 242 and possibly to the head support of the unit 200 in a Panoramic/CT imaging position, where the rotating part 220 is over the lower shelf 242.If the upper shelf 250 as well as the rotating part 220 are in a different position than the Panoramic/CT imaging position—in a Cephalometric imaging position or in an intermediate position between e.g.","the Panoramic/CT and Cephalometric imaging positions—the upper shelf 250 is moved from that position to the Panoramic/CT imaging position by the P-movement and, then, the rotating part 220 is further adjusted by the R- and L-movements so that the rotating part 220 is ready for the Panoramic/CT imaging.","In addition, the rotating part 220 can have a patient positioning position, where the X-ray source 224 or the detector unit 226 are out of the way and do not interfere with the positioning of the patient 201 to the Panoramic/CT and/or Cephalometric imaging positions when the rotating part 220 is over the lower shelf 242 or the Cephalometric head 262.The patient positioning position can be accomplished by the R-movement so that the rotating part 220 is rotated to such position, where it is possible to place the patient 201 to the Panoramic/CT and/or Cephalometric imaging positions or to remove the patient 201 by moving the patient's 201 head between the X-ray source 224 and the detector unit 226.Alternatively, it is possible to realize the patient positioning position by means of the P-movement, whereupon the whole rotating part 220 is moved away from the Panoramic/CT and/or Cephalometric imaging positions, when the patient 201 is positioned.","The positioned X-ray source 224 and the detector unit 226 are configured to provide a Panoramic image when the rotation axis 222—a rotation center of the rotating part 220—is positioned by at least one of the P- and L-movements.","Depending on the sensor technology used, the image can be clocked out using, a TDI mode or a full frame read-out mode of the detector.","In the TDI mode, the image is read out one column at a time, whereas in the full frame mode, the image is read out whole image frame at a tune.","The Panoramic (sharp) layer is defined by the velocities of the movements and, in the case of TDI, the readout rate of the Panoramic detector.","When using a full frame detector, the final shape of the layer is calculated on the computer after the scan.","Rotation angle is typically about 270 degrees, but this is not intended to be limiting.","During the CT imaging, the patient 201 is also supported by the lower shelf 242 and possibly by the head support of the unit 200 in the Panoramic/CT imaging position.","The X-ray source 224 and the detector unit 226 are configured to provide a CT image when the detector unit 226 is attached to the rotating unit and the rotation center of the rotating part 220 is positioned so that it can coincide with the ROI.","The positioned X-ray source 224 and the detector unit 226 are configured to provide a CT image, e.g.","CBCT image, when the detector unit 226 is attached to the rotating unit 220, and the rotation axis 222 is positioned by at least one of the R-, L-, and P-movements during the CT imaging.","When the unit 200 is used with a symmetric imaging geometry, the CT imaging can be carried out by using only the R-movement and reading out the CT detector in a full frame mode.","Alternatively, or in addition, CT imaging can be carried out by using the P-, R-, and L-movements, using the controlling arrangement in the upper shelf 250, for positioning the virtual rotation axis of the rotating part 220 so that it coincides the ROI.","Thus, projection X-ray images of the ROI are produced in a way that the center of the ROI and the R-movement coincide.","In an embodiment, the effective rotation angle (aperture) ranges e.g.","from approximately 180 to 360 degrees depending on the unit 200.When the unit 200 is used in an offset imaging, the CT imaging can be carried out by scanning the image by using the R-, L-, and P-movement.","By driving these R-, L-, and P-movements in synchronism, the effective center of the rotation can be deflected to the side of the beam and, thus creating an offset geometry.","The offset scanning can be provided by a first “solid” offset geometry and a full 360 degree rotation of the CT detector.","Alternatively, the offset scanning can be provided by a second offset geometry, where the patient 201 is imaged by scanning an essentially maximal first imaging offset with approximately 180 degree rotation of the detector in a first imaging direction.","Then, the detector is displaced to the other side of the rotation center to obtain art essentially maximal second imaging offset by approximately 180 degree rotation of the detector in a second imaging direction, which is opposite to the first direction.","Alternatively, the detector is rotated to the starting position, displaced to the other side of the rotation center, and, then, scanning the essentially maximal second imaging offset by approximately 180 degree rotation in the first direction.","Alternatively, the offset scanning can be provided by a third offset geometry, where the patient 201 is imaged by a first imaging offset, where the edge of the X-ray beam area touches the rotation center, and by 360 degree rotation of the detector, Next, the detector and the X-ray source 224 are displaced parallel in such a way that the X-ray beam area moves away from the rotation center so it hits or slightly overlaps the previously imaged area.","Then, the detector is rotated 360 degrees for completing a second imaging offset.","The unit 200 provides same versatility in the CT imaging geometry by means of the R-, and P-movements instead of the R-, X-, and N-movements required in imaging and patient positioning by some conventional systems.","FIG.","2c represents a positioning of the patient 201 during the Cephalometric imaging.","In the Cephalometric imaging position, where the rotating part 220 is over the patient support means 268, 269 located at the Cephalometric head 262, the patient 201 is supported to the patient support means 268, 269.If the upper shelf 250 as well as the rotating part 220 are in a different position than the Cephalometric imaging position—e.g.","in a Panoramic/CT imaging position or in an intermediate position between the Panoramic/CT and Cephalometric imaging positions—the upper shelf 250 is moved from that position to the Cephalometric imaging position by the P-movement, and then the rotating part 220 is further adjusted by the R- and L-movements so that the rotating part 220 is ready for the Cephalometric imaging.","The positioned X-ray source 265 is configured to scan the supported patient 201 by means of the beam limiting device 267 attached to the X-ray source 265 and by means of the S-movement.","The detector unit 226—and the rotating part 220—is configured to move synchronously with the X-ray source 265 by the R-, L-, and P-movements during the Cephalometric imaging.","The X-ray beam from the X-ray source 265 is arranged to scan the patient's 201 head by rotating the X-ray source 265 and the beam limiting device 267 with the S-movement around the axis 264.Alternatively, the S-movement can be performed by moving (e.g., linearly) the beam limiting device 267.It is also possible that the S-movement is provided as a vertical scanning movement instead of the horizontal S-movement, if the detector of the detector unit 226 used in Cephalometric imaging is positioned horizontally, Alternatively, Cephalometric imaging can be performed without the S-movement if a sufficiently large detector (so-called oneshot detector) is used for the one-shot Cephalometric image.","The beam is then further collimated by the Cephalometric collimator 266 and finally captured by the synchronously moved Cephalometric or combination detector in the detector unit 226.The unit 200 simplifies the movements during the Cephalometric imaging, because no additional movement means are needed for the Cephalometric collimator 266 and the detector of the detector unit 226.FIG.","2e represents the functional elements of the unit 200, The unit 200 includes a control unit (control panel) 270 that is configured to control the unit 200, and its above-described movements and imaging processes.","The control unit 270 are attached e.g.","to the column 240.The control unit 270 includes at least one processor (portion) 272 for performing user and/or software initiated instructions and for processing data, and at least one memory (portion) 280 for storing and maintaining data, e.g.","instructions, software, and data files.","In addition, the control unit 270 includes a data transfer portion 274 for sending control commands to e.g.","the pivot, linear, height, rotating, detector, beam limiting, and collimator motors, drivers, or other means (motors, devices) 275 configured to provide the movements of the parts of the unit 200, and/or receiving data from measuring devices or other detection devices 276 configured to detect the function of parts of the unit 200.In addition, the data transfer portion 274 is also configured to send control.","commands to the at least one of followings: at least one of X-ray source 224 and/or X-ray source 265, the detector unit 226, and positioning means 277, e.g., at least one laser, camera, or other indication means, configured to facilitate a positioning of the patient 201 in the Panoramic imaging position and/or CT imaging position by indicating a correct positioning of the patient 201.The data transfer portion 274 is also configured to receive information from at least one of the following: the at least one X-ray source 224, 265, the detector unit 226, and the positioning means 277.In addition, the control unit 270 includes a user interface portion 278 which may include at least one of the following: at least one function key, a touchscreen, and a wired or wireless remote controller, for inputting control commands, and for receiving information and/or instructions.","The at least one memory 280 stores at least a data transfer application 284 for execution by the processor 272 controlling the data transfer portion 274, a user interface application 288 for execution by the processor 272 for controlling the user interface portion, and a computer program (code) 289 for controlling the function of the unit 200, e.g., at least the movement devices 275, detection devices 276, the at least one X-ray source 224, 265, the detector unit 226, and positioning means 277.In addition, execution of the computer program 289 can control e.g.","imaging, parameters, imaging sizes, and imaging modes.","The at least one memory 280 and the computer program 289 are configured to, with the at least one processor 272, cause the unit 200 at least to provide actions described in context of FIGS.","2a-2d, e.g.","to control positions of the detector unit 226 and the Cephalometric collimator 266 by at least one or two of the R-, L-, and P-movements.","The computer program 289 can be a computer program product that comprises a tangible, non-volatile (non-statutory) computer-readable medium bearing a computer program code 289 embodied therein for use with a computer (control unit 270).","FIG.","2f represents one detector unit 226 that includes at least one detector 227a, 227b, which can provide a Panoramic, CT, and Cephalometric image.","The rotating part 220 includes moving means 230, which move the at least one 20 detector 227a, 227b relative to the rotating part 220 for positioning the at least one detector 227a, 227b for the imaging, and the detector motor 235 configured to drive the moving means 230.The detector 227a can be e.g.","a Panoramic detector, which is configured to provide the Panoramic image, or a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to 25 provide a Cephalometric image and a Panoramic image.","The CT detector 227b is configured to provide a CT image.","The moving means 230 can comprise e.g.","at least one of rails 231a, 231b, threaded rod 232, a conveyor unit 233, a guide unit 234 that is connected to the conveyor unit 233 and attaches the detector 227a to the rotating unit 220, and a 30 guide groove 236.The detector motor 235 moves the detector 227a by means of the threaded rod 232, which moves the conveyor unit 233 along the rails 231a, 231b so that the guide unit 234 guides the detector 227a sideways along the guide groove 236 that can be e.g.","a direct, curved, or devious groove.","FIG.","2f represents one example of a Panoramic imaging position, wherein the X-ray source 224 and the Panoramic or Cephalometric detector 227a, which is attached to the rotating unit 220, can provide the Panoramic image.","The detector 227a and the CT detector 227b are arranged successively in the Panoramic imaging position so that the detector 227a is between the X-ray source 224, 265 and the CT detector 227b—the detector 227a is in front of the CT detector 227b relative to the used X-ray source 224, 265.FIG.","2g represents how the detector motor 235 drives (swaps) the detector 227a along the curved groove 236 between the Panoramic imaging position and a CT imaging position.","FIG.","2h represents one example of the CT imaging position, wherein the detector 227a and the CT detector 227h are arranged substantially next to each other side by side.","The CT imaging position can also be a Cephalometric imaging position, wherein the X-ray source 265 can provide together with the Cephalometric detector 227a, which is attached to the rotating unit 220, the Cephalometric image.","It is possible that the detector 227a is in another position relative to the CT detector 227b in Cephalometric imaging, e.g.","in the position according to FIG.","2g or in a position, wherein the detector 227a is displaced so that it is substantially behind the CT detector 227b.","In addition, it is possible that the Cephalometric imaging can be provided when the detectors 227a, 227b are arranged successively, whereupon the Panoramic imaging position is also the Cephalometric imaging position.","FIG.","2i represents a one-detector unit 226 that comprises one combination detector 227, which can provide a Panoramic, CT, and Cephalometric image.","The first X-ray source 224 and the combination detector 227, which is attached to the rotating part 220, are used for providing the Panoramic image and the CT 30 image.","The second X-ray source 265 and the combination detector 227, which is attached to the rotating part 220, are used for providing the Cephalometric image.","The combination detector 227 can be driven similarly as the detector 227a in the two detectors unit 226 represented in FIGS.","2f-2h by e.g.","similar moving means 230, but not necessary by all its movements.","The Panoramic image is taken when the combination detector 227 has been driven to the Panoramic imaging position similarly as represented in FIG.","2f, whereupon the combination detector 227 is in a front position.","The CT and Cephalometric images are taken when the combination detector 227 has been driven to the CT/Cephalometric imaging position similarly as represented in FIG.","2h, whereupon the combination detector 227 is in a back position.","In addition, the combination detector 227 can be positioned by means of the moving means 230 and by means of at least one of the R-, L-, and P-movements, Alternatively, the combination detector 227 can be positioned by means of at least one of the L-, and P-movements.","So, the combination detector 227 can be moved between at least of two of the Panoramic, CT, and Cephalometric imaging positions by means of the moving means 230 and/or by means of at least one of the R- and P-movements.","The invention has been now explained above with reference to the aforesaid embodiments and the several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated.","It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the scope of the invention thought and the following claims."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"X-Ray Imaging Unit For Medical Imaging\",\n \"The application relates to an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging.\",\n \"The unit comprising a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement (R) around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement (L) and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement (P) of the upper shelf around the column The rotating part is configured to be positioned by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging\"\n ],\n [\n \"1-61.\",\n \"(canceled) 62.An X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging, the X-ray imaging unit comprising: a column; an upper shelf coupled to the column through a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement (P) of the upper shelf with respect to the column; a rotating part rotatably coupled to the upper shelf and having a rotation axis with respect to the upper shelf, the rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit, the first X-ray source and the X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement (R) of the rotating part; and a second x-ray source; wherein the upper shelf is configured to enable the rotation axis to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement (L).\",\n \"63.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, wherein the first X-ray source and the detector unit are configured to provide a Panoramic image and the rotating part is configured to be positioned by at least one of the rotational, linear and pivot movements during a Panoramic imaging.\",\n \"64.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, wherein the first X-ray source and the detector unit are configured to provide a computed tomography image when the detector unit is attached to the rotating unit, and the rotating part is configured to be positioned by at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements during a computed tomography imaging.\",\n \"65.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62 further comprising a lower shelf for positioning a patient to be imaged for the Panoramic and/or computed tomography imaging, and the rotating part is configured to be positioned over the lower shelf.\",\n \"66.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, further comprising a patient positioning means for Panoramic, computed tomographic, and Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"67.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, wherein the rotating part is positioned over the patient positioning means to provide at least one of a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image.\",\n \"68.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, further comprising a control unit which operates to move the rotating part by controlling the linear movement and the pivot movement of the rotating part during the imaging.\",\n \"69.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, wherein the rotating part is moved by the linear movement, the pivot movement, and the rotational movement during the imaging to provide one of a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image.\",\n \"70.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62, wherein the second X-ray source is configured to provide, together with the detector unit, a Cephalometric image.\",\n \"71.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 70, wherein the first X-ray source is configured to provide, together with the detector unit, a Panoramic image and a computed tomography image.\",\n \"72.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 70, further comprising: a first arm configured to attach a Cephalometric head to the X-ray imaging unit, comprising a Cephalometric patient support configured to support the patient to be imaged; and a second arm configured to attach the second X-ray source to the X-ray imaging unit.\",\n \"73.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 72, wherein the second X-ray source comprises a beam limiting device, and the second X-ray source is configured to perform a scanning movement (S) by at least one of rotating around a rotation axis of the second X-ray source and moving the beam limiting device.\",\n \"74.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 73, wherein the rotation axis of the second X-ray source passes through a focal spot of the second X-ray source.\",\n \"75.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 73, wherein the second X-ray source is configured to scan the patient by means of the beam limiting device attached to the second X-ray source and the scanning movement, and the detector unit is configured to move synchronously with the second X-ray source by the rotational, linear, and pivot movements during Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"76.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 70, wherein the rotating part comprises a Cephalometric collimator configured for Cephalometric imaging and the rotating part is configured to be positioned over the Cephalometric head by the pivot movement.\",\n \"77.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62 configured to be adapted by means of a height movement (Z).\",\n \"78.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 77, wherein the column comprises the height adapting means configured to adapt a height (Z) of the rotating part.\",\n \"79.The X-ray imaging unit of claim 62 further comprising height adapting means configured to perform the height movement (Z) by a telescopic or counter weighted movement.\",\n \"80.A method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit comprising a column, an upper shelf coupled to the column through a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement (P) of the upper shelf with respect to the column, and a rotating part rotatably coupled to the upper shelf and having a rotation axis with respect to the upper shelf, the rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit, the method comprising: acquiring a plurality of images by means of at least a rotational movement (R) of the rotating part; and while acquiring the plurality of images, positioning the rotating part by linearly moving the rotation axis with respect to the upper shelf, pivoting the upper shelf, and rotating the rotating part.\",\n \"81.The method of claim 80 wherein the X-ray imaging unit further comprises a second X-ray source and the method further comprises: operating the first X-ray source and the detector together when the plurality of images acquiring Panoramic images or tomography images; and operating the second X-ray source and the detector to acquire the plurality of images when acquiring Cephalometric images.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND FIGS.\",\n \"1 a -1 b represent a modern digital Panoramic/Cephalometric/Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) combination unit 100 having typically a column 140 that includes an up and down movement Z to adapt a height of the unit 100 to a height of a patient for Panoramic, Cephalometric, and CBCT imaging modes.\",\n \"An upper shelf 150 of the unit 100 is attached to the column 140 e.g.\",\n \"with a fixed joint.\",\n \"The upper shelf 150 supports a rotating part 120 .\",\n \"The rotating part 120 —so-called gantry—has typically a form of a letter C incorporating an X-ray source 124 on one end and an X-ray imaging detector unit 126 on the other end, The rotating part 120 rotates R typically up to 400 degrees around a rotation axis 122 .\",\n \"The X-ray source 124 is common for all the three imaging modes and an X-ray beam limiting device 128 is attached in front of the X-ray source 124 .\",\n \"The detector unit 126 can consist of one or two detectors.\",\n \"The one-detector unit 126 can comprise one Cephalometric detector, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, one Panoramic/CBCT/Cephalometric combination detector, or one shot detector configured to be used in Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"In two-detector cases, the detector unit 126 can comprise one Cephalometric detector, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, and the CBCT detector.\",\n \"There are several ways to attach the detectors in respect to each other and to change the detector that is located within an X-ray beam.\",\n \"During imaging, the beam limiting device 128 controls a size and shape of the X-ray beam so that it matches any requirements of a selected imaging mode, selected image size, and related detector size.\",\n \"The rotation axis 122 fixes the rotation part 120 to the upper shelf 150 and it is typically attached to at least one linear movement so that the rotation axis 122 and, thus, a rotation center of the rotation part 120 in respect to the upper shelf 150 can be adjusted along a Y-movement that is parallel to the upper shelf 150 during the imaging.\",\n \"Furthermore, there can be a second linear X-movement perpendicular to the first one so that the rotation axis 122 can be positioned within a plane defined the linear movements X, Y.\",\n \"In addition, there can be even a third N-movement that moves a fixing point of the rotation axis 122 an respect to the rotation part 120 .\",\n \"Moving the rotation axis 122 along the X-ray beam NA may be used to change a magnification within the Panoramic and CBCT imaging modes.\",\n \"Moving the rotation axis 122 perpendicular to the X-ray beam NP enables a change between offset scanning and symmetrical scanning in the CBCT imaging, thus, affecting the Field Of View (FOV).\",\n \"A Cephalometric arm 160 is used to attach a Cephalometric head 162 to the unit 100 .\",\n \"It has typically a dedicated X-ray imaging detector 164 at one end and a secondary collimator 166 at the other end.\",\n \"Between these two main parts 164 , 166 hang Cephalometric patient positioning support parts 168 , 169 , which consist of ear rods 168 and a nose (nasion) support 169 .\",\n \"The patient's head is supported from an outer part of an ear canal with the ear rods 168 and from a nose using the corresponding support 169 .\",\n \"The Cephalometric X-ray detector 164 is attached to the head 162 with a C d -movement that moves the detector 164 perpendicularly to the X-ray beam.\",\n \"Alternatively, it is possible to perform the Cephalometric imaging by a one shot technique, when the detector 164 is sufficiently large.\",\n \"The Cephalometric secondary collimator 166 is also attached to the head 162 with a C-movement that is parallel to the Cd-movement and, thus, also perpendicular to the X-ray beam.\",\n \"The support parts 168 , 169 are attached to the head 162 in a manner that enables them to rotate to two main imaging positions: the lateral and posterior anterior (PA) projections.\",\n \"The lateral projection is basically a side view and the PA projection is from a back-to-front view of a skull.\",\n \"For Panoramic and CBCT imaging, a patient is typically supported by means of a lower shelf 142 and possibly also by means of a temple support 143 .\",\n \"The support points are typically a tip of a chin and a forehead or temple of a patient.\",\n \"The Panoramic imaging unit 100 uses the rotation R and linear X-, Y-, or both X- and Y-movements during the scan resulting in a Panoramic image.\",\n \"Furthermore, depending on the sensor technology used, the image is clocked out using Time Delay Integration (TDI) or full frame read-out mode of the detector.\",\n \"The Panoramic (sharp) layer is defined by the velocities of the movements and, in the case of the readout rate of the Panoramic detector.\",\n \"When using a full frame detector, the final shape of the layer is calculated on the computer after the scan.\",\n \"Rotation angle is typically about 270 degrees.\",\n \"In the unit 100 the CBCT imaging is typically implemented by using a rotation movement R and reading out the CBCT detector with a full frame mode.\",\n \"Thus, projection X-ray images of the Region Of Interest (ROI) are typically produced in a way that the center of the ROI and the rotation movement R coincide.\",\n \"The effective rotation angle (aperture) is ranging typically from approximately 180 to 360 degrees depending on the unit 100 .\",\n \"In the Cephalometric imaging the patient is supported by patient positioning structures 168 , 169 located at the Cephalometric head 162 of the unit 100 .\",\n \"The X-ray beam is arranged to scan the patient's head with a combination of rotation R and linear Y-movement.\",\n \"The beam is then further collimated by the secondary collimator 166 and finally captured by the Cephalometric detector 164 , which both move in synchronism with the beam.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY One object of the invention is to eliminate drawbacks of the known Panoramic/Cephalometric/Computed Tomography (CT) combination units and to provide a cheaper and more compact X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging, which includes a rotating part including a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement (P) of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The rotating part is configured to be positioned by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.\",\n \"The term “medical imaging” refers to e.g.\",\n \"a dental, extraoral, oral, maxillofacial, or ears, nose, and throat imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which unit includes a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The method includes positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit includes a rotating part which includes a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column, The computer program includes positioning code for positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium which includes a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit includes a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The computer program includes positioning code for positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for the Cephalometric imaging, and the Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, are used for providing a Cephalometric image.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The method comprises using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, The computer program comprises a use code for using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a use code for using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for the Cephalometric imaging, and the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator are positioned by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The method comprises positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a computer program tier controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is attached to a column.\",\n \"The unit further comprises a Cephalometric head comprising a Cephalometric patient support, which is configured to support a patient to be imaged, and a first arm tear attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a. first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is attached to a column.\",\n \"The method comprises supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating pan.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer, The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is attached to a column.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a supporting code for supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and an attaching code for attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is attached to a column.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a supporting code for supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and an attaching code for attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means configured to move the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for positioning the at least one detector for the imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.\",\n \"The method comprises positioning by means of the moving means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning by means of the moving means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and an imaging code for providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning by means of the moving, means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and an imaging code for providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.\",\n \"Further embodiments of the invention are defined in dependent claims.\",\n \"The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.\",\n \"The definitions of the below-defined verbs and terms shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this description/specification.\",\n \"The verb “to comprise” is used in this document as an open limitation that neither excludes nor requires the existence of unrecited features.\",\n \"The verbs “to include” and “to have/has” are defined as to comprise.\",\n \"The terms “a”, “an” and “at least one”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one and the term “plurality” is defined as two or more than two.\",\n \"The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more.\",\n \"The term “or” is generally employed in its sense comprising “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to Finnish Patent Application Nos.\",\n \"20155002, 20155003, 20155004, and 20155005, filed Jan. 2, 2015, and Finnish Patent Application No.\",\n \"20145617, filed Jun.\",\n \"26, 2014, the applications of which are incorporated herein by reference, in their entireties.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD The application relates generally to an X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging.\",\n \"BACKGROUND FIGS.\",\n \"1a-1b represent a modern digital Panoramic/Cephalometric/Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) combination unit 100 having typically a column 140 that includes an up and down movement Z to adapt a height of the unit 100 to a height of a patient for Panoramic, Cephalometric, and CBCT imaging modes.\",\n \"An upper shelf 150 of the unit 100 is attached to the column 140 e.g.\",\n \"with a fixed joint.\",\n \"The upper shelf 150 supports a rotating part 120.The rotating part 120—so-called gantry—has typically a form of a letter C incorporating an X-ray source 124 on one end and an X-ray imaging detector unit 126 on the other end, The rotating part 120 rotates R typically up to 400 degrees around a rotation axis 122.The X-ray source 124 is common for all the three imaging modes and an X-ray beam limiting device 128 is attached in front of the X-ray source 124.The detector unit 126 can consist of one or two detectors.\",\n \"The one-detector unit 126 can comprise one Cephalometric detector, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, one Panoramic/CBCT/Cephalometric combination detector, or one shot detector configured to be used in Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"In two-detector cases, the detector unit 126 can comprise one Cephalometric detector, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, and the CBCT detector.\",\n \"There are several ways to attach the detectors in respect to each other and to change the detector that is located within an X-ray beam.\",\n \"During imaging, the beam limiting device 128 controls a size and shape of the X-ray beam so that it matches any requirements of a selected imaging mode, selected image size, and related detector size.\",\n \"The rotation axis 122 fixes the rotation part 120 to the upper shelf 150 and it is typically attached to at least one linear movement so that the rotation axis 122 and, thus, a rotation center of the rotation part 120 in respect to the upper shelf 150 can be adjusted along a Y-movement that is parallel to the upper shelf 150 during the imaging.\",\n \"Furthermore, there can be a second linear X-movement perpendicular to the first one so that the rotation axis 122 can be positioned within a plane defined the linear movements X, Y.\",\n \"In addition, there can be even a third N-movement that moves a fixing point of the rotation axis 122 an respect to the rotation part 120.Moving the rotation axis 122 along the X-ray beam NA may be used to change a magnification within the Panoramic and CBCT imaging modes.\",\n \"Moving the rotation axis 122 perpendicular to the X-ray beam NP enables a change between offset scanning and symmetrical scanning in the CBCT imaging, thus, affecting the Field Of View (FOV).\",\n \"A Cephalometric arm 160 is used to attach a Cephalometric head 162 to the unit 100.It has typically a dedicated X-ray imaging detector 164 at one end and a secondary collimator 166 at the other end.\",\n \"Between these two main parts 164, 166 hang Cephalometric patient positioning support parts 168, 169, which consist of ear rods 168 and a nose (nasion) support 169.The patient's head is supported from an outer part of an ear canal with the ear rods 168 and from a nose using the corresponding support 169.The Cephalometric X-ray detector 164 is attached to the head 162 with a Cd-movement that moves the detector 164 perpendicularly to the X-ray beam.\",\n \"Alternatively, it is possible to perform the Cephalometric imaging by a one shot technique, when the detector 164 is sufficiently large.\",\n \"The Cephalometric secondary collimator 166 is also attached to the head 162 with a C-movement that is parallel to the Cd-movement and, thus, also perpendicular to the X-ray beam.\",\n \"The support parts 168, 169 are attached to the head 162 in a manner that enables them to rotate to two main imaging positions: the lateral and posterior anterior (PA) projections.\",\n \"The lateral projection is basically a side view and the PA projection is from a back-to-front view of a skull.\",\n \"For Panoramic and CBCT imaging, a patient is typically supported by means of a lower shelf 142 and possibly also by means of a temple support 143.The support points are typically a tip of a chin and a forehead or temple of a patient.\",\n \"The Panoramic imaging unit 100 uses the rotation R and linear X-, Y-, or both X- and Y-movements during the scan resulting in a Panoramic image.\",\n \"Furthermore, depending on the sensor technology used, the image is clocked out using Time Delay Integration (TDI) or full frame read-out mode of the detector.\",\n \"The Panoramic (sharp) layer is defined by the velocities of the movements and, in the case of the readout rate of the Panoramic detector.\",\n \"When using a full frame detector, the final shape of the layer is calculated on the computer after the scan.\",\n \"Rotation angle is typically about 270 degrees.\",\n \"In the unit 100 the CBCT imaging is typically implemented by using a rotation movement R and reading out the CBCT detector with a full frame mode.\",\n \"Thus, projection X-ray images of the Region Of Interest (ROI) are typically produced in a way that the center of the ROI and the rotation movement R coincide.\",\n \"The effective rotation angle (aperture) is ranging typically from approximately 180 to 360 degrees depending on the unit 100.In the Cephalometric imaging the patient is supported by patient positioning structures 168, 169 located at the Cephalometric head 162 of the unit 100.The X-ray beam is arranged to scan the patient's head with a combination of rotation R and linear Y-movement.\",\n \"The beam is then further collimated by the secondary collimator 166 and finally captured by the Cephalometric detector 164, which both move in synchronism with the beam.\",\n \"SUMMARY One object of the invention is to eliminate drawbacks of the known Panoramic/Cephalometric/Computed Tomography (CT) combination units and to provide a cheaper and more compact X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for medical imaging, which includes a rotating part including a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement (P) of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The rotating part is configured to be positioned by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.\",\n \"The term “medical imaging” refers to e.g.\",\n \"a dental, extraoral, oral, maxillofacial, or ears, nose, and throat imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which unit includes a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The method includes positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit includes a rotating part which includes a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column, The computer program includes positioning code for positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium which includes a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit includes a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The computer program includes positioning code for positioning the rotating part by the linear movement and the pivot movement during the imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for the Cephalometric imaging, and the Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, are used for providing a Cephalometric image.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The method comprises using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, The computer program comprises a use code for using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a use code for using a Cephalometric collimator and a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to provide a Cephalometric image and which is attached to the detector unit of the rotating part, for providing a Cephalometric image, the Cephalometric collimator being associated with the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for the Cephalometric imaging, and the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator are positioned by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The method comprises positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a computer program tier controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is configured to enable the rotating part to move with respect to the upper shelf by means of a linear movement and to be attached to a column with a pivoting joint for enabling a pivot movement of the upper shelf around the column.\",\n \"The rotating part comprising a Cephalometric collimator for a Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning the detector unit and the Cephalometric collimator by means of at least one of the rotational, linear, and pivot movements of the rotating part during the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is attached to a column.\",\n \"The unit further comprises a Cephalometric head comprising a Cephalometric patient support, which is configured to support a patient to be imaged, and a first arm tear attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which comprises a rotating part comprising a. first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is attached to a column.\",\n \"The method comprises supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating pan.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer, The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is attached to a column.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a supporting code for supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and an attaching code for attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part, and an upper shelf for supporting the rotating part.\",\n \"The upper shelf is attached to a column.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a supporting code for supporting a patient to be imaged by means of a Cephalometric head, which comprises a Cephalometric patient support, and an attaching code for attaching the Cephalometric head to a first distance from the column by means of a first arm for the Cephalometric imaging, which is provided by means of a detector configured to provide a Cephalometric image and to be attached to the rotating part.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means configured to move the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for positioning the at least one detector for the imaging.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, which unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.\",\n \"The method comprises positioning by means of the moving means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning by means of the moving means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and an imaging code for providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.\",\n \"One embodiment of the invention is a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising a computer program for controlling an X-ray imaging unit, when the computer program is run in a computer.\",\n \"The unit comprises a rotating part comprising a first X-ray source and an X-ray imaging detector unit configured to provide an image by means of at least a rotational movement around a rotation axis of the rotating part.\",\n \"The detector unit comprising at least one detector configured to provide a Panoramic image, a computed tomography image, and a Cephalometric image, and the rotating part further comprising moving means.\",\n \"The computer program comprises a positioning code for positioning by means of the moving, means the at least one detector relative to the rotating part for the imaging and an imaging code for providing the Panoramic, computed tomography, or Cephalometric image by means of the at least one detector.\",\n \"Further embodiments of the invention are defined in dependent claims.\",\n \"The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.\",\n \"The definitions of the below-defined verbs and terms shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this description/specification.\",\n \"The verb “to comprise” is used in this document as an open limitation that neither excludes nor requires the existence of unrecited features.\",\n \"The verbs “to include” and “to have/has” are defined as to comprise.\",\n \"The terms “a”, “an” and “at least one”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one and the term “plurality” is defined as two or more than two.\",\n \"The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more.\",\n \"The term “or” is generally employed in its sense comprising “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which FIGS.\",\n \"1a-1b represent a known digital Panoramic/Cephalometric/CT combination unit from the front and from above; FIG.\",\n \"2a represents an X-ray imaging unit for a medical imaging and its main parts and movements; FIG.\",\n \"2b represents an X-ray imaging unit and a patient in a Panoramic/CT imaging position during an imaging; FIG.\",\n \"2c represents an X-ray imaging unit and a patient in a Cephalometric imaging position during an imaging; FIG.\",\n \"2d represents a Cephalometric collimator used in Cephalometric imaging; FIG.\",\n \"2e represents functional elements of the X-ray imaging unit; FIG.\",\n \"2f represents an exemplary embodiment of a two detector X-ray imaging unit, exemplarily configured in a Panoramic imaging position; FIG.\",\n \"2g represent an exemplary embodiment of a two detector X-ray imaging unit, exemplarily configured between a Panoramic imaging position and a CT imaging position; FIG.\",\n \"2h represents an exemplary embodiment of two detector X-ray imaging unit, exemplarily configured to another CT imaging position; and FIG.\",\n \"2i represents an exemplary embodiment of a one detector X-ray imaging unit.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG.\",\n \"2a represents main parts of an X-ray imaging unit 200, which can be used in medical imaging, e.g.\",\n \"in extraoral dental imaging.\",\n \"The unit 200 includes a rotating part (gantry) 220, which includes an X-ray unit which includes a first X-ray source 224.An X-ray imaging detector unit (head) 226 is attached to the rotating part 220.A position of the detector unit 226 can be adjustable, e.g.\",\n \"the detector unit 266 is rotable or movable in a linear fashion.\",\n \"The X-ray source 224 and/or the detector unit 226 provides e.g.\",\n \"a Panoramic, CT, or Cephalometric image by means of at least a rotational movement R around a rotation axis 222 of the rotating part 220.The R-movement of the rotating part 220 is e.g., up to 400 degrees around the rotation axis 222.The rotating part 220 includes a rotating motor, which is configured to rotate the rotating part 220 by means of rotation means (not shown).\",\n \"Alternatively, the rotating motor can be in an upper shelf 250 of the unit 200.The rotating part 220 has e.g.\",\n \"a form approximating a letter C and the X-ray source 224 is on one end of the rotating part 220.The X-ray source 224 is common for two imaging modes—the Panoramic imaging and CT imaging, e.g.\",\n \"the CBCT imaging, where an X-ray beam is a cone-shaped beam.\",\n \"In additional CT imaging techniques, the X-ray beam can be a pyramidal-shaped beam, half-moon -shaped cone beam, or other shaped beam.\",\n \"In addition, the X-ray source unit includes a beam limiting device 228 for the X-ray source 224 and a beam limiting motor configured to adjust the device 228.During imaging the beam limiting device 228 controls the size and shape of the X-ray beam so that it matches the needs of a selected imaging protocol, selected image size, and related detector size.\",\n \"On the other end of the rotating part 220 is the detector unit 226, which can include e.g.\",\n \"one or two X-ray detectors 227a, 227b (see FIGS.\",\n \"2f-2h).\",\n \"An exemplary embodiment of a one-detector X-ray unit 226 can include one X-ray detector 227 which may include one Panoramic detector, one Cephalometric detector, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, one Panoramic/CT combination detector, one Panoramic/CT/Cephalometric combination detector, or one detector configured to be used in Panoramic/CT imaging and in one-shot Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The one detector X-ray detector unit can be adjustable, e.g.\",\n \"by rotating the detector unit 226 relative to the rotating part 220 so that the one detector of the detector unit 226 can he positioned preferably perpendicularly to the used X-ray source 224 or 265 (described in further detail herein) and/or by moving one detector or detector unit 226 in a linear fashion relative to the rotating part 220 for adjusting a distance between the one detector or detector unit 226 and the X-ray source 224 in Panoramic/CT imaging.\",\n \"In an exemplary embodiment of a two-detector X-ray detector unit 226, the detector unit 226 can include one Panoramic detector and one CT detector 227b, or one Cephalometric detector 227a, which enables also the Panoramic imaging, and the CI detector 2271).\",\n \"In a two-detector embodiment of the detector unit 226, the detectors are arranged e.g.\",\n \"successively in Panoramic imaging, whereupon the Panoramic or Cephalometric detector 227a is arranged as a front detector for arranging magnification ratio for the imaging mode, and the CT detector 227b as a rear detector.\",\n \"The swap of the detectors 227a, 227b is arranged so that the front detector 227a moves aside by means of moving means 230, e.g.\",\n \"a rail 231a, 231 b and a rotator configured to move along the rail 231a, 231b and to rotate so that the front detector 227a slides e.g.\",\n \"next to a rear detector 227h, when it is necessary to use the rear detector 227a in CT imaging or the front detector 227a in Cephalometric imaging, Alternatively, the front detector 227a can be moved to another position relative to the rear detector 227b in Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The place of the front detector 227a in Cephalometric imaging may depend upon on how the front detector 227a is displaced by means of the swap movement, and the R- and L-, movements relative to the used X-ray source 265.The Cephalometric detector 227a can he positioned preferably perpendicularly to the used X-ray source 265.The front detector 227a returns similarly by sliding, when it is necessary to move the front detector 227a back to the front position.\",\n \"The rotating part 220 can comprise a detector motor 235 configured to move at least one detector by means of the moving means 230, if the detector unit 226 includes separate detectors 227a, 227b for the Panoramic and CT imaging.\",\n \"In addition, the unit 200 includes a column 240 for adapting a height Z of the unit 200—and the rotating part 220.The column 240 comprises height adapting means 241 which may include e.g.\",\n \"a height motor, a gear, and a threaded rod, and telescopic or counter weighted means configured to be driven by the height motor, for providing an up/down movement Z to adapt the height of the rotating part 220 to the height of the patient 201 for the Panoramic, Cephalometric, or CT imaging modes.\",\n \"The height adapting means 241 can realize the Z-movement e.g.\",\n \"as a movement of the height adapting means and/or as a telescopic or counterweighted movement.\",\n \"A lower shelf 242 is attached to the column 240 and the rotating part 220 is configured to be positioned over the lower shelf 242 during the Panoramic and CT imaging.\",\n \"The lower shelf 242 is used for positioning a patient 201 for the Panoramic and/or CT imaging and for supporting the patient 201 e.g.\",\n \"from a tip of the patient's 201 chin during the imaging.\",\n \"Alternatively, when the unit 200 includes a seated patient's 201 positioning system (not shown), the Z-movement is realized e.g.\",\n \"by adapting in the Z-direction the height of at least one of the following: a chair, the lower shelf 242, and the column 240.The lower shelf 242 can also include a head support (not shown), which supports e.g.\",\n \"the patient's 201 forehead and/or temple in the Panoramic/CT imaging position.\",\n \"The unit 200 includes said upper shelf 250, which supports the rotating part 220.The upper shelf 250 is attached to e.g.\",\n \"an upper end of the column 240 with a pivoting joint (means) 252, which enables a pivot movement P of the upper shelf 250 around the column 240 and in respect'to a lower shelf 242 so that the rotating part 220 is over e.g.\",\n \"the lower shelf 242.The upper shelf 250 includes pivot movement means 253, which includes e.g.\",\n \"a pivot motor 253 configured to pivot the upper shelf 250 around the column 240 by means of the pivoting joint 252.The upper shelf 250 includes linear movement means 223, e.g.\",\n \"a linear conveyor configured to support the rotation means of the rotating part 220 and to enable the rotating part 220 to rotate around the rotation axis 222, at least one rail and/or track configured to guide the linear conveyor in the upper shelf 250, and a linear motor configured to drive the linear conveyor along the at least one rail and the upper shelf 250, which enable the rotating part 220 and the rotation means to move with respect to the upper shelf 250 by means of a linear movement L. The linear movement means 223 of the upper shelf 250 can be provided so that L movement in a plane of the upper shelf 250 is a direct linear movement, e.g.\",\n \"it is parallel to the upper shelf 250 or it is in a certain angle with respect to the parallel direction, or the L-movement in the plane of the upper shelf 250 is a non-direct linear movement having e.g.\",\n \"a curved path or a devious path.\",\n \"The rotation means attach the rotating part 220 to the upper shelf 250.The rotation means are able to move with at least one L-movement so that the axis 222 and, thus, the rotation center in respect to the upper shelf 250 can be adjusted along the L-movement.\",\n \"Thus, the axis 222 can be positioned within a plane defined by the P-movement of the upper shelf 250 and the L-movement of the rotating part 220 during the imaging.\",\n \"By using a rotating P-movement, rather than a linear X-movement, to adjust the lateral position of the rotating axis 220, it is possible to design much lighter and thinner upper shelf 250, thus giving the unit 200 a smaller footprint.\",\n \"In contrast, the conventional method of relying on a linear X-movement requires a wider upper shelf 250, and relying on an NP-movement requires a wider rotation part 220, as depicted in FIG.\",\n \"1b.\",\n \"The X-ray source 224 on the one end of the rotating part 220 typically weighs more than the detector unit 226 on the other end, As a result, a movement of the center of the gravity of the rotating part 220 can cause a varying load to a joint construction (not shown) of the rotating part 220, which includes the linear movement means 223, so that the rotating part 220 wobbles during the imaging and, thus, reduces the image quality.\",\n \"In order to eliminate these problems, the upper shelf 250 includes a controlling arrangement (not shown) that enables the R-movement of the rotating part 220 in relation to the upper shelf 250 so that the axis 222 travels substantially with the center of the gravity of the rotating part 220, which, in turn, stays in a neutral axis of the joint construction of the rotating part 220 during the imaging.\",\n \"A virtual rotation axis of the rotating part 220 is achieved by synchronizing R-, L-, and P-movements during the scanning.\",\n \"The controlling arrangement, by operating the rotating part 220 in the manner described above, removes any torque applied to the joint construction and increases an image quality by removing artifacts caused by wobbling.\",\n \"In addition, the controlling arrangement enables to produce a lighter, cheaper, and slender structure of the rotating part 220 and its joint construction In addition, the unit 200 includes on one side of the column 240 a first Cephalometric arm 260 that has a certain first length.\",\n \"The arm 260 attaches a Cephalometric head (unit) 262 to the unit 200 at a certain first distance that corresponds with the first length from the column 240.The Cephalometric head (support) 262, which has a significantly simpler structure than in traditional Cephalometric units, includes Cephalometric patient support means 268, 269, e.g.\",\n \"two ear rods 268 and a nose (nasion) support 269, for supporting the patient 201 to be imaged.\",\n \"The patient's 201 head is supported e.g.\",\n \"from an outer part of the ear canal with the ear rods 268 and from the nose using the nose support 269.The ear rods 268 and nose support 269 can be attached to the Cephalometric head 262 in a manner that enables them to rotate e.g.\",\n \"to two main imaging positions: lateral and PA projections.\",\n \"The lateral projection is basically a side view and the PA projection is from back to front view of a skull of the patient 201.The ear rods 268 can be tiltable or rotable ear rods having a down position, where the ear rods 268 support the patient 201, and an up position, where it is possible to place the patient 201 in the Cephalometric imaging position or where the patient 201 can depart from the Cephalometric imaging position, when the tilted or rotated ear rods 268 in the up position provide a clear passage of the patient 201.In addition, the unit 200 may include on other side of the column 240 a second Cephalometric arm 261 that has a certain second length.\",\n \"Attached to the second Cephalometric arm 261 is a second X-ray source 265, which is used in Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The second Cephalometric arm holds the second x-ray source at a second distance from the unit 200, corresponding to a second length from the column 240.The X-ray source 265 includes a beam limiting device 267 for the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"Optionally, the beam limiting device 267 can be attached to the X-ray source 265.The X-ray source 265 can be configured to rotate around a rotation axis 264 by means of rotation means 263 configured to perform a scanning movement S. The axis 264 of the X-ray source 265 is in line with a focal spot of the X-ray source 265 so that it passes through the focal spot.\",\n \"The arm 261 or the X-ray source 265 includes a rotating motor, which is configured to rotate the X-ray source 265 around the axis 264, which coincides with the focal spot of the X-ray source 265.The arms 260, 261 can be separate arms attached to the column 240, or it is possible to use one arm 260, 261, which includes the Cephalometric head 262 in its one end and the X-ray source 265 with the beam limiting device 267 in the other end of the single arm 260, 261.FIG.\",\n \"2d illustrates how the Cephalometric, combination, or one-shot detector of the detector unit 226 attached to the rotating part 220 can be used to perform Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"In addition, FIG.\",\n \"2d shows that the rotating pan 220 can include a Cephalometric (secondary) collimator 266, which is used in the Cephalometric imaging together with one detector of the detector unit 226.The Cephalometric collimator 266 is attached, e.g., to one (right) side of the rotating pan 220 (e.g.\",\n \"X-ray source 224), as depicted in FIG.\",\n \"2c.\",\n \"Alternatively, the Cephalometric collimator can be attached e.g.\",\n \"to another (left) side of the rotating part 220 (e.g.\",\n \"X-ray source 224).\",\n \"In addition, the rotating part 220 can include a detector motor 235 configured to rotate at least one detector of the detector unit 226 for the Cephalometric imaging, and a collimator motor configured to adjust a position (height) of the Cephalometric collimator 266 in the Z-direction and/or a position of the collimator of the X-ray source 224.Alternatively, or in addition, the beam limiting motor or the collimator motor can he configured to adjust both the device 228 and the Cephalometric collimator 266.The rotating part 220 is driven over the Cephalometric head (support) 262, e.g.\",\n \"with the P-, R-, and L-movements, so that the detector unit 226 and the Cephalometric collimator 266 are positioned for the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The X-ray source 265 can be configured to provide, together with e.g., the detector unit 226 (e.g.\",\n \"the Cephalometric detector 227a attached to the detector unit 226) and the Cephalometric collimator 266 in the rotating part 220, a Cephalometric image from the positioned patient 201, when it is rotated around the axis 264 by means of the S-movement, and the detector unit 226 and the Cephalometric collimator 266 are arranged to move e.g.\",\n \"by means of at least one of the P-, R-, and L-movements of the rotating part 220.Alternatively, the scanning movement of the x-ray beam—e.g.\",\n \"a linear S-movement—can be performed by moving the beam limiting device 267 of the X-ray source 265.If the one-shot detector is used, the detector unit 226 and the Cephalometric collimator 266 are positioned by means of at least one of the P-, R-, and L-movements, but the image can be taken without these movements and/or without the S-movement.\",\n \"Thus, there is no need for a dedicated holder or the Cs-movement for the detector unit 164 and the Cd-movement of the Cephalometric collimator 166, when the scanning movement is executed with e.g.\",\n \"the P-, R-, L-, and S-movements.\",\n \"The arms 260, 261 can be arranged so that a height of the Cephalometric head 262 with the ear rods 268 and nose support 269 is fixed relative to the X-ray source 265.However, the fixed height may cause problems, because an anatomy of patients 201 varies—e.g., the vertical distance where ear openings are located compared to patient's 201 shoulders differs significantly from one patient 201 to another.\",\n \"Thus, either the patient 201 is located too low in the resultant Cephalometric image, showing only upper vertebras, or the patient 201 is located so high in the images that the shoulder of the patient 201 touches the detector unit 226, which is a problem especially with a scanning.\",\n \"Furthermore, the preferred Cephalometric imaging geometry requires that the focal spot and the tips of the ear rods 268 are at the same (horizontal) axis.\",\n \"In order to eliminate these problems, variable length ear rods 268 can be used while keeping the arms 260, 261 fixed height relative to each other.\",\n \"Alternatively or in addition, in order to eliminate these problems, the unit 200 can comprise Cephalometric height adjusting means (not shown) that are configured to independently adjust the height—in respect to the column 240—of the arms 260, 261 that support the Cephalometric head 262 at the one end and the X-ray source 265 on the other end.\",\n \"When the operator has adjusted the height of the arms 260, 261 by means of an up/down Zc-movement, the focal spot follows the tips of the ear rods 268 automatically and, thus, the geometry (ear rod tip to focal spot line) remains intact.\",\n \"Yet, the detector unit 226 and the Cephalometric collimator 266 on each side of the patient 201 take their height from the column 240 and, thus, are on a different height in respect to the ear rods 268 and the patient 201 than before the adjustment.\",\n \"The Cephalometric height adjusting means provides a way to adapt an exposed area to a given anatomy of the patient 201 by enabling an operator (user) to adjust the height of the patient 201 without compromising the geometry.\",\n \"Since the first and second X-ray sources 224, 265 can be arranged at different heights with respect to the column 240 in the Z direction by means of the height adapting means 241 and/or the Cephalometric height adjusting means, it is possible to position the patient 201 without any additional adjustment of the Cephalometric head 262 in the Z direction as it is needed when using the X-ray source 224 of the rotating part 220 for the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The movements of unit 200 are simple, because the traditional X-movement, as well as the Cd- and Cs-movements of the detector unit 226 and the secondary collimator 266 in the Cephalometric head 262, are replaced by using the P-movement instead.\",\n \"The movements are carried out using the L-movement and the P-movement of the upper shelf 250.In addition, by using the P-movement, the structure of unit 200 is made simpler and cheaper, because the Cephalometric imaging can optionally be implemented by using only one “non-detachable” detector unit 226.This reduces the risk of breaking the detector unit 226 because there is no need to remove it from a holder of the rotating part 220 to detach it from a holder of the Cephalometric head 262 when changing the imaging mode from the Panoramic/CT mode to the Cephalometric mode.\",\n \"The detector for the Panoramic imaging in the detector unit 226 can be rotated from the Panoramic imaging position to the Cephalometric imaging position so that it is possible to use the same detector in both Panoramic and Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"In addition, the structure of unit 200 provides a simple workflow when e.g.\",\n \"the change from the Panoramic/CT mode to the Cephalometric mode—the movement of the rotating part 220 from the Panoramic/CT imaging position to the Cephalometric position without changing the detector unit 226 from one holder to other holder—is automated, thus decreasing both the amount of manual work required and the time needed for the work flow.\",\n \"It is also possible that the unit 200 includes the upper shelf 250 that pivots around the column 240 and the rotating pan 220 that is configured to be positioned by means of the above-described L- and P-movements for providing the Panoramic and/or CT imaging, but has a more conventional Cephalometric head 262 comprising the Cephalometric detector, the secondary collimator, and the patient positioning support parts.\",\n \"Cephalometric imaging is provided by means of the X-ray source 224 of the rotating part 220, and the secondary collimator and the Cephalometric detector of the Cephalometric head 262.The X-ray source 224 is arranged to scan the patient's 201 head with the R- and L-movements.\",\n \"The X-ray beam is collimated by the secondary collimator and captured by the Cephalometric detector, which are synchronized with the X-ray beam.\",\n \"It is also possible that the unit 200 is provided so that it comprises only one X-ray source, which has several positions for providing the Panoramic, CT, and Cephalometric imagings.\",\n \"The one X-ray source is positioned relative to the rotating part 220 during the imagings.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2b represents a positioning of the patient 201 during the Panoramic/CT imaging.\",\n \"The patient 201 is supported by the lower shelf 242 and possibly to the head support of the unit 200 in a Panoramic/CT imaging position, where the rotating part 220 is over the lower shelf 242.If the upper shelf 250 as well as the rotating part 220 are in a different position than the Panoramic/CT imaging position—in a Cephalometric imaging position or in an intermediate position between e.g.\",\n \"the Panoramic/CT and Cephalometric imaging positions—the upper shelf 250 is moved from that position to the Panoramic/CT imaging position by the P-movement and, then, the rotating part 220 is further adjusted by the R- and L-movements so that the rotating part 220 is ready for the Panoramic/CT imaging.\",\n \"In addition, the rotating part 220 can have a patient positioning position, where the X-ray source 224 or the detector unit 226 are out of the way and do not interfere with the positioning of the patient 201 to the Panoramic/CT and/or Cephalometric imaging positions when the rotating part 220 is over the lower shelf 242 or the Cephalometric head 262.The patient positioning position can be accomplished by the R-movement so that the rotating part 220 is rotated to such position, where it is possible to place the patient 201 to the Panoramic/CT and/or Cephalometric imaging positions or to remove the patient 201 by moving the patient's 201 head between the X-ray source 224 and the detector unit 226.Alternatively, it is possible to realize the patient positioning position by means of the P-movement, whereupon the whole rotating part 220 is moved away from the Panoramic/CT and/or Cephalometric imaging positions, when the patient 201 is positioned.\",\n \"The positioned X-ray source 224 and the detector unit 226 are configured to provide a Panoramic image when the rotation axis 222—a rotation center of the rotating part 220—is positioned by at least one of the P- and L-movements.\",\n \"Depending on the sensor technology used, the image can be clocked out using, a TDI mode or a full frame read-out mode of the detector.\",\n \"In the TDI mode, the image is read out one column at a time, whereas in the full frame mode, the image is read out whole image frame at a tune.\",\n \"The Panoramic (sharp) layer is defined by the velocities of the movements and, in the case of TDI, the readout rate of the Panoramic detector.\",\n \"When using a full frame detector, the final shape of the layer is calculated on the computer after the scan.\",\n \"Rotation angle is typically about 270 degrees, but this is not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"During the CT imaging, the patient 201 is also supported by the lower shelf 242 and possibly by the head support of the unit 200 in the Panoramic/CT imaging position.\",\n \"The X-ray source 224 and the detector unit 226 are configured to provide a CT image when the detector unit 226 is attached to the rotating unit and the rotation center of the rotating part 220 is positioned so that it can coincide with the ROI.\",\n \"The positioned X-ray source 224 and the detector unit 226 are configured to provide a CT image, e.g.\",\n \"CBCT image, when the detector unit 226 is attached to the rotating unit 220, and the rotation axis 222 is positioned by at least one of the R-, L-, and P-movements during the CT imaging.\",\n \"When the unit 200 is used with a symmetric imaging geometry, the CT imaging can be carried out by using only the R-movement and reading out the CT detector in a full frame mode.\",\n \"Alternatively, or in addition, CT imaging can be carried out by using the P-, R-, and L-movements, using the controlling arrangement in the upper shelf 250, for positioning the virtual rotation axis of the rotating part 220 so that it coincides the ROI.\",\n \"Thus, projection X-ray images of the ROI are produced in a way that the center of the ROI and the R-movement coincide.\",\n \"In an embodiment, the effective rotation angle (aperture) ranges e.g.\",\n \"from approximately 180 to 360 degrees depending on the unit 200.When the unit 200 is used in an offset imaging, the CT imaging can be carried out by scanning the image by using the R-, L-, and P-movement.\",\n \"By driving these R-, L-, and P-movements in synchronism, the effective center of the rotation can be deflected to the side of the beam and, thus creating an offset geometry.\",\n \"The offset scanning can be provided by a first “solid” offset geometry and a full 360 degree rotation of the CT detector.\",\n \"Alternatively, the offset scanning can be provided by a second offset geometry, where the patient 201 is imaged by scanning an essentially maximal first imaging offset with approximately 180 degree rotation of the detector in a first imaging direction.\",\n \"Then, the detector is displaced to the other side of the rotation center to obtain art essentially maximal second imaging offset by approximately 180 degree rotation of the detector in a second imaging direction, which is opposite to the first direction.\",\n \"Alternatively, the detector is rotated to the starting position, displaced to the other side of the rotation center, and, then, scanning the essentially maximal second imaging offset by approximately 180 degree rotation in the first direction.\",\n \"Alternatively, the offset scanning can be provided by a third offset geometry, where the patient 201 is imaged by a first imaging offset, where the edge of the X-ray beam area touches the rotation center, and by 360 degree rotation of the detector, Next, the detector and the X-ray source 224 are displaced parallel in such a way that the X-ray beam area moves away from the rotation center so it hits or slightly overlaps the previously imaged area.\",\n \"Then, the detector is rotated 360 degrees for completing a second imaging offset.\",\n \"The unit 200 provides same versatility in the CT imaging geometry by means of the R-, and P-movements instead of the R-, X-, and N-movements required in imaging and patient positioning by some conventional systems.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2c represents a positioning of the patient 201 during the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"In the Cephalometric imaging position, where the rotating part 220 is over the patient support means 268, 269 located at the Cephalometric head 262, the patient 201 is supported to the patient support means 268, 269.If the upper shelf 250 as well as the rotating part 220 are in a different position than the Cephalometric imaging position—e.g.\",\n \"in a Panoramic/CT imaging position or in an intermediate position between the Panoramic/CT and Cephalometric imaging positions—the upper shelf 250 is moved from that position to the Cephalometric imaging position by the P-movement, and then the rotating part 220 is further adjusted by the R- and L-movements so that the rotating part 220 is ready for the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The positioned X-ray source 265 is configured to scan the supported patient 201 by means of the beam limiting device 267 attached to the X-ray source 265 and by means of the S-movement.\",\n \"The detector unit 226—and the rotating part 220—is configured to move synchronously with the X-ray source 265 by the R-, L-, and P-movements during the Cephalometric imaging.\",\n \"The X-ray beam from the X-ray source 265 is arranged to scan the patient's 201 head by rotating the X-ray source 265 and the beam limiting device 267 with the S-movement around the axis 264.Alternatively, the S-movement can be performed by moving (e.g., linearly) the beam limiting device 267.It is also possible that the S-movement is provided as a vertical scanning movement instead of the horizontal S-movement, if the detector of the detector unit 226 used in Cephalometric imaging is positioned horizontally, Alternatively, Cephalometric imaging can be performed without the S-movement if a sufficiently large detector (so-called oneshot detector) is used for the one-shot Cephalometric image.\",\n \"The beam is then further collimated by the Cephalometric collimator 266 and finally captured by the synchronously moved Cephalometric or combination detector in the detector unit 226.The unit 200 simplifies the movements during the Cephalometric imaging, because no additional movement means are needed for the Cephalometric collimator 266 and the detector of the detector unit 226.FIG.\",\n \"2e represents the functional elements of the unit 200, The unit 200 includes a control unit (control panel) 270 that is configured to control the unit 200, and its above-described movements and imaging processes.\",\n \"The control unit 270 are attached e.g.\",\n \"to the column 240.The control unit 270 includes at least one processor (portion) 272 for performing user and/or software initiated instructions and for processing data, and at least one memory (portion) 280 for storing and maintaining data, e.g.\",\n \"instructions, software, and data files.\",\n \"In addition, the control unit 270 includes a data transfer portion 274 for sending control commands to e.g.\",\n \"the pivot, linear, height, rotating, detector, beam limiting, and collimator motors, drivers, or other means (motors, devices) 275 configured to provide the movements of the parts of the unit 200, and/or receiving data from measuring devices or other detection devices 276 configured to detect the function of parts of the unit 200.In addition, the data transfer portion 274 is also configured to send control.\",\n \"commands to the at least one of followings: at least one of X-ray source 224 and/or X-ray source 265, the detector unit 226, and positioning means 277, e.g., at least one laser, camera, or other indication means, configured to facilitate a positioning of the patient 201 in the Panoramic imaging position and/or CT imaging position by indicating a correct positioning of the patient 201.The data transfer portion 274 is also configured to receive information from at least one of the following: the at least one X-ray source 224, 265, the detector unit 226, and the positioning means 277.In addition, the control unit 270 includes a user interface portion 278 which may include at least one of the following: at least one function key, a touchscreen, and a wired or wireless remote controller, for inputting control commands, and for receiving information and/or instructions.\",\n \"The at least one memory 280 stores at least a data transfer application 284 for execution by the processor 272 controlling the data transfer portion 274, a user interface application 288 for execution by the processor 272 for controlling the user interface portion, and a computer program (code) 289 for controlling the function of the unit 200, e.g., at least the movement devices 275, detection devices 276, the at least one X-ray source 224, 265, the detector unit 226, and positioning means 277.In addition, execution of the computer program 289 can control e.g.\",\n \"imaging, parameters, imaging sizes, and imaging modes.\",\n \"The at least one memory 280 and the computer program 289 are configured to, with the at least one processor 272, cause the unit 200 at least to provide actions described in context of FIGS.\",\n \"2a-2d, e.g.\",\n \"to control positions of the detector unit 226 and the Cephalometric collimator 266 by at least one or two of the R-, L-, and P-movements.\",\n \"The computer program 289 can be a computer program product that comprises a tangible, non-volatile (non-statutory) computer-readable medium bearing a computer program code 289 embodied therein for use with a computer (control unit 270).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2f represents one detector unit 226 that includes at least one detector 227a, 227b, which can provide a Panoramic, CT, and Cephalometric image.\",\n \"The rotating part 220 includes moving means 230, which move the at least one 20 detector 227a, 227b relative to the rotating part 220 for positioning the at least one detector 227a, 227b for the imaging, and the detector motor 235 configured to drive the moving means 230.The detector 227a can be e.g.\",\n \"a Panoramic detector, which is configured to provide the Panoramic image, or a Cephalometric detector, which is configured to 25 provide a Cephalometric image and a Panoramic image.\",\n \"The CT detector 227b is configured to provide a CT image.\",\n \"The moving means 230 can comprise e.g.\",\n \"at least one of rails 231a, 231b, threaded rod 232, a conveyor unit 233, a guide unit 234 that is connected to the conveyor unit 233 and attaches the detector 227a to the rotating unit 220, and a 30 guide groove 236.The detector motor 235 moves the detector 227a by means of the threaded rod 232, which moves the conveyor unit 233 along the rails 231a, 231b so that the guide unit 234 guides the detector 227a sideways along the guide groove 236 that can be e.g.\",\n \"a direct, curved, or devious groove.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2f represents one example of a Panoramic imaging position, wherein the X-ray source 224 and the Panoramic or Cephalometric detector 227a, which is attached to the rotating unit 220, can provide the Panoramic image.\",\n \"The detector 227a and the CT detector 227b are arranged successively in the Panoramic imaging position so that the detector 227a is between the X-ray source 224, 265 and the CT detector 227b—the detector 227a is in front of the CT detector 227b relative to the used X-ray source 224, 265.FIG.\",\n \"2g represents how the detector motor 235 drives (swaps) the detector 227a along the curved groove 236 between the Panoramic imaging position and a CT imaging position.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2h represents one example of the CT imaging position, wherein the detector 227a and the CT detector 227h are arranged substantially next to each other side by side.\",\n \"The CT imaging position can also be a Cephalometric imaging position, wherein the X-ray source 265 can provide together with the Cephalometric detector 227a, which is attached to the rotating unit 220, the Cephalometric image.\",\n \"It is possible that the detector 227a is in another position relative to the CT detector 227b in Cephalometric imaging, e.g.\",\n \"in the position according to FIG.\",\n \"2g or in a position, wherein the detector 227a is displaced so that it is substantially behind the CT detector 227b.\",\n \"In addition, it is possible that the Cephalometric imaging can be provided when the detectors 227a, 227b are arranged successively, whereupon the Panoramic imaging position is also the Cephalometric imaging position.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2i represents a one-detector unit 226 that comprises one combination detector 227, which can provide a Panoramic, CT, and Cephalometric image.\",\n \"The first X-ray source 224 and the combination detector 227, which is attached to the rotating part 220, are used for providing the Panoramic image and the CT 30 image.\",\n \"The second X-ray source 265 and the combination detector 227, which is attached to the rotating part 220, are used for providing the Cephalometric image.\",\n \"The combination detector 227 can be driven similarly as the detector 227a in the two detectors unit 226 represented in FIGS.\",\n \"2f-2h by e.g.\",\n \"similar moving means 230, but not necessary by all its movements.\",\n \"The Panoramic image is taken when the combination detector 227 has been driven to the Panoramic imaging position similarly as represented in FIG.\",\n \"2f, whereupon the combination detector 227 is in a front position.\",\n \"The CT and Cephalometric images are taken when the combination detector 227 has been driven to the CT/Cephalometric imaging position similarly as represented in FIG.\",\n \"2h, whereupon the combination detector 227 is in a back position.\",\n \"In addition, the combination detector 227 can be positioned by means of the moving means 230 and by means of at least one of the R-, L-, and P-movements, Alternatively, the combination detector 227 can be positioned by means of at least one of the L-, and P-movements.\",\n \"So, the combination detector 227 can be moved between at least of two of the Panoramic, CT, and Cephalometric imaging positions by means of the moving means 230 and/or by means of at least one of the R- and P-movements.\",\n \"The invention has been now explained above with reference to the aforesaid embodiments and the several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated.\",\n \"It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the scope of the invention thought and the following claims.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873516"}}},{"rowIdx":4494366,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["DISTINGUISHING PCA3 MESSENGER RNA SPECIES IN BENIGN AND MALIGNANT PROSTATE TISSUES","This invention concerns the discovery of two distinct PCA3 mRNA sequences.","One of these sequences corresponds to a short PCA3 mRNA molecule whereas the other PCA3 RNA molecule is longer as it comprises an additional sequence between exon 3 and exon 4a.","The short RNA is associated with prostate cancer whereas the long RNA sequence is associated with a non-malignant state of the prostate.","Based on the differential expression levels of these two PCA3 RNA sequences, protocols for the diagnosis of prostate disease are provided.","The invention also relates to therapeutic approaches to prostate cancer."],["1-23.","(canceled) 24.A cDNA molecule encoding a differentially expressed prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) mRNA containing an additional sequence between exon 3 and exon 4a, thereby giving rise to a long PCA3 mRNA, wherein the additional sequence interrupts the open reading frame of a PCA3 protein, thereby yielding a truncated PCA3 protein having a sequence consisting of 23 amino acids at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3.25.The cDNA molecule according to claim 24, wherein the molecule encodes a polypeptide having a sequence consisting of 23 amino acids at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3.26.The cDNA molecule according to claim 24, wherein the molecule encodes a polypeptide consisting of the complete amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3.27.A recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising 5′ to 3′, a promoter effective to initiate transcription in a host cell and the cDNA molecule according to claim 24.28.A cell that contains the recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to claim 27.29.A non-human organism that contains the recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to claim 27.30.The cDNA molecule according to claim 24, comprising (i) a polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a nucleotide sequence encoding a differentially expressed PCA3 polypeptide consisting of the complete amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO:3 or (ii) the complement of the polynucleotide sequence of (i).","31.A composition comprising the cDNA of claim 24 and at least one oligonucleotide comprising a sequence complementary to at least 12 consecutive nucleotides of the cDNA of claim 24.32.The composition of claim 31, wherein the oligonucleotide is a primer.","33.The composition of claim 31, wherein the composition comprises a pair of primers for amplifying an amplicon from the cDNA.","34.The composition of claim 33, further comprising a labeled probe that comprises a sequence complementary to at least 12 consecutive nucleotides of the cDNA of claim 24.35.The composition of claim 34, wherein the labeled probe is a fluorescently labeled probe.","36.The composition of claim 31, wherein the oligonucleotide is a labeled probe.","37.The composition of claim 31, wherein the oligonucleotide is a fluorescently labeled probe.","38.A composition comprising the cDNA of claim 24 and at least one DNA polymerase.","39.The composition of claim 38, wherein the DNA polymerase is a reverse transcriptase.","40.The composition of claim 38, wherein the DNA polymerase is a thermostable DNA polymerase.","41.The composition of claim 38, further comprising at least one primer."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over the last decade, cancer of the prostate has become the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among men and the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in the western population, following lung cancer (Landis et al., 1998, CA Cancer J. Clin.","48(1):6-29).","Of all cancers, the incidence of prostate cancer increases most rapidly with age.","As longevity among the western population increases, there continues to be a corresponding rise in the number of prostate cancers with an expected increase of 60% in this decade alone.","Mortality has increased at a slower rate, but overall has doubled in the last 50 years.","Although the disease is typically diagnosed in men over the age of 65, its impact is still significant in that the average life span of a man who dies from prostate cancer is reduced by 9-10 years.","If discovered, early prostate cancer can now be cured with surgery in approximately 90% of cases.","Unfortunately the disease is slowly fatal once the tumor spreads outsize the area of the gland and forms distant metastases.","Early detection of the disease, while still confined to the prostate gland, and accurate staging for the selection of appropriate therapy should improve mortality rates.","Despite many advances in recent years, the precision with which an individual suffering from prostate cancer can be staged is still sub-optimal.","The main reason for this is that tumor spread beyond the prostate is generally microscopic rather than macroscopic.","Digital rectal examination of the prostate has been the cornerstone for the local staging of prostatic cancer for many decades, but it oftentimes underestimates the extent of the disease.","Transrectal ultrasound by itself is only of limited value as a means of prostate cancer staging.","Computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have generally been disappointing in the staging of prostate cancer (Kirby, 1997, Prostate cancer and Prostatic Diseases 1:2-10).","Recent promising approaches to prostate cancer staging imply the use of biochemical and molecular technologies, centered around proteins or their corresponding nucleic acids which are preferentially expressed in prostate cells (Lange, 1997, In “Principles and Practice of Genitourinary Oncology” ed.","Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Ch.","41, pp.","417-425).","The most notorious prostate markers are PSA (prostate specific antigen) and PSM (prostate specific membrane) antigen.","PSA is a secreted glycoprotein encoded by the PSA gene located on chromosome 19.It is expressed under androgen control by glandular epithelial cells of the prostate and secreted into seminal plasma.","PSA protein is normally confined to the prostate but in the case of prostatic disease such as cancer or BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia), PSA leaks into the blood where it is present in different forms, including one that is and one that is not bound to protein complexes (EI-Shirbiny, 1994, Adv.","Clin.","Chem.","31:99).","The measurement of total PSA serum concentrations is one of the most frequently used and FDA-approved biochemical tests in the screening and management of prostate cancer patients.","Studies to date have suggested that screening with PSA, in conjunction with digital rectal exams and transrectal ultrasound, increases the detection of early prostate cancers often while still localized to the gland itself (Brawer et al., 1992, J. Urol.","147:841).","Serum PSA is also useful for monitoring of patients after therapy, especially after surgical prostatectomy.","However, total PSA measurements also identify a large number of patients with abnormally elevated levels who are subsequently found to have no prostate cancer.","Recently, the concept of measuring the percent free/total PSA ratio was shown to increase the specificity of prostate cancer screening in men with PSA between 4 and 10 ng/mL (Letran et al., 1998, J. Urol.","160:426).","The PSM gene encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by epithelial cells of normal prostate, benign prostate hyperplasia and, to a greater extent, malignant prostatic tissue.","Low levels of PSM are also detected in some other tissues (Israeli et al., 1994, Cancer Res.","54:1807).","PSA and PSM have also been targets for molecular approaches to prostate cancer using RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction).","This very sensitive nucleic acid amplification technology is used to identify cells based on the expression of specific messenger RNAs.","It involves preparing RNA samples from tissues or body fluids, reverse transcribing it into cDNA and amplifying specific cDNAs by the use of primers that target the particular gene of interest.","RT-PCR analyses of blood, lymph nodes and bone marrow from prostate cancer patients using PSA and PSM have disclosed the extreme sensitivity of this approach.","However, the clinical value of molecular tests still has to be confirmed (Verkaik et al., 1997, Urol.","Res.","25:373; Gomella et al., 1997, J. Urol.","158:326).","Thus, there remains a need to provide a more sensitive test for diagnosing prostate cancer.","There also remains a need to provide a better test for the staging of prostate cancer.","There also remains a need to provide a prostate cancer marker which is more specific and more reliable to prostate cancer detection, staging and treatment methods.","The present invention seeks to meet these and other needs.","A new prostate cancer marker, PCA3, was discovered a few years ago by differential display analysis intended to highlight genes associated with prostate cancer development (PCT application number PCT/CA98/00346).","PCA3 is located on chromosome 9 and composed of four exons.","It encodes at least four different transcripts which are generated by alternative splicing and polyadenylation.","By RT-PCR analysis, PCA3 expression was found to be limited to the prostate and absent in all other tissues, including testis, ovary, breast and bladder.","Northern blot analysis showed that PCA3 is highly expressed in the vast majority of prostate cancers examined (47 out of 50) whereas no or very low expression is detected in benign prostate hyperplasia or normal prostate cells from the same patients.","There is at least 20-fold overexpression of PCA3 in prostatic carcinomas in comparison to normal or BPH tissues.","PCA3 expression seems to increase with tumor grade and is detected in metastatic lesions.","In summary, prostate cancer staging based on specific markers such as PSA and PSM is a very promising avenue for the management of the disease.","The drawback of using PSA or PSM for prostate cancer staging is that they are expressed in normal as well as in cancerous cells.","In addition, poorly differentiated tumors may escape diagnosis since they tend to produce significantly less PSA protein than less aggressive tumors.","This is the case for 10% of all prostate cancers.","PCA3, on the other hand, is differentially expressed in cancerous and normal prostate cells, and its expression does not decrease with increasing tumor grade.","PCA3 could therefore be a useful tool which may overcome the drawbacks of PSA and PSM in the diagnosis, staging and treatment of prostate cancer patients.","The present description refers to a number of documents, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference, in their entirety."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention concerns the discovery of distinct PCA3 RNAs associated with a non-malignant and/or malignant status of the prostate.","The invention also concerns the identification that a balance between the level of these PCA3 mRNAs correlates with the non-malignant or the malignant status of the prostate.","One of these RNAs corresponds to a PCA3 RNA molecule having an additional sequence of 228 bp (shown in SEQ ID NO:1), inserted between exons 3 and 4a, whereas the other lacks the additional sequence (SEQ ID NO:2).","The RNA lacking the additional sequence is associated with prostate cancer whereas the RNA comprising same is associated with a non-malignant prostatic state.","Based on the differential expression of these two PCA3 RNA species, protocols for the diagnosis of prostate disease are provided.","The above findings could also lead to a therapeutic approach to prostate cancer.","The invention further concerns reagents and methods to assess the prostate status in an animal, comprising a quantitative determination of SEQ ID NO:1 or fragments, or variants thereof with respect to SEQ ID NO:2 or fragments, or variants thereof.","Thus, the present invention relates to the discovery and characterization of a novel sequence expressed in PCA3 mRNA, which enables a determination of the prostate status of an animal, based on a determination of the relative abundance of two differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","The invention provides, in general, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs and to variants or portions thereof, retaining their ability to enable a prostate status determination.","The invention further provides purified polypeptides encoded by the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs of the present invention or an epitope binding portion thereof.","The invention also provides nucleic acids for the specific detection of the presence of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs associated with prostate cancer or proteins or polypeptides encoded by such mRNAs in a sample.","The invention further provides a method of detecting nucleic acid encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","The invention also provides a kit for detecting the presence of nucleic acid encoding differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.","The invention in addition provides a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising, 5′ to 3′, a promoter effective to initiate transcription in a host cell and the above-described isolated nucleic acid molecule, variants or fragments thereof, encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","The invention also provides a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a vector and the above-described isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","The invention further provides an antisense nucleic acid molecule specific to the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","The invention also provides a cell that contains an above-described recombinant nucleic acid molecule.","The invention further relates to a non-human organism that contains an above-described recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA.","In particular, the invention relates to a non-human organism containing a recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a PCA3 mRNA having an additional sequence between exon 3 and exon 4a.","In a particularly preferred embodiment, this additional sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, variants of parts thereof.","The invention also relates to an antibody having binding affinity specifically to a polypeptide encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA or an epitope-bearing portion thereof.","The invention further provides a method of detecting differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.","As well, it also provides a method of measuring the amount of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.","The invention further relates to a method of detecting antibodies having binding affinity specifically to polypeptides encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA.","In one embodiment, the invention further relates to a diagnostic kit comprising a first container means containing nucleic acid molecules specific for a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA, and a second container means containing a probe specific to a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","In another embodiment, the invention relates to a diagnostic kit comprising a first container means containing the above-described antibody, and a second container means containing a conjugate comprising a binding partner of the monoclonal antibody and a label.","The invention also provides a hybridoma which produces the above-described monoclonal antibody.","As well, the invention further relates to diagnostic methods for human disease, in particular, prostate cancer.","Preferably, a method of diagnosing the presence or predisposition to develop prostate cancer in a patient is provided herein.","The invention also provides methods for therapeutic uses involving all or part of (1) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs, variants or parts thereof, (2) antisense to differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA molecules, variants or parts thereof, (3) protein encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA, variants or parts thereof, or (4) antibodies to proteins encoded by differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","Further, the invention provides a method to modulate the level of differentially expressed of a first PCA3 mRNA (e.g.","the long one) and a second PCA3 mRNA (e.g.","the short one) by expressing one of the first or second differentially expressed mRNA.","In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a modulation of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs such that the level of the first PCA3 mRNA is superior to that of the second.","Having identified the differential expression of mRNAs as a marker for prostatic state of an animal, and more particularly having shown that the presence of the additional sequence, which interrupts the coding sequence of the PCA3 encoded protein, correlates with a non-malignant state, while the absence of the additional sequence and a non-interruption of the thereby encoded protein, correlates with malignant cancer, the present invention therefore provides the means to interrupt the coding sequence of the PCA3 protein, using any means of genetic engineering, known to a skilled artisan, and assesses whether such an interruption can revert the malignant phenotype.","In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of terms used in the present description, a number of definitions are provided hereinbelow.","As used herein, the terminology “non-malignant prostate or status” is meant to cover a non-cancerous prostatic state.","Thus, these terminologies are meant to include a normal status as well as a benign prostatic status (such as BPH, for example).","Since the differentiating markers between the malignant and non-malignant prostatic state is at the mRNA and protein level (i.e., an expressed marker), one of the advantages of the present invention is to enable a determination of the prostatic status in an animal using a number of available means to the skilled artisan.","Non-limiting examples of such means include nucleic acid probes, antibodies, ligands and PNAs, in easily obtainable cells which express these differentiating markers.","A non-limiting example thereof is lymphocytes, thereby enabling a determination from a simple blood sample.","The term “sample” is used herein broadly to refer to all types of samples from an animal in which the differential expression of the short and/or long PCA3 nucleic acid or protein of the present invention can be analyzed.","Non-limiting examples thereof include biopsies, blood, fine needle aspirate, urine and bone marrow.","Nucleotide sequences are presented herein by single strand, in the 5′ to 3′ direction, from left to right, using the one letter nucleotide symbols as commonly used in the art and in accordance with the recommendations of the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission.","Unless defined otherwise, the scientific and technological terms and nomenclature used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill to which this invention pertains.","Generally, the procedures for cell cultures, infection, molecular biology methods and the like are common methods used in the art.","Such standard techniques can be found in reference manuals such as for example Sambrook et al.","(1989, Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories) and Ausubel et al.","(1994, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley, New York).","The present description refers to a number of routinely used recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology terms.","Nevertheless, definitions of selected examples of such rDNA terms are provided for clarity and consistency.","As used herein, “nucleic acid molecule”, refers to a polymer of nucleotides.","Non-limiting examples thereof include DNA (i.e., genomic DNA, cDNA) and RNA molecules (i.e., mRNA).","The nucleic acid molecule can be obtained by cloning techniques or synthesized.","DNA can be double-stranded or single-stranded (coding strand or non-coding strand [antisense]).","The term “recombinant DNA” as known in the art refers to a DNA molecule resulting from the joining of DNA segments.","This is often referred to as genetic engineering.","The term “DNA segment”, is used herein, to refer to a DNA molecule comprising a linear stretch or sequence of nucleotides.","This sequence when read in accordance with the genetic code, can encode a linear stretch or sequence of amino acids which can be referred to as a polypeptide, protein, protein fragment and the like.","The terminology “amplification pair” refers herein to a pair of oligonucleotides (oligos) of the present invention, which are selected to be used together in amplifying a selected nucleic acid sequence by one of a number of types of amplification processes, preferably a polymerase chain reaction.","Other types of amplification processes include ligase chain reaction, strand displacement amplification, or nucleic acid sequence-based amplification, as explained in greater detail below.","As commonly known in the art, the oligos are designed to bind to a complementary sequence under selected conditions.","In one particular embodiment, amplification of a nucleic acid sample from a patient is amplified under conditions which favor the amplification of the most abundant differentially expressed nucleic acid.","In one preferred embodiment, RT-PCR is carried out on an mRNA sample from a patient under conditions which favor the amplification of the most abundant PCA3 mRNA.","In another preferred embodiment, the amplification of the differentially expressed PCA3 nucleic acids is carried out simultaneously.","Of course, it will be realized by a person skilled in the art that such methods could be adapted for the detection of differentially expressed proteins instead of differentially expressed nucleic acid sequences.","The nucleic acid (i.e., DNA or RNA) for practicing the present invention may be obtained according to well known methods.","Oligonucleotide probes or primers of the present invention may be of any suitable length, depending on the particular assay format and the particular needs and targeted genomes employed.","In general, the oligonucleotide probes or primers are at least 12 nucleotides in length, preferably between 15 and 24 molecules, and they may be adapted to be especially suited to a chosen nucleic acid amplification system.","As commonly known in the art, the oligonucleotide probes and primers can be designed by taking into consideration the melting point of hydrizidation thereof with its targeted sequence (see below and in Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, CSH Laboratories; Ausubel et al., 1989, in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons Inc., N.Y.).","The term “oligonucleotide” or “DNA” molecule or sequence refers to a molecule comprised of the deoxyribonucleotides adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T) and/or cytosine (C).","When in a double-stranded form, it can comprise or include a “regulatory element” according to the present invention, as the term is defined herein.","The term “oligonucleotide” or “DNA” can be found in linear DNA molecules or fragments, viruses, plasmids, vectors, chromosomes or synthetically derived DNA.","As used herein, particular double-stranded DNA sequences may be described according to the normal convention of giving only the sequence in the 5′ to 3′ direction.","It will also be recognized that “oligonucleotide” can be in a single-stranded form.","“Nucleic acid hybridization” refers generally to the hybridization of two single-stranded nucleic acid molecules having complementary base sequences, which under appropriate conditions will form a thermodynamically favored double-stranded structure.","Examples of hybridization conditions can be found in the two laboratory manuals referred above (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra and Ausubel et al., 1989, supra) and are commonly known in the art.","In the case of a hybridization to a nitrocellulose filter, as for example in the well known Southern blotting procedure, a nitrocellulose filter can be incubated overnight at 65° C. with a labeled probe in a solution containing 50% formamide, high salt (5×SSC or 5×SSPE), 5×Denhardt's solution, 1% SDS, and 100 μg/ml denatured carrier DNA (i.e.","salmon sperm DNA).","The non-specifically binding probe can then be washed off the filter by several washes in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at a temperature which is selected in view of the desired stringency: room temperature (low stringency), 42° C. (moderate stringency) or 65° C. (high stringency).","The selected temperature is based on the melting temperature (Tm) of the DNA hybrid.","Of course, RNA-DNA hybrids can also be formed and detected.","In such cases, the conditions of hybridization and washing can be adapted according to well known methods by the person of ordinary skill.","Stringent conditions will be preferably used (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).","Probes of the invention can be utilized with naturally occurring sugar-phosphate backbones as well as modified backbones including phosphorothioates, dithionates, alkyl phosphonates and α-nucleotides and the like.","Modified sugar-phosphate backbones are generally taught by Miller, 1988, Ann.","Reports Med.","Chem.","23:295 and Moran et al., 1987, Nucleic acid molecule.","Acids Res., 14:5019.Probes of the invention can be constructed of either ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and preferably of DNA.","The types of detection methods in which probes can be used include Southern blots (DNA detection), dot or slot blots (DNA, RNA), and Northern blots (RNA detection).","Although less preferred, labeled proteins could also be used to detect a particular nucleic acid sequence to which it binds.","More recently, PNAs have been described (Nielsen et al.","1999, Current Opin.","Biotechnol.","10:71-75).","PNAs could also be used to detect the mRNAs of the present invention.","Other detection methods include kits containing probes on a dipstick setup and the like.","Although the present invention is not specifically dependent on the use of a label for the detection of a particular nucleic acid sequence, such a label might be beneficial, by increasing the sensitivity of the detection.","Furthermore, it enables automation.","Probes can be labeled according to numerous well known methods (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).","Non-limiting examples of labels include 3 H, 14 C, 32 P, and 35 S. Non-limiting examples of detectable markers include ligands, fluorophores, chemiluminescent agents, enzymes, and antibodies.","Other detectable markers for use with probes, which can enable an increase in sensitivity of the method of the invention, include biotin and radionucleotides.","It will become evident to the person of ordinary skill that the choice of a particular label dictates the manner in which it is bound to the probe.","As commonly known, radioactive nucleotides can be incorporated into probes of the invention by several methods.","Non-limiting examples thereof include kinasing the 5′ ends of the probes using gamma 32 P ATP and polynucleotide kinase, using the Klenow fragment of Pol I of E. coli in the presence of radioactive dNTP (i.e., uniformly labeled DNA probe using random oligonucleotide primers in low-melt gels), using the SP6/T7 system to transcribe a DNA segment in the presence of one or more radioactive NTP, and the like.","As used herein, “oligonucleotides” or “oligos” define a molecule having two or more nucleotides (ribo or deoxyribonucleotides).","The size of the oligo will be dictated by the particular situation and ultimately on the particular use thereof and adapted accordingly by the person of ordinary skill.","An oligonucleotide can be synthetised chemically or derived by cloning according to well known methods.","As used herein, a “primer” defines an oligonucleotide which is capable of annealing to a target sequence, thereby creating a double stranded region which can serve as an initiation point for DNA synthesis under suitable conditions.","Amplification of a selected, or target, nucleic acid sequence may be carried out by a number of suitable methods.","See generally Kwoh et al., 1990, Am.","Biotechnol.","Lab.","8:14-25.Numerous amplification techniques have been described and can be readily adapted to suit particular needs of a person of ordinary skill.","Non-limiting examples of amplification techniques include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR), strand displacement amplification (SDA), transcription-based amplification, the Q13 replicase system and NASBA (Kwoh et al., 1989, Proc.","Natl.","Acad.","Sci.","USA 86, 1173-1177; Lizardi et al., 1988, BioTechnology 6:1197-1202; Malek et al., 1994, Methods Mol.","Biol., 28:253-260; and Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).","Preferably, amplification will be carried out using PCR.","Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is carried out in accordance with known techniques.","See, e.g., U.S. Pat.","Nos.","4,683,195; 4,683,202; 4,800,159; and 4,965,188 (the disclosures of all three U.S. patent are incorporated herein by reference).","In general, PCR involves, a treatment of a nucleic acid sample (e.g., in the presence of a heat stable DNA polymerase) under hybridizing conditions, with one oligonucleotide primer for each strand of the specific sequence to be detected.","An extension product of each primer which is synthesized is complementary to each of the two nucleic acid strands, with the primers sufficiently complementary to each strand of the specific sequence to hybridize therewith.","The extension product synthesized from each primer can also serve as a template for further synthesis of extension products using the same primers.","Following a sufficient number of rounds of synthesis of extension products, the sample is analysed to assess whether the sequence or sequences to be detected are present.","Detection of the amplified sequence may be carried out by visualization following EtBr staining of the DNA following gel electrophoresis, or using a detectable label in accordance with known techniques, and the like.","For a review on PCR techniques (see PCR Protocols, A Guide to Methods and Amplifications, Michael et al.","Eds, Acad.","Press, 1990).","Ligase chain reaction (LCR) is carried out in accordance with known techniques (Weiss, 1991, Science 254:1292).","Adaptation of the protocol to meet the desired needs can be carried out by a person of ordinary skill.","Strand displacement amplification (SDA) is also carried out in accordance with known techniques or adaptations thereof to meet the particular needs (Walker et al., 1992, Proc.","Natl.","Acad.","Sci.","USA 89:392-396; and ibid., 1992, Nucleic Acids Res.","20:1691-1696).","As used herein, the term “gene” is well known in the art and relates to a nucleic acid sequence defining a single protein or polypeptide.","A “structural gene” defines a DNA sequence which is transcribed into RNA and translated into a protein having a specific amino acid sequence thereby giving rise the a specific polypeptide or protein.","It will be readily recognized by the person of ordinary skill, that the nucleic acid sequence of the present invention can be incorporated into anyone of numerous established kit formats which are well known in the art.","A “heterologous” (i.e., a heterologous gene) region of a DNA molecule is a subsegment segment of DNA within a larger segment that is not found in association therewith in nature.","The term “heterologous” can be similarly used to define two polypeptidic segments not joined together in nature.","Non-limiting examples of heterologous genes include reporter genes such as luciferase, chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, β-galactosidase, and the like which can be juxtaposed or joined to heterologous control regions or to heterologous polypeptides.","The term “vector” is commonly known in the art and defines a plasmid DNA, phage DNA, viral DNA and the like, which can serve as a DNA vehicle into which DNA of the present invention can be cloned.","Numerous types of vectors exist and are well known in the art.","The term “expression” defines the process by which a gene is transcribed into mRNA (transcription), the mRNA is then being translated (translation) into one polypeptide (or protein) or more.","The terminology “expression vector” defines a vector or vehicle as described above but designed to enable the expression of an inserted sequence following transformation into a host.","The cloned gene (inserted sequence) is usually placed under the control of control element sequences such as promoter sequences.","The placing of a cloned gene under such control sequences is often referred to as being operably linked to control elements or sequences.","Operably linked sequences may also include two segments that are transcribed onto the same RNA transcript.","Thus, two sequences, such as a promoter and a “reporter sequence” are operably linked if transcription commencing in the promoter will produce an RNA transcript of the reporter sequence.","In order to be “operably linked” it is not necessary that two sequences be immediately adjacent to one another.","Expression control sequences will vary depending on whether the vector is designed to express the operably linked gene in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host or both (shuttle vectors) and can additionally contain transcriptional elements such as enhancer elements, termination sequences, tissue-specificity elements, and/or translational initiation and termination sites.","Prokaryotic expressions are useful for the preparation of large quantities of the protein encoded by the DNA sequence of interest.","This protein can be purified according to standard protocols that take advantage of the intrinsic properties thereof, such as size and charge (i.e., SDS gel electrophoresis, gel filtration, centrifugation, ion exchange chromatography .",".",".",").","In addition, the protein of interest can be purified via affinity chromatography using polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies.","The purified protein can be used for therapeutic applications.","The DNA construct can be a vector comprising a promoter that is operably linked to an oligonucleotide sequence of the present invention, which is in turn, operably linked to a heterologous gene, such as the gene for the luciferase reporter molecule.","“Promoter” refers to a DNA regulatory region capable of binding directly or indirectly to RNA polymerase in a cell and initiating transcription of a downstream (3′ direction) coding sequence.","For purposes of the present invention, the promoter is bound at its 3′ terminus by the transcription initiation site and extends upstream (5′ direction) to include the minimum number of bases or elements necessary to initiate transcription at levels detectable above background.","Within the promoter will be found a transcription initiation site (conveniently defined by mapping with S1 nuclease), as well as protein binding domains (consensus sequences) responsible for the binding of RNA polymerase.","Eukaryotic promoters will often, but not always, contain “TATA” boxes and “CCAT” boxes.","Prokaryotic promoters contain −10 and −35 consensus sequences, which serve to initiate transcription and the transcript products contain a Shine-Dalgarno sequence, which serves a ribosome binding sequences during translation initiation.","As used herein, the designation “functional derivative” denotes, in the context of a functional derivative of a sequence whether an nucleic acid or amino acid sequence, a molecule that retains a biological activity (either function or structural) that is substantially similar to that of the original sequence.","This functional derivative or equivalent may be a natural derivative or may be prepared synthetically.","Such derivatives include amino acid sequences having substitutions, deletions, or additions of one or more amino acids, provided that the biological activity of the protein is conserved.","The same applies to derivatives of nucleic acid sequences which can have substitutions, deletions, or additions of one or more nucleotides, provided that the biological activity of the sequence is generally maintained.","When relating to a protein sequence, the substituting amino acid as chemico-physical properties which are similar to that of the substituted amino acid.","The similar chemico-physical properties include, similarities in charge, bulkiness, hydrophobicity, hydrophylicity and the like.","The term “functional derivatives” is intended to include “fragments”, “segments”, “variants”, “analogs” or “chemical derivatives” of the subject matter of the present invention.","Thus, the term “variant” refers herein to a protein or nucleic acid molecule which is substantially similar in structure and biological activity to the protein or nucleic acid of the present invention.","The functional derivatives of the present invention can be synthesized chemically or produced through recombinant DNA technology.","All these methods are well known in the art.","As used herein, “chemical derivatives” is meant to cover additional chemical moieties not normally part of the subject matter of the invention.","Such moieties could affect the physico-chemical characteristic of the derivative (i.e., solubility, absorption, half life and the like, decrease of toxicity).","Such moieties are exemplified in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (1980).","Methods of coupling these chemical-physical moieties to a polypeptide are well known in the art.","The term “allele” defines an alternative form of a gene which occupies a given locus on a chromosome.","As commonly known, a “mutation” is a detectable change in the genetic material which can be transmitted to a daughter cell.","As well known, a mutation can be, for example, a detectable change in one or more deoxyribonucleotide.","For example, nucleotides can be added, deleted, substituted for, inverted, or transposed to a new position.","Spontaneous mutations and experimentally induced mutations exist.","The result of a mutations of nucleic acid molecule is a mutant nucleic acid molecule.","A mutant polypeptide can be encoded from this mutant nucleic acid molecule.","As used herein, the term purified refers to a molecule having been separated from a cellular component.","Thus, for example, a purified protein has been purified to a level not found in nature.","A substantially pure molecule is a molecule that is lacking in all other cellular components.","As used herein, the terms molecule, compound, or agent are used interchangeably and broadly to refer to natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic molecules or compounds.","The term molecule therefore denotes for example chemicals, macromolecules, cell or tissue extracts (from plants or animals) and the like.","Non limiting examples of molecules include nucleic acid molecules, peptides, ligands, including antibodies, carbohydrates and pharmaceutical agents.","The agents can be selected and screened by a variety of means including random screening, rational selection and by rational design using for example protein or ligand modelling methods such as computer modelling.","The terms rationally selected or rationally designed are meant to define compounds which have been chosen based on the configuration of the interaction domains of the present invention.","As will be understood by the person of ordinary skill, macromolecules having non-naturally occurring modifications are also within the scope of the term molecule.","For example, peptidomimetics, well known in the pharmaceutical industry and generally referred to as peptide analogs can be generated by modelling as mentioned above.","Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, the polypeptides of the present invention are modified to enhance their stability.","It should be understood that in most cases this modification should not alter the biological activity of the protein.","The molecules identified in accordance with the teachings of the present invention have a therapeutic value in diseases or conditions in which the physiology or homeostasis of the cell and/or tissue is compromised by a defect in the expression of PCA3 mRNAs.","Alternatively, the molecules identified in accordance with the teachings of the present invention find utility in the development of compounds which can modulate the expression of a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA or modulate the activity or level of a protein encoded thereby.","As used herein, agonists and antagonists also include potentiators of known compounds with such agonist or antagonist properties.","In one embodiment, modulators of the level or the activity of the PCA3 protein lacking the additional sequence of the present invention can be identified and selected by contacting the indicator cell with a compound or mixture or library of molecules for a fixed period of time.","In certain embodiments, the additional sequence-containing PCA3 protein can serve as a control.","The present invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules which can be used for example to decrease or abrogate the expression of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention or of the protein encoded thereby.","An antisense nucleic acid molecule according to the present invention refers to a molecule capable of forming a stable duplex or triplex with a portion of its targeted nucleic acid sequence (DNA or RNA).","The use of antisense nucleic acid molecules and the design and modification of such molecules is well known in the art as described for example in WO 96/32966, WO 96/11266, WO 94/15646, WO 93/08845 and U.S. Pat.","No.","5,593,974.Antisense nucleic acid molecules according to the present invention can be derived from the nucleic acid sequences and modified in accordance to well known methods.","For example, some antisense molecules can be designed to be more resistant to degradation to increase their affinity to their targeted sequence, to affect their transport to chosen cell types or cell compartments, and/or to enhance their lipid solubility by using nucleotide analogs and/or substituting chosen chemical fragments thereof, as commonly known in the art.","An indicator cell in accordance with the present invention can be used to identify antagonists.","For example, the test molecule or molecules are incubated with the host cell in conjunction with one or more agonists held at a fixed concentration.","An indication and relative strength of the antagonistic properties of the molecule(s) can be provided by comparing the level of gene expression in the indicator cell in the presence of the agonist, in the absence of test molecules vs in the presence thereof.","Of course, the antagonistic effect of a molecule can also be determined in the absence of agonist, simply by comparing the level of expression of the reporter gene product in the presence and absence of the test molecule(s).","It shall be understood that the “in vivo” experimental model can also be used to carry out an “in vitro” assay.","For example, cellular extracts from the indicator cells can be prepared and used in one of the aforementioned “in vitro” tests.","As used herein the recitation indicator cells refers to cells that express a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA according to the present invention.","In some embodiment, the protein encoded by the nucleic acid sequence can be coupled to an identifiable or selectable phenotype or characteristic.","Such indicator cells can be used in the screening assays of the present invention.","In certain embodiments, the indicator cells have been engineered so as to express a chosen derivative, fragment, homolog, or mutant of the differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNA of the present invention.","The cells can be yeast cells or higher eukaryotic cells such as mammalian cells.","When the binding partner for the PCA3 protein will have been identified, the interaction between the two partners will be able to serve as a target for the modulation of the activity of this PCA3-encoded protein.","In one particular embodiment, the indicator cell would be a yeast cell harboring vectors enabling the use of the two hybrid system technology, as well known in the art (Ausubel et al., 1994, supra) and can be used to test a compound or a library thereof.","In one embodiment, a reporter gene encoding a selectable marker or an assayable protein can be operably linked to a control element such that expression of the selectable marker or assayable protein is dependent on the interaction of the PCA3-encoded protein and its binding partner.","Such an indicator cell could be used to rapidly screen at high-throughput a vast array of test molecules.","In a particular embodiment, the reporter gene is luciferase or β-Gal.","In some embodiments, it might be beneficial to express a protein of the present invention as a fusion protein.","The design of constructs therefor and the expression and production of fusion proteins and are well known in the art (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra; and Ausubel et al., 1994, supra).","Non limiting examples of such fusion proteins include a hemaglutinin fusions and Gluthione-S-transferase (GST) fusions and Maltose binding protein (MBP) fusions.","In certain embodiments, it might be beneficial to introduce a protease cleavage site between the two polypeptide sequences which have been fused.","Such protease cleavage sites between two heterologously fused polypeptides are well known in the art.","In certain embodiments, it might also be beneficial to fuse the protein of the present invention to signal peptide sequences enabling a secretion of the fusion protein from the host cell.","Signal peptides from diverse organisms are well known in the art.","Bacterial OmpA and yeast Suc2 are two non limiting examples of proteins containing signal sequences.","In certain embodiments, it might also be beneficial to introduce a linker (commonly known) between the interaction domain and the heterologous polypeptide portion.","Such fusion protein find utility in the assays of the present invention as well as for purification purposes, detection purposes and the like.","For certainty, the sequences and polypeptides useful to practice the invention include without being limited thereto mutants, homologs, subtypes, alleles and the like.","It shall be understood that generally, the sequences of the present invention should encode a functional (albeit defective) PCA3 protein.","It will be clear to the person of ordinary skill that whether the PCA3 of the present invention, variant, derivative, or fragment thereof retains its can be determined by using the teachings and assays of the present invention and the general teachings of the art.","As exemplified herein below, the PCA3 protein of the present invention can be modified, for example by in vitro mutagenesis, to dissect the structure-function relationship thereof and permit a better design and identification of modulating compounds.","However, some derivative or analogs having lost their biological function may still find utility, for example for raising antibodies.","These antibodies could be used for detection or purification purposes.","In addition, these antibodies could also act as competitive or non-competitive inhibitor and be found to be modulators of the activity of the PCA3 protein of the present invention.","A host cell or indicator cell has been “transfected by exogenous or heterologous DNA (e.g., a DNA construct) when such DNA has been introduced inside the cell.","The transfecting DNA may or may not be integrated (covalently linked) into chromosomal DNA making up the genome of the cell.","In prokaryotes, yeast, and mammalian cells for example, the transfecting DNA may be maintained on an episomal element such as a plasmid.","With respect to eukaryotic cells, a stably transfected cell is one in which the transfecting DNA has become integrated into a chromosome so that it is inherited by daughter cells through chromosome replication.","This stability is demonstrated by the ability of the eukaryotic cell to establish cell lines or clones comprised of a population of daughter cells containing the transfecting DNA.","Transfection methods are well known in the art (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra; Ausubel et al., 1994 supra).","The use of a mammalian cell as indicator can provide the advantage of furnishing an intermediate factor, which permits for example the interaction of two polypeptides which are tested, that might not be present in lower eukaryotes or prokaryotes.","It will be understood that extracts from mammalian cells for example could be used in certain embodiments, to compensate for the lack of certain factors.","In general, techniques for preparing antibodies (including monoclonal antibodies and hybridomas) and for detecting antigens using antibodies are well known in the art (Campbell, 1984, In Monoclonal Antibody Technology: Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Elsevier Science Publisher, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and in Harlow et al., 1988 (in: Antibody-A Laboratory Manual, CSH Laboratories).","The present invention also provides polyclonal, monoclonal antibodies, or humanized versions thereof, chimeric antibodies and the like which inhibit or neutralize their respective interaction domains and/or are specific thereto.","From the specification and appended claims, the term therapeutic agent should be taken in a broad sense so as to also include a combination of at least two such therapeutic agents.","Further, the DNA segments or proteins according to the present invention can be introduced into individuals in a number of ways.","For example, prostatic cells can be isolated from the afflicted individual, transformed with a DNA construct according to the invention and reintroduced to the afflicted individual in a number of ways.","Alternatively, the DNA construct can be administered directly to the afflicted individual.","The DNA construct can also be delivered through a vehicle such as a liposome, which can be designed to be targeted to a specific cell type, and engineered to be administered through different routes.","For administration to humans, the prescribing medical professional will ultimately determine the appropriate form and dosage for a given patient, and this can be expected to vary according to the chosen therapeutic regimen (i.e., DNA construct, protein, cells), the response and condition of the patient as well as the severity of the disease.","Composition within the scope of the present invention should contain the active agent (i.e.","fusion protein, nucleic acid, and molecule) in an amount effective to achieve the desired therapeutic effect while avoiding adverse side effects.","Typically, the nucleic acids in accordance with the present invention can be administered to mammals (i.e., humans) in doses ranging from 0.005 to 1 mg per kg of body weight per day of the mammal which is treated.","Pharmaceutically acceptable preparations and salts of the active agent are within the scope of the present invention and are well known in the art (Remington's Pharmaceutical Science, 16th Ed., Mack Ed.).","For the administration of polypeptides, antagonists, agonists and the like, the amount administered should be chosen so as to avoid adverse side effects.","The dosage will be adapted by the clinician in accordance with conventional factors such as the extent of the disease and different parameters from the patient.","Typically, 0.001 to 50 mg/kg/day will be administered to the mammal.","The present invention relates to a kit for diagnosing and/or staging prostate cancer or a predisposition to contracting same comprising a nucleic acid, a protein or a ligand in accordance with the present invention.","For example, a compartmentalized kit in accordance with the present invention includes any kit in which reagents are contained in separate containers.","Such containers include small glass containers, plastic containers or strips of plastic or paper.","Such containers allow the efficient transfer of reagents from one compartment to another compartment such that the samples and reagents are not cross-contaminated and the agents or solutions of each container can be added in a quantitative fashion from one compartment to another.","Such containers will include a container which will accept the test sample (DNA, protein or cells), a container which contains the primers used in the assay, containers which contain enzymes, containers which contain wash reagents, and containers which contain the reagents used to detect the extension products.","The present invention also relates to a kit comprising the oligonucleotide primer of the present invention, which are specific to either one of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention or the PCA3 mRNA containing the additional sequence of the present invention.","Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the description that follows."],["CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","14/943,907, filed Nov. 17, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","14/085,425 filed Nov. 20, 2013 (now abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","13/565,044 filed Aug. 2, 2012 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","8,618,276), which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.","No.","13/080,262 filed Apr.","5, 2011 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","8,241,848), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","12/635,917 filed Dec. 11, 2009 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","7,927,806), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","12/098,577 filed Apr.","7, 2008 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","7,655,408), which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","09/675,650 filed Sep. 29, 2000 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","7,368,545), which claims priority from U.S. provisional application No.","60/156,594 filed Sep. 29, 1999.The patent applications identified above are incorporated here by reference in their entirety.","SEQUENCE LISTING This application contains a Sequence Listing in computer readable form entitled “2018-01-17_01159-0005-07US_Sequence-Listing.txt”, created Dec. 27, 2017, having a size of 4.03 Kb.","The Sequence Listing is incorporated herein by reference.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to prostate cancer.","More specifically, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules (messenger RNAs) encoded by the gene PCA3; the differential expression of two of these RNA species in non-malignant and malignant prostatic states; methods for specifically diagnosing prostate cancer based on the detection of the RNA species related to prostate cancer; therapeutic approaches to prostate cancer implying these two RNA species; nucleic acid molecules and antibodies having binding affinity for the differentially expressed mRNAs; kits containing nucleic acid probes or antibodies; bioassays using the nucleic acid sequences of the differentially expressed mRNAs of the present invention to diagnose, assess or prognose a mammal afflicted with or susceptible to developing prostate cancer; and to bioassays to screen for compounds which modulate the expression of the mRNAs of the present invention.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over the last decade, cancer of the prostate has become the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among men and the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in the western population, following lung cancer (Landis et al., 1998, CA Cancer J. Clin.","48(1):6-29).","Of all cancers, the incidence of prostate cancer increases most rapidly with age.","As longevity among the western population increases, there continues to be a corresponding rise in the number of prostate cancers with an expected increase of 60% in this decade alone.","Mortality has increased at a slower rate, but overall has doubled in the last 50 years.","Although the disease is typically diagnosed in men over the age of 65, its impact is still significant in that the average life span of a man who dies from prostate cancer is reduced by 9-10 years.","If discovered, early prostate cancer can now be cured with surgery in approximately 90% of cases.","Unfortunately the disease is slowly fatal once the tumor spreads outsize the area of the gland and forms distant metastases.","Early detection of the disease, while still confined to the prostate gland, and accurate staging for the selection of appropriate therapy should improve mortality rates.","Despite many advances in recent years, the precision with which an individual suffering from prostate cancer can be staged is still sub-optimal.","The main reason for this is that tumor spread beyond the prostate is generally microscopic rather than macroscopic.","Digital rectal examination of the prostate has been the cornerstone for the local staging of prostatic cancer for many decades, but it oftentimes underestimates the extent of the disease.","Transrectal ultrasound by itself is only of limited value as a means of prostate cancer staging.","Computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have generally been disappointing in the staging of prostate cancer (Kirby, 1997, Prostate cancer and Prostatic Diseases 1:2-10).","Recent promising approaches to prostate cancer staging imply the use of biochemical and molecular technologies, centered around proteins or their corresponding nucleic acids which are preferentially expressed in prostate cells (Lange, 1997, In “Principles and Practice of Genitourinary Oncology” ed.","Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Ch.","41, pp.","417-425).","The most notorious prostate markers are PSA (prostate specific antigen) and PSM (prostate specific membrane) antigen.","PSA is a secreted glycoprotein encoded by the PSA gene located on chromosome 19.It is expressed under androgen control by glandular epithelial cells of the prostate and secreted into seminal plasma.","PSA protein is normally confined to the prostate but in the case of prostatic disease such as cancer or BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia), PSA leaks into the blood where it is present in different forms, including one that is and one that is not bound to protein complexes (EI-Shirbiny, 1994, Adv.","Clin.","Chem.","31:99).","The measurement of total PSA serum concentrations is one of the most frequently used and FDA-approved biochemical tests in the screening and management of prostate cancer patients.","Studies to date have suggested that screening with PSA, in conjunction with digital rectal exams and transrectal ultrasound, increases the detection of early prostate cancers often while still localized to the gland itself (Brawer et al., 1992, J. Urol.","147:841).","Serum PSA is also useful for monitoring of patients after therapy, especially after surgical prostatectomy.","However, total PSA measurements also identify a large number of patients with abnormally elevated levels who are subsequently found to have no prostate cancer.","Recently, the concept of measuring the percent free/total PSA ratio was shown to increase the specificity of prostate cancer screening in men with PSA between 4 and 10 ng/mL (Letran et al., 1998, J. Urol.","160:426).","The PSM gene encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by epithelial cells of normal prostate, benign prostate hyperplasia and, to a greater extent, malignant prostatic tissue.","Low levels of PSM are also detected in some other tissues (Israeli et al., 1994, Cancer Res.","54:1807).","PSA and PSM have also been targets for molecular approaches to prostate cancer using RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction).","This very sensitive nucleic acid amplification technology is used to identify cells based on the expression of specific messenger RNAs.","It involves preparing RNA samples from tissues or body fluids, reverse transcribing it into cDNA and amplifying specific cDNAs by the use of primers that target the particular gene of interest.","RT-PCR analyses of blood, lymph nodes and bone marrow from prostate cancer patients using PSA and PSM have disclosed the extreme sensitivity of this approach.","However, the clinical value of molecular tests still has to be confirmed (Verkaik et al., 1997, Urol.","Res.","25:373; Gomella et al., 1997, J. Urol.","158:326).","Thus, there remains a need to provide a more sensitive test for diagnosing prostate cancer.","There also remains a need to provide a better test for the staging of prostate cancer.","There also remains a need to provide a prostate cancer marker which is more specific and more reliable to prostate cancer detection, staging and treatment methods.","The present invention seeks to meet these and other needs.","A new prostate cancer marker, PCA3, was discovered a few years ago by differential display analysis intended to highlight genes associated with prostate cancer development (PCT application number PCT/CA98/00346).","PCA3 is located on chromosome 9 and composed of four exons.","It encodes at least four different transcripts which are generated by alternative splicing and polyadenylation.","By RT-PCR analysis, PCA3 expression was found to be limited to the prostate and absent in all other tissues, including testis, ovary, breast and bladder.","Northern blot analysis showed that PCA3 is highly expressed in the vast majority of prostate cancers examined (47 out of 50) whereas no or very low expression is detected in benign prostate hyperplasia or normal prostate cells from the same patients.","There is at least 20-fold overexpression of PCA3 in prostatic carcinomas in comparison to normal or BPH tissues.","PCA3 expression seems to increase with tumor grade and is detected in metastatic lesions.","In summary, prostate cancer staging based on specific markers such as PSA and PSM is a very promising avenue for the management of the disease.","The drawback of using PSA or PSM for prostate cancer staging is that they are expressed in normal as well as in cancerous cells.","In addition, poorly differentiated tumors may escape diagnosis since they tend to produce significantly less PSA protein than less aggressive tumors.","This is the case for 10% of all prostate cancers.","PCA3, on the other hand, is differentially expressed in cancerous and normal prostate cells, and its expression does not decrease with increasing tumor grade.","PCA3 could therefore be a useful tool which may overcome the drawbacks of PSA and PSM in the diagnosis, staging and treatment of prostate cancer patients.","The present description refers to a number of documents, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference, in their entirety.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention concerns the discovery of distinct PCA3 RNAs associated with a non-malignant and/or malignant status of the prostate.","The invention also concerns the identification that a balance between the level of these PCA3 mRNAs correlates with the non-malignant or the malignant status of the prostate.","One of these RNAs corresponds to a PCA3 RNA molecule having an additional sequence of 228 bp (shown in SEQ ID NO:1), inserted between exons 3 and 4a, whereas the other lacks the additional sequence (SEQ ID NO:2).","The RNA lacking the additional sequence is associated with prostate cancer whereas the RNA comprising same is associated with a non-malignant prostatic state.","Based on the differential expression of these two PCA3 RNA species, protocols for the diagnosis of prostate disease are provided.","The above findings could also lead to a therapeutic approach to prostate cancer.","The invention further concerns reagents and methods to assess the prostate status in an animal, comprising a quantitative determination of SEQ ID NO:1 or fragments, or variants thereof with respect to SEQ ID NO:2 or fragments, or variants thereof.","Thus, the present invention relates to the discovery and characterization of a novel sequence expressed in PCA3 mRNA, which enables a determination of the prostate status of an animal, based on a determination of the relative abundance of two differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","The invention provides, in general, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs and to variants or portions thereof, retaining their ability to enable a prostate status determination.","The invention further provides purified polypeptides encoded by the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs of the present invention or an epitope binding portion thereof.","The invention also provides nucleic acids for the specific detection of the presence of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs associated with prostate cancer or proteins or polypeptides encoded by such mRNAs in a sample.","The invention further provides a method of detecting nucleic acid encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","The invention also provides a kit for detecting the presence of nucleic acid encoding differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.","The invention in addition provides a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising, 5′ to 3′, a promoter effective to initiate transcription in a host cell and the above-described isolated nucleic acid molecule, variants or fragments thereof, encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","The invention also provides a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a vector and the above-described isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","The invention further provides an antisense nucleic acid molecule specific to the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","The invention also provides a cell that contains an above-described recombinant nucleic acid molecule.","The invention further relates to a non-human organism that contains an above-described recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA.","In particular, the invention relates to a non-human organism containing a recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a PCA3 mRNA having an additional sequence between exon 3 and exon 4a.","In a particularly preferred embodiment, this additional sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, variants of parts thereof.","The invention also relates to an antibody having binding affinity specifically to a polypeptide encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA or an epitope-bearing portion thereof.","The invention further provides a method of detecting differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.","As well, it also provides a method of measuring the amount of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.","The invention further relates to a method of detecting antibodies having binding affinity specifically to polypeptides encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA.","In one embodiment, the invention further relates to a diagnostic kit comprising a first container means containing nucleic acid molecules specific for a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA, and a second container means containing a probe specific to a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","In another embodiment, the invention relates to a diagnostic kit comprising a first container means containing the above-described antibody, and a second container means containing a conjugate comprising a binding partner of the monoclonal antibody and a label.","The invention also provides a hybridoma which produces the above-described monoclonal antibody.","As well, the invention further relates to diagnostic methods for human disease, in particular, prostate cancer.","Preferably, a method of diagnosing the presence or predisposition to develop prostate cancer in a patient is provided herein.","The invention also provides methods for therapeutic uses involving all or part of (1) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs, variants or parts thereof, (2) antisense to differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA molecules, variants or parts thereof, (3) protein encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA, variants or parts thereof, or (4) antibodies to proteins encoded by differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.","Further, the invention provides a method to modulate the level of differentially expressed of a first PCA3 mRNA (e.g.","the long one) and a second PCA3 mRNA (e.g.","the short one) by expressing one of the first or second differentially expressed mRNA.","In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a modulation of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs such that the level of the first PCA3 mRNA is superior to that of the second.","Having identified the differential expression of mRNAs as a marker for prostatic state of an animal, and more particularly having shown that the presence of the additional sequence, which interrupts the coding sequence of the PCA3 encoded protein, correlates with a non-malignant state, while the absence of the additional sequence and a non-interruption of the thereby encoded protein, correlates with malignant cancer, the present invention therefore provides the means to interrupt the coding sequence of the PCA3 protein, using any means of genetic engineering, known to a skilled artisan, and assesses whether such an interruption can revert the malignant phenotype.","In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of terms used in the present description, a number of definitions are provided hereinbelow.","As used herein, the terminology “non-malignant prostate or status” is meant to cover a non-cancerous prostatic state.","Thus, these terminologies are meant to include a normal status as well as a benign prostatic status (such as BPH, for example).","Since the differentiating markers between the malignant and non-malignant prostatic state is at the mRNA and protein level (i.e., an expressed marker), one of the advantages of the present invention is to enable a determination of the prostatic status in an animal using a number of available means to the skilled artisan.","Non-limiting examples of such means include nucleic acid probes, antibodies, ligands and PNAs, in easily obtainable cells which express these differentiating markers.","A non-limiting example thereof is lymphocytes, thereby enabling a determination from a simple blood sample.","The term “sample” is used herein broadly to refer to all types of samples from an animal in which the differential expression of the short and/or long PCA3 nucleic acid or protein of the present invention can be analyzed.","Non-limiting examples thereof include biopsies, blood, fine needle aspirate, urine and bone marrow.","Nucleotide sequences are presented herein by single strand, in the 5′ to 3′ direction, from left to right, using the one letter nucleotide symbols as commonly used in the art and in accordance with the recommendations of the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission.","Unless defined otherwise, the scientific and technological terms and nomenclature used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill to which this invention pertains.","Generally, the procedures for cell cultures, infection, molecular biology methods and the like are common methods used in the art.","Such standard techniques can be found in reference manuals such as for example Sambrook et al.","(1989, Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories) and Ausubel et al.","(1994, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley, New York).","The present description refers to a number of routinely used recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology terms.","Nevertheless, definitions of selected examples of such rDNA terms are provided for clarity and consistency.","As used herein, “nucleic acid molecule”, refers to a polymer of nucleotides.","Non-limiting examples thereof include DNA (i.e., genomic DNA, cDNA) and RNA molecules (i.e., mRNA).","The nucleic acid molecule can be obtained by cloning techniques or synthesized.","DNA can be double-stranded or single-stranded (coding strand or non-coding strand [antisense]).","The term “recombinant DNA” as known in the art refers to a DNA molecule resulting from the joining of DNA segments.","This is often referred to as genetic engineering.","The term “DNA segment”, is used herein, to refer to a DNA molecule comprising a linear stretch or sequence of nucleotides.","This sequence when read in accordance with the genetic code, can encode a linear stretch or sequence of amino acids which can be referred to as a polypeptide, protein, protein fragment and the like.","The terminology “amplification pair” refers herein to a pair of oligonucleotides (oligos) of the present invention, which are selected to be used together in amplifying a selected nucleic acid sequence by one of a number of types of amplification processes, preferably a polymerase chain reaction.","Other types of amplification processes include ligase chain reaction, strand displacement amplification, or nucleic acid sequence-based amplification, as explained in greater detail below.","As commonly known in the art, the oligos are designed to bind to a complementary sequence under selected conditions.","In one particular embodiment, amplification of a nucleic acid sample from a patient is amplified under conditions which favor the amplification of the most abundant differentially expressed nucleic acid.","In one preferred embodiment, RT-PCR is carried out on an mRNA sample from a patient under conditions which favor the amplification of the most abundant PCA3 mRNA.","In another preferred embodiment, the amplification of the differentially expressed PCA3 nucleic acids is carried out simultaneously.","Of course, it will be realized by a person skilled in the art that such methods could be adapted for the detection of differentially expressed proteins instead of differentially expressed nucleic acid sequences.","The nucleic acid (i.e., DNA or RNA) for practicing the present invention may be obtained according to well known methods.","Oligonucleotide probes or primers of the present invention may be of any suitable length, depending on the particular assay format and the particular needs and targeted genomes employed.","In general, the oligonucleotide probes or primers are at least 12 nucleotides in length, preferably between 15 and 24 molecules, and they may be adapted to be especially suited to a chosen nucleic acid amplification system.","As commonly known in the art, the oligonucleotide probes and primers can be designed by taking into consideration the melting point of hydrizidation thereof with its targeted sequence (see below and in Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, CSH Laboratories; Ausubel et al., 1989, in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons Inc., N.Y.).","The term “oligonucleotide” or “DNA” molecule or sequence refers to a molecule comprised of the deoxyribonucleotides adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T) and/or cytosine (C).","When in a double-stranded form, it can comprise or include a “regulatory element” according to the present invention, as the term is defined herein.","The term “oligonucleotide” or “DNA” can be found in linear DNA molecules or fragments, viruses, plasmids, vectors, chromosomes or synthetically derived DNA.","As used herein, particular double-stranded DNA sequences may be described according to the normal convention of giving only the sequence in the 5′ to 3′ direction.","It will also be recognized that “oligonucleotide” can be in a single-stranded form.","“Nucleic acid hybridization” refers generally to the hybridization of two single-stranded nucleic acid molecules having complementary base sequences, which under appropriate conditions will form a thermodynamically favored double-stranded structure.","Examples of hybridization conditions can be found in the two laboratory manuals referred above (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra and Ausubel et al., 1989, supra) and are commonly known in the art.","In the case of a hybridization to a nitrocellulose filter, as for example in the well known Southern blotting procedure, a nitrocellulose filter can be incubated overnight at 65° C. with a labeled probe in a solution containing 50% formamide, high salt (5×SSC or 5×SSPE), 5×Denhardt's solution, 1% SDS, and 100 μg/ml denatured carrier DNA (i.e.","salmon sperm DNA).","The non-specifically binding probe can then be washed off the filter by several washes in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at a temperature which is selected in view of the desired stringency: room temperature (low stringency), 42° C. (moderate stringency) or 65° C. (high stringency).","The selected temperature is based on the melting temperature (Tm) of the DNA hybrid.","Of course, RNA-DNA hybrids can also be formed and detected.","In such cases, the conditions of hybridization and washing can be adapted according to well known methods by the person of ordinary skill.","Stringent conditions will be preferably used (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).","Probes of the invention can be utilized with naturally occurring sugar-phosphate backbones as well as modified backbones including phosphorothioates, dithionates, alkyl phosphonates and α-nucleotides and the like.","Modified sugar-phosphate backbones are generally taught by Miller, 1988, Ann.","Reports Med.","Chem.","23:295 and Moran et al., 1987, Nucleic acid molecule.","Acids Res., 14:5019.Probes of the invention can be constructed of either ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and preferably of DNA.","The types of detection methods in which probes can be used include Southern blots (DNA detection), dot or slot blots (DNA, RNA), and Northern blots (RNA detection).","Although less preferred, labeled proteins could also be used to detect a particular nucleic acid sequence to which it binds.","More recently, PNAs have been described (Nielsen et al.","1999, Current Opin.","Biotechnol.","10:71-75).","PNAs could also be used to detect the mRNAs of the present invention.","Other detection methods include kits containing probes on a dipstick setup and the like.","Although the present invention is not specifically dependent on the use of a label for the detection of a particular nucleic acid sequence, such a label might be beneficial, by increasing the sensitivity of the detection.","Furthermore, it enables automation.","Probes can be labeled according to numerous well known methods (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).","Non-limiting examples of labels include 3H, 14C, 32P, and 35S.","Non-limiting examples of detectable markers include ligands, fluorophores, chemiluminescent agents, enzymes, and antibodies.","Other detectable markers for use with probes, which can enable an increase in sensitivity of the method of the invention, include biotin and radionucleotides.","It will become evident to the person of ordinary skill that the choice of a particular label dictates the manner in which it is bound to the probe.","As commonly known, radioactive nucleotides can be incorporated into probes of the invention by several methods.","Non-limiting examples thereof include kinasing the 5′ ends of the probes using gamma 32P ATP and polynucleotide kinase, using the Klenow fragment of Pol I of E. coli in the presence of radioactive dNTP (i.e., uniformly labeled DNA probe using random oligonucleotide primers in low-melt gels), using the SP6/T7 system to transcribe a DNA segment in the presence of one or more radioactive NTP, and the like.","As used herein, “oligonucleotides” or “oligos” define a molecule having two or more nucleotides (ribo or deoxyribonucleotides).","The size of the oligo will be dictated by the particular situation and ultimately on the particular use thereof and adapted accordingly by the person of ordinary skill.","An oligonucleotide can be synthetised chemically or derived by cloning according to well known methods.","As used herein, a “primer” defines an oligonucleotide which is capable of annealing to a target sequence, thereby creating a double stranded region which can serve as an initiation point for DNA synthesis under suitable conditions.","Amplification of a selected, or target, nucleic acid sequence may be carried out by a number of suitable methods.","See generally Kwoh et al., 1990, Am.","Biotechnol.","Lab.","8:14-25.Numerous amplification techniques have been described and can be readily adapted to suit particular needs of a person of ordinary skill.","Non-limiting examples of amplification techniques include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR), strand displacement amplification (SDA), transcription-based amplification, the Q13 replicase system and NASBA (Kwoh et al., 1989, Proc.","Natl.","Acad.","Sci.","USA 86, 1173-1177; Lizardi et al., 1988, BioTechnology 6:1197-1202; Malek et al., 1994, Methods Mol.","Biol., 28:253-260; and Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).","Preferably, amplification will be carried out using PCR.","Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is carried out in accordance with known techniques.","See, e.g., U.S. Pat.","Nos.","4,683,195; 4,683,202; 4,800,159; and 4,965,188 (the disclosures of all three U.S. patent are incorporated herein by reference).","In general, PCR involves, a treatment of a nucleic acid sample (e.g., in the presence of a heat stable DNA polymerase) under hybridizing conditions, with one oligonucleotide primer for each strand of the specific sequence to be detected.","An extension product of each primer which is synthesized is complementary to each of the two nucleic acid strands, with the primers sufficiently complementary to each strand of the specific sequence to hybridize therewith.","The extension product synthesized from each primer can also serve as a template for further synthesis of extension products using the same primers.","Following a sufficient number of rounds of synthesis of extension products, the sample is analysed to assess whether the sequence or sequences to be detected are present.","Detection of the amplified sequence may be carried out by visualization following EtBr staining of the DNA following gel electrophoresis, or using a detectable label in accordance with known techniques, and the like.","For a review on PCR techniques (see PCR Protocols, A Guide to Methods and Amplifications, Michael et al.","Eds, Acad.","Press, 1990).","Ligase chain reaction (LCR) is carried out in accordance with known techniques (Weiss, 1991, Science 254:1292).","Adaptation of the protocol to meet the desired needs can be carried out by a person of ordinary skill.","Strand displacement amplification (SDA) is also carried out in accordance with known techniques or adaptations thereof to meet the particular needs (Walker et al., 1992, Proc.","Natl.","Acad.","Sci.","USA 89:392-396; and ibid., 1992, Nucleic Acids Res.","20:1691-1696).","As used herein, the term “gene” is well known in the art and relates to a nucleic acid sequence defining a single protein or polypeptide.","A “structural gene” defines a DNA sequence which is transcribed into RNA and translated into a protein having a specific amino acid sequence thereby giving rise the a specific polypeptide or protein.","It will be readily recognized by the person of ordinary skill, that the nucleic acid sequence of the present invention can be incorporated into anyone of numerous established kit formats which are well known in the art.","A “heterologous” (i.e., a heterologous gene) region of a DNA molecule is a subsegment segment of DNA within a larger segment that is not found in association therewith in nature.","The term “heterologous” can be similarly used to define two polypeptidic segments not joined together in nature.","Non-limiting examples of heterologous genes include reporter genes such as luciferase, chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, β-galactosidase, and the like which can be juxtaposed or joined to heterologous control regions or to heterologous polypeptides.","The term “vector” is commonly known in the art and defines a plasmid DNA, phage DNA, viral DNA and the like, which can serve as a DNA vehicle into which DNA of the present invention can be cloned.","Numerous types of vectors exist and are well known in the art.","The term “expression” defines the process by which a gene is transcribed into mRNA (transcription), the mRNA is then being translated (translation) into one polypeptide (or protein) or more.","The terminology “expression vector” defines a vector or vehicle as described above but designed to enable the expression of an inserted sequence following transformation into a host.","The cloned gene (inserted sequence) is usually placed under the control of control element sequences such as promoter sequences.","The placing of a cloned gene under such control sequences is often referred to as being operably linked to control elements or sequences.","Operably linked sequences may also include two segments that are transcribed onto the same RNA transcript.","Thus, two sequences, such as a promoter and a “reporter sequence” are operably linked if transcription commencing in the promoter will produce an RNA transcript of the reporter sequence.","In order to be “operably linked” it is not necessary that two sequences be immediately adjacent to one another.","Expression control sequences will vary depending on whether the vector is designed to express the operably linked gene in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host or both (shuttle vectors) and can additionally contain transcriptional elements such as enhancer elements, termination sequences, tissue-specificity elements, and/or translational initiation and termination sites.","Prokaryotic expressions are useful for the preparation of large quantities of the protein encoded by the DNA sequence of interest.","This protein can be purified according to standard protocols that take advantage of the intrinsic properties thereof, such as size and charge (i.e., SDS gel electrophoresis, gel filtration, centrifugation, ion exchange chromatography .",".",".",").","In addition, the protein of interest can be purified via affinity chromatography using polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies.","The purified protein can be used for therapeutic applications.","The DNA construct can be a vector comprising a promoter that is operably linked to an oligonucleotide sequence of the present invention, which is in turn, operably linked to a heterologous gene, such as the gene for the luciferase reporter molecule.","“Promoter” refers to a DNA regulatory region capable of binding directly or indirectly to RNA polymerase in a cell and initiating transcription of a downstream (3′ direction) coding sequence.","For purposes of the present invention, the promoter is bound at its 3′ terminus by the transcription initiation site and extends upstream (5′ direction) to include the minimum number of bases or elements necessary to initiate transcription at levels detectable above background.","Within the promoter will be found a transcription initiation site (conveniently defined by mapping with S1 nuclease), as well as protein binding domains (consensus sequences) responsible for the binding of RNA polymerase.","Eukaryotic promoters will often, but not always, contain “TATA” boxes and “CCAT” boxes.","Prokaryotic promoters contain −10 and −35 consensus sequences, which serve to initiate transcription and the transcript products contain a Shine-Dalgarno sequence, which serves a ribosome binding sequences during translation initiation.","As used herein, the designation “functional derivative” denotes, in the context of a functional derivative of a sequence whether an nucleic acid or amino acid sequence, a molecule that retains a biological activity (either function or structural) that is substantially similar to that of the original sequence.","This functional derivative or equivalent may be a natural derivative or may be prepared synthetically.","Such derivatives include amino acid sequences having substitutions, deletions, or additions of one or more amino acids, provided that the biological activity of the protein is conserved.","The same applies to derivatives of nucleic acid sequences which can have substitutions, deletions, or additions of one or more nucleotides, provided that the biological activity of the sequence is generally maintained.","When relating to a protein sequence, the substituting amino acid as chemico-physical properties which are similar to that of the substituted amino acid.","The similar chemico-physical properties include, similarities in charge, bulkiness, hydrophobicity, hydrophylicity and the like.","The term “functional derivatives” is intended to include “fragments”, “segments”, “variants”, “analogs” or “chemical derivatives” of the subject matter of the present invention.","Thus, the term “variant” refers herein to a protein or nucleic acid molecule which is substantially similar in structure and biological activity to the protein or nucleic acid of the present invention.","The functional derivatives of the present invention can be synthesized chemically or produced through recombinant DNA technology.","All these methods are well known in the art.","As used herein, “chemical derivatives” is meant to cover additional chemical moieties not normally part of the subject matter of the invention.","Such moieties could affect the physico-chemical characteristic of the derivative (i.e., solubility, absorption, half life and the like, decrease of toxicity).","Such moieties are exemplified in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (1980).","Methods of coupling these chemical-physical moieties to a polypeptide are well known in the art.","The term “allele” defines an alternative form of a gene which occupies a given locus on a chromosome.","As commonly known, a “mutation” is a detectable change in the genetic material which can be transmitted to a daughter cell.","As well known, a mutation can be, for example, a detectable change in one or more deoxyribonucleotide.","For example, nucleotides can be added, deleted, substituted for, inverted, or transposed to a new position.","Spontaneous mutations and experimentally induced mutations exist.","The result of a mutations of nucleic acid molecule is a mutant nucleic acid molecule.","A mutant polypeptide can be encoded from this mutant nucleic acid molecule.","As used herein, the term purified refers to a molecule having been separated from a cellular component.","Thus, for example, a purified protein has been purified to a level not found in nature.","A substantially pure molecule is a molecule that is lacking in all other cellular components.","As used herein, the terms molecule, compound, or agent are used interchangeably and broadly to refer to natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic molecules or compounds.","The term molecule therefore denotes for example chemicals, macromolecules, cell or tissue extracts (from plants or animals) and the like.","Non limiting examples of molecules include nucleic acid molecules, peptides, ligands, including antibodies, carbohydrates and pharmaceutical agents.","The agents can be selected and screened by a variety of means including random screening, rational selection and by rational design using for example protein or ligand modelling methods such as computer modelling.","The terms rationally selected or rationally designed are meant to define compounds which have been chosen based on the configuration of the interaction domains of the present invention.","As will be understood by the person of ordinary skill, macromolecules having non-naturally occurring modifications are also within the scope of the term molecule.","For example, peptidomimetics, well known in the pharmaceutical industry and generally referred to as peptide analogs can be generated by modelling as mentioned above.","Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, the polypeptides of the present invention are modified to enhance their stability.","It should be understood that in most cases this modification should not alter the biological activity of the protein.","The molecules identified in accordance with the teachings of the present invention have a therapeutic value in diseases or conditions in which the physiology or homeostasis of the cell and/or tissue is compromised by a defect in the expression of PCA3 mRNAs.","Alternatively, the molecules identified in accordance with the teachings of the present invention find utility in the development of compounds which can modulate the expression of a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA or modulate the activity or level of a protein encoded thereby.","As used herein, agonists and antagonists also include potentiators of known compounds with such agonist or antagonist properties.","In one embodiment, modulators of the level or the activity of the PCA3 protein lacking the additional sequence of the present invention can be identified and selected by contacting the indicator cell with a compound or mixture or library of molecules for a fixed period of time.","In certain embodiments, the additional sequence-containing PCA3 protein can serve as a control.","The present invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules which can be used for example to decrease or abrogate the expression of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention or of the protein encoded thereby.","An antisense nucleic acid molecule according to the present invention refers to a molecule capable of forming a stable duplex or triplex with a portion of its targeted nucleic acid sequence (DNA or RNA).","The use of antisense nucleic acid molecules and the design and modification of such molecules is well known in the art as described for example in WO 96/32966, WO 96/11266, WO 94/15646, WO 93/08845 and U.S. Pat.","No.","5,593,974.Antisense nucleic acid molecules according to the present invention can be derived from the nucleic acid sequences and modified in accordance to well known methods.","For example, some antisense molecules can be designed to be more resistant to degradation to increase their affinity to their targeted sequence, to affect their transport to chosen cell types or cell compartments, and/or to enhance their lipid solubility by using nucleotide analogs and/or substituting chosen chemical fragments thereof, as commonly known in the art.","An indicator cell in accordance with the present invention can be used to identify antagonists.","For example, the test molecule or molecules are incubated with the host cell in conjunction with one or more agonists held at a fixed concentration.","An indication and relative strength of the antagonistic properties of the molecule(s) can be provided by comparing the level of gene expression in the indicator cell in the presence of the agonist, in the absence of test molecules vs in the presence thereof.","Of course, the antagonistic effect of a molecule can also be determined in the absence of agonist, simply by comparing the level of expression of the reporter gene product in the presence and absence of the test molecule(s).","It shall be understood that the “in vivo” experimental model can also be used to carry out an “in vitro” assay.","For example, cellular extracts from the indicator cells can be prepared and used in one of the aforementioned “in vitro” tests.","As used herein the recitation indicator cells refers to cells that express a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA according to the present invention.","In some embodiment, the protein encoded by the nucleic acid sequence can be coupled to an identifiable or selectable phenotype or characteristic.","Such indicator cells can be used in the screening assays of the present invention.","In certain embodiments, the indicator cells have been engineered so as to express a chosen derivative, fragment, homolog, or mutant of the differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNA of the present invention.","The cells can be yeast cells or higher eukaryotic cells such as mammalian cells.","When the binding partner for the PCA3 protein will have been identified, the interaction between the two partners will be able to serve as a target for the modulation of the activity of this PCA3-encoded protein.","In one particular embodiment, the indicator cell would be a yeast cell harboring vectors enabling the use of the two hybrid system technology, as well known in the art (Ausubel et al., 1994, supra) and can be used to test a compound or a library thereof.","In one embodiment, a reporter gene encoding a selectable marker or an assayable protein can be operably linked to a control element such that expression of the selectable marker or assayable protein is dependent on the interaction of the PCA3-encoded protein and its binding partner.","Such an indicator cell could be used to rapidly screen at high-throughput a vast array of test molecules.","In a particular embodiment, the reporter gene is luciferase or β-Gal.","In some embodiments, it might be beneficial to express a protein of the present invention as a fusion protein.","The design of constructs therefor and the expression and production of fusion proteins and are well known in the art (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra; and Ausubel et al., 1994, supra).","Non limiting examples of such fusion proteins include a hemaglutinin fusions and Gluthione-S-transferase (GST) fusions and Maltose binding protein (MBP) fusions.","In certain embodiments, it might be beneficial to introduce a protease cleavage site between the two polypeptide sequences which have been fused.","Such protease cleavage sites between two heterologously fused polypeptides are well known in the art.","In certain embodiments, it might also be beneficial to fuse the protein of the present invention to signal peptide sequences enabling a secretion of the fusion protein from the host cell.","Signal peptides from diverse organisms are well known in the art.","Bacterial OmpA and yeast Suc2 are two non limiting examples of proteins containing signal sequences.","In certain embodiments, it might also be beneficial to introduce a linker (commonly known) between the interaction domain and the heterologous polypeptide portion.","Such fusion protein find utility in the assays of the present invention as well as for purification purposes, detection purposes and the like.","For certainty, the sequences and polypeptides useful to practice the invention include without being limited thereto mutants, homologs, subtypes, alleles and the like.","It shall be understood that generally, the sequences of the present invention should encode a functional (albeit defective) PCA3 protein.","It will be clear to the person of ordinary skill that whether the PCA3 of the present invention, variant, derivative, or fragment thereof retains its can be determined by using the teachings and assays of the present invention and the general teachings of the art.","As exemplified herein below, the PCA3 protein of the present invention can be modified, for example by in vitro mutagenesis, to dissect the structure-function relationship thereof and permit a better design and identification of modulating compounds.","However, some derivative or analogs having lost their biological function may still find utility, for example for raising antibodies.","These antibodies could be used for detection or purification purposes.","In addition, these antibodies could also act as competitive or non-competitive inhibitor and be found to be modulators of the activity of the PCA3 protein of the present invention.","A host cell or indicator cell has been “transfected by exogenous or heterologous DNA (e.g., a DNA construct) when such DNA has been introduced inside the cell.","The transfecting DNA may or may not be integrated (covalently linked) into chromosomal DNA making up the genome of the cell.","In prokaryotes, yeast, and mammalian cells for example, the transfecting DNA may be maintained on an episomal element such as a plasmid.","With respect to eukaryotic cells, a stably transfected cell is one in which the transfecting DNA has become integrated into a chromosome so that it is inherited by daughter cells through chromosome replication.","This stability is demonstrated by the ability of the eukaryotic cell to establish cell lines or clones comprised of a population of daughter cells containing the transfecting DNA.","Transfection methods are well known in the art (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra; Ausubel et al., 1994 supra).","The use of a mammalian cell as indicator can provide the advantage of furnishing an intermediate factor, which permits for example the interaction of two polypeptides which are tested, that might not be present in lower eukaryotes or prokaryotes.","It will be understood that extracts from mammalian cells for example could be used in certain embodiments, to compensate for the lack of certain factors.","In general, techniques for preparing antibodies (including monoclonal antibodies and hybridomas) and for detecting antigens using antibodies are well known in the art (Campbell, 1984, In Monoclonal Antibody Technology: Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Elsevier Science Publisher, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and in Harlow et al., 1988 (in: Antibody-A Laboratory Manual, CSH Laboratories).","The present invention also provides polyclonal, monoclonal antibodies, or humanized versions thereof, chimeric antibodies and the like which inhibit or neutralize their respective interaction domains and/or are specific thereto.","From the specification and appended claims, the term therapeutic agent should be taken in a broad sense so as to also include a combination of at least two such therapeutic agents.","Further, the DNA segments or proteins according to the present invention can be introduced into individuals in a number of ways.","For example, prostatic cells can be isolated from the afflicted individual, transformed with a DNA construct according to the invention and reintroduced to the afflicted individual in a number of ways.","Alternatively, the DNA construct can be administered directly to the afflicted individual.","The DNA construct can also be delivered through a vehicle such as a liposome, which can be designed to be targeted to a specific cell type, and engineered to be administered through different routes.","For administration to humans, the prescribing medical professional will ultimately determine the appropriate form and dosage for a given patient, and this can be expected to vary according to the chosen therapeutic regimen (i.e., DNA construct, protein, cells), the response and condition of the patient as well as the severity of the disease.","Composition within the scope of the present invention should contain the active agent (i.e.","fusion protein, nucleic acid, and molecule) in an amount effective to achieve the desired therapeutic effect while avoiding adverse side effects.","Typically, the nucleic acids in accordance with the present invention can be administered to mammals (i.e., humans) in doses ranging from 0.005 to 1 mg per kg of body weight per day of the mammal which is treated.","Pharmaceutically acceptable preparations and salts of the active agent are within the scope of the present invention and are well known in the art (Remington's Pharmaceutical Science, 16th Ed., Mack Ed.).","For the administration of polypeptides, antagonists, agonists and the like, the amount administered should be chosen so as to avoid adverse side effects.","The dosage will be adapted by the clinician in accordance with conventional factors such as the extent of the disease and different parameters from the patient.","Typically, 0.001 to 50 mg/kg/day will be administered to the mammal.","The present invention relates to a kit for diagnosing and/or staging prostate cancer or a predisposition to contracting same comprising a nucleic acid, a protein or a ligand in accordance with the present invention.","For example, a compartmentalized kit in accordance with the present invention includes any kit in which reagents are contained in separate containers.","Such containers include small glass containers, plastic containers or strips of plastic or paper.","Such containers allow the efficient transfer of reagents from one compartment to another compartment such that the samples and reagents are not cross-contaminated and the agents or solutions of each container can be added in a quantitative fashion from one compartment to another.","Such containers will include a container which will accept the test sample (DNA, protein or cells), a container which contains the primers used in the assay, containers which contain enzymes, containers which contain wash reagents, and containers which contain the reagents used to detect the extension products.","The present invention also relates to a kit comprising the oligonucleotide primer of the present invention, which are specific to either one of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention or the PCA3 mRNA containing the additional sequence of the present invention.","Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the description that follows.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which: FIG.","1 shows the PCA3 genomic structure and location of oligonucleotides used for PCR; FIG.","2 shows a gel separating PCA3 RT-PCR products amplified from tissue biopsies of prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia, using the primers of Example 1; FIG.","3 illustrates the nucleic acid sequences of RT-PCR-amplified PCA3 fragments with and without the additional sequence of the present invention.","The sequences were amplified using PCR primers located in exon 3 and exon 4a.","Primer sequences are shown in bold letters.","Capital letters represent nucleic acids common to both sequences; FIG.","4 shows the amino acid sequence predicted from the PCA3 mRNAs containing the additional sequence of the present invention.","This sequence corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 3 and includes amino acids 1-23 of the original PCA3 polypeptide; and FIG.","5 shows examples of antigenic epitope-bearing PCA3 peptides comprising 8 amino acids (calculated according to H. G. Rammensee et al., 1995, MHC ligands and peptide motifs: first listing, in Immunogenics; 41(4)).","The amino acid sequences of the exemplified antigenic epitopes are indicated on the right and correspond, from top to bottom, to SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 12.Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing which is exemplary and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention.","DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated and/or purified differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNA molecule.","Preferably, the PCA3 mRNA or nucleic acid molecule comprises a polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical (more preferably, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical) to a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a differentially expressed PCA3 polypeptide comprising the complete amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 3; (b) a nucleotide sequence complementary to any of the nucleotide sequences in (a) or (b).","In another embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA nucleotide sequence with greater than 90% identity or similarity to the nucleotide sequence present in SEQ ID NO: 1 (preferably greater than 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100%).","In another preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA sequence lacking the additional sequence present in SEQ ID NO:2.In another embodiment, the isolated differentially expressed additional sequence-minus mRNA sequence nucleic acid molecule encodes the differentially expressed PCA3 amino acid sequence present in SEQ ID NO:3.Although PCT application CA98/00346 teaches a number of alternatively spliced mRNAs, prior to the present invention, a PCA3 mRNA comprising an additional sequence between exon 3 and exon 4a had not been identified.","Furthermore, the identification of this additional sequence as a distinguishing marker of the prostate state had not been made.","In addition, the correlation between the PCA3 mRNA minus the additional sequence and prostate cancer (as opposed to the PCA3 mRNA-containing the additional sequence in non-prostate cancer [i.e., normal or BPH]) had not been made.","Thus, the additional sequence in PCA3 mRNA enables a prognosis and diagnosis of prostatic diseases in a patient.","Preferably, the PCA3 nucleic acid molecule comprises a polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical (more preferably, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical) to one of the above-described differentially expressed mRNAs.","Also included within the scope of this invention are the functional equivalents of the herein-described isolated nucleic acid molecules and derivatives thereof.","For example, the nucleic acid sequences depicted in SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2 can be altered by substitutions, additions or deletions that provide for functionally equivalent molecules.","Due to the degeneracy of nucleotide coding sequences, other DNA sequences which encode substantially the same amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID NO: 3 can be used in the practice of the present invention.","In addition, the nucleic acid sequence can comprise a nucleotide sequence which results from the addition, deletion or substitution of at least one nucleotide to the 5′-end and/or the 3′-end of the nucleic acid formula shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or 2 or a derivative thereof.","Any nucleotide or polynucleotide can be used in this regard, provided that its addition, deletion or substitution does not substantially alter the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 which is encoded by the additional sequence-containing nucleotide sequence.","Moreover, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can, as necessary, have restriction endonuclease recognition sites added to its 5′-end and/or 3′-end.","All variations of the nucleotide sequence of the PCA3 nucleotide coding sequence and fragments thereof permitted by the genetic code are, therefore, included in this invention.","Further, it is possible to delete codons or to substitute one or more codons by codons other than degenerate codons to produce a structurally modified polypeptide, but one which has substantially the same utility or activity of the polypeptide produced by the unmodified nucleic acid molecule.","As recognized in the art, the two polypeptides are functionally equivalent, as are the two nucleic acid molecules which give rise to their production, even though the differences between the nucleic acid molecules are not related to degeneracy of the genetic code.","One skilled in the art will realize that genomes often contain slight allelic variations between individuals.","Therefore, the isolated nucleic acid molecule is also intended to include allelic variations, so long as the sequence is a functional derivative of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA coding sequence.","When a PCA3 allele does not encode the identical sequence to that found in SEQ ID Nos:1 or 2, it can be isolated and identified as PCA3 using the same techniques used herein, and especially PCR techniques to amplify the appropriate gene with primers based on the sequences disclosed herein.","One skilled in the art will realize that organisms other than humans might also contain differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNAs (for example, eukaryotes; more specifically, mammals, birds, fish, and plants; more specifically, gorillas, rhesus monkeys, and chimpanzees).","The invention is intended to include, but not be limited to, differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNAs isolated from the above-described organisms.","Isolated nucleic acid molecules of the present invention are also meant to include those chemically synthesized.","For example, a nucleic acid molecule with the nucleotide sequence described herein or encoding the herein described differentially expressed products of PCA3 gene can be designed and, if necessary, divided into appropriate smaller fragments.","Then an oligomer which corresponds to the nucleic acid molecule, or to each of the divided fragments, can be synthesized.","Such synthetic oligonucleotides can be prepared, for example, by the triester method of Matteucci et al., J.","Am.","Chem.","Soc.","103:3185-3191 (1981) or by using an automated DNA synthesizer.","In another embodiment, the present invention relates to purified differentially expressed polypeptides (preferably, substantially pure) having an amino acid sequence corresponding to the herein described PCA3, or a functional derivative thereof.","In a preferred embodiment, the polypeptide has the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or mutant or species variation thereof, or at least 80% identity or at least 90% similarity thereof (preferably, at least 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity or at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% A similarity thereof), or at least 6 contiguous amino acids thereof (preferably, at least 10, 15, 20, 25, or 50 contiguous amino acids thereof).","In an additional embodiment, the invention relates to differentially-expressed PCA3 epitopes.","The epitope of these polypeptides is an immunogenic or antigenic epitope.","An immunogenic epitope is that part of the protein which elicits an antibody response when the whole protein is the immunogen.","An antigenic epitope is a fragment of the protein which can elicit an antibody response.","Methods of selecting antigenic epitope fragments are well known in the art.","See, Sutcliffe et al., Science 219:660-666 (1983).","Antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides of the invention are useful to raise an immune response that specifically recognizes the polypeptides.","Antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides of the invention comprise at least 7 amino acids (preferably, 9, 10, 12, 15 or 20 amino acids) of the proteins of the invention.","Examples of an antigenic peptide are shown in FIG.","5 as predicted using the method of Rammensee et al., (1995, MHC ligands and peptide motifs: first listing, in Immunogenics; 41(4)).","Of course, it will be realized that other epitope-bearing PCA3 peptides could be predicted and used to raise antibodies.","A variety of methodologies known in the art can be utilized to obtain the peptide of the present invention.","In one embodiment, the peptide is purified from tissues or cells which naturally produce the peptide.","Alternatively, the above-described isolated nucleic acid fragments can be used to express the differentially expressed PCA3 protein in any organism.","The samples of the present invention include cells, protein extracts or membrane extracts of cells, or biological fluids.","The sample will vary based on the assay format, the detection method and the nature of the tissues, cells or extracts used as the sample.","Any organism can be used as a source for the peptide of the invention, as long as the source organism naturally contains such a peptide.","As used herein, “source organism” refers to the original organism from which the amino acid sequence of the subunit is derived, regardless of the organism the subunit is expressed in and ultimately isolated from.","In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a nucleic acid for the specific detection of the presence of PCA3 nucleic acid in a sample comprising the above-described nucleic acid molecules or at least a fragment thereof which binds under stringent conditions to PCA3 nucleic acid.","In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to nucleic acid probes which are complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of at least 10 consecutive nucleotides (preferably, 15, 18, 20, 25, or 30) from the nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding the PCA3 polypeptide comprising the complete amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 3; (b) a nucleotide sequence encoding the PCA3 gene comprising the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; (c) a nucleotide sequence complementary to any of the nucleotide sequences in (a) or (b), and (d) a nucleotide sequence as previously described above.","In one embodiment of the above described method, a nucleic acid probe is immobilized on a solid support.","Examples of such solid supports include, but are not limited to, plastics such as polycarbonate, complex carbohydrates such as agarose and sepharose, and acrylic resins, such as polyacrylamide and latex beads.","Techniques for coupling nucleic acid probes to such solid supports are well known in the art.","The test samples suitable for nucleic acid probing methods of the present invention include, for example, cells or nucleic acid extracts of cells, or biological fluids.","The sample used in the above-described methods will vary based on the assay format, the detection method and the nature of the tissues, cells or extracts to be assayed.","Methods for preparing nucleic acid extracts of cells are well known in the art and can be readily adapted in order to obtain a sample which is compatible with the method utilized.","In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA in a sample comprising: a) contacting the sample with the above-described nucleic acid probe, under specific hybridization conditions such that hybridization occurs, and b) detecting the presence of the probe bound to the nucleic acid molecule.","One skilled in the art would select the nucleic acid probe according to techniques known in the art as described above.","Samples to be tested include but should not be limited to RNA samples from human tissue.","Having identified that the additional PCA3 sequence of the present invention can be used as a marker for distinguishing between malignant and non malignant prostate states, probes which are specific to this additional sequence (or variants or fragments thereof) could also be used in accordance with the present invention.","Of course, since in certain embodiments, such probes might detect genomic DNA, a positive signal coming from the genomic DNA might have to be eliminated in order to specifically detect the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA.","Although the present invention is specifically demonstrated using primers hybridizing to exon 3 and exon 4a sequences, it should be clear to the skilled artisan that primers derived from other regions of PCA3 could be used.","For example, primers could be derived from sequences of exon 2, exon 4b, exon 4c or to the additional sequence thereof.","Methods to derive specific primers from known sequences are well known in the art.","In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a kit for detecting the presence of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA in a sample comprising at least one container means having disposed therein the above-described nucleic acid probe.","In a preferred embodiment, the kit further comprises other containers comprising one or more of the following: wash reagents and reagents capable of detecting the presence of bound nucleic acid probe.","Examples of detection reagents include, but are not limited to radiolabelled probes, enzymatic labeled probes (horse radish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase), and affinity labeled probes (biotin, avidin, or steptavidin).","In more detail, a compartmentalized kit includes any kit in which reagents are contained in separate containers.","Such containers include small glass containers, plastic containers or strips of plastic or paper.","Such containers allow the efficient transfer of reagents from one compartment to another compartment such that the samples and reagents are not cross-contaminated and the agents or solutions of each container can be added in a quantitative fashion from one compartment to another.","Such containers will include a container which will accept the test sample, a container which contains the probe or primers used in the assay, containers which contain wash reagents (such as phosphate buffered saline, Tris-buffers, and the like), and containers which contain the reagents used to detect the hybridized probe, bound antibody, amplified product, or the like.","One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the nucleic acid probes described in the present invention can readily be incorporated into one of the established kit formats which are well known in the art.","In another embodiment of the present invention (and similarly to probes of the present invention) the antibodies of the present invention can be immobilized on a solid support.","Examples of such solid supports include plastics such as polycarbonate, complex carbohydrates such as agarose and sepharose, acrylic resins and such as polyacrylamide and latex beads.","Techniques for coupling antibodies to such solid supports are well known in the art.","The immobilized antibodies of the present invention can be used for in vitro, in vivo, and in situ assays as well as in immunochromatography.","In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of detecting a differentially expressed PCA3 polypeptide in a sample, comprising: a) contacting the sample with an above-described antibody (or protein), under conditions such that immunocomplexes form, and b) detecting the presence of the antibody bound to the polypeptide.","In detail, the methods comprise incubating a test sample with one or more of the antibodies of the present invention and assaying whether the antibody binds to the test sample.","The relative levels of differentially expressed PCA3 in a sample enable a distinction between a malignant and non-malignant prostatic state.","In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of detecting a PCA3 antibody in a sample, comprising: a) contacting the sample with an above-described differentially expressed PCA3 protein, under conditions such that immunocomplexes form, and b) detecting the presence of the protein bound to the antibody or antibody bound to the protein.","In detail, the methods comprise incubating a test sample with one or more of the proteins of the present invention and assaying whether the antibody binds to the test sample.","In another embodiment of the present invention, a kit is provided which contains all the necessary reagents to carry out the previously described methods of detection.","The kit can comprise: i) a first container means containing an above-described antibody, and ii) second container means containing a conjugate comprising a binding partner of the antibody and a label.","The kit can also comprise: i) a first container means containing an above-described protein, and preferably, ii) second container means containing a conjugate comprising a binding partner of the protein and a label.","More specifically, a diagnostic kit comprises a differentially expressed PCA3 protein as described above, to detect antibodies in the serum of potentially infected animals or humans.","In another preferred embodiment, the kit further comprises one or more other containers comprising one or more of the following: wash reagents and reagents capable of detecting the presence of bound antibodies.","Examples of detection reagents include, but are not limited to, labeled secondary antibodies, or in the alternative, if the primary antibody is labeled, the chromophoric, enzymatic, or antibody binding reagents which are capable of reacting with the labeled antibody.","The compartmentalized kit can be as described above for nucleic acid probe kits.","One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the antibodies described in the present invention can readily be incorporated into one of the established kit formats which are well known in the art.","It is to be understood that although the following discussion is specifically directed to human patients, the teachings are also applicable to any animal that differentially expresses PCA3 mRNAs.","The diagnostic and screening methods of the invention are especially useful for a patient suspected of being at risk for developing a disease associated with an altered expression level of PCA3 based on family history, or a patient in which it is desired to diagnose a PCA3-related disease (ex.","prostate cancer).","According to the invention, presymptomatic screening of an individual in need of such screening is now possible using DNA encoding the PCA3 protein or the PCA3 gene of the invention or fragments thereof.","The screening method of the invention allows a presymptomatic diagnosis, of the presence of the PCA3-minus additional sequence, differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA in individuals, and thus an opinion concerning the likelihood that such individuals would develop or have developed a PCA3-associated disease or have a normal prostatic state.","This is especially valuable for the identification of carriers of altered PCA3 genes, for example, from individuals with a family history of a PCA3-associated disease.","Early diagnosis is also desired to maximize appropriate timely intervention.","In one embodiment of the method of screening, a tissue sample would be taken from such individual, and screened for (1) the presence of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention; (2) the presence of the additional sequence-containing PCA3 mRNA and/or (3) the presence of differentially expressed PCA3 protein.","PCA3 mRNA can be characterized and compared to determine differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA (a) levels and/or (b) size.","Lastly, differentially expressed PCA3 protein can be (a) detected and/or (b) quantitated using a biological assay for PCA3 activity or using an immunological assay and PCA3 antibodies A presence of a PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence (or an mRNA not modifying and/or not interrupting the PCA3 coding sequence) and/or of the protein encoded thereby would indicate that the patient is at risk for developing prostate cancer, or has developed prostate cancer.","A presence of a PCA3 mRNA containing the additional sequence of the present invention and/or of the protein encoded thereby, in the absence of PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence and/or the protein encoded thereby or at a level superior to that of the mRNA lacking the additional sequence and/or the protein encoded thereby would indicate that the patient has not yet developed prostate cancer, and/or has a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.","Therapeutic effects of therapeutic nucleic acids can include, but are not limited to turning off or modifying the processing of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention.","In addition, an expression of a differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNA comprising the additional sequence in accordance with the present invention to a higher level than that of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence could have cancer-reversing effects on cells.","Included as well in the invention are pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of at least one antisense oligonucleotide to a PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.","Such antisense oligos include, but are not limited to, at least one nucleotide sequence of 12-500 bases in length which is complementary to at least a portion of SEQ ID NO:2.Thus, broadly, the invention provides means to shift the balance between the quantity of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs such that the malignant state of a cell can be modulated.","Specificity for gene expression in prostate cancer cells can be conferred by using appropriate cell-specific regulatory sequences, such as cell-specific enhancers and promoters.","Thus, gene therapy can be used to alleviate PCA3 related pathology by inhibiting the inappropriate expression of a particular form of PCA3.Moreover, gene therapy can be used to alleviate such pathologies by providing the appropriate expression level of a particular form of PCA3.In this case, particular PCA3 nucleic acid sequences can be coded by DNA or RNA constructs which are administered in the form of viruses, as described above.","The present invention provides the above-described PCA3 antibodies (preferably, PCA3 murine antibodies and chimeric PCA3 murine-human antibodies, and fragments and regions thereof) which inhibit or neutralize PCA3 biological activity in vivo and are specific for PCA3.These antibodies can be used for therapeutic purposes in subjects having pathologies or conditions associated with the presence of aberrant PCA3 expression.","Antibodies, and fragments, regions and derivatives thereof, of the present invention preferably contain at least one region which recognizes an epitope of PCA3 which has inhibiting and/or neutralizing biological activity in vivo.","Treatment comprises parenterally administering a single or multiple doses of the antibody, fragment or derivative.","Preferred for human pharmaceutical use are high affinity potent PCA3-inhibiting and/or neutralizing murine and chimeric antibodies, fragments and regions of this invention.","Monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered by any means that enables the active agent to reach the agent's site of action in the body of a mammal.","Because proteins are subject to being digested when administered orally, parenteral administration, i.e., intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, would ordinarily be used to optimize absorption.","Monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered either as individual therapeutic agents or in combination with other therapeutic agents.","They can be administered alone, but are generally administered with a pharmaceutical carrier selected on the basis of the chosen route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice.","The dosage administered will, of course, vary depending upon known factors such as the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the particular agent, and its mode and route of administration; age, health, and weight of the recipient; nature and extent of symptoms, kind of concurrent treatment, frequency of treatment, and the effect desired.","Usually a daily dosage of active ingredient can be about 0.1 to 100 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.","Ordinarily 0.5 to 50, and preferably 1 to 10 milligrams per kilogram per day given in divided doses 1 to 6 times a day or in sustained release form is effective to obtain desired results.","Dosage forms (composition) suitable for internal administration generally contain from about 1 milligram to about 500 milligrams of active ingredient per unit.","In these pharmaceutical compositions the active ingredient will ordinarily be present in an amount of about 0.5-95% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.","Cytotoxic drugs which can be conjugated to antibodies and subsequently used for in vivo therapy include, but are not limited to, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, methotrexate, and Mitomycin C. The non-human animals of the invention comprise any animal having a transgenic interruption or alteration of the endogenous gene(s) (knock-out animals) and/or into the genome of which has been introduced one or more transgenes that direct the expression of differentially expressed human PCA3 mRNAs.","Also preferred are the introduction of antisense PCA3 nucleic acids.","Such non-human animals include vertebrates such as rodents, non-human primates, sheep, dog, cow, amphibians, reptiles, etc.","Preferred non-human animals are selected from non-human mammalian species of animals, most preferably, animals from the rodent family including rats and mice, most preferably mice.","The transgenic animals of the invention are animals into which has been introduced by non-natural means (i.e., by human manipulation), one or more genes that do not occur naturally in the animal, e.g., foreign genes, genetically engineered endogenous genes, etc.","The non-naturally introduced genes, known as transgenes, may be from the same or a different species as the animal but not naturally found in the animal in the configuration and/or at the chromosomal locus conferred by the transgene.","Transgenes may comprise foreign DNA sequences, i.e., sequences not normally found in the genome of the host animal.","Alternatively or additionally, transgenes may comprise endogenous DNA sequences that are abnormal in that they have been rearranged or mutated in vitro in order to alter the normal in vivo pattern of expression of the gene, or to alter or eliminate the biological activity of an endogenous gene product encoded by the gene.","The transgenic non-human animals of the invention are produced by introducing transgenes into the germ line of the non-human animal.","Embryonic target cells at various developmental stages are used to introduce the transgenes of the invention.","Different methods are used depending on the stage of development of the embryonic target cell(s).","These methods are well known in the art.","Transgenes may be introduced into non-human animals in order to provide animal models for human diseases.","Transgenes that result in such animal models include, e.g., transgenes that encode the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs associated with a malignant prostate status (i.e., prostate cancer) or a non-malignant prostate status.","Having identified a marker sequence in differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA and a correlation between the balance of the expression level of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs (or protein encoded thereby) and the malignant or non-malignant prostatic states, the present invention opens the way to numerous methods, assays and reagents for the prognosis, diagnosis, staging, predisposition and therapy of prostate cancer.","In a broad embodiment, the present invention provides the means to assess prostate cancer by identifying PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence in accordance with the present invention (or a protein encoded thereby).","Numerous methods, primers, probes, antibodies and reagents can be used to identify such a nucleic acid molecule (or such a protein), as will be clear to the skilled artisan to which the present invention pertains.","The present invention is illustrated in further detail by the following non-limiting examples.","Example 1 Identification of Differentially Expressed PCA3 mRNAs and Correlation of their Expression with Prostatic Disease PCA3-specific PCR primers were developed in order to analyze PCA3 expression in different samples.","To be able to discern between sequences amplified from mRNA (messenger RNA) and genomic DNA, these primers were designed to span an intron, in occurrence intron 3.As illustrated in FIG.","1, the PCA3 sense primer lies within exon 3 and the PCA3 antisense primer within exon 4a.","Samples to be analyzed for PCA3 expression consisted of frozen tissue chips removed by transurethral resection of the prostate (BPH, 4 patients) or frozen prostates obtained by radical prostatectomy (prostate cancer, 6 patients).","Radical prostatectomy samples were processed into frozen sections to specifically select regions containing prostate cancer cells.","RNA was extracted from the frozen samples using a liquid-phase RNA extraction method (Trizol™).","Extracted nucleic acids were subsequently treated with DNase in order to digest genomic DNA.","DNase-treated RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA using reverse transcriptase and then submitted to PCR-analysis using the PCA3 primers.","PCR was performed for 35 cycles with Taq DNA polymerase, amplified material was separated on agarose gels and visualized by ethidium bromide staining.","As shown in FIG.","2, PCR amplification of PCA3 generates two products which can be separated by size and differ in relative abundance.","The smaller amplicon (277 bp) is predominantly or exclusively found in samples from prostate cancer patients (FIG.","2, upper row) whereas the larger amplicon (505 bp) is more prominent in samples from patients with a non-malignant prostatic state (BPH [FIG.","2, lower row]).","Pathological examination of patients' biopsies confirmed the initial diagnosis for each patient except for Patient BPH 1 which was found to have prostate cancer.","In order to confirm the origin of the amplified fragments, they were isolated from the gel and sequenced.","Sequences are shown in FIG.","3.As expected, the smaller 277 bp fragment proved to correspond to the regions of exons 3 and 4a spanned by the PCA3 PCR primers.","The larger 505 bp fragment is identical to the smaller fragment except for the herein identified sequence which lies between exon 3 and exon 4a.","Of note, direct PCR analysis of all samples without reverse transcription did not yield amplified material ruling out the hypothesis that the larger amplification product originates from genomic DNA.","Thus, PCA3 mRNA is present in at least two distinct forms within the cell, a short form lacking the herein identified additional sequence (hereafter called sequence 2; SEQ ID NO:2) as well as a long form having this additional sequence (hereafter called sequence 1; SEQ ID NO:1).","The presence of the additional sequence in sequence 1 interrupts the predicted open reading frame coding for the PCA3 protein.","The predicted sequence of the protein encoded by this long PCA3 mRNA is shown in FIG.","4.As illustrated in FIG.","2, relative expression levels of the two PCA3 mRNA sequences vary dependent on the cell type.","Prostate cancer cells predominantly express sequence 2 whereas BPH cells mainly express sequence 1.These observations demonstrate that it is possible to discern between a malignant and non-malignant state of a prostate.","As well, it is tempting to predict that the relative levels of the two types of PCA3 mRNAs, will enable to discern the benign state from the malignant state.","Example 2 Assessment of the Prostatic State of a Patient Using RT-PCR Patient samples were obtained and RNA prepared therefrom as commonly known.","Reverse transcription mixes were prepared as RT follows: 0.2 μg total RNA+0.6 μg pdN6 (random hexamer primers)+1.25 mM dNTPs+200 U M-MLV reverse transcriptase in 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.3, 75 mM KCl, 3 mM MgCl2, 10 mM DTT.","The mixture was incubated 1 hr at 40° C. 4 μl of the RT-reaction of above was mixed in 50 μL of 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.4, 50 mM KCl, 2.5 mM MgCl2, 0.5 mM dNTPs, 0.5 μM of each primer and 2.5 U Taq DNA polymerase.","For PCR analysis, the amplification was carried out for 35 cycles (1 min each at 94° C., 60° C., 72° C.) followed by a 10 min extension at 72° C. The PCR products were analyzed by conventional agarose gel electrophoresis.","Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"DISTINGUISHING PCA3 MESSENGER RNA SPECIES IN BENIGN AND MALIGNANT PROSTATE TISSUES\",\n \"This invention concerns the discovery of two distinct PCA3 mRNA sequences.\",\n \"One of these sequences corresponds to a short PCA3 mRNA molecule whereas the other PCA3 RNA molecule is longer as it comprises an additional sequence between exon 3 and exon 4a.\",\n \"The short RNA is associated with prostate cancer whereas the long RNA sequence is associated with a non-malignant state of the prostate.\",\n \"Based on the differential expression levels of these two PCA3 RNA sequences, protocols for the diagnosis of prostate disease are provided.\",\n \"The invention also relates to therapeutic approaches to prostate cancer.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1-23.\",\n \"(canceled) 24.A cDNA molecule encoding a differentially expressed prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) mRNA containing an additional sequence between exon 3 and exon 4a, thereby giving rise to a long PCA3 mRNA, wherein the additional sequence interrupts the open reading frame of a PCA3 protein, thereby yielding a truncated PCA3 protein having a sequence consisting of 23 amino acids at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3.25.The cDNA molecule according to claim 24, wherein the molecule encodes a polypeptide having a sequence consisting of 23 amino acids at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3.26.The cDNA molecule according to claim 24, wherein the molecule encodes a polypeptide consisting of the complete amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3.27.A recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising 5′ to 3′, a promoter effective to initiate transcription in a host cell and the cDNA molecule according to claim 24.28.A cell that contains the recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to claim 27.29.A non-human organism that contains the recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to claim 27.30.The cDNA molecule according to claim 24, comprising (i) a polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a nucleotide sequence encoding a differentially expressed PCA3 polypeptide consisting of the complete amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO:3 or (ii) the complement of the polynucleotide sequence of (i).\",\n \"31.A composition comprising the cDNA of claim 24 and at least one oligonucleotide comprising a sequence complementary to at least 12 consecutive nucleotides of the cDNA of claim 24.32.The composition of claim 31, wherein the oligonucleotide is a primer.\",\n \"33.The composition of claim 31, wherein the composition comprises a pair of primers for amplifying an amplicon from the cDNA.\",\n \"34.The composition of claim 33, further comprising a labeled probe that comprises a sequence complementary to at least 12 consecutive nucleotides of the cDNA of claim 24.35.The composition of claim 34, wherein the labeled probe is a fluorescently labeled probe.\",\n \"36.The composition of claim 31, wherein the oligonucleotide is a labeled probe.\",\n \"37.The composition of claim 31, wherein the oligonucleotide is a fluorescently labeled probe.\",\n \"38.A composition comprising the cDNA of claim 24 and at least one DNA polymerase.\",\n \"39.The composition of claim 38, wherein the DNA polymerase is a reverse transcriptase.\",\n \"40.The composition of claim 38, wherein the DNA polymerase is a thermostable DNA polymerase.\",\n \"41.The composition of claim 38, further comprising at least one primer.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over the last decade, cancer of the prostate has become the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among men and the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in the western population, following lung cancer (Landis et al., 1998, CA Cancer J. Clin.\",\n \"48(1):6-29).\",\n \"Of all cancers, the incidence of prostate cancer increases most rapidly with age.\",\n \"As longevity among the western population increases, there continues to be a corresponding rise in the number of prostate cancers with an expected increase of 60% in this decade alone.\",\n \"Mortality has increased at a slower rate, but overall has doubled in the last 50 years.\",\n \"Although the disease is typically diagnosed in men over the age of 65, its impact is still significant in that the average life span of a man who dies from prostate cancer is reduced by 9-10 years.\",\n \"If discovered, early prostate cancer can now be cured with surgery in approximately 90% of cases.\",\n \"Unfortunately the disease is slowly fatal once the tumor spreads outsize the area of the gland and forms distant metastases.\",\n \"Early detection of the disease, while still confined to the prostate gland, and accurate staging for the selection of appropriate therapy should improve mortality rates.\",\n \"Despite many advances in recent years, the precision with which an individual suffering from prostate cancer can be staged is still sub-optimal.\",\n \"The main reason for this is that tumor spread beyond the prostate is generally microscopic rather than macroscopic.\",\n \"Digital rectal examination of the prostate has been the cornerstone for the local staging of prostatic cancer for many decades, but it oftentimes underestimates the extent of the disease.\",\n \"Transrectal ultrasound by itself is only of limited value as a means of prostate cancer staging.\",\n \"Computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have generally been disappointing in the staging of prostate cancer (Kirby, 1997, Prostate cancer and Prostatic Diseases 1:2-10).\",\n \"Recent promising approaches to prostate cancer staging imply the use of biochemical and molecular technologies, centered around proteins or their corresponding nucleic acids which are preferentially expressed in prostate cells (Lange, 1997, In “Principles and Practice of Genitourinary Oncology” ed.\",\n \"Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Ch.\",\n \"41, pp.\",\n \"417-425).\",\n \"The most notorious prostate markers are PSA (prostate specific antigen) and PSM (prostate specific membrane) antigen.\",\n \"PSA is a secreted glycoprotein encoded by the PSA gene located on chromosome 19.It is expressed under androgen control by glandular epithelial cells of the prostate and secreted into seminal plasma.\",\n \"PSA protein is normally confined to the prostate but in the case of prostatic disease such as cancer or BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia), PSA leaks into the blood where it is present in different forms, including one that is and one that is not bound to protein complexes (EI-Shirbiny, 1994, Adv.\",\n \"Clin.\",\n \"Chem.\",\n \"31:99).\",\n \"The measurement of total PSA serum concentrations is one of the most frequently used and FDA-approved biochemical tests in the screening and management of prostate cancer patients.\",\n \"Studies to date have suggested that screening with PSA, in conjunction with digital rectal exams and transrectal ultrasound, increases the detection of early prostate cancers often while still localized to the gland itself (Brawer et al., 1992, J. Urol.\",\n \"147:841).\",\n \"Serum PSA is also useful for monitoring of patients after therapy, especially after surgical prostatectomy.\",\n \"However, total PSA measurements also identify a large number of patients with abnormally elevated levels who are subsequently found to have no prostate cancer.\",\n \"Recently, the concept of measuring the percent free/total PSA ratio was shown to increase the specificity of prostate cancer screening in men with PSA between 4 and 10 ng/mL (Letran et al., 1998, J. Urol.\",\n \"160:426).\",\n \"The PSM gene encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by epithelial cells of normal prostate, benign prostate hyperplasia and, to a greater extent, malignant prostatic tissue.\",\n \"Low levels of PSM are also detected in some other tissues (Israeli et al., 1994, Cancer Res.\",\n \"54:1807).\",\n \"PSA and PSM have also been targets for molecular approaches to prostate cancer using RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction).\",\n \"This very sensitive nucleic acid amplification technology is used to identify cells based on the expression of specific messenger RNAs.\",\n \"It involves preparing RNA samples from tissues or body fluids, reverse transcribing it into cDNA and amplifying specific cDNAs by the use of primers that target the particular gene of interest.\",\n \"RT-PCR analyses of blood, lymph nodes and bone marrow from prostate cancer patients using PSA and PSM have disclosed the extreme sensitivity of this approach.\",\n \"However, the clinical value of molecular tests still has to be confirmed (Verkaik et al., 1997, Urol.\",\n \"Res.\",\n \"25:373; Gomella et al., 1997, J. Urol.\",\n \"158:326).\",\n \"Thus, there remains a need to provide a more sensitive test for diagnosing prostate cancer.\",\n \"There also remains a need to provide a better test for the staging of prostate cancer.\",\n \"There also remains a need to provide a prostate cancer marker which is more specific and more reliable to prostate cancer detection, staging and treatment methods.\",\n \"The present invention seeks to meet these and other needs.\",\n \"A new prostate cancer marker, PCA3, was discovered a few years ago by differential display analysis intended to highlight genes associated with prostate cancer development (PCT application number PCT/CA98/00346).\",\n \"PCA3 is located on chromosome 9 and composed of four exons.\",\n \"It encodes at least four different transcripts which are generated by alternative splicing and polyadenylation.\",\n \"By RT-PCR analysis, PCA3 expression was found to be limited to the prostate and absent in all other tissues, including testis, ovary, breast and bladder.\",\n \"Northern blot analysis showed that PCA3 is highly expressed in the vast majority of prostate cancers examined (47 out of 50) whereas no or very low expression is detected in benign prostate hyperplasia or normal prostate cells from the same patients.\",\n \"There is at least 20-fold overexpression of PCA3 in prostatic carcinomas in comparison to normal or BPH tissues.\",\n \"PCA3 expression seems to increase with tumor grade and is detected in metastatic lesions.\",\n \"In summary, prostate cancer staging based on specific markers such as PSA and PSM is a very promising avenue for the management of the disease.\",\n \"The drawback of using PSA or PSM for prostate cancer staging is that they are expressed in normal as well as in cancerous cells.\",\n \"In addition, poorly differentiated tumors may escape diagnosis since they tend to produce significantly less PSA protein than less aggressive tumors.\",\n \"This is the case for 10% of all prostate cancers.\",\n \"PCA3, on the other hand, is differentially expressed in cancerous and normal prostate cells, and its expression does not decrease with increasing tumor grade.\",\n \"PCA3 could therefore be a useful tool which may overcome the drawbacks of PSA and PSM in the diagnosis, staging and treatment of prostate cancer patients.\",\n \"The present description refers to a number of documents, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference, in their entirety.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention concerns the discovery of distinct PCA3 RNAs associated with a non-malignant and/or malignant status of the prostate.\",\n \"The invention also concerns the identification that a balance between the level of these PCA3 mRNAs correlates with the non-malignant or the malignant status of the prostate.\",\n \"One of these RNAs corresponds to a PCA3 RNA molecule having an additional sequence of 228 bp (shown in SEQ ID NO:1), inserted between exons 3 and 4a, whereas the other lacks the additional sequence (SEQ ID NO:2).\",\n \"The RNA lacking the additional sequence is associated with prostate cancer whereas the RNA comprising same is associated with a non-malignant prostatic state.\",\n \"Based on the differential expression of these two PCA3 RNA species, protocols for the diagnosis of prostate disease are provided.\",\n \"The above findings could also lead to a therapeutic approach to prostate cancer.\",\n \"The invention further concerns reagents and methods to assess the prostate status in an animal, comprising a quantitative determination of SEQ ID NO:1 or fragments, or variants thereof with respect to SEQ ID NO:2 or fragments, or variants thereof.\",\n \"Thus, the present invention relates to the discovery and characterization of a novel sequence expressed in PCA3 mRNA, which enables a determination of the prostate status of an animal, based on a determination of the relative abundance of two differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"The invention provides, in general, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs and to variants or portions thereof, retaining their ability to enable a prostate status determination.\",\n \"The invention further provides purified polypeptides encoded by the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs of the present invention or an epitope binding portion thereof.\",\n \"The invention also provides nucleic acids for the specific detection of the presence of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs associated with prostate cancer or proteins or polypeptides encoded by such mRNAs in a sample.\",\n \"The invention further provides a method of detecting nucleic acid encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"The invention also provides a kit for detecting the presence of nucleic acid encoding differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.\",\n \"The invention in addition provides a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising, 5′ to 3′, a promoter effective to initiate transcription in a host cell and the above-described isolated nucleic acid molecule, variants or fragments thereof, encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"The invention also provides a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a vector and the above-described isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"The invention further provides an antisense nucleic acid molecule specific to the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"The invention also provides a cell that contains an above-described recombinant nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"The invention further relates to a non-human organism that contains an above-described recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA.\",\n \"In particular, the invention relates to a non-human organism containing a recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a PCA3 mRNA having an additional sequence between exon 3 and exon 4a.\",\n \"In a particularly preferred embodiment, this additional sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, variants of parts thereof.\",\n \"The invention also relates to an antibody having binding affinity specifically to a polypeptide encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA or an epitope-bearing portion thereof.\",\n \"The invention further provides a method of detecting differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.\",\n \"As well, it also provides a method of measuring the amount of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.\",\n \"The invention further relates to a method of detecting antibodies having binding affinity specifically to polypeptides encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the invention further relates to a diagnostic kit comprising a first container means containing nucleic acid molecules specific for a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA, and a second container means containing a probe specific to a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the invention relates to a diagnostic kit comprising a first container means containing the above-described antibody, and a second container means containing a conjugate comprising a binding partner of the monoclonal antibody and a label.\",\n \"The invention also provides a hybridoma which produces the above-described monoclonal antibody.\",\n \"As well, the invention further relates to diagnostic methods for human disease, in particular, prostate cancer.\",\n \"Preferably, a method of diagnosing the presence or predisposition to develop prostate cancer in a patient is provided herein.\",\n \"The invention also provides methods for therapeutic uses involving all or part of (1) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs, variants or parts thereof, (2) antisense to differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA molecules, variants or parts thereof, (3) protein encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA, variants or parts thereof, or (4) antibodies to proteins encoded by differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"Further, the invention provides a method to modulate the level of differentially expressed of a first PCA3 mRNA (e.g.\",\n \"the long one) and a second PCA3 mRNA (e.g.\",\n \"the short one) by expressing one of the first or second differentially expressed mRNA.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a modulation of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs such that the level of the first PCA3 mRNA is superior to that of the second.\",\n \"Having identified the differential expression of mRNAs as a marker for prostatic state of an animal, and more particularly having shown that the presence of the additional sequence, which interrupts the coding sequence of the PCA3 encoded protein, correlates with a non-malignant state, while the absence of the additional sequence and a non-interruption of the thereby encoded protein, correlates with malignant cancer, the present invention therefore provides the means to interrupt the coding sequence of the PCA3 protein, using any means of genetic engineering, known to a skilled artisan, and assesses whether such an interruption can revert the malignant phenotype.\",\n \"In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of terms used in the present description, a number of definitions are provided hereinbelow.\",\n \"As used herein, the terminology “non-malignant prostate or status” is meant to cover a non-cancerous prostatic state.\",\n \"Thus, these terminologies are meant to include a normal status as well as a benign prostatic status (such as BPH, for example).\",\n \"Since the differentiating markers between the malignant and non-malignant prostatic state is at the mRNA and protein level (i.e., an expressed marker), one of the advantages of the present invention is to enable a determination of the prostatic status in an animal using a number of available means to the skilled artisan.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples of such means include nucleic acid probes, antibodies, ligands and PNAs, in easily obtainable cells which express these differentiating markers.\",\n \"A non-limiting example thereof is lymphocytes, thereby enabling a determination from a simple blood sample.\",\n \"The term “sample” is used herein broadly to refer to all types of samples from an animal in which the differential expression of the short and/or long PCA3 nucleic acid or protein of the present invention can be analyzed.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples thereof include biopsies, blood, fine needle aspirate, urine and bone marrow.\",\n \"Nucleotide sequences are presented herein by single strand, in the 5′ to 3′ direction, from left to right, using the one letter nucleotide symbols as commonly used in the art and in accordance with the recommendations of the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission.\",\n \"Unless defined otherwise, the scientific and technological terms and nomenclature used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill to which this invention pertains.\",\n \"Generally, the procedures for cell cultures, infection, molecular biology methods and the like are common methods used in the art.\",\n \"Such standard techniques can be found in reference manuals such as for example Sambrook et al.\",\n \"(1989, Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories) and Ausubel et al.\",\n \"(1994, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley, New York).\",\n \"The present description refers to a number of routinely used recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology terms.\",\n \"Nevertheless, definitions of selected examples of such rDNA terms are provided for clarity and consistency.\",\n \"As used herein, “nucleic acid molecule”, refers to a polymer of nucleotides.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples thereof include DNA (i.e., genomic DNA, cDNA) and RNA molecules (i.e., mRNA).\",\n \"The nucleic acid molecule can be obtained by cloning techniques or synthesized.\",\n \"DNA can be double-stranded or single-stranded (coding strand or non-coding strand [antisense]).\",\n \"The term “recombinant DNA” as known in the art refers to a DNA molecule resulting from the joining of DNA segments.\",\n \"This is often referred to as genetic engineering.\",\n \"The term “DNA segment”, is used herein, to refer to a DNA molecule comprising a linear stretch or sequence of nucleotides.\",\n \"This sequence when read in accordance with the genetic code, can encode a linear stretch or sequence of amino acids which can be referred to as a polypeptide, protein, protein fragment and the like.\",\n \"The terminology “amplification pair” refers herein to a pair of oligonucleotides (oligos) of the present invention, which are selected to be used together in amplifying a selected nucleic acid sequence by one of a number of types of amplification processes, preferably a polymerase chain reaction.\",\n \"Other types of amplification processes include ligase chain reaction, strand displacement amplification, or nucleic acid sequence-based amplification, as explained in greater detail below.\",\n \"As commonly known in the art, the oligos are designed to bind to a complementary sequence under selected conditions.\",\n \"In one particular embodiment, amplification of a nucleic acid sample from a patient is amplified under conditions which favor the amplification of the most abundant differentially expressed nucleic acid.\",\n \"In one preferred embodiment, RT-PCR is carried out on an mRNA sample from a patient under conditions which favor the amplification of the most abundant PCA3 mRNA.\",\n \"In another preferred embodiment, the amplification of the differentially expressed PCA3 nucleic acids is carried out simultaneously.\",\n \"Of course, it will be realized by a person skilled in the art that such methods could be adapted for the detection of differentially expressed proteins instead of differentially expressed nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"The nucleic acid (i.e., DNA or RNA) for practicing the present invention may be obtained according to well known methods.\",\n \"Oligonucleotide probes or primers of the present invention may be of any suitable length, depending on the particular assay format and the particular needs and targeted genomes employed.\",\n \"In general, the oligonucleotide probes or primers are at least 12 nucleotides in length, preferably between 15 and 24 molecules, and they may be adapted to be especially suited to a chosen nucleic acid amplification system.\",\n \"As commonly known in the art, the oligonucleotide probes and primers can be designed by taking into consideration the melting point of hydrizidation thereof with its targeted sequence (see below and in Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, CSH Laboratories; Ausubel et al., 1989, in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons Inc., N.Y.).\",\n \"The term “oligonucleotide” or “DNA” molecule or sequence refers to a molecule comprised of the deoxyribonucleotides adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T) and/or cytosine (C).\",\n \"When in a double-stranded form, it can comprise or include a “regulatory element” according to the present invention, as the term is defined herein.\",\n \"The term “oligonucleotide” or “DNA” can be found in linear DNA molecules or fragments, viruses, plasmids, vectors, chromosomes or synthetically derived DNA.\",\n \"As used herein, particular double-stranded DNA sequences may be described according to the normal convention of giving only the sequence in the 5′ to 3′ direction.\",\n \"It will also be recognized that “oligonucleotide” can be in a single-stranded form.\",\n \"“Nucleic acid hybridization” refers generally to the hybridization of two single-stranded nucleic acid molecules having complementary base sequences, which under appropriate conditions will form a thermodynamically favored double-stranded structure.\",\n \"Examples of hybridization conditions can be found in the two laboratory manuals referred above (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra and Ausubel et al., 1989, supra) and are commonly known in the art.\",\n \"In the case of a hybridization to a nitrocellulose filter, as for example in the well known Southern blotting procedure, a nitrocellulose filter can be incubated overnight at 65° C. with a labeled probe in a solution containing 50% formamide, high salt (5×SSC or 5×SSPE), 5×Denhardt's solution, 1% SDS, and 100 μg/ml denatured carrier DNA (i.e.\",\n \"salmon sperm DNA).\",\n \"The non-specifically binding probe can then be washed off the filter by several washes in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at a temperature which is selected in view of the desired stringency: room temperature (low stringency), 42° C. (moderate stringency) or 65° C. (high stringency).\",\n \"The selected temperature is based on the melting temperature (Tm) of the DNA hybrid.\",\n \"Of course, RNA-DNA hybrids can also be formed and detected.\",\n \"In such cases, the conditions of hybridization and washing can be adapted according to well known methods by the person of ordinary skill.\",\n \"Stringent conditions will be preferably used (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).\",\n \"Probes of the invention can be utilized with naturally occurring sugar-phosphate backbones as well as modified backbones including phosphorothioates, dithionates, alkyl phosphonates and α-nucleotides and the like.\",\n \"Modified sugar-phosphate backbones are generally taught by Miller, 1988, Ann.\",\n \"Reports Med.\",\n \"Chem.\",\n \"23:295 and Moran et al., 1987, Nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"Acids Res., 14:5019.Probes of the invention can be constructed of either ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and preferably of DNA.\",\n \"The types of detection methods in which probes can be used include Southern blots (DNA detection), dot or slot blots (DNA, RNA), and Northern blots (RNA detection).\",\n \"Although less preferred, labeled proteins could also be used to detect a particular nucleic acid sequence to which it binds.\",\n \"More recently, PNAs have been described (Nielsen et al.\",\n \"1999, Current Opin.\",\n \"Biotechnol.\",\n \"10:71-75).\",\n \"PNAs could also be used to detect the mRNAs of the present invention.\",\n \"Other detection methods include kits containing probes on a dipstick setup and the like.\",\n \"Although the present invention is not specifically dependent on the use of a label for the detection of a particular nucleic acid sequence, such a label might be beneficial, by increasing the sensitivity of the detection.\",\n \"Furthermore, it enables automation.\",\n \"Probes can be labeled according to numerous well known methods (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).\",\n \"Non-limiting examples of labels include 3 H, 14 C, 32 P, and 35 S. Non-limiting examples of detectable markers include ligands, fluorophores, chemiluminescent agents, enzymes, and antibodies.\",\n \"Other detectable markers for use with probes, which can enable an increase in sensitivity of the method of the invention, include biotin and radionucleotides.\",\n \"It will become evident to the person of ordinary skill that the choice of a particular label dictates the manner in which it is bound to the probe.\",\n \"As commonly known, radioactive nucleotides can be incorporated into probes of the invention by several methods.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples thereof include kinasing the 5′ ends of the probes using gamma 32 P ATP and polynucleotide kinase, using the Klenow fragment of Pol I of E. coli in the presence of radioactive dNTP (i.e., uniformly labeled DNA probe using random oligonucleotide primers in low-melt gels), using the SP6/T7 system to transcribe a DNA segment in the presence of one or more radioactive NTP, and the like.\",\n \"As used herein, “oligonucleotides” or “oligos” define a molecule having two or more nucleotides (ribo or deoxyribonucleotides).\",\n \"The size of the oligo will be dictated by the particular situation and ultimately on the particular use thereof and adapted accordingly by the person of ordinary skill.\",\n \"An oligonucleotide can be synthetised chemically or derived by cloning according to well known methods.\",\n \"As used herein, a “primer” defines an oligonucleotide which is capable of annealing to a target sequence, thereby creating a double stranded region which can serve as an initiation point for DNA synthesis under suitable conditions.\",\n \"Amplification of a selected, or target, nucleic acid sequence may be carried out by a number of suitable methods.\",\n \"See generally Kwoh et al., 1990, Am.\",\n \"Biotechnol.\",\n \"Lab.\",\n \"8:14-25.Numerous amplification techniques have been described and can be readily adapted to suit particular needs of a person of ordinary skill.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples of amplification techniques include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR), strand displacement amplification (SDA), transcription-based amplification, the Q13 replicase system and NASBA (Kwoh et al., 1989, Proc.\",\n \"Natl.\",\n \"Acad.\",\n \"Sci.\",\n \"USA 86, 1173-1177; Lizardi et al., 1988, BioTechnology 6:1197-1202; Malek et al., 1994, Methods Mol.\",\n \"Biol., 28:253-260; and Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).\",\n \"Preferably, amplification will be carried out using PCR.\",\n \"Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is carried out in accordance with known techniques.\",\n \"See, e.g., U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"4,683,195; 4,683,202; 4,800,159; and 4,965,188 (the disclosures of all three U.S. patent are incorporated herein by reference).\",\n \"In general, PCR involves, a treatment of a nucleic acid sample (e.g., in the presence of a heat stable DNA polymerase) under hybridizing conditions, with one oligonucleotide primer for each strand of the specific sequence to be detected.\",\n \"An extension product of each primer which is synthesized is complementary to each of the two nucleic acid strands, with the primers sufficiently complementary to each strand of the specific sequence to hybridize therewith.\",\n \"The extension product synthesized from each primer can also serve as a template for further synthesis of extension products using the same primers.\",\n \"Following a sufficient number of rounds of synthesis of extension products, the sample is analysed to assess whether the sequence or sequences to be detected are present.\",\n \"Detection of the amplified sequence may be carried out by visualization following EtBr staining of the DNA following gel electrophoresis, or using a detectable label in accordance with known techniques, and the like.\",\n \"For a review on PCR techniques (see PCR Protocols, A Guide to Methods and Amplifications, Michael et al.\",\n \"Eds, Acad.\",\n \"Press, 1990).\",\n \"Ligase chain reaction (LCR) is carried out in accordance with known techniques (Weiss, 1991, Science 254:1292).\",\n \"Adaptation of the protocol to meet the desired needs can be carried out by a person of ordinary skill.\",\n \"Strand displacement amplification (SDA) is also carried out in accordance with known techniques or adaptations thereof to meet the particular needs (Walker et al., 1992, Proc.\",\n \"Natl.\",\n \"Acad.\",\n \"Sci.\",\n \"USA 89:392-396; and ibid., 1992, Nucleic Acids Res.\",\n \"20:1691-1696).\",\n \"As used herein, the term “gene” is well known in the art and relates to a nucleic acid sequence defining a single protein or polypeptide.\",\n \"A “structural gene” defines a DNA sequence which is transcribed into RNA and translated into a protein having a specific amino acid sequence thereby giving rise the a specific polypeptide or protein.\",\n \"It will be readily recognized by the person of ordinary skill, that the nucleic acid sequence of the present invention can be incorporated into anyone of numerous established kit formats which are well known in the art.\",\n \"A “heterologous” (i.e., a heterologous gene) region of a DNA molecule is a subsegment segment of DNA within a larger segment that is not found in association therewith in nature.\",\n \"The term “heterologous” can be similarly used to define two polypeptidic segments not joined together in nature.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples of heterologous genes include reporter genes such as luciferase, chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, β-galactosidase, and the like which can be juxtaposed or joined to heterologous control regions or to heterologous polypeptides.\",\n \"The term “vector” is commonly known in the art and defines a plasmid DNA, phage DNA, viral DNA and the like, which can serve as a DNA vehicle into which DNA of the present invention can be cloned.\",\n \"Numerous types of vectors exist and are well known in the art.\",\n \"The term “expression” defines the process by which a gene is transcribed into mRNA (transcription), the mRNA is then being translated (translation) into one polypeptide (or protein) or more.\",\n \"The terminology “expression vector” defines a vector or vehicle as described above but designed to enable the expression of an inserted sequence following transformation into a host.\",\n \"The cloned gene (inserted sequence) is usually placed under the control of control element sequences such as promoter sequences.\",\n \"The placing of a cloned gene under such control sequences is often referred to as being operably linked to control elements or sequences.\",\n \"Operably linked sequences may also include two segments that are transcribed onto the same RNA transcript.\",\n \"Thus, two sequences, such as a promoter and a “reporter sequence” are operably linked if transcription commencing in the promoter will produce an RNA transcript of the reporter sequence.\",\n \"In order to be “operably linked” it is not necessary that two sequences be immediately adjacent to one another.\",\n \"Expression control sequences will vary depending on whether the vector is designed to express the operably linked gene in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host or both (shuttle vectors) and can additionally contain transcriptional elements such as enhancer elements, termination sequences, tissue-specificity elements, and/or translational initiation and termination sites.\",\n \"Prokaryotic expressions are useful for the preparation of large quantities of the protein encoded by the DNA sequence of interest.\",\n \"This protein can be purified according to standard protocols that take advantage of the intrinsic properties thereof, such as size and charge (i.e., SDS gel electrophoresis, gel filtration, centrifugation, ion exchange chromatography .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \").\",\n \"In addition, the protein of interest can be purified via affinity chromatography using polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies.\",\n \"The purified protein can be used for therapeutic applications.\",\n \"The DNA construct can be a vector comprising a promoter that is operably linked to an oligonucleotide sequence of the present invention, which is in turn, operably linked to a heterologous gene, such as the gene for the luciferase reporter molecule.\",\n \"“Promoter” refers to a DNA regulatory region capable of binding directly or indirectly to RNA polymerase in a cell and initiating transcription of a downstream (3′ direction) coding sequence.\",\n \"For purposes of the present invention, the promoter is bound at its 3′ terminus by the transcription initiation site and extends upstream (5′ direction) to include the minimum number of bases or elements necessary to initiate transcription at levels detectable above background.\",\n \"Within the promoter will be found a transcription initiation site (conveniently defined by mapping with S1 nuclease), as well as protein binding domains (consensus sequences) responsible for the binding of RNA polymerase.\",\n \"Eukaryotic promoters will often, but not always, contain “TATA” boxes and “CCAT” boxes.\",\n \"Prokaryotic promoters contain −10 and −35 consensus sequences, which serve to initiate transcription and the transcript products contain a Shine-Dalgarno sequence, which serves a ribosome binding sequences during translation initiation.\",\n \"As used herein, the designation “functional derivative” denotes, in the context of a functional derivative of a sequence whether an nucleic acid or amino acid sequence, a molecule that retains a biological activity (either function or structural) that is substantially similar to that of the original sequence.\",\n \"This functional derivative or equivalent may be a natural derivative or may be prepared synthetically.\",\n \"Such derivatives include amino acid sequences having substitutions, deletions, or additions of one or more amino acids, provided that the biological activity of the protein is conserved.\",\n \"The same applies to derivatives of nucleic acid sequences which can have substitutions, deletions, or additions of one or more nucleotides, provided that the biological activity of the sequence is generally maintained.\",\n \"When relating to a protein sequence, the substituting amino acid as chemico-physical properties which are similar to that of the substituted amino acid.\",\n \"The similar chemico-physical properties include, similarities in charge, bulkiness, hydrophobicity, hydrophylicity and the like.\",\n \"The term “functional derivatives” is intended to include “fragments”, “segments”, “variants”, “analogs” or “chemical derivatives” of the subject matter of the present invention.\",\n \"Thus, the term “variant” refers herein to a protein or nucleic acid molecule which is substantially similar in structure and biological activity to the protein or nucleic acid of the present invention.\",\n \"The functional derivatives of the present invention can be synthesized chemically or produced through recombinant DNA technology.\",\n \"All these methods are well known in the art.\",\n \"As used herein, “chemical derivatives” is meant to cover additional chemical moieties not normally part of the subject matter of the invention.\",\n \"Such moieties could affect the physico-chemical characteristic of the derivative (i.e., solubility, absorption, half life and the like, decrease of toxicity).\",\n \"Such moieties are exemplified in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (1980).\",\n \"Methods of coupling these chemical-physical moieties to a polypeptide are well known in the art.\",\n \"The term “allele” defines an alternative form of a gene which occupies a given locus on a chromosome.\",\n \"As commonly known, a “mutation” is a detectable change in the genetic material which can be transmitted to a daughter cell.\",\n \"As well known, a mutation can be, for example, a detectable change in one or more deoxyribonucleotide.\",\n \"For example, nucleotides can be added, deleted, substituted for, inverted, or transposed to a new position.\",\n \"Spontaneous mutations and experimentally induced mutations exist.\",\n \"The result of a mutations of nucleic acid molecule is a mutant nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"A mutant polypeptide can be encoded from this mutant nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"As used herein, the term purified refers to a molecule having been separated from a cellular component.\",\n \"Thus, for example, a purified protein has been purified to a level not found in nature.\",\n \"A substantially pure molecule is a molecule that is lacking in all other cellular components.\",\n \"As used herein, the terms molecule, compound, or agent are used interchangeably and broadly to refer to natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic molecules or compounds.\",\n \"The term molecule therefore denotes for example chemicals, macromolecules, cell or tissue extracts (from plants or animals) and the like.\",\n \"Non limiting examples of molecules include nucleic acid molecules, peptides, ligands, including antibodies, carbohydrates and pharmaceutical agents.\",\n \"The agents can be selected and screened by a variety of means including random screening, rational selection and by rational design using for example protein or ligand modelling methods such as computer modelling.\",\n \"The terms rationally selected or rationally designed are meant to define compounds which have been chosen based on the configuration of the interaction domains of the present invention.\",\n \"As will be understood by the person of ordinary skill, macromolecules having non-naturally occurring modifications are also within the scope of the term molecule.\",\n \"For example, peptidomimetics, well known in the pharmaceutical industry and generally referred to as peptide analogs can be generated by modelling as mentioned above.\",\n \"Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, the polypeptides of the present invention are modified to enhance their stability.\",\n \"It should be understood that in most cases this modification should not alter the biological activity of the protein.\",\n \"The molecules identified in accordance with the teachings of the present invention have a therapeutic value in diseases or conditions in which the physiology or homeostasis of the cell and/or tissue is compromised by a defect in the expression of PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"Alternatively, the molecules identified in accordance with the teachings of the present invention find utility in the development of compounds which can modulate the expression of a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA or modulate the activity or level of a protein encoded thereby.\",\n \"As used herein, agonists and antagonists also include potentiators of known compounds with such agonist or antagonist properties.\",\n \"In one embodiment, modulators of the level or the activity of the PCA3 protein lacking the additional sequence of the present invention can be identified and selected by contacting the indicator cell with a compound or mixture or library of molecules for a fixed period of time.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the additional sequence-containing PCA3 protein can serve as a control.\",\n \"The present invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules which can be used for example to decrease or abrogate the expression of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention or of the protein encoded thereby.\",\n \"An antisense nucleic acid molecule according to the present invention refers to a molecule capable of forming a stable duplex or triplex with a portion of its targeted nucleic acid sequence (DNA or RNA).\",\n \"The use of antisense nucleic acid molecules and the design and modification of such molecules is well known in the art as described for example in WO 96/32966, WO 96/11266, WO 94/15646, WO 93/08845 and U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,593,974.Antisense nucleic acid molecules according to the present invention can be derived from the nucleic acid sequences and modified in accordance to well known methods.\",\n \"For example, some antisense molecules can be designed to be more resistant to degradation to increase their affinity to their targeted sequence, to affect their transport to chosen cell types or cell compartments, and/or to enhance their lipid solubility by using nucleotide analogs and/or substituting chosen chemical fragments thereof, as commonly known in the art.\",\n \"An indicator cell in accordance with the present invention can be used to identify antagonists.\",\n \"For example, the test molecule or molecules are incubated with the host cell in conjunction with one or more agonists held at a fixed concentration.\",\n \"An indication and relative strength of the antagonistic properties of the molecule(s) can be provided by comparing the level of gene expression in the indicator cell in the presence of the agonist, in the absence of test molecules vs in the presence thereof.\",\n \"Of course, the antagonistic effect of a molecule can also be determined in the absence of agonist, simply by comparing the level of expression of the reporter gene product in the presence and absence of the test molecule(s).\",\n \"It shall be understood that the “in vivo” experimental model can also be used to carry out an “in vitro” assay.\",\n \"For example, cellular extracts from the indicator cells can be prepared and used in one of the aforementioned “in vitro” tests.\",\n \"As used herein the recitation indicator cells refers to cells that express a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA according to the present invention.\",\n \"In some embodiment, the protein encoded by the nucleic acid sequence can be coupled to an identifiable or selectable phenotype or characteristic.\",\n \"Such indicator cells can be used in the screening assays of the present invention.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the indicator cells have been engineered so as to express a chosen derivative, fragment, homolog, or mutant of the differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNA of the present invention.\",\n \"The cells can be yeast cells or higher eukaryotic cells such as mammalian cells.\",\n \"When the binding partner for the PCA3 protein will have been identified, the interaction between the two partners will be able to serve as a target for the modulation of the activity of this PCA3-encoded protein.\",\n \"In one particular embodiment, the indicator cell would be a yeast cell harboring vectors enabling the use of the two hybrid system technology, as well known in the art (Ausubel et al., 1994, supra) and can be used to test a compound or a library thereof.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a reporter gene encoding a selectable marker or an assayable protein can be operably linked to a control element such that expression of the selectable marker or assayable protein is dependent on the interaction of the PCA3-encoded protein and its binding partner.\",\n \"Such an indicator cell could be used to rapidly screen at high-throughput a vast array of test molecules.\",\n \"In a particular embodiment, the reporter gene is luciferase or β-Gal.\",\n \"In some embodiments, it might be beneficial to express a protein of the present invention as a fusion protein.\",\n \"The design of constructs therefor and the expression and production of fusion proteins and are well known in the art (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra; and Ausubel et al., 1994, supra).\",\n \"Non limiting examples of such fusion proteins include a hemaglutinin fusions and Gluthione-S-transferase (GST) fusions and Maltose binding protein (MBP) fusions.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, it might be beneficial to introduce a protease cleavage site between the two polypeptide sequences which have been fused.\",\n \"Such protease cleavage sites between two heterologously fused polypeptides are well known in the art.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, it might also be beneficial to fuse the protein of the present invention to signal peptide sequences enabling a secretion of the fusion protein from the host cell.\",\n \"Signal peptides from diverse organisms are well known in the art.\",\n \"Bacterial OmpA and yeast Suc2 are two non limiting examples of proteins containing signal sequences.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, it might also be beneficial to introduce a linker (commonly known) between the interaction domain and the heterologous polypeptide portion.\",\n \"Such fusion protein find utility in the assays of the present invention as well as for purification purposes, detection purposes and the like.\",\n \"For certainty, the sequences and polypeptides useful to practice the invention include without being limited thereto mutants, homologs, subtypes, alleles and the like.\",\n \"It shall be understood that generally, the sequences of the present invention should encode a functional (albeit defective) PCA3 protein.\",\n \"It will be clear to the person of ordinary skill that whether the PCA3 of the present invention, variant, derivative, or fragment thereof retains its can be determined by using the teachings and assays of the present invention and the general teachings of the art.\",\n \"As exemplified herein below, the PCA3 protein of the present invention can be modified, for example by in vitro mutagenesis, to dissect the structure-function relationship thereof and permit a better design and identification of modulating compounds.\",\n \"However, some derivative or analogs having lost their biological function may still find utility, for example for raising antibodies.\",\n \"These antibodies could be used for detection or purification purposes.\",\n \"In addition, these antibodies could also act as competitive or non-competitive inhibitor and be found to be modulators of the activity of the PCA3 protein of the present invention.\",\n \"A host cell or indicator cell has been “transfected by exogenous or heterologous DNA (e.g., a DNA construct) when such DNA has been introduced inside the cell.\",\n \"The transfecting DNA may or may not be integrated (covalently linked) into chromosomal DNA making up the genome of the cell.\",\n \"In prokaryotes, yeast, and mammalian cells for example, the transfecting DNA may be maintained on an episomal element such as a plasmid.\",\n \"With respect to eukaryotic cells, a stably transfected cell is one in which the transfecting DNA has become integrated into a chromosome so that it is inherited by daughter cells through chromosome replication.\",\n \"This stability is demonstrated by the ability of the eukaryotic cell to establish cell lines or clones comprised of a population of daughter cells containing the transfecting DNA.\",\n \"Transfection methods are well known in the art (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra; Ausubel et al., 1994 supra).\",\n \"The use of a mammalian cell as indicator can provide the advantage of furnishing an intermediate factor, which permits for example the interaction of two polypeptides which are tested, that might not be present in lower eukaryotes or prokaryotes.\",\n \"It will be understood that extracts from mammalian cells for example could be used in certain embodiments, to compensate for the lack of certain factors.\",\n \"In general, techniques for preparing antibodies (including monoclonal antibodies and hybridomas) and for detecting antigens using antibodies are well known in the art (Campbell, 1984, In Monoclonal Antibody Technology: Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Elsevier Science Publisher, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and in Harlow et al., 1988 (in: Antibody-A Laboratory Manual, CSH Laboratories).\",\n \"The present invention also provides polyclonal, monoclonal antibodies, or humanized versions thereof, chimeric antibodies and the like which inhibit or neutralize their respective interaction domains and/or are specific thereto.\",\n \"From the specification and appended claims, the term therapeutic agent should be taken in a broad sense so as to also include a combination of at least two such therapeutic agents.\",\n \"Further, the DNA segments or proteins according to the present invention can be introduced into individuals in a number of ways.\",\n \"For example, prostatic cells can be isolated from the afflicted individual, transformed with a DNA construct according to the invention and reintroduced to the afflicted individual in a number of ways.\",\n \"Alternatively, the DNA construct can be administered directly to the afflicted individual.\",\n \"The DNA construct can also be delivered through a vehicle such as a liposome, which can be designed to be targeted to a specific cell type, and engineered to be administered through different routes.\",\n \"For administration to humans, the prescribing medical professional will ultimately determine the appropriate form and dosage for a given patient, and this can be expected to vary according to the chosen therapeutic regimen (i.e., DNA construct, protein, cells), the response and condition of the patient as well as the severity of the disease.\",\n \"Composition within the scope of the present invention should contain the active agent (i.e.\",\n \"fusion protein, nucleic acid, and molecule) in an amount effective to achieve the desired therapeutic effect while avoiding adverse side effects.\",\n \"Typically, the nucleic acids in accordance with the present invention can be administered to mammals (i.e., humans) in doses ranging from 0.005 to 1 mg per kg of body weight per day of the mammal which is treated.\",\n \"Pharmaceutically acceptable preparations and salts of the active agent are within the scope of the present invention and are well known in the art (Remington's Pharmaceutical Science, 16th Ed., Mack Ed.).\",\n \"For the administration of polypeptides, antagonists, agonists and the like, the amount administered should be chosen so as to avoid adverse side effects.\",\n \"The dosage will be adapted by the clinician in accordance with conventional factors such as the extent of the disease and different parameters from the patient.\",\n \"Typically, 0.001 to 50 mg/kg/day will be administered to the mammal.\",\n \"The present invention relates to a kit for diagnosing and/or staging prostate cancer or a predisposition to contracting same comprising a nucleic acid, a protein or a ligand in accordance with the present invention.\",\n \"For example, a compartmentalized kit in accordance with the present invention includes any kit in which reagents are contained in separate containers.\",\n \"Such containers include small glass containers, plastic containers or strips of plastic or paper.\",\n \"Such containers allow the efficient transfer of reagents from one compartment to another compartment such that the samples and reagents are not cross-contaminated and the agents or solutions of each container can be added in a quantitative fashion from one compartment to another.\",\n \"Such containers will include a container which will accept the test sample (DNA, protein or cells), a container which contains the primers used in the assay, containers which contain enzymes, containers which contain wash reagents, and containers which contain the reagents used to detect the extension products.\",\n \"The present invention also relates to a kit comprising the oligonucleotide primer of the present invention, which are specific to either one of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention or the PCA3 mRNA containing the additional sequence of the present invention.\",\n \"Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the description that follows.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/943,907, filed Nov. 17, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/085,425 filed Nov. 20, 2013 (now abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"13/565,044 filed Aug. 2, 2012 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"8,618,276), which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"13/080,262 filed Apr.\",\n \"5, 2011 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"8,241,848), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/635,917 filed Dec. 11, 2009 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,927,806), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/098,577 filed Apr.\",\n \"7, 2008 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,655,408), which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"09/675,650 filed Sep. 29, 2000 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,368,545), which claims priority from U.S. provisional application No.\",\n \"60/156,594 filed Sep. 29, 1999.The patent applications identified above are incorporated here by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"SEQUENCE LISTING This application contains a Sequence Listing in computer readable form entitled “2018-01-17_01159-0005-07US_Sequence-Listing.txt”, created Dec. 27, 2017, having a size of 4.03 Kb.\",\n \"The Sequence Listing is incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to prostate cancer.\",\n \"More specifically, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules (messenger RNAs) encoded by the gene PCA3; the differential expression of two of these RNA species in non-malignant and malignant prostatic states; methods for specifically diagnosing prostate cancer based on the detection of the RNA species related to prostate cancer; therapeutic approaches to prostate cancer implying these two RNA species; nucleic acid molecules and antibodies having binding affinity for the differentially expressed mRNAs; kits containing nucleic acid probes or antibodies; bioassays using the nucleic acid sequences of the differentially expressed mRNAs of the present invention to diagnose, assess or prognose a mammal afflicted with or susceptible to developing prostate cancer; and to bioassays to screen for compounds which modulate the expression of the mRNAs of the present invention.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over the last decade, cancer of the prostate has become the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among men and the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in the western population, following lung cancer (Landis et al., 1998, CA Cancer J. Clin.\",\n \"48(1):6-29).\",\n \"Of all cancers, the incidence of prostate cancer increases most rapidly with age.\",\n \"As longevity among the western population increases, there continues to be a corresponding rise in the number of prostate cancers with an expected increase of 60% in this decade alone.\",\n \"Mortality has increased at a slower rate, but overall has doubled in the last 50 years.\",\n \"Although the disease is typically diagnosed in men over the age of 65, its impact is still significant in that the average life span of a man who dies from prostate cancer is reduced by 9-10 years.\",\n \"If discovered, early prostate cancer can now be cured with surgery in approximately 90% of cases.\",\n \"Unfortunately the disease is slowly fatal once the tumor spreads outsize the area of the gland and forms distant metastases.\",\n \"Early detection of the disease, while still confined to the prostate gland, and accurate staging for the selection of appropriate therapy should improve mortality rates.\",\n \"Despite many advances in recent years, the precision with which an individual suffering from prostate cancer can be staged is still sub-optimal.\",\n \"The main reason for this is that tumor spread beyond the prostate is generally microscopic rather than macroscopic.\",\n \"Digital rectal examination of the prostate has been the cornerstone for the local staging of prostatic cancer for many decades, but it oftentimes underestimates the extent of the disease.\",\n \"Transrectal ultrasound by itself is only of limited value as a means of prostate cancer staging.\",\n \"Computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have generally been disappointing in the staging of prostate cancer (Kirby, 1997, Prostate cancer and Prostatic Diseases 1:2-10).\",\n \"Recent promising approaches to prostate cancer staging imply the use of biochemical and molecular technologies, centered around proteins or their corresponding nucleic acids which are preferentially expressed in prostate cells (Lange, 1997, In “Principles and Practice of Genitourinary Oncology” ed.\",\n \"Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Ch.\",\n \"41, pp.\",\n \"417-425).\",\n \"The most notorious prostate markers are PSA (prostate specific antigen) and PSM (prostate specific membrane) antigen.\",\n \"PSA is a secreted glycoprotein encoded by the PSA gene located on chromosome 19.It is expressed under androgen control by glandular epithelial cells of the prostate and secreted into seminal plasma.\",\n \"PSA protein is normally confined to the prostate but in the case of prostatic disease such as cancer or BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia), PSA leaks into the blood where it is present in different forms, including one that is and one that is not bound to protein complexes (EI-Shirbiny, 1994, Adv.\",\n \"Clin.\",\n \"Chem.\",\n \"31:99).\",\n \"The measurement of total PSA serum concentrations is one of the most frequently used and FDA-approved biochemical tests in the screening and management of prostate cancer patients.\",\n \"Studies to date have suggested that screening with PSA, in conjunction with digital rectal exams and transrectal ultrasound, increases the detection of early prostate cancers often while still localized to the gland itself (Brawer et al., 1992, J. Urol.\",\n \"147:841).\",\n \"Serum PSA is also useful for monitoring of patients after therapy, especially after surgical prostatectomy.\",\n \"However, total PSA measurements also identify a large number of patients with abnormally elevated levels who are subsequently found to have no prostate cancer.\",\n \"Recently, the concept of measuring the percent free/total PSA ratio was shown to increase the specificity of prostate cancer screening in men with PSA between 4 and 10 ng/mL (Letran et al., 1998, J. Urol.\",\n \"160:426).\",\n \"The PSM gene encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by epithelial cells of normal prostate, benign prostate hyperplasia and, to a greater extent, malignant prostatic tissue.\",\n \"Low levels of PSM are also detected in some other tissues (Israeli et al., 1994, Cancer Res.\",\n \"54:1807).\",\n \"PSA and PSM have also been targets for molecular approaches to prostate cancer using RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction).\",\n \"This very sensitive nucleic acid amplification technology is used to identify cells based on the expression of specific messenger RNAs.\",\n \"It involves preparing RNA samples from tissues or body fluids, reverse transcribing it into cDNA and amplifying specific cDNAs by the use of primers that target the particular gene of interest.\",\n \"RT-PCR analyses of blood, lymph nodes and bone marrow from prostate cancer patients using PSA and PSM have disclosed the extreme sensitivity of this approach.\",\n \"However, the clinical value of molecular tests still has to be confirmed (Verkaik et al., 1997, Urol.\",\n \"Res.\",\n \"25:373; Gomella et al., 1997, J. Urol.\",\n \"158:326).\",\n \"Thus, there remains a need to provide a more sensitive test for diagnosing prostate cancer.\",\n \"There also remains a need to provide a better test for the staging of prostate cancer.\",\n \"There also remains a need to provide a prostate cancer marker which is more specific and more reliable to prostate cancer detection, staging and treatment methods.\",\n \"The present invention seeks to meet these and other needs.\",\n \"A new prostate cancer marker, PCA3, was discovered a few years ago by differential display analysis intended to highlight genes associated with prostate cancer development (PCT application number PCT/CA98/00346).\",\n \"PCA3 is located on chromosome 9 and composed of four exons.\",\n \"It encodes at least four different transcripts which are generated by alternative splicing and polyadenylation.\",\n \"By RT-PCR analysis, PCA3 expression was found to be limited to the prostate and absent in all other tissues, including testis, ovary, breast and bladder.\",\n \"Northern blot analysis showed that PCA3 is highly expressed in the vast majority of prostate cancers examined (47 out of 50) whereas no or very low expression is detected in benign prostate hyperplasia or normal prostate cells from the same patients.\",\n \"There is at least 20-fold overexpression of PCA3 in prostatic carcinomas in comparison to normal or BPH tissues.\",\n \"PCA3 expression seems to increase with tumor grade and is detected in metastatic lesions.\",\n \"In summary, prostate cancer staging based on specific markers such as PSA and PSM is a very promising avenue for the management of the disease.\",\n \"The drawback of using PSA or PSM for prostate cancer staging is that they are expressed in normal as well as in cancerous cells.\",\n \"In addition, poorly differentiated tumors may escape diagnosis since they tend to produce significantly less PSA protein than less aggressive tumors.\",\n \"This is the case for 10% of all prostate cancers.\",\n \"PCA3, on the other hand, is differentially expressed in cancerous and normal prostate cells, and its expression does not decrease with increasing tumor grade.\",\n \"PCA3 could therefore be a useful tool which may overcome the drawbacks of PSA and PSM in the diagnosis, staging and treatment of prostate cancer patients.\",\n \"The present description refers to a number of documents, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference, in their entirety.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention concerns the discovery of distinct PCA3 RNAs associated with a non-malignant and/or malignant status of the prostate.\",\n \"The invention also concerns the identification that a balance between the level of these PCA3 mRNAs correlates with the non-malignant or the malignant status of the prostate.\",\n \"One of these RNAs corresponds to a PCA3 RNA molecule having an additional sequence of 228 bp (shown in SEQ ID NO:1), inserted between exons 3 and 4a, whereas the other lacks the additional sequence (SEQ ID NO:2).\",\n \"The RNA lacking the additional sequence is associated with prostate cancer whereas the RNA comprising same is associated with a non-malignant prostatic state.\",\n \"Based on the differential expression of these two PCA3 RNA species, protocols for the diagnosis of prostate disease are provided.\",\n \"The above findings could also lead to a therapeutic approach to prostate cancer.\",\n \"The invention further concerns reagents and methods to assess the prostate status in an animal, comprising a quantitative determination of SEQ ID NO:1 or fragments, or variants thereof with respect to SEQ ID NO:2 or fragments, or variants thereof.\",\n \"Thus, the present invention relates to the discovery and characterization of a novel sequence expressed in PCA3 mRNA, which enables a determination of the prostate status of an animal, based on a determination of the relative abundance of two differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"The invention provides, in general, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs and to variants or portions thereof, retaining their ability to enable a prostate status determination.\",\n \"The invention further provides purified polypeptides encoded by the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs of the present invention or an epitope binding portion thereof.\",\n \"The invention also provides nucleic acids for the specific detection of the presence of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs associated with prostate cancer or proteins or polypeptides encoded by such mRNAs in a sample.\",\n \"The invention further provides a method of detecting nucleic acid encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"The invention also provides a kit for detecting the presence of nucleic acid encoding differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.\",\n \"The invention in addition provides a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising, 5′ to 3′, a promoter effective to initiate transcription in a host cell and the above-described isolated nucleic acid molecule, variants or fragments thereof, encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"The invention also provides a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a vector and the above-described isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"The invention further provides an antisense nucleic acid molecule specific to the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"The invention also provides a cell that contains an above-described recombinant nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"The invention further relates to a non-human organism that contains an above-described recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA.\",\n \"In particular, the invention relates to a non-human organism containing a recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a PCA3 mRNA having an additional sequence between exon 3 and exon 4a.\",\n \"In a particularly preferred embodiment, this additional sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, variants of parts thereof.\",\n \"The invention also relates to an antibody having binding affinity specifically to a polypeptide encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA or an epitope-bearing portion thereof.\",\n \"The invention further provides a method of detecting differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.\",\n \"As well, it also provides a method of measuring the amount of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs in a sample.\",\n \"The invention further relates to a method of detecting antibodies having binding affinity specifically to polypeptides encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the invention further relates to a diagnostic kit comprising a first container means containing nucleic acid molecules specific for a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA, and a second container means containing a probe specific to a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the invention relates to a diagnostic kit comprising a first container means containing the above-described antibody, and a second container means containing a conjugate comprising a binding partner of the monoclonal antibody and a label.\",\n \"The invention also provides a hybridoma which produces the above-described monoclonal antibody.\",\n \"As well, the invention further relates to diagnostic methods for human disease, in particular, prostate cancer.\",\n \"Preferably, a method of diagnosing the presence or predisposition to develop prostate cancer in a patient is provided herein.\",\n \"The invention also provides methods for therapeutic uses involving all or part of (1) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs, variants or parts thereof, (2) antisense to differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA molecules, variants or parts thereof, (3) protein encoded by a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA, variants or parts thereof, or (4) antibodies to proteins encoded by differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"Further, the invention provides a method to modulate the level of differentially expressed of a first PCA3 mRNA (e.g.\",\n \"the long one) and a second PCA3 mRNA (e.g.\",\n \"the short one) by expressing one of the first or second differentially expressed mRNA.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a modulation of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs such that the level of the first PCA3 mRNA is superior to that of the second.\",\n \"Having identified the differential expression of mRNAs as a marker for prostatic state of an animal, and more particularly having shown that the presence of the additional sequence, which interrupts the coding sequence of the PCA3 encoded protein, correlates with a non-malignant state, while the absence of the additional sequence and a non-interruption of the thereby encoded protein, correlates with malignant cancer, the present invention therefore provides the means to interrupt the coding sequence of the PCA3 protein, using any means of genetic engineering, known to a skilled artisan, and assesses whether such an interruption can revert the malignant phenotype.\",\n \"In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of terms used in the present description, a number of definitions are provided hereinbelow.\",\n \"As used herein, the terminology “non-malignant prostate or status” is meant to cover a non-cancerous prostatic state.\",\n \"Thus, these terminologies are meant to include a normal status as well as a benign prostatic status (such as BPH, for example).\",\n \"Since the differentiating markers between the malignant and non-malignant prostatic state is at the mRNA and protein level (i.e., an expressed marker), one of the advantages of the present invention is to enable a determination of the prostatic status in an animal using a number of available means to the skilled artisan.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples of such means include nucleic acid probes, antibodies, ligands and PNAs, in easily obtainable cells which express these differentiating markers.\",\n \"A non-limiting example thereof is lymphocytes, thereby enabling a determination from a simple blood sample.\",\n \"The term “sample” is used herein broadly to refer to all types of samples from an animal in which the differential expression of the short and/or long PCA3 nucleic acid or protein of the present invention can be analyzed.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples thereof include biopsies, blood, fine needle aspirate, urine and bone marrow.\",\n \"Nucleotide sequences are presented herein by single strand, in the 5′ to 3′ direction, from left to right, using the one letter nucleotide symbols as commonly used in the art and in accordance with the recommendations of the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission.\",\n \"Unless defined otherwise, the scientific and technological terms and nomenclature used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill to which this invention pertains.\",\n \"Generally, the procedures for cell cultures, infection, molecular biology methods and the like are common methods used in the art.\",\n \"Such standard techniques can be found in reference manuals such as for example Sambrook et al.\",\n \"(1989, Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories) and Ausubel et al.\",\n \"(1994, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley, New York).\",\n \"The present description refers to a number of routinely used recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology terms.\",\n \"Nevertheless, definitions of selected examples of such rDNA terms are provided for clarity and consistency.\",\n \"As used herein, “nucleic acid molecule”, refers to a polymer of nucleotides.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples thereof include DNA (i.e., genomic DNA, cDNA) and RNA molecules (i.e., mRNA).\",\n \"The nucleic acid molecule can be obtained by cloning techniques or synthesized.\",\n \"DNA can be double-stranded or single-stranded (coding strand or non-coding strand [antisense]).\",\n \"The term “recombinant DNA” as known in the art refers to a DNA molecule resulting from the joining of DNA segments.\",\n \"This is often referred to as genetic engineering.\",\n \"The term “DNA segment”, is used herein, to refer to a DNA molecule comprising a linear stretch or sequence of nucleotides.\",\n \"This sequence when read in accordance with the genetic code, can encode a linear stretch or sequence of amino acids which can be referred to as a polypeptide, protein, protein fragment and the like.\",\n \"The terminology “amplification pair” refers herein to a pair of oligonucleotides (oligos) of the present invention, which are selected to be used together in amplifying a selected nucleic acid sequence by one of a number of types of amplification processes, preferably a polymerase chain reaction.\",\n \"Other types of amplification processes include ligase chain reaction, strand displacement amplification, or nucleic acid sequence-based amplification, as explained in greater detail below.\",\n \"As commonly known in the art, the oligos are designed to bind to a complementary sequence under selected conditions.\",\n \"In one particular embodiment, amplification of a nucleic acid sample from a patient is amplified under conditions which favor the amplification of the most abundant differentially expressed nucleic acid.\",\n \"In one preferred embodiment, RT-PCR is carried out on an mRNA sample from a patient under conditions which favor the amplification of the most abundant PCA3 mRNA.\",\n \"In another preferred embodiment, the amplification of the differentially expressed PCA3 nucleic acids is carried out simultaneously.\",\n \"Of course, it will be realized by a person skilled in the art that such methods could be adapted for the detection of differentially expressed proteins instead of differentially expressed nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"The nucleic acid (i.e., DNA or RNA) for practicing the present invention may be obtained according to well known methods.\",\n \"Oligonucleotide probes or primers of the present invention may be of any suitable length, depending on the particular assay format and the particular needs and targeted genomes employed.\",\n \"In general, the oligonucleotide probes or primers are at least 12 nucleotides in length, preferably between 15 and 24 molecules, and they may be adapted to be especially suited to a chosen nucleic acid amplification system.\",\n \"As commonly known in the art, the oligonucleotide probes and primers can be designed by taking into consideration the melting point of hydrizidation thereof with its targeted sequence (see below and in Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, CSH Laboratories; Ausubel et al., 1989, in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons Inc., N.Y.).\",\n \"The term “oligonucleotide” or “DNA” molecule or sequence refers to a molecule comprised of the deoxyribonucleotides adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T) and/or cytosine (C).\",\n \"When in a double-stranded form, it can comprise or include a “regulatory element” according to the present invention, as the term is defined herein.\",\n \"The term “oligonucleotide” or “DNA” can be found in linear DNA molecules or fragments, viruses, plasmids, vectors, chromosomes or synthetically derived DNA.\",\n \"As used herein, particular double-stranded DNA sequences may be described according to the normal convention of giving only the sequence in the 5′ to 3′ direction.\",\n \"It will also be recognized that “oligonucleotide” can be in a single-stranded form.\",\n \"“Nucleic acid hybridization” refers generally to the hybridization of two single-stranded nucleic acid molecules having complementary base sequences, which under appropriate conditions will form a thermodynamically favored double-stranded structure.\",\n \"Examples of hybridization conditions can be found in the two laboratory manuals referred above (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra and Ausubel et al., 1989, supra) and are commonly known in the art.\",\n \"In the case of a hybridization to a nitrocellulose filter, as for example in the well known Southern blotting procedure, a nitrocellulose filter can be incubated overnight at 65° C. with a labeled probe in a solution containing 50% formamide, high salt (5×SSC or 5×SSPE), 5×Denhardt's solution, 1% SDS, and 100 μg/ml denatured carrier DNA (i.e.\",\n \"salmon sperm DNA).\",\n \"The non-specifically binding probe can then be washed off the filter by several washes in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at a temperature which is selected in view of the desired stringency: room temperature (low stringency), 42° C. (moderate stringency) or 65° C. (high stringency).\",\n \"The selected temperature is based on the melting temperature (Tm) of the DNA hybrid.\",\n \"Of course, RNA-DNA hybrids can also be formed and detected.\",\n \"In such cases, the conditions of hybridization and washing can be adapted according to well known methods by the person of ordinary skill.\",\n \"Stringent conditions will be preferably used (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).\",\n \"Probes of the invention can be utilized with naturally occurring sugar-phosphate backbones as well as modified backbones including phosphorothioates, dithionates, alkyl phosphonates and α-nucleotides and the like.\",\n \"Modified sugar-phosphate backbones are generally taught by Miller, 1988, Ann.\",\n \"Reports Med.\",\n \"Chem.\",\n \"23:295 and Moran et al., 1987, Nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"Acids Res., 14:5019.Probes of the invention can be constructed of either ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and preferably of DNA.\",\n \"The types of detection methods in which probes can be used include Southern blots (DNA detection), dot or slot blots (DNA, RNA), and Northern blots (RNA detection).\",\n \"Although less preferred, labeled proteins could also be used to detect a particular nucleic acid sequence to which it binds.\",\n \"More recently, PNAs have been described (Nielsen et al.\",\n \"1999, Current Opin.\",\n \"Biotechnol.\",\n \"10:71-75).\",\n \"PNAs could also be used to detect the mRNAs of the present invention.\",\n \"Other detection methods include kits containing probes on a dipstick setup and the like.\",\n \"Although the present invention is not specifically dependent on the use of a label for the detection of a particular nucleic acid sequence, such a label might be beneficial, by increasing the sensitivity of the detection.\",\n \"Furthermore, it enables automation.\",\n \"Probes can be labeled according to numerous well known methods (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).\",\n \"Non-limiting examples of labels include 3H, 14C, 32P, and 35S.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples of detectable markers include ligands, fluorophores, chemiluminescent agents, enzymes, and antibodies.\",\n \"Other detectable markers for use with probes, which can enable an increase in sensitivity of the method of the invention, include biotin and radionucleotides.\",\n \"It will become evident to the person of ordinary skill that the choice of a particular label dictates the manner in which it is bound to the probe.\",\n \"As commonly known, radioactive nucleotides can be incorporated into probes of the invention by several methods.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples thereof include kinasing the 5′ ends of the probes using gamma 32P ATP and polynucleotide kinase, using the Klenow fragment of Pol I of E. coli in the presence of radioactive dNTP (i.e., uniformly labeled DNA probe using random oligonucleotide primers in low-melt gels), using the SP6/T7 system to transcribe a DNA segment in the presence of one or more radioactive NTP, and the like.\",\n \"As used herein, “oligonucleotides” or “oligos” define a molecule having two or more nucleotides (ribo or deoxyribonucleotides).\",\n \"The size of the oligo will be dictated by the particular situation and ultimately on the particular use thereof and adapted accordingly by the person of ordinary skill.\",\n \"An oligonucleotide can be synthetised chemically or derived by cloning according to well known methods.\",\n \"As used herein, a “primer” defines an oligonucleotide which is capable of annealing to a target sequence, thereby creating a double stranded region which can serve as an initiation point for DNA synthesis under suitable conditions.\",\n \"Amplification of a selected, or target, nucleic acid sequence may be carried out by a number of suitable methods.\",\n \"See generally Kwoh et al., 1990, Am.\",\n \"Biotechnol.\",\n \"Lab.\",\n \"8:14-25.Numerous amplification techniques have been described and can be readily adapted to suit particular needs of a person of ordinary skill.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples of amplification techniques include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR), strand displacement amplification (SDA), transcription-based amplification, the Q13 replicase system and NASBA (Kwoh et al., 1989, Proc.\",\n \"Natl.\",\n \"Acad.\",\n \"Sci.\",\n \"USA 86, 1173-1177; Lizardi et al., 1988, BioTechnology 6:1197-1202; Malek et al., 1994, Methods Mol.\",\n \"Biol., 28:253-260; and Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).\",\n \"Preferably, amplification will be carried out using PCR.\",\n \"Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is carried out in accordance with known techniques.\",\n \"See, e.g., U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"4,683,195; 4,683,202; 4,800,159; and 4,965,188 (the disclosures of all three U.S. patent are incorporated herein by reference).\",\n \"In general, PCR involves, a treatment of a nucleic acid sample (e.g., in the presence of a heat stable DNA polymerase) under hybridizing conditions, with one oligonucleotide primer for each strand of the specific sequence to be detected.\",\n \"An extension product of each primer which is synthesized is complementary to each of the two nucleic acid strands, with the primers sufficiently complementary to each strand of the specific sequence to hybridize therewith.\",\n \"The extension product synthesized from each primer can also serve as a template for further synthesis of extension products using the same primers.\",\n \"Following a sufficient number of rounds of synthesis of extension products, the sample is analysed to assess whether the sequence or sequences to be detected are present.\",\n \"Detection of the amplified sequence may be carried out by visualization following EtBr staining of the DNA following gel electrophoresis, or using a detectable label in accordance with known techniques, and the like.\",\n \"For a review on PCR techniques (see PCR Protocols, A Guide to Methods and Amplifications, Michael et al.\",\n \"Eds, Acad.\",\n \"Press, 1990).\",\n \"Ligase chain reaction (LCR) is carried out in accordance with known techniques (Weiss, 1991, Science 254:1292).\",\n \"Adaptation of the protocol to meet the desired needs can be carried out by a person of ordinary skill.\",\n \"Strand displacement amplification (SDA) is also carried out in accordance with known techniques or adaptations thereof to meet the particular needs (Walker et al., 1992, Proc.\",\n \"Natl.\",\n \"Acad.\",\n \"Sci.\",\n \"USA 89:392-396; and ibid., 1992, Nucleic Acids Res.\",\n \"20:1691-1696).\",\n \"As used herein, the term “gene” is well known in the art and relates to a nucleic acid sequence defining a single protein or polypeptide.\",\n \"A “structural gene” defines a DNA sequence which is transcribed into RNA and translated into a protein having a specific amino acid sequence thereby giving rise the a specific polypeptide or protein.\",\n \"It will be readily recognized by the person of ordinary skill, that the nucleic acid sequence of the present invention can be incorporated into anyone of numerous established kit formats which are well known in the art.\",\n \"A “heterologous” (i.e., a heterologous gene) region of a DNA molecule is a subsegment segment of DNA within a larger segment that is not found in association therewith in nature.\",\n \"The term “heterologous” can be similarly used to define two polypeptidic segments not joined together in nature.\",\n \"Non-limiting examples of heterologous genes include reporter genes such as luciferase, chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, β-galactosidase, and the like which can be juxtaposed or joined to heterologous control regions or to heterologous polypeptides.\",\n \"The term “vector” is commonly known in the art and defines a plasmid DNA, phage DNA, viral DNA and the like, which can serve as a DNA vehicle into which DNA of the present invention can be cloned.\",\n \"Numerous types of vectors exist and are well known in the art.\",\n \"The term “expression” defines the process by which a gene is transcribed into mRNA (transcription), the mRNA is then being translated (translation) into one polypeptide (or protein) or more.\",\n \"The terminology “expression vector” defines a vector or vehicle as described above but designed to enable the expression of an inserted sequence following transformation into a host.\",\n \"The cloned gene (inserted sequence) is usually placed under the control of control element sequences such as promoter sequences.\",\n \"The placing of a cloned gene under such control sequences is often referred to as being operably linked to control elements or sequences.\",\n \"Operably linked sequences may also include two segments that are transcribed onto the same RNA transcript.\",\n \"Thus, two sequences, such as a promoter and a “reporter sequence” are operably linked if transcription commencing in the promoter will produce an RNA transcript of the reporter sequence.\",\n \"In order to be “operably linked” it is not necessary that two sequences be immediately adjacent to one another.\",\n \"Expression control sequences will vary depending on whether the vector is designed to express the operably linked gene in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host or both (shuttle vectors) and can additionally contain transcriptional elements such as enhancer elements, termination sequences, tissue-specificity elements, and/or translational initiation and termination sites.\",\n \"Prokaryotic expressions are useful for the preparation of large quantities of the protein encoded by the DNA sequence of interest.\",\n \"This protein can be purified according to standard protocols that take advantage of the intrinsic properties thereof, such as size and charge (i.e., SDS gel electrophoresis, gel filtration, centrifugation, ion exchange chromatography .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \").\",\n \"In addition, the protein of interest can be purified via affinity chromatography using polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies.\",\n \"The purified protein can be used for therapeutic applications.\",\n \"The DNA construct can be a vector comprising a promoter that is operably linked to an oligonucleotide sequence of the present invention, which is in turn, operably linked to a heterologous gene, such as the gene for the luciferase reporter molecule.\",\n \"“Promoter” refers to a DNA regulatory region capable of binding directly or indirectly to RNA polymerase in a cell and initiating transcription of a downstream (3′ direction) coding sequence.\",\n \"For purposes of the present invention, the promoter is bound at its 3′ terminus by the transcription initiation site and extends upstream (5′ direction) to include the minimum number of bases or elements necessary to initiate transcription at levels detectable above background.\",\n \"Within the promoter will be found a transcription initiation site (conveniently defined by mapping with S1 nuclease), as well as protein binding domains (consensus sequences) responsible for the binding of RNA polymerase.\",\n \"Eukaryotic promoters will often, but not always, contain “TATA” boxes and “CCAT” boxes.\",\n \"Prokaryotic promoters contain −10 and −35 consensus sequences, which serve to initiate transcription and the transcript products contain a Shine-Dalgarno sequence, which serves a ribosome binding sequences during translation initiation.\",\n \"As used herein, the designation “functional derivative” denotes, in the context of a functional derivative of a sequence whether an nucleic acid or amino acid sequence, a molecule that retains a biological activity (either function or structural) that is substantially similar to that of the original sequence.\",\n \"This functional derivative or equivalent may be a natural derivative or may be prepared synthetically.\",\n \"Such derivatives include amino acid sequences having substitutions, deletions, or additions of one or more amino acids, provided that the biological activity of the protein is conserved.\",\n \"The same applies to derivatives of nucleic acid sequences which can have substitutions, deletions, or additions of one or more nucleotides, provided that the biological activity of the sequence is generally maintained.\",\n \"When relating to a protein sequence, the substituting amino acid as chemico-physical properties which are similar to that of the substituted amino acid.\",\n \"The similar chemico-physical properties include, similarities in charge, bulkiness, hydrophobicity, hydrophylicity and the like.\",\n \"The term “functional derivatives” is intended to include “fragments”, “segments”, “variants”, “analogs” or “chemical derivatives” of the subject matter of the present invention.\",\n \"Thus, the term “variant” refers herein to a protein or nucleic acid molecule which is substantially similar in structure and biological activity to the protein or nucleic acid of the present invention.\",\n \"The functional derivatives of the present invention can be synthesized chemically or produced through recombinant DNA technology.\",\n \"All these methods are well known in the art.\",\n \"As used herein, “chemical derivatives” is meant to cover additional chemical moieties not normally part of the subject matter of the invention.\",\n \"Such moieties could affect the physico-chemical characteristic of the derivative (i.e., solubility, absorption, half life and the like, decrease of toxicity).\",\n \"Such moieties are exemplified in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (1980).\",\n \"Methods of coupling these chemical-physical moieties to a polypeptide are well known in the art.\",\n \"The term “allele” defines an alternative form of a gene which occupies a given locus on a chromosome.\",\n \"As commonly known, a “mutation” is a detectable change in the genetic material which can be transmitted to a daughter cell.\",\n \"As well known, a mutation can be, for example, a detectable change in one or more deoxyribonucleotide.\",\n \"For example, nucleotides can be added, deleted, substituted for, inverted, or transposed to a new position.\",\n \"Spontaneous mutations and experimentally induced mutations exist.\",\n \"The result of a mutations of nucleic acid molecule is a mutant nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"A mutant polypeptide can be encoded from this mutant nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"As used herein, the term purified refers to a molecule having been separated from a cellular component.\",\n \"Thus, for example, a purified protein has been purified to a level not found in nature.\",\n \"A substantially pure molecule is a molecule that is lacking in all other cellular components.\",\n \"As used herein, the terms molecule, compound, or agent are used interchangeably and broadly to refer to natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic molecules or compounds.\",\n \"The term molecule therefore denotes for example chemicals, macromolecules, cell or tissue extracts (from plants or animals) and the like.\",\n \"Non limiting examples of molecules include nucleic acid molecules, peptides, ligands, including antibodies, carbohydrates and pharmaceutical agents.\",\n \"The agents can be selected and screened by a variety of means including random screening, rational selection and by rational design using for example protein or ligand modelling methods such as computer modelling.\",\n \"The terms rationally selected or rationally designed are meant to define compounds which have been chosen based on the configuration of the interaction domains of the present invention.\",\n \"As will be understood by the person of ordinary skill, macromolecules having non-naturally occurring modifications are also within the scope of the term molecule.\",\n \"For example, peptidomimetics, well known in the pharmaceutical industry and generally referred to as peptide analogs can be generated by modelling as mentioned above.\",\n \"Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, the polypeptides of the present invention are modified to enhance their stability.\",\n \"It should be understood that in most cases this modification should not alter the biological activity of the protein.\",\n \"The molecules identified in accordance with the teachings of the present invention have a therapeutic value in diseases or conditions in which the physiology or homeostasis of the cell and/or tissue is compromised by a defect in the expression of PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"Alternatively, the molecules identified in accordance with the teachings of the present invention find utility in the development of compounds which can modulate the expression of a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA or modulate the activity or level of a protein encoded thereby.\",\n \"As used herein, agonists and antagonists also include potentiators of known compounds with such agonist or antagonist properties.\",\n \"In one embodiment, modulators of the level or the activity of the PCA3 protein lacking the additional sequence of the present invention can be identified and selected by contacting the indicator cell with a compound or mixture or library of molecules for a fixed period of time.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the additional sequence-containing PCA3 protein can serve as a control.\",\n \"The present invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules which can be used for example to decrease or abrogate the expression of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention or of the protein encoded thereby.\",\n \"An antisense nucleic acid molecule according to the present invention refers to a molecule capable of forming a stable duplex or triplex with a portion of its targeted nucleic acid sequence (DNA or RNA).\",\n \"The use of antisense nucleic acid molecules and the design and modification of such molecules is well known in the art as described for example in WO 96/32966, WO 96/11266, WO 94/15646, WO 93/08845 and U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,593,974.Antisense nucleic acid molecules according to the present invention can be derived from the nucleic acid sequences and modified in accordance to well known methods.\",\n \"For example, some antisense molecules can be designed to be more resistant to degradation to increase their affinity to their targeted sequence, to affect their transport to chosen cell types or cell compartments, and/or to enhance their lipid solubility by using nucleotide analogs and/or substituting chosen chemical fragments thereof, as commonly known in the art.\",\n \"An indicator cell in accordance with the present invention can be used to identify antagonists.\",\n \"For example, the test molecule or molecules are incubated with the host cell in conjunction with one or more agonists held at a fixed concentration.\",\n \"An indication and relative strength of the antagonistic properties of the molecule(s) can be provided by comparing the level of gene expression in the indicator cell in the presence of the agonist, in the absence of test molecules vs in the presence thereof.\",\n \"Of course, the antagonistic effect of a molecule can also be determined in the absence of agonist, simply by comparing the level of expression of the reporter gene product in the presence and absence of the test molecule(s).\",\n \"It shall be understood that the “in vivo” experimental model can also be used to carry out an “in vitro” assay.\",\n \"For example, cellular extracts from the indicator cells can be prepared and used in one of the aforementioned “in vitro” tests.\",\n \"As used herein the recitation indicator cells refers to cells that express a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA according to the present invention.\",\n \"In some embodiment, the protein encoded by the nucleic acid sequence can be coupled to an identifiable or selectable phenotype or characteristic.\",\n \"Such indicator cells can be used in the screening assays of the present invention.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the indicator cells have been engineered so as to express a chosen derivative, fragment, homolog, or mutant of the differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNA of the present invention.\",\n \"The cells can be yeast cells or higher eukaryotic cells such as mammalian cells.\",\n \"When the binding partner for the PCA3 protein will have been identified, the interaction between the two partners will be able to serve as a target for the modulation of the activity of this PCA3-encoded protein.\",\n \"In one particular embodiment, the indicator cell would be a yeast cell harboring vectors enabling the use of the two hybrid system technology, as well known in the art (Ausubel et al., 1994, supra) and can be used to test a compound or a library thereof.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a reporter gene encoding a selectable marker or an assayable protein can be operably linked to a control element such that expression of the selectable marker or assayable protein is dependent on the interaction of the PCA3-encoded protein and its binding partner.\",\n \"Such an indicator cell could be used to rapidly screen at high-throughput a vast array of test molecules.\",\n \"In a particular embodiment, the reporter gene is luciferase or β-Gal.\",\n \"In some embodiments, it might be beneficial to express a protein of the present invention as a fusion protein.\",\n \"The design of constructs therefor and the expression and production of fusion proteins and are well known in the art (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra; and Ausubel et al., 1994, supra).\",\n \"Non limiting examples of such fusion proteins include a hemaglutinin fusions and Gluthione-S-transferase (GST) fusions and Maltose binding protein (MBP) fusions.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, it might be beneficial to introduce a protease cleavage site between the two polypeptide sequences which have been fused.\",\n \"Such protease cleavage sites between two heterologously fused polypeptides are well known in the art.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, it might also be beneficial to fuse the protein of the present invention to signal peptide sequences enabling a secretion of the fusion protein from the host cell.\",\n \"Signal peptides from diverse organisms are well known in the art.\",\n \"Bacterial OmpA and yeast Suc2 are two non limiting examples of proteins containing signal sequences.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, it might also be beneficial to introduce a linker (commonly known) between the interaction domain and the heterologous polypeptide portion.\",\n \"Such fusion protein find utility in the assays of the present invention as well as for purification purposes, detection purposes and the like.\",\n \"For certainty, the sequences and polypeptides useful to practice the invention include without being limited thereto mutants, homologs, subtypes, alleles and the like.\",\n \"It shall be understood that generally, the sequences of the present invention should encode a functional (albeit defective) PCA3 protein.\",\n \"It will be clear to the person of ordinary skill that whether the PCA3 of the present invention, variant, derivative, or fragment thereof retains its can be determined by using the teachings and assays of the present invention and the general teachings of the art.\",\n \"As exemplified herein below, the PCA3 protein of the present invention can be modified, for example by in vitro mutagenesis, to dissect the structure-function relationship thereof and permit a better design and identification of modulating compounds.\",\n \"However, some derivative or analogs having lost their biological function may still find utility, for example for raising antibodies.\",\n \"These antibodies could be used for detection or purification purposes.\",\n \"In addition, these antibodies could also act as competitive or non-competitive inhibitor and be found to be modulators of the activity of the PCA3 protein of the present invention.\",\n \"A host cell or indicator cell has been “transfected by exogenous or heterologous DNA (e.g., a DNA construct) when such DNA has been introduced inside the cell.\",\n \"The transfecting DNA may or may not be integrated (covalently linked) into chromosomal DNA making up the genome of the cell.\",\n \"In prokaryotes, yeast, and mammalian cells for example, the transfecting DNA may be maintained on an episomal element such as a plasmid.\",\n \"With respect to eukaryotic cells, a stably transfected cell is one in which the transfecting DNA has become integrated into a chromosome so that it is inherited by daughter cells through chromosome replication.\",\n \"This stability is demonstrated by the ability of the eukaryotic cell to establish cell lines or clones comprised of a population of daughter cells containing the transfecting DNA.\",\n \"Transfection methods are well known in the art (Sambrook et al., 1989, supra; Ausubel et al., 1994 supra).\",\n \"The use of a mammalian cell as indicator can provide the advantage of furnishing an intermediate factor, which permits for example the interaction of two polypeptides which are tested, that might not be present in lower eukaryotes or prokaryotes.\",\n \"It will be understood that extracts from mammalian cells for example could be used in certain embodiments, to compensate for the lack of certain factors.\",\n \"In general, techniques for preparing antibodies (including monoclonal antibodies and hybridomas) and for detecting antigens using antibodies are well known in the art (Campbell, 1984, In Monoclonal Antibody Technology: Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Elsevier Science Publisher, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and in Harlow et al., 1988 (in: Antibody-A Laboratory Manual, CSH Laboratories).\",\n \"The present invention also provides polyclonal, monoclonal antibodies, or humanized versions thereof, chimeric antibodies and the like which inhibit or neutralize their respective interaction domains and/or are specific thereto.\",\n \"From the specification and appended claims, the term therapeutic agent should be taken in a broad sense so as to also include a combination of at least two such therapeutic agents.\",\n \"Further, the DNA segments or proteins according to the present invention can be introduced into individuals in a number of ways.\",\n \"For example, prostatic cells can be isolated from the afflicted individual, transformed with a DNA construct according to the invention and reintroduced to the afflicted individual in a number of ways.\",\n \"Alternatively, the DNA construct can be administered directly to the afflicted individual.\",\n \"The DNA construct can also be delivered through a vehicle such as a liposome, which can be designed to be targeted to a specific cell type, and engineered to be administered through different routes.\",\n \"For administration to humans, the prescribing medical professional will ultimately determine the appropriate form and dosage for a given patient, and this can be expected to vary according to the chosen therapeutic regimen (i.e., DNA construct, protein, cells), the response and condition of the patient as well as the severity of the disease.\",\n \"Composition within the scope of the present invention should contain the active agent (i.e.\",\n \"fusion protein, nucleic acid, and molecule) in an amount effective to achieve the desired therapeutic effect while avoiding adverse side effects.\",\n \"Typically, the nucleic acids in accordance with the present invention can be administered to mammals (i.e., humans) in doses ranging from 0.005 to 1 mg per kg of body weight per day of the mammal which is treated.\",\n \"Pharmaceutically acceptable preparations and salts of the active agent are within the scope of the present invention and are well known in the art (Remington's Pharmaceutical Science, 16th Ed., Mack Ed.).\",\n \"For the administration of polypeptides, antagonists, agonists and the like, the amount administered should be chosen so as to avoid adverse side effects.\",\n \"The dosage will be adapted by the clinician in accordance with conventional factors such as the extent of the disease and different parameters from the patient.\",\n \"Typically, 0.001 to 50 mg/kg/day will be administered to the mammal.\",\n \"The present invention relates to a kit for diagnosing and/or staging prostate cancer or a predisposition to contracting same comprising a nucleic acid, a protein or a ligand in accordance with the present invention.\",\n \"For example, a compartmentalized kit in accordance with the present invention includes any kit in which reagents are contained in separate containers.\",\n \"Such containers include small glass containers, plastic containers or strips of plastic or paper.\",\n \"Such containers allow the efficient transfer of reagents from one compartment to another compartment such that the samples and reagents are not cross-contaminated and the agents or solutions of each container can be added in a quantitative fashion from one compartment to another.\",\n \"Such containers will include a container which will accept the test sample (DNA, protein or cells), a container which contains the primers used in the assay, containers which contain enzymes, containers which contain wash reagents, and containers which contain the reagents used to detect the extension products.\",\n \"The present invention also relates to a kit comprising the oligonucleotide primer of the present invention, which are specific to either one of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention or the PCA3 mRNA containing the additional sequence of the present invention.\",\n \"Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the description that follows.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 shows the PCA3 genomic structure and location of oligonucleotides used for PCR; FIG.\",\n \"2 shows a gel separating PCA3 RT-PCR products amplified from tissue biopsies of prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia, using the primers of Example 1; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates the nucleic acid sequences of RT-PCR-amplified PCA3 fragments with and without the additional sequence of the present invention.\",\n \"The sequences were amplified using PCR primers located in exon 3 and exon 4a.\",\n \"Primer sequences are shown in bold letters.\",\n \"Capital letters represent nucleic acids common to both sequences; FIG.\",\n \"4 shows the amino acid sequence predicted from the PCA3 mRNAs containing the additional sequence of the present invention.\",\n \"This sequence corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 3 and includes amino acids 1-23 of the original PCA3 polypeptide; and FIG.\",\n \"5 shows examples of antigenic epitope-bearing PCA3 peptides comprising 8 amino acids (calculated according to H. G. Rammensee et al., 1995, MHC ligands and peptide motifs: first listing, in Immunogenics; 41(4)).\",\n \"The amino acid sequences of the exemplified antigenic epitopes are indicated on the right and correspond, from top to bottom, to SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 12.Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing which is exemplary and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated and/or purified differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNA molecule.\",\n \"Preferably, the PCA3 mRNA or nucleic acid molecule comprises a polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical (more preferably, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical) to a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a differentially expressed PCA3 polypeptide comprising the complete amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 3; (b) a nucleotide sequence complementary to any of the nucleotide sequences in (a) or (b).\",\n \"In another embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises a differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA nucleotide sequence with greater than 90% identity or similarity to the nucleotide sequence present in SEQ ID NO: 1 (preferably greater than 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100%).\",\n \"In another preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA sequence lacking the additional sequence present in SEQ ID NO:2.In another embodiment, the isolated differentially expressed additional sequence-minus mRNA sequence nucleic acid molecule encodes the differentially expressed PCA3 amino acid sequence present in SEQ ID NO:3.Although PCT application CA98/00346 teaches a number of alternatively spliced mRNAs, prior to the present invention, a PCA3 mRNA comprising an additional sequence between exon 3 and exon 4a had not been identified.\",\n \"Furthermore, the identification of this additional sequence as a distinguishing marker of the prostate state had not been made.\",\n \"In addition, the correlation between the PCA3 mRNA minus the additional sequence and prostate cancer (as opposed to the PCA3 mRNA-containing the additional sequence in non-prostate cancer [i.e., normal or BPH]) had not been made.\",\n \"Thus, the additional sequence in PCA3 mRNA enables a prognosis and diagnosis of prostatic diseases in a patient.\",\n \"Preferably, the PCA3 nucleic acid molecule comprises a polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical (more preferably, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical) to one of the above-described differentially expressed mRNAs.\",\n \"Also included within the scope of this invention are the functional equivalents of the herein-described isolated nucleic acid molecules and derivatives thereof.\",\n \"For example, the nucleic acid sequences depicted in SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2 can be altered by substitutions, additions or deletions that provide for functionally equivalent molecules.\",\n \"Due to the degeneracy of nucleotide coding sequences, other DNA sequences which encode substantially the same amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID NO: 3 can be used in the practice of the present invention.\",\n \"In addition, the nucleic acid sequence can comprise a nucleotide sequence which results from the addition, deletion or substitution of at least one nucleotide to the 5′-end and/or the 3′-end of the nucleic acid formula shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or 2 or a derivative thereof.\",\n \"Any nucleotide or polynucleotide can be used in this regard, provided that its addition, deletion or substitution does not substantially alter the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 which is encoded by the additional sequence-containing nucleotide sequence.\",\n \"Moreover, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can, as necessary, have restriction endonuclease recognition sites added to its 5′-end and/or 3′-end.\",\n \"All variations of the nucleotide sequence of the PCA3 nucleotide coding sequence and fragments thereof permitted by the genetic code are, therefore, included in this invention.\",\n \"Further, it is possible to delete codons or to substitute one or more codons by codons other than degenerate codons to produce a structurally modified polypeptide, but one which has substantially the same utility or activity of the polypeptide produced by the unmodified nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"As recognized in the art, the two polypeptides are functionally equivalent, as are the two nucleic acid molecules which give rise to their production, even though the differences between the nucleic acid molecules are not related to degeneracy of the genetic code.\",\n \"One skilled in the art will realize that genomes often contain slight allelic variations between individuals.\",\n \"Therefore, the isolated nucleic acid molecule is also intended to include allelic variations, so long as the sequence is a functional derivative of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA coding sequence.\",\n \"When a PCA3 allele does not encode the identical sequence to that found in SEQ ID Nos:1 or 2, it can be isolated and identified as PCA3 using the same techniques used herein, and especially PCR techniques to amplify the appropriate gene with primers based on the sequences disclosed herein.\",\n \"One skilled in the art will realize that organisms other than humans might also contain differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNAs (for example, eukaryotes; more specifically, mammals, birds, fish, and plants; more specifically, gorillas, rhesus monkeys, and chimpanzees).\",\n \"The invention is intended to include, but not be limited to, differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNAs isolated from the above-described organisms.\",\n \"Isolated nucleic acid molecules of the present invention are also meant to include those chemically synthesized.\",\n \"For example, a nucleic acid molecule with the nucleotide sequence described herein or encoding the herein described differentially expressed products of PCA3 gene can be designed and, if necessary, divided into appropriate smaller fragments.\",\n \"Then an oligomer which corresponds to the nucleic acid molecule, or to each of the divided fragments, can be synthesized.\",\n \"Such synthetic oligonucleotides can be prepared, for example, by the triester method of Matteucci et al., J.\",\n \"Am.\",\n \"Chem.\",\n \"Soc.\",\n \"103:3185-3191 (1981) or by using an automated DNA synthesizer.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the present invention relates to purified differentially expressed polypeptides (preferably, substantially pure) having an amino acid sequence corresponding to the herein described PCA3, or a functional derivative thereof.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, the polypeptide has the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or mutant or species variation thereof, or at least 80% identity or at least 90% similarity thereof (preferably, at least 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity or at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% A similarity thereof), or at least 6 contiguous amino acids thereof (preferably, at least 10, 15, 20, 25, or 50 contiguous amino acids thereof).\",\n \"In an additional embodiment, the invention relates to differentially-expressed PCA3 epitopes.\",\n \"The epitope of these polypeptides is an immunogenic or antigenic epitope.\",\n \"An immunogenic epitope is that part of the protein which elicits an antibody response when the whole protein is the immunogen.\",\n \"An antigenic epitope is a fragment of the protein which can elicit an antibody response.\",\n \"Methods of selecting antigenic epitope fragments are well known in the art.\",\n \"See, Sutcliffe et al., Science 219:660-666 (1983).\",\n \"Antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides of the invention are useful to raise an immune response that specifically recognizes the polypeptides.\",\n \"Antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides of the invention comprise at least 7 amino acids (preferably, 9, 10, 12, 15 or 20 amino acids) of the proteins of the invention.\",\n \"Examples of an antigenic peptide are shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 as predicted using the method of Rammensee et al., (1995, MHC ligands and peptide motifs: first listing, in Immunogenics; 41(4)).\",\n \"Of course, it will be realized that other epitope-bearing PCA3 peptides could be predicted and used to raise antibodies.\",\n \"A variety of methodologies known in the art can be utilized to obtain the peptide of the present invention.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the peptide is purified from tissues or cells which naturally produce the peptide.\",\n \"Alternatively, the above-described isolated nucleic acid fragments can be used to express the differentially expressed PCA3 protein in any organism.\",\n \"The samples of the present invention include cells, protein extracts or membrane extracts of cells, or biological fluids.\",\n \"The sample will vary based on the assay format, the detection method and the nature of the tissues, cells or extracts used as the sample.\",\n \"Any organism can be used as a source for the peptide of the invention, as long as the source organism naturally contains such a peptide.\",\n \"As used herein, “source organism” refers to the original organism from which the amino acid sequence of the subunit is derived, regardless of the organism the subunit is expressed in and ultimately isolated from.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a nucleic acid for the specific detection of the presence of PCA3 nucleic acid in a sample comprising the above-described nucleic acid molecules or at least a fragment thereof which binds under stringent conditions to PCA3 nucleic acid.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to nucleic acid probes which are complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of at least 10 consecutive nucleotides (preferably, 15, 18, 20, 25, or 30) from the nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding the PCA3 polypeptide comprising the complete amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 3; (b) a nucleotide sequence encoding the PCA3 gene comprising the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; (c) a nucleotide sequence complementary to any of the nucleotide sequences in (a) or (b), and (d) a nucleotide sequence as previously described above.\",\n \"In one embodiment of the above described method, a nucleic acid probe is immobilized on a solid support.\",\n \"Examples of such solid supports include, but are not limited to, plastics such as polycarbonate, complex carbohydrates such as agarose and sepharose, and acrylic resins, such as polyacrylamide and latex beads.\",\n \"Techniques for coupling nucleic acid probes to such solid supports are well known in the art.\",\n \"The test samples suitable for nucleic acid probing methods of the present invention include, for example, cells or nucleic acid extracts of cells, or biological fluids.\",\n \"The sample used in the above-described methods will vary based on the assay format, the detection method and the nature of the tissues, cells or extracts to be assayed.\",\n \"Methods for preparing nucleic acid extracts of cells are well known in the art and can be readily adapted in order to obtain a sample which is compatible with the method utilized.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA in a sample comprising: a) contacting the sample with the above-described nucleic acid probe, under specific hybridization conditions such that hybridization occurs, and b) detecting the presence of the probe bound to the nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"One skilled in the art would select the nucleic acid probe according to techniques known in the art as described above.\",\n \"Samples to be tested include but should not be limited to RNA samples from human tissue.\",\n \"Having identified that the additional PCA3 sequence of the present invention can be used as a marker for distinguishing between malignant and non malignant prostate states, probes which are specific to this additional sequence (or variants or fragments thereof) could also be used in accordance with the present invention.\",\n \"Of course, since in certain embodiments, such probes might detect genomic DNA, a positive signal coming from the genomic DNA might have to be eliminated in order to specifically detect the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA.\",\n \"Although the present invention is specifically demonstrated using primers hybridizing to exon 3 and exon 4a sequences, it should be clear to the skilled artisan that primers derived from other regions of PCA3 could be used.\",\n \"For example, primers could be derived from sequences of exon 2, exon 4b, exon 4c or to the additional sequence thereof.\",\n \"Methods to derive specific primers from known sequences are well known in the art.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a kit for detecting the presence of differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA in a sample comprising at least one container means having disposed therein the above-described nucleic acid probe.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, the kit further comprises other containers comprising one or more of the following: wash reagents and reagents capable of detecting the presence of bound nucleic acid probe.\",\n \"Examples of detection reagents include, but are not limited to radiolabelled probes, enzymatic labeled probes (horse radish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase), and affinity labeled probes (biotin, avidin, or steptavidin).\",\n \"In more detail, a compartmentalized kit includes any kit in which reagents are contained in separate containers.\",\n \"Such containers include small glass containers, plastic containers or strips of plastic or paper.\",\n \"Such containers allow the efficient transfer of reagents from one compartment to another compartment such that the samples and reagents are not cross-contaminated and the agents or solutions of each container can be added in a quantitative fashion from one compartment to another.\",\n \"Such containers will include a container which will accept the test sample, a container which contains the probe or primers used in the assay, containers which contain wash reagents (such as phosphate buffered saline, Tris-buffers, and the like), and containers which contain the reagents used to detect the hybridized probe, bound antibody, amplified product, or the like.\",\n \"One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the nucleic acid probes described in the present invention can readily be incorporated into one of the established kit formats which are well known in the art.\",\n \"In another embodiment of the present invention (and similarly to probes of the present invention) the antibodies of the present invention can be immobilized on a solid support.\",\n \"Examples of such solid supports include plastics such as polycarbonate, complex carbohydrates such as agarose and sepharose, acrylic resins and such as polyacrylamide and latex beads.\",\n \"Techniques for coupling antibodies to such solid supports are well known in the art.\",\n \"The immobilized antibodies of the present invention can be used for in vitro, in vivo, and in situ assays as well as in immunochromatography.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of detecting a differentially expressed PCA3 polypeptide in a sample, comprising: a) contacting the sample with an above-described antibody (or protein), under conditions such that immunocomplexes form, and b) detecting the presence of the antibody bound to the polypeptide.\",\n \"In detail, the methods comprise incubating a test sample with one or more of the antibodies of the present invention and assaying whether the antibody binds to the test sample.\",\n \"The relative levels of differentially expressed PCA3 in a sample enable a distinction between a malignant and non-malignant prostatic state.\",\n \"In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of detecting a PCA3 antibody in a sample, comprising: a) contacting the sample with an above-described differentially expressed PCA3 protein, under conditions such that immunocomplexes form, and b) detecting the presence of the protein bound to the antibody or antibody bound to the protein.\",\n \"In detail, the methods comprise incubating a test sample with one or more of the proteins of the present invention and assaying whether the antibody binds to the test sample.\",\n \"In another embodiment of the present invention, a kit is provided which contains all the necessary reagents to carry out the previously described methods of detection.\",\n \"The kit can comprise: i) a first container means containing an above-described antibody, and ii) second container means containing a conjugate comprising a binding partner of the antibody and a label.\",\n \"The kit can also comprise: i) a first container means containing an above-described protein, and preferably, ii) second container means containing a conjugate comprising a binding partner of the protein and a label.\",\n \"More specifically, a diagnostic kit comprises a differentially expressed PCA3 protein as described above, to detect antibodies in the serum of potentially infected animals or humans.\",\n \"In another preferred embodiment, the kit further comprises one or more other containers comprising one or more of the following: wash reagents and reagents capable of detecting the presence of bound antibodies.\",\n \"Examples of detection reagents include, but are not limited to, labeled secondary antibodies, or in the alternative, if the primary antibody is labeled, the chromophoric, enzymatic, or antibody binding reagents which are capable of reacting with the labeled antibody.\",\n \"The compartmentalized kit can be as described above for nucleic acid probe kits.\",\n \"One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the antibodies described in the present invention can readily be incorporated into one of the established kit formats which are well known in the art.\",\n \"It is to be understood that although the following discussion is specifically directed to human patients, the teachings are also applicable to any animal that differentially expresses PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"The diagnostic and screening methods of the invention are especially useful for a patient suspected of being at risk for developing a disease associated with an altered expression level of PCA3 based on family history, or a patient in which it is desired to diagnose a PCA3-related disease (ex.\",\n \"prostate cancer).\",\n \"According to the invention, presymptomatic screening of an individual in need of such screening is now possible using DNA encoding the PCA3 protein or the PCA3 gene of the invention or fragments thereof.\",\n \"The screening method of the invention allows a presymptomatic diagnosis, of the presence of the PCA3-minus additional sequence, differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA in individuals, and thus an opinion concerning the likelihood that such individuals would develop or have developed a PCA3-associated disease or have a normal prostatic state.\",\n \"This is especially valuable for the identification of carriers of altered PCA3 genes, for example, from individuals with a family history of a PCA3-associated disease.\",\n \"Early diagnosis is also desired to maximize appropriate timely intervention.\",\n \"In one embodiment of the method of screening, a tissue sample would be taken from such individual, and screened for (1) the presence of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention; (2) the presence of the additional sequence-containing PCA3 mRNA and/or (3) the presence of differentially expressed PCA3 protein.\",\n \"PCA3 mRNA can be characterized and compared to determine differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA (a) levels and/or (b) size.\",\n \"Lastly, differentially expressed PCA3 protein can be (a) detected and/or (b) quantitated using a biological assay for PCA3 activity or using an immunological assay and PCA3 antibodies A presence of a PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence (or an mRNA not modifying and/or not interrupting the PCA3 coding sequence) and/or of the protein encoded thereby would indicate that the patient is at risk for developing prostate cancer, or has developed prostate cancer.\",\n \"A presence of a PCA3 mRNA containing the additional sequence of the present invention and/or of the protein encoded thereby, in the absence of PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence and/or the protein encoded thereby or at a level superior to that of the mRNA lacking the additional sequence and/or the protein encoded thereby would indicate that the patient has not yet developed prostate cancer, and/or has a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.\",\n \"Therapeutic effects of therapeutic nucleic acids can include, but are not limited to turning off or modifying the processing of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence of the present invention.\",\n \"In addition, an expression of a differentially-expressed PCA3 mRNA comprising the additional sequence in accordance with the present invention to a higher level than that of the PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence could have cancer-reversing effects on cells.\",\n \"Included as well in the invention are pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of at least one antisense oligonucleotide to a PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.\",\n \"Such antisense oligos include, but are not limited to, at least one nucleotide sequence of 12-500 bases in length which is complementary to at least a portion of SEQ ID NO:2.Thus, broadly, the invention provides means to shift the balance between the quantity of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs such that the malignant state of a cell can be modulated.\",\n \"Specificity for gene expression in prostate cancer cells can be conferred by using appropriate cell-specific regulatory sequences, such as cell-specific enhancers and promoters.\",\n \"Thus, gene therapy can be used to alleviate PCA3 related pathology by inhibiting the inappropriate expression of a particular form of PCA3.Moreover, gene therapy can be used to alleviate such pathologies by providing the appropriate expression level of a particular form of PCA3.In this case, particular PCA3 nucleic acid sequences can be coded by DNA or RNA constructs which are administered in the form of viruses, as described above.\",\n \"The present invention provides the above-described PCA3 antibodies (preferably, PCA3 murine antibodies and chimeric PCA3 murine-human antibodies, and fragments and regions thereof) which inhibit or neutralize PCA3 biological activity in vivo and are specific for PCA3.These antibodies can be used for therapeutic purposes in subjects having pathologies or conditions associated with the presence of aberrant PCA3 expression.\",\n \"Antibodies, and fragments, regions and derivatives thereof, of the present invention preferably contain at least one region which recognizes an epitope of PCA3 which has inhibiting and/or neutralizing biological activity in vivo.\",\n \"Treatment comprises parenterally administering a single or multiple doses of the antibody, fragment or derivative.\",\n \"Preferred for human pharmaceutical use are high affinity potent PCA3-inhibiting and/or neutralizing murine and chimeric antibodies, fragments and regions of this invention.\",\n \"Monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered by any means that enables the active agent to reach the agent's site of action in the body of a mammal.\",\n \"Because proteins are subject to being digested when administered orally, parenteral administration, i.e., intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, would ordinarily be used to optimize absorption.\",\n \"Monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered either as individual therapeutic agents or in combination with other therapeutic agents.\",\n \"They can be administered alone, but are generally administered with a pharmaceutical carrier selected on the basis of the chosen route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice.\",\n \"The dosage administered will, of course, vary depending upon known factors such as the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the particular agent, and its mode and route of administration; age, health, and weight of the recipient; nature and extent of symptoms, kind of concurrent treatment, frequency of treatment, and the effect desired.\",\n \"Usually a daily dosage of active ingredient can be about 0.1 to 100 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.\",\n \"Ordinarily 0.5 to 50, and preferably 1 to 10 milligrams per kilogram per day given in divided doses 1 to 6 times a day or in sustained release form is effective to obtain desired results.\",\n \"Dosage forms (composition) suitable for internal administration generally contain from about 1 milligram to about 500 milligrams of active ingredient per unit.\",\n \"In these pharmaceutical compositions the active ingredient will ordinarily be present in an amount of about 0.5-95% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.\",\n \"Cytotoxic drugs which can be conjugated to antibodies and subsequently used for in vivo therapy include, but are not limited to, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, methotrexate, and Mitomycin C. The non-human animals of the invention comprise any animal having a transgenic interruption or alteration of the endogenous gene(s) (knock-out animals) and/or into the genome of which has been introduced one or more transgenes that direct the expression of differentially expressed human PCA3 mRNAs.\",\n \"Also preferred are the introduction of antisense PCA3 nucleic acids.\",\n \"Such non-human animals include vertebrates such as rodents, non-human primates, sheep, dog, cow, amphibians, reptiles, etc.\",\n \"Preferred non-human animals are selected from non-human mammalian species of animals, most preferably, animals from the rodent family including rats and mice, most preferably mice.\",\n \"The transgenic animals of the invention are animals into which has been introduced by non-natural means (i.e., by human manipulation), one or more genes that do not occur naturally in the animal, e.g., foreign genes, genetically engineered endogenous genes, etc.\",\n \"The non-naturally introduced genes, known as transgenes, may be from the same or a different species as the animal but not naturally found in the animal in the configuration and/or at the chromosomal locus conferred by the transgene.\",\n \"Transgenes may comprise foreign DNA sequences, i.e., sequences not normally found in the genome of the host animal.\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, transgenes may comprise endogenous DNA sequences that are abnormal in that they have been rearranged or mutated in vitro in order to alter the normal in vivo pattern of expression of the gene, or to alter or eliminate the biological activity of an endogenous gene product encoded by the gene.\",\n \"The transgenic non-human animals of the invention are produced by introducing transgenes into the germ line of the non-human animal.\",\n \"Embryonic target cells at various developmental stages are used to introduce the transgenes of the invention.\",\n \"Different methods are used depending on the stage of development of the embryonic target cell(s).\",\n \"These methods are well known in the art.\",\n \"Transgenes may be introduced into non-human animals in order to provide animal models for human diseases.\",\n \"Transgenes that result in such animal models include, e.g., transgenes that encode the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs associated with a malignant prostate status (i.e., prostate cancer) or a non-malignant prostate status.\",\n \"Having identified a marker sequence in differentially expressed PCA3 mRNA and a correlation between the balance of the expression level of the differentially expressed PCA3 mRNAs (or protein encoded thereby) and the malignant or non-malignant prostatic states, the present invention opens the way to numerous methods, assays and reagents for the prognosis, diagnosis, staging, predisposition and therapy of prostate cancer.\",\n \"In a broad embodiment, the present invention provides the means to assess prostate cancer by identifying PCA3 mRNA lacking the additional sequence in accordance with the present invention (or a protein encoded thereby).\",\n \"Numerous methods, primers, probes, antibodies and reagents can be used to identify such a nucleic acid molecule (or such a protein), as will be clear to the skilled artisan to which the present invention pertains.\",\n \"The present invention is illustrated in further detail by the following non-limiting examples.\",\n \"Example 1 Identification of Differentially Expressed PCA3 mRNAs and Correlation of their Expression with Prostatic Disease PCA3-specific PCR primers were developed in order to analyze PCA3 expression in different samples.\",\n \"To be able to discern between sequences amplified from mRNA (messenger RNA) and genomic DNA, these primers were designed to span an intron, in occurrence intron 3.As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, the PCA3 sense primer lies within exon 3 and the PCA3 antisense primer within exon 4a.\",\n \"Samples to be analyzed for PCA3 expression consisted of frozen tissue chips removed by transurethral resection of the prostate (BPH, 4 patients) or frozen prostates obtained by radical prostatectomy (prostate cancer, 6 patients).\",\n \"Radical prostatectomy samples were processed into frozen sections to specifically select regions containing prostate cancer cells.\",\n \"RNA was extracted from the frozen samples using a liquid-phase RNA extraction method (Trizol™).\",\n \"Extracted nucleic acids were subsequently treated with DNase in order to digest genomic DNA.\",\n \"DNase-treated RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA using reverse transcriptase and then submitted to PCR-analysis using the PCA3 primers.\",\n \"PCR was performed for 35 cycles with Taq DNA polymerase, amplified material was separated on agarose gels and visualized by ethidium bromide staining.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"2, PCR amplification of PCA3 generates two products which can be separated by size and differ in relative abundance.\",\n \"The smaller amplicon (277 bp) is predominantly or exclusively found in samples from prostate cancer patients (FIG.\",\n \"2, upper row) whereas the larger amplicon (505 bp) is more prominent in samples from patients with a non-malignant prostatic state (BPH [FIG.\",\n \"2, lower row]).\",\n \"Pathological examination of patients' biopsies confirmed the initial diagnosis for each patient except for Patient BPH 1 which was found to have prostate cancer.\",\n \"In order to confirm the origin of the amplified fragments, they were isolated from the gel and sequenced.\",\n \"Sequences are shown in FIG.\",\n \"3.As expected, the smaller 277 bp fragment proved to correspond to the regions of exons 3 and 4a spanned by the PCA3 PCR primers.\",\n \"The larger 505 bp fragment is identical to the smaller fragment except for the herein identified sequence which lies between exon 3 and exon 4a.\",\n \"Of note, direct PCR analysis of all samples without reverse transcription did not yield amplified material ruling out the hypothesis that the larger amplification product originates from genomic DNA.\",\n \"Thus, PCA3 mRNA is present in at least two distinct forms within the cell, a short form lacking the herein identified additional sequence (hereafter called sequence 2; SEQ ID NO:2) as well as a long form having this additional sequence (hereafter called sequence 1; SEQ ID NO:1).\",\n \"The presence of the additional sequence in sequence 1 interrupts the predicted open reading frame coding for the PCA3 protein.\",\n \"The predicted sequence of the protein encoded by this long PCA3 mRNA is shown in FIG.\",\n \"4.As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2, relative expression levels of the two PCA3 mRNA sequences vary dependent on the cell type.\",\n \"Prostate cancer cells predominantly express sequence 2 whereas BPH cells mainly express sequence 1.These observations demonstrate that it is possible to discern between a malignant and non-malignant state of a prostate.\",\n \"As well, it is tempting to predict that the relative levels of the two types of PCA3 mRNAs, will enable to discern the benign state from the malignant state.\",\n \"Example 2 Assessment of the Prostatic State of a Patient Using RT-PCR Patient samples were obtained and RNA prepared therefrom as commonly known.\",\n \"Reverse transcription mixes were prepared as RT follows: 0.2 μg total RNA+0.6 μg pdN6 (random hexamer primers)+1.25 mM dNTPs+200 U M-MLV reverse transcriptase in 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.3, 75 mM KCl, 3 mM MgCl2, 10 mM DTT.\",\n \"The mixture was incubated 1 hr at 40° C. 4 μl of the RT-reaction of above was mixed in 50 μL of 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.4, 50 mM KCl, 2.5 mM MgCl2, 0.5 mM dNTPs, 0.5 μM of each primer and 2.5 U Taq DNA polymerase.\",\n \"For PCR analysis, the amplification was carried out for 35 cycles (1 min each at 94° C., 60° C., 72° C.) followed by a 10 min extension at 72° C. The PCR products were analyzed by conventional agarose gel electrophoresis.\",\n \"Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873520"}}},{"rowIdx":4494367,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FAST SET-MEMBERSHIP TESTS USING ONE OR MORE PROCESSORS THAT SUPPORT SINGLE INSTRUCTION MULTIPLE DATA INSTRUCTIONS","Methods and apparatuses for determining set-membership using Single Instruction Multiple Data (“SIMD”) architecture are presented herein.","Specifically, methods and apparatuses are discussed for determining, in parallel, whether multiple values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.","Many of the methods and systems discussed herein are applied to determining whether one or more rows in a dictionary-encoded column of a database table satisfy one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column.","However, the methods and systems discussed herein may apply to many applications executed on a SIMD processor using set-membership tests."],["1.A method comprising: copying a first value into a first subregister and a second value into a second subregister; wherein the first subregister and the second subregister are subregisters in a first single SIMD register; wherein the first value corresponds with a first column value in a first row of a particular column of a database table, and the second value corresponds with a second column value in a second row of the particular column of the database table; gathering a first bit from an input bit-vector and a second bit from the input bit-vector based on the first value in the first subregister and the second value in the second subregister, respectively; determining whether the first column value satisfies a search condition based on the first bit and whether the second column value satisfies the search condition based on the second bit.","2.The method of claim 1 comprising: storing a first byte-offset in a third subregister and a second byte-offset in a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are in a second single SIMD register; storing a first bit-offset in a fifth subregister and a second bit-offset in a sixth subregister, wherein the fifth subregister and the sixth subregister are in a third single SIMD register; wherein gathering the first bit and the second bit comprises: gathering a first byte from the input bit-vector into a seventh subregister based on the first byte-offset and a second byte from the input bit-vector into an eighth subregister based on the second byte-offset, wherein the seventh subregister and the eighth subregister are in a fourth single SIMD register; and shifting bits in the seventh subregister by the first bit-offset and bits in the eighth subregister by the second bit-offset.","3.The method of claim 2, wherein gathering the first bit and the second bit comprises copying the first bit from the seventh subregister and the second bit from the eighth subregister in an output bit-vector using a bit-mask.","4.The method of claim 2, wherein: wherein determining whether the first column value satisfies the search condition and whether the second column value satisfies the search condition comprises: determining whether the first column value satisfies the search condition based on the first bit, which is stored at a particular position in the seventh subregister; and determining whether the second column value satisfies the search condition based on the second bit, which is stored at the particular position in the eighth subregister.","5.The method of claim 2 comprising: determining a first quotient by dividing the first value, stored the first subregister, by eight; determining a second quotient by dividing the second value, stored the second subregister, by eight; and storing the first byte-offset in the third subregister and the second byte-offset in the fourth subregister comprises: storing the first quotient as the first byte-offset in the third subregister; and storing the second quotient as the second byte-offset in the fourth subregister.","6.The method of claim 2 comprising: determining a first remainder by dividing the first value, stored in the first subregister, by eight; determining a second remainder by dividing the second value, stored in the second subregister, by eight; and wherein storing the first bit-offset in the fifth subregister and the second bit-offset in the sixth subregister comprises: storing the first remainder as the first bit-offset in the fifth subregister; and storing the second remainder as the second bit-offset in the sixth subregister.","7.The method of claim 2 wherein gathering the first byte from the input bit-vector into the seventh subregister is performed in parallel with gathering the second byte from the input bit-vector into the eighth subregister.","8.The method of claim 2, wherein: gathering the first bit and the second bit further comprises: setting a first output bit in an output bit-vector to the first bit in the seventh subregister, wherein each bit in the output bit-vector corresponds to a row in the database table and the first output bit corresponds with the first row in the database table; setting a second output bit in the output bit-vector to the second bit in the eighth subregister, wherein the second output bit corresponds with the second row in the database table; determining whether the first row satisfies the search condition is based on the first output bit; and determining whether the second row satisfies the search condition is based on the second output bit.","9.The method of claim 1 further comprising: copying the first value into a third subregister and the second value into a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are subregisters in a fifth single SIMD register; multiplying each value in the third subregister and the fourth subregister by a first power of two and a second power of two, respectively; shifting bits in the third subregister and the fourth subregister such that the first value is aligned with the third subregister and the second value is aligned with the fourth subregister.","10.The method of claim 1 further comprising: copying the first value into a third subregister and the second value into a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are subregisters in a sixth single SIMD register; shifting bits in the third subregister such that bits representing the first value are aligned with the third subregister; and shifting bits in the fourth subregister such that bits representing the second value are aligned with the fourth subregister; and setting bits that do not represent the first value in the third subregister to zero; and setting bits that do not represent the second value in the fourth subregister to zero.","11.A hardware processor configured to: copy a first value into a first subregister and a second value into a second subregister; wherein the first subregister and the second subregister are subregisters in a first single SIMD register; wherein the first value corresponds with a first column value in a first row of a particular column of a database table, and the second value corresponds with a second column value in a second row of the particular column of the database table; gather a first bit from an input bit-vector and a second bit from the input bit-vector based on the first value in the first subregister and the second value in the second subregister, respectively; determine whether the first column value satisfies a search condition based on the first bit and whether the second column value satisfies the search condition based on the second bit.","12.The hardware processor of claim 11 further configured to: store a first byte-offset in a third subregister and a second byte-offset in a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are in a second single SIMD register; store a first bit-offset in a fifth subregister and a second bit-offset in a sixth subregister, wherein the fifth subregister and the sixth subregister are in a third single SIMD register; and gather the first bit and the second bit by performing the steps comprising: gathering a first byte from the input bit-vector into a seventh subregister based on the first byte-offset and a second byte from the input bit-vector into an eighth subregister based on the second byte-offset, wherein the seventh subregister and the eighth subregister are in a fourth single SIMD register; and shifting bits in the seventh subregister by the first bit-offset and bits in the eighth subregister by the second bit-offset.","13.The hardware processor of claim 12, further configured to gather the first bit and the second bit by performing the steps comprising: copying the first bit from the seventh subregister and the second bit from the eighth subregister in an output bit-vector using a bit-mask.","14.The hardware processor of claim 12, further configured to determine whether the first column value satisfies the search condition and whether the second column value satisfies the search condition by performing the steps comprising: determining whether the first column value satisfies the search condition based on the first bit, which is stored at a particular position in the seventh subregister; and determining whether the second column value satisfies the search condition based on the second bit, which is stored at the particular position in the eighth subregister.","15.The hardware processor of claim 12 further configured to: determine a first quotient by dividing the first value, stored the first subregister, by eight; determine a second quotient by dividing the second value, stored the second subregister, by eight; and store the first byte-offset in the third subregister and the second byte-offset in the fourth subregister comprises: store the first quotient as the first byte-offset in the third subregister; and store the second quotient as the second byte-offset in the fourth subregister.","16.The hardware processor of claim 12 further configured to: determine a first remainder by dividing the first value, stored in the first subregister, by eight; determine a second remainder by dividing the second value, stored in the second subregister, by eight; and wherein performing the step of storing the first bit-offset in the fifth subregister and the second bit-offset in the sixth subregister comprises: storing the first remainder as the first bit-offset in the fifth subregister; and storing the second remainder as the second bit-offset in the sixth subregister.","17.The hardware processor of claim 12 further configured to gather the first byte from the input bit-vector into the seventh subregister in parallel with gathering the second byte from the input bit-vector into the eighth subregister.","18.The hardware processor of claim 12 further configured to: gather the first bit and the second bit by performing the steps comprising: setting a first output bit in an output bit-vector to the first bit in the seventh subregister, wherein each bit in the output bit-vector corresponds to a row in the database table and the first output bit corresponds with the first row in the database table; setting a second output bit in the output bit-vector to the second bit in the eighth subregister, wherein the second output bit corresponds with the second row in the database table; determine whether the first row satisfies the search condition is based on the first output bit; and determine whether the second row satisfies the search condition is based on the second output bit.","19.The hardware processor of claim 11 further configured to: copy the first value into a third subregister and the second value into a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are subregisters in a fifth single SIMD register; multiply each value in the third subregister and the fourth subregister by a first power of two and a second power of two, respectively; shift bits in the third subregister and the fourth subregister such that the first value is aligned with the third subregister and the second value is aligned with the fourth subregister.","20.The hardware processor of claim 11 further configured to: copy the first value into a third subregister and the second value into a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are subregisters in a sixth single SIMD register; shift bits in the third subregister such that bits representing the first value are aligned with the third subregister; and shift bits in the fourth subregister such that bits representing the second value are aligned with the fourth subregister; and set bits that do not represent the first value in the third subregister to zero; and set bits that do not represent the second value in the fourth subregister to zero."],[" BACKGROUND Determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be computationally expensive.","The larger the first set and/or the second set is, the more time is required to determine which values in the first set of values are members of a second set of values.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: A database has a table named “OrbitingObjects”, which has a particular column named “Type”; and A database server receives the following query: “SELECT count(Type) FROM OrbitingObjects WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’;”.","To respond to the query, the database server must determine which values in the particular column are members of a second set.","In this case, the second set is the set of values that match “rocket” or “station”.","The more rows in the column Type, the longer the database server may take to determine which rows in the Type column satisfy the condition: “WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”.","Furthermore, some types of conditions are computationally expensive.","For instance, in the previous example, the database server may perform a string comparison between each value in the Type column and the two condition values: “rocket” and “station”.","Some database systems rely on using newer processing units with higher processing speeds to determine which rows in a column satisfy one or more conditions in a query and return results more quickly.","However, the performance of typical processing units is not increasing at the same rate as the quantity of the data upon which database operations are performed.","Thus, database and other software developers are not able to rely as much on increasing computer power to more quickly evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.","Single instruction multiple data (“SIMD”) processors perform the same operation on multiple data items simultaneously.","SIMD processors exploit data level parallelism by executing a single instruction against data in multiple registers or subregisters.","Thus, the throughput per instruction may be increased accordingly.","SIMD processors are typically used for graphic and other multimedia applications.","Exploiting the SIMD architecture to evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be difficult.","For example, many SIMD processors cannot branch to a first operation after evaluating a first value in a first subregister, and branch to a second operation after evaluating a second value in a second subregister, in parallel.","Thus, if a first column value satisfies a condition, but a second column value does not satisfy the same condition, then some SIMD architectures do not have a mechanism to branch to a first operation to indicate the particular column value satisfied the condition, while branching in parallel to a second operation to indicate the second column value did not satisfy the condition.","The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued.","Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG.","1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing a first set-membership process, in an embodiment.","FIG.","2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.","FIG.","3A and FIG.","3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.","FIG.","4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?","While each of the drawing figures illustrates a particular embodiment for purposes of illustrating a clear example, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the elements shown in the drawing figures.","For purposes of illustrating clear examples, one or more figures may be described with reference to one or more other figures, but using the particular arrangement illustrated in the one or more other figures is not required in other embodiments."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS; BENEFIT CLAIM This application is a Divisional of prior U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/338,219 (Attorney Docket No.","50277-4171) entitled “Methods And Systems For Fast Set-Membership Tests Using One Or More Processors That Support Single Instruction Multiple Data Instructions”, filed Jul.","22, 2014, which claims the benefit of Provisional App.","No.","61/880,852, filed Sep. 21, 2013, under 35 U.S.C.","§ 119(e).","The entire contents of Provisional App.","No.","61/880,852 are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.","The application is related to, and incorporates by reference, the following U.S.","Applications: U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/801,207 filed Mar.","15, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/023,064 filed Sep. 10, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/023,249 filed Sep. 10, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/023,265 filed Sep. 10, 2013 and U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/338,219 filed on Jul.","22, 2014.FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to set-membership tests and more specifically to parallel set-membership tests optimized to use single instruction multiple data instructions.","BACKGROUND Determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be computationally expensive.","The larger the first set and/or the second set is, the more time is required to determine which values in the first set of values are members of a second set of values.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: A database has a table named “OrbitingObjects”, which has a particular column named “Type”; and A database server receives the following query: “SELECT count(Type) FROM OrbitingObjects WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’;”.","To respond to the query, the database server must determine which values in the particular column are members of a second set.","In this case, the second set is the set of values that match “rocket” or “station”.","The more rows in the column Type, the longer the database server may take to determine which rows in the Type column satisfy the condition: “WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”.","Furthermore, some types of conditions are computationally expensive.","For instance, in the previous example, the database server may perform a string comparison between each value in the Type column and the two condition values: “rocket” and “station”.","Some database systems rely on using newer processing units with higher processing speeds to determine which rows in a column satisfy one or more conditions in a query and return results more quickly.","However, the performance of typical processing units is not increasing at the same rate as the quantity of the data upon which database operations are performed.","Thus, database and other software developers are not able to rely as much on increasing computer power to more quickly evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.","Single instruction multiple data (“SIMD”) processors perform the same operation on multiple data items simultaneously.","SIMD processors exploit data level parallelism by executing a single instruction against data in multiple registers or subregisters.","Thus, the throughput per instruction may be increased accordingly.","SIMD processors are typically used for graphic and other multimedia applications.","Exploiting the SIMD architecture to evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be difficult.","For example, many SIMD processors cannot branch to a first operation after evaluating a first value in a first subregister, and branch to a second operation after evaluating a second value in a second subregister, in parallel.","Thus, if a first column value satisfies a condition, but a second column value does not satisfy the same condition, then some SIMD architectures do not have a mechanism to branch to a first operation to indicate the particular column value satisfied the condition, while branching in parallel to a second operation to indicate the second column value did not satisfy the condition.","The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued.","Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.","TERMS AND NOTATION For purpose of explanation, the following terms and conventions are used herein to describe embodiments of the invention: The term “byte” herein describes number of contiguously stored bits.","While the common usage implies eight bits, the size of a byte may vary from implementation to implementation.","For example a byte may refer to any size including four bits, eight bits, sixteen bits, thirty-two bits, sixty-four bits, and so on.","The notation herein describes a vector of bits, e.g., <10>.","Spaces and/or commas may be added between bits merely to increase the ability to read the contents of the vector, e.g., <1111 0000, 1111 0000>.","To be consistent with the other examples herein, the “first” bit, “lowest” bit, or “least significant” bit is the right-most bit; the “last” bit, “highest” bit, or “most significant” bit is the left-most bit.","In an embodiment bits in a vector bit may be ordered differently.","The terms “lowest-aligned” and “highest-aligned” indicate whether a value is stored in a register's lowest bits or highest bits, respectively.","For example, if a value is “lowest-aligned” in a register, then the value is stored in the register's lowest bits; and if a value is “highest-aligned” in a register, then the value is stored in the register's highest bits.","For purposes of illustrating clear examples herein, the term “right-aligned” means lowest-aligned, and the term “left-aligned” means highest-aligned.","The notation [J, K] herein describe a set of values, where J is a first value and K is a second value, which may be equal or different unless specifically stated otherwise.","For example, J could be a value in a first row of a database column and K may be a value in a second row of the database column.","Also for example, J may be a first value in a dictionary and K may be a second value in a dictionary.","The term “register” is a register or subregister that may include one or more smaller subregisters.","Unless otherwise specified a register may be a SIMD register or a register typically used in the scalar processor.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG.","1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing a first set-membership process, in an embodiment.","FIG.","2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.","FIG.","3A and FIG.","3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.","FIG.","4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.","While each of the drawing figures illustrates a particular embodiment for purposes of illustrating a clear example, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the elements shown in the drawing figures.","For purposes of illustrating clear examples, one or more figures may be described with reference to one or more other figures, but using the particular arrangement illustrated in the one or more other figures is not required in other embodiments.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.","It will be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.","In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.","GENERAL OVERVIEW Several processes are presented herein for determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values in parallel using SIMD architecture.","While the examples illustrated herein focus on satisfying conditions in a database query, the processes and systems discussed herein may be used in other applications using SIMD architecture.","SIMD Instructions A SIMD instruction is an instruction that, when processed, may cause an operation to be performed multiple times, simultaneously and/or in parallel, on multiple distinct data values.","For the purpose of illustrating a clear example, assume four integer values are to be incremented by one.","Also assume that a SIMD processor receives a single SIMD Increment by One instruction.","In response to receiving the single SIMD instruction, the SIMD processor may increment each of the four integer values simultaneously.","In contrast, a scalar instruction is an instruction that, when processed, may cause an operation to be performed once.","Multiple scalar instructions may be processed serially within a scalar processor, processing unit, or processing core.","Assume, for purposes of illustrating a clear example, the same four values in the previous example are to be incremented by one on a scalar processor.","The scalar processor may execute a first scalar Increment by One instruction, causing the first value to be incremented by one; then, the scalar processor may execute a second scalar Increment by One instruction, causing the second value to be incremented by one, and so on.","Thus, in this example, the scalar processor must execute three more Increment by One instructions than the SIMD processor in the previous example.","Furthermore, assume that the scalar processor performs a scalar Increment by One instruction as quickly as the SIMD processor executes a SIMD Increment by One instruction.","Because the scalar processor performs scalar instructions serially, and the SIMD processor performs a SIMD instruction on multiple data objects in parallel, the scalar processor may take four times longer to process all four values than the SIMD processor.","One approach for implementing a SIMD operation is to use one or more registers that are each capable of storing multiple distinct data values.","Such registers are referred to herein as SIMD registers.","Assume, for purposes of illustrating a clear example, that a SIMD register is capable of storing 256 bits.","Accordingly, the SIMD register is capable of storing eight distinct 32-bit values, each in a 32-bit subregister; four distinct 64-bit values, each in a 64-bit subregister; or two distinct 128-bit values, each in a 128-bit subregister.","Additionally or alternatively, non-power-of-two sized subregisters may be used.","A SIMD operation implemented in hardware and may take one or more machine cycles to execute.","For example, a scalar processor, in response to receiving a Shift Right instruction, may shift bits representing a single value in a register to the right in a single cycle.","A SIMD processor, in response to receiving a Shift Right instruction, may shift bits in multiple SIMD registers, or SIMD subregisters, in parallel, in a single cycle.","Additionally or alternatively, a SIMD Shift Right instruction may be a Variable Shift Right instruction, which shifts bits to the right in each SIMD subregister, but independently of the other subregisters in the same SIMD register.","Additionally or alternatively, one or more SIMD instructions may take more than one cycle to execute.","A computer system that implements both SIMD and non-SIMD instructions may include one or more SIMD registers and one or more non-SIMD registers.","Additionally or alternatively, a register may be a SIMD register for purposes of executing SIMD instruction and a non-SIMD register for purposes of executing a non-SIMD instruction.","Additionally or alternatively, SIMD registers may be on a different hardware element (for example, a different coprocessor) than the hardware element on which non-SIMD registers reside.","Dictionaries A dictionary may comprise one or more entries.","Each entry has a dictionary index and a dictionary value.","The dictionary index may be implied.","For example, a dictionary may be an array of values, and the dictionary index for the fifth value may, in a zero-based array, implicitly be four.","Each dictionary value may, but need not be, unique from all other dictionary values in the same dictionary.","A database server, and/or an administrator may cause a database server, to generate a dictionary for a particular column in a database.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume a database table has a column named “Type”.","Further assume that, of the values currently stored in the “Type” column, there are four unique values: “rocket”, “planet”, “station”, “moon”.","Under these circumstances, a database server may create a dictionary comprising an array of entries with the following dictionary values: [“rocket”, “planet”, “station”, “moon”].","The dictionary index for each dictionary value in a zero-based indexed array is as follows: DICTIONARY INDEX DICTIONARY VALUE ENTRY 1 0 “rocket” ENTRY 2 1 “planet” ENTRY 3 2 “station” ENTRY 4 3 “moon” In an embodiment, the dictionary values may be sorted before they are indexed.","For example, [“rocket”, “planet”, station”, “moon”] may first be sorted alphabetically.","However, the examples herein the dictionary values are not sorted.","Once a dictionary has been created for a column, the column may be “encoded” by storing dictionary index values in the database column, instead of the actual column values.","Continuing with the previous example, assume that the table has five rows, populated as follows: TYPE COLUMN OTHER COLUMNS ROW1 rocket .",".",".","ROW2 planet .",".",".","ROW3 moon .",".",".","ROW4 rocket .",".",".","ROW5 station .",".",".","In this example, replacing the values in the type column with dictionary-encoded values produces the following table: DICTIONARY-ENCODED TYPE COLUMN OTHER COLUMNS ROW1 0 .",".",".","ROW2 1 .",".",".","ROW3 3 .",".",".","ROW4 0 .",".",".","ROW5 2 .",".",".","As illustrated by this example, each dictionary-encoded column value is the dictionary index of the original value.","For example, the dictionary-encoded value of row1 is zero, and zero is the dictionary index of the dictionary value “rocket”.","Dictionary Bit-Vectors A dictionary bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which dictionary value(s), if any, satisfy one or more conditions in a query.","The position of each bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds with a dictionary entry.","A bit in a dictionary bit-vector that is set to one indicates that the corresponding dictionary entry is for a value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions.","On the other hand, a bit in the dictionary bit-vector that is set to zero indicates that the corresponding dictionary entry is for a value that does not satisfy each of the one or more conditions.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the facts in the previous example and further assume that the database server has received a query for a count of all rows in the dictionary-encoded column “Type” with a column value of either “rocket” or “station”.","The database server may evaluate the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”) on each dictionary value and generate the following dictionary bit-vector: <0, 1, 0, 1>.","The first bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds to the first entry in the dictionary.","The first bit is set to one because the dictionary value (“rocket”) at dictionary index zero satisfies the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”).","Similarly, the last bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds to the last dictionary entry (entry four).","The last bit (fourth bit) is set to zero because the dictionary value (“moon”) of dictionary entry four does not satisfy the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”).","Output Bit-Vectors An output bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which values in a set of values satisfy one or more conditions in a query.","For one or more database applications specifically, an output bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which rows of a table contain values that satisfy one or more conditions in a query.","For example, an output bit-vector for a table with fifty rows will have fifty bits, each of which corresponds to a distinct row of the table.","The value of each bit in bit-vector indicates whether the corresponding row has values that satisfy one or more conditions in a query.","The position of each bit in the output bit-vector indicates the row of the table to which the bit corresponds.","When the condition is a condition on a dictionary-encoded column, each bit in an output bit-vector that is set to one indicates that the corresponding row has a dictionary-encoded value that corresponds to a dictionary value that satisfies the condition.","Conversely, each bit in an output bit-vector that is set to zero indicates that the corresponding row has a dictionary-encoded value that corresponds to a dictionary value that does not satisfy the condition.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the facts in the previous example.","Based on the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”), the database server may generate the output the bit-vector <1, 1, 0, 0, 1>.","In the above example, the first bit in the output bit-vector is set to one because the first bit corresponds to the first dictionary-encoded row or column value: zero.","The first bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “1”, indicating that the first row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).","Similarly, the second bit is set to zero because the second bit in the output bit-vector corresponds to the second dictionary-encoded row or column value: one.","The first bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “0”, indicating that the second row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that does not satisfy each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).","Furthermore, the last bit (fifth bit) is set to one because the fifth bit corresponds to the fifth dictionary encoded row or column value: two.","The second bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “1”, indicating that the fifth row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).","Set-Membership Processes Discussed herein are set-membership processes for determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values using SIMD architecture.","Each set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, may be performed on multiple values in parallel.","Each set-membership process may generate an output bit-vector.","Each process may be repeated until all the values in a set, such as values in a dictionary-encoded database table column, are processed and/or stored in an output bit-vector.","Determining which Set-Membership Process to Use Determining which set-membership process to use may be based on the cardinality of the set, such as the cardinality of the values in a dictionary-encoded column.","Additionally or alternatively, determining which set-membership process to use may be based on the size of one or more SIMD registers, preference of a user (such as a database administrator and/or developer), and/or one or more other factors.","The cardinality of a set is the number of unique values that the set has or may have.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume that values in a particular database column have 32 possible unique values: 0-31.The cardinality of the database column is 32.The number of numerals used to represent each value is defined as ceiling(logb C), where C is the cardinality and b is the base of the numerals.","For example, the number of bits used to represent a set with a cardinality of 32 is ceiling(log2 32), which is five.","Also for example, the number of bits used to represent a column with a cardinality of 33 is ceiling(log2 33), which is six.","Cardinality is “low” if Cα≤max(reg_bits), where C is the cardinality of a column value, α is an integer greater than one, and max(reg_bits) is the maximum number of bits that a SIMD register is capable of storing.","In an embodiment, α is a power of two, such as 2, 4, 8, 16, and so on.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume C is 32, α is 2, and max(reg_bits) is 256.Since Cα is 64, and max(reg_bits) is 256, then the cardinality of the column value is low because 64 is less than 256.Cardinality is “high” if Cα>max(reg_bits).","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume C is 1024, α is 2, and max(reg_bits) is 256.Since Cα is 2048, and max(reg_bits) is 256, then the cardinality of the column value is high because 2048 is greater than 256.The variable α may be adjusted according to the preference of the SIMD processor executing one or more of the processes discussed herein.","Additionally or alternatively, the variable α may be set by a user, such as a database administrator and/or developer.","Additionally or alternatively, the variable α may be based on one or more other factors.","In response to receiving a query with one or more conditions for a particular dictionary-encoded column, the database server may determine whether the cardinality of the column is low or high.","If the cardinality for the column is low, then the database server may use the first set-membership process discussed herein to determine which rows in the column are associated with dictionary values that satisfy each of the one or more conditions.","Otherwise, the database server may use the second set-membership process discussed herein to determine which rows in the column are associated with dictionary values that satisfy each of the one or more conditions.","In an embodiment, the database server may use the second set-membership process regardless of cardinality.","A database server may apply the set-membership processes discussed herein to different columns independently.","For example, if a query has one or more first conditions for a first dictionary-encoded column and one or more second conditions for a second dictionary-encoded column, then the database server may determine the cardinality of the first column and the second column independently.","If the cardinality for the first column is low and the cardinality for the second column is high, then the database server may use the first set-membership process on the first column and the second set-membership process on the second column.","A First Set-Membership Process for Sets with Low Cardinality The first set-membership process discussed herein is specialized for sets with low cardinality.","FIG.","1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers, in an embodiment.","In FIG.","1, a SIMD processor comprises SIMD register 110 and SIMD register 120.SIMD register 110 comprises subregister 112, subregister 114, and subregister 116.SIMD register 120 comprises subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Storage 130 may be a register and/segments in memory that holds an output bit-vector generated by one or more processes discussed herein.","FIG.","1 also illustrates the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing the first set-membership process, in an embodiment.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: The cardinality of a column in a database table is 32.There are 1,000,000,000 rows in the database table.","The column value in each row is dictionary-encoded with 5 bits.","Each value in the column is a value between zero and one minus the cardinality of the column, which in this case is 31.A query has been received that includes one or more conditions based on the column.","The database server has evaluated the one or more conditions on the dictionary values and generated the following dictionary bit-vector: <0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0000 0000, 1001 0001>.","The bit-vector is the same width as the cardinality of the column: 32 bits.","Each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.","In step 102, one or more dictionary-encoded column values are loaded in one or more subregisters of a SIMD register.","For example, the SIMD processor loads a plurality of bit-packed, fixed-width values into subregisters in SIMD register 110: < .",".",".","00100 00001 00000>.","The width of each value is 5 because the cardinality is 32.Each fixed-width value is a dictionary-encoded column value.","Accordingly, a first dictionary-encoded column value (zero) is loaded in subregister 112, a second dictionary-encoded column value (one) is loaded in subregister 114, and a third dictionary-encoded column value (four) is loaded in subregister 116.Loading Dictionary-Encoded, Fixed-Width, Bit-Packed Values (or Dictionary Indexes) in a Plurality of Subregisters in a Single SIMD Register Using One or More SIMD Operations Fixed-width, bit-packed values may be loaded in a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register using various methods.","For example, a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values may be loaded in a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register using the “bunpk” operation.","The bunpk operation is described in detail in U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/801,207, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,064, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,249, and U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,265, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.","Additionally or alternatively, if the bunpk operation, or another operation that loads values from a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values into a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register, is not available, then the operations discussed in relation to the bunpk operation may be used: a Load, Shuffle, Variable-Shift, and Mask/And.","FIG.","2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.","In step 202, a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values are loaded in a register.","A Load operation loads a particular number of bytes into register.","In the current example, each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.","Thus, each SIMD register includes eight 32-bit subregisters.","Accordingly, eight row values in the database column may be loaded in a SIMD register, such as SIMD register 110, at a time.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first three fixed-width, bit-packed values, and an additional bit, are illustrated in register 210.In step 204, words in a register are shuffled into subregisters in a SIMD register.","A Shuffle operation is a SIMD operation that retrieves sets of one or more bytes from a register, and loads each set in a SIMD subregister.","The width of each subregister is the width of the cardinality of the values in the fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, which are the same as the cardinality of the dictionary-encoded column values.","Accordingly, in the example illustrated in FIG.","2, the Shuffle operation is used to load the first 32 bits from register 210 into subregister 112, subregister 114, and subregister 116.In step 206, the bits in each subregister in a SIMD register are shifted to align the fixed-bit representation of each value with the low end of each subregister, respectively.","A Variable-Shift operation is a SIMD operation that shifts one or more subregisters in a single SIMD register by a variable amount.","In the examples herein, the right-most bit of each register is the low end.","Thus, a variable-right-shift operation is used to shift subregister 112 by zero bits, subregister 114 by five bits, and subregister 116 by ten bits.","The number of bits that a bit-vector is shifted by to right-align the value in a register is referred to herein as a bit-offset.","A bit-offset may be calculated many ways.","In an embodiment, the bit-offset for each subregister is calculated using the following equation, where i is the base-zero index of the value in the vector of values: bit_offset(i)=(i*value_width)mod subregister_size.","In the current example, for the first value (<00000>) in the vector of values, i is zero, value width is five because the width of each value in the bit-packed fixed-width vector of values is five, and subregister_size is 32 because each subregister in SIMD register 110 is 32 bits wide.","Thus, the bit-offset for subregister 112 is zero, because zero modulo 32 is zero.","For the second value (<00001>) in the vector of values, i is one, and value_width and subregister_size are the same as the previous example.","Thus, the bit-offset for subregister 114 is five, because five modulo 32 is five.","Additionally or alternatively, step 206 may be performed by using a SIMD integer divide operation.","Dividing a value stored in a register by 2° shifts the bits in the register n places lower.","For example, after step 204, subregister 116 contains < .",".",".","1 00100 00001 00000>.","If subregister 116 is divided by 210, then the bit-vector in subregister 116 is shifted to the right 10 places to be <0 .",".",".","1 00100>.","Thus, instead of using a variable-right-shift operation in step 206, a SIMD integer divide operation may be used to shift subregister 112 by zero bits, subregister 114 by five bits, and subregister 116 by ten bits, by dividing each subregister by 20, 25, and 210 respectively.","In step 208, the upper bits, which are not part of the fixed-width value, in each subregister are masked out.","An And operation may be used to mask out the upper bits of each subregister.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","2, the 27 high bits of each subregister in SIMD register 110 are masked out by applying following 32-bit mask-bit-vector to each subregister: <0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0001 1111>.","The state of each register after step 208 includes the intended fixed-width value properly aligned in each subregister in the SIMD register.","Thus, after step 208, and as illustrated in FIG.","2, subregister 112 holds a 32-bit representation of the value zero, subregister 114 holds a 32-bit representation of the value one, and subregister 116 holds a 32-bit representation of the value four.","Additionally or alternatively, step 206 and/or step 208 may be performed by using a SIMD multiply and uniform-shift based on a set of inverted bit-offsets.","A SIMD multiply may be used to store the value in each subregister in the most significant bits of the subregister.","Thus, in the current example, a SIMD multiply may be used to left-align a value in a subregister.","After the fixed-width value in each subregister is left-aligned, a uniform-shift operation may be used to right-align each value.","Multiplying a value stored in a register by 2n shifts the bits in the register n places higher.","For example, after step 204, subregister 114 contains < .",".",".","1 00100 00001 00000>.","If subregister 114 is multiplied by 222, then the bit-vector in subregister 114 is shifted to the left 22 places to be <00001 0 .",".",".",">, which makes the value left-aligned in subregister 114.The number of bits a bit-vector is shifted by to left-align the value in a register is referred to herein as an inverted bit-offset.","An inverted bit-offset may be calculated may ways.","In an embodiment, the inverted bit-offset for each subregister is calculated by using the following equation, where i is the base-zero index of the value in the vector of values: subregister_size−(value_width+bit_offseti) For example, the inverted bit-offset for subregister 112 is 27, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (zero).","The inverted bit-offset for subregister 114 is 22, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (five).","The inverted bit-offset for subregister 116 is 17, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (ten).","After left-aligning the fixed-width value in each register, then the uniform-shift operation is used to right-shift the bits in each subregister by the number of bits in the subregister minus the width of the value in the subregister.","Thus, continuing with the previous example, the bits in each subregister of SIMD register 110 are each right-shifted by 27 bits, which is the width of each subregister (32) minus the width of each value (five), respectively.","After performing the uniform-shift operation, the value in each subregister in SIMD register 110 are right-aligned.","In an embodiment, if a set of SIMD instructions for a particular hardware set does not support the variable-right-shift operation and/or a SIMD divide operation, then the SIMD multiply and uniform-shift operations may be used to right-align the values in each subregister in a SIMD subregister.","Additionally or alternatively, if a particular hardware set does not support SIMD instructions then a multiply and shift may be used on values in non-SIMD registers.","Splatting the Dictionary Bit-Vector into a Plurality of Subregisters In step 104, the dictionary bit-vector is splatted into each subregister in a SIMD register.","The SPLAT operation copies bytes from a register, or memory, into each subregister in a SIMD register.","In the current example, the dictionary bit-vector is 32 bits wide and the width of SIMD register 120 is 256 bits wide.","Thus, the dictionary bit-vector may be splatted into eight subregisters in SIMD register 120.For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first three subregisters in SIMD register 120 are shown in FIG.","1: subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126, each include a copy of the dictionary bit-vector.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first eight bits and the last bit are illustrated in subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Shifting the Dictionary Bit-Vector in Each Subregister by a Variable Number In step 106, the dictionary bit-vector in each subregister of the SIMD register is shifted to place the bit that corresponds with the column value (or dictionary index) into the lowest bit.","For example, a Variable-Right-Shift operation is used to shift the dictionary bit-vector in each subregister of SIMD register 120 by the column value in each respective subregister of SIMD register 110.Thus, the bit that corresponds with the column value (or dictionary index) in each subregister of SIMD register 110 is in the lowest bit in each respective subregister of SIMD register 120.Accordingly, and as illustrated in FIG.","1, in step 106, the bits in subregister 122 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 112 (zero), the bits in subregister 124 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 114 (one), and the bits in subregister 126 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 116 (four).","Generating an Output Bit-Vector for Each Column Value In step 108, the lowest bit in each subregister of the SIMD register that holds the dictionary bit-vector is copied to an output bit-vector in a register and/or memory.","A Move-Mask operation is a SIMD operation that applies a mask to each subregister in a single SIMD register and copies the bit(s) not masked out to another register and/or memory.","In the current example, the Move-Mask operation is used to apply a mask, such as <0 .",".",".","01>, to mask out all but the lowest bit in each subregister in SIMD register 120, and copy the lowest bit into storage 130.In the example embodiments illustrated in FIG.","1, and discussed above, the set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, is performed on eight dictionary-encoded column values in parallel.","The process may be repeated until the 1,000,000,000 column values are processed.","The resulting output bit-vector is 1,000,000,000 bits long.","A Second Set-Membership Process for Sets with High or Low Cardinality The second set-membership process discussed herein may be used for column values with high or low cardinality.","FIG.","3A and FIG.","3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages, in an example embodiment.","For example, system 300 comprises SIMD register 320, SIMD register 330, SIMD register 340, storage 350, SIMD register 360, and storage 370.SIMD register 320 comprises subregister 322, subregister 324, and subregister 326.SIMD register 330 comprises subregister 332, subregister 334, and subregister 336.SIMD register 340 comprises subregister 342, subregister 344, and subregister 346.SIMD register 360 comprises subregister 362, subregister 364, and subregister 366.Storage 350 and storage 370 may be one or more registers, segments in cache, segments in memory, and/or disk.","FIG.","3A and FIG.","3B also illustrate the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: The cardinality of a column in a database table is 1024.There are 1,000,000,000 rows in the database table.","The column value in each row is dictionary-encoded with 10 bits.","Each value in the column is a value between zero and one minus the cardinality of the column, which in this case is 1023.A query has been received that includes one or more conditions based on the column.","The database server has evaluated the one or more conditions on the dictionary values and generated the following dictionary bit-vector: <0000 0000, .",".",".",", 0001 0100, 0001 0001>.","The bit-vector is the same width as the cardinality of the column: 1024 bits.","Each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.","Loading Dictionary-Encoded, Fixed-Width, Bit-Packed Values (or Dictionary Indexes) in a Plurality of Subregisters in a Single SIMD Register Using One or More SIMD Operations In step 302, one or more dictionary-encoded column values are loaded in one or more subregisters of a SIMD register.","For example, the database server may cause the SIMD processor to perform one or more operations discussed above, such as the operations discussed above in step 102 and/or steps 202 through 208 (load, shuffle, shift, and/or mask), which when executed cause a plurality of bit-packed, fixed-width values (< .",".",".",", 00000 00000, 00000 00001, 00000 01010>) to load into subregisters in SIMD register 320.The width of each value is 10 bits because the cardinality is 1024.Register 320 in FIG.","3A illustrates the state of subregister 322, subregister 324, and subregister 326 after loading the values into each register: The first dictionary-encoded column value (ten) is loaded in subregister 322; The second dictionary-encoded column value (one) is loaded in subregister 324; and The third dictionary-encoded column value (zero) is loaded in subregister 326.Determining a Byte-Offset and Bit-Offset of Each Corresponding Dictionary Index in the Dictionary Bit-Vector In step 304, each loaded value is divided by eight, and the quotient and remainder are stored.","The quotient is the byte-offset of the corresponding byte in the dictionary bit-vector.","The remainder is the bit-offset of the corresponding bit in the dictionary bit-vector.","For example, the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 is integer-divided by eight and stored in each respective subregister in SIMD register 330.The remainder of each value is stored in each respective subregister in SIMD register 340.An integer-divide may be defined as the floor of a numerator divided by a denominator.","There are many ways to perform an integer-divide by eight.","An optimized method for dividing a value in a register by eight is shifting the bits in the register three places towards the low end.","For example, <1111 1010>(250) shifted by three places to the low end, which in this case is to the right, is <0001 1111>(31).","The value in each subregister in SIMD register 330 may be generated by: copying the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 into each subregister in SIMD register 330, respectively and in parallel; and shifting the value in each subregister in SIMD register 330 by three bits to the right in parallel.","There are many ways to determine the remainder of a value integer-divided by eight.","An optimized method for determining the remainder is masking off bits in a subregister higher than the lowest three bits.","For example, masking the bits in <1111 1010>(250) that are higher than three low end bits, which in this case is to the left, is <0000 0010>(2).","The value in each subregister in SIMD register 340 may be generated by: copying the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 into each subregister in SIMD register 340, respectively and in parallel; and masking the bits that are higher than the three lowest end bits in each subregister in SIMD register 330 in parallel.","Loading Bits in the Dictionary Bit-Vector According to the Byte-Offset and Bit-Offset In step 306, bytes in the dictionary bit-vector that have bits that correspond to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are also loaded.","For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume that storage 350 includes the dictionary bit-vector.","A byte from storage 350 is loaded into each subregister in SIMD register 360, according to the corresponding byte-offset stored in each subregister in SIMD register 330, respectively.","There are many ways to load a byte from storage 350 using a byte-offset.","An optimized method for SIMD architecture uses the Gather operation, which fetches bytes from a register and/or memory and stores the bytes in SIMD subregisters in parallel.","Using the Gather operation, as illustrated in FIGS.","3A and 3B, an SIMD processor may: Fetch the second byte, <0001 0100>, based on the value stored in subregister 332 (one), which corresponds with subregister 362, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 332.Fetch the first byte, <0001 0001>, based on the value stored in subregister 334 (zero), which corresponds with subregister 364, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 334.Fetch the first byte, <0001 0001>, based on the value stored in subregister 336 (zero), which corresponds with subregister 366, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 336.In step 308, the bit that corresponds to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are shifted to the lowest end bit.","For example, the bits in each subregister in SIMD register 360 may be shifted using the Variable-Right-Shift operation discussed above.","The Variable-Right-Shift operation may shift each subregister in SIMD register 360 by the value in each subregister in SIMD register 340, respectively and in parallel.","Accordingly, the bits in subregister 362 are shifted two places to the right, because the value of subregister 342 is two; the bits in subregister 364 are shift one place to the right, because the value of subregister 344 is one; and, the bits in subregister 366 are not shifted, because the value of subregister 366 is zero.","Generating an Output Bit-Vector for Each Column Value In step 310, the bit that corresponds to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are copied to an output bit-vector in a register and/or memory.","For example, the Move-Mask operation, discussed above, may be used to copy the lowest bit in each subregister in SIMD register 360 into storage 370.Additionally or alternatively, a SIMD processor may use the “gatherb” instruction to gather collect the correct bits from the dictionary bit-vector based on the dictionary index values loaded in a SIMD register.","For example, in response to receiving the gatherb operation, the SIMD processor collects each bit in the dictionary bit-vector loaded in storage 350 accordingly to the dictionary index loaded in each subregister in SIMD register 320.The SIMD processor may store each collected bit in storage 370.The gatherb operation is described in detail in U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/801,207, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,064, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,249, and U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.","No.","14/023,265, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.","In the example embodiments illustrated in FIG.","3A and FIG.","3B, and discussed above, the set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, is performed on eight dictionary-encoded column values in parallel.","The process is repeated until the 1,000,000,000 column values are processed.","The resulting output bit-vector is a bit-vector is 1,000,000,000 bits long.","VARIATIONS Some of the embodiments illustrated above each subregister may be eight, or thirty-two bits wide.","Other embodiments may include other widths, including, but in no way limited to four bits, eight bits, thirty-two bits, sixty-four bits.","In many examples, subregisters may be four bytes.","However, subregisters may be larger or smaller than four bytes.","Furthermore, a default width, an operand, and/or a completer may be used to define the width of the subregisters for a particular operation.","In some of the embodiments illustrated and discussed above, the least significant bits (the “lowest” bits) were illustrated on the right side of registers or memory, and no sign bit was used.","However, the examples included above are not intended to be limiting.","The instructions discussed above may be implemented on many various hardware configurations that are different than those illustrated.","For example, in other embodiments, the lowest bits are on the left side of registers or memory.","Additionally some bit-vectors, registers, and/or subregisters by include a sign bit.","While the methods described above may be focused on SIMD architecture, these methods may also be implemented scalar and/or other non-SIMD instructions.","The methods may also be included as part of an application programming interface.","Furthermore the methods may implemented as an intrinsic, which may be a function a compiler recognizes and replaces with a particular block of assembly or machine code.","Further still, one or more instructions may be stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediums, which when executed by one or more processors, may cause one or more of the methods described herein to be performed.","In many of the examples, a SIMD register comprises three subregisters.","This is not intended to be limiting in any way.","SIMD registers may comprise more or fewer subregisters, all of which may be varying widths.","In the above examples, each dictionary index value is a fixed-width value.","However, in an embodiment, each dictionary may be a variable width value.","A data vector may define the width of the each dictionary index value, and each dictionary index value may be loaded accordingly.","For example, a dictionary-encoded column with a cardinality of 32 may use a maximum number of five bits or less to represent each value in the dictionary-encoded column.","For purposes of illustrating clear examples, many of the above example embodiments illustrate determining whether one or more dictionary values satisfy one or more queries and/or query conditions, and which rows of the one or more dictionary-encoded column values are in the set of dictionary values that satisfy the query.","However, the methods and systems discussed herein may be used to more quickly determine whether one or more values in a first set of values are included in a second set of values using SIMD instructions.","Hardware Overview According to one embodiment, the techniques described herein are implemented by one or more special-purpose computing devices.","The special-purpose computing devices may be hard-wired to perform the techniques, or may include digital electronic devices such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are persistently programmed to perform the techniques, or may include one or more general purpose hardware processors programmed to perform the techniques pursuant to program instructions in firmware, memory, other storage, or a combination.","Such special-purpose computing devices may also combine custom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with custom programming to accomplish the techniques.","The special-purpose computing devices may be desktop computer systems, portable computer systems, handheld devices, networking devices or any other device that incorporates hard-wired and/or program logic to implement the techniques.","For example, FIG.","4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 400 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.","Computer system 400 includes a bus 402 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware processor 404 coupled with bus 402 for processing information.","Hardware processor 404 may be, for example, a general purpose microprocessor.","Computer system 400 also includes a main memory 406, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus 402 for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 404.Main memory 406 also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 404.Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media accessible to processor 404, render computer system 400 into a special-purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the instructions.","Computer system 400 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 408 or other static storage device coupled to bus 402 for storing static information and instructions for processor 404.A storage device 410, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus 402 for storing information and instructions.","Computer system 400 may be coupled via bus 402 to a display 412, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user.","An input device 414, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 402 for communicating information and command selections to processor 404.Another type of user input device is cursor control 416, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to processor 404 and for controlling cursor movement on display 412.This input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a plane.","Computer system 400 may implement the techniques described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/or program logic which in combination with the computer system causes or programs computer system 400 to be a special-purpose machine.","According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by computer system 400 in response to processor 404 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 406.Such instructions may be read into main memory 406 from another storage medium, such as storage device 410.Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 406 causes processor 404 to perform the process steps described herein.","In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.","The term “storage media” as used herein refers to any non-transitory media that store data and/or instructions that cause a machine to operation in a specific fashion.","Such storage media may comprise non-volatile media and/or volatile media.","Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 410.Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 406.Common forms of storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic data storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical data storage medium, any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip or cartridge.","Storage media is distinct from but may be used in conjunction with transmission media.","Transmission media participates in transferring information between storage media.","For example, transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 402.Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.","Various forms of media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 404 for execution.","For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk or solid state drive of a remote computer.","The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem.","A modem local to computer system 400 can receive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitter to convert the data to an infra-red signal.","An infra-red detector can receive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriate circuitry can place the data on bus 402.Bus 402 carries the data to main memory 406, from which processor 404 retrieves and executes the instructions.","The instructions received by main memory 406 may optionally be stored on storage device 410 either before or after execution by processor 404.Computer system 400 also includes a communication interface 418 coupled to bus 402.Communication interface 418 provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link 420 that is connected to a local network 422.For example, communication interface 418 may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line.","As another example, communication interface 418 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN.","Wireless links may also be implemented.","In any such implementation, communication interface 418 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.","Network link 420 typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices.","For example, network link 420 may provide a connection through local network 422 to a host computer 424 or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 426.ISP 426 in turn provides data communication services through the world wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet” 428.Local network 422 and Internet 428 both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams.","The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link 420 and through communication interface 418, which carry the digital data to and from computer system 400, are example forms of transmission media.","Computer system 400 can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link 420 and communication interface 418.In the Internet example, a server 430 might transmit a requested code for an application program through Internet 428, ISP 426, local network 422 and communication interface 418.The received code may be executed by processor 404 as it is received, and/or stored in storage device 410, or other non-volatile storage for later execution.","In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation.","The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.","The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FAST SET-MEMBERSHIP TESTS USING ONE OR MORE PROCESSORS THAT SUPPORT SINGLE INSTRUCTION MULTIPLE DATA INSTRUCTIONS\",\n \"Methods and apparatuses for determining set-membership using Single Instruction Multiple Data (“SIMD”) architecture are presented herein.\",\n \"Specifically, methods and apparatuses are discussed for determining, in parallel, whether multiple values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.\",\n \"Many of the methods and systems discussed herein are applied to determining whether one or more rows in a dictionary-encoded column of a database table satisfy one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column.\",\n \"However, the methods and systems discussed herein may apply to many applications executed on a SIMD processor using set-membership tests.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method comprising: copying a first value into a first subregister and a second value into a second subregister; wherein the first subregister and the second subregister are subregisters in a first single SIMD register; wherein the first value corresponds with a first column value in a first row of a particular column of a database table, and the second value corresponds with a second column value in a second row of the particular column of the database table; gathering a first bit from an input bit-vector and a second bit from the input bit-vector based on the first value in the first subregister and the second value in the second subregister, respectively; determining whether the first column value satisfies a search condition based on the first bit and whether the second column value satisfies the search condition based on the second bit.\",\n \"2.The method of claim 1 comprising: storing a first byte-offset in a third subregister and a second byte-offset in a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are in a second single SIMD register; storing a first bit-offset in a fifth subregister and a second bit-offset in a sixth subregister, wherein the fifth subregister and the sixth subregister are in a third single SIMD register; wherein gathering the first bit and the second bit comprises: gathering a first byte from the input bit-vector into a seventh subregister based on the first byte-offset and a second byte from the input bit-vector into an eighth subregister based on the second byte-offset, wherein the seventh subregister and the eighth subregister are in a fourth single SIMD register; and shifting bits in the seventh subregister by the first bit-offset and bits in the eighth subregister by the second bit-offset.\",\n \"3.The method of claim 2, wherein gathering the first bit and the second bit comprises copying the first bit from the seventh subregister and the second bit from the eighth subregister in an output bit-vector using a bit-mask.\",\n \"4.The method of claim 2, wherein: wherein determining whether the first column value satisfies the search condition and whether the second column value satisfies the search condition comprises: determining whether the first column value satisfies the search condition based on the first bit, which is stored at a particular position in the seventh subregister; and determining whether the second column value satisfies the search condition based on the second bit, which is stored at the particular position in the eighth subregister.\",\n \"5.The method of claim 2 comprising: determining a first quotient by dividing the first value, stored the first subregister, by eight; determining a second quotient by dividing the second value, stored the second subregister, by eight; and storing the first byte-offset in the third subregister and the second byte-offset in the fourth subregister comprises: storing the first quotient as the first byte-offset in the third subregister; and storing the second quotient as the second byte-offset in the fourth subregister.\",\n \"6.The method of claim 2 comprising: determining a first remainder by dividing the first value, stored in the first subregister, by eight; determining a second remainder by dividing the second value, stored in the second subregister, by eight; and wherein storing the first bit-offset in the fifth subregister and the second bit-offset in the sixth subregister comprises: storing the first remainder as the first bit-offset in the fifth subregister; and storing the second remainder as the second bit-offset in the sixth subregister.\",\n \"7.The method of claim 2 wherein gathering the first byte from the input bit-vector into the seventh subregister is performed in parallel with gathering the second byte from the input bit-vector into the eighth subregister.\",\n \"8.The method of claim 2, wherein: gathering the first bit and the second bit further comprises: setting a first output bit in an output bit-vector to the first bit in the seventh subregister, wherein each bit in the output bit-vector corresponds to a row in the database table and the first output bit corresponds with the first row in the database table; setting a second output bit in the output bit-vector to the second bit in the eighth subregister, wherein the second output bit corresponds with the second row in the database table; determining whether the first row satisfies the search condition is based on the first output bit; and determining whether the second row satisfies the search condition is based on the second output bit.\",\n \"9.The method of claim 1 further comprising: copying the first value into a third subregister and the second value into a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are subregisters in a fifth single SIMD register; multiplying each value in the third subregister and the fourth subregister by a first power of two and a second power of two, respectively; shifting bits in the third subregister and the fourth subregister such that the first value is aligned with the third subregister and the second value is aligned with the fourth subregister.\",\n \"10.The method of claim 1 further comprising: copying the first value into a third subregister and the second value into a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are subregisters in a sixth single SIMD register; shifting bits in the third subregister such that bits representing the first value are aligned with the third subregister; and shifting bits in the fourth subregister such that bits representing the second value are aligned with the fourth subregister; and setting bits that do not represent the first value in the third subregister to zero; and setting bits that do not represent the second value in the fourth subregister to zero.\",\n \"11.A hardware processor configured to: copy a first value into a first subregister and a second value into a second subregister; wherein the first subregister and the second subregister are subregisters in a first single SIMD register; wherein the first value corresponds with a first column value in a first row of a particular column of a database table, and the second value corresponds with a second column value in a second row of the particular column of the database table; gather a first bit from an input bit-vector and a second bit from the input bit-vector based on the first value in the first subregister and the second value in the second subregister, respectively; determine whether the first column value satisfies a search condition based on the first bit and whether the second column value satisfies the search condition based on the second bit.\",\n \"12.The hardware processor of claim 11 further configured to: store a first byte-offset in a third subregister and a second byte-offset in a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are in a second single SIMD register; store a first bit-offset in a fifth subregister and a second bit-offset in a sixth subregister, wherein the fifth subregister and the sixth subregister are in a third single SIMD register; and gather the first bit and the second bit by performing the steps comprising: gathering a first byte from the input bit-vector into a seventh subregister based on the first byte-offset and a second byte from the input bit-vector into an eighth subregister based on the second byte-offset, wherein the seventh subregister and the eighth subregister are in a fourth single SIMD register; and shifting bits in the seventh subregister by the first bit-offset and bits in the eighth subregister by the second bit-offset.\",\n \"13.The hardware processor of claim 12, further configured to gather the first bit and the second bit by performing the steps comprising: copying the first bit from the seventh subregister and the second bit from the eighth subregister in an output bit-vector using a bit-mask.\",\n \"14.The hardware processor of claim 12, further configured to determine whether the first column value satisfies the search condition and whether the second column value satisfies the search condition by performing the steps comprising: determining whether the first column value satisfies the search condition based on the first bit, which is stored at a particular position in the seventh subregister; and determining whether the second column value satisfies the search condition based on the second bit, which is stored at the particular position in the eighth subregister.\",\n \"15.The hardware processor of claim 12 further configured to: determine a first quotient by dividing the first value, stored the first subregister, by eight; determine a second quotient by dividing the second value, stored the second subregister, by eight; and store the first byte-offset in the third subregister and the second byte-offset in the fourth subregister comprises: store the first quotient as the first byte-offset in the third subregister; and store the second quotient as the second byte-offset in the fourth subregister.\",\n \"16.The hardware processor of claim 12 further configured to: determine a first remainder by dividing the first value, stored in the first subregister, by eight; determine a second remainder by dividing the second value, stored in the second subregister, by eight; and wherein performing the step of storing the first bit-offset in the fifth subregister and the second bit-offset in the sixth subregister comprises: storing the first remainder as the first bit-offset in the fifth subregister; and storing the second remainder as the second bit-offset in the sixth subregister.\",\n \"17.The hardware processor of claim 12 further configured to gather the first byte from the input bit-vector into the seventh subregister in parallel with gathering the second byte from the input bit-vector into the eighth subregister.\",\n \"18.The hardware processor of claim 12 further configured to: gather the first bit and the second bit by performing the steps comprising: setting a first output bit in an output bit-vector to the first bit in the seventh subregister, wherein each bit in the output bit-vector corresponds to a row in the database table and the first output bit corresponds with the first row in the database table; setting a second output bit in the output bit-vector to the second bit in the eighth subregister, wherein the second output bit corresponds with the second row in the database table; determine whether the first row satisfies the search condition is based on the first output bit; and determine whether the second row satisfies the search condition is based on the second output bit.\",\n \"19.The hardware processor of claim 11 further configured to: copy the first value into a third subregister and the second value into a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are subregisters in a fifth single SIMD register; multiply each value in the third subregister and the fourth subregister by a first power of two and a second power of two, respectively; shift bits in the third subregister and the fourth subregister such that the first value is aligned with the third subregister and the second value is aligned with the fourth subregister.\",\n \"20.The hardware processor of claim 11 further configured to: copy the first value into a third subregister and the second value into a fourth subregister, wherein the third subregister and the fourth subregister are subregisters in a sixth single SIMD register; shift bits in the third subregister such that bits representing the first value are aligned with the third subregister; and shift bits in the fourth subregister such that bits representing the second value are aligned with the fourth subregister; and set bits that do not represent the first value in the third subregister to zero; and set bits that do not represent the second value in the fourth subregister to zero.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be computationally expensive.\",\n \"The larger the first set and/or the second set is, the more time is required to determine which values in the first set of values are members of a second set of values.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: A database has a table named “OrbitingObjects”, which has a particular column named “Type”; and A database server receives the following query: “SELECT count(Type) FROM OrbitingObjects WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’;”.\",\n \"To respond to the query, the database server must determine which values in the particular column are members of a second set.\",\n \"In this case, the second set is the set of values that match “rocket” or “station”.\",\n \"The more rows in the column Type, the longer the database server may take to determine which rows in the Type column satisfy the condition: “WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”.\",\n \"Furthermore, some types of conditions are computationally expensive.\",\n \"For instance, in the previous example, the database server may perform a string comparison between each value in the Type column and the two condition values: “rocket” and “station”.\",\n \"Some database systems rely on using newer processing units with higher processing speeds to determine which rows in a column satisfy one or more conditions in a query and return results more quickly.\",\n \"However, the performance of typical processing units is not increasing at the same rate as the quantity of the data upon which database operations are performed.\",\n \"Thus, database and other software developers are not able to rely as much on increasing computer power to more quickly evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.\",\n \"Single instruction multiple data (“SIMD”) processors perform the same operation on multiple data items simultaneously.\",\n \"SIMD processors exploit data level parallelism by executing a single instruction against data in multiple registers or subregisters.\",\n \"Thus, the throughput per instruction may be increased accordingly.\",\n \"SIMD processors are typically used for graphic and other multimedia applications.\",\n \"Exploiting the SIMD architecture to evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be difficult.\",\n \"For example, many SIMD processors cannot branch to a first operation after evaluating a first value in a first subregister, and branch to a second operation after evaluating a second value in a second subregister, in parallel.\",\n \"Thus, if a first column value satisfies a condition, but a second column value does not satisfy the same condition, then some SIMD architectures do not have a mechanism to branch to a first operation to indicate the particular column value satisfied the condition, while branching in parallel to a second operation to indicate the second column value did not satisfy the condition.\",\n \"The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued.\",\n \"Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing a first set-membership process, in an embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A and FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\",\n \"While each of the drawing figures illustrates a particular embodiment for purposes of illustrating a clear example, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the elements shown in the drawing figures.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating clear examples, one or more figures may be described with reference to one or more other figures, but using the particular arrangement illustrated in the one or more other figures is not required in other embodiments.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS; BENEFIT CLAIM This application is a Divisional of prior U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/338,219 (Attorney Docket No.\",\n \"50277-4171) entitled “Methods And Systems For Fast Set-Membership Tests Using One Or More Processors That Support Single Instruction Multiple Data Instructions”, filed Jul.\",\n \"22, 2014, which claims the benefit of Provisional App.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"61/880,852, filed Sep. 21, 2013, under 35 U.S.C.\",\n \"§ 119(e).\",\n \"The entire contents of Provisional App.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"61/880,852 are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.\",\n \"The application is related to, and incorporates by reference, the following U.S.\",\n \"Applications: U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/801,207 filed Mar.\",\n \"15, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,064 filed Sep. 10, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,249 filed Sep. 10, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,265 filed Sep. 10, 2013 and U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/338,219 filed on Jul.\",\n \"22, 2014.FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to set-membership tests and more specifically to parallel set-membership tests optimized to use single instruction multiple data instructions.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be computationally expensive.\",\n \"The larger the first set and/or the second set is, the more time is required to determine which values in the first set of values are members of a second set of values.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: A database has a table named “OrbitingObjects”, which has a particular column named “Type”; and A database server receives the following query: “SELECT count(Type) FROM OrbitingObjects WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’;”.\",\n \"To respond to the query, the database server must determine which values in the particular column are members of a second set.\",\n \"In this case, the second set is the set of values that match “rocket” or “station”.\",\n \"The more rows in the column Type, the longer the database server may take to determine which rows in the Type column satisfy the condition: “WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”.\",\n \"Furthermore, some types of conditions are computationally expensive.\",\n \"For instance, in the previous example, the database server may perform a string comparison between each value in the Type column and the two condition values: “rocket” and “station”.\",\n \"Some database systems rely on using newer processing units with higher processing speeds to determine which rows in a column satisfy one or more conditions in a query and return results more quickly.\",\n \"However, the performance of typical processing units is not increasing at the same rate as the quantity of the data upon which database operations are performed.\",\n \"Thus, database and other software developers are not able to rely as much on increasing computer power to more quickly evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values.\",\n \"Single instruction multiple data (“SIMD”) processors perform the same operation on multiple data items simultaneously.\",\n \"SIMD processors exploit data level parallelism by executing a single instruction against data in multiple registers or subregisters.\",\n \"Thus, the throughput per instruction may be increased accordingly.\",\n \"SIMD processors are typically used for graphic and other multimedia applications.\",\n \"Exploiting the SIMD architecture to evaluate which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values may be difficult.\",\n \"For example, many SIMD processors cannot branch to a first operation after evaluating a first value in a first subregister, and branch to a second operation after evaluating a second value in a second subregister, in parallel.\",\n \"Thus, if a first column value satisfies a condition, but a second column value does not satisfy the same condition, then some SIMD architectures do not have a mechanism to branch to a first operation to indicate the particular column value satisfied the condition, while branching in parallel to a second operation to indicate the second column value did not satisfy the condition.\",\n \"The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued.\",\n \"Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.\",\n \"TERMS AND NOTATION For purpose of explanation, the following terms and conventions are used herein to describe embodiments of the invention: The term “byte” herein describes number of contiguously stored bits.\",\n \"While the common usage implies eight bits, the size of a byte may vary from implementation to implementation.\",\n \"For example a byte may refer to any size including four bits, eight bits, sixteen bits, thirty-two bits, sixty-four bits, and so on.\",\n \"The notation herein describes a vector of bits, e.g., <10>.\",\n \"Spaces and/or commas may be added between bits merely to increase the ability to read the contents of the vector, e.g., <1111 0000, 1111 0000>.\",\n \"To be consistent with the other examples herein, the “first” bit, “lowest” bit, or “least significant” bit is the right-most bit; the “last” bit, “highest” bit, or “most significant” bit is the left-most bit.\",\n \"In an embodiment bits in a vector bit may be ordered differently.\",\n \"The terms “lowest-aligned” and “highest-aligned” indicate whether a value is stored in a register's lowest bits or highest bits, respectively.\",\n \"For example, if a value is “lowest-aligned” in a register, then the value is stored in the register's lowest bits; and if a value is “highest-aligned” in a register, then the value is stored in the register's highest bits.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating clear examples herein, the term “right-aligned” means lowest-aligned, and the term “left-aligned” means highest-aligned.\",\n \"The notation [J, K] herein describe a set of values, where J is a first value and K is a second value, which may be equal or different unless specifically stated otherwise.\",\n \"For example, J could be a value in a first row of a database column and K may be a value in a second row of the database column.\",\n \"Also for example, J may be a first value in a dictionary and K may be a second value in a dictionary.\",\n \"The term “register” is a register or subregister that may include one or more smaller subregisters.\",\n \"Unless otherwise specified a register may be a SIMD register or a register typically used in the scalar processor.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing a first set-membership process, in an embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A and FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.\",\n \"While each of the drawing figures illustrates a particular embodiment for purposes of illustrating a clear example, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the elements shown in the drawing figures.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating clear examples, one or more figures may be described with reference to one or more other figures, but using the particular arrangement illustrated in the one or more other figures is not required in other embodiments.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.\",\n \"It will be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.\",\n \"In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.\",\n \"GENERAL OVERVIEW Several processes are presented herein for determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values in parallel using SIMD architecture.\",\n \"While the examples illustrated herein focus on satisfying conditions in a database query, the processes and systems discussed herein may be used in other applications using SIMD architecture.\",\n \"SIMD Instructions A SIMD instruction is an instruction that, when processed, may cause an operation to be performed multiple times, simultaneously and/or in parallel, on multiple distinct data values.\",\n \"For the purpose of illustrating a clear example, assume four integer values are to be incremented by one.\",\n \"Also assume that a SIMD processor receives a single SIMD Increment by One instruction.\",\n \"In response to receiving the single SIMD instruction, the SIMD processor may increment each of the four integer values simultaneously.\",\n \"In contrast, a scalar instruction is an instruction that, when processed, may cause an operation to be performed once.\",\n \"Multiple scalar instructions may be processed serially within a scalar processor, processing unit, or processing core.\",\n \"Assume, for purposes of illustrating a clear example, the same four values in the previous example are to be incremented by one on a scalar processor.\",\n \"The scalar processor may execute a first scalar Increment by One instruction, causing the first value to be incremented by one; then, the scalar processor may execute a second scalar Increment by One instruction, causing the second value to be incremented by one, and so on.\",\n \"Thus, in this example, the scalar processor must execute three more Increment by One instructions than the SIMD processor in the previous example.\",\n \"Furthermore, assume that the scalar processor performs a scalar Increment by One instruction as quickly as the SIMD processor executes a SIMD Increment by One instruction.\",\n \"Because the scalar processor performs scalar instructions serially, and the SIMD processor performs a SIMD instruction on multiple data objects in parallel, the scalar processor may take four times longer to process all four values than the SIMD processor.\",\n \"One approach for implementing a SIMD operation is to use one or more registers that are each capable of storing multiple distinct data values.\",\n \"Such registers are referred to herein as SIMD registers.\",\n \"Assume, for purposes of illustrating a clear example, that a SIMD register is capable of storing 256 bits.\",\n \"Accordingly, the SIMD register is capable of storing eight distinct 32-bit values, each in a 32-bit subregister; four distinct 64-bit values, each in a 64-bit subregister; or two distinct 128-bit values, each in a 128-bit subregister.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, non-power-of-two sized subregisters may be used.\",\n \"A SIMD operation implemented in hardware and may take one or more machine cycles to execute.\",\n \"For example, a scalar processor, in response to receiving a Shift Right instruction, may shift bits representing a single value in a register to the right in a single cycle.\",\n \"A SIMD processor, in response to receiving a Shift Right instruction, may shift bits in multiple SIMD registers, or SIMD subregisters, in parallel, in a single cycle.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, a SIMD Shift Right instruction may be a Variable Shift Right instruction, which shifts bits to the right in each SIMD subregister, but independently of the other subregisters in the same SIMD register.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, one or more SIMD instructions may take more than one cycle to execute.\",\n \"A computer system that implements both SIMD and non-SIMD instructions may include one or more SIMD registers and one or more non-SIMD registers.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, a register may be a SIMD register for purposes of executing SIMD instruction and a non-SIMD register for purposes of executing a non-SIMD instruction.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, SIMD registers may be on a different hardware element (for example, a different coprocessor) than the hardware element on which non-SIMD registers reside.\",\n \"Dictionaries A dictionary may comprise one or more entries.\",\n \"Each entry has a dictionary index and a dictionary value.\",\n \"The dictionary index may be implied.\",\n \"For example, a dictionary may be an array of values, and the dictionary index for the fifth value may, in a zero-based array, implicitly be four.\",\n \"Each dictionary value may, but need not be, unique from all other dictionary values in the same dictionary.\",\n \"A database server, and/or an administrator may cause a database server, to generate a dictionary for a particular column in a database.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume a database table has a column named “Type”.\",\n \"Further assume that, of the values currently stored in the “Type” column, there are four unique values: “rocket”, “planet”, “station”, “moon”.\",\n \"Under these circumstances, a database server may create a dictionary comprising an array of entries with the following dictionary values: [“rocket”, “planet”, “station”, “moon”].\",\n \"The dictionary index for each dictionary value in a zero-based indexed array is as follows: DICTIONARY INDEX DICTIONARY VALUE ENTRY 1 0 “rocket” ENTRY 2 1 “planet” ENTRY 3 2 “station” ENTRY 4 3 “moon” In an embodiment, the dictionary values may be sorted before they are indexed.\",\n \"For example, [“rocket”, “planet”, station”, “moon”] may first be sorted alphabetically.\",\n \"However, the examples herein the dictionary values are not sorted.\",\n \"Once a dictionary has been created for a column, the column may be “encoded” by storing dictionary index values in the database column, instead of the actual column values.\",\n \"Continuing with the previous example, assume that the table has five rows, populated as follows: TYPE COLUMN OTHER COLUMNS ROW1 rocket .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW2 planet .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW3 moon .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW4 rocket .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW5 station .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"In this example, replacing the values in the type column with dictionary-encoded values produces the following table: DICTIONARY-ENCODED TYPE COLUMN OTHER COLUMNS ROW1 0 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW2 1 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW3 3 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW4 0 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"ROW5 2 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"As illustrated by this example, each dictionary-encoded column value is the dictionary index of the original value.\",\n \"For example, the dictionary-encoded value of row1 is zero, and zero is the dictionary index of the dictionary value “rocket”.\",\n \"Dictionary Bit-Vectors A dictionary bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which dictionary value(s), if any, satisfy one or more conditions in a query.\",\n \"The position of each bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds with a dictionary entry.\",\n \"A bit in a dictionary bit-vector that is set to one indicates that the corresponding dictionary entry is for a value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions.\",\n \"On the other hand, a bit in the dictionary bit-vector that is set to zero indicates that the corresponding dictionary entry is for a value that does not satisfy each of the one or more conditions.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the facts in the previous example and further assume that the database server has received a query for a count of all rows in the dictionary-encoded column “Type” with a column value of either “rocket” or “station”.\",\n \"The database server may evaluate the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”) on each dictionary value and generate the following dictionary bit-vector: <0, 1, 0, 1>.\",\n \"The first bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds to the first entry in the dictionary.\",\n \"The first bit is set to one because the dictionary value (“rocket”) at dictionary index zero satisfies the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”).\",\n \"Similarly, the last bit in the dictionary bit-vector corresponds to the last dictionary entry (entry four).\",\n \"The last bit (fourth bit) is set to zero because the dictionary value (“moon”) of dictionary entry four does not satisfy the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”).\",\n \"Output Bit-Vectors An output bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which values in a set of values satisfy one or more conditions in a query.\",\n \"For one or more database applications specifically, an output bit-vector is a bit-vector that indicates which rows of a table contain values that satisfy one or more conditions in a query.\",\n \"For example, an output bit-vector for a table with fifty rows will have fifty bits, each of which corresponds to a distinct row of the table.\",\n \"The value of each bit in bit-vector indicates whether the corresponding row has values that satisfy one or more conditions in a query.\",\n \"The position of each bit in the output bit-vector indicates the row of the table to which the bit corresponds.\",\n \"When the condition is a condition on a dictionary-encoded column, each bit in an output bit-vector that is set to one indicates that the corresponding row has a dictionary-encoded value that corresponds to a dictionary value that satisfies the condition.\",\n \"Conversely, each bit in an output bit-vector that is set to zero indicates that the corresponding row has a dictionary-encoded value that corresponds to a dictionary value that does not satisfy the condition.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the facts in the previous example.\",\n \"Based on the condition (“WHERE Type=‘rocket’ OR Type=‘station’”), the database server may generate the output the bit-vector <1, 1, 0, 0, 1>.\",\n \"In the above example, the first bit in the output bit-vector is set to one because the first bit corresponds to the first dictionary-encoded row or column value: zero.\",\n \"The first bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “1”, indicating that the first row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).\",\n \"Similarly, the second bit is set to zero because the second bit in the output bit-vector corresponds to the second dictionary-encoded row or column value: one.\",\n \"The first bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “0”, indicating that the second row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that does not satisfy each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).\",\n \"Furthermore, the last bit (fifth bit) is set to one because the fifth bit corresponds to the fifth dictionary encoded row or column value: two.\",\n \"The second bit in the corresponding dictionary bit-vector is “1”, indicating that the fifth row in the dictionary-encoded column (Type) corresponds with a dictionary value that satisfies each of the one or more conditions based on the dictionary-encoded column (Type).\",\n \"Set-Membership Processes Discussed herein are set-membership processes for determining which values in a first set of values are members of a second set of values using SIMD architecture.\",\n \"Each set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, may be performed on multiple values in parallel.\",\n \"Each set-membership process may generate an output bit-vector.\",\n \"Each process may be repeated until all the values in a set, such as values in a dictionary-encoded database table column, are processed and/or stored in an output bit-vector.\",\n \"Determining which Set-Membership Process to Use Determining which set-membership process to use may be based on the cardinality of the set, such as the cardinality of the values in a dictionary-encoded column.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, determining which set-membership process to use may be based on the size of one or more SIMD registers, preference of a user (such as a database administrator and/or developer), and/or one or more other factors.\",\n \"The cardinality of a set is the number of unique values that the set has or may have.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume that values in a particular database column have 32 possible unique values: 0-31.The cardinality of the database column is 32.The number of numerals used to represent each value is defined as ceiling(logb C), where C is the cardinality and b is the base of the numerals.\",\n \"For example, the number of bits used to represent a set with a cardinality of 32 is ceiling(log2 32), which is five.\",\n \"Also for example, the number of bits used to represent a column with a cardinality of 33 is ceiling(log2 33), which is six.\",\n \"Cardinality is “low” if Cα≤max(reg_bits), where C is the cardinality of a column value, α is an integer greater than one, and max(reg_bits) is the maximum number of bits that a SIMD register is capable of storing.\",\n \"In an embodiment, α is a power of two, such as 2, 4, 8, 16, and so on.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume C is 32, α is 2, and max(reg_bits) is 256.Since Cα is 64, and max(reg_bits) is 256, then the cardinality of the column value is low because 64 is less than 256.Cardinality is “high” if Cα>max(reg_bits).\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume C is 1024, α is 2, and max(reg_bits) is 256.Since Cα is 2048, and max(reg_bits) is 256, then the cardinality of the column value is high because 2048 is greater than 256.The variable α may be adjusted according to the preference of the SIMD processor executing one or more of the processes discussed herein.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the variable α may be set by a user, such as a database administrator and/or developer.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the variable α may be based on one or more other factors.\",\n \"In response to receiving a query with one or more conditions for a particular dictionary-encoded column, the database server may determine whether the cardinality of the column is low or high.\",\n \"If the cardinality for the column is low, then the database server may use the first set-membership process discussed herein to determine which rows in the column are associated with dictionary values that satisfy each of the one or more conditions.\",\n \"Otherwise, the database server may use the second set-membership process discussed herein to determine which rows in the column are associated with dictionary values that satisfy each of the one or more conditions.\",\n \"In an embodiment, the database server may use the second set-membership process regardless of cardinality.\",\n \"A database server may apply the set-membership processes discussed herein to different columns independently.\",\n \"For example, if a query has one or more first conditions for a first dictionary-encoded column and one or more second conditions for a second dictionary-encoded column, then the database server may determine the cardinality of the first column and the second column independently.\",\n \"If the cardinality for the first column is low and the cardinality for the second column is high, then the database server may use the first set-membership process on the first column and the second set-membership process on the second column.\",\n \"A First Set-Membership Process for Sets with Low Cardinality The first set-membership process discussed herein is specialized for sets with low cardinality.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a set of SIMD registers, in an embodiment.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"1, a SIMD processor comprises SIMD register 110 and SIMD register 120.SIMD register 110 comprises subregister 112, subregister 114, and subregister 116.SIMD register 120 comprises subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Storage 130 may be a register and/segments in memory that holds an output bit-vector generated by one or more processes discussed herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 also illustrates the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of performing the first set-membership process, in an embodiment.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: The cardinality of a column in a database table is 32.There are 1,000,000,000 rows in the database table.\",\n \"The column value in each row is dictionary-encoded with 5 bits.\",\n \"Each value in the column is a value between zero and one minus the cardinality of the column, which in this case is 31.A query has been received that includes one or more conditions based on the column.\",\n \"The database server has evaluated the one or more conditions on the dictionary values and generated the following dictionary bit-vector: <0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0000 0000, 1001 0001>.\",\n \"The bit-vector is the same width as the cardinality of the column: 32 bits.\",\n \"Each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.\",\n \"In step 102, one or more dictionary-encoded column values are loaded in one or more subregisters of a SIMD register.\",\n \"For example, the SIMD processor loads a plurality of bit-packed, fixed-width values into subregisters in SIMD register 110: < .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"00100 00001 00000>.\",\n \"The width of each value is 5 because the cardinality is 32.Each fixed-width value is a dictionary-encoded column value.\",\n \"Accordingly, a first dictionary-encoded column value (zero) is loaded in subregister 112, a second dictionary-encoded column value (one) is loaded in subregister 114, and a third dictionary-encoded column value (four) is loaded in subregister 116.Loading Dictionary-Encoded, Fixed-Width, Bit-Packed Values (or Dictionary Indexes) in a Plurality of Subregisters in a Single SIMD Register Using One or More SIMD Operations Fixed-width, bit-packed values may be loaded in a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register using various methods.\",\n \"For example, a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values may be loaded in a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register using the “bunpk” operation.\",\n \"The bunpk operation is described in detail in U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/801,207, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,064, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,249, and U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,265, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, if the bunpk operation, or another operation that loads values from a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values into a plurality of subregisters in a single SIMD register, is not available, then the operations discussed in relation to the bunpk operation may be used: a Load, Shuffle, Variable-Shift, and Mask/And.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a set of SIMD registers and the states of the SIMD registers at various steps of loading a plurality of values in a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"In step 202, a fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values are loaded in a register.\",\n \"A Load operation loads a particular number of bytes into register.\",\n \"In the current example, each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.\",\n \"Thus, each SIMD register includes eight 32-bit subregisters.\",\n \"Accordingly, eight row values in the database column may be loaded in a SIMD register, such as SIMD register 110, at a time.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first three fixed-width, bit-packed values, and an additional bit, are illustrated in register 210.In step 204, words in a register are shuffled into subregisters in a SIMD register.\",\n \"A Shuffle operation is a SIMD operation that retrieves sets of one or more bytes from a register, and loads each set in a SIMD subregister.\",\n \"The width of each subregister is the width of the cardinality of the values in the fixed-width, bit-packed vector of values, which are the same as the cardinality of the dictionary-encoded column values.\",\n \"Accordingly, in the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2, the Shuffle operation is used to load the first 32 bits from register 210 into subregister 112, subregister 114, and subregister 116.In step 206, the bits in each subregister in a SIMD register are shifted to align the fixed-bit representation of each value with the low end of each subregister, respectively.\",\n \"A Variable-Shift operation is a SIMD operation that shifts one or more subregisters in a single SIMD register by a variable amount.\",\n \"In the examples herein, the right-most bit of each register is the low end.\",\n \"Thus, a variable-right-shift operation is used to shift subregister 112 by zero bits, subregister 114 by five bits, and subregister 116 by ten bits.\",\n \"The number of bits that a bit-vector is shifted by to right-align the value in a register is referred to herein as a bit-offset.\",\n \"A bit-offset may be calculated many ways.\",\n \"In an embodiment, the bit-offset for each subregister is calculated using the following equation, where i is the base-zero index of the value in the vector of values: bit_offset(i)=(i*value_width)mod subregister_size.\",\n \"In the current example, for the first value (<00000>) in the vector of values, i is zero, value width is five because the width of each value in the bit-packed fixed-width vector of values is five, and subregister_size is 32 because each subregister in SIMD register 110 is 32 bits wide.\",\n \"Thus, the bit-offset for subregister 112 is zero, because zero modulo 32 is zero.\",\n \"For the second value (<00001>) in the vector of values, i is one, and value_width and subregister_size are the same as the previous example.\",\n \"Thus, the bit-offset for subregister 114 is five, because five modulo 32 is five.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, step 206 may be performed by using a SIMD integer divide operation.\",\n \"Dividing a value stored in a register by 2° shifts the bits in the register n places lower.\",\n \"For example, after step 204, subregister 116 contains < .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"1 00100 00001 00000>.\",\n \"If subregister 116 is divided by 210, then the bit-vector in subregister 116 is shifted to the right 10 places to be <0 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"1 00100>.\",\n \"Thus, instead of using a variable-right-shift operation in step 206, a SIMD integer divide operation may be used to shift subregister 112 by zero bits, subregister 114 by five bits, and subregister 116 by ten bits, by dividing each subregister by 20, 25, and 210 respectively.\",\n \"In step 208, the upper bits, which are not part of the fixed-width value, in each subregister are masked out.\",\n \"An And operation may be used to mask out the upper bits of each subregister.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2, the 27 high bits of each subregister in SIMD register 110 are masked out by applying following 32-bit mask-bit-vector to each subregister: <0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0000 0000, 0001 1111>.\",\n \"The state of each register after step 208 includes the intended fixed-width value properly aligned in each subregister in the SIMD register.\",\n \"Thus, after step 208, and as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2, subregister 112 holds a 32-bit representation of the value zero, subregister 114 holds a 32-bit representation of the value one, and subregister 116 holds a 32-bit representation of the value four.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, step 206 and/or step 208 may be performed by using a SIMD multiply and uniform-shift based on a set of inverted bit-offsets.\",\n \"A SIMD multiply may be used to store the value in each subregister in the most significant bits of the subregister.\",\n \"Thus, in the current example, a SIMD multiply may be used to left-align a value in a subregister.\",\n \"After the fixed-width value in each subregister is left-aligned, a uniform-shift operation may be used to right-align each value.\",\n \"Multiplying a value stored in a register by 2n shifts the bits in the register n places higher.\",\n \"For example, after step 204, subregister 114 contains < .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"1 00100 00001 00000>.\",\n \"If subregister 114 is multiplied by 222, then the bit-vector in subregister 114 is shifted to the left 22 places to be <00001 0 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \">, which makes the value left-aligned in subregister 114.The number of bits a bit-vector is shifted by to left-align the value in a register is referred to herein as an inverted bit-offset.\",\n \"An inverted bit-offset may be calculated may ways.\",\n \"In an embodiment, the inverted bit-offset for each subregister is calculated by using the following equation, where i is the base-zero index of the value in the vector of values: subregister_size−(value_width+bit_offseti) For example, the inverted bit-offset for subregister 112 is 27, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (zero).\",\n \"The inverted bit-offset for subregister 114 is 22, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (five).\",\n \"The inverted bit-offset for subregister 116 is 17, which is the width of the subregister (32), minus the sum of the width of the fixed-width value (five) and the bit-offset (ten).\",\n \"After left-aligning the fixed-width value in each register, then the uniform-shift operation is used to right-shift the bits in each subregister by the number of bits in the subregister minus the width of the value in the subregister.\",\n \"Thus, continuing with the previous example, the bits in each subregister of SIMD register 110 are each right-shifted by 27 bits, which is the width of each subregister (32) minus the width of each value (five), respectively.\",\n \"After performing the uniform-shift operation, the value in each subregister in SIMD register 110 are right-aligned.\",\n \"In an embodiment, if a set of SIMD instructions for a particular hardware set does not support the variable-right-shift operation and/or a SIMD divide operation, then the SIMD multiply and uniform-shift operations may be used to right-align the values in each subregister in a SIMD subregister.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, if a particular hardware set does not support SIMD instructions then a multiply and shift may be used on values in non-SIMD registers.\",\n \"Splatting the Dictionary Bit-Vector into a Plurality of Subregisters In step 104, the dictionary bit-vector is splatted into each subregister in a SIMD register.\",\n \"The SPLAT operation copies bytes from a register, or memory, into each subregister in a SIMD register.\",\n \"In the current example, the dictionary bit-vector is 32 bits wide and the width of SIMD register 120 is 256 bits wide.\",\n \"Thus, the dictionary bit-vector may be splatted into eight subregisters in SIMD register 120.For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first three subregisters in SIMD register 120 are shown in FIG.\",\n \"1: subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126, each include a copy of the dictionary bit-vector.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the first eight bits and the last bit are illustrated in subregister 122, subregister 124, and subregister 126.Shifting the Dictionary Bit-Vector in Each Subregister by a Variable Number In step 106, the dictionary bit-vector in each subregister of the SIMD register is shifted to place the bit that corresponds with the column value (or dictionary index) into the lowest bit.\",\n \"For example, a Variable-Right-Shift operation is used to shift the dictionary bit-vector in each subregister of SIMD register 120 by the column value in each respective subregister of SIMD register 110.Thus, the bit that corresponds with the column value (or dictionary index) in each subregister of SIMD register 110 is in the lowest bit in each respective subregister of SIMD register 120.Accordingly, and as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, in step 106, the bits in subregister 122 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 112 (zero), the bits in subregister 124 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 114 (one), and the bits in subregister 126 are shifted to the right by the value loaded in subregister 116 (four).\",\n \"Generating an Output Bit-Vector for Each Column Value In step 108, the lowest bit in each subregister of the SIMD register that holds the dictionary bit-vector is copied to an output bit-vector in a register and/or memory.\",\n \"A Move-Mask operation is a SIMD operation that applies a mask to each subregister in a single SIMD register and copies the bit(s) not masked out to another register and/or memory.\",\n \"In the current example, the Move-Mask operation is used to apply a mask, such as <0 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"01>, to mask out all but the lowest bit in each subregister in SIMD register 120, and copy the lowest bit into storage 130.In the example embodiments illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, and discussed above, the set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, is performed on eight dictionary-encoded column values in parallel.\",\n \"The process may be repeated until the 1,000,000,000 column values are processed.\",\n \"The resulting output bit-vector is 1,000,000,000 bits long.\",\n \"A Second Set-Membership Process for Sets with High or Low Cardinality The second set-membership process discussed herein may be used for column values with high or low cardinality.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A and FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrate a set of SIMD registers, scalar registers, and/or memory spaces and the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"For example, system 300 comprises SIMD register 320, SIMD register 330, SIMD register 340, storage 350, SIMD register 360, and storage 370.SIMD register 320 comprises subregister 322, subregister 324, and subregister 326.SIMD register 330 comprises subregister 332, subregister 334, and subregister 336.SIMD register 340 comprises subregister 342, subregister 344, and subregister 346.SIMD register 360 comprises subregister 362, subregister 364, and subregister 366.Storage 350 and storage 370 may be one or more registers, segments in cache, segments in memory, and/or disk.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A and FIG.\",\n \"3B also illustrate the states of the registers, memory spaces, and/or storages at various steps of performing the second set-membership process, in an example embodiment.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume the following: The cardinality of a column in a database table is 1024.There are 1,000,000,000 rows in the database table.\",\n \"The column value in each row is dictionary-encoded with 10 bits.\",\n \"Each value in the column is a value between zero and one minus the cardinality of the column, which in this case is 1023.A query has been received that includes one or more conditions based on the column.\",\n \"The database server has evaluated the one or more conditions on the dictionary values and generated the following dictionary bit-vector: <0000 0000, .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \", 0001 0100, 0001 0001>.\",\n \"The bit-vector is the same width as the cardinality of the column: 1024 bits.\",\n \"Each SIMD register is 256 bits wide.\",\n \"Loading Dictionary-Encoded, Fixed-Width, Bit-Packed Values (or Dictionary Indexes) in a Plurality of Subregisters in a Single SIMD Register Using One or More SIMD Operations In step 302, one or more dictionary-encoded column values are loaded in one or more subregisters of a SIMD register.\",\n \"For example, the database server may cause the SIMD processor to perform one or more operations discussed above, such as the operations discussed above in step 102 and/or steps 202 through 208 (load, shuffle, shift, and/or mask), which when executed cause a plurality of bit-packed, fixed-width values (< .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \", 00000 00000, 00000 00001, 00000 01010>) to load into subregisters in SIMD register 320.The width of each value is 10 bits because the cardinality is 1024.Register 320 in FIG.\",\n \"3A illustrates the state of subregister 322, subregister 324, and subregister 326 after loading the values into each register: The first dictionary-encoded column value (ten) is loaded in subregister 322; The second dictionary-encoded column value (one) is loaded in subregister 324; and The third dictionary-encoded column value (zero) is loaded in subregister 326.Determining a Byte-Offset and Bit-Offset of Each Corresponding Dictionary Index in the Dictionary Bit-Vector In step 304, each loaded value is divided by eight, and the quotient and remainder are stored.\",\n \"The quotient is the byte-offset of the corresponding byte in the dictionary bit-vector.\",\n \"The remainder is the bit-offset of the corresponding bit in the dictionary bit-vector.\",\n \"For example, the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 is integer-divided by eight and stored in each respective subregister in SIMD register 330.The remainder of each value is stored in each respective subregister in SIMD register 340.An integer-divide may be defined as the floor of a numerator divided by a denominator.\",\n \"There are many ways to perform an integer-divide by eight.\",\n \"An optimized method for dividing a value in a register by eight is shifting the bits in the register three places towards the low end.\",\n \"For example, <1111 1010>(250) shifted by three places to the low end, which in this case is to the right, is <0001 1111>(31).\",\n \"The value in each subregister in SIMD register 330 may be generated by: copying the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 into each subregister in SIMD register 330, respectively and in parallel; and shifting the value in each subregister in SIMD register 330 by three bits to the right in parallel.\",\n \"There are many ways to determine the remainder of a value integer-divided by eight.\",\n \"An optimized method for determining the remainder is masking off bits in a subregister higher than the lowest three bits.\",\n \"For example, masking the bits in <1111 1010>(250) that are higher than three low end bits, which in this case is to the left, is <0000 0010>(2).\",\n \"The value in each subregister in SIMD register 340 may be generated by: copying the value in each subregister in SIMD register 320 into each subregister in SIMD register 340, respectively and in parallel; and masking the bits that are higher than the three lowest end bits in each subregister in SIMD register 330 in parallel.\",\n \"Loading Bits in the Dictionary Bit-Vector According to the Byte-Offset and Bit-Offset In step 306, bytes in the dictionary bit-vector that have bits that correspond to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are also loaded.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating a clear example, assume that storage 350 includes the dictionary bit-vector.\",\n \"A byte from storage 350 is loaded into each subregister in SIMD register 360, according to the corresponding byte-offset stored in each subregister in SIMD register 330, respectively.\",\n \"There are many ways to load a byte from storage 350 using a byte-offset.\",\n \"An optimized method for SIMD architecture uses the Gather operation, which fetches bytes from a register and/or memory and stores the bytes in SIMD subregisters in parallel.\",\n \"Using the Gather operation, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"3A and 3B, an SIMD processor may: Fetch the second byte, <0001 0100>, based on the value stored in subregister 332 (one), which corresponds with subregister 362, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 332.Fetch the first byte, <0001 0001>, based on the value stored in subregister 334 (zero), which corresponds with subregister 364, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 334.Fetch the first byte, <0001 0001>, based on the value stored in subregister 336 (zero), which corresponds with subregister 366, from storage 350 and load the byte in subregister 336.In step 308, the bit that corresponds to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are shifted to the lowest end bit.\",\n \"For example, the bits in each subregister in SIMD register 360 may be shifted using the Variable-Right-Shift operation discussed above.\",\n \"The Variable-Right-Shift operation may shift each subregister in SIMD register 360 by the value in each subregister in SIMD register 340, respectively and in parallel.\",\n \"Accordingly, the bits in subregister 362 are shifted two places to the right, because the value of subregister 342 is two; the bits in subregister 364 are shift one place to the right, because the value of subregister 344 is one; and, the bits in subregister 366 are not shifted, because the value of subregister 366 is zero.\",\n \"Generating an Output Bit-Vector for Each Column Value In step 310, the bit that corresponds to the dictionary indexes currently loaded are copied to an output bit-vector in a register and/or memory.\",\n \"For example, the Move-Mask operation, discussed above, may be used to copy the lowest bit in each subregister in SIMD register 360 into storage 370.Additionally or alternatively, a SIMD processor may use the “gatherb” instruction to gather collect the correct bits from the dictionary bit-vector based on the dictionary index values loaded in a SIMD register.\",\n \"For example, in response to receiving the gatherb operation, the SIMD processor collects each bit in the dictionary bit-vector loaded in storage 350 accordingly to the dictionary index loaded in each subregister in SIMD register 320.The SIMD processor may store each collected bit in storage 370.The gatherb operation is described in detail in U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/801,207, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,064, U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,249, and U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/023,265, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.\",\n \"In the example embodiments illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3A and FIG.\",\n \"3B, and discussed above, the set-membership process, and/or each step of the process, is performed on eight dictionary-encoded column values in parallel.\",\n \"The process is repeated until the 1,000,000,000 column values are processed.\",\n \"The resulting output bit-vector is a bit-vector is 1,000,000,000 bits long.\",\n \"VARIATIONS Some of the embodiments illustrated above each subregister may be eight, or thirty-two bits wide.\",\n \"Other embodiments may include other widths, including, but in no way limited to four bits, eight bits, thirty-two bits, sixty-four bits.\",\n \"In many examples, subregisters may be four bytes.\",\n \"However, subregisters may be larger or smaller than four bytes.\",\n \"Furthermore, a default width, an operand, and/or a completer may be used to define the width of the subregisters for a particular operation.\",\n \"In some of the embodiments illustrated and discussed above, the least significant bits (the “lowest” bits) were illustrated on the right side of registers or memory, and no sign bit was used.\",\n \"However, the examples included above are not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"The instructions discussed above may be implemented on many various hardware configurations that are different than those illustrated.\",\n \"For example, in other embodiments, the lowest bits are on the left side of registers or memory.\",\n \"Additionally some bit-vectors, registers, and/or subregisters by include a sign bit.\",\n \"While the methods described above may be focused on SIMD architecture, these methods may also be implemented scalar and/or other non-SIMD instructions.\",\n \"The methods may also be included as part of an application programming interface.\",\n \"Furthermore the methods may implemented as an intrinsic, which may be a function a compiler recognizes and replaces with a particular block of assembly or machine code.\",\n \"Further still, one or more instructions may be stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediums, which when executed by one or more processors, may cause one or more of the methods described herein to be performed.\",\n \"In many of the examples, a SIMD register comprises three subregisters.\",\n \"This is not intended to be limiting in any way.\",\n \"SIMD registers may comprise more or fewer subregisters, all of which may be varying widths.\",\n \"In the above examples, each dictionary index value is a fixed-width value.\",\n \"However, in an embodiment, each dictionary may be a variable width value.\",\n \"A data vector may define the width of the each dictionary index value, and each dictionary index value may be loaded accordingly.\",\n \"For example, a dictionary-encoded column with a cardinality of 32 may use a maximum number of five bits or less to represent each value in the dictionary-encoded column.\",\n \"For purposes of illustrating clear examples, many of the above example embodiments illustrate determining whether one or more dictionary values satisfy one or more queries and/or query conditions, and which rows of the one or more dictionary-encoded column values are in the set of dictionary values that satisfy the query.\",\n \"However, the methods and systems discussed herein may be used to more quickly determine whether one or more values in a first set of values are included in a second set of values using SIMD instructions.\",\n \"Hardware Overview According to one embodiment, the techniques described herein are implemented by one or more special-purpose computing devices.\",\n \"The special-purpose computing devices may be hard-wired to perform the techniques, or may include digital electronic devices such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are persistently programmed to perform the techniques, or may include one or more general purpose hardware processors programmed to perform the techniques pursuant to program instructions in firmware, memory, other storage, or a combination.\",\n \"Such special-purpose computing devices may also combine custom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with custom programming to accomplish the techniques.\",\n \"The special-purpose computing devices may be desktop computer systems, portable computer systems, handheld devices, networking devices or any other device that incorporates hard-wired and/or program logic to implement the techniques.\",\n \"For example, FIG.\",\n \"4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 400 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.\",\n \"Computer system 400 includes a bus 402 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware processor 404 coupled with bus 402 for processing information.\",\n \"Hardware processor 404 may be, for example, a general purpose microprocessor.\",\n \"Computer system 400 also includes a main memory 406, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus 402 for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 404.Main memory 406 also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 404.Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media accessible to processor 404, render computer system 400 into a special-purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the instructions.\",\n \"Computer system 400 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 408 or other static storage device coupled to bus 402 for storing static information and instructions for processor 404.A storage device 410, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus 402 for storing information and instructions.\",\n \"Computer system 400 may be coupled via bus 402 to a display 412, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user.\",\n \"An input device 414, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 402 for communicating information and command selections to processor 404.Another type of user input device is cursor control 416, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to processor 404 and for controlling cursor movement on display 412.This input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a plane.\",\n \"Computer system 400 may implement the techniques described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/or program logic which in combination with the computer system causes or programs computer system 400 to be a special-purpose machine.\",\n \"According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by computer system 400 in response to processor 404 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 406.Such instructions may be read into main memory 406 from another storage medium, such as storage device 410.Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 406 causes processor 404 to perform the process steps described herein.\",\n \"In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.\",\n \"The term “storage media” as used herein refers to any non-transitory media that store data and/or instructions that cause a machine to operation in a specific fashion.\",\n \"Such storage media may comprise non-volatile media and/or volatile media.\",\n \"Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 410.Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 406.Common forms of storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic data storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical data storage medium, any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip or cartridge.\",\n \"Storage media is distinct from but may be used in conjunction with transmission media.\",\n \"Transmission media participates in transferring information between storage media.\",\n \"For example, transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 402.Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.\",\n \"Various forms of media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 404 for execution.\",\n \"For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk or solid state drive of a remote computer.\",\n \"The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem.\",\n \"A modem local to computer system 400 can receive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitter to convert the data to an infra-red signal.\",\n \"An infra-red detector can receive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriate circuitry can place the data on bus 402.Bus 402 carries the data to main memory 406, from which processor 404 retrieves and executes the instructions.\",\n \"The instructions received by main memory 406 may optionally be stored on storage device 410 either before or after execution by processor 404.Computer system 400 also includes a communication interface 418 coupled to bus 402.Communication interface 418 provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link 420 that is connected to a local network 422.For example, communication interface 418 may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line.\",\n \"As another example, communication interface 418 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN.\",\n \"Wireless links may also be implemented.\",\n \"In any such implementation, communication interface 418 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.\",\n \"Network link 420 typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices.\",\n \"For example, network link 420 may provide a connection through local network 422 to a host computer 424 or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 426.ISP 426 in turn provides data communication services through the world wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet” 428.Local network 422 and Internet 428 both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams.\",\n \"The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link 420 and through communication interface 418, which carry the digital data to and from computer system 400, are example forms of transmission media.\",\n \"Computer system 400 can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link 420 and communication interface 418.In the Internet example, a server 430 might transmit a requested code for an application program through Internet 428, ISP 426, local network 422 and communication interface 418.The received code may be executed by processor 404 as it is received, and/or stored in storage device 410, or other non-volatile storage for later execution.\",\n \"In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation.\",\n \"The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.\",\n \"The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873524"}}},{"rowIdx":4494368,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["USER TERMINAL, RADIO BASE STATION, RADIO COMMUNICATION METHOD AND RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM","A user terminal is disclosed that connects with a plurality of radio base stations and the decrease of uplink throughput is reduced.","A user terminal connects with a plurality of radio base stations including a first radio base station and a second radio base station, and this user terminal has a transmission section that transmits uplink signals to each radio base station, a receiving section that receives terminal-specific information with respect to the first radio base station, related to the maximum transmission power of the uplink signals, and a maximum transmission power setting section that sets the maximum transmission power for the first radio base station based on the terminal-specific information with respect to the first radio base station."],["1.A user terminal comprising: a transmission section that transmits uplink signals to a plurality of cell groups including a first cell group and a second cell group; a receiving section that receives terminal-specific information about an uplink signal maximum transmission power for the first cell group; and a maximum transmission power setting section that sets the maximum transmission power for the first cell group based on the terminal-specific information for the first cell group.","2.The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein the receiving section receives terminal-specific information of an uplink signal maximum transmission power for each of the plurality of cell groups; and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for each of the plurality of cell groups based on the terminal-specific information for each of the plurality of cell groups.","3.The user terminal according to claim 2, wherein the terminal-specific information for each of the plurality of cell groups is configured such that a sum of all maximum transmission powers indicated by terminal-specific information for the plurality of cell groups becomes equal to or less than a maximum transmission power of the user terminal.","4.The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for a serving cell within the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the serving cell within the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers.","5.The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers.","6.The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein the maximum transmission power setting section calculates an upper limit and a lower limit of the maximum transmission power for the first cell group based on the terminal-specific information for the first cell group, and sets the maximum transmission power within a range between the upper limit and the lower limit.","7.The user terminal according to claim 6, wherein the maximum transmission power setting section calculates an upper limit of a maximum transmission power for the second cell group based on the maximum transmission power for the first cell group, and sets the maximum transmission power for the second cell group to be equal to or less than the upper limit.","8.A radio base station comprising: a transmission section that transmits terminal-specific information about an uplink signal maximum transmission power for one of a plurality of cell groups to a user terminal connected to the plurality of cell groups; and a receiving section that receives an uplink signal of which the maximum transmission power is set based on the terminal-specific information.","9.A radio communication method for a user terminal, comprising: transmitting uplink signals to a plurality of cell groups including a first cell group and a second cell group; receiving terminal-specific information about an uplink signal maximum transmission power for the first cell group; and setting the maximum transmission power for the first cell group based on the terminal-specific information for the first cell group.","10.The user terminal according to claim 2, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for a serving cell within the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the serving cell within the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers.","11.The user terminal according to claim 3, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for a serving cell within the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the serving cell within the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers.","12.The user terminal according to claim 2, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers.","13.The user terminal according to claim 3, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers."],[" BACKGROUND ART In the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network, the specifications of long term evolution (LTE) have been drafted for the purpose of further increasing high speed data rates, providing lower delays and so on (see non-patent literature 1).","In LTE, as multiple access schemes, a scheme that is based on OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in downlink channels (downlink), and a scheme that is based on SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in uplink channels (uplink).","Successor systems of LTE—referred to as, for example, “LTE-advanced” or “LTE enhancement”—have been under study for the purpose of achieving further broadbandization and increased speed beyond LTE, and the specifications thereof have been drafted as LTE Rel.","10/11.Also, the system band of LTE Rel.","10/11 includes at least one component carrier (CC), where the LTE system band constitutes one unit.","Such bundling of a plurality of CCs into a wide band is referred to as “carrier aggregation” (CA).","In LTE Rel.","12, which is a more advanced successor system of LTE, various scenarios to use a plurality of cells in different frequency bands (carriers) are under study.","When a plurality of cells are formed by the same radio base station in effect, the above-described CA is applicable.","On the other hand, a study is also in progress to employ dual connectivity (DC) when cells are formed by completely different radio base stations."],[" SUMMARY OF INVENTION "],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation application and, thereby, claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.","§ 120 to U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/309,368 filed on Nov. 7, 2016, titled, “USER TERMINAL, RADIO BASE STATION AND RADIO COMMUNICATION METHOD,” which is a national stage application of PCT Application No.","PCT/JP2015/063244, filed on May 8, 2015, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.","2014-097079 filed on May 8, 2014.The contents of the foregoing applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.","TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a user terminal, a radio base station, a radio communication method and a radio communication system in a next-generation mobile communication system.","BACKGROUND ART In the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network, the specifications of long term evolution (LTE) have been drafted for the purpose of further increasing high speed data rates, providing lower delays and so on (see non-patent literature 1).","In LTE, as multiple access schemes, a scheme that is based on OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in downlink channels (downlink), and a scheme that is based on SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in uplink channels (uplink).","Successor systems of LTE—referred to as, for example, “LTE-advanced” or “LTE enhancement”—have been under study for the purpose of achieving further broadbandization and increased speed beyond LTE, and the specifications thereof have been drafted as LTE Rel.","10/11.Also, the system band of LTE Rel.","10/11 includes at least one component carrier (CC), where the LTE system band constitutes one unit.","Such bundling of a plurality of CCs into a wide band is referred to as “carrier aggregation” (CA).","In LTE Rel.","12, which is a more advanced successor system of LTE, various scenarios to use a plurality of cells in different frequency bands (carriers) are under study.","When a plurality of cells are formed by the same radio base station in effect, the above-described CA is applicable.","On the other hand, a study is also in progress to employ dual connectivity (DC) when cells are formed by completely different radio base stations.","CITATION LIST Non-Patent Literature Non-Patent Literature 1: 3GPP TS 36.300 “Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); Overall Description; Stage 2” SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem As noted earlier, when a plurality of cells are formed in effect by the same radio base station (for example, when CA is employed), the radio base station can control uplink transmission power by taking into account the uplink transmission power of user terminals in each cell in a comprehensive manner.","However, as in dual connectivity, when a plurality of radio base stations all control the uplink transmission power of user terminals separately, this may result in a drop of uplink throughput, a deterioration of communication quality and so on.","The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a user terminal, a radio base station, a radio communication method and a radio communication system that can reduce the decrease of uplink throughput when a user terminal connects with a plurality of radio base stations.","Solution to Problem A user terminal according to an example of the present invention provides a user terminal that connects with a plurality of radio base stations including a first radio base station and a second radio base station, and this user terminal has a transmission section that transmits uplink signals to each radio base station, a receiving section that receives terminal-specific information with respect to the first radio base station, related to maximum transmission power of the uplink signals, and a maximum transmission power setting section that sets the maximum transmission power for the first radio base station based on the terminal-specific information with respect to the first radio base station.","Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, the decrease of uplink throughput when a user terminal connects with a plurality of radio base stations can be reduced.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIGS.","1A and 1B provide schematic diagrams of carrier aggregation and dual connectivity; FIGS.","2A and 2B provide diagrams to show example cell structures in carrier aggregation and dual connectivity; FIG.","3 is a diagram to show an example case of connecting with each radio base station by way of UL-CA, in dual connectivity; FIG.","4 is a diagram to show an example of uplink transmission power that can be allocated in a user terminal; FIG.","5 is a diagram to explain an example where the maximum transmission power per serving cell varies per subframe; FIG.","6 is a diagram to show an example of uplink transmission power that can be allocated in a user terminal; FIG.","7 is a diagram to explain a method of calculating the maximum transmission power per eNB/CG, according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","8 is a diagram to explain a method of calculating the maximum transmission power per eNB/CG, according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","9 is a diagram to show an example of a schematic structure of a radio communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","10 is a diagram to show an example of an overall structure of a radio base station according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","11 is a diagram to show an example of a functional structure of a radio base station according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","12 is a diagram to show an example of an overall structure of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG.","13 is a diagram to show an example of a functional structure of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.","DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.","Carrier aggregation and dual connectivity are both techniques to allow a user terminal to connect and communicate with a plurality of cells at the same time, and are applied to, for example, a HetNet (Heterogeneous Network).","Here, the “HetNet,” which is under study in LTE-A systems, refers to a structure in which small cells, each having a local coverage area of a radius of approximately several tens of meters, are formed within a macro cell having a wide coverage area of a radius of approximately several kilometers.","Note that carrier aggregation may be referred to as “intra-eNB CA,” and dual connectivity may be referred to as “inter-eNB CA.” FIG.","1 provide schematic diagrams of carrier aggregation and dual connectivity.","In the examples shown in FIG.","1, a user terminal UE communicates with radio base stations eNB1 and eNB2.FIG.","1 show control signals that are transmitted and received via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).","For example, downlink control information (DCI) is transmitted via the PDCCH, and uplink control information (UCI) is transmitted via the PUCCH.","Note that an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH: Enhanced PDCCH) may be used instead of the PDCCH.","FIG.","1A shows communication among the radio base station eNB1 and eNB2 and the user terminal UE by way of carrier aggregation.","In the example shown in FIG.","1A, eNB1 is a radio base station to form a macro cell (hereinafter referred to as a “macro base station”), and eNB2 is a radio base station to form a small cell (hereinafter referred to as a “small base station”).","For example, the small base station may be structured like an RRH (Remote Radio Head) that connects with the macro base station.","When carrier aggregation is employed, one scheduler (for example, the scheduler provided in macro base station eNB1) controls the scheduling of multiple cells.","In a structure in which a scheduler provided in a macro base station controls the scheduling of multiple cells, each base station may be connected using, for example, an ideal backhaul that provides a high speed channel such as optical fiber.","FIG.","1B shows communication among radio base stations eNB1 and eNB2 and a user terminal UE by way of dual connectivity (DC).","In the example shown in FIG.","1B, eNB1 and eNB2 are both macro base stations.","When dual connectivity (DC) is employed, a plurality of schedulers are provided independently, and these multiple schedulers (for example, the scheduler provided in macro base station eNB1 and the scheduler provided in macro base station eNB2) each control the scheduling of one or more cells they have control over.","In the structure in which the scheduler provided in macro base station eNB1 and the scheduler provided in macro base station eNB2 each control the scheduling of one or more cells they have control over, each base station may be connected using, for example, a non-ideal backhaul, such as the X2 interface, which produces delays that cannot be ignored.","Consequently, it is generally assumed that, in dual connectivity, close coordinated control between eNBs equivalent to carrier aggregation cannot be executed.","Consequently, downlink L1/L2 control (PDCCH/EPDCCH) and uplink L1/L2 control (UCI feedback by the PUCCH/PUSCH) needs to be carried out independently in each eNB.","FIG.","2 provide diagrams to show example cell structures in carrier aggregation and dual connectivity.","In FIG.","2, the UE is connected with five cells (C1 to C5).","C1 is a PCell (Primary Cell), and C2 to C5 are SCells (Secondary Cells).","As shown in FIG.","2A, in carrier aggregation, uplink control signals are transmitted via the PCell, so that the SCells do not have to have the functions of the PCell.","As shown in FIG.","2, in dual connectivity (DC), each radio base station configures a cell group (CG) that is comprised of one or a plurality of cells.","Each cell group is comprised of one or more cells formed by the same radio base station, or one or more cells formed by the same transmission point such as a transmitting antenna apparatus, a transmission station and so on.","The cell group to include the PCell will be referred to as the “master cell group (MCG: Master CG),” and cell groups other than the MCG will be referred to as “secondary cell groups (SCGs: Secondary CGs).” In each cell group, two or more cells can execute carrier aggregation.","Also, the radio base station where the MCG is configured will be referred to as the “master base station (MeNB: Master eNB),” and a radio base station where an SCG is configured will be referred to as a “secondary base station (SeNB: Secondary eNB).” Hereinafter, a radio base station or a cell group will be also referred to as an “eNB/CG.” Note that the total number of cells to constitute the MCG and the SCGs is configured to be equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, five (cells)).","This predetermined value may be set in advance, or may be configured semi-statically or dynamically between radio base stations eNB and user terminals UE.","Also, depending on the implementation of the user terminals UE, the value of the sum of the cells to constitute the MCG and the SCGs and the combination of cells that can be configured may be reported to the radio base stations eNB in the form of user terminal capability information (UE capability information).","In dual connectivity, as noted earlier, significant backhaul delays may be produced between eNBs.","Consequently, in order to allow each eNB to transmit and receive control information to and from UEs independently, even an SeNB requires a cell (also referred to as a “special cell,” a “PUCCH configured cell” and so on) that is special and has functions (common search space, the PUCCH, etc.)","equivalent to those of the PCell.","In the example FIG.","2B, cell C3 is configured as such as special a cell.","As described above, in dual connectivity, a user terminal has to connect with each of a plurality of radio base stations in at least one uplink serving cell.","Furthermore, a study is in progress to carry out UL-CA (uplink carrier aggregation) to involve two or more uplink serving cells for each radio base station.","FIG.","3 is a diagram to show an example case of connecting with each radio base station by way of UL-CA, in dual connectivity.","In FIG.","3, the user terminal connects with the MeNB and the SeNB via UL-CA.","Here, uplink signal transmission timings are controlled separately between the MeNB and the SeNB.","Furthermore, uplink signal transmission power control is also carried out separately between the MeNB and the SeNB.","Consequently, cases might occur in which, in timings where uplink signal transmissions for the MeNB and the SeNB overlap, uplink signal transmissions to exceed the maximum allowable power (PCMAX) of the user terminal are demanded.","“Power-limited” will refer to the state in which transmission power is limited because uplink signal transmissions to exceed the maximum allowable power of a user terminal are demanded.","When this takes place, the user terminal has to lower the transmission power down to or below the maximum allowable power by reducing the transmission power, by dropping the transmission signals, and so on, based on some rules.","Nevertheless, when the user terminal manipulates its uplink signal transmission power, there is a threat of causing an unintended a deterioration of uplink signal quality in the radio base stations, which then might result in increased retransmissions, a decrease of throughput, and so on.","Existing LTE systems (up to LTE Rel.","11) only stipulate the maximum transmission power per UE (PCMAX), and the maximum transmission power per serving cell (PCMAX,c).","These are determined by a user terminal based on the value of PEMAX,c (or PEMAX) reported in a broadcast signal (for example, SIB1).","Consequently, it is not possible to report different values flexibly, on a per user terminal basis.","Consequently, with existing LTE systems, it is not possible to execute adequate transmission power control on a per user terminal basis to reduce the decrease of throughput.","In order to solve this problem, the present inventors have come up with the idea of setting the maximum transmission power that can be used in transmissions in the MeNB/MCG and the SeNB, semi-statically—that is, on a per user terminal basis, on a per CG basis, and so on.","FIG.","4 is a diagram to show an example of uplink transmission power that can be allocated in the user terminal.","In FIG.","4, the maximum transmission power per MeNB/MCG and the maximum transmission power per SeNB/SCG are configured within the maximum transmission power (PCMAX) per UE.","By this means, the MeNB/MCG and the SeNB/SCG no longer have to compete (or fight) with each other for more power that can be allocated, so that it is possible to carry out transmissions, in a reliable fashion, with the power demanded by the eNBs.","Furthermore, to bring the above-noted conception into practice, the present inventors have focused on the fact that, when dual connectivity is not employed, the maximum transmission power per serving cell (PCMAX,c) assumes values that are set by user terminals within a range between an upper limit and a lower limit.","FIG.","5 is a diagram to explain an example where the maximum transmission power per serving cell varies per subframe.","PCMAX,c is set by a user terminal, on a per subframe basis, so that PCMAX_L,c≤PCMAX,c≤PCMAX_H,c holds.","The upper limit PCMAX_H,c and the lower limit PCMAX_L,c are each stipulated as follows: PCMAX_H,c=MIN{PEMAX,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 1) PCMAX_L,c=MIN{PEMAX,c−ΔTC,c,PPowerClass−MAX(MPRc+A−MPRc+ΔTIB,c+ΔTC,c,P−MPRc)} (Equation 2) Here, PEMAX,c is a value that is set by higher layer signaling (for example, a broadcast signal), in the serving cell, and PPowerClass is a predetermined value.","ΔTC,c and ΔTIB,c are offset values, and are set, for example, to cancel user terminal-specific errors.","MPRc is the maximum power reduction (MPR) in the serving cell, and is a value that changes depending on the MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) and/or the number of PRBs (Physical Resource Blocks).","A-MPRc is additional maximum power reduction (additional MPR).","P-MPRc is a value for use in power control.","Note that MIN and MAX represent the functions for picking up the minimum value and the maximum value from the list of arguments.","The upper limit PCMAX_H,c is set by PEMAX,c or the predetermined value PPowerClass, and therefore does not change.","Meanwhile, although the lower limit PCMAX_L,c may change depending on the MPR, since the MPR also changes depending on the MCS, the number of PRBs and so on, and therefore the lower limit PCMAX_L,c might change on a per subframe.","It then follows that, PCMAX,c, which is set between these upper limit and lower limit, might change per subframe as well.","Also, PCMAX may change per subframe as well.","From the above perspectives, the present inventors have worked on replacing PEMAX,c in equations 1 and 2 with specific values that are reported per user terminal and/or per CG, when dual connectivity is employed, and arrived at the present invention.","To be more specific, the present inventors have conceived of replacing PEMAX,c with user terminal-specific (UE-specific) values that are reported via higher layer signaling.","According to this structure, for example, when an MeNB and an SeNB are each one CC, it is possible to realize semi-static distribution of transmission power, per user terminal and/or per CG, by setting the sum of the user terminal-specific values to be equal to or lower than PCMAX.","Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail.","Note that, although, for ease of explanation, examples will be described below in which a user terminal connects with two radio base stations (MeNB and SeNB) in dual connectivity, this is by no means limiting.","For example, the present invention is applicable to cases where a user terminal connects and communicates with three or more radio base stations that each execute control with an independent scheduler.","Furthermore, it is equally possible to employ a structure in which a user terminal connects with cell groups, instead of radio base stations.","First Embodiment With a first embodiment of the present invention, user terminals set PCMAX,c by using user terminal-specific values (terminal-specific information).","To draw distinction from existing PEMAX,c, the terminal-specific information according to the first embodiment will be referred to as “QEMAX,c.” Note that the terminal-specific information is by no means limited to this name.","Each eNB reports the maximum transmission power per serving cell, QEMAX,c, to the user terminals that are connected in dual connectivity, through higher layer signaling (for example, RRC signaling).","QEMAX,c may be included and reported in information elements (also referred to as “IEs”).","Note that the sum of QEMAX,c of the serving cells of each eNB is preferably configured to a value equal to or less than PCMAX.","A user terminal sets PCMAX,c in accordance with each serving cell's QEMAX,c that is reported.","For example, if QEMAX,c reported from an MeNB is QEMAX_MeNB,c and QEMAX,c reported from an SeNB is QEMAX_SeNB,c, for the upper limit PCMAX_eNB_H,c and the lower limit PCMAX_eNB_L,c of the maximum transmission power per serving cell formed by each eNB, PCMAX_MeNB_H,c, PCMAX_MeNB_L,c, PCMAX_SeNB_H,c and PCMAX_SeNB_L,c can be represented as shown in equations 3 to 6, respectively.","PCMAX_MeNB_H,c=MIN{QEMAX_MeNB,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 3) PCMAX_MeNB_L,c=MIN{QEMAX_MeNB,c−ΔTC,c,PPowerClass−MAX(MPRc+A−MPRc+ΔTIB,c+ΔTC,c,P−MPRc)} (Equation 4) PCMAX_SeNB_H,c=MIN{QEMAX_SeNB,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 5) PCMAX_SeNB_L,c=MIN{QEMAX_SeNB,c−ΔTC,c,PPowerClass−MAX(MPRc+A−MPRc+ΔTIB,c+ΔTC,c,P−MPRc)} (Equation 6) The user terminal sets the maximum transmission power per serving cell formed by the MeNB, PCMAX_MeNB,c, between the upper limit and the lower limit calculated based on equations 3 and 4.Also, the user terminal calculates the maximum transmission power per serving cell formed by the SeNB, PCMAX_SeNB,c, between the upper limit and the lower limit calculated based on equations 5 and 6.Note that, although, in equation 4 and equation 6, ΔTC,c is subtracted from both QEMAX_MeNB,c and QEMAX_SeNB,c ΔTC,c in these terms may be 0 (that is, unmitigated).","Note that, when every serving cell's QEMAX,c is not particularly signaled, the user terminal sets each PCMAX,c (PCMAX_MeNB,c and PCMAX_SeNB,c) by using PEMAX,c that is designated in SIB1.That is, as when dual connectivity is not employed, the transmission power of each serving cell is determined by using equations 1 and 2.Also, when QEMAX,c is not signaled in a specific serving cell, PCMAX,c is set by using PEMAX,c in this serving cell.","As described above, according to the first embodiment, QEMAX,c can be controlled flexibly, per user terminal and/or per cell, so that, even in dual connectivity, it is possible to change the ratio of power to allocate to serving cells formed by each eNB, and reduce the decrease of uplink throughput.","Also, given that few changes are made to the existing rule of determining PCMAX,c, there is little impact on the implementation of user terminals.","Second Embodiment Similar to PCMAX,c, the maximum transmission power per UE, PCMAX, is a value that is determined by a user terminal in a range between an upper limit and a lower limit.","Here, the upper limit PCMAX_H and the lower limit PCMAX_L of PCMAX are each defined as follows: PCMAX_H=MIN{10 log10ΣpEMAX,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 7) PCMAX_L=MIN{10 log10ΣMIN[pEMAX,c/(ΔtC,c),PPowerclass/(mprc·a−mprc·ΔtC,c·ΔtIB,c),pPowerClass/pmprc],PPowerClass} (Equation 8) Here, pEMAX,c, pPowerClass, mprc, a-mprc, pmprc, ΔtC,c and ΔtIB,c are the linear values of PEMAX,c, PPowerClass, MPRc, A-MPRc, P-MPRc, ΔTC,c and ΔTIB,c, respectively.","Note that, when X is the linear value of x, this means that x and X are given by x=10 log10(X) and X=10(x/10), respectively.","PCMAX is set by a user terminal, on a per subframe, so that PCMAX_L≤PCMAX≤PCMAX_H holds.","As described above, in the present LTE system, the maximum transmission power per eNB/CG cannot be set semi-statically, per user terminal and/or per CG.","So, with a second embodiment of the present invention, a user terminal sets PCMAX by using user terminal-specific values (terminal-specific information).","The terminal-specific information according to the second embodiment will be referred to as “PeNB.” Each eNB reports (configures) the maximum transmission power PeNB of that eNB to the user terminals connected in dual connectivity, through higher layer signaling (for example, RRC signaling).","Each PeNB may be included and reported in information elements.","Note that the sun of each eNB's PeNB is preferably configured to be value equal to or less than PCMAX.","A user terminal sets PCMAX_eNB per eNB (PCMAX for the eNB) according to the maximum transmission power per eNB, PeNB.","For example, if PeNB reported from an MeNB is PMeNB and PeNB reported from an SeNB is PSeNB, the upper limit and the lower limit of the maximum transmission power per eNB—PCMAX_MeNB_H, PCMAX_MeNB_L, PCMAX_SeNB_H and PCMAX_SeNB_L—can be represented as shown by equations 9 to 12, respectively: PCMAX_MeNB_H=MIN{PMeNB,10 log10ΣpEMAX,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 9) PCMAX_MeNB_L=MIN{10 log10ΣpMeNB/ΔtC,c,10 log10ΣMIN[pEMAX,c/(ΔtC,c),pPowerClass/(mprc·a−mprc·ΔtC,c·ΔtIB,c),pPowerClass/pmprc],PPowerClass} (Equation 10) PCMAX_SeNB_H=MIN{PSeNB,10 log10ΣpEMAX,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 11) PCMAX_SeNB_L=MIN{10 log10ΣpSeNB/ΔtC,c,10 log10ΣMIN[pEMAX,c/(ΔtC,c),pPowerClass/(mprc·a−mprc·ΔtC,c·ΔtIB,c),pPowerClass/pmprc],PPowerClass} (Equation 12) Here, Σ in the right terms in equations 9 to 12 represents determining the sum of the serving cells belonging to the MeNB/MCG in the event of equations 9 and 10, and represents determining the sum of the serving cells belonging to the SeNB/SCG in the event of equations 11 and 12.Also, PMeNB and PSeNB are the linear values of PMeNB and PSeNB, respectively.","The user terminal sets the maximum transmission power per MeNB, PCMAX_MeNB between the upper limit and the lower limit based on equations 9 and 10.Also, the user terminal sets the maximum transmission power per SeNB, PCMAX_SeNB between the upper limit and the lower limit calculated based on equations 11 and 12.By this means, as shown in FIG.","4, it is possible to set the maximum transmission power per MeNB (PCMAX_MeNB) and the maximum transmission power per SeNB (PCMAX_SeNB) within the maximum transmission power per UE (PCMAX).","Note that no problem arises even when 10 log10ΣpMeNB/ΔtC,c and 10 log10ΣpSeNB/ΔtC,c in equations 10 and 12 are replaced with PMeNB and PSeNB (that is, when no mitigated values are applied).","Also, PPowerclass included in the right terms equations 9 to 12 can be removed as long as PMeNB and PSeNB are configured within a range to fulfill PMeNB≤PPowerclass and PSeNB≤PPowerclass.","Also, when each eNB's PeNB is not particularly signaled, as when dual connectivity is not employed, a user terminal can determine the maximum transmission power of each eNB by using equations 7 and 8.When PeNB is not signaled in a specific eNB, the maximum transmission power for this eNB is set using equations 7 and 8.As described above, according to the second embodiment, the maximum transmission power PeNB of each eNB can be controlled flexibly, on a per user terminal basis, so that, even in dual connectivity, it is possible to change the ratio of power to allocate to each eNB flexibly, and reduce the decrease of uplink throughput.","Also, given that few changes are made to the existing rule of determining PCMAX,c, there is little impact on the implementation of user terminals.","Third Embodiment As described above, to divide transmission power completely between an MeNB/MCG and an SeNB/SCG, it is necessary to make sure that the maximum value of the maximum transmission power of both eNBs/CGs—that is, the sum of PCMAX_eNB_H and/or the sum of PCMAX_eNB_H,c—does not exceed PCMAX.","However, the actual maximum transmission power is set by user terminals from the configuration range.","Consequently, in both eNBs/CGs, there is little likelihood that power is used up to PCMAX_eNB_H and/or PCMAX_eNB_H,c.","In this way, setting the maximum transmission power in each eNB/CG separately may have the risk that power is not allocated efficiently.","Now, this problem will be described in detail with reference to FIG.","6.FIG.","6 is a diagram to show an example of uplink transmission power that can be allocated in a user terminal.","In FIG.","6, PCMAX_MeNB_H, PCMAX_MeNB_L, PCMAX_SeNB_H and PCMAX_SeNB_L are determined using the method described with the second embodiment, and PCMAX_MeNB and PCMAX_SeNB are set.","In this case, power to match the proportion of (PCMAX_MeNB_H−PCMAX_MeNB) is not allocated to the MeNB, and power to match the proportion of (PCMAX_SeNB_H−PCMAX_SeNB) is not allocated to the SeNB, which has a threat of resulting in a decrease of uplink throughput.","So, with a third embodiment of the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, instead of calculating the upper limit (PCMAX_eNB_H) of the maximum transmission power of each eNB individually, PCMAX_eNB for another eNB is set by calculating PCMAX_eNB_H for the other eNB by using PCMAX_eNB that is set with respect to a given eNB.","To be more specific, based on PCMAX_eNB_H and PCMAX_eNB_L for one eNB, PCMAX_eNB for this eNB is determined.","After that, the other eNB's PCMAX_eNB_H is set based on the difference between PCMAX and PCMAX_eNB that is determined first (PCMAX−PCMAX_eNB).","FIGS.","7 and 8 are each a diagram to explain a method of calculating the maximum transmission power per eNB/CG, according to the third embodiment of the present invention.","In the examples of FIG.","7 and FIG.","8, PCMAX_SeNB is determined first, and PCMAX_MeNB is set.","First, a user terminal determines PCMAX_SeNB based on PCMAX_SeNB and PCMAX_SeNB_L that are calculated using equations 11 and 12 (FIG.","7).","Next, the user terminal sees (PCMAX−PCMAX_SeNB) as PCMAX_MeNB_H, determines PCMAX_MeNB_L from this by taking into account the MPR and so on, and sets PCMAX_MeNB within the range of these (FIG.","8).","At this time, the user terminal may see PCMAX_MeNB_H as the maximum transmission power per MeNB PMeNB, and, for example, determine PCMAX_MeNB_L using equation 10.By this means, it is possible to reduce the useless space in power where the maximum transmission power is not set.","FIG.","6 makes it clear that the area where power is not allocated is smaller in FIG.","8.When the maximum transmission power for the SeNB is determined first, the area of (PCMAX_SeNB_H−PCMAX_SeNB) can be re-used for power allocation, so that it is possible to use power efficiently.","On the other hand, when the maximum transmission power for the MeNB is determined first, the area of (PCMAX_MeNB_H−PCMAX_MeNB) can be used to allocate power to the SeNB.","As described above, according to the third embodiment, the user terminal does not determine the maximum transmission power of each eNB separately, but determines the maximum transmission power one by one.","That is to say, once the maximum transmission power is determined with respect to a given eNB, the maximum transmission power in the rest of the eNBs can be determined within the range given by removing the maximum transmission power of the above given eNB from the maximum transmission power of the user terminal.","By this means, the transmission power which the user terminal can use can be allocated to each eNB efficiently.","Note that, although, in the above-described example, the third embodiment is applied to the method of calculating the maximum transmission power per eNB/CG according to the second embodiment, it is equally possible to, for example, apply the third embodiment to the method of calculating the maximum transmission power per cell according to the first embodiment.","Furthermore, the order of determining the maximum transmission power per eNB in the third embodiment may be configured in user terminals in advance.","For example, a stipulation to determine the maximum transmission power in the order of the SeNB and the MeNB may be set.","Also, from the radio base stations, information regarding this order, information as to whether or not to determine the maximum transmission power of each radio base station separately and so on may be reported by higher layer signaling (for example, RRC signaling), by broadcast information, and so on.","For example, information about the eNB where the maximum transmission power should be determined first may be included in the information elements to include terminal-specific information related to the maximum transmission power.","(Variation) Note that the processes of setting the maximum transmission power, described with each of the above-described embodiments, can be applied even to cases where uplink signal transmission timings are not synchronized between a plurality of eNBs/CGs that are connected in dual connectivity (also referred to “as asynchronous dual connectivity”).","Furthermore, in the maximum transmission power setting processes described with each of the above-described embodiments, the radio base stations require signaling for reporting specific information that relates to the maximum transmission power of uplink signals on a per user terminal basis, it is also possible to judge whether or not to report this signaling based on user terminal capability information (UE capability information).","To be more specific, in systems in which dual connectivity is used, user terminal capability information may be stipulated as follows.","For example, user terminal capability information to represent whether or not the maximum transmission power can be set on a per radio base station may be stipulated.","Also, user terminal capability information to represent whether or not asynchronous dual connectivity can be supported may be stipulated.","Furthermore, user terminal capability information to represent whether or not the transmission power of future transmission signals can be calculated in advance may be stipulated.","In addition, user terminal capability information to represent whether or not transmission power can be shared between eNBs/CGs on a dynamic basis may be stipulated as well.","The user terminal capability information may be reported from a user terminal to a radio base station in a stage before dual connectivity is configured.","When, based on these pieces of user terminal capability information, the radio base station judges that the user terminal can perform the maximum transmission power setting processes according to the above embodiments, the radio base station may report user terminal-specific information.","For example, when the radio base station judges that the user terminal cannot share transmission power on a dynamic basis between eNBs/CGs, in accordance with the above embodiments, the radio base station may distribute the maximum transmission power to the user terminal, semi-statically, on a per eNB/CG basis.","(Structure of Radio Communication System) Now, a structure of a radio communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.","In this radio communication system, the radio communication methods according to the above-described embodiments are employed.","FIG.","9 is a schematic structure diagram to show an example of the radio communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.","As shown in FIG.","9, a radio communication system 1 is comprised of a plurality of radio base stations 10 (11 and 12), and a plurality of user terminals 20 that are present within cells formed by each radio base station 10 and that are configured to be capable of communicating with each radio base station 10.The radio base stations 10 are each connected with a higher station apparatus 30, and are connected to a core network 40 via the higher station apparatus 30.In FIG.","9, the radio base station 11 is, for example, a macro base station having a relatively wide coverage, and forms a macro cell C1.The radio base stations 12 are, for example, small base stations having local coverages, and form small cells C2.Note that the number of radio base stations 11 and 12 is not limited to that shown in FIG.","9.The macro cell C1 and the small cells C2 may use the same frequency band or may use different frequency bands.","Also, the radio base stations 11 and 12 are connected with each other via an inter-base station interface (for example, optical fiber, the X2 interface, etc.).","Note that the macro base station 11 may be referred to as an “eNodeB (eNB),” a “radio base station,” a “transmission point” and so on.","The small base stations 12 are radio base stations having local coverages, and may be referred to as “RRHs (Remote Radio Heads),” “pico base stations,” “femto base stations,” “HeNBs (Home eNodeBs),” “transmission points,” “eNodeBs (eNBs)” and so on.","The user terminals 20 are terminals to support various communication schemes such as LTE, LTE-A and so on, and may include both mobile communication terminals and stationary communication terminals.","The user terminals 20 can communicate with other user terminals 20 via the radio base stations 10.Note that the higher station apparatus 30 may be, for example, an access gateway apparatus, a radio network controller (RNC), a mobility management entity (MME) and so on, but is by no means limited to these.","In the radio communication system 1, as radio access schemes, OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) is applied to the downlink, and SC-FDMA (Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) is applied to the uplink.","Note that the uplink and downlink radio access schemes are not limited to the combination of these.","Also, in the radio communication system 1, a downlink shared channel (PDSCH: Physical Downlink Shared Channel), which is used by each user terminal 20 on a shared basis, downlink control channels (PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), EPDCCH (Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel), etc.","), a broadcast channel (PBCH) and so on are used as downlink channels.","User data, higher layer control information and predetermined SIBs (System Information Blocks) are communicated in the PDSCH.","Downlink control information (DCI) is communicated using the PDCCH and/or the EPDCCH.","Also, MIBs (Master Information Blocks) and so on are communicated by the PBCH.","Also, in the radio communication system 1, an uplink shared channel (PUSCH: Physical Uplink Shared Channel), which is used by each user terminal 20 on a shared basis, an uplink control channel (PUCCH: Physical Uplink Control Channel) and so on are used.","User data and higher layer control information are communicated by the PUSCH.","FIG.","10 is a diagram to show an overall structure of a radio base station 10 according to the present embodiment.","The radio base station 10 has a plurality of transmitting/receiving antennas 101 for MIMO communication, amplifying sections 102, transmitting/receiving sections (receiving sections) 103, a baseband signal processing section 104, a call processing section 105 and a communication path interface 106.Note that the transmitting/receiving sections 103 are comprised of transmitting sections and receiving sections.","User data to be transmitted from the radio base station 10 to a user terminal 20 on the downlink is input from the higher station apparatus 30 to the baseband signal processing section 104, via the communication path interface 106.In the baseband signal processing section 104, the user data is subjected to a PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) layer process, user data division and coupling, RLC (Radio Link Control) layer transmission processes such as an RLC retransmission control transmission process, MAC (Medium Access Control) retransmission control (for example, an HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest) transmission process), scheduling, transport format selection, channel coding, an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) process and a precoding process, and the result is forwarded to each transmitting/receiving section 103.Furthermore, downlink control signals are also subjected to transmission processes such as channel coding and an inverse fast Fourier transform, and forwarded to each transmitting/receiving section 103.Each transmitting/receiving section 103 converts the downlink signals, which are pre-coded and output from the baseband signal processing section 104 on a per antenna basis, into a radio frequency band.","The radio frequency signals having been subjected to frequency conversion in the transmitting/receiving sections 103 are amplified in the amplifying sections 102, and transmitted from the transmitting/receiving antennas 101.On the other hand, as for uplink signals, radio frequency signals that are received in the transmitting/receiving antennas 101 are each amplified in the amplifying sections 102.Each transmitting/receiving section 103 receives the uplink signals amplified in the amplifying sections 102.The transmitting/receiving section 103 converts the received signals into baseband signals through frequency conversion, and outputs the resulting signals to the baseband signal processing section 104.In the baseband signal processing section 104, user data that is included in the uplink signals that are input is subjected to an fast Fourier transform (FFT) process, an inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) process, error correction decoding, a MAC retransmission control receiving process, and RLC layer and PDCP layer receiving processes, and forwarded to the higher station apparatus 30 via the communication path interface 106.The call processing section 105 performs call processing such as setting up and releasing communication channels, manages the state of the radio base station 10 and manages the radio resources.","The communication path interface section 106 transmits and receives signals to and from the higher station apparatus 30 via a predetermined interface.","Furthermore, the interface section 106 transmits and receives signals to and from neighboring radio base stations (backhaul signaling) via an inter-base station interface (for example, optical fiber, the X2 interface, etc.).","FIG.","11 is a diagram to show a principle functional structure of the baseband signal processing section 104 provided in the radio base station 10 according to the present embodiment.","As shown in FIG.","11, the baseband signal processing section 104 provided in the radio base station 10 is comprised at least of a control section 301, a transmission signal generating section 302, a mapping section 303, a demapping section 304 and a received signal decoding section 305.The control section 301 controls the allocation of radio resources to downlink signals and uplink signals based on command information from the higher station apparatus 30, feedback information from each user terminal 20, and so on.","That is, the control section 301 functions as a scheduler.","Note that, when another radio base station 10 and/or the higher station apparatus 30 functions as the scheduler of the radio base station 10, the control section 301 does not have to function as a scheduler.","To be more specific, the control section 301 controls the scheduling of downlink reference signals, downlink data signals that are transmitted in the PDSCH, downlink control signals that are transmitted in the PDCCH and/or the EPDCCH, and so on.","Also, the control section 301 controls the scheduling of uplink reference signals, uplink data signals that are transmitted in the PUSCH, uplink control signals that are transmitted in the PUCCH and/or the PUSCH, RA preambles that are transmitted in the PRACH, and so on.","These pieces of allocation control-related information are reported to the user terminal 20 by using downlink control information (DCI).","Furthermore, the control section 301 may control the transmission signal generating section 302 and the mapping section 303 so as to adjust the uplink signal transmission power of the user terminals 20 connected with the radio base station 10.To be more specific, the control section 301 can control the transmission signal generating section 302 to issue transmission power control (TPC) commands for controlling uplink signal transmission power and control the mapping section 303 to include TPC commands in downlink control information (DCI) and report this to the user terminals 20, based on PHRs (Power Headroom Reports) and channel state information (CSI) reported from the user terminals 20, the uplink data error rate, the number of HARQ retransmissions, and so on.","By this means, the radio base station 10 can specify the uplink signal transmission power to request to the user terminals 20.Note that the PHRs may be included and reported in MAC CE as well.","The control section 301 acquires information about the uplink transmission power for each radio base station 10, with which the user terminals 20 are connected, based on the PHRs reported from the user terminals 20.To be more specific, the control section 301 acquires information about the transmission power of the cell where the subject radio base station belongs, based on PHRs reported from the user terminals 20.Note that, as information about the transmission power of cells where the subject radio base station does not belong, the control section 301 may estimate the PUSCH bandwidth, channel states (path loss and so on), transmission power density (PSD), MCS level, channel quality and so on of cells formed by other radio base stations 10.Also, the control section 301 may estimate (calculate) the total extra transmission power of the user terminals 20 from these pieces of information.","Also, the control section 301 controls the transmission signal generating section 302 and the mapping section 303 to generate terminal-specific information related to the maximum transmission power of uplink signals and transmit this to the user terminals 20.This terminal-specific information may be, for example, the maximum transmission power QEMAX,c per serving cell (first embodiment), the maximum transmission power PeNB per radio base station (second embodiment), and so on.","Note that the terminal-specific information is preferably determined so that the sum of the maximum transmission power indicated by the terminal-specific information pertaining to each radio base station 10, with which the user terminals 20 are connected, equals or falls below the maximum transmission power of the user terminals 20.Consequently, the control section 301 may exchange terminal-specific information with the higher station apparatus 30, other radio base stations 10 and so on, via the communication path interface 106, and determine the maximum transmission power to include in the terminal-specific information.","Also, when the maximum transmission power values are associated with predetermined indices, the terminal-specific information may include the above indices to represent the maximum transmission power values, so that the user terminals 20 can derive the maximum transmission power from the indices.","The downlink control signal generating section 302 generates downlink control signals, downlink data signals, downlink reference signals and so on that are determined to be allocated by the control section 301.To be more specific, the downlink control signal generating section 302 generates DL assignments, which report downlink signal allocation information, and UL grants, which report uplink signal allocation information, based on commands from the control section 301.Also, the data signals that are generated in the data signal generating section 303 are subjected to a coding process and a modulation process, based on coding rates and modulation schemes that are determined based on CSI from each user terminal 20 and so on.","Also, based on commands from the control section 301, the transmission signal generating section 302 generates higher layer signaling (for example, RRC signaling) to include terminal-specific information as downlink data signals.","The terminal-specific information may be structured to be included in information elements.","The mapping section 303 maps the downlink signals generated in the transmission signal generating section 302 to radio resources based on commands from the control section 301, and outputs these to the transmitting/receiving sections 103.The demapping section 304 demaps the signals received in the transmitting/receiving sections 103 and outputs the separated signals to the received signal decoding section 305.To be more specific, the demapping section 304 demaps the uplink signals transmitted from the user terminals 20.The received signal decoding section 305 decodes the signals (for example, delivery acknowledgement signals (HARQ-ACK)) transmitted from the user terminals 20 in uplink control channels (the PRACH, the PUCCH, etc.","), the data signals transmitted in the PUSCH, and so on, and outputs the results to the control section 301.Also, information included in the MAC CE reported from the user terminals 20 is also output to the control section 301.FIG.","12 is a diagram to show an overall structure of a user terminal 20 according to the present embodiment.","As shown in FIG.","12, the user terminal 20 has a plurality of transmitting/receiving antennas 201 for MIMO communication, amplifying sections 202, transmitting/receiving sections 203, a baseband signal processing section 204 and an application section 205.Note that the transmitting/receiving sections 203 may be comprised of transmitting sections and receiving sections.","As for downlink data, radio frequency signals that are received in a plurality of transmitting/receiving antennas 201 are each amplified in the amplifying sections 202.Each transmitting/receiving section 203 receives the downlink signals amplified in the amplifying section 202.The transmitting/receiving sections 203 converts the received signals into baseband signals through frequency conversion and outputs the resulting signals to the baseband signal processing section 204.In the baseband signal processing section 204, the baseband signals that are input are subjected to an FFT process, error correction decoding, a retransmission control receiving process and so on.","Downlink user data is forwarded to the application section 205.The application section 205 performs processes related to higher layers above the physical layer and the MAC layer, and so on.","Furthermore, in the downlink data, broadcast information is also forwarded to the application section 205.Meanwhile, uplink user data is input from the application section 205 to the baseband signal processing section 204.In the baseband signal processing section 204, a retransmission control transmission process (for example, HARQ transmission process), channel coding, precoding, a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) process, an IFFT process and so on are performed, and the result is forwarded to each transmitting/receiving section 203.The baseband signal that is output from the baseband signal processing section 204 is converted into a radio frequency band in the transmitting/receiving sections 203.The amplifying sections 202 amplify the radio frequency signals having been subjected to frequency conversion, and transmit the resulting signals from the transmitting/receiving antennas 201.FIG.","13 is a diagram to show a principle functional structure of the baseband signal processing section 204 provided in the user terminal 20.As shown in FIG.","13, the baseband signal processing section 204 provided in the user terminal 20 is comprised at least of a control section 401, a transmission signal generating section 402, a mapping section 403, a demapping section 404, a received signal decoding section 405, a maximum power configuration section 406 and a PH report generating section 411.The control section 401 acquires the downlink control signals (signals transmitted in the PDCCH) and the downlink data signals (signals transmitted in the PDSCH) transmitted from the radio base stations 10, from the received signal decoding section 405.Based on the downlink control signals, results of deciding whether or not retransmission control is possible in response to the downlink data signals, and so on, the control section 401 controls the generation of uplink control signals (for example, delivery acknowledgement signals (HARQ-ACK), etc.","), uplink data signals, and so on.","To be more specific, the control section 401 controls the transmission signal generating section 402 and the mapping section 403.The transmission signal generating section 402 generates uplink control signals such as, for example, delivery acknowledgement signals (HARQ-ACK) and channel state information (CSI), based on commands from the control section 401.Also, the transmission signal generating section 402 generates uplink data signals based on commands from the control section 401.Note that, when a UL grant is included in a downlink control signal reported from the radio base stations, the control section 401 commands the transmission signal generating section 402 to generate an uplink data signal.","The mapping section 403 maps the uplink signals generated in the transmission signal generating section 402 to radio resources based on commands from the control section 401, and outputs the result to the transmitting/receiving sections 203.Also, the control section 401 controls the uplink transmission power of the user terminals 20.To be more specific, the control section 401 controls the transmission power of each cell (CC) based on signaling (for example, TPC commands) from each radio base station 20.Here, the control section 401 controls the uplink transmission power to be equal to or lower than the maximum transmission power of uplink signals for each radio base station 10, set in the maximum transmission power setting section 406.To do so, the control section 401 outputs the terminal-specific information related to the maximum transmission power of uplink signals included in, for example, the higher layer signaling that is received.","Based on the terminal-specific information pertaining to a given radio base station input from the control section 401, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 sets the maximum transmission power of uplink signals for the given radio base station.","Also, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 outputs the information related to the maximum transmission power of uplink signals set for each radio base station, to the control section 401.For example, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 sets the maximum transmission power PCMAX_MeNB,c per serving cell formed by the MeNB, by using QEMAX_MeNB,c reported from the MeNB, based on equations 3 and 4.Also, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 sets the maximum transmission power PCMAX_SeNB,c per serving cell formed by the SeNB, by using QEMAX_SeNB,c reported from SeNB, based on equation 5 and 6 (first embodiment).","Also, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 may set the maximum transmission power PCMAX_MeNB per MeNB, by using PMeNB reported from the MeNB, based on equations 9 and 10.Also, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 may set the maximum transmission power PCMAX_SeNB per SeNB by using PSeNB that is reported from the SeNB, based on equations 11 and 12 (second embodiment).","Furthermore, once the maximum transmission power setting section 406 set the maximum transmission power with respect to a given eNB, the maximum transmission power for the rest of the eNBs can be determined to be included within the range defined by removing the maximum transmission power of the given eNB from the maximum transmission power of the user terminals 20 (third embodiment).","For example, when connections are established with three eNBs, after the maximum transmission power is determined with respect to two of the eNBs based on terminal-specific information, the power that is left after the maximum transmission power determined with respect to the two eNBs is removed from PCMAX may be determined to be the upper limit of the maximum transmission power of the remaining one eNB.","Note that the transmission signal generating section 402 may generate, as user terminal capability information (UE capability information), the fact that the maximum transmission power of uplink signals for a given radio base station can be set in the maximum transmission power setting section 406 based on terminal-specific information.","Based on commands from the control section 401, the PH reporting generating section 411 calculates the PH (Power Headroom) for each eNB/CG from the difference between the uplink signal transmission power demanded by the eNB/CG and the maximum transmission power of uplink signals for that eNB/CG, generates a PHR, and outputs this to the transmission signal generating section 402.Note that the PHR may be generated based on the upper limit of the maximum transmission power of uplink signals for the eNBs/CGs.","The demapping section 404 demaps the signals received in the transmitting/receiving sections 203 and outputs the separated signals to the received signal decoding section 405.To be more specific, the demapping section 404 demaps the downlink signals transmitted from the radio base station 10.The received signal decoding section 405 decodes the downlink control signals (PDCCH signals) transmitted in the downlink control channel (PDCCH), and outputs the scheduling information (uplink resource allocation information), information about the cells to which delivery acknowledgement signals are fed back in response to the downlink control signals, TPC commands and so on, to the control section 401.Now, although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, it should be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described herein.","For example, the above-described embodiments may be used separately, or may be used in combinations.","The present invention can be implemented with various corrections and in various modifications, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the recitations of claims.","Consequently, the description herein is provided only for the purpose of explaining examples, and should by no means be construed to limit the present invention in any way."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"USER TERMINAL, RADIO BASE STATION, RADIO COMMUNICATION METHOD AND RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM\",\n \"A user terminal is disclosed that connects with a plurality of radio base stations and the decrease of uplink throughput is reduced.\",\n \"A user terminal connects with a plurality of radio base stations including a first radio base station and a second radio base station, and this user terminal has a transmission section that transmits uplink signals to each radio base station, a receiving section that receives terminal-specific information with respect to the first radio base station, related to the maximum transmission power of the uplink signals, and a maximum transmission power setting section that sets the maximum transmission power for the first radio base station based on the terminal-specific information with respect to the first radio base station.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A user terminal comprising: a transmission section that transmits uplink signals to a plurality of cell groups including a first cell group and a second cell group; a receiving section that receives terminal-specific information about an uplink signal maximum transmission power for the first cell group; and a maximum transmission power setting section that sets the maximum transmission power for the first cell group based on the terminal-specific information for the first cell group.\",\n \"2.The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein the receiving section receives terminal-specific information of an uplink signal maximum transmission power for each of the plurality of cell groups; and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for each of the plurality of cell groups based on the terminal-specific information for each of the plurality of cell groups.\",\n \"3.The user terminal according to claim 2, wherein the terminal-specific information for each of the plurality of cell groups is configured such that a sum of all maximum transmission powers indicated by terminal-specific information for the plurality of cell groups becomes equal to or less than a maximum transmission power of the user terminal.\",\n \"4.The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for a serving cell within the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the serving cell within the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers.\",\n \"5.The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers.\",\n \"6.The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein the maximum transmission power setting section calculates an upper limit and a lower limit of the maximum transmission power for the first cell group based on the terminal-specific information for the first cell group, and sets the maximum transmission power within a range between the upper limit and the lower limit.\",\n \"7.The user terminal according to claim 6, wherein the maximum transmission power setting section calculates an upper limit of a maximum transmission power for the second cell group based on the maximum transmission power for the first cell group, and sets the maximum transmission power for the second cell group to be equal to or less than the upper limit.\",\n \"8.A radio base station comprising: a transmission section that transmits terminal-specific information about an uplink signal maximum transmission power for one of a plurality of cell groups to a user terminal connected to the plurality of cell groups; and a receiving section that receives an uplink signal of which the maximum transmission power is set based on the terminal-specific information.\",\n \"9.A radio communication method for a user terminal, comprising: transmitting uplink signals to a plurality of cell groups including a first cell group and a second cell group; receiving terminal-specific information about an uplink signal maximum transmission power for the first cell group; and setting the maximum transmission power for the first cell group based on the terminal-specific information for the first cell group.\",\n \"10.The user terminal according to claim 2, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for a serving cell within the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the serving cell within the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers.\",\n \"11.The user terminal according to claim 3, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for a serving cell within the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the serving cell within the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers.\",\n \"12.The user terminal according to claim 2, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers.\",\n \"13.The user terminal according to claim 3, wherein terminal-specific information for a cell group is a maximum transmission power for the cell group, and the maximum transmission power setting section sets the maximum transmission power for the cell group among uplink signal maximum transmission powers.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND ART In the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network, the specifications of long term evolution (LTE) have been drafted for the purpose of further increasing high speed data rates, providing lower delays and so on (see non-patent literature 1).\",\n \"In LTE, as multiple access schemes, a scheme that is based on OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in downlink channels (downlink), and a scheme that is based on SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in uplink channels (uplink).\",\n \"Successor systems of LTE—referred to as, for example, “LTE-advanced” or “LTE enhancement”—have been under study for the purpose of achieving further broadbandization and increased speed beyond LTE, and the specifications thereof have been drafted as LTE Rel.\",\n \"10/11.Also, the system band of LTE Rel.\",\n \"10/11 includes at least one component carrier (CC), where the LTE system band constitutes one unit.\",\n \"Such bundling of a plurality of CCs into a wide band is referred to as “carrier aggregation” (CA).\",\n \"In LTE Rel.\",\n \"12, which is a more advanced successor system of LTE, various scenarios to use a plurality of cells in different frequency bands (carriers) are under study.\",\n \"When a plurality of cells are formed by the same radio base station in effect, the above-described CA is applicable.\",\n \"On the other hand, a study is also in progress to employ dual connectivity (DC) when cells are formed by completely different radio base stations.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF INVENTION \"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation application and, thereby, claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.\",\n \"§ 120 to U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/309,368 filed on Nov. 7, 2016, titled, “USER TERMINAL, RADIO BASE STATION AND RADIO COMMUNICATION METHOD,” which is a national stage application of PCT Application No.\",\n \"PCT/JP2015/063244, filed on May 8, 2015, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.\",\n \"2014-097079 filed on May 8, 2014.The contents of the foregoing applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a user terminal, a radio base station, a radio communication method and a radio communication system in a next-generation mobile communication system.\",\n \"BACKGROUND ART In the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network, the specifications of long term evolution (LTE) have been drafted for the purpose of further increasing high speed data rates, providing lower delays and so on (see non-patent literature 1).\",\n \"In LTE, as multiple access schemes, a scheme that is based on OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in downlink channels (downlink), and a scheme that is based on SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in uplink channels (uplink).\",\n \"Successor systems of LTE—referred to as, for example, “LTE-advanced” or “LTE enhancement”—have been under study for the purpose of achieving further broadbandization and increased speed beyond LTE, and the specifications thereof have been drafted as LTE Rel.\",\n \"10/11.Also, the system band of LTE Rel.\",\n \"10/11 includes at least one component carrier (CC), where the LTE system band constitutes one unit.\",\n \"Such bundling of a plurality of CCs into a wide band is referred to as “carrier aggregation” (CA).\",\n \"In LTE Rel.\",\n \"12, which is a more advanced successor system of LTE, various scenarios to use a plurality of cells in different frequency bands (carriers) are under study.\",\n \"When a plurality of cells are formed by the same radio base station in effect, the above-described CA is applicable.\",\n \"On the other hand, a study is also in progress to employ dual connectivity (DC) when cells are formed by completely different radio base stations.\",\n \"CITATION LIST Non-Patent Literature Non-Patent Literature 1: 3GPP TS 36.300 “Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); Overall Description; Stage 2” SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem As noted earlier, when a plurality of cells are formed in effect by the same radio base station (for example, when CA is employed), the radio base station can control uplink transmission power by taking into account the uplink transmission power of user terminals in each cell in a comprehensive manner.\",\n \"However, as in dual connectivity, when a plurality of radio base stations all control the uplink transmission power of user terminals separately, this may result in a drop of uplink throughput, a deterioration of communication quality and so on.\",\n \"The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a user terminal, a radio base station, a radio communication method and a radio communication system that can reduce the decrease of uplink throughput when a user terminal connects with a plurality of radio base stations.\",\n \"Solution to Problem A user terminal according to an example of the present invention provides a user terminal that connects with a plurality of radio base stations including a first radio base station and a second radio base station, and this user terminal has a transmission section that transmits uplink signals to each radio base station, a receiving section that receives terminal-specific information with respect to the first radio base station, related to maximum transmission power of the uplink signals, and a maximum transmission power setting section that sets the maximum transmission power for the first radio base station based on the terminal-specific information with respect to the first radio base station.\",\n \"Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, the decrease of uplink throughput when a user terminal connects with a plurality of radio base stations can be reduced.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIGS.\",\n \"1A and 1B provide schematic diagrams of carrier aggregation and dual connectivity; FIGS.\",\n \"2A and 2B provide diagrams to show example cell structures in carrier aggregation and dual connectivity; FIG.\",\n \"3 is a diagram to show an example case of connecting with each radio base station by way of UL-CA, in dual connectivity; FIG.\",\n \"4 is a diagram to show an example of uplink transmission power that can be allocated in a user terminal; FIG.\",\n \"5 is a diagram to explain an example where the maximum transmission power per serving cell varies per subframe; FIG.\",\n \"6 is a diagram to show an example of uplink transmission power that can be allocated in a user terminal; FIG.\",\n \"7 is a diagram to explain a method of calculating the maximum transmission power per eNB/CG, according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"8 is a diagram to explain a method of calculating the maximum transmission power per eNB/CG, according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"9 is a diagram to show an example of a schematic structure of a radio communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"10 is a diagram to show an example of an overall structure of a radio base station according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"11 is a diagram to show an example of a functional structure of a radio base station according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"12 is a diagram to show an example of an overall structure of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG.\",\n \"13 is a diagram to show an example of a functional structure of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.\",\n \"Carrier aggregation and dual connectivity are both techniques to allow a user terminal to connect and communicate with a plurality of cells at the same time, and are applied to, for example, a HetNet (Heterogeneous Network).\",\n \"Here, the “HetNet,” which is under study in LTE-A systems, refers to a structure in which small cells, each having a local coverage area of a radius of approximately several tens of meters, are formed within a macro cell having a wide coverage area of a radius of approximately several kilometers.\",\n \"Note that carrier aggregation may be referred to as “intra-eNB CA,” and dual connectivity may be referred to as “inter-eNB CA.” FIG.\",\n \"1 provide schematic diagrams of carrier aggregation and dual connectivity.\",\n \"In the examples shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, a user terminal UE communicates with radio base stations eNB1 and eNB2.FIG.\",\n \"1 show control signals that are transmitted and received via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).\",\n \"For example, downlink control information (DCI) is transmitted via the PDCCH, and uplink control information (UCI) is transmitted via the PUCCH.\",\n \"Note that an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH: Enhanced PDCCH) may be used instead of the PDCCH.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1A shows communication among the radio base station eNB1 and eNB2 and the user terminal UE by way of carrier aggregation.\",\n \"In the example shown in FIG.\",\n \"1A, eNB1 is a radio base station to form a macro cell (hereinafter referred to as a “macro base station”), and eNB2 is a radio base station to form a small cell (hereinafter referred to as a “small base station”).\",\n \"For example, the small base station may be structured like an RRH (Remote Radio Head) that connects with the macro base station.\",\n \"When carrier aggregation is employed, one scheduler (for example, the scheduler provided in macro base station eNB1) controls the scheduling of multiple cells.\",\n \"In a structure in which a scheduler provided in a macro base station controls the scheduling of multiple cells, each base station may be connected using, for example, an ideal backhaul that provides a high speed channel such as optical fiber.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1B shows communication among radio base stations eNB1 and eNB2 and a user terminal UE by way of dual connectivity (DC).\",\n \"In the example shown in FIG.\",\n \"1B, eNB1 and eNB2 are both macro base stations.\",\n \"When dual connectivity (DC) is employed, a plurality of schedulers are provided independently, and these multiple schedulers (for example, the scheduler provided in macro base station eNB1 and the scheduler provided in macro base station eNB2) each control the scheduling of one or more cells they have control over.\",\n \"In the structure in which the scheduler provided in macro base station eNB1 and the scheduler provided in macro base station eNB2 each control the scheduling of one or more cells they have control over, each base station may be connected using, for example, a non-ideal backhaul, such as the X2 interface, which produces delays that cannot be ignored.\",\n \"Consequently, it is generally assumed that, in dual connectivity, close coordinated control between eNBs equivalent to carrier aggregation cannot be executed.\",\n \"Consequently, downlink L1/L2 control (PDCCH/EPDCCH) and uplink L1/L2 control (UCI feedback by the PUCCH/PUSCH) needs to be carried out independently in each eNB.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 provide diagrams to show example cell structures in carrier aggregation and dual connectivity.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"2, the UE is connected with five cells (C1 to C5).\",\n \"C1 is a PCell (Primary Cell), and C2 to C5 are SCells (Secondary Cells).\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"2A, in carrier aggregation, uplink control signals are transmitted via the PCell, so that the SCells do not have to have the functions of the PCell.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"2, in dual connectivity (DC), each radio base station configures a cell group (CG) that is comprised of one or a plurality of cells.\",\n \"Each cell group is comprised of one or more cells formed by the same radio base station, or one or more cells formed by the same transmission point such as a transmitting antenna apparatus, a transmission station and so on.\",\n \"The cell group to include the PCell will be referred to as the “master cell group (MCG: Master CG),” and cell groups other than the MCG will be referred to as “secondary cell groups (SCGs: Secondary CGs).” In each cell group, two or more cells can execute carrier aggregation.\",\n \"Also, the radio base station where the MCG is configured will be referred to as the “master base station (MeNB: Master eNB),” and a radio base station where an SCG is configured will be referred to as a “secondary base station (SeNB: Secondary eNB).” Hereinafter, a radio base station or a cell group will be also referred to as an “eNB/CG.” Note that the total number of cells to constitute the MCG and the SCGs is configured to be equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, five (cells)).\",\n \"This predetermined value may be set in advance, or may be configured semi-statically or dynamically between radio base stations eNB and user terminals UE.\",\n \"Also, depending on the implementation of the user terminals UE, the value of the sum of the cells to constitute the MCG and the SCGs and the combination of cells that can be configured may be reported to the radio base stations eNB in the form of user terminal capability information (UE capability information).\",\n \"In dual connectivity, as noted earlier, significant backhaul delays may be produced between eNBs.\",\n \"Consequently, in order to allow each eNB to transmit and receive control information to and from UEs independently, even an SeNB requires a cell (also referred to as a “special cell,” a “PUCCH configured cell” and so on) that is special and has functions (common search space, the PUCCH, etc.)\",\n \"equivalent to those of the PCell.\",\n \"In the example FIG.\",\n \"2B, cell C3 is configured as such as special a cell.\",\n \"As described above, in dual connectivity, a user terminal has to connect with each of a plurality of radio base stations in at least one uplink serving cell.\",\n \"Furthermore, a study is in progress to carry out UL-CA (uplink carrier aggregation) to involve two or more uplink serving cells for each radio base station.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a diagram to show an example case of connecting with each radio base station by way of UL-CA, in dual connectivity.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"3, the user terminal connects with the MeNB and the SeNB via UL-CA.\",\n \"Here, uplink signal transmission timings are controlled separately between the MeNB and the SeNB.\",\n \"Furthermore, uplink signal transmission power control is also carried out separately between the MeNB and the SeNB.\",\n \"Consequently, cases might occur in which, in timings where uplink signal transmissions for the MeNB and the SeNB overlap, uplink signal transmissions to exceed the maximum allowable power (PCMAX) of the user terminal are demanded.\",\n \"“Power-limited” will refer to the state in which transmission power is limited because uplink signal transmissions to exceed the maximum allowable power of a user terminal are demanded.\",\n \"When this takes place, the user terminal has to lower the transmission power down to or below the maximum allowable power by reducing the transmission power, by dropping the transmission signals, and so on, based on some rules.\",\n \"Nevertheless, when the user terminal manipulates its uplink signal transmission power, there is a threat of causing an unintended a deterioration of uplink signal quality in the radio base stations, which then might result in increased retransmissions, a decrease of throughput, and so on.\",\n \"Existing LTE systems (up to LTE Rel.\",\n \"11) only stipulate the maximum transmission power per UE (PCMAX), and the maximum transmission power per serving cell (PCMAX,c).\",\n \"These are determined by a user terminal based on the value of PEMAX,c (or PEMAX) reported in a broadcast signal (for example, SIB1).\",\n \"Consequently, it is not possible to report different values flexibly, on a per user terminal basis.\",\n \"Consequently, with existing LTE systems, it is not possible to execute adequate transmission power control on a per user terminal basis to reduce the decrease of throughput.\",\n \"In order to solve this problem, the present inventors have come up with the idea of setting the maximum transmission power that can be used in transmissions in the MeNB/MCG and the SeNB, semi-statically—that is, on a per user terminal basis, on a per CG basis, and so on.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a diagram to show an example of uplink transmission power that can be allocated in the user terminal.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"4, the maximum transmission power per MeNB/MCG and the maximum transmission power per SeNB/SCG are configured within the maximum transmission power (PCMAX) per UE.\",\n \"By this means, the MeNB/MCG and the SeNB/SCG no longer have to compete (or fight) with each other for more power that can be allocated, so that it is possible to carry out transmissions, in a reliable fashion, with the power demanded by the eNBs.\",\n \"Furthermore, to bring the above-noted conception into practice, the present inventors have focused on the fact that, when dual connectivity is not employed, the maximum transmission power per serving cell (PCMAX,c) assumes values that are set by user terminals within a range between an upper limit and a lower limit.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a diagram to explain an example where the maximum transmission power per serving cell varies per subframe.\",\n \"PCMAX,c is set by a user terminal, on a per subframe basis, so that PCMAX_L,c≤PCMAX,c≤PCMAX_H,c holds.\",\n \"The upper limit PCMAX_H,c and the lower limit PCMAX_L,c are each stipulated as follows: PCMAX_H,c=MIN{PEMAX,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 1) PCMAX_L,c=MIN{PEMAX,c−ΔTC,c,PPowerClass−MAX(MPRc+A−MPRc+ΔTIB,c+ΔTC,c,P−MPRc)} (Equation 2) Here, PEMAX,c is a value that is set by higher layer signaling (for example, a broadcast signal), in the serving cell, and PPowerClass is a predetermined value.\",\n \"ΔTC,c and ΔTIB,c are offset values, and are set, for example, to cancel user terminal-specific errors.\",\n \"MPRc is the maximum power reduction (MPR) in the serving cell, and is a value that changes depending on the MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) and/or the number of PRBs (Physical Resource Blocks).\",\n \"A-MPRc is additional maximum power reduction (additional MPR).\",\n \"P-MPRc is a value for use in power control.\",\n \"Note that MIN and MAX represent the functions for picking up the minimum value and the maximum value from the list of arguments.\",\n \"The upper limit PCMAX_H,c is set by PEMAX,c or the predetermined value PPowerClass, and therefore does not change.\",\n \"Meanwhile, although the lower limit PCMAX_L,c may change depending on the MPR, since the MPR also changes depending on the MCS, the number of PRBs and so on, and therefore the lower limit PCMAX_L,c might change on a per subframe.\",\n \"It then follows that, PCMAX,c, which is set between these upper limit and lower limit, might change per subframe as well.\",\n \"Also, PCMAX may change per subframe as well.\",\n \"From the above perspectives, the present inventors have worked on replacing PEMAX,c in equations 1 and 2 with specific values that are reported per user terminal and/or per CG, when dual connectivity is employed, and arrived at the present invention.\",\n \"To be more specific, the present inventors have conceived of replacing PEMAX,c with user terminal-specific (UE-specific) values that are reported via higher layer signaling.\",\n \"According to this structure, for example, when an MeNB and an SeNB are each one CC, it is possible to realize semi-static distribution of transmission power, per user terminal and/or per CG, by setting the sum of the user terminal-specific values to be equal to or lower than PCMAX.\",\n \"Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail.\",\n \"Note that, although, for ease of explanation, examples will be described below in which a user terminal connects with two radio base stations (MeNB and SeNB) in dual connectivity, this is by no means limiting.\",\n \"For example, the present invention is applicable to cases where a user terminal connects and communicates with three or more radio base stations that each execute control with an independent scheduler.\",\n \"Furthermore, it is equally possible to employ a structure in which a user terminal connects with cell groups, instead of radio base stations.\",\n \"First Embodiment With a first embodiment of the present invention, user terminals set PCMAX,c by using user terminal-specific values (terminal-specific information).\",\n \"To draw distinction from existing PEMAX,c, the terminal-specific information according to the first embodiment will be referred to as “QEMAX,c.” Note that the terminal-specific information is by no means limited to this name.\",\n \"Each eNB reports the maximum transmission power per serving cell, QEMAX,c, to the user terminals that are connected in dual connectivity, through higher layer signaling (for example, RRC signaling).\",\n \"QEMAX,c may be included and reported in information elements (also referred to as “IEs”).\",\n \"Note that the sum of QEMAX,c of the serving cells of each eNB is preferably configured to a value equal to or less than PCMAX.\",\n \"A user terminal sets PCMAX,c in accordance with each serving cell's QEMAX,c that is reported.\",\n \"For example, if QEMAX,c reported from an MeNB is QEMAX_MeNB,c and QEMAX,c reported from an SeNB is QEMAX_SeNB,c, for the upper limit PCMAX_eNB_H,c and the lower limit PCMAX_eNB_L,c of the maximum transmission power per serving cell formed by each eNB, PCMAX_MeNB_H,c, PCMAX_MeNB_L,c, PCMAX_SeNB_H,c and PCMAX_SeNB_L,c can be represented as shown in equations 3 to 6, respectively.\",\n \"PCMAX_MeNB_H,c=MIN{QEMAX_MeNB,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 3) PCMAX_MeNB_L,c=MIN{QEMAX_MeNB,c−ΔTC,c,PPowerClass−MAX(MPRc+A−MPRc+ΔTIB,c+ΔTC,c,P−MPRc)} (Equation 4) PCMAX_SeNB_H,c=MIN{QEMAX_SeNB,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 5) PCMAX_SeNB_L,c=MIN{QEMAX_SeNB,c−ΔTC,c,PPowerClass−MAX(MPRc+A−MPRc+ΔTIB,c+ΔTC,c,P−MPRc)} (Equation 6) The user terminal sets the maximum transmission power per serving cell formed by the MeNB, PCMAX_MeNB,c, between the upper limit and the lower limit calculated based on equations 3 and 4.Also, the user terminal calculates the maximum transmission power per serving cell formed by the SeNB, PCMAX_SeNB,c, between the upper limit and the lower limit calculated based on equations 5 and 6.Note that, although, in equation 4 and equation 6, ΔTC,c is subtracted from both QEMAX_MeNB,c and QEMAX_SeNB,c ΔTC,c in these terms may be 0 (that is, unmitigated).\",\n \"Note that, when every serving cell's QEMAX,c is not particularly signaled, the user terminal sets each PCMAX,c (PCMAX_MeNB,c and PCMAX_SeNB,c) by using PEMAX,c that is designated in SIB1.That is, as when dual connectivity is not employed, the transmission power of each serving cell is determined by using equations 1 and 2.Also, when QEMAX,c is not signaled in a specific serving cell, PCMAX,c is set by using PEMAX,c in this serving cell.\",\n \"As described above, according to the first embodiment, QEMAX,c can be controlled flexibly, per user terminal and/or per cell, so that, even in dual connectivity, it is possible to change the ratio of power to allocate to serving cells formed by each eNB, and reduce the decrease of uplink throughput.\",\n \"Also, given that few changes are made to the existing rule of determining PCMAX,c, there is little impact on the implementation of user terminals.\",\n \"Second Embodiment Similar to PCMAX,c, the maximum transmission power per UE, PCMAX, is a value that is determined by a user terminal in a range between an upper limit and a lower limit.\",\n \"Here, the upper limit PCMAX_H and the lower limit PCMAX_L of PCMAX are each defined as follows: PCMAX_H=MIN{10 log10ΣpEMAX,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 7) PCMAX_L=MIN{10 log10ΣMIN[pEMAX,c/(ΔtC,c),PPowerclass/(mprc·a−mprc·ΔtC,c·ΔtIB,c),pPowerClass/pmprc],PPowerClass} (Equation 8) Here, pEMAX,c, pPowerClass, mprc, a-mprc, pmprc, ΔtC,c and ΔtIB,c are the linear values of PEMAX,c, PPowerClass, MPRc, A-MPRc, P-MPRc, ΔTC,c and ΔTIB,c, respectively.\",\n \"Note that, when X is the linear value of x, this means that x and X are given by x=10 log10(X) and X=10(x/10), respectively.\",\n \"PCMAX is set by a user terminal, on a per subframe, so that PCMAX_L≤PCMAX≤PCMAX_H holds.\",\n \"As described above, in the present LTE system, the maximum transmission power per eNB/CG cannot be set semi-statically, per user terminal and/or per CG.\",\n \"So, with a second embodiment of the present invention, a user terminal sets PCMAX by using user terminal-specific values (terminal-specific information).\",\n \"The terminal-specific information according to the second embodiment will be referred to as “PeNB.” Each eNB reports (configures) the maximum transmission power PeNB of that eNB to the user terminals connected in dual connectivity, through higher layer signaling (for example, RRC signaling).\",\n \"Each PeNB may be included and reported in information elements.\",\n \"Note that the sun of each eNB's PeNB is preferably configured to be value equal to or less than PCMAX.\",\n \"A user terminal sets PCMAX_eNB per eNB (PCMAX for the eNB) according to the maximum transmission power per eNB, PeNB.\",\n \"For example, if PeNB reported from an MeNB is PMeNB and PeNB reported from an SeNB is PSeNB, the upper limit and the lower limit of the maximum transmission power per eNB—PCMAX_MeNB_H, PCMAX_MeNB_L, PCMAX_SeNB_H and PCMAX_SeNB_L—can be represented as shown by equations 9 to 12, respectively: PCMAX_MeNB_H=MIN{PMeNB,10 log10ΣpEMAX,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 9) PCMAX_MeNB_L=MIN{10 log10ΣpMeNB/ΔtC,c,10 log10ΣMIN[pEMAX,c/(ΔtC,c),pPowerClass/(mprc·a−mprc·ΔtC,c·ΔtIB,c),pPowerClass/pmprc],PPowerClass} (Equation 10) PCMAX_SeNB_H=MIN{PSeNB,10 log10ΣpEMAX,c,PPowerClass} (Equation 11) PCMAX_SeNB_L=MIN{10 log10ΣpSeNB/ΔtC,c,10 log10ΣMIN[pEMAX,c/(ΔtC,c),pPowerClass/(mprc·a−mprc·ΔtC,c·ΔtIB,c),pPowerClass/pmprc],PPowerClass} (Equation 12) Here, Σ in the right terms in equations 9 to 12 represents determining the sum of the serving cells belonging to the MeNB/MCG in the event of equations 9 and 10, and represents determining the sum of the serving cells belonging to the SeNB/SCG in the event of equations 11 and 12.Also, PMeNB and PSeNB are the linear values of PMeNB and PSeNB, respectively.\",\n \"The user terminal sets the maximum transmission power per MeNB, PCMAX_MeNB between the upper limit and the lower limit based on equations 9 and 10.Also, the user terminal sets the maximum transmission power per SeNB, PCMAX_SeNB between the upper limit and the lower limit calculated based on equations 11 and 12.By this means, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"4, it is possible to set the maximum transmission power per MeNB (PCMAX_MeNB) and the maximum transmission power per SeNB (PCMAX_SeNB) within the maximum transmission power per UE (PCMAX).\",\n \"Note that no problem arises even when 10 log10ΣpMeNB/ΔtC,c and 10 log10ΣpSeNB/ΔtC,c in equations 10 and 12 are replaced with PMeNB and PSeNB (that is, when no mitigated values are applied).\",\n \"Also, PPowerclass included in the right terms equations 9 to 12 can be removed as long as PMeNB and PSeNB are configured within a range to fulfill PMeNB≤PPowerclass and PSeNB≤PPowerclass.\",\n \"Also, when each eNB's PeNB is not particularly signaled, as when dual connectivity is not employed, a user terminal can determine the maximum transmission power of each eNB by using equations 7 and 8.When PeNB is not signaled in a specific eNB, the maximum transmission power for this eNB is set using equations 7 and 8.As described above, according to the second embodiment, the maximum transmission power PeNB of each eNB can be controlled flexibly, on a per user terminal basis, so that, even in dual connectivity, it is possible to change the ratio of power to allocate to each eNB flexibly, and reduce the decrease of uplink throughput.\",\n \"Also, given that few changes are made to the existing rule of determining PCMAX,c, there is little impact on the implementation of user terminals.\",\n \"Third Embodiment As described above, to divide transmission power completely between an MeNB/MCG and an SeNB/SCG, it is necessary to make sure that the maximum value of the maximum transmission power of both eNBs/CGs—that is, the sum of PCMAX_eNB_H and/or the sum of PCMAX_eNB_H,c—does not exceed PCMAX.\",\n \"However, the actual maximum transmission power is set by user terminals from the configuration range.\",\n \"Consequently, in both eNBs/CGs, there is little likelihood that power is used up to PCMAX_eNB_H and/or PCMAX_eNB_H,c.\",\n \"In this way, setting the maximum transmission power in each eNB/CG separately may have the risk that power is not allocated efficiently.\",\n \"Now, this problem will be described in detail with reference to FIG.\",\n \"6.FIG.\",\n \"6 is a diagram to show an example of uplink transmission power that can be allocated in a user terminal.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"6, PCMAX_MeNB_H, PCMAX_MeNB_L, PCMAX_SeNB_H and PCMAX_SeNB_L are determined using the method described with the second embodiment, and PCMAX_MeNB and PCMAX_SeNB are set.\",\n \"In this case, power to match the proportion of (PCMAX_MeNB_H−PCMAX_MeNB) is not allocated to the MeNB, and power to match the proportion of (PCMAX_SeNB_H−PCMAX_SeNB) is not allocated to the SeNB, which has a threat of resulting in a decrease of uplink throughput.\",\n \"So, with a third embodiment of the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, instead of calculating the upper limit (PCMAX_eNB_H) of the maximum transmission power of each eNB individually, PCMAX_eNB for another eNB is set by calculating PCMAX_eNB_H for the other eNB by using PCMAX_eNB that is set with respect to a given eNB.\",\n \"To be more specific, based on PCMAX_eNB_H and PCMAX_eNB_L for one eNB, PCMAX_eNB for this eNB is determined.\",\n \"After that, the other eNB's PCMAX_eNB_H is set based on the difference between PCMAX and PCMAX_eNB that is determined first (PCMAX−PCMAX_eNB).\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8 are each a diagram to explain a method of calculating the maximum transmission power per eNB/CG, according to the third embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"In the examples of FIG.\",\n \"7 and FIG.\",\n \"8, PCMAX_SeNB is determined first, and PCMAX_MeNB is set.\",\n \"First, a user terminal determines PCMAX_SeNB based on PCMAX_SeNB and PCMAX_SeNB_L that are calculated using equations 11 and 12 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"Next, the user terminal sees (PCMAX−PCMAX_SeNB) as PCMAX_MeNB_H, determines PCMAX_MeNB_L from this by taking into account the MPR and so on, and sets PCMAX_MeNB within the range of these (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"At this time, the user terminal may see PCMAX_MeNB_H as the maximum transmission power per MeNB PMeNB, and, for example, determine PCMAX_MeNB_L using equation 10.By this means, it is possible to reduce the useless space in power where the maximum transmission power is not set.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 makes it clear that the area where power is not allocated is smaller in FIG.\",\n \"8.When the maximum transmission power for the SeNB is determined first, the area of (PCMAX_SeNB_H−PCMAX_SeNB) can be re-used for power allocation, so that it is possible to use power efficiently.\",\n \"On the other hand, when the maximum transmission power for the MeNB is determined first, the area of (PCMAX_MeNB_H−PCMAX_MeNB) can be used to allocate power to the SeNB.\",\n \"As described above, according to the third embodiment, the user terminal does not determine the maximum transmission power of each eNB separately, but determines the maximum transmission power one by one.\",\n \"That is to say, once the maximum transmission power is determined with respect to a given eNB, the maximum transmission power in the rest of the eNBs can be determined within the range given by removing the maximum transmission power of the above given eNB from the maximum transmission power of the user terminal.\",\n \"By this means, the transmission power which the user terminal can use can be allocated to each eNB efficiently.\",\n \"Note that, although, in the above-described example, the third embodiment is applied to the method of calculating the maximum transmission power per eNB/CG according to the second embodiment, it is equally possible to, for example, apply the third embodiment to the method of calculating the maximum transmission power per cell according to the first embodiment.\",\n \"Furthermore, the order of determining the maximum transmission power per eNB in the third embodiment may be configured in user terminals in advance.\",\n \"For example, a stipulation to determine the maximum transmission power in the order of the SeNB and the MeNB may be set.\",\n \"Also, from the radio base stations, information regarding this order, information as to whether or not to determine the maximum transmission power of each radio base station separately and so on may be reported by higher layer signaling (for example, RRC signaling), by broadcast information, and so on.\",\n \"For example, information about the eNB where the maximum transmission power should be determined first may be included in the information elements to include terminal-specific information related to the maximum transmission power.\",\n \"(Variation) Note that the processes of setting the maximum transmission power, described with each of the above-described embodiments, can be applied even to cases where uplink signal transmission timings are not synchronized between a plurality of eNBs/CGs that are connected in dual connectivity (also referred to “as asynchronous dual connectivity”).\",\n \"Furthermore, in the maximum transmission power setting processes described with each of the above-described embodiments, the radio base stations require signaling for reporting specific information that relates to the maximum transmission power of uplink signals on a per user terminal basis, it is also possible to judge whether or not to report this signaling based on user terminal capability information (UE capability information).\",\n \"To be more specific, in systems in which dual connectivity is used, user terminal capability information may be stipulated as follows.\",\n \"For example, user terminal capability information to represent whether or not the maximum transmission power can be set on a per radio base station may be stipulated.\",\n \"Also, user terminal capability information to represent whether or not asynchronous dual connectivity can be supported may be stipulated.\",\n \"Furthermore, user terminal capability information to represent whether or not the transmission power of future transmission signals can be calculated in advance may be stipulated.\",\n \"In addition, user terminal capability information to represent whether or not transmission power can be shared between eNBs/CGs on a dynamic basis may be stipulated as well.\",\n \"The user terminal capability information may be reported from a user terminal to a radio base station in a stage before dual connectivity is configured.\",\n \"When, based on these pieces of user terminal capability information, the radio base station judges that the user terminal can perform the maximum transmission power setting processes according to the above embodiments, the radio base station may report user terminal-specific information.\",\n \"For example, when the radio base station judges that the user terminal cannot share transmission power on a dynamic basis between eNBs/CGs, in accordance with the above embodiments, the radio base station may distribute the maximum transmission power to the user terminal, semi-statically, on a per eNB/CG basis.\",\n \"(Structure of Radio Communication System) Now, a structure of a radio communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.\",\n \"In this radio communication system, the radio communication methods according to the above-described embodiments are employed.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a schematic structure diagram to show an example of the radio communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"9, a radio communication system 1 is comprised of a plurality of radio base stations 10 (11 and 12), and a plurality of user terminals 20 that are present within cells formed by each radio base station 10 and that are configured to be capable of communicating with each radio base station 10.The radio base stations 10 are each connected with a higher station apparatus 30, and are connected to a core network 40 via the higher station apparatus 30.In FIG.\",\n \"9, the radio base station 11 is, for example, a macro base station having a relatively wide coverage, and forms a macro cell C1.The radio base stations 12 are, for example, small base stations having local coverages, and form small cells C2.Note that the number of radio base stations 11 and 12 is not limited to that shown in FIG.\",\n \"9.The macro cell C1 and the small cells C2 may use the same frequency band or may use different frequency bands.\",\n \"Also, the radio base stations 11 and 12 are connected with each other via an inter-base station interface (for example, optical fiber, the X2 interface, etc.).\",\n \"Note that the macro base station 11 may be referred to as an “eNodeB (eNB),” a “radio base station,” a “transmission point” and so on.\",\n \"The small base stations 12 are radio base stations having local coverages, and may be referred to as “RRHs (Remote Radio Heads),” “pico base stations,” “femto base stations,” “HeNBs (Home eNodeBs),” “transmission points,” “eNodeBs (eNBs)” and so on.\",\n \"The user terminals 20 are terminals to support various communication schemes such as LTE, LTE-A and so on, and may include both mobile communication terminals and stationary communication terminals.\",\n \"The user terminals 20 can communicate with other user terminals 20 via the radio base stations 10.Note that the higher station apparatus 30 may be, for example, an access gateway apparatus, a radio network controller (RNC), a mobility management entity (MME) and so on, but is by no means limited to these.\",\n \"In the radio communication system 1, as radio access schemes, OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) is applied to the downlink, and SC-FDMA (Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) is applied to the uplink.\",\n \"Note that the uplink and downlink radio access schemes are not limited to the combination of these.\",\n \"Also, in the radio communication system 1, a downlink shared channel (PDSCH: Physical Downlink Shared Channel), which is used by each user terminal 20 on a shared basis, downlink control channels (PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), EPDCCH (Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel), etc.\",\n \"), a broadcast channel (PBCH) and so on are used as downlink channels.\",\n \"User data, higher layer control information and predetermined SIBs (System Information Blocks) are communicated in the PDSCH.\",\n \"Downlink control information (DCI) is communicated using the PDCCH and/or the EPDCCH.\",\n \"Also, MIBs (Master Information Blocks) and so on are communicated by the PBCH.\",\n \"Also, in the radio communication system 1, an uplink shared channel (PUSCH: Physical Uplink Shared Channel), which is used by each user terminal 20 on a shared basis, an uplink control channel (PUCCH: Physical Uplink Control Channel) and so on are used.\",\n \"User data and higher layer control information are communicated by the PUSCH.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 is a diagram to show an overall structure of a radio base station 10 according to the present embodiment.\",\n \"The radio base station 10 has a plurality of transmitting/receiving antennas 101 for MIMO communication, amplifying sections 102, transmitting/receiving sections (receiving sections) 103, a baseband signal processing section 104, a call processing section 105 and a communication path interface 106.Note that the transmitting/receiving sections 103 are comprised of transmitting sections and receiving sections.\",\n \"User data to be transmitted from the radio base station 10 to a user terminal 20 on the downlink is input from the higher station apparatus 30 to the baseband signal processing section 104, via the communication path interface 106.In the baseband signal processing section 104, the user data is subjected to a PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) layer process, user data division and coupling, RLC (Radio Link Control) layer transmission processes such as an RLC retransmission control transmission process, MAC (Medium Access Control) retransmission control (for example, an HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest) transmission process), scheduling, transport format selection, channel coding, an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) process and a precoding process, and the result is forwarded to each transmitting/receiving section 103.Furthermore, downlink control signals are also subjected to transmission processes such as channel coding and an inverse fast Fourier transform, and forwarded to each transmitting/receiving section 103.Each transmitting/receiving section 103 converts the downlink signals, which are pre-coded and output from the baseband signal processing section 104 on a per antenna basis, into a radio frequency band.\",\n \"The radio frequency signals having been subjected to frequency conversion in the transmitting/receiving sections 103 are amplified in the amplifying sections 102, and transmitted from the transmitting/receiving antennas 101.On the other hand, as for uplink signals, radio frequency signals that are received in the transmitting/receiving antennas 101 are each amplified in the amplifying sections 102.Each transmitting/receiving section 103 receives the uplink signals amplified in the amplifying sections 102.The transmitting/receiving section 103 converts the received signals into baseband signals through frequency conversion, and outputs the resulting signals to the baseband signal processing section 104.In the baseband signal processing section 104, user data that is included in the uplink signals that are input is subjected to an fast Fourier transform (FFT) process, an inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) process, error correction decoding, a MAC retransmission control receiving process, and RLC layer and PDCP layer receiving processes, and forwarded to the higher station apparatus 30 via the communication path interface 106.The call processing section 105 performs call processing such as setting up and releasing communication channels, manages the state of the radio base station 10 and manages the radio resources.\",\n \"The communication path interface section 106 transmits and receives signals to and from the higher station apparatus 30 via a predetermined interface.\",\n \"Furthermore, the interface section 106 transmits and receives signals to and from neighboring radio base stations (backhaul signaling) via an inter-base station interface (for example, optical fiber, the X2 interface, etc.).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 is a diagram to show a principle functional structure of the baseband signal processing section 104 provided in the radio base station 10 according to the present embodiment.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"11, the baseband signal processing section 104 provided in the radio base station 10 is comprised at least of a control section 301, a transmission signal generating section 302, a mapping section 303, a demapping section 304 and a received signal decoding section 305.The control section 301 controls the allocation of radio resources to downlink signals and uplink signals based on command information from the higher station apparatus 30, feedback information from each user terminal 20, and so on.\",\n \"That is, the control section 301 functions as a scheduler.\",\n \"Note that, when another radio base station 10 and/or the higher station apparatus 30 functions as the scheduler of the radio base station 10, the control section 301 does not have to function as a scheduler.\",\n \"To be more specific, the control section 301 controls the scheduling of downlink reference signals, downlink data signals that are transmitted in the PDSCH, downlink control signals that are transmitted in the PDCCH and/or the EPDCCH, and so on.\",\n \"Also, the control section 301 controls the scheduling of uplink reference signals, uplink data signals that are transmitted in the PUSCH, uplink control signals that are transmitted in the PUCCH and/or the PUSCH, RA preambles that are transmitted in the PRACH, and so on.\",\n \"These pieces of allocation control-related information are reported to the user terminal 20 by using downlink control information (DCI).\",\n \"Furthermore, the control section 301 may control the transmission signal generating section 302 and the mapping section 303 so as to adjust the uplink signal transmission power of the user terminals 20 connected with the radio base station 10.To be more specific, the control section 301 can control the transmission signal generating section 302 to issue transmission power control (TPC) commands for controlling uplink signal transmission power and control the mapping section 303 to include TPC commands in downlink control information (DCI) and report this to the user terminals 20, based on PHRs (Power Headroom Reports) and channel state information (CSI) reported from the user terminals 20, the uplink data error rate, the number of HARQ retransmissions, and so on.\",\n \"By this means, the radio base station 10 can specify the uplink signal transmission power to request to the user terminals 20.Note that the PHRs may be included and reported in MAC CE as well.\",\n \"The control section 301 acquires information about the uplink transmission power for each radio base station 10, with which the user terminals 20 are connected, based on the PHRs reported from the user terminals 20.To be more specific, the control section 301 acquires information about the transmission power of the cell where the subject radio base station belongs, based on PHRs reported from the user terminals 20.Note that, as information about the transmission power of cells where the subject radio base station does not belong, the control section 301 may estimate the PUSCH bandwidth, channel states (path loss and so on), transmission power density (PSD), MCS level, channel quality and so on of cells formed by other radio base stations 10.Also, the control section 301 may estimate (calculate) the total extra transmission power of the user terminals 20 from these pieces of information.\",\n \"Also, the control section 301 controls the transmission signal generating section 302 and the mapping section 303 to generate terminal-specific information related to the maximum transmission power of uplink signals and transmit this to the user terminals 20.This terminal-specific information may be, for example, the maximum transmission power QEMAX,c per serving cell (first embodiment), the maximum transmission power PeNB per radio base station (second embodiment), and so on.\",\n \"Note that the terminal-specific information is preferably determined so that the sum of the maximum transmission power indicated by the terminal-specific information pertaining to each radio base station 10, with which the user terminals 20 are connected, equals or falls below the maximum transmission power of the user terminals 20.Consequently, the control section 301 may exchange terminal-specific information with the higher station apparatus 30, other radio base stations 10 and so on, via the communication path interface 106, and determine the maximum transmission power to include in the terminal-specific information.\",\n \"Also, when the maximum transmission power values are associated with predetermined indices, the terminal-specific information may include the above indices to represent the maximum transmission power values, so that the user terminals 20 can derive the maximum transmission power from the indices.\",\n \"The downlink control signal generating section 302 generates downlink control signals, downlink data signals, downlink reference signals and so on that are determined to be allocated by the control section 301.To be more specific, the downlink control signal generating section 302 generates DL assignments, which report downlink signal allocation information, and UL grants, which report uplink signal allocation information, based on commands from the control section 301.Also, the data signals that are generated in the data signal generating section 303 are subjected to a coding process and a modulation process, based on coding rates and modulation schemes that are determined based on CSI from each user terminal 20 and so on.\",\n \"Also, based on commands from the control section 301, the transmission signal generating section 302 generates higher layer signaling (for example, RRC signaling) to include terminal-specific information as downlink data signals.\",\n \"The terminal-specific information may be structured to be included in information elements.\",\n \"The mapping section 303 maps the downlink signals generated in the transmission signal generating section 302 to radio resources based on commands from the control section 301, and outputs these to the transmitting/receiving sections 103.The demapping section 304 demaps the signals received in the transmitting/receiving sections 103 and outputs the separated signals to the received signal decoding section 305.To be more specific, the demapping section 304 demaps the uplink signals transmitted from the user terminals 20.The received signal decoding section 305 decodes the signals (for example, delivery acknowledgement signals (HARQ-ACK)) transmitted from the user terminals 20 in uplink control channels (the PRACH, the PUCCH, etc.\",\n \"), the data signals transmitted in the PUSCH, and so on, and outputs the results to the control section 301.Also, information included in the MAC CE reported from the user terminals 20 is also output to the control section 301.FIG.\",\n \"12 is a diagram to show an overall structure of a user terminal 20 according to the present embodiment.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"12, the user terminal 20 has a plurality of transmitting/receiving antennas 201 for MIMO communication, amplifying sections 202, transmitting/receiving sections 203, a baseband signal processing section 204 and an application section 205.Note that the transmitting/receiving sections 203 may be comprised of transmitting sections and receiving sections.\",\n \"As for downlink data, radio frequency signals that are received in a plurality of transmitting/receiving antennas 201 are each amplified in the amplifying sections 202.Each transmitting/receiving section 203 receives the downlink signals amplified in the amplifying section 202.The transmitting/receiving sections 203 converts the received signals into baseband signals through frequency conversion and outputs the resulting signals to the baseband signal processing section 204.In the baseband signal processing section 204, the baseband signals that are input are subjected to an FFT process, error correction decoding, a retransmission control receiving process and so on.\",\n \"Downlink user data is forwarded to the application section 205.The application section 205 performs processes related to higher layers above the physical layer and the MAC layer, and so on.\",\n \"Furthermore, in the downlink data, broadcast information is also forwarded to the application section 205.Meanwhile, uplink user data is input from the application section 205 to the baseband signal processing section 204.In the baseband signal processing section 204, a retransmission control transmission process (for example, HARQ transmission process), channel coding, precoding, a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) process, an IFFT process and so on are performed, and the result is forwarded to each transmitting/receiving section 203.The baseband signal that is output from the baseband signal processing section 204 is converted into a radio frequency band in the transmitting/receiving sections 203.The amplifying sections 202 amplify the radio frequency signals having been subjected to frequency conversion, and transmit the resulting signals from the transmitting/receiving antennas 201.FIG.\",\n \"13 is a diagram to show a principle functional structure of the baseband signal processing section 204 provided in the user terminal 20.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"13, the baseband signal processing section 204 provided in the user terminal 20 is comprised at least of a control section 401, a transmission signal generating section 402, a mapping section 403, a demapping section 404, a received signal decoding section 405, a maximum power configuration section 406 and a PH report generating section 411.The control section 401 acquires the downlink control signals (signals transmitted in the PDCCH) and the downlink data signals (signals transmitted in the PDSCH) transmitted from the radio base stations 10, from the received signal decoding section 405.Based on the downlink control signals, results of deciding whether or not retransmission control is possible in response to the downlink data signals, and so on, the control section 401 controls the generation of uplink control signals (for example, delivery acknowledgement signals (HARQ-ACK), etc.\",\n \"), uplink data signals, and so on.\",\n \"To be more specific, the control section 401 controls the transmission signal generating section 402 and the mapping section 403.The transmission signal generating section 402 generates uplink control signals such as, for example, delivery acknowledgement signals (HARQ-ACK) and channel state information (CSI), based on commands from the control section 401.Also, the transmission signal generating section 402 generates uplink data signals based on commands from the control section 401.Note that, when a UL grant is included in a downlink control signal reported from the radio base stations, the control section 401 commands the transmission signal generating section 402 to generate an uplink data signal.\",\n \"The mapping section 403 maps the uplink signals generated in the transmission signal generating section 402 to radio resources based on commands from the control section 401, and outputs the result to the transmitting/receiving sections 203.Also, the control section 401 controls the uplink transmission power of the user terminals 20.To be more specific, the control section 401 controls the transmission power of each cell (CC) based on signaling (for example, TPC commands) from each radio base station 20.Here, the control section 401 controls the uplink transmission power to be equal to or lower than the maximum transmission power of uplink signals for each radio base station 10, set in the maximum transmission power setting section 406.To do so, the control section 401 outputs the terminal-specific information related to the maximum transmission power of uplink signals included in, for example, the higher layer signaling that is received.\",\n \"Based on the terminal-specific information pertaining to a given radio base station input from the control section 401, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 sets the maximum transmission power of uplink signals for the given radio base station.\",\n \"Also, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 outputs the information related to the maximum transmission power of uplink signals set for each radio base station, to the control section 401.For example, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 sets the maximum transmission power PCMAX_MeNB,c per serving cell formed by the MeNB, by using QEMAX_MeNB,c reported from the MeNB, based on equations 3 and 4.Also, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 sets the maximum transmission power PCMAX_SeNB,c per serving cell formed by the SeNB, by using QEMAX_SeNB,c reported from SeNB, based on equation 5 and 6 (first embodiment).\",\n \"Also, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 may set the maximum transmission power PCMAX_MeNB per MeNB, by using PMeNB reported from the MeNB, based on equations 9 and 10.Also, the maximum transmission power setting section 406 may set the maximum transmission power PCMAX_SeNB per SeNB by using PSeNB that is reported from the SeNB, based on equations 11 and 12 (second embodiment).\",\n \"Furthermore, once the maximum transmission power setting section 406 set the maximum transmission power with respect to a given eNB, the maximum transmission power for the rest of the eNBs can be determined to be included within the range defined by removing the maximum transmission power of the given eNB from the maximum transmission power of the user terminals 20 (third embodiment).\",\n \"For example, when connections are established with three eNBs, after the maximum transmission power is determined with respect to two of the eNBs based on terminal-specific information, the power that is left after the maximum transmission power determined with respect to the two eNBs is removed from PCMAX may be determined to be the upper limit of the maximum transmission power of the remaining one eNB.\",\n \"Note that the transmission signal generating section 402 may generate, as user terminal capability information (UE capability information), the fact that the maximum transmission power of uplink signals for a given radio base station can be set in the maximum transmission power setting section 406 based on terminal-specific information.\",\n \"Based on commands from the control section 401, the PH reporting generating section 411 calculates the PH (Power Headroom) for each eNB/CG from the difference between the uplink signal transmission power demanded by the eNB/CG and the maximum transmission power of uplink signals for that eNB/CG, generates a PHR, and outputs this to the transmission signal generating section 402.Note that the PHR may be generated based on the upper limit of the maximum transmission power of uplink signals for the eNBs/CGs.\",\n \"The demapping section 404 demaps the signals received in the transmitting/receiving sections 203 and outputs the separated signals to the received signal decoding section 405.To be more specific, the demapping section 404 demaps the downlink signals transmitted from the radio base station 10.The received signal decoding section 405 decodes the downlink control signals (PDCCH signals) transmitted in the downlink control channel (PDCCH), and outputs the scheduling information (uplink resource allocation information), information about the cells to which delivery acknowledgement signals are fed back in response to the downlink control signals, TPC commands and so on, to the control section 401.Now, although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, it should be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described herein.\",\n \"For example, the above-described embodiments may be used separately, or may be used in combinations.\",\n \"The present invention can be implemented with various corrections and in various modifications, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the recitations of claims.\",\n \"Consequently, the description herein is provided only for the purpose of explaining examples, and should by no means be construed to limit the present invention in any way.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873525"}}},{"rowIdx":4494369,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["SECURE REAL-TIME TRANSACTIONS","A method including receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Other embodiments are provided."],["1.A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform: receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request comprising a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, the transaction system being in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant, the one or more first accounts comprising at least one non-demand deposit account, the transaction system being maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and the consumer using a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts; determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database; sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution; receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, the payment information comprising a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","2.The system of claim 1, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","3.The system of claim 1, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","4.The system of claim 3, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","5.The system of claim 3, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","6.The system of claim 5, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","7.The system of claim 6, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","8.The system of claim 6, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","9.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; and the loan account is created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.","10.The system of claim 9, wherein: a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","11.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.","12.The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account.","13.The system of claim 1, wherein the first entity is at least one of the first financial institution, the mobile device being used by the consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","14.A method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the method comprising: receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request comprising a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, the transaction system being in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant, the one or more first accounts comprising at least one non-demand deposit account, the transaction system being maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and the consumer using a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts; determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database; sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution; receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, the payment information comprising a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and sending the payment information from the transaction system to the second financial institution, such that a point-of-sale terminal at a store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","15.The method of claim 14, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","16.The method of claim 14, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","17.The method of claim 16, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","18.The method of claim 16, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","19.The method of claim 18, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","20.The method of claim 19, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","21.The method of claim 19, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","22.The method of claim 14, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; and the loan account is created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.","23.The method of claim 22, wherein: a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","24.The method of claim 14, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.","25.The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account.","26.The method of claim 14, wherein the first entity is at least one of the first financial institution, the mobile device being used by the consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer."],[" BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7 ; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19 ; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/170,781, filed Jun.","1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.U.S.","patent application Ser.","Nos.","15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.","TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.","BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.","DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer cam ne maintained by a first financial institution.","The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.","The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Turning to the drawings, FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.","System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.","7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.","The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.","In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.","In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).","In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.","In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.","In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.","In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).","For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.","In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.","For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.","In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.","For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.","In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).","This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.","In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.","In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).","In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.","In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.","For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.","For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.","For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.","As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.","In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.","In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.","In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).","In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.","In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.","In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.","The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.","For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.","The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.","For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.","In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.","In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.","In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.","In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.","For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.","For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.","By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.","In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).","In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.","In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.","In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.","In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.","In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.","In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.","In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.","The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.","As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.","In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.","In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.","In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.","For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.","For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.","In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.","In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.","In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.","In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.","In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.","In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.","In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.","In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.","In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.","In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.","In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.","Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.","In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.","In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.","22 and described below.","In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.","For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.","In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.","In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.","129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).","In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).","In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.","In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.","For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.","In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.","For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.","For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.","Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.","Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.","In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.","In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.","In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.","In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.","For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.","In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.","For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.","In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.","In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.","The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.","In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.","In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.","The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.","In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.","In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.","In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.","In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.","For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.","In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.","In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.","In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.","In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.","In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.","In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.","In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.","1)).","User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.","For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.","1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.","In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), such as Checking Account A.","When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) to use for the payment transaction.","In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve the transaction using the account.","In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to decline the transaction using the account.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.","User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.","Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.","In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.","In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.","In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.","User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.","In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.","In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), such as a new loan.","In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.","1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.","When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.","1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.","21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed.","User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), title bar 2001 (FIG.","20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.","If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.","In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.","1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.","5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.","9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.","16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.","5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.","9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.","16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.","16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.","9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.","4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.","4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.","13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.","13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.","4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.","10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.","10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.","10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.","13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.","13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.","In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.","10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.","13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.","13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.","11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.","11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.","14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.","14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.","2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.","2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.","2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.","14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.","3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.","3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.","15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.","15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.","3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.","12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.","15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.","3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.","In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.","6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.","6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.","6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), financial institution 150 (FIG.","1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.","2), method 300 (FIG.","3), method 400 (FIG.","4), method 500 (FIG.","5), method 600 (FIG.","6), method 900 (FIG.","9), method 1000 (FIG.","10), method 1100 (FIG.","11), method 1200 (FIG.","12), method 1300 (FIG.","13), method 1400 (FIG.","14), method 1500 (FIG.","15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.","16).","Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.","8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.","8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.","8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.","Continuing with FIG.","8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).","Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.","7) to a functional state after a system reset.","In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).","In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.","7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7-8).","In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.","The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.","Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.","As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.","In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.","8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/O devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.","7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.","7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.","8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.","Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.","7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.","7) of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.","7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7 and 8).","In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.","In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.","7) or USB port 712 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).","Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.","7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.","Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.","7) need not be discussed herein.","When computer 700 in FIG.","7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.","8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.","8).","A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.","In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.","Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.","7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.","In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.","In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.","Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.","Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.","It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.","For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.","1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.","For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.","Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.","The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.","Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"SECURE REAL-TIME TRANSACTIONS\",\n \"A method including receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Other embodiments are provided.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform: receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request comprising a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, the transaction system being in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant, the one or more first accounts comprising at least one non-demand deposit account, the transaction system being maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and the consumer using a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts; determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database; sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution; receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, the payment information comprising a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"2.The system of claim 1, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"3.The system of claim 1, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"4.The system of claim 3, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"5.The system of claim 3, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"6.The system of claim 5, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"7.The system of claim 6, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"8.The system of claim 6, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"9.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; and the loan account is created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"10.The system of claim 9, wherein: a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"11.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"12.The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account.\",\n \"13.The system of claim 1, wherein the first entity is at least one of the first financial institution, the mobile device being used by the consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"14.A method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the method comprising: receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request comprising a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, the transaction system being in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant, the one or more first accounts comprising at least one non-demand deposit account, the transaction system being maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and the consumer using a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts; determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database; sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution; receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, the payment information comprising a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and sending the payment information from the transaction system to the second financial institution, such that a point-of-sale terminal at a store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 14, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 14, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"17.The method of claim 16, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"18.The method of claim 16, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"19.The method of claim 18, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"20.The method of claim 19, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"21.The method of claim 19, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"22.The method of claim 14, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; and the loan account is created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"23.The method of claim 22, wherein: a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"24.The method of claim 14, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"25.The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account.\",\n \"26.The method of claim 14, wherein the first entity is at least one of the first financial institution, the mobile device being used by the consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7 ; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19 ; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/170,781, filed Jun.\",\n \"1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.U.S.\",\n \"patent application Ser.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.\",\n \"BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer cam ne maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.\",\n \"The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Turning to the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.\",\n \"The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.\",\n \"In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).\",\n \"In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.\",\n \"In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.\",\n \"In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).\",\n \"For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.\",\n \"For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.\",\n \"In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).\",\n \"This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.\",\n \"As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.\",\n \"In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.\",\n \"In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).\",\n \"In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.\",\n \"For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.\",\n \"The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.\",\n \"For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.\",\n \"In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.\",\n \"The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.\",\n \"As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.\",\n \"In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.\",\n \"In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.\",\n \"For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.\",\n \"In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.\",\n \"In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.\",\n \"Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.\",\n \"In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.\",\n \"22 and described below.\",\n \"In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.\",\n \"For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.\",\n \"In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.\",\n \"129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).\",\n \"In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.\",\n \"For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.\",\n \"Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.\",\n \"For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.\",\n \"The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.\",\n \"In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.\",\n \"The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.\",\n \"In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.\",\n \"For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), such as Checking Account A.\",\n \"When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve the transaction using the account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to decline the transaction using the account.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.\",\n \"Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), such as a new loan.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.\",\n \"When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.\",\n \"If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.\",\n \"In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.\",\n \"2), method 300 (FIG.\",\n \"3), method 400 (FIG.\",\n \"4), method 500 (FIG.\",\n \"5), method 600 (FIG.\",\n \"6), method 900 (FIG.\",\n \"9), method 1000 (FIG.\",\n \"10), method 1100 (FIG.\",\n \"11), method 1200 (FIG.\",\n \"12), method 1300 (FIG.\",\n \"13), method 1400 (FIG.\",\n \"14), method 1500 (FIG.\",\n \"15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.\",\n \"16).\",\n \"Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.\",\n \"8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.\",\n \"8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.\",\n \"8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).\",\n \"Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) to a functional state after a system reset.\",\n \"In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8).\",\n \"In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.\",\n \"The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.\",\n \"Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.\",\n \"As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/O devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.\",\n \"8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.\",\n \"Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.\",\n \"7) of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8).\",\n \"In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.\",\n \"In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) or USB port 712 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).\",\n \"Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.\",\n \"Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.\",\n \"7) need not be discussed herein.\",\n \"When computer 700 in FIG.\",\n \"7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.\",\n \"8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.\",\n \"In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.\",\n \"Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.\",\n \"7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.\",\n \"Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.\",\n \"Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.\",\n \"For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.\",\n \"1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.\",\n \"For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.\",\n \"Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.\",\n \"The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.\",\n \"Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873533"}}},{"rowIdx":4494370,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["Medical Tool for Reduced Penetration Force","A medical device is provided having reduced penetration force.","The device includes a body having a central hollow channel and a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body.","The piezoelectric transducer has a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel.","A tubular member is associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer.","The piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue.","The tubular member may be a trocar needle."],["1.","(canceled) 2.","(canceled) 3.","(canceled) 4.","(canceled) 5.","(canceled) 6.","(canceled) 7.","(canceled) 8.","(canceled) 9.","(canceled) 10.","(canceled) 11.","(canceled) 12.","(canceled) 13.","(canceled) 14.","(canceled) 15.","(canceled) 16.","(canceled) 17.","(canceled) 18.","(canceled) 19.","(canceled) 20.","(canceled) 21.","(canceled) 22.","(canceled) 23.","(canceled) 24.","(canceled) 25.","(canceled) 26.","(canceled) 27.","(canceled) 28.","(canceled) 29.","(canceled) 30.","(canceled) 31.","(canceled) 32.","(canceled) 33.","(canceled) 34.A medical device comprising: a body having a central hollow channel; a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body, the piezoelectric transducer having a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel; and a tubular member associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce and oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue; wherein the tubular member is a hypodermic needle.","35.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the piezoelectric transducer comprises at least one piezoelectric element disposed between a first mass and a second mass and all of which comprise respective central hollow channels.","36.The medical device of claim 35, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating the tubular member at a frequency in the range of 20-50 kHz.","37.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce a sinusoidal displacement of the tubular member.","38.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is an IV needle.","39.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is a spinal needle.","40.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is an epidural needle.","41.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is a pencil point tipped needle.","42.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is an introducer needle.","43.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is a regional block needle.","44.The medical device of claim 35, wherein the tubular member having a proximal open end formed concentric with the central hollow channel and the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and a distal open end; wherein the tubular member is hollow with open ends formed opposite one another and wherein the central hollow channel of the body, the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and the tubular member form a continuous bore extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the medical device.","45.A medical device comprising: a body having a central hollow channel; a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body, the piezoelectric transducer having a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel; and a tubular member associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue; wherein the tubular member is a trocar needle.","46.The medical device of claim 45, wherein the trocar needle is a bone biopsy trocar needle.","47.The medical device of claim 45, wherein the trocar needle has an inner stylet shaft and a cannula, wherein the inner stylet shaft extends through the cannula.","48.The medical device of claim 45, further comprising a trocar access port of which the trocar needle is a part thereof.","49.The medical device of claim 45, wherein the piezoelectric transducer comprises at least one piezoelectric element disposed between a first mass and a second mass and all of which comprise respective central hollow channels.","50.The medical device of claim 45, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating the tubular member at a frequency in the range of 20-50 kHz.","51.The medical device of claim 45, wherein the tubular member having: a proximal open end formed concentric with the central hollow channel and the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and a distal open end; and wherein the tubular member is hollow with open ends formed opposite one another and wherein the central hollow channel of the body, the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and the tubular member form a continuous bore extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the medical device.","52.A medical device comprising: a body having a central hollow channel; a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body, the piezoelectric transducer having a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel; and a tubular member associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue, wherein the tubular member is a catheterization needle.","53.The medical device of claim 52, wherein the piezoelectric transducer comprises at least one piezoelectric element disposed between a first mass and a second mass and all of which comprise respective central hollow channels; wherein the tubular member having a proximal open end formed concentric with the central hollow channel and the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer, and a distal open end; wherein the tubular member is hollow with open ends formed opposite one another and wherein the central hollow channel of the body, the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and the tubular member form a continuous bore extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the medical device."],[" FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally pertains to handheld medical devices, and more specifically to electrically driven lancets; epidural catheter inserters; biopsy medical instruments, such as bone biopsy medical devices; vascular entry penetrating members, spinal access needles and other catheterization needles.","The invention is applicable to the delivery and removal of blood, tissues, medicine, bone marrow, nutrients or other materials within the body."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The basis of the invention is a handheld medical device, (e.g., epidural needle, bone biopsy device, spinal needle, regional block needle, catheter introducer needle, etc.)","having a penetrating member (e.g., an introducer needle, Tuohy needle, pencil point tipped needle, trocar needle (e.g., JAMSHIDI® biopsy needle), etc.","), at a distal end, for use in procedures, (e.g., vascular entry and catheterization, single shot or continuous epidurals, spinal access, regional blocks, or bone biopsy, etc.","), wherein the medical device comprises at least one driving actuator, (e.g., a piezoelectric, voice coil, solenoid, pneumatic, fluidic or any oscillatory or translational actuator etc.)","attached to the penetrating member (e.g., at a proximal end of the penetrating member), and wherein the driving actuator translates the penetrating member, causing it to reciprocate at small displacements, thereby reducing the force required to penetrate through tissues.","Additionally, the invention comprises a means for providing feedback, either visually, audibly, or by tactile response, using a variety of detection mechanisms (such as, but not limited to, electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.","means), to indicate successful penetration of various tissues, or of voids within the body such as the epidural space so that the clinician knows when to stop as well as to limit power to the driving mechanism.","Actuator technologies that rely on conventional, single or stacked piezoelectric material assemblies for actuation are hindered by the maximum strain limit of the piezoelectric materials themselves.","Because the maximum strain limit of conventional piezoelectric materials is about 0.1% for polycrystalline piezoelectric materials, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) polycrystalline (also referred to as ceramic) materials and 0.5% for single crystal piezoelectric materials, it would require a large stack of cells to approach useful displacement or actuation of, for example, a handheld medical device usable for processes penetrating through tissues.","However, using a large stack of cells to actuate components of a handpiece would also require that the tool size be increased beyond usable biometric design for handheld instruments.","Flextensional actuator assembly designs have been developed which provide amplification in piezoelectric material stack strain displacement.","The flextensional designs comprise a piezoelectric material driving cell disposed within a frame, platen, endcaps or housing.","The geometry of the frame, platten, endcaps or housing provides amplification of the axial or longitudinal motions of the driver cell to obtain a larger displacement of the flextensional assembly in a particular direction.","Essentially, the flextensional actuator assembly more efficiently converts strain in one direction into movement (or force) in a second direction.","Flextensional piezoelectric actuators may be considered mid-frequency actuators, e.g., 25-35 kHz.","Flextensional actuators may take on several embodiments.","For example, in one embodiment, flextensional actuators are of the Cymbal type, as described in U.S. Pat.","No.","5,729,077 (Newnham), which is hereby incorporated by reference.","In another embodiment, flextensional actuators are of the amplified piezoelectric actuator (“APA”) type as described in U.S. Pat.","No.","6,465,936 (Knowles), which is hereby incorporated by reference.","In yet another embodiment, the actuator is a Langevin or bolted dumbbell-type actuator, similar to, but not limited to that which is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2007/0063618 A1 (Bromfield), which is hereby incorporated by reference.","In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a handheld device including a body, a flextensional actuator disposed within said body and a penetrating or “sharps” member attached to one face of the flextensional actuator.","In the broadest scope of the invention, the penetrating member may be hollow or solid.","The actuator may have an internal bore running from a distal end to a proximal end or may have a side port located on the penetrating member attachment fitting.","Therefore for single use penetrating members there is no need to sterilize the penetrating member after use.","Where the penetrating member is hollow, it forms a hollow tubular structure having a sharpened distal end.","The hollow central portion of the penetrating member is concentric to the internal bore of the actuator, together forming a continuous hollow cavity from a distal end of the actuator body to a proximal end of the penetrating member.","For example, the flextensional actuator assembly may utilize flextensional Cymbal actuator technology or amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) technology.","The flextensional actuator assembly provides for improved amplification and improved performance, which are above that of a conventional handheld device.","For example, the amplification may be improved by up to about 50-fold.","Additionally, the flextensional actuator assembly enables handpiece configurations to have a more simplified design and a smaller format.","One embodiment of the present invention is a resonance driven vascular entry needle to reduce insertion force of the penetrating member and to reduce rolling or collapsing of vasculature.","An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a reduction of force epidural needle that provides the clinician a more controlled entry into the epidural space, minimizing the accidental puncturing of the dural sheath.","In this embodiment, an actuator, for example, a Langevin actuator (more commonly referred to as a Langevin transducer), has a hollow penetrating member, for example a hollow needle, attached to a distal portion of the actuator.","The Langevin actuator in this embodiment may be open at opposite ends.","The openings include a hollow portion extending continuously from the distal end of the actuator to a proximal end of the actuator.","The distal opening coincides with the hollow penetrating member.","A plunger, having a handle, a shaft and a seal is also attached to the actuator at an opposite end of the sharps member.","The plunger's shaft is slidably disposed within the continuous, hollowed inner portion of the actuator.","The seal is attached to a distal portion of the plunger's shaft and separates a distal volume of the hollowed inner portion of the actuator from a proximal volume of the hollowed inner portion.","Because the plunger's shaft is slidably disposed, the plunger is also slidably disposed and, in response to a motion of the shaft in a distal direction, reduces the distal volume of the hollowed inner portion and increases the proximal volume.","Conversely, in response to a motion of the shaft in a proximal direction, the seal also moves in a proximal direction, thereby reducing the proximal volume of the hollowed portion and increasing the distal volume.","The motion of the plunger's shaft, and, effectively, the plunger's seal, is actuated by an external force acting on the plunger's handle.","When electrically activated, the actuator transfers compression and expansion of the piezoelectric material portion to a hollow and penetrating tip of the hollow needle.","Langevin actuators may be considered high :frequency actuators, e.g., >50 kHz.","Another embodiment of the invention provides a bone marrow biopsy device having an outer casing, an actuator, for example, a Langevin actuator (e.g., see, for example, U.S. Pat.","No.","6,491,708 (Madan, et al.","), whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein), including a first body portion and a second body portion of the actuator, with piezoelectric material formed between the first and second body portions, wherein the actuator is disposed at least partially within the casing.","The invention further includes a handle, an outer cannula, such as a needle, having an open distal end and an open proximal end with the cannula positioned at a distal portion of the actuator.","In one aspect of the present embodiment, the invention further comprises a stylet having a penetrating distal tip attached to the handle at a portion opposite the distal tip, wherein the stylet is slidably disposed through a center cavity of the body and cannula.","The actuator is formed with a distal opening formed at a distal end of the actuator, and a proximal opening formed at a proximal end of the actuator with a centralized hollow bore extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, thereby defining a hollow channel.","More precisely, the outer cannula is a hollow tube fixedly attached at the distal end of the actuator such that the open proximal end of the cannula coincides with the distal opening of the actuator distal end.","The stylet is slidably and centrally disposed within the actuator from the proximal end through the hollow channel and through the distal end.","The stylet is also of predetermined length such that it is slidably and centrally located through the outer cannula, with the distal tip of the stylet protruding past the open distal end of the cannula.","The various actuators of the present invention must be connected electrically to an external electrical signal source.","Upon excitation by the electrical signal, the actuators convert the signal into mechanical energy that results in vibratory motion of an end-effector, such as an attached needle or stylet.","In the case of a Langevin actuator, the vibratory motion produced by the piezoelectric materials generates a standing wave through the whole assembly such as that in graph in FIG.","17 .","Because at a given frequency, a standing wave is comprised of locations of zero-displacement (node, or zero node) and maximum displacement (anti-node -not shown) in a continuous manner, the displacement that results at any point along the actuator depends on the location where the displacement is to be measured.","Therefore, the horn is typically designed with such a length so as to provide the distal end of the horn at an anti-node when the device is operated.","In this way, the distal end of the horn experiences a large vibratory displacement in a longitudinal direction with respect to the long axis of the actuator.","Conversely, the zero node points are locations best suited for adding port openings or slots so as to make it possible to attach external devices to the actuator.","As indicated by line ZN, the port opening SP coincides with the zero node location and the smaller displacement at zero node points are less abrasive to an attached device.","Accordingly, an alternative embodiment, the actuator may be formed with a distal opening formed at the distal end of the actuator, a port opening on at least a portion of the actuator, and a hollow bore extending from the distal opening to and in communication with the port opening.","Preferably, the port opening may be a side on a horn side of the actuator.","More preferably, the port opening is generally located (preferably centered) at a zero node location of the actuator, and most preferably centered at a zero node location on a horn side of the actuator.","Additionally, a means for providing feedback, for example any of those conventional feedback devices disclosed above used for indication of successful body location such as the epidural space penetration is in communication with the present embodiment by attachment at the port opening location, or preferably at the side port.","Alternatively, any means capable of delivering fluid, such as a catheter tube or conventional syringe can be attached at the port opening location, or preferably at the side port.","The present invention relates generally to oscillatory or translational actuated handheld device for penetration through various tissues within a body for the delivery or removal of bodily fluids, tissues, nutrients, medicines, therapies, placement or removal of catheters, etc.","For example for piezoelectric devices, the present invention is a handpiece including a body, at least one piezoelectric element disposed within the body, and a sharps member for tissue penetration, such as a syringe, epidural needle or biopsy needle located at a distal portion of the handheld device, having a feedback means capable of indicating successful penetration of the body space, such as epidural space by providing visual, audible or tactile indications using any well-known detection mechanisms such as but not limited to electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.","means.","Additionally, with the use of proper circuitry the handheld medical device comprising an actuator is provided with a means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator (e.g., one or more of piezoelectric elements, voice coil, solenoid, other oscillatory or translational actuator, etc.)","upon penetration of a particular tissue or internal portion of a body such as the epidural space.","The means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator may be implemented as part of the aforementioned means for providing visual, audible or tactile indications or may be a separate means altogether.","Preferably the means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator upon penetration of a particular tissue or internal portion of for example, the epidural space, may be accomplished by incorporating proper circuit configurations to aforementioned electrical means to trigger a switching means in order to cut off power to the driving actuator.","Such a means is described in U.S. Pat.","No.","5,575,789 (Bell et al.)","whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.","By providing such electrical cut-off means, upon successfully penetrating the epidural space for example, a clinician receives one or more of a visual, audible, and tactile indications as well as a loss of power to the device as a secondary indication that a particular internal portion of a body has been penetrated.","Furthermore, with a loss of power to the device by cutting off electrical power to the driving actuator, the force or forward momentum necessary for further penetration of tissue will cease and in turn, will decrease the potential for unwanted body area puncture such as accidental dural puncture.","Additionally the invention with specific control electronics will provide reduction of force as the penetrating member is retracted from the body.","In one embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a part of a vascular entry needle.","In another embodiment, the penetrating sharp tubular member is a Tuohy needle.","In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a trocar and stylet assembly, such as a JAMSHIDI® biopsy needle.","In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a pencil point tipped needle.","In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is part of a trocar access port.","These and other features of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of this invention."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is divisional application of co-pending U.S. application Ser.","No.","14/689,982, filed on Apr.","17, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","14/329,177, filed on Jul.","11, 2014, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","13/672,482, filed Nov. 8, 2012, which issued as U.S. Pat.","No.","8,777,871 on Jul.","15, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","12/559,383, filed on Sep. 14, 2009, which issued as U.S. Pat.","No.","8,328,738 on Dec. 11, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.","No.","12/163,071, filed on Jun.","27, 2008, which issued as U.S. Pat.","No.","8,043,229 on Oct. 25, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S.","Provisional Application Ser.","No.","60/937,749, filed on Jun.","29, 2007, now expired, the contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.","U.S. application Ser.","No.","12/559,383 also claims the benefit of U.S.","Provisional Application Ser.","No.","61/089,756, filed on Sep. 15, 2008, now expired, the contents of which are also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.","STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT This invention was made with government support under GM085844, RR024943, CA139774, and GM100535 awarded by the National Institutes of Health.","The government has certain rights in the invention.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally pertains to handheld medical devices, and more specifically to electrically driven lancets; epidural catheter inserters; biopsy medical instruments, such as bone biopsy medical devices; vascular entry penetrating members, spinal access needles and other catheterization needles.","The invention is applicable to the delivery and removal of blood, tissues, medicine, bone marrow, nutrients or other materials within the body.","DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART Epidural anesthesia is a form of regional anesthesia involving injection of drugs directly into the epidural space.","To begin the procedure, a needle is inserted from the outer layer of skin, through several layers of tissue and finally placed within the epidural space, through which a catheter is optionally passed.","Local anesthetics are injected into the epidural space causing temporary loss of sensation and pain by blocking the transmission of pain signals through nerves in or near the spinal cord.","The procedure can be unpleasant to the patient because of the high force levels required for the relatively dull epidural needle to penetrate the supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament and ligamentum flavum.","One complication is that a clinician will accidently overshoot and puncture the dura because of this high force of penetration and an almost-instantaneous change in resistance upon passing the needle into the epidural space (i.e., high forward momentum followed by instantaneous minimization of force).","Upon puncturing the dura, the cerebrospinal fluid can leak into the epidural space causing the patient to experience severe post dural puncture headache, lasting from days to possibly years.","Significant leakage can cause enough intracranial hypotension as to tear veins, cause subdural hematoma, and traction injuries to the cranial nerves resulting in tinnitus, hearing loss, dizziness, facial droop, or double vision.","A bone marrow biopsy is used for diagnosing tumors and a variety of bone diseases.","The most commonly used site for the bone biopsy is the anterior iliac crest.","A major disadvantage is the force required to penetrate the bone tissue, and the twisting motion often used to force the needle inward, which results in patient discomfort as well as possible healing complications from damaged tissues.","The penetration force can also be tiring for clinicians and lead to multiple sampling attempts.","Complications are rare but can include bleeding, pain, and infection.","Pain is minimized with proper local anesthesia, though the patient still experiences a pressure sensation during insertion and retraction during some procedures.","Another problem is crushing the sample or being unable to retrieve part of all of it, limiting the ability to diagnose.","As shown in FIG.","1, a biopsy tool PA1 typically comprises a handle (not shown) and hollow cannula 1 with cannula distal end 1′ surrounding a stylet 2 attached to the handle.","To penetrate through cortical bone, a clinician pushes the cannula and stylet through the bone to the marrow.","The distal tip 3 of the inner stylet or trocar is sharpened and has an angled chisel-like face 4 which reduces the surface area to reduce the exertion force.","Currently, to minimize the possibility of a dura puncture, the epidural catheter insertion process is typically performed very slowly and with a 16-18 gauge, specially designed, relatively dull needle PA2, such as the one shown in FIG.","2 called a Tuohy needle 5.An epidural needle, such as the Tuohy needle 5 or Hustead needle, has a directional curved tip 6, which decreases the “sharpness” at the needle and, therefore, makes accidental dura puncture more difficult.","The curved tip also facilitates directing an indwelling catheter into the epidural space and a tip opening 7 facilitates catheter or fluid introduction or removal.","Unfortunately, this dull curved-tip design actually increases the force a clinician must use and makes it more difficult for a clinician to stop the forward momentum upon penetration of the dural space.","Additionally, the Tuohy design increases the likelihood that a clinician relies on tactile feedback during penetration.","In other words, during the insertion procedure a clinician will rely on feeling a “popping” sensation—indicative of passing the needle past the ligamentum flavum—to locate the tip of the needle within the epidural space and quickly stop the forward momentum being applied.","Still, because penetration into other tissues, such as muscle, calcified ligament, or regular ligament may produce a similar popping, a clinician may not fully perceive the correct location of the needle tip where the tip of the needle is occluded until passing through these tissues.","Several alternate technologies have been developed that attempt to minimize the dura puncture risk, while also giving the clinician indication of successful epidural placement.","For example, the detection method and apparatus disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2007/0142766 (Sundar, et al.","), the contents of which are incorporated by reference, relies on a spring-loaded plunger pushing a fluid into the epidural space upon successful entry.","Accordingly, the clinician is given a visual indicator (i.e., the movement of the plunger as the fluid experiences a loss of resistance at the needle opening), and would cease applying forward force.","Similarly, U.S. Pat.","No.","5,681,283 (Brownfield) also relies on a visual indicator to communicate successful entry of a needle into a cavity to the clinician.","Unfortunately, while a visual indicator is a positive advancement, the actual cause of the accidental dural wall puncture-that is, the high force applied by the clinician against the needle to pass through the various tissue layers and then stop-is not taught or suggested.","Therefore, there exists a need for a tool that reduces the puncture force of a needle, such as a Tuohy needle, and enables a clinician to perform a more controlled entry into the epidural space, thereby reducing the possibility of an accidental dura puncture.","While accidental dura puncture is a concern, simply locating the epidural space may pose a challenge even to the most skilled physicians.","Therefore, when a needle such as a Tuohy needle is passed through the ligamentum flavum and into the epidural space, it is helpful for a clinician to receive immediate feedback indicating successful penetration and the location of the tip of the needle.","A basic conventional feedback device such as the one in FIG.","2a comprises a needle (not shown) attached to a syringe PA3 at a front portion 9, and wherein the syringe PA3 is formed of a tubular body 10 and houses a biasing element 11 comprising a stem acting as a biasing element.","To provide feedback indicating successful epidural penetration the device relies on a biasing force acting against the biasing element 11 which then acts upon a fluid, such as saline, or air within the syringe.","Essentially, in this hydraulic feedback method, as the biasing force acts upon the fluid, the fluid translates this pressure to an opening of the needle tip.","An opposing force, acting on the needle tip as it is held against a tissue such as the ligamentum flavum, acts to prevent the fluid from being released from the syringe.","Typically, a clinician's thumbs act as the biasing force source which in turn acts upon the plunger stem.","The clinician's thumbs serve to “feel” the hydraulic resistance exerted on the fluid by the opposing tissue force.","Upon entering the epidural space, however, the opposing pressure of tissue acting against the tip is removed, and a pressure drop allows the biasing force to move solution out of the syringe through the needle tip.","The clinician becomes aware of successful penetration of the epidural space due to his/her thumbs “feeling” the sudden pressure drop or loss of resistance at the plunger stem.","Also, the clinician may receive visual indication of successful penetration by witnessing the plunger advancing through the syringe externally as the fluid is released into the epidural space in the patient.","One problem with this conventional device and method is that it is difficult for a clinician to both apply a biasing force on the plunger while also applying an advancing force against the syringe body in order to advance the needle through the ligamentum flavum.","Moreover, to prevent accidental dura puncture, clinicians tend to hold the conventional syringe in such a way as to hold the patient steady, while applying a forward momentum against the syringe, and while applying a biasing force against the plunger stem.","This is both awkward and uncomfortable to the clinician and patient.","Some advancements have also attempted to provide an automatic biasing element to act against the plunger of an epidural syringe while also providing visual indication or feedback, rather than tactile response, of successful puncture of various internal target areas in the human body.","For example, in U.S. Patent Publication No.","2007/0142766 (Sundar et al.","), a spring is utilized to act with a biasing force against the syringe plunger.","When the epidural needle attached to the syringe passes through into the dural space, the pressure drop allows the spring to bias the plunger.","As the plunger moves, the stem provides at least some visual indication as it moves with the plunger.","Similarly, U.S. Pat.","No.","5,024,662 (Menes et al.","), which is hereby incorporated by reference, provides visual indication by utilizing an elastomer band to provide the biasing force against the plunger stem.","In U.S. Pat.","No.","4,623,335 (Jackson) which is hereby incorporated by reference, an alternative device assists in visually indicating a pressure to identify the location of the needle tip.","In addition, U.S. Pat.","No.","7,297,131 (Call) which is hereby incorporated by reference, uses a pressure transducer to translate a pressure change into an electronic signal.","The electronic signal is then converted to a visual display indicator, for example by activating a light emitting diode to emit.","Therefore, a need exists to overcome the challenges not addressed by conventionally available technologies that reduces the force necessary for penetration of a sharp medical element of a medical device through tissue and also has the ability to deliver (e.g., deliver saline solution, or drugs, etc.)","or retrieve materials subcutaneously (e.g., bone biopsy, etc.).","A need also exists to provide visual, tactile, electrical or additional indication to a clinician that the penetrating member has successfully penetrated the specific body space such as the epidural space, especially when the force to enter such a space has been substantially reduced.","And this same force reduction must be either controlled or shut off immediately upon entry into the epidural space to avoid (easier) penetration of the dura.","Specifically, a need exists in the medical device art for an improved medical device having a penetrating element that is vibrated at a frequency that thereby reduces the force required to penetrate tissue, reduces the amount of resulting tissue damage and scarring, improving body space or vessel access success rate, minimizes introduction wound site trauma and, most importantly, improves patient comfort while minimizing potential complications.","A need exists for a clinician to be able to use less force to penetrate hard tissue such as the cortical bone during bone biopsy; which would reduce clinician fatigue, patient discomfort; and tissue damage while improving the sampling success rate and quality.","There is a need to sense proper location, stop forward motion and collect the sample.","There is a further need to turn device on after collection and to reduce force and patient discomfort as the penetrating member is being retracted from the body.","There is also a need for spinal access procedures where a clinician would want a reduction of force as well as to know the location of the needle tip but applied to a relatively-sharp penetrating member, such as a pencil point tip, as the clinician does not want to core tissue.","There is also a need for performing nerve block procedures where a clinician would want a reduction of force as well as to know the location of the needle tip.","And this same force reduction must be either controlled or shut off immediately upon entry into the desired location.","All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The basis of the invention is a handheld medical device, (e.g., epidural needle, bone biopsy device, spinal needle, regional block needle, catheter introducer needle, etc.)","having a penetrating member (e.g., an introducer needle, Tuohy needle, pencil point tipped needle, trocar needle (e.g., JAMSHIDI® biopsy needle), etc.","), at a distal end, for use in procedures, (e.g., vascular entry and catheterization, single shot or continuous epidurals, spinal access, regional blocks, or bone biopsy, etc.","), wherein the medical device comprises at least one driving actuator, (e.g., a piezoelectric, voice coil, solenoid, pneumatic, fluidic or any oscillatory or translational actuator etc.)","attached to the penetrating member (e.g., at a proximal end of the penetrating member), and wherein the driving actuator translates the penetrating member, causing it to reciprocate at small displacements, thereby reducing the force required to penetrate through tissues.","Additionally, the invention comprises a means for providing feedback, either visually, audibly, or by tactile response, using a variety of detection mechanisms (such as, but not limited to, electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.","means), to indicate successful penetration of various tissues, or of voids within the body such as the epidural space so that the clinician knows when to stop as well as to limit power to the driving mechanism.","Actuator technologies that rely on conventional, single or stacked piezoelectric material assemblies for actuation are hindered by the maximum strain limit of the piezoelectric materials themselves.","Because the maximum strain limit of conventional piezoelectric materials is about 0.1% for polycrystalline piezoelectric materials, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) polycrystalline (also referred to as ceramic) materials and 0.5% for single crystal piezoelectric materials, it would require a large stack of cells to approach useful displacement or actuation of, for example, a handheld medical device usable for processes penetrating through tissues.","However, using a large stack of cells to actuate components of a handpiece would also require that the tool size be increased beyond usable biometric design for handheld instruments.","Flextensional actuator assembly designs have been developed which provide amplification in piezoelectric material stack strain displacement.","The flextensional designs comprise a piezoelectric material driving cell disposed within a frame, platen, endcaps or housing.","The geometry of the frame, platten, endcaps or housing provides amplification of the axial or longitudinal motions of the driver cell to obtain a larger displacement of the flextensional assembly in a particular direction.","Essentially, the flextensional actuator assembly more efficiently converts strain in one direction into movement (or force) in a second direction.","Flextensional piezoelectric actuators may be considered mid-frequency actuators, e.g., 25-35 kHz.","Flextensional actuators may take on several embodiments.","For example, in one embodiment, flextensional actuators are of the Cymbal type, as described in U.S. Pat.","No.","5,729,077 (Newnham), which is hereby incorporated by reference.","In another embodiment, flextensional actuators are of the amplified piezoelectric actuator (“APA”) type as described in U.S. Pat.","No.","6,465,936 (Knowles), which is hereby incorporated by reference.","In yet another embodiment, the actuator is a Langevin or bolted dumbbell-type actuator, similar to, but not limited to that which is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","2007/0063618 A1 (Bromfield), which is hereby incorporated by reference.","In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a handheld device including a body, a flextensional actuator disposed within said body and a penetrating or “sharps” member attached to one face of the flextensional actuator.","In the broadest scope of the invention, the penetrating member may be hollow or solid.","The actuator may have an internal bore running from a distal end to a proximal end or may have a side port located on the penetrating member attachment fitting.","Therefore for single use penetrating members there is no need to sterilize the penetrating member after use.","Where the penetrating member is hollow, it forms a hollow tubular structure having a sharpened distal end.","The hollow central portion of the penetrating member is concentric to the internal bore of the actuator, together forming a continuous hollow cavity from a distal end of the actuator body to a proximal end of the penetrating member.","For example, the flextensional actuator assembly may utilize flextensional Cymbal actuator technology or amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) technology.","The flextensional actuator assembly provides for improved amplification and improved performance, which are above that of a conventional handheld device.","For example, the amplification may be improved by up to about 50-fold.","Additionally, the flextensional actuator assembly enables handpiece configurations to have a more simplified design and a smaller format.","One embodiment of the present invention is a resonance driven vascular entry needle to reduce insertion force of the penetrating member and to reduce rolling or collapsing of vasculature.","An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a reduction of force epidural needle that provides the clinician a more controlled entry into the epidural space, minimizing the accidental puncturing of the dural sheath.","In this embodiment, an actuator, for example, a Langevin actuator (more commonly referred to as a Langevin transducer), has a hollow penetrating member, for example a hollow needle, attached to a distal portion of the actuator.","The Langevin actuator in this embodiment may be open at opposite ends.","The openings include a hollow portion extending continuously from the distal end of the actuator to a proximal end of the actuator.","The distal opening coincides with the hollow penetrating member.","A plunger, having a handle, a shaft and a seal is also attached to the actuator at an opposite end of the sharps member.","The plunger's shaft is slidably disposed within the continuous, hollowed inner portion of the actuator.","The seal is attached to a distal portion of the plunger's shaft and separates a distal volume of the hollowed inner portion of the actuator from a proximal volume of the hollowed inner portion.","Because the plunger's shaft is slidably disposed, the plunger is also slidably disposed and, in response to a motion of the shaft in a distal direction, reduces the distal volume of the hollowed inner portion and increases the proximal volume.","Conversely, in response to a motion of the shaft in a proximal direction, the seal also moves in a proximal direction, thereby reducing the proximal volume of the hollowed portion and increasing the distal volume.","The motion of the plunger's shaft, and, effectively, the plunger's seal, is actuated by an external force acting on the plunger's handle.","When electrically activated, the actuator transfers compression and expansion of the piezoelectric material portion to a hollow and penetrating tip of the hollow needle.","Langevin actuators may be considered high :frequency actuators, e.g., >50 kHz.","Another embodiment of the invention provides a bone marrow biopsy device having an outer casing, an actuator, for example, a Langevin actuator (e.g., see, for example, U.S. Pat.","No.","6,491,708 (Madan, et al.","), whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein), including a first body portion and a second body portion of the actuator, with piezoelectric material formed between the first and second body portions, wherein the actuator is disposed at least partially within the casing.","The invention further includes a handle, an outer cannula, such as a needle, having an open distal end and an open proximal end with the cannula positioned at a distal portion of the actuator.","In one aspect of the present embodiment, the invention further comprises a stylet having a penetrating distal tip attached to the handle at a portion opposite the distal tip, wherein the stylet is slidably disposed through a center cavity of the body and cannula.","The actuator is formed with a distal opening formed at a distal end of the actuator, and a proximal opening formed at a proximal end of the actuator with a centralized hollow bore extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, thereby defining a hollow channel.","More precisely, the outer cannula is a hollow tube fixedly attached at the distal end of the actuator such that the open proximal end of the cannula coincides with the distal opening of the actuator distal end.","The stylet is slidably and centrally disposed within the actuator from the proximal end through the hollow channel and through the distal end.","The stylet is also of predetermined length such that it is slidably and centrally located through the outer cannula, with the distal tip of the stylet protruding past the open distal end of the cannula.","The various actuators of the present invention must be connected electrically to an external electrical signal source.","Upon excitation by the electrical signal, the actuators convert the signal into mechanical energy that results in vibratory motion of an end-effector, such as an attached needle or stylet.","In the case of a Langevin actuator, the vibratory motion produced by the piezoelectric materials generates a standing wave through the whole assembly such as that in graph in FIG.","17.Because at a given frequency, a standing wave is comprised of locations of zero-displacement (node, or zero node) and maximum displacement (anti-node -not shown) in a continuous manner, the displacement that results at any point along the actuator depends on the location where the displacement is to be measured.","Therefore, the horn is typically designed with such a length so as to provide the distal end of the horn at an anti-node when the device is operated.","In this way, the distal end of the horn experiences a large vibratory displacement in a longitudinal direction with respect to the long axis of the actuator.","Conversely, the zero node points are locations best suited for adding port openings or slots so as to make it possible to attach external devices to the actuator.","As indicated by line ZN, the port opening SP coincides with the zero node location and the smaller displacement at zero node points are less abrasive to an attached device.","Accordingly, an alternative embodiment, the actuator may be formed with a distal opening formed at the distal end of the actuator, a port opening on at least a portion of the actuator, and a hollow bore extending from the distal opening to and in communication with the port opening.","Preferably, the port opening may be a side on a horn side of the actuator.","More preferably, the port opening is generally located (preferably centered) at a zero node location of the actuator, and most preferably centered at a zero node location on a horn side of the actuator.","Additionally, a means for providing feedback, for example any of those conventional feedback devices disclosed above used for indication of successful body location such as the epidural space penetration is in communication with the present embodiment by attachment at the port opening location, or preferably at the side port.","Alternatively, any means capable of delivering fluid, such as a catheter tube or conventional syringe can be attached at the port opening location, or preferably at the side port.","The present invention relates generally to oscillatory or translational actuated handheld device for penetration through various tissues within a body for the delivery or removal of bodily fluids, tissues, nutrients, medicines, therapies, placement or removal of catheters, etc.","For example for piezoelectric devices, the present invention is a handpiece including a body, at least one piezoelectric element disposed within the body, and a sharps member for tissue penetration, such as a syringe, epidural needle or biopsy needle located at a distal portion of the handheld device, having a feedback means capable of indicating successful penetration of the body space, such as epidural space by providing visual, audible or tactile indications using any well-known detection mechanisms such as but not limited to electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.","means.","Additionally, with the use of proper circuitry the handheld medical device comprising an actuator is provided with a means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator (e.g., one or more of piezoelectric elements, voice coil, solenoid, other oscillatory or translational actuator, etc.)","upon penetration of a particular tissue or internal portion of a body such as the epidural space.","The means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator may be implemented as part of the aforementioned means for providing visual, audible or tactile indications or may be a separate means altogether.","Preferably the means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator upon penetration of a particular tissue or internal portion of for example, the epidural space, may be accomplished by incorporating proper circuit configurations to aforementioned electrical means to trigger a switching means in order to cut off power to the driving actuator.","Such a means is described in U.S. Pat.","No.","5,575,789 (Bell et al.)","whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.","By providing such electrical cut-off means, upon successfully penetrating the epidural space for example, a clinician receives one or more of a visual, audible, and tactile indications as well as a loss of power to the device as a secondary indication that a particular internal portion of a body has been penetrated.","Furthermore, with a loss of power to the device by cutting off electrical power to the driving actuator, the force or forward momentum necessary for further penetration of tissue will cease and in turn, will decrease the potential for unwanted body area puncture such as accidental dural puncture.","Additionally the invention with specific control electronics will provide reduction of force as the penetrating member is retracted from the body.","In one embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a part of a vascular entry needle.","In another embodiment, the penetrating sharp tubular member is a Tuohy needle.","In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a trocar and stylet assembly, such as a JAMSHIDI® biopsy needle.","In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a pencil point tipped needle.","In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is part of a trocar access port.","These and other features of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of this invention.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures.","FIG.","1 is a partial isometric view of a distal end of a prior art biopsy needle; FIG.","2 is a partial side view of a distal end of a prior art epidural needle; FIG.","2a is a plan view of a conventional prior art loss of resistance syringe; FIG.","3 is a graph illustrating the penetration force of a penetrating member; FIG.","4 is a cross section of a Langevin actuator, more commonly referred to as a Langevin transducer, for use as an actuator in a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","4a is needle design with the side port located in the penetrating member hub providing external access such as for pressure sensor connection or catheter entry location.","FIG.","5 is a cross section of a vascular entry needle used in a first embodiment of the invention; FIG.","6 is a cross section of a plunger used in a first embodiment the invention; FIG.","6a depicts the present invention including a sterilization sleeve for wires and housing; FIG.","6b depicts the present invention including a battery and inverter compartment attached at the end of the actuator; FIG.","7 is a cross section of a first embodiment of the invention; FIG.","7a is a cross-section of an alternate design of the first embodiment of the invention that incorporates the side port on the penetrating member hub.","FIG.","8 is a cross section of another alternate design of the first embodiment of the invention of FIG.","7; FIG.","9 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","9a is an isometric view of an alternate design of the second embodiment using a side port on the actuator for attachment location of the pressure sensor or entry of a catheter; FIG.","9b is an isometric view of more preferred alternate design of the second embodiment using a side port on the penetrating member hub for attachment location of the pressure sensor or entry of a catheter; FIG.","10a is a cross section of an inner stylet for use in a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","10b is a cross section of an outer penetrating member, such as a trocar, for use in a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","10C is a cross section showing the relative positioning of the inner stylet of FIG.","10a within the outer penetrating member of FIG.","10b for use in a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","11 is a cross section of a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","12 is a cross section of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","13 is a cross section of a penetrating member attached to an amplified piezoelectric actuator for use in a fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","13a is cross section of an alternate APA design of a penetrating member with side port for use the present invention; FIG.","14 is a cross section of a fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","14a is a cross section of the fifth embodiment of the present invention using a penetrating member with side port of FIG.","13a; FIG.","15 is a cross section of a sixth embodiment of the present invention comprising a Cymbal actuator; FIG.","16 is a cross section of the sixth embodiment of the present invention using the penetrating member with side port of FIG.","13a; FIG.","17 shows the correlation between zero node points of a standing wave and the location of a side port on a Langevin actuator without the actuator handle shown; FIG.","17a shows the correlation between zero node points of a standing wave and the location of a side port on the penetrating member connected to the Langevin actuator; FIG.","18a is a functional diagram of a seventh embodiment of the present invention depicting a side port at a zero node location on a Langevin actuator without the handle shown; FIG.","18b is a functional diagram of a seventh embodiment of the present invention comprising the side port of FIG.","18a in communication with a central channel extending the length of a Langevin actuator and without the handle shown; FIG.","18c is a sketch of a eighth embodiment of the present invention comprising two side ports in communication with needle attachment one connected to the front portion of the Langevin actuator and the other connected to the penetrating member without the actuator handle shown; FIG.","18d is a sketch of a eighth embodiment of the present invention comprising the side port connected to the short bore and communication with needle attachment that is also connected to the front portion of the Langevin actuator and without the handle shown of the actuator of FIG.","18a; FIG.","19 is a drawing of a ninth embodiment of the present invention comprising a conventional syringe of FIG.","2a attached at the side port location of the actuator shown in FIG.","18 and without the actuator handle shown; FIG.","19a is a drawing of a ninth embodiment of the present invention comprising a conventional syringe of FIG.","2a attached at the side port location of the penetrating member hub shown in FIG.","18c with the actuator also connected into the hub and without the actuator handle shown; FIG.","19b is a drawing of a pressure sensing pump system for connection to a penetrating member.","FIG.","20a is a cross-sectional view of a tenth embodiment of the present invention using a voice coil for the driving actuator; FIG.","20b is a cross-sectional view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention using a voice coil for the driving actuator wherein the position of the magnetic member and the coil are reversed from that of FIG.","20a; FIG.","20c is an isometric cross-sectional view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention using two coils; FIG.","20d is a side cross-sectional view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention using a solenoid with springs; and FIG.","21 is an exemplary schematic of an electrical power cut off for use in the various embodiments of the present invention.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS.","3-21 with the numerals referring to like and corresponding parts.","For purposes of describing relative configuration of various elements of the invention, the terms “distal”, “distally”, “proximal” or “proximally” are not defined so narrowly as to mean a particular rigid direction, but, rather, are used as placeholders to define relative locations which shall be defined in context with the attached drawings and reference numerals.","A listing of the various reference labels are provided at the end of this Specification.","In addition, U.S. Ser.","No.","12/163,071 entitled “Medical Tool for Reduced Tool Penetration Force,” filed on Jun.","27, 2008 is incorporated by reference in its entirety.","The effectiveness of the invention as described, for example, in the aforementioned preferred embodiments, utilizes reduction of force to optimize penetrating through tissue or materials found within the body.","Essentially, when tissue is penetrated by the high speed operation of a penetrating member portion of the device, such as a needle, the force required for entry is reduced.","In other words, a reduction of force effect is observed when a penetrating member (also referred to as a “tubular member”), for example a needle, is vibrated axially (e.g., reciprocated) during the insertion process and enough mechanical energy is present to break adhesive bonds between tissue and the penetrating member.","The threshold limits of energy can be reached in the sonic to ultrasonic frequency ranges if the necessary amount of needle displacement is present.","To exploit the reduction of force effect, the medical device of the present invention is designed such that the penetrating distal tip portion attains a short travel distance or displacement, and vibrates sinusoidally with a high penetrating frequency.","Utilizing the various device configurations as described in the aforementioned embodiments, it has been determined that the sinusoidal motion of the sharp distal tip must include a displacement for piezoelectric tools of between 35-100 μm, more preferably between 50-100 μm, at a frequency of between 20-50 kHz, but most preferably at 20-25 kHz.","This motion is caused by the penetrating member 20 being attached to an actuating piezoelectric actuator operated at 50-150 Vpp/mm, but most preferably at 90 Vpp/mm where Vpp is known as the peak-to-peak voltage.","For example, FIG.","3 shows a graphical representation of the resisting force versus depth of a bone biopsy needle penetrating into hard tissue.","In FIG.","3, the curve labeled A represents data for a needle in an “off' or non-vibrating condition and the curve labeled B represents data for a medical device having a needle that is vibrated by a piezoelectric actuator at 38 kHz and a displacement of 100 μm.","As apparent from FIG.","3, curve A shows that without being vibrated, the force necessary to penetrate into a material is much higher than that for a needle being oscillated, such as that represented by curve B.","By way of example only, referring to FIG.","4, a Langevin actuator, generally indicated as 100, comprises a piezoelectric actuator which includes a body having a central hollow channel and includes a displaceable member (also referred to as a “horn”) 110, an anchor (also referred to as a “rear mass”) 112 and at least one piezoelectric element 114, but preferably comprises more than one.","In particular, each piezoelectric element 114 may be formed into a piezoelectric ring that forms a hollow portion and wherein the piezoelectric elements 114 are secured within the body and attached between horn 110 and rear mass 112.A hollow or solid threaded bolt 116 is disposed within a center portion of rear mass 112, extending through a center portion of the at least one of piezoelectric elements 114 and ending within a central portion of horn 110.The bolt compresses the rear mass 112, the at least one of piezoelectric elements 114 and horn 110.The horn 110 and rear mass 112 are made of a metal such as titanium, stainless steel, ceramic (which include polycrystalline and single crystal inorganic materials), plastic, composite or, preferably, aluminum.","The bolt 116 is of the same material as the horn 110 and rear mass 112.To protect patient and clinician from electric shock, at least a portion of the Langevin actuator 100, preferably at least the whole of the rear body 112, all of the at least one piezoelectric elements 114, and at least a portion of the horn 110, are disposed within a handle 118.Electrical connection is made at metallic tabs (not shown) formed between opposing faces of the at least one of piezoelectric elements 114.These tabs can be coupled via electrical conductors 114b connected to an AC power source or battery (e.g., positioned within a battery compartment of the present invention).","The handle 118 comprises a shell portion which may be a plastic or a metal and a seal 120 which may be an elastomer.","Seal 120 prevents moisture from entering or exiting from the central portions of the rear mass 112, piezoelectric elements 114 and horn 110.The central portion of the rear mass 112, piezoelectric elements 114 and horn 110 coincide with the hollow portion of the bolt 116 forming a continuous bore 126 within the Langevin actuator 100, the bore 126 having a distal opening 122 at a distal face 121 and a proximal opening at a face opposite to the distal face 121.A Luer taper nose 123 is added to the actuator for clarity of connection.","It should be understood that the number of piezoelectric elements 114 does not form a limitation on the present invention and that it is within the broadest scope of the present invention to include one or more piezoelectric elements 114.According to an alternative embodiment, a side port (not shown) may be formed at the horn 110 side of the actuator and the continuous bore 126 extends from a distal opening 122 at distal face 121 and in communication with this side port.","The functional performance of the medical device is driven by the piezoelectric elements section.","Piezoelectric elements 114, such as each of one or more piezoelectric material rings are capable of precise, controlled displacement and can generate energy at a specific frequency.","The piezoelectric materials expand when exposed to an electrical input, due to the asymmetry of the crystal structure, in a process known as the converse piezoelectric effect.","Contraction is also possible with negative voltage.","Piezoelectric strain is quantified through the piezoelectric coefficients d33, d31, and d15, multiplied by the electric field, E, to determine the strain, x, induced in the material.","Ferroelectric polycrystalline materials, such as barium titanate (BT) and lead zirconate titanate (PZT), exhibit piezoelectricity when electrically poled.","Simple devices composed of a disk or a multilayer type directly use the strain induced in a material by the applied electric field.","Acoustic and ultrasonic vibrations can be generated by an alternating field tuned at the mechanical resonance frequency of a piezoelectric device.","Piezoelectric components can be fabricated in a wide range of shapes and sizes.","In one embodiment, piezoelectric component may be 2-5 mm in diameter and 3-5 mm long, possibly composed of several stacked rings, disks or plates.","The exact dimensions of the piezoelectric component are performance dependent.","The piezoelectric single or polycrystalline materials may be comprised of at least one of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), multilayer PZT, lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT), multilayer PMN-PT, lead zinc niobate-lead titanate (PZN-PT), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), multilayer PVDF, and other ferroelectric polymers.","These materials also can be doped which changes properties and enhances the performance of the medical device.","This list is not intended to be all inclusive of all possible piezoelectric materials.","For example there is significant research into non-lead (Pb) containing materials that once developed will operate in this invention.","In the embodiment shown in FIG.","4a the side port SP is located on the penetrating member hub 525 of the hollow needle 130.In this alternate embodiment the hollow needle 130 penetrating member hub 525 is preferably metal or a combination of metal insert molded in a plastic.","The side port SP would contain a female Luer taper opening to attach a loss of resistance conventional syringe PA3.Referring now to FIG.","5, a penetrating member, generally indicated as 20, for use in a first embodiment of the present invention comprises an attachment fitting 128 connected to proximal end 130b and the distal end 130a of a hollow needle 130 penetrates tissue.","By way of example only, the attachment fitting 128 may comprise a Luer taper, plastic or metal fitting.","Referring now to FIG.","6, a plunger 12 for use in a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a plunger handle 132 attached to a proximal end 134a of a plunger shaft 134, and a plunger seal 136 attached to a distal end 134b of the plunger shaft 134.The plunger seal is used to seal the handle 118 so that contaminates such as water or bodily fluids do not reach the actuator elements or electrical connections.","In another embodiment, the plunge will create a vacuum in the hollow penetrating member to aspirate bodily fluids and/or tissue for sampling such as in a soft tissue biopsy procedure.","In the most preferred embodiment, the side port is located on the penetrating member hub 525 at the end attachment point Referring now to FIG.","7, a first embodiment of the present invention, for example a penetrating introducer, generally indicated as 200, comprises an actuator, such as the Langevin actuator 100 described in FIG.","4, with the penetrating member 20 of FIG.","5 being attached at a distal face 121 of the actuator.","The needle attachment fitting 128 is a threaded fitting, Luer taper, compression fitting or the like, and couples hollow needle 130 to a portion of distal face 121 such that it communicates with a distal volume of continuous bore 126.Plunger handle 132 may be a threaded, clamped, compressed or the like to bolt 116 so as to immobilize plunger 12 of FIG.","6.The present invention is sterilizable using such methods as steam sterilization, a sleeve, gamma, ethylene oxide (ETO).","For example, FIG.","6a depicts aE sterilization sleeve 115 for wires and housing used with the present invention.","The preferred material for the needle attachment 128 is a metal or a metal insert in a molded plastic.","FIG.","6b shows the Langevin actuator 100 with a possible configuration of the battery & inverter compartment 117 attached to the end of the actuator.","Returning to FIGS.","4 and 7, upon application of an external AC current at a predetermined frequency to the at least one of piezoelectric elements 114, the Langevin actuator 100 reactively changes shape in a sinusoidal fashion such that the relative position of distal face 121 with respect to say, a fixed position of plunger handle 132 attached to and held in place by bolt 116, changes by a predetermined displacement.","Because the AC current is a sinusoidal signal, the result of activating the piezoelectric elements 114 is a sinusoidal, back and forth motion of the distal face 121 of horn 110, and, subsequently, a back and forth motion of needle 130, thereby reducing the force necessary for penetration through tissue.","As mentioned previously, the AC energization can be provided directly from an AC source or from a DC source (e.g., onboard batteries) coupled to an inverter (e.g., oscillator/amplifier, etc.)","which in turn is coupled to the piezoelectric elements 114.The DC source is the more preferred embodiment as wires and connections will need additional sterilization features.","FIG.","7a depicts a similar invention as shown in FIG.","7 but includes a penetrating member hub 525 with a side port SP connected to the hollow needle 130.This configuration enables pressure sensor to be mounted in the side port SP which once removed provides for a catheter to be inserted or fluids removed.","This is likely the preferred embodiment when compared to FIG.","7 as the entire active device will not be at risk for contamination since the catheter or fluids do not traverse the actuator only the hollow needle 130 which could be manufactured for single use.","Referring to FIG.","8, a supported introducer, generally indicated as 201, is similar to the penetrating introducer 200 of FIG.","7 additionally comprising support wings 111, existing for example as a flat portion onto which a user can grasp, and extending radially from an outer surface forming a mechanical zero node of the horn 110, as described later with regard to FIG.","17.A side port SP (not shown) could be 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise from the support wings that may be a location for providing access for aspirated sample retrieval, catheter insertion etc.","In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the penetrating introducer 201 of FIG.","8 exists as a catheterization introducer, generally indicated as 202, as shown in FIG.","9.In this embodiment, rather than a plunger being introduced from a proximal end of the device, a catheter 129 is introduced from the proximal end of the device and is received through bore 126 as shown in FIG.","4, and may be passed through hollow needle 130.Upon having been inserted into a patient, hollow needle 130 forms a subcutaneous tunnel through which catheter 129 is introduced into the body.","Upon successful introduction, the actuator may be detached from hollow needle 130 by decoupling attachment fitting 128 from the horn 110.A more preferred embodiment 202b is shown in FIG.","9a where a side port SP permits the introduction of the catheter 129 into the present invention, rather than through the proximal end, as shown in FIG.","9.This configuration enables pressure sensor to be mounted in the side port SP which once removed enables a catheter to be inserted or fluids removed near the distal face 121 of the device.","This is likely the preferred embodiment when compared to FIG.","9 as the entire active device will not be at risk for contamination since the catheter or fluids do not traverse the entire actuator.","In the most preferred embodiment 202c is shown in FIG.","9b where the side port SP located on the penetrating member hub 525 permits a pressure sensor to be mounted in the side port SP which once removed provides entry of an instrument such as a catheter 129 to be inserted or fluids aspirated.","This is likely the preferred embodiment when compared to FIG.","9 as the entire active device will not be at risk for contamination since the catheter or fluids do not traverse the actuator only the hollow needle 130.Now referring to FIG.","10a, an inner stylet, generally indicated as 14, comprises an inner stylet handle 142 attached to a proximal end of an inner stylet shaft 144.At a distal end of the inner stylet shaft 144, opposite to the handle 142 is a sharpened inner stylet tip 146.To support the inner stylet shaft 144, an outer trocar tube, generally indicated as 15, shown in FIG.","10b comprises a trocar attachment fitting 148 attached at a proximal end of an outer trocar body 150, which is a tubular structure open at opposite ends.","The trocar attachment fitting 148 is hollow such that outer trocar body 150 is disposed within it.","Additionally, one of the openings formed at opposite ends of the trocar body 150 is a distal trocar opening 152, the outer walls of which form distal trocar tip 154.As shown in FIG.","10c, inner stylet shaft 144 may be slidably disposed within outer trocar body 150 with inner stylet tip 146 extending beyond distal trocar tip 154.Together, the inner stylet 14 of FIG.","10a and outer trocar tube 15 of FIG.","10b form a structure similar to a trocar needle (e.g., a JAMSHIDI® biopsy tool).","Referring now to FIG.","11, inner stylet 14 is slidably disposed within bore 126 of Langevin actuator 100 of FIG.","4 and outer trocar tube 15 of FIG.","10b, with outer trocar tube 15 attached to horn 110 to form a bone biopsy device, generally designated as 300.Inner stylet 14 extends in a manner such that handle 142 contacts bolt 116 when fully seated, with inner stylet shaft extending from handle 142 through proximal opening 124, through bore 126 and hollow portion of outer trocar body 150 finally terminating as inner stylet tip 146 at a location beyond distal trocar tip 154.In this embodiment, when the at least one of piezoelectric elements 114 of Langevin actuator 100 of FIG.","4 is electrically actuated via electrical conductors 114b at a predetermined frequency, motion in the form of compression and expansion of the rings is transferred to an anti-node location at the distal face 121 of horn 110.The motion is then transferred as actuation of outer trocar tube 15 of FIG.","10b.","In an alternate embodiment, an advanced bone biopsy device, generally indicated as 400, shown in FIG.","12, comprises all of the elements of bone biopsy device 300 of FIG.","11, except that upon electrical activation of Langevin actuator 100 of FIG.","4 at a predetermined frequency, the motion is transferred as actuation of inner stylet 14.To perform this function, the positioning of the inner stylet shaft 14 of FIG.","10a and outer trocar tube 15 of FIG.","10b are inverted with respect to the configuration of FIG.","11.For example, in the advanced bone biopsy device 400, outer trocar tube 15 is attached to bolt 116.Additionally, inner stylet 14 extends in a manner such that handle 142 contacts distal face 121 of horn 110 when fully seated, with inner stylet shaft 144 extending from handle 142 through distal opening 122, through bore 126 and hollow portion of outer trocar body 150, finally terminating as inner stylet tip 146 at a location beyond distal trocar tip 154.While the previous embodiments have been described with respect to a Langevin actuator 100 as the actuating mechanism, the invention is not so limited.","For example, as shown in FIG.","13, a hollow tubular structure having a sharpened distal tip 513b of the penetrating member 513 is attached at its proximal end 513a to an Amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) 510 forming an APA needle, generally designated as 16.The amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) 510 comprises a frame 512, normally formed of a metal such as brass or stainless steel, and a piezoelectric material 514 compressed within frame 512.An APA bore 526 may extend from a distal face through piezoelectric material 514 and through a proximal face 512a of frame 512.Hollow penetrating member 513, for example a hypodermic needle, is attached to the distal face 512b of frame 512, such that the hollow portion is concentrically with the APA bore 526.As shown in FIG.","14, APA needle 16 may be disposed within a handle 518 forming an APA syringe, generally designated as 500.Important to this embodiment is that a proximal face 512a of frame 512 of amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) 510 must be fixed as shown at 516 attachment point to an inner portion of handle 518 such that the APA bore 526, hollow penetrating member 513, a handle proximal opening 524 and handle distal opening 521 form a continuous channel through which fluids may pass into a patient.","FIGS.","13a and 14a show alternate embodiments 16b and 500b, respectively, with a detachable penetrating member hub 525 enabling the single use penetrating member with re-usable active motion handle where the penetrating member hub 525 is described previously.","In operation, the piezoelectric material 514 expands during the AC voltage cycle, which causes the frame's proximal and distal faces 512a, 512b formed opposite of one another to move inward toward each other.","Conversely, when piezoelectric material 514 compresses during the opposite AC cycle, an outward displacement of the frame's proximal and distal faces 512a, 512b away from one another occurs.","However, in the present embodiment, the proximal face 512a of the frame is fixedly attached to body's 518 attachment point 516 so that any movement in the piezoelectric material stack will result in only a relative motion of distal face 512b and, thereby, a motion of the penetrating member 513.Two examples of applicable amplified piezoelectric actuators (APAs) are the non-hinged type, and the grooved or hinged type.","Details of the mechanics, operation and design of an example hinged or grooved APA are described in U.S. Pat.","No.","6,465,936 (Knowles et al.","), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.","An example of a non-hinged APA is the Cedrat APA50XS, sold by Cedrat Technologies, and described in the Cedrat Piezo Products Catalogue “Piezo Actuators & Electronics” (Copyright© Cedrat Technologies June 2005).","Preferably, the APAs of the present invention are operated at frequencies in the range of 100 Hz to 20 kHz, more preferably 100 Hz to 1 kHz.","Alternatively, the actuator of the present invention may be a Cymbal actuator.","For example, in FIG.","15, a Cymbal syringe, generally indicated as 600, including a Cymbal actuator 610 which comprises two endcaps 612 with the distal endcap 612b and proximal endcap 612a with at least a piezoelectric element 514 formed between the endcaps.","The Cymbal syringe is centered on the Cymbal bore 626.The endcaps 612 enhance the mechanical response to an electrical input, or conversely, the electrical output generated by a mechanical load.","Details of the flextensional Cymbal actuator technology is described by Meyer Jr., R. J., et al., “Displacement amplification of electroactive materials using the Cymbal flextensional transducer”, Sensors and Actuators A 87 (2001), 157-162.By way of example, a Class V flextensional Cymbal actuator has a thickness of less than about 2 mm, weighs less than about 3 grams and resonates between about 1 and 100 kHz depending on geometry.","With the low profile of the Cymbal design, high frequency radial motions of the piezoelectric material are transformed into low frequency (about 20-50 kHz) displacement motions through the cap-covered cavity.","An example of a Cymbal actuator is described in U.S. Pat.","No.","5,729,077 (Newnham et al.)","and is hereby incorporated by reference.","While the endcaps shown in the figures are round, they are not intended to be limited to only one shape or design.","For example, a rectangular Cymbal endcap design is disclosed in Smith N. B., et al., “Rectangular Cymbal arrays for improved ultrasonic transdermal insulin delivery”, J. Acoust.","Soc.","Am.","Vol.","122, issue 4, October 2007.Cymbal actuators take advantage of the combined expansion in the piezoelectric charge coefficient d33 (induced strain in direction 3 per unit field applied in direction 3) and contraction in the d31 (induced strain in direction 1 per unit field applied in direction 3) of a piezoelectric material, along with the flextensional displacement of the endcaps 612, which is illustrated in FIG.","15.The design of the endcaps 612 allows both the longitudinal and transverse responses to contribute to the strain in the desired direction, creating an effective piezoelectric charge constant (deff) according to the formula, deff=d33+(−A*d31).","Since d31 is negative, and the amplification factor (A) can be as high as 100 as the endcaps 612 bend, the increase in displacement generated by the Cymbal compared to the piezoelectric material alone is significant.","The endcaps 612 can be made of a variety of materials, such as brass, steel; titanium or KOVAR™, a nickel-cobalt ferrous alloy compatible with the thermal expansion of borosilicate glass which allows direct mechanical connections over a range of temperatures, optimized for performance and application conditions.","The endcaps 612 also provide additional mechanical stability, ensuring long lifetimes for the Cymbal actuators.","The Cymbal actuator 610 drives the penetrating member 513.When activated by an AC current, the Cymbal actuator 610 vibrates sinusoidally with respect to the current's frequency.","Because endcap 612a is fixed to an inner sidewall of body 518, when Cymbal actuator 610 is activated, endcap 612b moves with respect to the body in a direction parallel to the hypothetical long axis of the medical device.","Further, the displacement of penetrating member 513 is amplified relative to the displacement originating at piezoelectric material 514 when it compresses and expands during activation due in part to the amplification caused by the design of endcaps 612.For example, the piezoelectric material 514 alone may only displace by about 1-2 microns, but attached to the endcaps 612, the Cymbal actuator 610 as a whole may generate up to about 1 kN (225 lb-t) of force and about 80 to 100 microns of displacement.","This motion is further transferred through the penetrating member 513 as an amplified longitudinal displacement of 100-300 microns.","For cases requiring higher displacement, a plurality of Cymbal actuators 610 can be stacked endcap-to-endcap to increase the total longitudinal displacement of the penetrating member 513.FIG.","16 shows an alternate embodiment 600b with a detachable penetrating member hub 525 enabling the single use penetrating member with reusable active motion handle.","In alternate embodiments of the present invention, an additional port opening is formed in communication with a channel formed within the body of the actuator, for example a Langevin actuator.","In particular, FIGS.","17-19 are directed to these alternate embodiments and it should be noted that for clarity reasons, the handle 118 of the Langevin actuator is not shown in these figures.","Because the port opening is provided so as to attach a means for providing visual, audible or tactile feedback response (e.g., using any well-known detection mechanisms such as but not limited to electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.","means) to indicate the successful penetration of the specific tissue such as the epidural space, it must be formed at a location which will be least detrimental to such means.","In other words, because the actuator vibrates at high frequencies, each point along the actuator experiences a different displacement defined by a standing wave.","In FIG.","17, a displacement graph G1 represents a standing wave having longitudinal displacements at points along the length of a Langevin actuator operated at 38 kHz.","As can be seen in a displacement graph G1, two nodes having near zero displacement exist at particular locations in the standing wave.","The two node (“zero node” ZN) locations on the Langevin actuator LT are therefore defined at a particular lengths along the Langevin actuator.","In the specific design shown in FIG.","17 the nodes on the standing wave correspond to zero node, or locations having minimum displacements on the Langevin actuator LT.","The locations of the zero nodes on the Langevin actuator LT are then located at a proximal face (not shown) of the rear mass opposite to the distal face 121.Line ZN defines the physical location of the other zero node at which a side port SP should be located, preferably centered, when formed in a Langevin actuator LT relative to second zero node of the standing wave in displacement graph G1.In the case shown in FIG.","17, the side port SP is formed at the horn 110 of the Langevin actuator LT, however a port opening is not necessarily so limited.","A port opening can be placed anywhere along an actuator but a zero node location is preferred.","In a more preferred embodiment, FIG.","17a describes the side port SP location on the zero node ZN of the penetrating member hub 525.In this embodiment, the design length includes both the needle length and actuator length to achieve the zero node ZN on the hollow needle 130 which includes length of penetrating member hub 525.A side port SP can be placed anywhere along hollow needle 130 but a zero node location on the penetrating member hub 525 is preferred.","In FIG.","18a, a general side port configuration 700 of the present invention is shown with a side port SP as the port opening centered at a zero node location along the horn 110.Support wings are also formed at a zero node to assist the clinician is holding and stabilizing the device.","In a seventh embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.","18b, a first side port configuration 700a has a channel for passing liquid, air or other materials comprises a continuous path from the proximal opening 124 through bore 126 passing through a distal opening (not shown) and extending through hollow needle 130 ending at a distal end 130a of the hollow needle which is open.","In this seventh embodiment, the channel is in communication with the side port SP at a location along bore 126.Preferably, the side port SP is located at such a location along the actuator forming the first side port configuration 700a that acts as a zero node upon activating the device to vibrate.","Alternatively, as shown in an eighth embodiment of the invention in FIG.","18c, a second side port configuration 700b has a channel for passing liquid, air or other materials comprises a continuous path located on the hollow needle 130 penetrating member hub 525.In this eighth embodiment, the channel is in communication with the side port SP at a location along penetrating member hub 525.Preferably, the side port SP is located at such a location along the entire length (actuator and penetrating member) forming the second side port configuration 700b that acts as a zero node upon activating the device to vibrate.","In a secondary side port SP located on the actuator an indicator such as a light emitting diode 1026 can be attached and connected to the electronics to indicate a visual loss of resistance.","Alternatively, as shown in an eighth embodiment of the invention in FIG.","18d, a second side port SP configuration 700c has a small bore 126a for passing liquid, air or other materials located at zero node ZN to and from the hollow needle 130.In a ninth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.","19, a feedback capable reduction of force tool 800 is provided.","By way of example only, tool 800 comprises a means for providing tactile feedback response via a conventional loss of resistance syringe PA3 having a biasing element 11 with a plunger or balloon (e.g., elastomer device) or any other device that creates pressure then detects or measures pressure change.","This device is coupled at a port location, preferably a side port SP located, via, by way of example only, a Luer Taper, male/female connector, screw-type connector, and preferably centered, at a zero node location.","The tool 800 also includes an indicator in communication with the actuator 700 such as, but not limited to, an audible indicator, tactile indicator, or visual (e.g., deflation, optical, etc.).","In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.","19a, a feedback capable reduction of force tool 800 is located on the hollow needle 130 at a zero node ZN on the penetrating member hub 525.Another embodiment described in FIG.","19b, a possible pressure sensor feedback system 1020 containing a small pumping mechanism equipped with a pressure or flow sensor to meter the amount of fluid being moved, a reservoir 1021 mounted on a base 1024.The pump fills with saline and connect via flexible tubing 1022 via an attachment fitting 1023 to the side port SP of the penetrating member.","When loss of resistance (LOR) is detected, the electronic control system will close a switch and an indicator such as a light emitting diode (LED) (not shown) located on the side port SP of the actuator will turn-on indicating loss of resistance.","The electronics control system at this point will turn the actuator off so that forward motion ceases.","In additional embodiment, besides the visual signal, an audible signal a ‘beep’ could be incorporated into the pump system.","By way of example only, the following is an exemplary method of using the present invention, whereby a clinician uses the present invention for an epidural procedure.","When performing an epidural procedure, the clinician first fills syringe PA3 with a fluid, such as a saline solution or air.","The clinician then inserts the front portion 9 of the syringe into the side port SP of the actuator 700b.","Upon electrically activating the actuator, the clinician holds actuator 700b with a first hand while pressing the distal end 130a of the hollow needle against a patient's back.","The clinician continues to provide forward momentum, while also providing a biasing force against biasing element 11, advancing hollow needle 130.With continued forward momentum, the hollow needle punctures the supraspinous ligament, the instraspinous ligament, and the ligamentum flavum (see FIG.","7, for example).","Upon puncturing the ligamentum flavum, the distal end 130a of the needle enters the epidural space at which point there is a pressure drop from the biasing element 11 to the opening at the distal end 130a.","The pressure drop allows for the solution to be ejected from the opening at the distal end 130a, and the continued biasing of the biasing element 11 combined with the loss of volume of saline results in a loss of resistance (LOR) against the clinician's thumb and a visibly identifiable motion of the biasing element 11.When the biasing element moves due to this lack of resistance, the clinician quickly identifies that the epidural space has been successfully reached and quickly stops forward momentum of the actuator.","Additionally, because the activation of the actuator results in a vibration of the needle 130, the clinician does not need to provide such a high penetration force and can quickly react to stop himself/herself before advancing the needle beyond the epidural space.","It should be further noted that it is within the broadest scope of the present invention to include syringes or other mechanisms which provide automatic biasing, such that the clinician does not have to apply a biasing force against the biasing element 11 prior to entry into, for example, the epidural space.","In particular, the automatic biasing force (implemented, for example, via a spring, an elastomer, or any other well-known biasing mechanism such as, but not limited to, those described in U.S. Patent Publication No.","2007/0142766 (Sundar, et al.))","maintains an equal resistance as the needle is moved through the supraspinous ligament, the instraspinous ligament, and the ligamentum flavum.","Upon entry into the epidural space, the biasing force is no longer resisted and this can be manifested in a variety of ways to the clinician, but not limited to, movement of the biasing element, or any other visual, audible or tactile indication using any well-known detection mechanisms such as but not limited to electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.","means.","For example, a pressure signal indicative of a loss of solution resistance automatically cuts off power to the driver actuator (e.g., piezoelectric elements, voice coil, solenoid, etc.).","While feedback means have been coupled to the side port SP, the invention is not so limited to feedback means.","Any device may be coupled to a port location of the actuator, or ideally at the side port SP location even those devices simply being a means for providing or removing liquid, gas or other material such as a conventional syringe.","While the above-described embodiments of the present invention are made with respect to a handheld medical tool having a vibrating penetrating member and utilizing a Langevin actuator, Cymbal actuator, or APA for actuation, as mentioned earlier, the present invention is not limited to these actuator assemblies.","Generally, any type of motor comprising an actuator assembly, further comprising a mass coupled to a piezoelectric material, or a voice coil motor, or solenoid, or any other translational motion device, would also fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.","Furthermore, where the actuator assembly comprises a mass coupled to a piezoelectric material, the actuator assembly having a geometry which, upon actuation, amplifies the motion in a direction beyond the maximum strain of the piezoelectric material, would also fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.","FIG.","20a depicts an alternative embodiment 900 of the present invention using a voice coil for the driving actuator rather than piezoelectric elements.","Voice coil actuator (also referred to as a “voice coil motor”) creates low frequency reciprocating motion.","The voice coil has a bandwidth of approximately 10-60 Hz and a displacement of up to 10 mm that is dependent upon applied AC voltage.","In particular, when an alternating electric current is applied through the conducting coil 902, the result is a Lorentz Force in a direction defined by a function of the cross-product between the direction of current through the conductive coil 902 and magnetic field vectors of the magnetic member 904.The force results in a reciprocating motion of the magnetic member 904 relative to the coil support tube 906 which is held in place by the body 910.With the magnetic member 904 fixed to a driving tube 912, the driving tube 912 communicates this motion to an extension member 914 which in turn communicates motion to the penetrating member 20.A first attachment point 916a fixes the distal end of the coil support tube 906 to the body 910.A second attachment point 916b fixes the proximal end of the coil support tube 906 to the body 910.The conducting coil may be made of different configurations including but not limited to several layers formed by a single wire, several layers formed of different wires either round or other geometric shapes.","In a first embodiment of the conducting coil shown in FIG.","20a, a first layer of conductive wire is formed by wrapping the wire in a turn-like and spiral fashion and in a radial direction around the coil-support tube with each complete revolution forming a turn next to the previous one and down a first longitudinal direction of the coil support tube.","After a predetermined number of turns, an additional layer is formed over the first layer by overlapping a first turn of a second layer of the wire over the last turn of the first layer and, while continuing to wrap the wire in the same radial direction as the first layer, forming a second spiral of wiring with at least the same number of turns as the first layer, each turn formed next to the previous one and in a longitudinal direction opposite to that of the direction in which the first layer was formed.","In this embodiment, additional layers may be added by overlapping a first tum of each additional layer of the wire over the last tum of a previous layer and, while continuing to wrap the wire in the same radial direction as the previous layer.","forming an additional spiral of wiring with at least the same number of turns as the previous layer, each turn formed next to the previous one and in a longitudinal direction opposite to that of the direction in which the previous layer is formed.","An alternative voice coil embodiment 900b is shown in FIG.","20b.","In particular, in this alternative, the locations of the magnetic member 904 and conductive coil 902 are switched.","In other words, the conductive coil is wrapped around and attached to the driving tube 912 and the magnetic member 904 is located along an outside radius of the coil support tube 906.An electrical signal is applied at the conductive attachment sites 918 and 920 and causes the formation of the Lorentz force to form in an alternating direction that moves the conductive coil 902 and extension member 914 reciprocally along the longitudinal axis of the device.","The conductive coils are physically in contact with the driving tube in this embodiment.","FIG.","20c depicts another embodiment of the present invention using a voice coil type actuating mechanism and is of a different configuration than that used in FIGS.","20a and 20b.","For example, in this alternative embodiment, a voice-coil actuating mechanism is substituted with a dual-coil actuating mechanism and as a result of this substitution, the magnetic member 904 of the voice-coil is replaced with second conductive coil 922.In other words, the second conductive coil 922 is wrapped around and attached to the driving tube 912 and the first conductive coil 902 is located, as in the first preferred embodiment, along an outside radius of the coil support tube 906.In a first embodiment of the configuration of FIG.","20c, the inner coil 922 is conducting direct current DC and the outer coil is conducting alternating current AC.","In an alternative embodiment, the inner coil is conducting alternating current AC and the outer coil is conducting direct current DC.","In an additional embodiment, both the inner coil and the outer coil are conducting alternating current AC.","In all of the voice coil actuator configurations described, springs may be used to limit and control certain dynamic aspects of the penetrating member 20.FIG.","20d depicts another variation of the voice coil actuator mechanism of the tenth embodiment using springs, Medical Tool using solenoid actuator 1000.As with the other voice coil embodiments using coils, the basic principle of actuation is caused by a time varying magnetic field created inside a solenoid coil 1002 which acts on a set of very strong permanent magnets.","The magnets 1004 and the entire penetrating member 20 assembly oscillate back and forth through the solenoid coil 1002.The springs 1014 (such as those shown in FIG.","20d) absorb and release energy at each cycle, amplifying the vibration seen at the penetrating member 20.The resonant properties of the device can be optimized by magnet selection, number of coil turns in the solenoid, mass of the shaft, and the stiffness of the springs.","From the above description, it may be appreciated that the present invention provides significant benefits over conventional medical devices.","The configuration of the actuating means described above, such as embodiments comprising a Langevin actuator, Cymbal actuator, or an APA, accommodates the use of piezoelectric actuating members in a medical instrument by enabling the displacement of the penetrating sharps member or needle to such frequencies that cause a reduction of force needed for penetrating through tissue during procedures such as bone biopsy, epidural catheterization or vascular entry.","Electrical signal control facilitated by an electrically coupled feedback system could provide the capability of high oscillation rate actuation, control over penetration depth, electrical cut off (faster response than human) and low traction force for these procedures.","FIG.","21 depicts, by way of example only, an electrical cut off configuration.","A pressure transducer PT monitors the pressure from the penetrating member 20 or of a fluid in communication with the tissue through the present invention.","While the penetrating member 20 is penetrating tissue, the pressure detected by the pressure transducer PT is high and the switch S is normally closed.","As soon as there is a drop in pressure (indicating passage through the final layer of tissue), the pressure transducer PT signal opens the switch S, thereby cutting off power to the medical tool.","In addition, or a visual, audible or tactile indicator immediately activates warning the operator of sufficient passage by the penetrating member 20 and power cut off.","It is within the broadest scope of the present invention to encompass a variety of power cut off configurations, including solid state switching and/or digital controls.","Another electrical power cut off implementation detects a forward motion of the biasing element 11 discussed previously.","In particular, once the penetrating member 20 passes through the last tissue layer, pressure on the biasing element 11 is relieved and the incremental movement of the biasing element 11 into the body 10 is detected by a sensor which instantly opens the switch S and thereby cuts off electrical power to the present invention.","Additionally, the feedback control of the electronics enables the device to be vibrated in such a way that the force is also reduced as the penetrating member is retracted from the living being as would be necessary in bone biopsy after the tissue is extracted.","Now that exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.","While the foregoing embodiments may have dealt with the penetration through skin, bone, veins and ligaments as exemplary biological tissues, the present invention can undoubtedly ensure similar effects with other tissues which are commonly penetrated within the body.","For example there are multiplicities of other tools like central venous catheter introducers, laparoscopic instruments with associated sharps, cavity drainage catheter kits, and neonatal lancets, as well as procedures like insulin administration and percutaneous glucose testing, to name a few, where embodiments disclosed herein comprising sonically or ultrasonically driven sharps members may be used to precisely pierce or puncture tissues with minimal tinting.","Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed broadly and limited only by the appended claims, and not by the foregoing specification.","REFERENCE LABELS A Static needle force curve B Vibrating needle force curve G1 Displacement Graph LT Langevin actuator (also known as Langevin transducer) PA1 Conventional biopsy needle PA2 Conventional epidural needle PA3 Conventional Syringe PT Pressure transducer S Switch SP Side Port ZN Zero node 1 Cannula 1′ Cannula distal end 2 Stylet 3 Distal tip 4 Stylet tip angled face 5 Tuohy needle 6 Tuohy curved tip 7 Tip opening 9 Front portion 10 Tubular body 11 Biasing element 12 Plunger 14 Inner Stylet 15 Outer trocar tube 16 APA needle 16b Alternate embodiment 20 Penetrating member 100 Langevin actuator 110 Horn 111 Support wings 112 Rear mass 114 Piezoelectric elements 114b Electrical conductors 115 Sterilization sleeve 116 Bolt 117 Battery & inverter compartment 118 Handle 120 Seal 121 Distal face 122 Distal opening 123 Luer taper nose 124 Proximal opening 126 Bore 126a Short bore 128 Attachment fitting 129 Catheter 130 Hollow needle 130a Distal end of hollow needle 130b Proximal end of hollow needle 132 Plunger handle 134 Plunger shaft 134a Proximal end of plunger shaft 134b Distal end of plunger shaft 136 Plunger seal 142 Inner stylet handle 144 Inner stylet shaft 146 Inner stylet tip 148 Trocar attachment fitting 150 Outer trocar body 152 Distal trocar opening 154 Distal trocar tip 200 Penetrating introducer 202b More preferred embodiment 202c Most preferred embodiment 201 Supported introducer 202 Catheterization introducer 300 Bone biopsy device 400 Advanced bone biopsy device 500 APA syringe 500b Alternate embodiment 510 Amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) 512 Frame 512a Proximal end of frame 512b Distal end of frame 513 Penetrating member 513a Proximal end of penetrating member 513b Distal tip of penetrating member 514 Piezoelectric material 516 APA attachment point 518 Handle 521 Handle distal opening 524 Handle proximal opening 525 Penetrating member hub 526 APA bore 600 Cymbal syringe 600b Alternate embodiment 610 Cymbal actuator 612 Endcap 612a Proximal endcap 612b Distal endcap 626 Cymbal bore 616 Cymbal attachment point 700 General side port configuration 700a First side port configuration 700b Second side port configuration 800 Feedback capable reduction of force tool 900 Medical tool using voice coil actuator 900b Alternate voice coil embodiment 902 Conducting coil 904 Magnetic member 906 Coil support tube 910 Body 912 Driving tube 914 Extension member 916a First attachment point 916b Second attachment point 918 First conductive attachment site 920 Second conductive attachment site 922 Second conductive coil 1000 Medical tool using solenoid actuator 1002 Solenoid coil 1004 Magnets 1014 Spring 1020 Pressure feedback system 1021 Reservoir with integrated pump 1022 Flexible tubing 1023 Attachment fitting 1024 Base 1025 On/off switch 1026 Light emitting diode"]],"string":"[\n [\n \"Medical Tool for Reduced Penetration Force\",\n \"A medical device is provided having reduced penetration force.\",\n \"The device includes a body having a central hollow channel and a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body.\",\n \"The piezoelectric transducer has a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel.\",\n \"A tubular member is associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer.\",\n \"The piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue.\",\n \"The tubular member may be a trocar needle.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.\",\n \"(canceled) 2.\",\n \"(canceled) 3.\",\n \"(canceled) 4.\",\n \"(canceled) 5.\",\n \"(canceled) 6.\",\n \"(canceled) 7.\",\n \"(canceled) 8.\",\n \"(canceled) 9.\",\n \"(canceled) 10.\",\n \"(canceled) 11.\",\n \"(canceled) 12.\",\n \"(canceled) 13.\",\n \"(canceled) 14.\",\n \"(canceled) 15.\",\n \"(canceled) 16.\",\n \"(canceled) 17.\",\n \"(canceled) 18.\",\n \"(canceled) 19.\",\n \"(canceled) 20.\",\n \"(canceled) 21.\",\n \"(canceled) 22.\",\n \"(canceled) 23.\",\n \"(canceled) 24.\",\n \"(canceled) 25.\",\n \"(canceled) 26.\",\n \"(canceled) 27.\",\n \"(canceled) 28.\",\n \"(canceled) 29.\",\n \"(canceled) 30.\",\n \"(canceled) 31.\",\n \"(canceled) 32.\",\n \"(canceled) 33.\",\n \"(canceled) 34.A medical device comprising: a body having a central hollow channel; a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body, the piezoelectric transducer having a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel; and a tubular member associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce and oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue; wherein the tubular member is a hypodermic needle.\",\n \"35.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the piezoelectric transducer comprises at least one piezoelectric element disposed between a first mass and a second mass and all of which comprise respective central hollow channels.\",\n \"36.The medical device of claim 35, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating the tubular member at a frequency in the range of 20-50 kHz.\",\n \"37.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce a sinusoidal displacement of the tubular member.\",\n \"38.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is an IV needle.\",\n \"39.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is a spinal needle.\",\n \"40.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is an epidural needle.\",\n \"41.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is a pencil point tipped needle.\",\n \"42.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is an introducer needle.\",\n \"43.The medical device of claim 34, wherein the hypodermic needle is a regional block needle.\",\n \"44.The medical device of claim 35, wherein the tubular member having a proximal open end formed concentric with the central hollow channel and the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and a distal open end; wherein the tubular member is hollow with open ends formed opposite one another and wherein the central hollow channel of the body, the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and the tubular member form a continuous bore extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the medical device.\",\n \"45.A medical device comprising: a body having a central hollow channel; a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body, the piezoelectric transducer having a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel; and a tubular member associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue; wherein the tubular member is a trocar needle.\",\n \"46.The medical device of claim 45, wherein the trocar needle is a bone biopsy trocar needle.\",\n \"47.The medical device of claim 45, wherein the trocar needle has an inner stylet shaft and a cannula, wherein the inner stylet shaft extends through the cannula.\",\n \"48.The medical device of claim 45, further comprising a trocar access port of which the trocar needle is a part thereof.\",\n \"49.The medical device of claim 45, wherein the piezoelectric transducer comprises at least one piezoelectric element disposed between a first mass and a second mass and all of which comprise respective central hollow channels.\",\n \"50.The medical device of claim 45, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating the tubular member at a frequency in the range of 20-50 kHz.\",\n \"51.The medical device of claim 45, wherein the tubular member having: a proximal open end formed concentric with the central hollow channel and the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and a distal open end; and wherein the tubular member is hollow with open ends formed opposite one another and wherein the central hollow channel of the body, the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and the tubular member form a continuous bore extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the medical device.\",\n \"52.A medical device comprising: a body having a central hollow channel; a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body, the piezoelectric transducer having a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel; and a tubular member associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member against or within surrounding tissue, wherein the tubular member is a catheterization needle.\",\n \"53.The medical device of claim 52, wherein the piezoelectric transducer comprises at least one piezoelectric element disposed between a first mass and a second mass and all of which comprise respective central hollow channels; wherein the tubular member having a proximal open end formed concentric with the central hollow channel and the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer, and a distal open end; wherein the tubular member is hollow with open ends formed opposite one another and wherein the central hollow channel of the body, the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer and the tubular member form a continuous bore extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the medical device.\"\n ],\n [\n \" FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally pertains to handheld medical devices, and more specifically to electrically driven lancets; epidural catheter inserters; biopsy medical instruments, such as bone biopsy medical devices; vascular entry penetrating members, spinal access needles and other catheterization needles.\",\n \"The invention is applicable to the delivery and removal of blood, tissues, medicine, bone marrow, nutrients or other materials within the body.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The basis of the invention is a handheld medical device, (e.g., epidural needle, bone biopsy device, spinal needle, regional block needle, catheter introducer needle, etc.)\",\n \"having a penetrating member (e.g., an introducer needle, Tuohy needle, pencil point tipped needle, trocar needle (e.g., JAMSHIDI® biopsy needle), etc.\",\n \"), at a distal end, for use in procedures, (e.g., vascular entry and catheterization, single shot or continuous epidurals, spinal access, regional blocks, or bone biopsy, etc.\",\n \"), wherein the medical device comprises at least one driving actuator, (e.g., a piezoelectric, voice coil, solenoid, pneumatic, fluidic or any oscillatory or translational actuator etc.)\",\n \"attached to the penetrating member (e.g., at a proximal end of the penetrating member), and wherein the driving actuator translates the penetrating member, causing it to reciprocate at small displacements, thereby reducing the force required to penetrate through tissues.\",\n \"Additionally, the invention comprises a means for providing feedback, either visually, audibly, or by tactile response, using a variety of detection mechanisms (such as, but not limited to, electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.\",\n \"means), to indicate successful penetration of various tissues, or of voids within the body such as the epidural space so that the clinician knows when to stop as well as to limit power to the driving mechanism.\",\n \"Actuator technologies that rely on conventional, single or stacked piezoelectric material assemblies for actuation are hindered by the maximum strain limit of the piezoelectric materials themselves.\",\n \"Because the maximum strain limit of conventional piezoelectric materials is about 0.1% for polycrystalline piezoelectric materials, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) polycrystalline (also referred to as ceramic) materials and 0.5% for single crystal piezoelectric materials, it would require a large stack of cells to approach useful displacement or actuation of, for example, a handheld medical device usable for processes penetrating through tissues.\",\n \"However, using a large stack of cells to actuate components of a handpiece would also require that the tool size be increased beyond usable biometric design for handheld instruments.\",\n \"Flextensional actuator assembly designs have been developed which provide amplification in piezoelectric material stack strain displacement.\",\n \"The flextensional designs comprise a piezoelectric material driving cell disposed within a frame, platen, endcaps or housing.\",\n \"The geometry of the frame, platten, endcaps or housing provides amplification of the axial or longitudinal motions of the driver cell to obtain a larger displacement of the flextensional assembly in a particular direction.\",\n \"Essentially, the flextensional actuator assembly more efficiently converts strain in one direction into movement (or force) in a second direction.\",\n \"Flextensional piezoelectric actuators may be considered mid-frequency actuators, e.g., 25-35 kHz.\",\n \"Flextensional actuators may take on several embodiments.\",\n \"For example, in one embodiment, flextensional actuators are of the Cymbal type, as described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,729,077 (Newnham), which is hereby incorporated by reference.\",\n \"In another embodiment, flextensional actuators are of the amplified piezoelectric actuator (“APA”) type as described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,465,936 (Knowles), which is hereby incorporated by reference.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the actuator is a Langevin or bolted dumbbell-type actuator, similar to, but not limited to that which is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2007/0063618 A1 (Bromfield), which is hereby incorporated by reference.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a handheld device including a body, a flextensional actuator disposed within said body and a penetrating or “sharps” member attached to one face of the flextensional actuator.\",\n \"In the broadest scope of the invention, the penetrating member may be hollow or solid.\",\n \"The actuator may have an internal bore running from a distal end to a proximal end or may have a side port located on the penetrating member attachment fitting.\",\n \"Therefore for single use penetrating members there is no need to sterilize the penetrating member after use.\",\n \"Where the penetrating member is hollow, it forms a hollow tubular structure having a sharpened distal end.\",\n \"The hollow central portion of the penetrating member is concentric to the internal bore of the actuator, together forming a continuous hollow cavity from a distal end of the actuator body to a proximal end of the penetrating member.\",\n \"For example, the flextensional actuator assembly may utilize flextensional Cymbal actuator technology or amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) technology.\",\n \"The flextensional actuator assembly provides for improved amplification and improved performance, which are above that of a conventional handheld device.\",\n \"For example, the amplification may be improved by up to about 50-fold.\",\n \"Additionally, the flextensional actuator assembly enables handpiece configurations to have a more simplified design and a smaller format.\",\n \"One embodiment of the present invention is a resonance driven vascular entry needle to reduce insertion force of the penetrating member and to reduce rolling or collapsing of vasculature.\",\n \"An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a reduction of force epidural needle that provides the clinician a more controlled entry into the epidural space, minimizing the accidental puncturing of the dural sheath.\",\n \"In this embodiment, an actuator, for example, a Langevin actuator (more commonly referred to as a Langevin transducer), has a hollow penetrating member, for example a hollow needle, attached to a distal portion of the actuator.\",\n \"The Langevin actuator in this embodiment may be open at opposite ends.\",\n \"The openings include a hollow portion extending continuously from the distal end of the actuator to a proximal end of the actuator.\",\n \"The distal opening coincides with the hollow penetrating member.\",\n \"A plunger, having a handle, a shaft and a seal is also attached to the actuator at an opposite end of the sharps member.\",\n \"The plunger's shaft is slidably disposed within the continuous, hollowed inner portion of the actuator.\",\n \"The seal is attached to a distal portion of the plunger's shaft and separates a distal volume of the hollowed inner portion of the actuator from a proximal volume of the hollowed inner portion.\",\n \"Because the plunger's shaft is slidably disposed, the plunger is also slidably disposed and, in response to a motion of the shaft in a distal direction, reduces the distal volume of the hollowed inner portion and increases the proximal volume.\",\n \"Conversely, in response to a motion of the shaft in a proximal direction, the seal also moves in a proximal direction, thereby reducing the proximal volume of the hollowed portion and increasing the distal volume.\",\n \"The motion of the plunger's shaft, and, effectively, the plunger's seal, is actuated by an external force acting on the plunger's handle.\",\n \"When electrically activated, the actuator transfers compression and expansion of the piezoelectric material portion to a hollow and penetrating tip of the hollow needle.\",\n \"Langevin actuators may be considered high :frequency actuators, e.g., >50 kHz.\",\n \"Another embodiment of the invention provides a bone marrow biopsy device having an outer casing, an actuator, for example, a Langevin actuator (e.g., see, for example, U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,491,708 (Madan, et al.\",\n \"), whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein), including a first body portion and a second body portion of the actuator, with piezoelectric material formed between the first and second body portions, wherein the actuator is disposed at least partially within the casing.\",\n \"The invention further includes a handle, an outer cannula, such as a needle, having an open distal end and an open proximal end with the cannula positioned at a distal portion of the actuator.\",\n \"In one aspect of the present embodiment, the invention further comprises a stylet having a penetrating distal tip attached to the handle at a portion opposite the distal tip, wherein the stylet is slidably disposed through a center cavity of the body and cannula.\",\n \"The actuator is formed with a distal opening formed at a distal end of the actuator, and a proximal opening formed at a proximal end of the actuator with a centralized hollow bore extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, thereby defining a hollow channel.\",\n \"More precisely, the outer cannula is a hollow tube fixedly attached at the distal end of the actuator such that the open proximal end of the cannula coincides with the distal opening of the actuator distal end.\",\n \"The stylet is slidably and centrally disposed within the actuator from the proximal end through the hollow channel and through the distal end.\",\n \"The stylet is also of predetermined length such that it is slidably and centrally located through the outer cannula, with the distal tip of the stylet protruding past the open distal end of the cannula.\",\n \"The various actuators of the present invention must be connected electrically to an external electrical signal source.\",\n \"Upon excitation by the electrical signal, the actuators convert the signal into mechanical energy that results in vibratory motion of an end-effector, such as an attached needle or stylet.\",\n \"In the case of a Langevin actuator, the vibratory motion produced by the piezoelectric materials generates a standing wave through the whole assembly such as that in graph in FIG.\",\n \"17 .\",\n \"Because at a given frequency, a standing wave is comprised of locations of zero-displacement (node, or zero node) and maximum displacement (anti-node -not shown) in a continuous manner, the displacement that results at any point along the actuator depends on the location where the displacement is to be measured.\",\n \"Therefore, the horn is typically designed with such a length so as to provide the distal end of the horn at an anti-node when the device is operated.\",\n \"In this way, the distal end of the horn experiences a large vibratory displacement in a longitudinal direction with respect to the long axis of the actuator.\",\n \"Conversely, the zero node points are locations best suited for adding port openings or slots so as to make it possible to attach external devices to the actuator.\",\n \"As indicated by line ZN, the port opening SP coincides with the zero node location and the smaller displacement at zero node points are less abrasive to an attached device.\",\n \"Accordingly, an alternative embodiment, the actuator may be formed with a distal opening formed at the distal end of the actuator, a port opening on at least a portion of the actuator, and a hollow bore extending from the distal opening to and in communication with the port opening.\",\n \"Preferably, the port opening may be a side on a horn side of the actuator.\",\n \"More preferably, the port opening is generally located (preferably centered) at a zero node location of the actuator, and most preferably centered at a zero node location on a horn side of the actuator.\",\n \"Additionally, a means for providing feedback, for example any of those conventional feedback devices disclosed above used for indication of successful body location such as the epidural space penetration is in communication with the present embodiment by attachment at the port opening location, or preferably at the side port.\",\n \"Alternatively, any means capable of delivering fluid, such as a catheter tube or conventional syringe can be attached at the port opening location, or preferably at the side port.\",\n \"The present invention relates generally to oscillatory or translational actuated handheld device for penetration through various tissues within a body for the delivery or removal of bodily fluids, tissues, nutrients, medicines, therapies, placement or removal of catheters, etc.\",\n \"For example for piezoelectric devices, the present invention is a handpiece including a body, at least one piezoelectric element disposed within the body, and a sharps member for tissue penetration, such as a syringe, epidural needle or biopsy needle located at a distal portion of the handheld device, having a feedback means capable of indicating successful penetration of the body space, such as epidural space by providing visual, audible or tactile indications using any well-known detection mechanisms such as but not limited to electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.\",\n \"means.\",\n \"Additionally, with the use of proper circuitry the handheld medical device comprising an actuator is provided with a means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator (e.g., one or more of piezoelectric elements, voice coil, solenoid, other oscillatory or translational actuator, etc.)\",\n \"upon penetration of a particular tissue or internal portion of a body such as the epidural space.\",\n \"The means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator may be implemented as part of the aforementioned means for providing visual, audible or tactile indications or may be a separate means altogether.\",\n \"Preferably the means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator upon penetration of a particular tissue or internal portion of for example, the epidural space, may be accomplished by incorporating proper circuit configurations to aforementioned electrical means to trigger a switching means in order to cut off power to the driving actuator.\",\n \"Such a means is described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,575,789 (Bell et al.)\",\n \"whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.\",\n \"By providing such electrical cut-off means, upon successfully penetrating the epidural space for example, a clinician receives one or more of a visual, audible, and tactile indications as well as a loss of power to the device as a secondary indication that a particular internal portion of a body has been penetrated.\",\n \"Furthermore, with a loss of power to the device by cutting off electrical power to the driving actuator, the force or forward momentum necessary for further penetration of tissue will cease and in turn, will decrease the potential for unwanted body area puncture such as accidental dural puncture.\",\n \"Additionally the invention with specific control electronics will provide reduction of force as the penetrating member is retracted from the body.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a part of a vascular entry needle.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the penetrating sharp tubular member is a Tuohy needle.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a trocar and stylet assembly, such as a JAMSHIDI® biopsy needle.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a pencil point tipped needle.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is part of a trocar access port.\",\n \"These and other features of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of this invention.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is divisional application of co-pending U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/689,982, filed on Apr.\",\n \"17, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/329,177, filed on Jul.\",\n \"11, 2014, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"13/672,482, filed Nov. 8, 2012, which issued as U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"8,777,871 on Jul.\",\n \"15, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/559,383, filed on Sep. 14, 2009, which issued as U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"8,328,738 on Dec. 11, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/163,071, filed on Jun.\",\n \"27, 2008, which issued as U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"8,043,229 on Oct. 25, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"60/937,749, filed on Jun.\",\n \"29, 2007, now expired, the contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.\",\n \"U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/559,383 also claims the benefit of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"61/089,756, filed on Sep. 15, 2008, now expired, the contents of which are also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.\",\n \"STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT This invention was made with government support under GM085844, RR024943, CA139774, and GM100535 awarded by the National Institutes of Health.\",\n \"The government has certain rights in the invention.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally pertains to handheld medical devices, and more specifically to electrically driven lancets; epidural catheter inserters; biopsy medical instruments, such as bone biopsy medical devices; vascular entry penetrating members, spinal access needles and other catheterization needles.\",\n \"The invention is applicable to the delivery and removal of blood, tissues, medicine, bone marrow, nutrients or other materials within the body.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART Epidural anesthesia is a form of regional anesthesia involving injection of drugs directly into the epidural space.\",\n \"To begin the procedure, a needle is inserted from the outer layer of skin, through several layers of tissue and finally placed within the epidural space, through which a catheter is optionally passed.\",\n \"Local anesthetics are injected into the epidural space causing temporary loss of sensation and pain by blocking the transmission of pain signals through nerves in or near the spinal cord.\",\n \"The procedure can be unpleasant to the patient because of the high force levels required for the relatively dull epidural needle to penetrate the supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament and ligamentum flavum.\",\n \"One complication is that a clinician will accidently overshoot and puncture the dura because of this high force of penetration and an almost-instantaneous change in resistance upon passing the needle into the epidural space (i.e., high forward momentum followed by instantaneous minimization of force).\",\n \"Upon puncturing the dura, the cerebrospinal fluid can leak into the epidural space causing the patient to experience severe post dural puncture headache, lasting from days to possibly years.\",\n \"Significant leakage can cause enough intracranial hypotension as to tear veins, cause subdural hematoma, and traction injuries to the cranial nerves resulting in tinnitus, hearing loss, dizziness, facial droop, or double vision.\",\n \"A bone marrow biopsy is used for diagnosing tumors and a variety of bone diseases.\",\n \"The most commonly used site for the bone biopsy is the anterior iliac crest.\",\n \"A major disadvantage is the force required to penetrate the bone tissue, and the twisting motion often used to force the needle inward, which results in patient discomfort as well as possible healing complications from damaged tissues.\",\n \"The penetration force can also be tiring for clinicians and lead to multiple sampling attempts.\",\n \"Complications are rare but can include bleeding, pain, and infection.\",\n \"Pain is minimized with proper local anesthesia, though the patient still experiences a pressure sensation during insertion and retraction during some procedures.\",\n \"Another problem is crushing the sample or being unable to retrieve part of all of it, limiting the ability to diagnose.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, a biopsy tool PA1 typically comprises a handle (not shown) and hollow cannula 1 with cannula distal end 1′ surrounding a stylet 2 attached to the handle.\",\n \"To penetrate through cortical bone, a clinician pushes the cannula and stylet through the bone to the marrow.\",\n \"The distal tip 3 of the inner stylet or trocar is sharpened and has an angled chisel-like face 4 which reduces the surface area to reduce the exertion force.\",\n \"Currently, to minimize the possibility of a dura puncture, the epidural catheter insertion process is typically performed very slowly and with a 16-18 gauge, specially designed, relatively dull needle PA2, such as the one shown in FIG.\",\n \"2 called a Tuohy needle 5.An epidural needle, such as the Tuohy needle 5 or Hustead needle, has a directional curved tip 6, which decreases the “sharpness” at the needle and, therefore, makes accidental dura puncture more difficult.\",\n \"The curved tip also facilitates directing an indwelling catheter into the epidural space and a tip opening 7 facilitates catheter or fluid introduction or removal.\",\n \"Unfortunately, this dull curved-tip design actually increases the force a clinician must use and makes it more difficult for a clinician to stop the forward momentum upon penetration of the dural space.\",\n \"Additionally, the Tuohy design increases the likelihood that a clinician relies on tactile feedback during penetration.\",\n \"In other words, during the insertion procedure a clinician will rely on feeling a “popping” sensation—indicative of passing the needle past the ligamentum flavum—to locate the tip of the needle within the epidural space and quickly stop the forward momentum being applied.\",\n \"Still, because penetration into other tissues, such as muscle, calcified ligament, or regular ligament may produce a similar popping, a clinician may not fully perceive the correct location of the needle tip where the tip of the needle is occluded until passing through these tissues.\",\n \"Several alternate technologies have been developed that attempt to minimize the dura puncture risk, while also giving the clinician indication of successful epidural placement.\",\n \"For example, the detection method and apparatus disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2007/0142766 (Sundar, et al.\",\n \"), the contents of which are incorporated by reference, relies on a spring-loaded plunger pushing a fluid into the epidural space upon successful entry.\",\n \"Accordingly, the clinician is given a visual indicator (i.e., the movement of the plunger as the fluid experiences a loss of resistance at the needle opening), and would cease applying forward force.\",\n \"Similarly, U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,681,283 (Brownfield) also relies on a visual indicator to communicate successful entry of a needle into a cavity to the clinician.\",\n \"Unfortunately, while a visual indicator is a positive advancement, the actual cause of the accidental dural wall puncture-that is, the high force applied by the clinician against the needle to pass through the various tissue layers and then stop-is not taught or suggested.\",\n \"Therefore, there exists a need for a tool that reduces the puncture force of a needle, such as a Tuohy needle, and enables a clinician to perform a more controlled entry into the epidural space, thereby reducing the possibility of an accidental dura puncture.\",\n \"While accidental dura puncture is a concern, simply locating the epidural space may pose a challenge even to the most skilled physicians.\",\n \"Therefore, when a needle such as a Tuohy needle is passed through the ligamentum flavum and into the epidural space, it is helpful for a clinician to receive immediate feedback indicating successful penetration and the location of the tip of the needle.\",\n \"A basic conventional feedback device such as the one in FIG.\",\n \"2a comprises a needle (not shown) attached to a syringe PA3 at a front portion 9, and wherein the syringe PA3 is formed of a tubular body 10 and houses a biasing element 11 comprising a stem acting as a biasing element.\",\n \"To provide feedback indicating successful epidural penetration the device relies on a biasing force acting against the biasing element 11 which then acts upon a fluid, such as saline, or air within the syringe.\",\n \"Essentially, in this hydraulic feedback method, as the biasing force acts upon the fluid, the fluid translates this pressure to an opening of the needle tip.\",\n \"An opposing force, acting on the needle tip as it is held against a tissue such as the ligamentum flavum, acts to prevent the fluid from being released from the syringe.\",\n \"Typically, a clinician's thumbs act as the biasing force source which in turn acts upon the plunger stem.\",\n \"The clinician's thumbs serve to “feel” the hydraulic resistance exerted on the fluid by the opposing tissue force.\",\n \"Upon entering the epidural space, however, the opposing pressure of tissue acting against the tip is removed, and a pressure drop allows the biasing force to move solution out of the syringe through the needle tip.\",\n \"The clinician becomes aware of successful penetration of the epidural space due to his/her thumbs “feeling” the sudden pressure drop or loss of resistance at the plunger stem.\",\n \"Also, the clinician may receive visual indication of successful penetration by witnessing the plunger advancing through the syringe externally as the fluid is released into the epidural space in the patient.\",\n \"One problem with this conventional device and method is that it is difficult for a clinician to both apply a biasing force on the plunger while also applying an advancing force against the syringe body in order to advance the needle through the ligamentum flavum.\",\n \"Moreover, to prevent accidental dura puncture, clinicians tend to hold the conventional syringe in such a way as to hold the patient steady, while applying a forward momentum against the syringe, and while applying a biasing force against the plunger stem.\",\n \"This is both awkward and uncomfortable to the clinician and patient.\",\n \"Some advancements have also attempted to provide an automatic biasing element to act against the plunger of an epidural syringe while also providing visual indication or feedback, rather than tactile response, of successful puncture of various internal target areas in the human body.\",\n \"For example, in U.S. Patent Publication No.\",\n \"2007/0142766 (Sundar et al.\",\n \"), a spring is utilized to act with a biasing force against the syringe plunger.\",\n \"When the epidural needle attached to the syringe passes through into the dural space, the pressure drop allows the spring to bias the plunger.\",\n \"As the plunger moves, the stem provides at least some visual indication as it moves with the plunger.\",\n \"Similarly, U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,024,662 (Menes et al.\",\n \"), which is hereby incorporated by reference, provides visual indication by utilizing an elastomer band to provide the biasing force against the plunger stem.\",\n \"In U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"4,623,335 (Jackson) which is hereby incorporated by reference, an alternative device assists in visually indicating a pressure to identify the location of the needle tip.\",\n \"In addition, U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,297,131 (Call) which is hereby incorporated by reference, uses a pressure transducer to translate a pressure change into an electronic signal.\",\n \"The electronic signal is then converted to a visual display indicator, for example by activating a light emitting diode to emit.\",\n \"Therefore, a need exists to overcome the challenges not addressed by conventionally available technologies that reduces the force necessary for penetration of a sharp medical element of a medical device through tissue and also has the ability to deliver (e.g., deliver saline solution, or drugs, etc.)\",\n \"or retrieve materials subcutaneously (e.g., bone biopsy, etc.).\",\n \"A need also exists to provide visual, tactile, electrical or additional indication to a clinician that the penetrating member has successfully penetrated the specific body space such as the epidural space, especially when the force to enter such a space has been substantially reduced.\",\n \"And this same force reduction must be either controlled or shut off immediately upon entry into the epidural space to avoid (easier) penetration of the dura.\",\n \"Specifically, a need exists in the medical device art for an improved medical device having a penetrating element that is vibrated at a frequency that thereby reduces the force required to penetrate tissue, reduces the amount of resulting tissue damage and scarring, improving body space or vessel access success rate, minimizes introduction wound site trauma and, most importantly, improves patient comfort while minimizing potential complications.\",\n \"A need exists for a clinician to be able to use less force to penetrate hard tissue such as the cortical bone during bone biopsy; which would reduce clinician fatigue, patient discomfort; and tissue damage while improving the sampling success rate and quality.\",\n \"There is a need to sense proper location, stop forward motion and collect the sample.\",\n \"There is a further need to turn device on after collection and to reduce force and patient discomfort as the penetrating member is being retracted from the body.\",\n \"There is also a need for spinal access procedures where a clinician would want a reduction of force as well as to know the location of the needle tip but applied to a relatively-sharp penetrating member, such as a pencil point tip, as the clinician does not want to core tissue.\",\n \"There is also a need for performing nerve block procedures where a clinician would want a reduction of force as well as to know the location of the needle tip.\",\n \"And this same force reduction must be either controlled or shut off immediately upon entry into the desired location.\",\n \"All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The basis of the invention is a handheld medical device, (e.g., epidural needle, bone biopsy device, spinal needle, regional block needle, catheter introducer needle, etc.)\",\n \"having a penetrating member (e.g., an introducer needle, Tuohy needle, pencil point tipped needle, trocar needle (e.g., JAMSHIDI® biopsy needle), etc.\",\n \"), at a distal end, for use in procedures, (e.g., vascular entry and catheterization, single shot or continuous epidurals, spinal access, regional blocks, or bone biopsy, etc.\",\n \"), wherein the medical device comprises at least one driving actuator, (e.g., a piezoelectric, voice coil, solenoid, pneumatic, fluidic or any oscillatory or translational actuator etc.)\",\n \"attached to the penetrating member (e.g., at a proximal end of the penetrating member), and wherein the driving actuator translates the penetrating member, causing it to reciprocate at small displacements, thereby reducing the force required to penetrate through tissues.\",\n \"Additionally, the invention comprises a means for providing feedback, either visually, audibly, or by tactile response, using a variety of detection mechanisms (such as, but not limited to, electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.\",\n \"means), to indicate successful penetration of various tissues, or of voids within the body such as the epidural space so that the clinician knows when to stop as well as to limit power to the driving mechanism.\",\n \"Actuator technologies that rely on conventional, single or stacked piezoelectric material assemblies for actuation are hindered by the maximum strain limit of the piezoelectric materials themselves.\",\n \"Because the maximum strain limit of conventional piezoelectric materials is about 0.1% for polycrystalline piezoelectric materials, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) polycrystalline (also referred to as ceramic) materials and 0.5% for single crystal piezoelectric materials, it would require a large stack of cells to approach useful displacement or actuation of, for example, a handheld medical device usable for processes penetrating through tissues.\",\n \"However, using a large stack of cells to actuate components of a handpiece would also require that the tool size be increased beyond usable biometric design for handheld instruments.\",\n \"Flextensional actuator assembly designs have been developed which provide amplification in piezoelectric material stack strain displacement.\",\n \"The flextensional designs comprise a piezoelectric material driving cell disposed within a frame, platen, endcaps or housing.\",\n \"The geometry of the frame, platten, endcaps or housing provides amplification of the axial or longitudinal motions of the driver cell to obtain a larger displacement of the flextensional assembly in a particular direction.\",\n \"Essentially, the flextensional actuator assembly more efficiently converts strain in one direction into movement (or force) in a second direction.\",\n \"Flextensional piezoelectric actuators may be considered mid-frequency actuators, e.g., 25-35 kHz.\",\n \"Flextensional actuators may take on several embodiments.\",\n \"For example, in one embodiment, flextensional actuators are of the Cymbal type, as described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,729,077 (Newnham), which is hereby incorporated by reference.\",\n \"In another embodiment, flextensional actuators are of the amplified piezoelectric actuator (“APA”) type as described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,465,936 (Knowles), which is hereby incorporated by reference.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the actuator is a Langevin or bolted dumbbell-type actuator, similar to, but not limited to that which is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"2007/0063618 A1 (Bromfield), which is hereby incorporated by reference.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a handheld device including a body, a flextensional actuator disposed within said body and a penetrating or “sharps” member attached to one face of the flextensional actuator.\",\n \"In the broadest scope of the invention, the penetrating member may be hollow or solid.\",\n \"The actuator may have an internal bore running from a distal end to a proximal end or may have a side port located on the penetrating member attachment fitting.\",\n \"Therefore for single use penetrating members there is no need to sterilize the penetrating member after use.\",\n \"Where the penetrating member is hollow, it forms a hollow tubular structure having a sharpened distal end.\",\n \"The hollow central portion of the penetrating member is concentric to the internal bore of the actuator, together forming a continuous hollow cavity from a distal end of the actuator body to a proximal end of the penetrating member.\",\n \"For example, the flextensional actuator assembly may utilize flextensional Cymbal actuator technology or amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) technology.\",\n \"The flextensional actuator assembly provides for improved amplification and improved performance, which are above that of a conventional handheld device.\",\n \"For example, the amplification may be improved by up to about 50-fold.\",\n \"Additionally, the flextensional actuator assembly enables handpiece configurations to have a more simplified design and a smaller format.\",\n \"One embodiment of the present invention is a resonance driven vascular entry needle to reduce insertion force of the penetrating member and to reduce rolling or collapsing of vasculature.\",\n \"An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a reduction of force epidural needle that provides the clinician a more controlled entry into the epidural space, minimizing the accidental puncturing of the dural sheath.\",\n \"In this embodiment, an actuator, for example, a Langevin actuator (more commonly referred to as a Langevin transducer), has a hollow penetrating member, for example a hollow needle, attached to a distal portion of the actuator.\",\n \"The Langevin actuator in this embodiment may be open at opposite ends.\",\n \"The openings include a hollow portion extending continuously from the distal end of the actuator to a proximal end of the actuator.\",\n \"The distal opening coincides with the hollow penetrating member.\",\n \"A plunger, having a handle, a shaft and a seal is also attached to the actuator at an opposite end of the sharps member.\",\n \"The plunger's shaft is slidably disposed within the continuous, hollowed inner portion of the actuator.\",\n \"The seal is attached to a distal portion of the plunger's shaft and separates a distal volume of the hollowed inner portion of the actuator from a proximal volume of the hollowed inner portion.\",\n \"Because the plunger's shaft is slidably disposed, the plunger is also slidably disposed and, in response to a motion of the shaft in a distal direction, reduces the distal volume of the hollowed inner portion and increases the proximal volume.\",\n \"Conversely, in response to a motion of the shaft in a proximal direction, the seal also moves in a proximal direction, thereby reducing the proximal volume of the hollowed portion and increasing the distal volume.\",\n \"The motion of the plunger's shaft, and, effectively, the plunger's seal, is actuated by an external force acting on the plunger's handle.\",\n \"When electrically activated, the actuator transfers compression and expansion of the piezoelectric material portion to a hollow and penetrating tip of the hollow needle.\",\n \"Langevin actuators may be considered high :frequency actuators, e.g., >50 kHz.\",\n \"Another embodiment of the invention provides a bone marrow biopsy device having an outer casing, an actuator, for example, a Langevin actuator (e.g., see, for example, U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,491,708 (Madan, et al.\",\n \"), whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein), including a first body portion and a second body portion of the actuator, with piezoelectric material formed between the first and second body portions, wherein the actuator is disposed at least partially within the casing.\",\n \"The invention further includes a handle, an outer cannula, such as a needle, having an open distal end and an open proximal end with the cannula positioned at a distal portion of the actuator.\",\n \"In one aspect of the present embodiment, the invention further comprises a stylet having a penetrating distal tip attached to the handle at a portion opposite the distal tip, wherein the stylet is slidably disposed through a center cavity of the body and cannula.\",\n \"The actuator is formed with a distal opening formed at a distal end of the actuator, and a proximal opening formed at a proximal end of the actuator with a centralized hollow bore extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, thereby defining a hollow channel.\",\n \"More precisely, the outer cannula is a hollow tube fixedly attached at the distal end of the actuator such that the open proximal end of the cannula coincides with the distal opening of the actuator distal end.\",\n \"The stylet is slidably and centrally disposed within the actuator from the proximal end through the hollow channel and through the distal end.\",\n \"The stylet is also of predetermined length such that it is slidably and centrally located through the outer cannula, with the distal tip of the stylet protruding past the open distal end of the cannula.\",\n \"The various actuators of the present invention must be connected electrically to an external electrical signal source.\",\n \"Upon excitation by the electrical signal, the actuators convert the signal into mechanical energy that results in vibratory motion of an end-effector, such as an attached needle or stylet.\",\n \"In the case of a Langevin actuator, the vibratory motion produced by the piezoelectric materials generates a standing wave through the whole assembly such as that in graph in FIG.\",\n \"17.Because at a given frequency, a standing wave is comprised of locations of zero-displacement (node, or zero node) and maximum displacement (anti-node -not shown) in a continuous manner, the displacement that results at any point along the actuator depends on the location where the displacement is to be measured.\",\n \"Therefore, the horn is typically designed with such a length so as to provide the distal end of the horn at an anti-node when the device is operated.\",\n \"In this way, the distal end of the horn experiences a large vibratory displacement in a longitudinal direction with respect to the long axis of the actuator.\",\n \"Conversely, the zero node points are locations best suited for adding port openings or slots so as to make it possible to attach external devices to the actuator.\",\n \"As indicated by line ZN, the port opening SP coincides with the zero node location and the smaller displacement at zero node points are less abrasive to an attached device.\",\n \"Accordingly, an alternative embodiment, the actuator may be formed with a distal opening formed at the distal end of the actuator, a port opening on at least a portion of the actuator, and a hollow bore extending from the distal opening to and in communication with the port opening.\",\n \"Preferably, the port opening may be a side on a horn side of the actuator.\",\n \"More preferably, the port opening is generally located (preferably centered) at a zero node location of the actuator, and most preferably centered at a zero node location on a horn side of the actuator.\",\n \"Additionally, a means for providing feedback, for example any of those conventional feedback devices disclosed above used for indication of successful body location such as the epidural space penetration is in communication with the present embodiment by attachment at the port opening location, or preferably at the side port.\",\n \"Alternatively, any means capable of delivering fluid, such as a catheter tube or conventional syringe can be attached at the port opening location, or preferably at the side port.\",\n \"The present invention relates generally to oscillatory or translational actuated handheld device for penetration through various tissues within a body for the delivery or removal of bodily fluids, tissues, nutrients, medicines, therapies, placement or removal of catheters, etc.\",\n \"For example for piezoelectric devices, the present invention is a handpiece including a body, at least one piezoelectric element disposed within the body, and a sharps member for tissue penetration, such as a syringe, epidural needle or biopsy needle located at a distal portion of the handheld device, having a feedback means capable of indicating successful penetration of the body space, such as epidural space by providing visual, audible or tactile indications using any well-known detection mechanisms such as but not limited to electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.\",\n \"means.\",\n \"Additionally, with the use of proper circuitry the handheld medical device comprising an actuator is provided with a means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator (e.g., one or more of piezoelectric elements, voice coil, solenoid, other oscillatory or translational actuator, etc.)\",\n \"upon penetration of a particular tissue or internal portion of a body such as the epidural space.\",\n \"The means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator may be implemented as part of the aforementioned means for providing visual, audible or tactile indications or may be a separate means altogether.\",\n \"Preferably the means for shutting off external power to the driving actuator upon penetration of a particular tissue or internal portion of for example, the epidural space, may be accomplished by incorporating proper circuit configurations to aforementioned electrical means to trigger a switching means in order to cut off power to the driving actuator.\",\n \"Such a means is described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,575,789 (Bell et al.)\",\n \"whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.\",\n \"By providing such electrical cut-off means, upon successfully penetrating the epidural space for example, a clinician receives one or more of a visual, audible, and tactile indications as well as a loss of power to the device as a secondary indication that a particular internal portion of a body has been penetrated.\",\n \"Furthermore, with a loss of power to the device by cutting off electrical power to the driving actuator, the force or forward momentum necessary for further penetration of tissue will cease and in turn, will decrease the potential for unwanted body area puncture such as accidental dural puncture.\",\n \"Additionally the invention with specific control electronics will provide reduction of force as the penetrating member is retracted from the body.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a part of a vascular entry needle.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the penetrating sharp tubular member is a Tuohy needle.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a trocar and stylet assembly, such as a JAMSHIDI® biopsy needle.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is a pencil point tipped needle.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the penetrating or sharp tubular member is part of a trocar access port.\",\n \"These and other features of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of this invention.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 is a partial isometric view of a distal end of a prior art biopsy needle; FIG.\",\n \"2 is a partial side view of a distal end of a prior art epidural needle; FIG.\",\n \"2a is a plan view of a conventional prior art loss of resistance syringe; FIG.\",\n \"3 is a graph illustrating the penetration force of a penetrating member; FIG.\",\n \"4 is a cross section of a Langevin actuator, more commonly referred to as a Langevin transducer, for use as an actuator in a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"4a is needle design with the side port located in the penetrating member hub providing external access such as for pressure sensor connection or catheter entry location.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a cross section of a vascular entry needle used in a first embodiment of the invention; FIG.\",\n \"6 is a cross section of a plunger used in a first embodiment the invention; FIG.\",\n \"6a depicts the present invention including a sterilization sleeve for wires and housing; FIG.\",\n \"6b depicts the present invention including a battery and inverter compartment attached at the end of the actuator; FIG.\",\n \"7 is a cross section of a first embodiment of the invention; FIG.\",\n \"7a is a cross-section of an alternate design of the first embodiment of the invention that incorporates the side port on the penetrating member hub.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a cross section of another alternate design of the first embodiment of the invention of FIG.\",\n \"7; FIG.\",\n \"9 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"9a is an isometric view of an alternate design of the second embodiment using a side port on the actuator for attachment location of the pressure sensor or entry of a catheter; FIG.\",\n \"9b is an isometric view of more preferred alternate design of the second embodiment using a side port on the penetrating member hub for attachment location of the pressure sensor or entry of a catheter; FIG.\",\n \"10a is a cross section of an inner stylet for use in a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"10b is a cross section of an outer penetrating member, such as a trocar, for use in a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"10C is a cross section showing the relative positioning of the inner stylet of FIG.\",\n \"10a within the outer penetrating member of FIG.\",\n \"10b for use in a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"11 is a cross section of a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"12 is a cross section of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"13 is a cross section of a penetrating member attached to an amplified piezoelectric actuator for use in a fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"13a is cross section of an alternate APA design of a penetrating member with side port for use the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"14 is a cross section of a fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"14a is a cross section of the fifth embodiment of the present invention using a penetrating member with side port of FIG.\",\n \"13a; FIG.\",\n \"15 is a cross section of a sixth embodiment of the present invention comprising a Cymbal actuator; FIG.\",\n \"16 is a cross section of the sixth embodiment of the present invention using the penetrating member with side port of FIG.\",\n \"13a; FIG.\",\n \"17 shows the correlation between zero node points of a standing wave and the location of a side port on a Langevin actuator without the actuator handle shown; FIG.\",\n \"17a shows the correlation between zero node points of a standing wave and the location of a side port on the penetrating member connected to the Langevin actuator; FIG.\",\n \"18a is a functional diagram of a seventh embodiment of the present invention depicting a side port at a zero node location on a Langevin actuator without the handle shown; FIG.\",\n \"18b is a functional diagram of a seventh embodiment of the present invention comprising the side port of FIG.\",\n \"18a in communication with a central channel extending the length of a Langevin actuator and without the handle shown; FIG.\",\n \"18c is a sketch of a eighth embodiment of the present invention comprising two side ports in communication with needle attachment one connected to the front portion of the Langevin actuator and the other connected to the penetrating member without the actuator handle shown; FIG.\",\n \"18d is a sketch of a eighth embodiment of the present invention comprising the side port connected to the short bore and communication with needle attachment that is also connected to the front portion of the Langevin actuator and without the handle shown of the actuator of FIG.\",\n \"18a; FIG.\",\n \"19 is a drawing of a ninth embodiment of the present invention comprising a conventional syringe of FIG.\",\n \"2a attached at the side port location of the actuator shown in FIG.\",\n \"18 and without the actuator handle shown; FIG.\",\n \"19a is a drawing of a ninth embodiment of the present invention comprising a conventional syringe of FIG.\",\n \"2a attached at the side port location of the penetrating member hub shown in FIG.\",\n \"18c with the actuator also connected into the hub and without the actuator handle shown; FIG.\",\n \"19b is a drawing of a pressure sensing pump system for connection to a penetrating member.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20a is a cross-sectional view of a tenth embodiment of the present invention using a voice coil for the driving actuator; FIG.\",\n \"20b is a cross-sectional view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention using a voice coil for the driving actuator wherein the position of the magnetic member and the coil are reversed from that of FIG.\",\n \"20a; FIG.\",\n \"20c is an isometric cross-sectional view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention using two coils; FIG.\",\n \"20d is a side cross-sectional view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention using a solenoid with springs; and FIG.\",\n \"21 is an exemplary schematic of an electrical power cut off for use in the various embodiments of the present invention.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"3-21 with the numerals referring to like and corresponding parts.\",\n \"For purposes of describing relative configuration of various elements of the invention, the terms “distal”, “distally”, “proximal” or “proximally” are not defined so narrowly as to mean a particular rigid direction, but, rather, are used as placeholders to define relative locations which shall be defined in context with the attached drawings and reference numerals.\",\n \"A listing of the various reference labels are provided at the end of this Specification.\",\n \"In addition, U.S. Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/163,071 entitled “Medical Tool for Reduced Tool Penetration Force,” filed on Jun.\",\n \"27, 2008 is incorporated by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"The effectiveness of the invention as described, for example, in the aforementioned preferred embodiments, utilizes reduction of force to optimize penetrating through tissue or materials found within the body.\",\n \"Essentially, when tissue is penetrated by the high speed operation of a penetrating member portion of the device, such as a needle, the force required for entry is reduced.\",\n \"In other words, a reduction of force effect is observed when a penetrating member (also referred to as a “tubular member”), for example a needle, is vibrated axially (e.g., reciprocated) during the insertion process and enough mechanical energy is present to break adhesive bonds between tissue and the penetrating member.\",\n \"The threshold limits of energy can be reached in the sonic to ultrasonic frequency ranges if the necessary amount of needle displacement is present.\",\n \"To exploit the reduction of force effect, the medical device of the present invention is designed such that the penetrating distal tip portion attains a short travel distance or displacement, and vibrates sinusoidally with a high penetrating frequency.\",\n \"Utilizing the various device configurations as described in the aforementioned embodiments, it has been determined that the sinusoidal motion of the sharp distal tip must include a displacement for piezoelectric tools of between 35-100 μm, more preferably between 50-100 μm, at a frequency of between 20-50 kHz, but most preferably at 20-25 kHz.\",\n \"This motion is caused by the penetrating member 20 being attached to an actuating piezoelectric actuator operated at 50-150 Vpp/mm, but most preferably at 90 Vpp/mm where Vpp is known as the peak-to-peak voltage.\",\n \"For example, FIG.\",\n \"3 shows a graphical representation of the resisting force versus depth of a bone biopsy needle penetrating into hard tissue.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"3, the curve labeled A represents data for a needle in an “off' or non-vibrating condition and the curve labeled B represents data for a medical device having a needle that is vibrated by a piezoelectric actuator at 38 kHz and a displacement of 100 μm.\",\n \"As apparent from FIG.\",\n \"3, curve A shows that without being vibrated, the force necessary to penetrate into a material is much higher than that for a needle being oscillated, such as that represented by curve B.\",\n \"By way of example only, referring to FIG.\",\n \"4, a Langevin actuator, generally indicated as 100, comprises a piezoelectric actuator which includes a body having a central hollow channel and includes a displaceable member (also referred to as a “horn”) 110, an anchor (also referred to as a “rear mass”) 112 and at least one piezoelectric element 114, but preferably comprises more than one.\",\n \"In particular, each piezoelectric element 114 may be formed into a piezoelectric ring that forms a hollow portion and wherein the piezoelectric elements 114 are secured within the body and attached between horn 110 and rear mass 112.A hollow or solid threaded bolt 116 is disposed within a center portion of rear mass 112, extending through a center portion of the at least one of piezoelectric elements 114 and ending within a central portion of horn 110.The bolt compresses the rear mass 112, the at least one of piezoelectric elements 114 and horn 110.The horn 110 and rear mass 112 are made of a metal such as titanium, stainless steel, ceramic (which include polycrystalline and single crystal inorganic materials), plastic, composite or, preferably, aluminum.\",\n \"The bolt 116 is of the same material as the horn 110 and rear mass 112.To protect patient and clinician from electric shock, at least a portion of the Langevin actuator 100, preferably at least the whole of the rear body 112, all of the at least one piezoelectric elements 114, and at least a portion of the horn 110, are disposed within a handle 118.Electrical connection is made at metallic tabs (not shown) formed between opposing faces of the at least one of piezoelectric elements 114.These tabs can be coupled via electrical conductors 114b connected to an AC power source or battery (e.g., positioned within a battery compartment of the present invention).\",\n \"The handle 118 comprises a shell portion which may be a plastic or a metal and a seal 120 which may be an elastomer.\",\n \"Seal 120 prevents moisture from entering or exiting from the central portions of the rear mass 112, piezoelectric elements 114 and horn 110.The central portion of the rear mass 112, piezoelectric elements 114 and horn 110 coincide with the hollow portion of the bolt 116 forming a continuous bore 126 within the Langevin actuator 100, the bore 126 having a distal opening 122 at a distal face 121 and a proximal opening at a face opposite to the distal face 121.A Luer taper nose 123 is added to the actuator for clarity of connection.\",\n \"It should be understood that the number of piezoelectric elements 114 does not form a limitation on the present invention and that it is within the broadest scope of the present invention to include one or more piezoelectric elements 114.According to an alternative embodiment, a side port (not shown) may be formed at the horn 110 side of the actuator and the continuous bore 126 extends from a distal opening 122 at distal face 121 and in communication with this side port.\",\n \"The functional performance of the medical device is driven by the piezoelectric elements section.\",\n \"Piezoelectric elements 114, such as each of one or more piezoelectric material rings are capable of precise, controlled displacement and can generate energy at a specific frequency.\",\n \"The piezoelectric materials expand when exposed to an electrical input, due to the asymmetry of the crystal structure, in a process known as the converse piezoelectric effect.\",\n \"Contraction is also possible with negative voltage.\",\n \"Piezoelectric strain is quantified through the piezoelectric coefficients d33, d31, and d15, multiplied by the electric field, E, to determine the strain, x, induced in the material.\",\n \"Ferroelectric polycrystalline materials, such as barium titanate (BT) and lead zirconate titanate (PZT), exhibit piezoelectricity when electrically poled.\",\n \"Simple devices composed of a disk or a multilayer type directly use the strain induced in a material by the applied electric field.\",\n \"Acoustic and ultrasonic vibrations can be generated by an alternating field tuned at the mechanical resonance frequency of a piezoelectric device.\",\n \"Piezoelectric components can be fabricated in a wide range of shapes and sizes.\",\n \"In one embodiment, piezoelectric component may be 2-5 mm in diameter and 3-5 mm long, possibly composed of several stacked rings, disks or plates.\",\n \"The exact dimensions of the piezoelectric component are performance dependent.\",\n \"The piezoelectric single or polycrystalline materials may be comprised of at least one of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), multilayer PZT, lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT), multilayer PMN-PT, lead zinc niobate-lead titanate (PZN-PT), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), multilayer PVDF, and other ferroelectric polymers.\",\n \"These materials also can be doped which changes properties and enhances the performance of the medical device.\",\n \"This list is not intended to be all inclusive of all possible piezoelectric materials.\",\n \"For example there is significant research into non-lead (Pb) containing materials that once developed will operate in this invention.\",\n \"In the embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"4a the side port SP is located on the penetrating member hub 525 of the hollow needle 130.In this alternate embodiment the hollow needle 130 penetrating member hub 525 is preferably metal or a combination of metal insert molded in a plastic.\",\n \"The side port SP would contain a female Luer taper opening to attach a loss of resistance conventional syringe PA3.Referring now to FIG.\",\n \"5, a penetrating member, generally indicated as 20, for use in a first embodiment of the present invention comprises an attachment fitting 128 connected to proximal end 130b and the distal end 130a of a hollow needle 130 penetrates tissue.\",\n \"By way of example only, the attachment fitting 128 may comprise a Luer taper, plastic or metal fitting.\",\n \"Referring now to FIG.\",\n \"6, a plunger 12 for use in a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a plunger handle 132 attached to a proximal end 134a of a plunger shaft 134, and a plunger seal 136 attached to a distal end 134b of the plunger shaft 134.The plunger seal is used to seal the handle 118 so that contaminates such as water or bodily fluids do not reach the actuator elements or electrical connections.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the plunge will create a vacuum in the hollow penetrating member to aspirate bodily fluids and/or tissue for sampling such as in a soft tissue biopsy procedure.\",\n \"In the most preferred embodiment, the side port is located on the penetrating member hub 525 at the end attachment point Referring now to FIG.\",\n \"7, a first embodiment of the present invention, for example a penetrating introducer, generally indicated as 200, comprises an actuator, such as the Langevin actuator 100 described in FIG.\",\n \"4, with the penetrating member 20 of FIG.\",\n \"5 being attached at a distal face 121 of the actuator.\",\n \"The needle attachment fitting 128 is a threaded fitting, Luer taper, compression fitting or the like, and couples hollow needle 130 to a portion of distal face 121 such that it communicates with a distal volume of continuous bore 126.Plunger handle 132 may be a threaded, clamped, compressed or the like to bolt 116 so as to immobilize plunger 12 of FIG.\",\n \"6.The present invention is sterilizable using such methods as steam sterilization, a sleeve, gamma, ethylene oxide (ETO).\",\n \"For example, FIG.\",\n \"6a depicts aE sterilization sleeve 115 for wires and housing used with the present invention.\",\n \"The preferred material for the needle attachment 128 is a metal or a metal insert in a molded plastic.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6b shows the Langevin actuator 100 with a possible configuration of the battery & inverter compartment 117 attached to the end of the actuator.\",\n \"Returning to FIGS.\",\n \"4 and 7, upon application of an external AC current at a predetermined frequency to the at least one of piezoelectric elements 114, the Langevin actuator 100 reactively changes shape in a sinusoidal fashion such that the relative position of distal face 121 with respect to say, a fixed position of plunger handle 132 attached to and held in place by bolt 116, changes by a predetermined displacement.\",\n \"Because the AC current is a sinusoidal signal, the result of activating the piezoelectric elements 114 is a sinusoidal, back and forth motion of the distal face 121 of horn 110, and, subsequently, a back and forth motion of needle 130, thereby reducing the force necessary for penetration through tissue.\",\n \"As mentioned previously, the AC energization can be provided directly from an AC source or from a DC source (e.g., onboard batteries) coupled to an inverter (e.g., oscillator/amplifier, etc.)\",\n \"which in turn is coupled to the piezoelectric elements 114.The DC source is the more preferred embodiment as wires and connections will need additional sterilization features.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7a depicts a similar invention as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7 but includes a penetrating member hub 525 with a side port SP connected to the hollow needle 130.This configuration enables pressure sensor to be mounted in the side port SP which once removed provides for a catheter to be inserted or fluids removed.\",\n \"This is likely the preferred embodiment when compared to FIG.\",\n \"7 as the entire active device will not be at risk for contamination since the catheter or fluids do not traverse the actuator only the hollow needle 130 which could be manufactured for single use.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"8, a supported introducer, generally indicated as 201, is similar to the penetrating introducer 200 of FIG.\",\n \"7 additionally comprising support wings 111, existing for example as a flat portion onto which a user can grasp, and extending radially from an outer surface forming a mechanical zero node of the horn 110, as described later with regard to FIG.\",\n \"17.A side port SP (not shown) could be 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise from the support wings that may be a location for providing access for aspirated sample retrieval, catheter insertion etc.\",\n \"In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the penetrating introducer 201 of FIG.\",\n \"8 exists as a catheterization introducer, generally indicated as 202, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"9.In this embodiment, rather than a plunger being introduced from a proximal end of the device, a catheter 129 is introduced from the proximal end of the device and is received through bore 126 as shown in FIG.\",\n \"4, and may be passed through hollow needle 130.Upon having been inserted into a patient, hollow needle 130 forms a subcutaneous tunnel through which catheter 129 is introduced into the body.\",\n \"Upon successful introduction, the actuator may be detached from hollow needle 130 by decoupling attachment fitting 128 from the horn 110.A more preferred embodiment 202b is shown in FIG.\",\n \"9a where a side port SP permits the introduction of the catheter 129 into the present invention, rather than through the proximal end, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"9.This configuration enables pressure sensor to be mounted in the side port SP which once removed enables a catheter to be inserted or fluids removed near the distal face 121 of the device.\",\n \"This is likely the preferred embodiment when compared to FIG.\",\n \"9 as the entire active device will not be at risk for contamination since the catheter or fluids do not traverse the entire actuator.\",\n \"In the most preferred embodiment 202c is shown in FIG.\",\n \"9b where the side port SP located on the penetrating member hub 525 permits a pressure sensor to be mounted in the side port SP which once removed provides entry of an instrument such as a catheter 129 to be inserted or fluids aspirated.\",\n \"This is likely the preferred embodiment when compared to FIG.\",\n \"9 as the entire active device will not be at risk for contamination since the catheter or fluids do not traverse the actuator only the hollow needle 130.Now referring to FIG.\",\n \"10a, an inner stylet, generally indicated as 14, comprises an inner stylet handle 142 attached to a proximal end of an inner stylet shaft 144.At a distal end of the inner stylet shaft 144, opposite to the handle 142 is a sharpened inner stylet tip 146.To support the inner stylet shaft 144, an outer trocar tube, generally indicated as 15, shown in FIG.\",\n \"10b comprises a trocar attachment fitting 148 attached at a proximal end of an outer trocar body 150, which is a tubular structure open at opposite ends.\",\n \"The trocar attachment fitting 148 is hollow such that outer trocar body 150 is disposed within it.\",\n \"Additionally, one of the openings formed at opposite ends of the trocar body 150 is a distal trocar opening 152, the outer walls of which form distal trocar tip 154.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"10c, inner stylet shaft 144 may be slidably disposed within outer trocar body 150 with inner stylet tip 146 extending beyond distal trocar tip 154.Together, the inner stylet 14 of FIG.\",\n \"10a and outer trocar tube 15 of FIG.\",\n \"10b form a structure similar to a trocar needle (e.g., a JAMSHIDI® biopsy tool).\",\n \"Referring now to FIG.\",\n \"11, inner stylet 14 is slidably disposed within bore 126 of Langevin actuator 100 of FIG.\",\n \"4 and outer trocar tube 15 of FIG.\",\n \"10b, with outer trocar tube 15 attached to horn 110 to form a bone biopsy device, generally designated as 300.Inner stylet 14 extends in a manner such that handle 142 contacts bolt 116 when fully seated, with inner stylet shaft extending from handle 142 through proximal opening 124, through bore 126 and hollow portion of outer trocar body 150 finally terminating as inner stylet tip 146 at a location beyond distal trocar tip 154.In this embodiment, when the at least one of piezoelectric elements 114 of Langevin actuator 100 of FIG.\",\n \"4 is electrically actuated via electrical conductors 114b at a predetermined frequency, motion in the form of compression and expansion of the rings is transferred to an anti-node location at the distal face 121 of horn 110.The motion is then transferred as actuation of outer trocar tube 15 of FIG.\",\n \"10b.\",\n \"In an alternate embodiment, an advanced bone biopsy device, generally indicated as 400, shown in FIG.\",\n \"12, comprises all of the elements of bone biopsy device 300 of FIG.\",\n \"11, except that upon electrical activation of Langevin actuator 100 of FIG.\",\n \"4 at a predetermined frequency, the motion is transferred as actuation of inner stylet 14.To perform this function, the positioning of the inner stylet shaft 14 of FIG.\",\n \"10a and outer trocar tube 15 of FIG.\",\n \"10b are inverted with respect to the configuration of FIG.\",\n \"11.For example, in the advanced bone biopsy device 400, outer trocar tube 15 is attached to bolt 116.Additionally, inner stylet 14 extends in a manner such that handle 142 contacts distal face 121 of horn 110 when fully seated, with inner stylet shaft 144 extending from handle 142 through distal opening 122, through bore 126 and hollow portion of outer trocar body 150, finally terminating as inner stylet tip 146 at a location beyond distal trocar tip 154.While the previous embodiments have been described with respect to a Langevin actuator 100 as the actuating mechanism, the invention is not so limited.\",\n \"For example, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"13, a hollow tubular structure having a sharpened distal tip 513b of the penetrating member 513 is attached at its proximal end 513a to an Amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) 510 forming an APA needle, generally designated as 16.The amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) 510 comprises a frame 512, normally formed of a metal such as brass or stainless steel, and a piezoelectric material 514 compressed within frame 512.An APA bore 526 may extend from a distal face through piezoelectric material 514 and through a proximal face 512a of frame 512.Hollow penetrating member 513, for example a hypodermic needle, is attached to the distal face 512b of frame 512, such that the hollow portion is concentrically with the APA bore 526.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"14, APA needle 16 may be disposed within a handle 518 forming an APA syringe, generally designated as 500.Important to this embodiment is that a proximal face 512a of frame 512 of amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) 510 must be fixed as shown at 516 attachment point to an inner portion of handle 518 such that the APA bore 526, hollow penetrating member 513, a handle proximal opening 524 and handle distal opening 521 form a continuous channel through which fluids may pass into a patient.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"13a and 14a show alternate embodiments 16b and 500b, respectively, with a detachable penetrating member hub 525 enabling the single use penetrating member with re-usable active motion handle where the penetrating member hub 525 is described previously.\",\n \"In operation, the piezoelectric material 514 expands during the AC voltage cycle, which causes the frame's proximal and distal faces 512a, 512b formed opposite of one another to move inward toward each other.\",\n \"Conversely, when piezoelectric material 514 compresses during the opposite AC cycle, an outward displacement of the frame's proximal and distal faces 512a, 512b away from one another occurs.\",\n \"However, in the present embodiment, the proximal face 512a of the frame is fixedly attached to body's 518 attachment point 516 so that any movement in the piezoelectric material stack will result in only a relative motion of distal face 512b and, thereby, a motion of the penetrating member 513.Two examples of applicable amplified piezoelectric actuators (APAs) are the non-hinged type, and the grooved or hinged type.\",\n \"Details of the mechanics, operation and design of an example hinged or grooved APA are described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,465,936 (Knowles et al.\",\n \"), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"An example of a non-hinged APA is the Cedrat APA50XS, sold by Cedrat Technologies, and described in the Cedrat Piezo Products Catalogue “Piezo Actuators & Electronics” (Copyright© Cedrat Technologies June 2005).\",\n \"Preferably, the APAs of the present invention are operated at frequencies in the range of 100 Hz to 20 kHz, more preferably 100 Hz to 1 kHz.\",\n \"Alternatively, the actuator of the present invention may be a Cymbal actuator.\",\n \"For example, in FIG.\",\n \"15, a Cymbal syringe, generally indicated as 600, including a Cymbal actuator 610 which comprises two endcaps 612 with the distal endcap 612b and proximal endcap 612a with at least a piezoelectric element 514 formed between the endcaps.\",\n \"The Cymbal syringe is centered on the Cymbal bore 626.The endcaps 612 enhance the mechanical response to an electrical input, or conversely, the electrical output generated by a mechanical load.\",\n \"Details of the flextensional Cymbal actuator technology is described by Meyer Jr., R. J., et al., “Displacement amplification of electroactive materials using the Cymbal flextensional transducer”, Sensors and Actuators A 87 (2001), 157-162.By way of example, a Class V flextensional Cymbal actuator has a thickness of less than about 2 mm, weighs less than about 3 grams and resonates between about 1 and 100 kHz depending on geometry.\",\n \"With the low profile of the Cymbal design, high frequency radial motions of the piezoelectric material are transformed into low frequency (about 20-50 kHz) displacement motions through the cap-covered cavity.\",\n \"An example of a Cymbal actuator is described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,729,077 (Newnham et al.)\",\n \"and is hereby incorporated by reference.\",\n \"While the endcaps shown in the figures are round, they are not intended to be limited to only one shape or design.\",\n \"For example, a rectangular Cymbal endcap design is disclosed in Smith N. B., et al., “Rectangular Cymbal arrays for improved ultrasonic transdermal insulin delivery”, J. Acoust.\",\n \"Soc.\",\n \"Am.\",\n \"Vol.\",\n \"122, issue 4, October 2007.Cymbal actuators take advantage of the combined expansion in the piezoelectric charge coefficient d33 (induced strain in direction 3 per unit field applied in direction 3) and contraction in the d31 (induced strain in direction 1 per unit field applied in direction 3) of a piezoelectric material, along with the flextensional displacement of the endcaps 612, which is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"15.The design of the endcaps 612 allows both the longitudinal and transverse responses to contribute to the strain in the desired direction, creating an effective piezoelectric charge constant (deff) according to the formula, deff=d33+(−A*d31).\",\n \"Since d31 is negative, and the amplification factor (A) can be as high as 100 as the endcaps 612 bend, the increase in displacement generated by the Cymbal compared to the piezoelectric material alone is significant.\",\n \"The endcaps 612 can be made of a variety of materials, such as brass, steel; titanium or KOVAR™, a nickel-cobalt ferrous alloy compatible with the thermal expansion of borosilicate glass which allows direct mechanical connections over a range of temperatures, optimized for performance and application conditions.\",\n \"The endcaps 612 also provide additional mechanical stability, ensuring long lifetimes for the Cymbal actuators.\",\n \"The Cymbal actuator 610 drives the penetrating member 513.When activated by an AC current, the Cymbal actuator 610 vibrates sinusoidally with respect to the current's frequency.\",\n \"Because endcap 612a is fixed to an inner sidewall of body 518, when Cymbal actuator 610 is activated, endcap 612b moves with respect to the body in a direction parallel to the hypothetical long axis of the medical device.\",\n \"Further, the displacement of penetrating member 513 is amplified relative to the displacement originating at piezoelectric material 514 when it compresses and expands during activation due in part to the amplification caused by the design of endcaps 612.For example, the piezoelectric material 514 alone may only displace by about 1-2 microns, but attached to the endcaps 612, the Cymbal actuator 610 as a whole may generate up to about 1 kN (225 lb-t) of force and about 80 to 100 microns of displacement.\",\n \"This motion is further transferred through the penetrating member 513 as an amplified longitudinal displacement of 100-300 microns.\",\n \"For cases requiring higher displacement, a plurality of Cymbal actuators 610 can be stacked endcap-to-endcap to increase the total longitudinal displacement of the penetrating member 513.FIG.\",\n \"16 shows an alternate embodiment 600b with a detachable penetrating member hub 525 enabling the single use penetrating member with reusable active motion handle.\",\n \"In alternate embodiments of the present invention, an additional port opening is formed in communication with a channel formed within the body of the actuator, for example a Langevin actuator.\",\n \"In particular, FIGS.\",\n \"17-19 are directed to these alternate embodiments and it should be noted that for clarity reasons, the handle 118 of the Langevin actuator is not shown in these figures.\",\n \"Because the port opening is provided so as to attach a means for providing visual, audible or tactile feedback response (e.g., using any well-known detection mechanisms such as but not limited to electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.\",\n \"means) to indicate the successful penetration of the specific tissue such as the epidural space, it must be formed at a location which will be least detrimental to such means.\",\n \"In other words, because the actuator vibrates at high frequencies, each point along the actuator experiences a different displacement defined by a standing wave.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"17, a displacement graph G1 represents a standing wave having longitudinal displacements at points along the length of a Langevin actuator operated at 38 kHz.\",\n \"As can be seen in a displacement graph G1, two nodes having near zero displacement exist at particular locations in the standing wave.\",\n \"The two node (“zero node” ZN) locations on the Langevin actuator LT are therefore defined at a particular lengths along the Langevin actuator.\",\n \"In the specific design shown in FIG.\",\n \"17 the nodes on the standing wave correspond to zero node, or locations having minimum displacements on the Langevin actuator LT.\",\n \"The locations of the zero nodes on the Langevin actuator LT are then located at a proximal face (not shown) of the rear mass opposite to the distal face 121.Line ZN defines the physical location of the other zero node at which a side port SP should be located, preferably centered, when formed in a Langevin actuator LT relative to second zero node of the standing wave in displacement graph G1.In the case shown in FIG.\",\n \"17, the side port SP is formed at the horn 110 of the Langevin actuator LT, however a port opening is not necessarily so limited.\",\n \"A port opening can be placed anywhere along an actuator but a zero node location is preferred.\",\n \"In a more preferred embodiment, FIG.\",\n \"17a describes the side port SP location on the zero node ZN of the penetrating member hub 525.In this embodiment, the design length includes both the needle length and actuator length to achieve the zero node ZN on the hollow needle 130 which includes length of penetrating member hub 525.A side port SP can be placed anywhere along hollow needle 130 but a zero node location on the penetrating member hub 525 is preferred.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"18a, a general side port configuration 700 of the present invention is shown with a side port SP as the port opening centered at a zero node location along the horn 110.Support wings are also formed at a zero node to assist the clinician is holding and stabilizing the device.\",\n \"In a seventh embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.\",\n \"18b, a first side port configuration 700a has a channel for passing liquid, air or other materials comprises a continuous path from the proximal opening 124 through bore 126 passing through a distal opening (not shown) and extending through hollow needle 130 ending at a distal end 130a of the hollow needle which is open.\",\n \"In this seventh embodiment, the channel is in communication with the side port SP at a location along bore 126.Preferably, the side port SP is located at such a location along the actuator forming the first side port configuration 700a that acts as a zero node upon activating the device to vibrate.\",\n \"Alternatively, as shown in an eighth embodiment of the invention in FIG.\",\n \"18c, a second side port configuration 700b has a channel for passing liquid, air or other materials comprises a continuous path located on the hollow needle 130 penetrating member hub 525.In this eighth embodiment, the channel is in communication with the side port SP at a location along penetrating member hub 525.Preferably, the side port SP is located at such a location along the entire length (actuator and penetrating member) forming the second side port configuration 700b that acts as a zero node upon activating the device to vibrate.\",\n \"In a secondary side port SP located on the actuator an indicator such as a light emitting diode 1026 can be attached and connected to the electronics to indicate a visual loss of resistance.\",\n \"Alternatively, as shown in an eighth embodiment of the invention in FIG.\",\n \"18d, a second side port SP configuration 700c has a small bore 126a for passing liquid, air or other materials located at zero node ZN to and from the hollow needle 130.In a ninth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.\",\n \"19, a feedback capable reduction of force tool 800 is provided.\",\n \"By way of example only, tool 800 comprises a means for providing tactile feedback response via a conventional loss of resistance syringe PA3 having a biasing element 11 with a plunger or balloon (e.g., elastomer device) or any other device that creates pressure then detects or measures pressure change.\",\n \"This device is coupled at a port location, preferably a side port SP located, via, by way of example only, a Luer Taper, male/female connector, screw-type connector, and preferably centered, at a zero node location.\",\n \"The tool 800 also includes an indicator in communication with the actuator 700 such as, but not limited to, an audible indicator, tactile indicator, or visual (e.g., deflation, optical, etc.).\",\n \"In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.\",\n \"19a, a feedback capable reduction of force tool 800 is located on the hollow needle 130 at a zero node ZN on the penetrating member hub 525.Another embodiment described in FIG.\",\n \"19b, a possible pressure sensor feedback system 1020 containing a small pumping mechanism equipped with a pressure or flow sensor to meter the amount of fluid being moved, a reservoir 1021 mounted on a base 1024.The pump fills with saline and connect via flexible tubing 1022 via an attachment fitting 1023 to the side port SP of the penetrating member.\",\n \"When loss of resistance (LOR) is detected, the electronic control system will close a switch and an indicator such as a light emitting diode (LED) (not shown) located on the side port SP of the actuator will turn-on indicating loss of resistance.\",\n \"The electronics control system at this point will turn the actuator off so that forward motion ceases.\",\n \"In additional embodiment, besides the visual signal, an audible signal a ‘beep’ could be incorporated into the pump system.\",\n \"By way of example only, the following is an exemplary method of using the present invention, whereby a clinician uses the present invention for an epidural procedure.\",\n \"When performing an epidural procedure, the clinician first fills syringe PA3 with a fluid, such as a saline solution or air.\",\n \"The clinician then inserts the front portion 9 of the syringe into the side port SP of the actuator 700b.\",\n \"Upon electrically activating the actuator, the clinician holds actuator 700b with a first hand while pressing the distal end 130a of the hollow needle against a patient's back.\",\n \"The clinician continues to provide forward momentum, while also providing a biasing force against biasing element 11, advancing hollow needle 130.With continued forward momentum, the hollow needle punctures the supraspinous ligament, the instraspinous ligament, and the ligamentum flavum (see FIG.\",\n \"7, for example).\",\n \"Upon puncturing the ligamentum flavum, the distal end 130a of the needle enters the epidural space at which point there is a pressure drop from the biasing element 11 to the opening at the distal end 130a.\",\n \"The pressure drop allows for the solution to be ejected from the opening at the distal end 130a, and the continued biasing of the biasing element 11 combined with the loss of volume of saline results in a loss of resistance (LOR) against the clinician's thumb and a visibly identifiable motion of the biasing element 11.When the biasing element moves due to this lack of resistance, the clinician quickly identifies that the epidural space has been successfully reached and quickly stops forward momentum of the actuator.\",\n \"Additionally, because the activation of the actuator results in a vibration of the needle 130, the clinician does not need to provide such a high penetration force and can quickly react to stop himself/herself before advancing the needle beyond the epidural space.\",\n \"It should be further noted that it is within the broadest scope of the present invention to include syringes or other mechanisms which provide automatic biasing, such that the clinician does not have to apply a biasing force against the biasing element 11 prior to entry into, for example, the epidural space.\",\n \"In particular, the automatic biasing force (implemented, for example, via a spring, an elastomer, or any other well-known biasing mechanism such as, but not limited to, those described in U.S. Patent Publication No.\",\n \"2007/0142766 (Sundar, et al.))\",\n \"maintains an equal resistance as the needle is moved through the supraspinous ligament, the instraspinous ligament, and the ligamentum flavum.\",\n \"Upon entry into the epidural space, the biasing force is no longer resisted and this can be manifested in a variety of ways to the clinician, but not limited to, movement of the biasing element, or any other visual, audible or tactile indication using any well-known detection mechanisms such as but not limited to electrical, magnetic, pressure, capacitive, inductive, etc.\",\n \"means.\",\n \"For example, a pressure signal indicative of a loss of solution resistance automatically cuts off power to the driver actuator (e.g., piezoelectric elements, voice coil, solenoid, etc.).\",\n \"While feedback means have been coupled to the side port SP, the invention is not so limited to feedback means.\",\n \"Any device may be coupled to a port location of the actuator, or ideally at the side port SP location even those devices simply being a means for providing or removing liquid, gas or other material such as a conventional syringe.\",\n \"While the above-described embodiments of the present invention are made with respect to a handheld medical tool having a vibrating penetrating member and utilizing a Langevin actuator, Cymbal actuator, or APA for actuation, as mentioned earlier, the present invention is not limited to these actuator assemblies.\",\n \"Generally, any type of motor comprising an actuator assembly, further comprising a mass coupled to a piezoelectric material, or a voice coil motor, or solenoid, or any other translational motion device, would also fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.\",\n \"Furthermore, where the actuator assembly comprises a mass coupled to a piezoelectric material, the actuator assembly having a geometry which, upon actuation, amplifies the motion in a direction beyond the maximum strain of the piezoelectric material, would also fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20a depicts an alternative embodiment 900 of the present invention using a voice coil for the driving actuator rather than piezoelectric elements.\",\n \"Voice coil actuator (also referred to as a “voice coil motor”) creates low frequency reciprocating motion.\",\n \"The voice coil has a bandwidth of approximately 10-60 Hz and a displacement of up to 10 mm that is dependent upon applied AC voltage.\",\n \"In particular, when an alternating electric current is applied through the conducting coil 902, the result is a Lorentz Force in a direction defined by a function of the cross-product between the direction of current through the conductive coil 902 and magnetic field vectors of the magnetic member 904.The force results in a reciprocating motion of the magnetic member 904 relative to the coil support tube 906 which is held in place by the body 910.With the magnetic member 904 fixed to a driving tube 912, the driving tube 912 communicates this motion to an extension member 914 which in turn communicates motion to the penetrating member 20.A first attachment point 916a fixes the distal end of the coil support tube 906 to the body 910.A second attachment point 916b fixes the proximal end of the coil support tube 906 to the body 910.The conducting coil may be made of different configurations including but not limited to several layers formed by a single wire, several layers formed of different wires either round or other geometric shapes.\",\n \"In a first embodiment of the conducting coil shown in FIG.\",\n \"20a, a first layer of conductive wire is formed by wrapping the wire in a turn-like and spiral fashion and in a radial direction around the coil-support tube with each complete revolution forming a turn next to the previous one and down a first longitudinal direction of the coil support tube.\",\n \"After a predetermined number of turns, an additional layer is formed over the first layer by overlapping a first turn of a second layer of the wire over the last turn of the first layer and, while continuing to wrap the wire in the same radial direction as the first layer, forming a second spiral of wiring with at least the same number of turns as the first layer, each turn formed next to the previous one and in a longitudinal direction opposite to that of the direction in which the first layer was formed.\",\n \"In this embodiment, additional layers may be added by overlapping a first tum of each additional layer of the wire over the last tum of a previous layer and, while continuing to wrap the wire in the same radial direction as the previous layer.\",\n \"forming an additional spiral of wiring with at least the same number of turns as the previous layer, each turn formed next to the previous one and in a longitudinal direction opposite to that of the direction in which the previous layer is formed.\",\n \"An alternative voice coil embodiment 900b is shown in FIG.\",\n \"20b.\",\n \"In particular, in this alternative, the locations of the magnetic member 904 and conductive coil 902 are switched.\",\n \"In other words, the conductive coil is wrapped around and attached to the driving tube 912 and the magnetic member 904 is located along an outside radius of the coil support tube 906.An electrical signal is applied at the conductive attachment sites 918 and 920 and causes the formation of the Lorentz force to form in an alternating direction that moves the conductive coil 902 and extension member 914 reciprocally along the longitudinal axis of the device.\",\n \"The conductive coils are physically in contact with the driving tube in this embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20c depicts another embodiment of the present invention using a voice coil type actuating mechanism and is of a different configuration than that used in FIGS.\",\n \"20a and 20b.\",\n \"For example, in this alternative embodiment, a voice-coil actuating mechanism is substituted with a dual-coil actuating mechanism and as a result of this substitution, the magnetic member 904 of the voice-coil is replaced with second conductive coil 922.In other words, the second conductive coil 922 is wrapped around and attached to the driving tube 912 and the first conductive coil 902 is located, as in the first preferred embodiment, along an outside radius of the coil support tube 906.In a first embodiment of the configuration of FIG.\",\n \"20c, the inner coil 922 is conducting direct current DC and the outer coil is conducting alternating current AC.\",\n \"In an alternative embodiment, the inner coil is conducting alternating current AC and the outer coil is conducting direct current DC.\",\n \"In an additional embodiment, both the inner coil and the outer coil are conducting alternating current AC.\",\n \"In all of the voice coil actuator configurations described, springs may be used to limit and control certain dynamic aspects of the penetrating member 20.FIG.\",\n \"20d depicts another variation of the voice coil actuator mechanism of the tenth embodiment using springs, Medical Tool using solenoid actuator 1000.As with the other voice coil embodiments using coils, the basic principle of actuation is caused by a time varying magnetic field created inside a solenoid coil 1002 which acts on a set of very strong permanent magnets.\",\n \"The magnets 1004 and the entire penetrating member 20 assembly oscillate back and forth through the solenoid coil 1002.The springs 1014 (such as those shown in FIG.\",\n \"20d) absorb and release energy at each cycle, amplifying the vibration seen at the penetrating member 20.The resonant properties of the device can be optimized by magnet selection, number of coil turns in the solenoid, mass of the shaft, and the stiffness of the springs.\",\n \"From the above description, it may be appreciated that the present invention provides significant benefits over conventional medical devices.\",\n \"The configuration of the actuating means described above, such as embodiments comprising a Langevin actuator, Cymbal actuator, or an APA, accommodates the use of piezoelectric actuating members in a medical instrument by enabling the displacement of the penetrating sharps member or needle to such frequencies that cause a reduction of force needed for penetrating through tissue during procedures such as bone biopsy, epidural catheterization or vascular entry.\",\n \"Electrical signal control facilitated by an electrically coupled feedback system could provide the capability of high oscillation rate actuation, control over penetration depth, electrical cut off (faster response than human) and low traction force for these procedures.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"21 depicts, by way of example only, an electrical cut off configuration.\",\n \"A pressure transducer PT monitors the pressure from the penetrating member 20 or of a fluid in communication with the tissue through the present invention.\",\n \"While the penetrating member 20 is penetrating tissue, the pressure detected by the pressure transducer PT is high and the switch S is normally closed.\",\n \"As soon as there is a drop in pressure (indicating passage through the final layer of tissue), the pressure transducer PT signal opens the switch S, thereby cutting off power to the medical tool.\",\n \"In addition, or a visual, audible or tactile indicator immediately activates warning the operator of sufficient passage by the penetrating member 20 and power cut off.\",\n \"It is within the broadest scope of the present invention to encompass a variety of power cut off configurations, including solid state switching and/or digital controls.\",\n \"Another electrical power cut off implementation detects a forward motion of the biasing element 11 discussed previously.\",\n \"In particular, once the penetrating member 20 passes through the last tissue layer, pressure on the biasing element 11 is relieved and the incremental movement of the biasing element 11 into the body 10 is detected by a sensor which instantly opens the switch S and thereby cuts off electrical power to the present invention.\",\n \"Additionally, the feedback control of the electronics enables the device to be vibrated in such a way that the force is also reduced as the penetrating member is retracted from the living being as would be necessary in bone biopsy after the tissue is extracted.\",\n \"Now that exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.\",\n \"While the foregoing embodiments may have dealt with the penetration through skin, bone, veins and ligaments as exemplary biological tissues, the present invention can undoubtedly ensure similar effects with other tissues which are commonly penetrated within the body.\",\n \"For example there are multiplicities of other tools like central venous catheter introducers, laparoscopic instruments with associated sharps, cavity drainage catheter kits, and neonatal lancets, as well as procedures like insulin administration and percutaneous glucose testing, to name a few, where embodiments disclosed herein comprising sonically or ultrasonically driven sharps members may be used to precisely pierce or puncture tissues with minimal tinting.\",\n \"Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed broadly and limited only by the appended claims, and not by the foregoing specification.\",\n \"REFERENCE LABELS A Static needle force curve B Vibrating needle force curve G1 Displacement Graph LT Langevin actuator (also known as Langevin transducer) PA1 Conventional biopsy needle PA2 Conventional epidural needle PA3 Conventional Syringe PT Pressure transducer S Switch SP Side Port ZN Zero node 1 Cannula 1′ Cannula distal end 2 Stylet 3 Distal tip 4 Stylet tip angled face 5 Tuohy needle 6 Tuohy curved tip 7 Tip opening 9 Front portion 10 Tubular body 11 Biasing element 12 Plunger 14 Inner Stylet 15 Outer trocar tube 16 APA needle 16b Alternate embodiment 20 Penetrating member 100 Langevin actuator 110 Horn 111 Support wings 112 Rear mass 114 Piezoelectric elements 114b Electrical conductors 115 Sterilization sleeve 116 Bolt 117 Battery & inverter compartment 118 Handle 120 Seal 121 Distal face 122 Distal opening 123 Luer taper nose 124 Proximal opening 126 Bore 126a Short bore 128 Attachment fitting 129 Catheter 130 Hollow needle 130a Distal end of hollow needle 130b Proximal end of hollow needle 132 Plunger handle 134 Plunger shaft 134a Proximal end of plunger shaft 134b Distal end of plunger shaft 136 Plunger seal 142 Inner stylet handle 144 Inner stylet shaft 146 Inner stylet tip 148 Trocar attachment fitting 150 Outer trocar body 152 Distal trocar opening 154 Distal trocar tip 200 Penetrating introducer 202b More preferred embodiment 202c Most preferred embodiment 201 Supported introducer 202 Catheterization introducer 300 Bone biopsy device 400 Advanced bone biopsy device 500 APA syringe 500b Alternate embodiment 510 Amplified piezoelectric actuator (APA) 512 Frame 512a Proximal end of frame 512b Distal end of frame 513 Penetrating member 513a Proximal end of penetrating member 513b Distal tip of penetrating member 514 Piezoelectric material 516 APA attachment point 518 Handle 521 Handle distal opening 524 Handle proximal opening 525 Penetrating member hub 526 APA bore 600 Cymbal syringe 600b Alternate embodiment 610 Cymbal actuator 612 Endcap 612a Proximal endcap 612b Distal endcap 626 Cymbal bore 616 Cymbal attachment point 700 General side port configuration 700a First side port configuration 700b Second side port configuration 800 Feedback capable reduction of force tool 900 Medical tool using voice coil actuator 900b Alternate voice coil embodiment 902 Conducting coil 904 Magnetic member 906 Coil support tube 910 Body 912 Driving tube 914 Extension member 916a First attachment point 916b Second attachment point 918 First conductive attachment site 920 Second conductive attachment site 922 Second conductive coil 1000 Medical tool using solenoid actuator 1002 Solenoid coil 1004 Magnets 1014 Spring 1020 Pressure feedback system 1021 Reservoir with integrated pump 1022 Flexible tubing 1023 Attachment fitting 1024 Base 1025 On/off switch 1026 Light emitting diode\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873535"}}},{"rowIdx":4494371,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS","An image forming apparatus, including a main chassis having a discharge tray and a switchback tray in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray; an image forming unit; a discharge roller to discharge a recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit onto the discharge tray; a duplex conveyer to invert the sheet and convey the inverted sheet to return to the image forming unit; and a switchback roller being rotatable in a normal direction to convey the sheet toward the switchback tray and a reverse direction to convey the sheet to the duplex conveyer; is provided.","The main chassis includes a pair of walls, each of which extends in a vertical direction and in a conveying direction of the sheet and is arranged in adjacent to the switchback tray such that the switchback tray is interposed between the pair of walls."],["1.An image forming apparatus, comprising: a main chassis, comprising: a first discharge portion including a first discharge tray, a first outlet, and a discharge roller configured to convey a recording sheet in a predetermined direction to discharge the recording sheet via the first outlet onto the first discharge tray, the first discharge tray extending in the predetermined direction, the predetermined direction being a direction including a horizontal component; and a second discharge portion including a second discharge tray and a second outlet, the second discharge portion being configured to discharge a recording sheet via the second outlet onto the second discharge tray, the second discharge tray extending in the predetermined direction, the second discharge tray being located at an upper position with respect to the first discharge tray, the second outlet being arranged in a different position from the first outlet with regard to the predetermined direction, the second outlet being located at an upper position with respect to the first outlet; a reading unit disposed above the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion, the reading unit being configured to read an image on a sheet and having a bottom surface, the reading unit being configured to pivot between a first position, in which the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray face the bottom surface of the reading unit, and a second position, in which the reading unit is farther away from the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray than the reading unit in the first position, the bottom surface being located at an upper position with respect to the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray; and an image forming unit configured to form an image on the recording sheet.","2.The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a duplex conveyer comprising a switchback roller, the switchback roller being configured to be rotatable in a normal direction and a reverse direction, the switchback roller being configured to convey the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit toward the second discharge tray by rotating in the normal direction and to convey the recording sheet being conveyed toward the second discharge tray to return to the image forming unit by rotating in the reverse direction, the duplex conveyer being configured to invert the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit and convey the inverted recording sheet to return the image forming unit by switching rotation directions of the switchback roller.","3.The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main chassis comprises a third discharge tray extending to an upper position with respect to the reading unit along a vertical direction at one side of the main chassis in the predetermined direction.","4.The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an upper part of the third discharge tray inclines with respect to the vertical direction toward another side of the main chassis opposite to the one side in the predetermined direction.","5.The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a minimum curvature radius in a route for the recording sheet to be conveyed to the third discharge tray is larger than a minimum curvature radius in a route for the sheet to be conveyed to the first discharge tray and than a minimum curvature radius in a route for the sheet to be conveyed to the second discharge tray.","6.The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprises: a first feeder tray arranged at a lower position in the main chassis; and a second feeder tray arranged at an upper position with respect to the first feeder tray on another side of the main chassis opposite to the one side in the predetermined direction, wherein a minimum curvature radius in a route for the recording sheet to be conveyed from the second feeder tray to the third discharge tray is larger than a minimum curvature radius in a route for the sheet to be conveyed from the first feeder tray to the first discharge tray and than a minimum curvature radius in a route for the sheet to be conveyed from the first feeder tray to the second discharge tray.","7.The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the main chassis comprises a wall at one end thereof on the one side in the predetermined direction, the wall extending in the vertical direction and in an orthogonal being orthogonal to the predetermined direction; wherein the wall forms a part of the third discharge tray; and wherein the wall is pivotable at a lower end thereof about an axis extending in the orthogonal direction along with the third discharge tray.","8.The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main chassis comprises a pair of walls, each of which extends in a vertical direction and in the predetermined direction; and wherein the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray are arranged between the pair of walls.","9.The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pair of walls support one end and the other end of the reading unit in an orthogonal direction being orthogonal to the predetermined direction.","10.The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first discharge tray is entirely positioned lower than the reading unit."],[" BACKGROUND "],[" SUMMARY The tray to support the recording sheet during the switchback may be formed in a shape of a plain board, and the recording sheet being supported thereon may move in a widthwise direction of the recording sheet during the switchback; therefore the recording sheet may not be switched back stably on the switchback tray.","The instability of the recording sheet during the switchback may be worsened when, for example, the recording sheet is in a larger size, such as A3 or tabloid, which has a greater length.","The present disclosure is advantageous in that an image forming apparatus, which has a discharge roller and a switchback roller and is capable of switching back a recording sheet stably by the switchback roller, is provided.","According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus, including a main chassis with a discharge tray and a switchback tray disposed in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray; an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording sheet; a discharge roller configured to discharge the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit onto the discharge tray; a duplex conveyer configured to invert the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit and convey the inverted recording sheet to return the image forming unit; and a switchback roller configured to be rotatable in a normal direction and a reverse direction, the switchback roller being configured to convey the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit toward the switchback tray by rotating in the normal direction and to convey the recording sheet being conveyed toward the switchback tray to the duplex conveyer by rotating in the reverse direction, is provided.","The main chassis includes a pair of walls, each of which extends in a vertical direction and in a conveying direction being a direction to convey the recording sheet by the switchback roller rotating in the normal direction toward the switchback tray, the pair of walls being arranged in adjacent to the switchback tray such that the switchback tray is interposed between the pair of walls."],["CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/423,264, filed Feb. 2, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/884,069, filed Oct. 15, 2015, and further claims priority under 35 U.S.C.","§ 119 from Japanese Patent Application No.","2014-212906, filed on Oct. 17, 2014.The entire subject matter of all applications are incorporated herein by reference.","BACKGROUND Technical Field An aspect of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a duplex conveyer, which may invert a recording sheet having been conveyed through an image forming unit and return the recording sheet once again to the image forming unit.","Related Art An image forming apparatus having a discharge tray, on which a recording sheet with an image formed thereon may be supported, is known.","The image forming apparatus may further have a discharge roller to convey the recording sheet to the discharge tray, a switchback roller which is provided independently from the discharge roller to switchback the recording sheet, and a switchback tray, on which the recording sheet is supported while the recording sheet is switched back.","SUMMARY The tray to support the recording sheet during the switchback may be formed in a shape of a plain board, and the recording sheet being supported thereon may move in a widthwise direction of the recording sheet during the switchback; therefore the recording sheet may not be switched back stably on the switchback tray.","The instability of the recording sheet during the switchback may be worsened when, for example, the recording sheet is in a larger size, such as A3 or tabloid, which has a greater length.","The present disclosure is advantageous in that an image forming apparatus, which has a discharge roller and a switchback roller and is capable of switching back a recording sheet stably by the switchback roller, is provided.","According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus, including a main chassis with a discharge tray and a switchback tray disposed in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray; an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording sheet; a discharge roller configured to discharge the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit onto the discharge tray; a duplex conveyer configured to invert the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit and convey the inverted recording sheet to return the image forming unit; and a switchback roller configured to be rotatable in a normal direction and a reverse direction, the switchback roller being configured to convey the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit toward the switchback tray by rotating in the normal direction and to convey the recording sheet being conveyed toward the switchback tray to the duplex conveyer by rotating in the reverse direction, is provided.","The main chassis includes a pair of walls, each of which extends in a vertical direction and in a conveying direction being a direction to convey the recording sheet by the switchback roller rotating in the normal direction toward the switchback tray, the pair of walls being arranged in adjacent to the switchback tray such that the switchback tray is interposed between the pair of walls.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS FIG.","1 is an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","2 is a cross-sectional side view of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with a reader unit and a discharge tray being uplifted.","FIG.","3 is a partial view of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with a processing cartridge and a manual-feeder tray being removed from a main chassis of the MFD.","FIG.","4 is a cross-sectional side view of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with a feeder tray for A4-sized sheets being attached to the main chassis.","FIG.","5A is a partial view of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with a rear wall being pivoted rearward.","FIG.","5B is an enlarged view of the rear wall of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","6 is a front view of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","7A is a front view of an L-shaped guide for the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","7B is a side view of the L-shaped guide for the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","8 is a cross-sectional side view of a modified example of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","9 is a perspective view of the modified example of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, an exemplary configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.","First, an overall configuration of an MFD 1 according to the embodiment will be described, and later, detailed configuration of the MFD 1 will be described.","In the following description, directions concerning the MFD 1 will be mentioned with regard to a user's ordinary position to use the MFD 1, as indicated by arrows in each drawing.","For example, a viewer's right-hand side appearing in FIG.","1 is referred to as a front side of the MFD 1, and a left-hand side in FIG.","1 opposite from the front side is referred to as a rear side.","A side which corresponds to the viewer's nearer side is referred to as a left-hand side for the user, and an opposite side from the left, which corresponds to the viewer's farther side is referred to as a right-hand side for the user.","An up-down direction in FIG.","1 corresponds to a vertical direction of the MFD 1.Further, the right-to-left or left-to-right direction of the MFD 1 may be referred to as a widthwise direction, and the front-to-rear or rear-to-front direction may be referred to as a direction of depth.","The widthwise direction and the direction of depth are orthogonal to each other.","Furthermore, directions of the drawings in FIGS.","2-9 are similarly based on the orientation of the MFD 1 as defined above and correspond to those with regard to the MFD 1 shown in FIG.","1 even when the MFD 1 is viewed from different angles.","[Overall Configuration of the MFD] As shown in FIG.","1, the MFD 1 includes a main chassis 2 and a reader unit 10.The MFD 1 further includes an image forming unit 4 to form an image on a sheet P being fed and a feeder unit 3 to feed the sheet P to the image forming unit 4, which are contained in the main chassis 2.The main chassis 3 includes paths, such as a conveyer path 130, a first discharge path 81, a second discharge path 91, and a duplex conveyer path 121, in which the sheet P may be conveyed.","These paths may include members and/or parts that form the paths.","The main chassis 2 includes a front wall 2F, a rear wall 2R, an upper wall 2U, and a pair of lateral frames 2S that are disposed on a leftward side and a rightward side of the upper wall 2U.","The upper wall 2U includes a front part and a rear part.","The front part of the upper wall 2U includes a discharge tray 21, which includes a placement surface 21F to support the sheet P from below.","The rear part of the upper wall 2U includes a switchback tray 22, which includes a placement surface 22F to support the sheet P from below.","The discharge tray 21 and the switchback tray 22 are arranged in different vertical levels, and the switchback tray 22 is disposed in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray 21.An upper part of the rear wall 2R includes an upper discharge tray 23, which supports the sheet P from behind.","Detailed configuration of the main chassis 2 will be described later.","The reader unit 10 may be a flatbed scanner having a known configuration.","The reader unit 10 may cast light onto an original sheet (not shown) and read an image of the original sheet to generate image data, which may be used to make a duplicate of the read image.","The reader unit 10 may be disposed in an upper position with respect to the switchback tray 22 so that space may be formed between the switchback tray 22 and the reader unit 10, and widthwise ends of the reader unit 10 may be supported sideward by the lateral frames 2S (see FIG.","6).","For example, the reader unit 10 may be supported pivotably by the lateral frames 2S at a rear end thereof through a pivot shaft 11 so that a front part of the reader unit 10 may pivot about the pivot shaft 11 vertically (see FIG.","2).","Meanwhile, the lateral frames 2S may have a stopper ST, which is resilient and engageable with the discharge tray 21 when the reader unit 10 pivots upward, to hold the discharge tray 21, so that the reader unit 10 pivoted upward may be supported by the stopper ST through the discharge tray 21 and held steadily at the upper position.","The feeder unit 3 is disposed in a lower position in the main chassis 2 and includes a feeder tray 31, in which the sheets P to be fed are placed, and a feeding system 32 to feed the sheets P in the feeder tray 31 are fed to the image forming unit 4 one by one.","The feeder tray 31 is detachably attached to the main chassis 2 and includes a feeder tray 31A (see FIG.","1), in which sheets P having a length smaller than or equal to a predetermined length, such as A4-sized sheets or letter-sized sheets, may be stored, and a larger feeder tray 31B (see FIG.","4), in which sheets P having a length greater than the predetermined length, such as A3-sized sheets or tabloid-sized sheets, may be stored.","In other words, the feeder trays 31A, 31B for different-sized sheets P may be attached to the main chassis 2.The image forming unit 4 includes a scanner unit 5, a processing cartridge 6, and a fixing unit 7.The scanner unit 5 is disposed in a frontward position in the main chassis 2 and includes a laser emitter, polygon mirrors, lenses, and reflection mirrors, which are not shown.","In the scanner unit 5, a laser beam may be emitted at a surface of a photosensitive drum 61 in the processing cartridge 6 to scan the surface of the photosensitive drum 61.The processing cartridge 6 is disposed in a rearward position with respect to the scanner unit 5 and includes the photosensitive drum 61, a transfer roller 62, a charger 63, a developer roller 64, a supplier roller 65, and a toner container 66.In the processing cartridge 6, while the photosensitive drum 61 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is electrically charged by the charger 63 evenly and exposed partly to the laser beam emitted from the scanner unit 5 so that electrical charges of the exposed areas are lowered and a latent image according to image data is formed to be carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.Meanwhile, the toner in toner container 66 is supplied to the latent image on the photosensitive drum 61 through the developer roller 64 while the developer roller 64 rotates so that the latent image on the photosensitive drum 61 is developed to be a toner image.","In the meantime, as the sheet P is conveyed by the feeding system 32 and by a plurality of conveyer roller pairs 131 in the conveyer path 130, from a lower position with respect to the scanner unit 5, through a lowest position 130A, which is in a lower position with respect to the toner container 66, and through a registration roller pair 132, to a position between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 62.As the sheet P is conveyed through the position between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 62, the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred onto the sheet P. The fixing unit 7 is disposed in an upper-rearward position with respect to the processing cartridge 6 and includes a heat roller 71, a pressure roller 72, and a conveyer roller 73.In the fixing unit 7, the toner image transferred to the sheet S is thermally fixed thereon as the sheet S is conveyed through a position between the heat roller 71 and the pressure roller 72.The sheet P with the thermally-fixed image is discharged by the conveyer roller 73 out of the fixing unit 7.In positions on a downstream side of the fixing unit 7 with regard to a conveying direction to convey the sheet P, disposed are a first discharge unit 8, which may discharge the sheet P conveyed through the image forming unit 4, more specifically the fixing unit 7, to the discharge tray 21, and a second discharge unit 9, which may convey the sheet P conveyed through the image forming unit 4, more specifically the fixing unit 7, to either the switchback tray 22 or the upper discharge tray 23.The first discharge unit 8 includes the first discharge path 81, a discharge roller 82, a first outlet 24A, and the discharge tray 21.The first discharge path 81 is formed to extend upward from the conveyer roller 73 and to curve frontward.","The discharge roller 82 conveys the sheet P in the first discharge path 81 to discharge through the first outlet 24A onto the discharge tray 21.The discharge roller 82 is controlled by a controller 100 to rotate in a normal direction, which is a direction to convey and discharge the sheet P outward through the first outlet 24A.","The second discharge unit 9 includes the second discharge path 91, a switchback roller 92, an L-shaped guide 93, the switchback tray 22, and the upper discharge tray 23.The second discharge path 91 is formed to extend substantially linearly upper-rearward from the conveyer roller 73.Therefore, a minimum radius of curvature in the second discharge path 91 is greater than a minimum radius of curvature in the first discharge path 81.The switchback roller 92 includes paired rollers which are arranged to face with each other along the front-rear direction.","The switchback roller 92 is rotatable in a normal direction, which is a direction to convey the sheet P outward to the switchback tray 22 or the upper discharge tray 23, and in a reverse direction, which is an opposite direction from the normal direction.","In other words, the switchback roller 92 is rotatable to convey the sheet P in the second discharge path 91 upward and downward.","The switchback roller 92 is disposed in a rearward and spaced-apart position from the discharge roller 82.In other words, the discharge roller 82 is in a frontward position with respect to the switchback roller 92.Thus, the discharge roller 82 is disposed on a frontward side of the switchback tray 22, and the switchback roller 92 is disposed on another side, on a rearward side, of the switchback tray 22 opposite from the discharge roller 82.The L-shaped guide 93 is a guide member including a guiding parts 93, a part of which may be placed between the switchback roller 92 and the switchback tray 22, to guide the sheet P conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 toward the switchback tray 22.The L-shaped guide 93 is supported pivotably by the main chassis 2, or more specifically, by the lateral frames 2S.","The L-shaped guide 93 is pivotable between a guiding position (see FIG.","1), in which the L-shaped guide 93 may guide the sheet P toward the switchback tray 22, and a non-guiding position (indicated by solid lines in FIG.","5A), in which the sheet P may be conveyed to the upper discharge tray 23.More specifically, when the L-shaped guide 93 is in the guiding position, the L-shaped guide 93 may contact the sheet P being conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 and guide the sheet P to be conveyed toward the switchback tray 22.When the L-shaped guide 93 is in the non-guiding position, the L-shaped guide 93 does not interfere with the sheet P being conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 so that the sheet P is allowed to be conveyed toward the upper discharge tray 23.Thus, by switching the positions of the L-shaped guide 93 between the guiding position and the non-guiding position, courses of the sheet P may be switched between a course to the switchback tray 22 and a course to the upper discharge tray 23.The L-shaped guide 93 will be described later in detail.","A switch member 110 to switch the courses for the sheet P is disposed in a position between the first discharge path 81 and the second discharge path 91.The switch member 110 is swingably supported by the main chassis 2, or more specifically, the lateral frames 2S.","The switch member 110 may swing between a first guiding position, which is indicated by solid lines in FIG.","1, and a second guiding position, which is indicated by broken lines in FIG.","1.In the first guiding position, the switch member 110 may guide the sheet P to the first discharge path 81.In the second guiding position, the switch may guide the sheet P to the second discharge path 91.On a rear side of the main chassis 2, disposed is a duplex conveyer 120, which may invert the sheet P conveyed through the image forming unit 4 and convey the inverted sheet P once again to the image forming unit 4.The duplex conveyer 120 includes the switchback roller 92, the L-shaped guide 93, the switchback tray 22, the upper discharge tray 23, and the duplex conveyer path 121, which are mentioned earlier.","The duplex conveyer path 121 is formed to extend from the second discharge path 91 to one of the registration roller pairs 130, which is at a frontward position with respect to a nipping position between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 62.The duplex conveyer path 121 extends from the second discharge path 91 downward along a rear side of the fixing unit 7, curves frontward along a lower side of the fixing unit 7 and the photosensitive drum 61, and curves upper-rearward toward the nipping position between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 62.The controller 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and input/output (I/O) circuits, which are not shown, and controls behaviors of each part and component in the MFD 1, including the first discharge unit 8, the second discharge unit 9, and the duplex conveyer 120.For example, the controller 100 may control the switch member 110 and the L-shaped guide 93 to switch positions thereof and may control rotations of the rollers including the discharge roller 82 and the switchback roller 92.The controller 100 may perform a switchback control, in which the rotating directions of the switchback roller 92 may be switched while the switchback roller 92 conveys the sheet P upward so that the sheet P may be switched back downward, and an output control, in which the switchback roller 92 may be maintained to rotate in the normal direction to convey the sheet P to either the switchback tray 22 or to the upper discharge tray 23.For example, when the sheet P1 is to be discharged to the discharge tray 21, as shown in FIG.","4, the controller 100 may place the switch member 110 in the first guiding position, as indicated by the solid lines, and drive the discharge roller 82 to rotate in the normal direction, which is the direction to discharge the sheet P outward.","For another example, when the sheet P is to be conveyed to the switchback tray 22, the controller 100 may place the switch member 110 in the second guiding position, as indicated by the broken lines; place the L-shaped guide 93 in the guiding position, as indicated by the solid lines; and drive the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction, which is the direction to discharge the sheet P outward.","In the MFD 1 according to the present embodiment, a sheet P2 having a greater length, such as an A3-sized sheet and a tabloid-sized sheet, may be preferably conveyed or discharged to the switchback tray 22, as shown in FIG.","4.The sheet P2 having the greater length may be preferably supported by the switchback tray 22 and the discharge tray 21.Meanwhile, the controller 100 may place the switch member 110 in the second guiding position, as indicated by the broken lines in FIG.","4, and drive the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction, which is the direction to discharge the sheet P outward, when the sheet P3 is to be discharged to the upper discharge tray 23.Further, when the sheet P having an image printed on one side thereof is conveyed to return to the image forming unit 4, the controller 100 may place the switch member 110 in the second guiding position and the L-shaped guide 93 in either the guiding position or the non-guiding position, and drive the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction so that the sheet P may be conveyed once in the normal direction toward to the switchback tray 22 or the upper discharge tray 23, and thereafter, before the sheet P exits the switchback roller 92, the controller 100 may switch the rotating directions of the switchback roller 92 conveyed to drive the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the reverse direction.","[Configurations of the Main Chassis and the L-Shaped Guide] Configurations of the main chassis 2 and the L-shaped guide 93 in the MFD 1 will be described below in detail.","As shown in FIG.","1, the upper wall 2U of the main chassis 2 includes the discharge tray 21, the switchback tray 22, and a vertical wall 24 which is arranged between the discharge tray 21 and the switchback tray 22.The discharge tray 21 is formed to extend from a lower end of the vertical wall 24 upper-frontward and has a length in the front-rear direction, which is greater than or equal to a length of the main chassis 2 in the front-rear direction.","For example, the length of the discharge tray 21 in the front-rear direction may be ⅔ of the length of the main chassis 2 in the front-rear direction.","A rear end of the discharge tray 21 is swingably supported by the vertical wall 24 or the lateral frames 2S through a swing shaft 21A.","Thereby, the discharge tray 21 is swingable between a closed position (see FIG.","1) and an open position (see FIG.","2).","When the discharge tray 21 is in the open position, an opening 2A (see FIGS.","2 and 3), through which the processing cartridge 6 may be attached to or detached from the main chassis 2, may be exposed.","The vertical wall 24 is supported by the lateral frames 2S at widthwise ends thereof.","In a position above the vertical wall 24, formed is the first outlet 24A, through which the sheet P is discharged out of the main chassis 2 (see also FIG.","6).","The switchback tray 22 is arranged in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray 21 to extend from an upper end of the vertical wall 24 rearward and substantially horizontally.","The switchback tray 22 has a length in the front-rear direction, which is less than a half of the length of the main chassis 2 in the front-rear direction.","For example, the length of the switchback tray 22 in the front-rear direction may be ⅓ of the length of the main chassis 2 in the front-rear direction.","The switchback tray 22 is supported by the lateral frames 2S at widthwise ends thereof.","On a front edge 22B of the switchback tray 22, arranged is a second rib 22C, which protrudes frontward from the front edge 22B, in a position to overlap the discharge tray 21 in a vertical view.","The second rib 22C is formed at each end of the switchback tray 22 along the widthwise direction, which is an axial direction of the discharge roller 82.Each second rib 22C is formed in a triangular shape, in a plan view along the vertical direction, of which width along the widthwise direction reduces to be narrower outwardly as a corner of the triangle points frontward.","For the shape and the arrangement of the second ribs 22C, FIG.","9 may be referred to.","While FIG.","9 illustrate a perspective view of an MFD 300, which is a modified example of the MFD 1 of the present embodiment, the shape and the arrangement of the second ribs 22C may not necessarily be differed but may be similar or identical between the MFD 300 and the MFD 1.With the second ribs 22C on the front edge of the switchback tray 22, even when the sheet P is left on the discharge tray 21, and when the longer sheet P, such as the A3-sized or tabloid-sized sheet P, is exposed partly on the switchback tray 22 during double-face printing, the sheet P on the switchback tray 22 may be supported by the second ribs 22 and may be prevented from interfering with the sheet P left on the discharge tray 21.Thus, the sheet P left on the discharge tray 21 may be prevented from moved by a frontend of the sheet P being conveyed or from falling off from the discharge tray 21.The switchback tray 22 is formed to have a plurality of ribs 22A (see FIG.","6) on one end thereof on an upstream side with regard to the conveying direction, i.e., a rear end thereof, to support the sheet P. The ribs 22A are formed to protrude upward from an upper surface of the switchback tray 22.Each of the ribs 22A includes a first part 221, of which upper edge extends horizontally along the front-rear direction, a second part 222, which extends from a front end of the first part 221 to incline downward, and a third part 223, which extends from a rear end of the first part 222 to curve downward to reach the switchback roller 92 (see also FIG.","1).","With the ribs 22A on the switchback tray 22, the sheet P being switched back may be supported on the ribs 22A, and friction resistance may be reduced compared to the switchback tray 22 without the ribs 22A.","In this regard, the switchback tray 22 may not necessarily keep the sheets P discharged out of the main chassis 2 thereon but may support the sheet P temporarily when the sheet P being conveyed during double-face printing is switched back to be drawn to the duplex conveyer path.","Each of the lateral frames 2S is formed in a shape of a rectangular box (see FIG.","6) and arranged to extend along the front-rear direction between a position in the vicinity of the front end of the discharge tray 21 and a position in the vicinity of the rear end of the switchback tray 22 and to stand upward to be higher than the placement surface 21F of the discharge tray 21 and the placement surface 22F of the switchback tray 22.More specifically, an upper end of each lateral frame 2S is in a position higher than the L-shaped guide 93.The protrusive parts of the lateral frames 2S that protrude to be higher than the placement surface 22F are arranged on both widthwise sides of the switchback tray 22 in adjacent to the switchback tray 22 sidewise, with the switchback tray 22 interposed in there-between, and extend in the conveying direction of the sheet P, in which the sheet P may be conveyed by the switchback roller 92 toward the switchback tray 22.A protrusive height of the protrusive part in each lateral frame 2S to protrude from the placement surface 22F may be in a range between, for example, 10 mm and 100 mm or may be between 20 mm and 80 mm.","A length of the protrusive part in the lateral frame 2S along the conveying direction in the lateral frame 2S may be in a range between 20 mm and 200 mm or may be between 40 mm and 160 mm.","A distance between inner surfaces S1 of the lateral frames 2S along the widthwise direction at the protrusive parts higher than the discharge tray 21 and the switchback tray 22 may be substantially greater than a width of the sheet P, in particular the sheet P in a largest size usable in the MFD 1.Thus, widthwise ends of the sheet P being discharged on the discharge tray 21 or the switchback tray 22 may be restricted from skewing and falling off sideward by the inner surfaces S1 of the lateral frames 2S.","The inner surfaces S1 of the lateral frames 2S overlap the L-shaped guide 93 in a lateral view along an axial direction of the switchback roller 92.Therefore, while a surface of the sheet P is guided by the L-shaped guide 93, the widthwise ends of the sheet P are guided by the inner surfaces S1.As shown in FIGS.","7A and 7B, the L-shaped guide 93 includes a pivot shaft 93A, which axially extends along the widthwise direction, a pair of extended parts 93B, which extend upward in a radial direction of the pivot shaft 93A from axial ends of the pivot shaft 93A, a connector part 93C, which connects upper ends of the extended parts 93B with each other, and a comb-teeth section having a plurality of guiding parts 93D, which are arranged on the connector part 93C.","In the following description, directions concerning the L-shaped guide 93 will be based on an orientation of the L-shaped guide 93 placed in the guiding position.","On one of the widthwise ends of the pivot shaft 93A, disposed is a driving gear 93E, through which driving force from a drive source (not shown) such as a motor is input to the pivot shaft 93A.","Thereby, under the control of the controller 100, the positions of the L-shaped guide 93 may be switched between the guiding position and the non-guiding position.","As shown in FIG.","1, the pivot shaft 93A is arranged in a lower position than an upper end of the duplex conveyer path 121 and is pivotably supported by the lateral frames 2S.","The extended parts 93B are arranged to protrude upward from the axial ends of the pivot shaft 93A to extend through widthwise outward positions with respect to widthwise ends of a rearward one of the paired rollers in the switchback roller 92 to upper positions with respect to the switchback roller 92.The connector part 93C is arranged in an upper position with respect to the rearward one of the paired rollers in the switchback roller 92.Thus, the pivot shaft 93A, the pair of extended parts 93B, and the connector part 93C form a rectangular frame, in a front view (see FIG.","5A).","Thereby, the L-shaped guide 93 may be prevented from interfering with the switchback roller 92 and the duplex conveyer path 121 when pivoting between the guiding position and the non-guiding position.","Further, when the sheet P is switched back to enter the duplex conveyer path 121, the sheet P may be conveyed through the frame formed by the pivot shaft 93A, the pair of extended parts 93B, and the connector part 93C without being interfered with by the L-shaped guide 93.As shown in FIG.","7A, the guiding parts 93D are arranged to be spaced apart from one another along the widthwise direction on the connector part 93C in a comb-teeth arrangement.","As shown in FIG.","7B, each of the guiding parts 93D include an outer shell 93F, which extends upward from the connector part 93C, curves frontward, and extends frontward; and a guide rib 93G, which is formed on an inner surface of the outer shell 93F to protrude inward.","As shown in FIG.","7A, among the plurality of guiding parts 93D, guiding parts 93H, which are in widthwise outmost positions, are each formed to have an outer shell 93J, of which width is smaller than a width of the outer shell 93F of the other guiding parts 93D, and a guide rib 93G, which is similar to the guide rib 93G of the other guiding parts 93D.","As shown in FIGS.","1 and 6, a frontward part of each guiding part 93D vertically overlaps the switchback tray 22 and is in an upper position with respect to the ribs 22A.","Meanwhile, the guide ribs 93G are arranged in alternately displaced positions with respect to the ribs 22A in the widthwise direction.","Thereby, the sheet P may be guided by the guide ribs 93G and the ribs 22A preferably on the switchback tray 22.As shown in FIG.","5A, the rear wall 2R of the main chassis 2 is pivotable about a lower end thereof along with the rearward one of the paired rollers in the switchback roller 92 and a part of the duplex conveyer path 121.Therefore, by pivoting the rear wall 2R along with the rearward one of the paired roller in the switchback roller 92 and the part of the duplex conveyer path 121, the sheet P, which may be jammed at the switchback roller 92 or in the duplex conveyer path 121, may be exposed to be removed.","In the following description, directions concerning the rear wall 2R will be based on an orientation of the rear wall 2R being in the closed position, which is indicated by broken lines in FIG.","5A.","The rear wall 2R includes a first rear wall R1 extending vertically, a second wall R2 extending frontward from the first wall R1, a third wall R3 extending upward from a front end of the second wall R2, a fourth wall R4 which is pivotable at an upper end of the third wall R3, and a fifth wall R5 extending upper-frontward from an upper end of the fourth wall R4.The first wall R1 extends upward from a first pivot shaft R11, which is a pivot axis of the rear wall 2R.","The second wall R2 extends from the upper end of the first wall R1 to an upper position with respect to the rearward one of the paired rollers in the switchback roller 92.The third wall R3 extends from the front end of the second wall R2 to a position in the vicinity of a bottom of the reader unit 10.In a frontward position with respect to an upper portion of the third wall R3, disposed is a sheet guide R7, which may restrict the sheet P conveyed by the switchback roller 92 toward the upper discharge tray 23 from bending frontward toward the switchback tray 22.The sheet guide R7 is arranged in a position vertically between the reader unit 10 and the switchback tray 22 to connect the lateral frames 2S with each other.","While the sheet guide R7 is arranged to be spaced apart vertically from the guiding parts 93D of the L-shaped guide 93, a clearance, or an aperture AP, is formed at a position between the sheet guide R7 and the switchback tray 22.In other words, the sheet guide R7 forms the aperture AP so that the air may flow through the aperture AP along the front-rear direction, which is an extending direction for the inner surfaces S1 of the lateral frames 2S.","The sheet guide R7 includes a base part R71 extending vertically, a slanted part R72 extending lower-frontward from a lower end of the base part R71, and the aperture AP formed at a lower position with respect to the slanted part R72.As shown in FIGS.","5A and 5B, the second wall R2 and the third wall R3 are formed to have a plurality of slits R6 (see also FIG.","6), which are formed along the front-rear direction through the rear wall 2R in positions spaced apart from one another along the widthwise direction.","In the slits R6, the guiding parts 93D of the L-shaped guide 93 may be inserted when the L-shaped guide 93 is in the guiding position so that L-shaped guide 93 with the guiding parts 93D may be pivotable without being interfered with by the rear wall 2R.","The slits R6 are elongated vertically so that upper ends thereof are in upper positions with respect to the guiding parts 93D of the L-shaped guide 93 in the guiding position.","Thereby, openings are formed in the position between the reader unit 10 and the main chassis 2 through the rear wall 2R along the front-rear direction.","Therefore, when the air flows in the space between the reader unit 10 and the main chassis 2 through a position between the front end of the discharge tray 21 and the front end of the reader unit 10, the air may flow rearward and exit through the position between the switchback tray 22 and the reader unit 10, through the positions between the guiding parts 93D and the sheet guide R2, and through the slits R6.The fourth wall R4 is connected with the upper end of the third wall R3 through the second pivot shaft R12.As shown in FIG.","2, when the frontward part of the reader unit 10 is uplifted, the rearward part of the reader unit 10 may interfere with the fourth wall R4.However, with the pivotable structure of the fourth wall R4, the fourth wall R4 may pivot about the second pivot shaft R12 to lean rearward, and load that may be applied to the rear wall 2R from the reader unit 10 may be reduced.","Referring back to FIGS.","5A and 5B, in a position between the fourth wall R4 and the third wall R3, arranged is a torsion spring R8, which may urge the fourth wall R4 and the third wall R3 to align straight (FIG.","5A).","Thereby, the fourth wall R4, which is pressed by the reader unit 10 to pivot rearward (see FIG.","2), may recover to an original position by the urging force from the torsion spring R8 when the reader unit 10 is placed back to the original position (see FIG.","1).","Meanwhile, the upper discharge tray 23 is arranged to extend substantially vertically and includes the third wall R3, the fourth wall R4, and the fifth wall R5.In other words, the upper discharge tray 23 is in an upper position with respect to the rearward one of the paired roller in the switchback roller 92 to extend upward from the upper position with respect to the rearward one of the paired roller in the switchback roller 92, with an upper portion thereof, which is the fifth wall R5, leaning frontward.","As shown in FIG.","3, a part of the front wall 2F of the main chassis 2 forms a manual-feeder tray unit 200, which may be detachably attached to the main chassis 2.The manual-feeder tray unit 200 includes a base 210, which may be detachably attached to the main chassis 2, a manual-feeder tray 200, which is swingable with respect to the base 210, and a manual-feeder system 230, which may feed the sheet P manually placed on the manual-feeder tray 220 to the image forming unit 4.While the manual-feeder tray unit 200 is detachable from the main chassis 2, the sheet P which may be jammed in the vicinity of the manual-feeder tray unit 200 may be removed easily.","A printing operation to be conducted in the MFD 1 will be described below.","Behaviors of the feeder unit 3 and the image forming unit 4 may be controlled by the controller 100 in a known method.","Therefore, description of those are herein omitted.","As shown in FIG.","1, when, for example, an image is to be formed on a single side of the sheet P in the A4 size, a user may set the feeder tray 31A for the A4 size in the main chassis 2 and input a print command to the controller 100 through, for example, a personal computer (not shown) connected with the MFD 1.The controller 100, upon receiving the print command, places the switch member 110 in the first guiding position, which is indicated by the solid lines in FIG.","1, and drives the discharge roller 82 to rotate in the normal direction.","The sheet P in the feeder tray 31A is conveyed to the image forming unit 4 to have an image printed on one side thereof.","The sheet P is further guided to the first discharge path 81 by the switch member 110 and discharged on the discharge tray 21.When, for another example, double-face printing is performed, i.e., when images are to be formed on both sides of the sheet P, the controller 100, upon receipt of the print command, places the switch 100 in the second guiding position, which is indicated by the broken lines in FIG.","1.Further, the controller 100 places the L-shaped guide 93 in the guiding position (FIG.","1) and drives the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction.","The sheet P in the feeder tray 31A is conveyed to the image forming unit 4 to have an image printed on one side thereof and is guided by the switch member 110 to the second discharge path 91.The sheet P is conveyed in the second discharge path 91 to reach the switchback roller 92.Thereafter, the sheet P is conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 and is bent frontward by the L-shaped guide 93 to be guided toward the switchback tray 22.In this regard, the sheet P exposed on the switchback tray 22 may be restricted at the widthwise ends thereof by the lateral frames 2S from skewing on the switchback tray 22.Thereafter, before the sheet P exits the switchback roller 92, the controller 110 drives the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the reverse direction.","Thereby, the sheet P is guided by the lateral frames 2S at the widthwise ends thereof while being drawn back in the main chassis 2 and conveyed toward the duplex conveyer path 121.Thereafter, after the sheet P exits the switchback roller 92, the controller 100 drives the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction.","Thereby, the sheet P conveyed through the duplex conveyer path 121 returns to the image forming unit 4, in which another image is printed on the other side thereof.","Thereafter, the sheet P is conveyed through the second discharge path 91 to the switchback tray 22.As shown in FIG.","4, when, for example, an image is to be formed on a single side of a sheet P2 in the A3 size, a user may set the feeder tray 31B for the A3 size in the main chassis 2 and input a print command to the controller 100 through, for example, the personal computer.","The controller 100, upon receiving the print command, places the switch member 110 in the second guiding position, which is indicated by the broken lines in FIG.","4, and drives the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction.","The sheet P2 in the feeder tray 31B is conveyed to the image forming unit 4 to have an image printed on one side thereof.","The sheet P2 is further guided to the second discharge path 91 by the switch member 110.The sheet P2 is conveyed in the second discharge path 91 to reach the switchback roller 92.Thereafter, the sheet P2 is conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 and is bent frontward by the L-shaped guide 93 to be guided toward the switchback tray 22.When, for another example, double-face printing is performed, i.e., when images are to be formed on both sides of an A3-sized sheet, a front end of the sheet being conveyed to the switchback tray 22 may touch a desktop, a floor, or a plane, on which the MFD 1 is placed, and may be tainted.","Meanwhile, according to the present embodiment, when images are to be printed on both sides of the A3-sized sheet P2, as shown in FIG.","4, the rotating direction of the switchback roller 92 is switched to the reverse direction before the front end of the sheet P2 may reach the desktop.","Therefore, the sheet P2 may be prevented from being ruined.","For another example, when an image is to be printed on a single side of a sheet P3, which is a postcard size and may be thicker than the sheet P, the user may pull down the manual-feeder tray 220 to open.","The user may place the sheet P3 on the manual-feeder tray 220 and input a print command to the controller 100 through, for example, the personal computer.","The controller 100, upon receiving the print command, places the switch member 110 in the second guiding position, which is indicated by the broken lines in FIG.","4, and places the L-shaped guide 93 in the non-guiding position, which is indicated by broken lines in FIG.","4.Further, the controller 100 drives the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction.","The sheet P3 in the manual-feeder tray 220 is conveyed to the image forming unit 4 to have an image printed on one side thereof and is guided by the switch member 110 to the second discharge path 91.The sheet P3 is conveyed in the second discharge path 91 to reach the switchback roller 92.Thereafter, the sheet P3 is conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 to be discharged in the upper discharge tray 23.In this regard, the route for the sheet P3 to be conveyed from the manual-feeder tray 220 to the upper discharge tray 23 does not contain a curve with the smaller curvature radius.","Therefore, the thicker sheet P3 may be prevented from being bent or damaged in the conveyer path.","Meanwhile, the method to print images on the sheets may not necessarily be limited to those described above.","For example, when double-face printing is conducted to the sheet P, the L-shaped guide 93 may be placed in the non-guiding position so that the sheet P during switchback may be supported by the upper discharge tray 23 rather than the switchback tray 22.For another example, the sheet P during switchback may be supported by either the switchback tray 22 or the upper discharge tray 23, and thereafter, the switch member 110 may be placed in the first guiding position so that the sheet P with the images printed on both sides thereof may be discharged on the discharge tray 21.According to the embodiment described above, the positions of the widthwise ends of the sheet P supported by the switchback tray 22 during switchback may be restricted by the lateral frames 2S.","Therefore, regardless of the length of the sheet P, the sheet P may be restrained from skewing in the widthwise direction, and the sheet P may be switched back stably.","According to the embodiment described above, further, the reader unit 10 is disposed in the upper position with respect to the switchback tray 22 and supported by the lateral frames 2S.","Therefore, the sheet P during switchback may be concealed by the reader unit 10 from the user's sight, and, for example, the sheet P may be prevented from being erroneously touched or grabbed by the user during the switchback.","Further, it may be prevented that the user might place an obstacle on the switchback tray 22 and that the sheet P during the switchback may be caught or jammed by the obstacle.","According to the embodiment described above, further, the L-shaped guide 93 is arranged to overlap the lateral frames 2S in a view along the widthwise direction of the sheet P. Therefore, while the surface of the sheet P is guided by the L-shaped guide 93, the widthwise ends of the sheet P may be guided by the lateral frames 2S.","According to the embodiment described above, further, the aperture AP is formed by the sheet guide R7, which connects the reader unit 10 and the switchback tray 22 with each other.","Therefore, the air may flow in the position between the reader unit 10 and the switchback tray 22, and the sheet P being switched back may be cooled down while being supported on the switchback tray 22.According to the embodiment described above, further, the sheet P conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 may be supported by the upper discharge tray 23 in the vertical posture, and the sheet P may be taken out of the upper discharge tray 23 by the user from above.","Thus, the sheet P may be retrieved by the user easily.","In this regard, as shown in FIG.","4, the user may visually recognize the sheet P discharged in the upper discharge tray 23 from the front.","According to the embodiment described above, further, the upper portion of the upper discharge tray 23 inclines frontward.","Therefore, the sheet P being supported by the upper discharge tray 23 may lean frontward, and the user may reach the sheet P to retrieve more easily.","According to the embodiment described above, further, the upper discharge tray 23 is formed to have the plurality of slits R6, in which the guiding parts 93D in the comb-teeth arrangement in the L-shaped guide 93 may be inserted.","Therefore, the upper discharge tray 23 may be placed to be closer to the switchback roller 92, and the sheet P may be conveyed from the switchback roller 92 to the upper discharge tray 23 smoothly.","Next, an example of a printer 300 (see FIGS.","8 and 9), which is not equipped with the reader unit 10, will be described.","In the following example, items or structures which are the same as or similar to the items or the structures described in the previous embodiment will be referred to by the same reference signs, and description of those will be omitted.","In the printer 300, the lateral frames 2S, which may support the reader unit 10, are replaced with lateral frames SF.","Each lateral frame SF may include a wall SF1, which protrudes upward from an upper surface of the lateral frame SF.","The wall SF1 may restrict the sheet P being switched back from skewing.","According to the printer 300 without the reader unit 10, it may be possible for the user to place an obstacle, e.g., a book, on the switchback tray 22.However, the book may be held by the L-shaped guide 93 and upper edges of the walls SL1 in a position to be floating apart from the switchback tray 22.In other words, the L-shaped guide 93 and the walls SF1 may serve as a spacer, and the obstacle may not interfere with the sheet being switched back.","According to the printer 300 shown in FIGS.","8 and 9, the upper discharge tray 23 may be omitted.","If the upper discharge tray 23 is omitted, the L-shaped guide 93 may have a guiding part 931, which may replace the guiding parts 93D in the comb-teeth arrangement.","The guiding part 931 may include an outer shell 93K, which is a plate extending in the widthwise direction, and a plurality of guide ribs 93G.","Although examples of carrying out the invention have been described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the image forming apparatus that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.","It is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or act described above.","Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.","In the meantime, the terms used to represent the components in the above embodiment may not necessarily agree identically with the terms recited in the appended claims, but the terms used in the above embodiment may merely be regarded as examples of the claimed subject matters.","For example, the inner surfaces S1 of the lateral frames S2 may not necessarily extend to the position to overlap the L-shaped guide 93 but may extend to reach at least the front end of the L-shaped guide 93, i.e., an exit for the sheet P formed between the L-shaped guide 93 and the switchback tray 22.With the inner surfaces S1 reaching the front side of the front end of the L-shaped guide 93, the sheet P supported on the switchback tray 22 may be restricted by the inner surfaces S1 from moving in the widthwise direction.","For another example, the second discharge unit 9 may not necessarily be equipped with the L-shaped guide 93 or the selectable two (2) trays 22, 23.The L-shaped guide 93 may be omitted so that the sheet P may be conveyed upward solely to the upper discharge tray 23, and/or an opening, through which the sheet P is conveyed to the switchback tray 22, may be covered so that the sheet P may be guided upward to the upper discharge tray 23 rather than the switchback tray 22.For another example, the sheet P may not necessarily be paper, a postcard, or thinner paper, but may be, for example, an OHP sheet.","For another example, the front ends of the lateral frames 2S, i.e., the downstream ends of the lateral frames 2S with regard to the conveying direction for the sheet P to be conveyed to the switchback tray 22, may not necessarily be arranged at the same or close position as the front end of the discharge tray 21.However, in order to restrict the sheet P from moving in the widthwise direction, the front ends of the lateral frames 2S may be arranged on the same side as the discharge tray 21 with regard to the discharge roller."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS\",\n \"An image forming apparatus, including a main chassis having a discharge tray and a switchback tray in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray; an image forming unit; a discharge roller to discharge a recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit onto the discharge tray; a duplex conveyer to invert the sheet and convey the inverted sheet to return to the image forming unit; and a switchback roller being rotatable in a normal direction to convey the sheet toward the switchback tray and a reverse direction to convey the sheet to the duplex conveyer; is provided.\",\n \"The main chassis includes a pair of walls, each of which extends in a vertical direction and in a conveying direction of the sheet and is arranged in adjacent to the switchback tray such that the switchback tray is interposed between the pair of walls.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.An image forming apparatus, comprising: a main chassis, comprising: a first discharge portion including a first discharge tray, a first outlet, and a discharge roller configured to convey a recording sheet in a predetermined direction to discharge the recording sheet via the first outlet onto the first discharge tray, the first discharge tray extending in the predetermined direction, the predetermined direction being a direction including a horizontal component; and a second discharge portion including a second discharge tray and a second outlet, the second discharge portion being configured to discharge a recording sheet via the second outlet onto the second discharge tray, the second discharge tray extending in the predetermined direction, the second discharge tray being located at an upper position with respect to the first discharge tray, the second outlet being arranged in a different position from the first outlet with regard to the predetermined direction, the second outlet being located at an upper position with respect to the first outlet; a reading unit disposed above the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion, the reading unit being configured to read an image on a sheet and having a bottom surface, the reading unit being configured to pivot between a first position, in which the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray face the bottom surface of the reading unit, and a second position, in which the reading unit is farther away from the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray than the reading unit in the first position, the bottom surface being located at an upper position with respect to the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray; and an image forming unit configured to form an image on the recording sheet.\",\n \"2.The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a duplex conveyer comprising a switchback roller, the switchback roller being configured to be rotatable in a normal direction and a reverse direction, the switchback roller being configured to convey the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit toward the second discharge tray by rotating in the normal direction and to convey the recording sheet being conveyed toward the second discharge tray to return to the image forming unit by rotating in the reverse direction, the duplex conveyer being configured to invert the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit and convey the inverted recording sheet to return the image forming unit by switching rotation directions of the switchback roller.\",\n \"3.The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main chassis comprises a third discharge tray extending to an upper position with respect to the reading unit along a vertical direction at one side of the main chassis in the predetermined direction.\",\n \"4.The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an upper part of the third discharge tray inclines with respect to the vertical direction toward another side of the main chassis opposite to the one side in the predetermined direction.\",\n \"5.The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a minimum curvature radius in a route for the recording sheet to be conveyed to the third discharge tray is larger than a minimum curvature radius in a route for the sheet to be conveyed to the first discharge tray and than a minimum curvature radius in a route for the sheet to be conveyed to the second discharge tray.\",\n \"6.The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprises: a first feeder tray arranged at a lower position in the main chassis; and a second feeder tray arranged at an upper position with respect to the first feeder tray on another side of the main chassis opposite to the one side in the predetermined direction, wherein a minimum curvature radius in a route for the recording sheet to be conveyed from the second feeder tray to the third discharge tray is larger than a minimum curvature radius in a route for the sheet to be conveyed from the first feeder tray to the first discharge tray and than a minimum curvature radius in a route for the sheet to be conveyed from the first feeder tray to the second discharge tray.\",\n \"7.The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the main chassis comprises a wall at one end thereof on the one side in the predetermined direction, the wall extending in the vertical direction and in an orthogonal being orthogonal to the predetermined direction; wherein the wall forms a part of the third discharge tray; and wherein the wall is pivotable at a lower end thereof about an axis extending in the orthogonal direction along with the third discharge tray.\",\n \"8.The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main chassis comprises a pair of walls, each of which extends in a vertical direction and in the predetermined direction; and wherein the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray are arranged between the pair of walls.\",\n \"9.The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pair of walls support one end and the other end of the reading unit in an orthogonal direction being orthogonal to the predetermined direction.\",\n \"10.The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first discharge tray is entirely positioned lower than the reading unit.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND \"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY The tray to support the recording sheet during the switchback may be formed in a shape of a plain board, and the recording sheet being supported thereon may move in a widthwise direction of the recording sheet during the switchback; therefore the recording sheet may not be switched back stably on the switchback tray.\",\n \"The instability of the recording sheet during the switchback may be worsened when, for example, the recording sheet is in a larger size, such as A3 or tabloid, which has a greater length.\",\n \"The present disclosure is advantageous in that an image forming apparatus, which has a discharge roller and a switchback roller and is capable of switching back a recording sheet stably by the switchback roller, is provided.\",\n \"According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus, including a main chassis with a discharge tray and a switchback tray disposed in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray; an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording sheet; a discharge roller configured to discharge the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit onto the discharge tray; a duplex conveyer configured to invert the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit and convey the inverted recording sheet to return the image forming unit; and a switchback roller configured to be rotatable in a normal direction and a reverse direction, the switchback roller being configured to convey the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit toward the switchback tray by rotating in the normal direction and to convey the recording sheet being conveyed toward the switchback tray to the duplex conveyer by rotating in the reverse direction, is provided.\",\n \"The main chassis includes a pair of walls, each of which extends in a vertical direction and in a conveying direction being a direction to convey the recording sheet by the switchback roller rotating in the normal direction toward the switchback tray, the pair of walls being arranged in adjacent to the switchback tray such that the switchback tray is interposed between the pair of walls.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/423,264, filed Feb. 2, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/884,069, filed Oct. 15, 2015, and further claims priority under 35 U.S.C.\",\n \"§ 119 from Japanese Patent Application No.\",\n \"2014-212906, filed on Oct. 17, 2014.The entire subject matter of all applications are incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Technical Field An aspect of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a duplex conveyer, which may invert a recording sheet having been conveyed through an image forming unit and return the recording sheet once again to the image forming unit.\",\n \"Related Art An image forming apparatus having a discharge tray, on which a recording sheet with an image formed thereon may be supported, is known.\",\n \"The image forming apparatus may further have a discharge roller to convey the recording sheet to the discharge tray, a switchback roller which is provided independently from the discharge roller to switchback the recording sheet, and a switchback tray, on which the recording sheet is supported while the recording sheet is switched back.\",\n \"SUMMARY The tray to support the recording sheet during the switchback may be formed in a shape of a plain board, and the recording sheet being supported thereon may move in a widthwise direction of the recording sheet during the switchback; therefore the recording sheet may not be switched back stably on the switchback tray.\",\n \"The instability of the recording sheet during the switchback may be worsened when, for example, the recording sheet is in a larger size, such as A3 or tabloid, which has a greater length.\",\n \"The present disclosure is advantageous in that an image forming apparatus, which has a discharge roller and a switchback roller and is capable of switching back a recording sheet stably by the switchback roller, is provided.\",\n \"According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus, including a main chassis with a discharge tray and a switchback tray disposed in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray; an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording sheet; a discharge roller configured to discharge the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit onto the discharge tray; a duplex conveyer configured to invert the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit and convey the inverted recording sheet to return the image forming unit; and a switchback roller configured to be rotatable in a normal direction and a reverse direction, the switchback roller being configured to convey the recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit toward the switchback tray by rotating in the normal direction and to convey the recording sheet being conveyed toward the switchback tray to the duplex conveyer by rotating in the reverse direction, is provided.\",\n \"The main chassis includes a pair of walls, each of which extends in a vertical direction and in a conveying direction being a direction to convey the recording sheet by the switchback roller rotating in the normal direction toward the switchback tray, the pair of walls being arranged in adjacent to the switchback tray such that the switchback tray is interposed between the pair of walls.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 is an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a cross-sectional side view of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with a reader unit and a discharge tray being uplifted.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a partial view of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with a processing cartridge and a manual-feeder tray being removed from a main chassis of the MFD.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a cross-sectional side view of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with a feeder tray for A4-sized sheets being attached to the main chassis.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5A is a partial view of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with a rear wall being pivoted rearward.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5B is an enlarged view of the rear wall of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a front view of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7A is a front view of an L-shaped guide for the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7B is a side view of the L-shaped guide for the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a cross-sectional side view of a modified example of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a perspective view of the modified example of the MFD according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, an exemplary configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.\",\n \"First, an overall configuration of an MFD 1 according to the embodiment will be described, and later, detailed configuration of the MFD 1 will be described.\",\n \"In the following description, directions concerning the MFD 1 will be mentioned with regard to a user's ordinary position to use the MFD 1, as indicated by arrows in each drawing.\",\n \"For example, a viewer's right-hand side appearing in FIG.\",\n \"1 is referred to as a front side of the MFD 1, and a left-hand side in FIG.\",\n \"1 opposite from the front side is referred to as a rear side.\",\n \"A side which corresponds to the viewer's nearer side is referred to as a left-hand side for the user, and an opposite side from the left, which corresponds to the viewer's farther side is referred to as a right-hand side for the user.\",\n \"An up-down direction in FIG.\",\n \"1 corresponds to a vertical direction of the MFD 1.Further, the right-to-left or left-to-right direction of the MFD 1 may be referred to as a widthwise direction, and the front-to-rear or rear-to-front direction may be referred to as a direction of depth.\",\n \"The widthwise direction and the direction of depth are orthogonal to each other.\",\n \"Furthermore, directions of the drawings in FIGS.\",\n \"2-9 are similarly based on the orientation of the MFD 1 as defined above and correspond to those with regard to the MFD 1 shown in FIG.\",\n \"1 even when the MFD 1 is viewed from different angles.\",\n \"[Overall Configuration of the MFD] As shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, the MFD 1 includes a main chassis 2 and a reader unit 10.The MFD 1 further includes an image forming unit 4 to form an image on a sheet P being fed and a feeder unit 3 to feed the sheet P to the image forming unit 4, which are contained in the main chassis 2.The main chassis 3 includes paths, such as a conveyer path 130, a first discharge path 81, a second discharge path 91, and a duplex conveyer path 121, in which the sheet P may be conveyed.\",\n \"These paths may include members and/or parts that form the paths.\",\n \"The main chassis 2 includes a front wall 2F, a rear wall 2R, an upper wall 2U, and a pair of lateral frames 2S that are disposed on a leftward side and a rightward side of the upper wall 2U.\",\n \"The upper wall 2U includes a front part and a rear part.\",\n \"The front part of the upper wall 2U includes a discharge tray 21, which includes a placement surface 21F to support the sheet P from below.\",\n \"The rear part of the upper wall 2U includes a switchback tray 22, which includes a placement surface 22F to support the sheet P from below.\",\n \"The discharge tray 21 and the switchback tray 22 are arranged in different vertical levels, and the switchback tray 22 is disposed in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray 21.An upper part of the rear wall 2R includes an upper discharge tray 23, which supports the sheet P from behind.\",\n \"Detailed configuration of the main chassis 2 will be described later.\",\n \"The reader unit 10 may be a flatbed scanner having a known configuration.\",\n \"The reader unit 10 may cast light onto an original sheet (not shown) and read an image of the original sheet to generate image data, which may be used to make a duplicate of the read image.\",\n \"The reader unit 10 may be disposed in an upper position with respect to the switchback tray 22 so that space may be formed between the switchback tray 22 and the reader unit 10, and widthwise ends of the reader unit 10 may be supported sideward by the lateral frames 2S (see FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"For example, the reader unit 10 may be supported pivotably by the lateral frames 2S at a rear end thereof through a pivot shaft 11 so that a front part of the reader unit 10 may pivot about the pivot shaft 11 vertically (see FIG.\",\n \"2).\",\n \"Meanwhile, the lateral frames 2S may have a stopper ST, which is resilient and engageable with the discharge tray 21 when the reader unit 10 pivots upward, to hold the discharge tray 21, so that the reader unit 10 pivoted upward may be supported by the stopper ST through the discharge tray 21 and held steadily at the upper position.\",\n \"The feeder unit 3 is disposed in a lower position in the main chassis 2 and includes a feeder tray 31, in which the sheets P to be fed are placed, and a feeding system 32 to feed the sheets P in the feeder tray 31 are fed to the image forming unit 4 one by one.\",\n \"The feeder tray 31 is detachably attached to the main chassis 2 and includes a feeder tray 31A (see FIG.\",\n \"1), in which sheets P having a length smaller than or equal to a predetermined length, such as A4-sized sheets or letter-sized sheets, may be stored, and a larger feeder tray 31B (see FIG.\",\n \"4), in which sheets P having a length greater than the predetermined length, such as A3-sized sheets or tabloid-sized sheets, may be stored.\",\n \"In other words, the feeder trays 31A, 31B for different-sized sheets P may be attached to the main chassis 2.The image forming unit 4 includes a scanner unit 5, a processing cartridge 6, and a fixing unit 7.The scanner unit 5 is disposed in a frontward position in the main chassis 2 and includes a laser emitter, polygon mirrors, lenses, and reflection mirrors, which are not shown.\",\n \"In the scanner unit 5, a laser beam may be emitted at a surface of a photosensitive drum 61 in the processing cartridge 6 to scan the surface of the photosensitive drum 61.The processing cartridge 6 is disposed in a rearward position with respect to the scanner unit 5 and includes the photosensitive drum 61, a transfer roller 62, a charger 63, a developer roller 64, a supplier roller 65, and a toner container 66.In the processing cartridge 6, while the photosensitive drum 61 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is electrically charged by the charger 63 evenly and exposed partly to the laser beam emitted from the scanner unit 5 so that electrical charges of the exposed areas are lowered and a latent image according to image data is formed to be carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.Meanwhile, the toner in toner container 66 is supplied to the latent image on the photosensitive drum 61 through the developer roller 64 while the developer roller 64 rotates so that the latent image on the photosensitive drum 61 is developed to be a toner image.\",\n \"In the meantime, as the sheet P is conveyed by the feeding system 32 and by a plurality of conveyer roller pairs 131 in the conveyer path 130, from a lower position with respect to the scanner unit 5, through a lowest position 130A, which is in a lower position with respect to the toner container 66, and through a registration roller pair 132, to a position between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 62.As the sheet P is conveyed through the position between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 62, the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred onto the sheet P. The fixing unit 7 is disposed in an upper-rearward position with respect to the processing cartridge 6 and includes a heat roller 71, a pressure roller 72, and a conveyer roller 73.In the fixing unit 7, the toner image transferred to the sheet S is thermally fixed thereon as the sheet S is conveyed through a position between the heat roller 71 and the pressure roller 72.The sheet P with the thermally-fixed image is discharged by the conveyer roller 73 out of the fixing unit 7.In positions on a downstream side of the fixing unit 7 with regard to a conveying direction to convey the sheet P, disposed are a first discharge unit 8, which may discharge the sheet P conveyed through the image forming unit 4, more specifically the fixing unit 7, to the discharge tray 21, and a second discharge unit 9, which may convey the sheet P conveyed through the image forming unit 4, more specifically the fixing unit 7, to either the switchback tray 22 or the upper discharge tray 23.The first discharge unit 8 includes the first discharge path 81, a discharge roller 82, a first outlet 24A, and the discharge tray 21.The first discharge path 81 is formed to extend upward from the conveyer roller 73 and to curve frontward.\",\n \"The discharge roller 82 conveys the sheet P in the first discharge path 81 to discharge through the first outlet 24A onto the discharge tray 21.The discharge roller 82 is controlled by a controller 100 to rotate in a normal direction, which is a direction to convey and discharge the sheet P outward through the first outlet 24A.\",\n \"The second discharge unit 9 includes the second discharge path 91, a switchback roller 92, an L-shaped guide 93, the switchback tray 22, and the upper discharge tray 23.The second discharge path 91 is formed to extend substantially linearly upper-rearward from the conveyer roller 73.Therefore, a minimum radius of curvature in the second discharge path 91 is greater than a minimum radius of curvature in the first discharge path 81.The switchback roller 92 includes paired rollers which are arranged to face with each other along the front-rear direction.\",\n \"The switchback roller 92 is rotatable in a normal direction, which is a direction to convey the sheet P outward to the switchback tray 22 or the upper discharge tray 23, and in a reverse direction, which is an opposite direction from the normal direction.\",\n \"In other words, the switchback roller 92 is rotatable to convey the sheet P in the second discharge path 91 upward and downward.\",\n \"The switchback roller 92 is disposed in a rearward and spaced-apart position from the discharge roller 82.In other words, the discharge roller 82 is in a frontward position with respect to the switchback roller 92.Thus, the discharge roller 82 is disposed on a frontward side of the switchback tray 22, and the switchback roller 92 is disposed on another side, on a rearward side, of the switchback tray 22 opposite from the discharge roller 82.The L-shaped guide 93 is a guide member including a guiding parts 93, a part of which may be placed between the switchback roller 92 and the switchback tray 22, to guide the sheet P conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 toward the switchback tray 22.The L-shaped guide 93 is supported pivotably by the main chassis 2, or more specifically, by the lateral frames 2S.\",\n \"The L-shaped guide 93 is pivotable between a guiding position (see FIG.\",\n \"1), in which the L-shaped guide 93 may guide the sheet P toward the switchback tray 22, and a non-guiding position (indicated by solid lines in FIG.\",\n \"5A), in which the sheet P may be conveyed to the upper discharge tray 23.More specifically, when the L-shaped guide 93 is in the guiding position, the L-shaped guide 93 may contact the sheet P being conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 and guide the sheet P to be conveyed toward the switchback tray 22.When the L-shaped guide 93 is in the non-guiding position, the L-shaped guide 93 does not interfere with the sheet P being conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 so that the sheet P is allowed to be conveyed toward the upper discharge tray 23.Thus, by switching the positions of the L-shaped guide 93 between the guiding position and the non-guiding position, courses of the sheet P may be switched between a course to the switchback tray 22 and a course to the upper discharge tray 23.The L-shaped guide 93 will be described later in detail.\",\n \"A switch member 110 to switch the courses for the sheet P is disposed in a position between the first discharge path 81 and the second discharge path 91.The switch member 110 is swingably supported by the main chassis 2, or more specifically, the lateral frames 2S.\",\n \"The switch member 110 may swing between a first guiding position, which is indicated by solid lines in FIG.\",\n \"1, and a second guiding position, which is indicated by broken lines in FIG.\",\n \"1.In the first guiding position, the switch member 110 may guide the sheet P to the first discharge path 81.In the second guiding position, the switch may guide the sheet P to the second discharge path 91.On a rear side of the main chassis 2, disposed is a duplex conveyer 120, which may invert the sheet P conveyed through the image forming unit 4 and convey the inverted sheet P once again to the image forming unit 4.The duplex conveyer 120 includes the switchback roller 92, the L-shaped guide 93, the switchback tray 22, the upper discharge tray 23, and the duplex conveyer path 121, which are mentioned earlier.\",\n \"The duplex conveyer path 121 is formed to extend from the second discharge path 91 to one of the registration roller pairs 130, which is at a frontward position with respect to a nipping position between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 62.The duplex conveyer path 121 extends from the second discharge path 91 downward along a rear side of the fixing unit 7, curves frontward along a lower side of the fixing unit 7 and the photosensitive drum 61, and curves upper-rearward toward the nipping position between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 62.The controller 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and input/output (I/O) circuits, which are not shown, and controls behaviors of each part and component in the MFD 1, including the first discharge unit 8, the second discharge unit 9, and the duplex conveyer 120.For example, the controller 100 may control the switch member 110 and the L-shaped guide 93 to switch positions thereof and may control rotations of the rollers including the discharge roller 82 and the switchback roller 92.The controller 100 may perform a switchback control, in which the rotating directions of the switchback roller 92 may be switched while the switchback roller 92 conveys the sheet P upward so that the sheet P may be switched back downward, and an output control, in which the switchback roller 92 may be maintained to rotate in the normal direction to convey the sheet P to either the switchback tray 22 or to the upper discharge tray 23.For example, when the sheet P1 is to be discharged to the discharge tray 21, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"4, the controller 100 may place the switch member 110 in the first guiding position, as indicated by the solid lines, and drive the discharge roller 82 to rotate in the normal direction, which is the direction to discharge the sheet P outward.\",\n \"For another example, when the sheet P is to be conveyed to the switchback tray 22, the controller 100 may place the switch member 110 in the second guiding position, as indicated by the broken lines; place the L-shaped guide 93 in the guiding position, as indicated by the solid lines; and drive the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction, which is the direction to discharge the sheet P outward.\",\n \"In the MFD 1 according to the present embodiment, a sheet P2 having a greater length, such as an A3-sized sheet and a tabloid-sized sheet, may be preferably conveyed or discharged to the switchback tray 22, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"4.The sheet P2 having the greater length may be preferably supported by the switchback tray 22 and the discharge tray 21.Meanwhile, the controller 100 may place the switch member 110 in the second guiding position, as indicated by the broken lines in FIG.\",\n \"4, and drive the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction, which is the direction to discharge the sheet P outward, when the sheet P3 is to be discharged to the upper discharge tray 23.Further, when the sheet P having an image printed on one side thereof is conveyed to return to the image forming unit 4, the controller 100 may place the switch member 110 in the second guiding position and the L-shaped guide 93 in either the guiding position or the non-guiding position, and drive the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction so that the sheet P may be conveyed once in the normal direction toward to the switchback tray 22 or the upper discharge tray 23, and thereafter, before the sheet P exits the switchback roller 92, the controller 100 may switch the rotating directions of the switchback roller 92 conveyed to drive the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the reverse direction.\",\n \"[Configurations of the Main Chassis and the L-Shaped Guide] Configurations of the main chassis 2 and the L-shaped guide 93 in the MFD 1 will be described below in detail.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, the upper wall 2U of the main chassis 2 includes the discharge tray 21, the switchback tray 22, and a vertical wall 24 which is arranged between the discharge tray 21 and the switchback tray 22.The discharge tray 21 is formed to extend from a lower end of the vertical wall 24 upper-frontward and has a length in the front-rear direction, which is greater than or equal to a length of the main chassis 2 in the front-rear direction.\",\n \"For example, the length of the discharge tray 21 in the front-rear direction may be ⅔ of the length of the main chassis 2 in the front-rear direction.\",\n \"A rear end of the discharge tray 21 is swingably supported by the vertical wall 24 or the lateral frames 2S through a swing shaft 21A.\",\n \"Thereby, the discharge tray 21 is swingable between a closed position (see FIG.\",\n \"1) and an open position (see FIG.\",\n \"2).\",\n \"When the discharge tray 21 is in the open position, an opening 2A (see FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 3), through which the processing cartridge 6 may be attached to or detached from the main chassis 2, may be exposed.\",\n \"The vertical wall 24 is supported by the lateral frames 2S at widthwise ends thereof.\",\n \"In a position above the vertical wall 24, formed is the first outlet 24A, through which the sheet P is discharged out of the main chassis 2 (see also FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"The switchback tray 22 is arranged in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray 21 to extend from an upper end of the vertical wall 24 rearward and substantially horizontally.\",\n \"The switchback tray 22 has a length in the front-rear direction, which is less than a half of the length of the main chassis 2 in the front-rear direction.\",\n \"For example, the length of the switchback tray 22 in the front-rear direction may be ⅓ of the length of the main chassis 2 in the front-rear direction.\",\n \"The switchback tray 22 is supported by the lateral frames 2S at widthwise ends thereof.\",\n \"On a front edge 22B of the switchback tray 22, arranged is a second rib 22C, which protrudes frontward from the front edge 22B, in a position to overlap the discharge tray 21 in a vertical view.\",\n \"The second rib 22C is formed at each end of the switchback tray 22 along the widthwise direction, which is an axial direction of the discharge roller 82.Each second rib 22C is formed in a triangular shape, in a plan view along the vertical direction, of which width along the widthwise direction reduces to be narrower outwardly as a corner of the triangle points frontward.\",\n \"For the shape and the arrangement of the second ribs 22C, FIG.\",\n \"9 may be referred to.\",\n \"While FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrate a perspective view of an MFD 300, which is a modified example of the MFD 1 of the present embodiment, the shape and the arrangement of the second ribs 22C may not necessarily be differed but may be similar or identical between the MFD 300 and the MFD 1.With the second ribs 22C on the front edge of the switchback tray 22, even when the sheet P is left on the discharge tray 21, and when the longer sheet P, such as the A3-sized or tabloid-sized sheet P, is exposed partly on the switchback tray 22 during double-face printing, the sheet P on the switchback tray 22 may be supported by the second ribs 22 and may be prevented from interfering with the sheet P left on the discharge tray 21.Thus, the sheet P left on the discharge tray 21 may be prevented from moved by a frontend of the sheet P being conveyed or from falling off from the discharge tray 21.The switchback tray 22 is formed to have a plurality of ribs 22A (see FIG.\",\n \"6) on one end thereof on an upstream side with regard to the conveying direction, i.e., a rear end thereof, to support the sheet P. The ribs 22A are formed to protrude upward from an upper surface of the switchback tray 22.Each of the ribs 22A includes a first part 221, of which upper edge extends horizontally along the front-rear direction, a second part 222, which extends from a front end of the first part 221 to incline downward, and a third part 223, which extends from a rear end of the first part 222 to curve downward to reach the switchback roller 92 (see also FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"With the ribs 22A on the switchback tray 22, the sheet P being switched back may be supported on the ribs 22A, and friction resistance may be reduced compared to the switchback tray 22 without the ribs 22A.\",\n \"In this regard, the switchback tray 22 may not necessarily keep the sheets P discharged out of the main chassis 2 thereon but may support the sheet P temporarily when the sheet P being conveyed during double-face printing is switched back to be drawn to the duplex conveyer path.\",\n \"Each of the lateral frames 2S is formed in a shape of a rectangular box (see FIG.\",\n \"6) and arranged to extend along the front-rear direction between a position in the vicinity of the front end of the discharge tray 21 and a position in the vicinity of the rear end of the switchback tray 22 and to stand upward to be higher than the placement surface 21F of the discharge tray 21 and the placement surface 22F of the switchback tray 22.More specifically, an upper end of each lateral frame 2S is in a position higher than the L-shaped guide 93.The protrusive parts of the lateral frames 2S that protrude to be higher than the placement surface 22F are arranged on both widthwise sides of the switchback tray 22 in adjacent to the switchback tray 22 sidewise, with the switchback tray 22 interposed in there-between, and extend in the conveying direction of the sheet P, in which the sheet P may be conveyed by the switchback roller 92 toward the switchback tray 22.A protrusive height of the protrusive part in each lateral frame 2S to protrude from the placement surface 22F may be in a range between, for example, 10 mm and 100 mm or may be between 20 mm and 80 mm.\",\n \"A length of the protrusive part in the lateral frame 2S along the conveying direction in the lateral frame 2S may be in a range between 20 mm and 200 mm or may be between 40 mm and 160 mm.\",\n \"A distance between inner surfaces S1 of the lateral frames 2S along the widthwise direction at the protrusive parts higher than the discharge tray 21 and the switchback tray 22 may be substantially greater than a width of the sheet P, in particular the sheet P in a largest size usable in the MFD 1.Thus, widthwise ends of the sheet P being discharged on the discharge tray 21 or the switchback tray 22 may be restricted from skewing and falling off sideward by the inner surfaces S1 of the lateral frames 2S.\",\n \"The inner surfaces S1 of the lateral frames 2S overlap the L-shaped guide 93 in a lateral view along an axial direction of the switchback roller 92.Therefore, while a surface of the sheet P is guided by the L-shaped guide 93, the widthwise ends of the sheet P are guided by the inner surfaces S1.As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"7A and 7B, the L-shaped guide 93 includes a pivot shaft 93A, which axially extends along the widthwise direction, a pair of extended parts 93B, which extend upward in a radial direction of the pivot shaft 93A from axial ends of the pivot shaft 93A, a connector part 93C, which connects upper ends of the extended parts 93B with each other, and a comb-teeth section having a plurality of guiding parts 93D, which are arranged on the connector part 93C.\",\n \"In the following description, directions concerning the L-shaped guide 93 will be based on an orientation of the L-shaped guide 93 placed in the guiding position.\",\n \"On one of the widthwise ends of the pivot shaft 93A, disposed is a driving gear 93E, through which driving force from a drive source (not shown) such as a motor is input to the pivot shaft 93A.\",\n \"Thereby, under the control of the controller 100, the positions of the L-shaped guide 93 may be switched between the guiding position and the non-guiding position.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, the pivot shaft 93A is arranged in a lower position than an upper end of the duplex conveyer path 121 and is pivotably supported by the lateral frames 2S.\",\n \"The extended parts 93B are arranged to protrude upward from the axial ends of the pivot shaft 93A to extend through widthwise outward positions with respect to widthwise ends of a rearward one of the paired rollers in the switchback roller 92 to upper positions with respect to the switchback roller 92.The connector part 93C is arranged in an upper position with respect to the rearward one of the paired rollers in the switchback roller 92.Thus, the pivot shaft 93A, the pair of extended parts 93B, and the connector part 93C form a rectangular frame, in a front view (see FIG.\",\n \"5A).\",\n \"Thereby, the L-shaped guide 93 may be prevented from interfering with the switchback roller 92 and the duplex conveyer path 121 when pivoting between the guiding position and the non-guiding position.\",\n \"Further, when the sheet P is switched back to enter the duplex conveyer path 121, the sheet P may be conveyed through the frame formed by the pivot shaft 93A, the pair of extended parts 93B, and the connector part 93C without being interfered with by the L-shaped guide 93.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"7A, the guiding parts 93D are arranged to be spaced apart from one another along the widthwise direction on the connector part 93C in a comb-teeth arrangement.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"7B, each of the guiding parts 93D include an outer shell 93F, which extends upward from the connector part 93C, curves frontward, and extends frontward; and a guide rib 93G, which is formed on an inner surface of the outer shell 93F to protrude inward.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"7A, among the plurality of guiding parts 93D, guiding parts 93H, which are in widthwise outmost positions, are each formed to have an outer shell 93J, of which width is smaller than a width of the outer shell 93F of the other guiding parts 93D, and a guide rib 93G, which is similar to the guide rib 93G of the other guiding parts 93D.\",\n \"As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 6, a frontward part of each guiding part 93D vertically overlaps the switchback tray 22 and is in an upper position with respect to the ribs 22A.\",\n \"Meanwhile, the guide ribs 93G are arranged in alternately displaced positions with respect to the ribs 22A in the widthwise direction.\",\n \"Thereby, the sheet P may be guided by the guide ribs 93G and the ribs 22A preferably on the switchback tray 22.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"5A, the rear wall 2R of the main chassis 2 is pivotable about a lower end thereof along with the rearward one of the paired rollers in the switchback roller 92 and a part of the duplex conveyer path 121.Therefore, by pivoting the rear wall 2R along with the rearward one of the paired roller in the switchback roller 92 and the part of the duplex conveyer path 121, the sheet P, which may be jammed at the switchback roller 92 or in the duplex conveyer path 121, may be exposed to be removed.\",\n \"In the following description, directions concerning the rear wall 2R will be based on an orientation of the rear wall 2R being in the closed position, which is indicated by broken lines in FIG.\",\n \"5A.\",\n \"The rear wall 2R includes a first rear wall R1 extending vertically, a second wall R2 extending frontward from the first wall R1, a third wall R3 extending upward from a front end of the second wall R2, a fourth wall R4 which is pivotable at an upper end of the third wall R3, and a fifth wall R5 extending upper-frontward from an upper end of the fourth wall R4.The first wall R1 extends upward from a first pivot shaft R11, which is a pivot axis of the rear wall 2R.\",\n \"The second wall R2 extends from the upper end of the first wall R1 to an upper position with respect to the rearward one of the paired rollers in the switchback roller 92.The third wall R3 extends from the front end of the second wall R2 to a position in the vicinity of a bottom of the reader unit 10.In a frontward position with respect to an upper portion of the third wall R3, disposed is a sheet guide R7, which may restrict the sheet P conveyed by the switchback roller 92 toward the upper discharge tray 23 from bending frontward toward the switchback tray 22.The sheet guide R7 is arranged in a position vertically between the reader unit 10 and the switchback tray 22 to connect the lateral frames 2S with each other.\",\n \"While the sheet guide R7 is arranged to be spaced apart vertically from the guiding parts 93D of the L-shaped guide 93, a clearance, or an aperture AP, is formed at a position between the sheet guide R7 and the switchback tray 22.In other words, the sheet guide R7 forms the aperture AP so that the air may flow through the aperture AP along the front-rear direction, which is an extending direction for the inner surfaces S1 of the lateral frames 2S.\",\n \"The sheet guide R7 includes a base part R71 extending vertically, a slanted part R72 extending lower-frontward from a lower end of the base part R71, and the aperture AP formed at a lower position with respect to the slanted part R72.As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"5A and 5B, the second wall R2 and the third wall R3 are formed to have a plurality of slits R6 (see also FIG.\",\n \"6), which are formed along the front-rear direction through the rear wall 2R in positions spaced apart from one another along the widthwise direction.\",\n \"In the slits R6, the guiding parts 93D of the L-shaped guide 93 may be inserted when the L-shaped guide 93 is in the guiding position so that L-shaped guide 93 with the guiding parts 93D may be pivotable without being interfered with by the rear wall 2R.\",\n \"The slits R6 are elongated vertically so that upper ends thereof are in upper positions with respect to the guiding parts 93D of the L-shaped guide 93 in the guiding position.\",\n \"Thereby, openings are formed in the position between the reader unit 10 and the main chassis 2 through the rear wall 2R along the front-rear direction.\",\n \"Therefore, when the air flows in the space between the reader unit 10 and the main chassis 2 through a position between the front end of the discharge tray 21 and the front end of the reader unit 10, the air may flow rearward and exit through the position between the switchback tray 22 and the reader unit 10, through the positions between the guiding parts 93D and the sheet guide R2, and through the slits R6.The fourth wall R4 is connected with the upper end of the third wall R3 through the second pivot shaft R12.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"2, when the frontward part of the reader unit 10 is uplifted, the rearward part of the reader unit 10 may interfere with the fourth wall R4.However, with the pivotable structure of the fourth wall R4, the fourth wall R4 may pivot about the second pivot shaft R12 to lean rearward, and load that may be applied to the rear wall 2R from the reader unit 10 may be reduced.\",\n \"Referring back to FIGS.\",\n \"5A and 5B, in a position between the fourth wall R4 and the third wall R3, arranged is a torsion spring R8, which may urge the fourth wall R4 and the third wall R3 to align straight (FIG.\",\n \"5A).\",\n \"Thereby, the fourth wall R4, which is pressed by the reader unit 10 to pivot rearward (see FIG.\",\n \"2), may recover to an original position by the urging force from the torsion spring R8 when the reader unit 10 is placed back to the original position (see FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Meanwhile, the upper discharge tray 23 is arranged to extend substantially vertically and includes the third wall R3, the fourth wall R4, and the fifth wall R5.In other words, the upper discharge tray 23 is in an upper position with respect to the rearward one of the paired roller in the switchback roller 92 to extend upward from the upper position with respect to the rearward one of the paired roller in the switchback roller 92, with an upper portion thereof, which is the fifth wall R5, leaning frontward.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"3, a part of the front wall 2F of the main chassis 2 forms a manual-feeder tray unit 200, which may be detachably attached to the main chassis 2.The manual-feeder tray unit 200 includes a base 210, which may be detachably attached to the main chassis 2, a manual-feeder tray 200, which is swingable with respect to the base 210, and a manual-feeder system 230, which may feed the sheet P manually placed on the manual-feeder tray 220 to the image forming unit 4.While the manual-feeder tray unit 200 is detachable from the main chassis 2, the sheet P which may be jammed in the vicinity of the manual-feeder tray unit 200 may be removed easily.\",\n \"A printing operation to be conducted in the MFD 1 will be described below.\",\n \"Behaviors of the feeder unit 3 and the image forming unit 4 may be controlled by the controller 100 in a known method.\",\n \"Therefore, description of those are herein omitted.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, when, for example, an image is to be formed on a single side of the sheet P in the A4 size, a user may set the feeder tray 31A for the A4 size in the main chassis 2 and input a print command to the controller 100 through, for example, a personal computer (not shown) connected with the MFD 1.The controller 100, upon receiving the print command, places the switch member 110 in the first guiding position, which is indicated by the solid lines in FIG.\",\n \"1, and drives the discharge roller 82 to rotate in the normal direction.\",\n \"The sheet P in the feeder tray 31A is conveyed to the image forming unit 4 to have an image printed on one side thereof.\",\n \"The sheet P is further guided to the first discharge path 81 by the switch member 110 and discharged on the discharge tray 21.When, for another example, double-face printing is performed, i.e., when images are to be formed on both sides of the sheet P, the controller 100, upon receipt of the print command, places the switch 100 in the second guiding position, which is indicated by the broken lines in FIG.\",\n \"1.Further, the controller 100 places the L-shaped guide 93 in the guiding position (FIG.\",\n \"1) and drives the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction.\",\n \"The sheet P in the feeder tray 31A is conveyed to the image forming unit 4 to have an image printed on one side thereof and is guided by the switch member 110 to the second discharge path 91.The sheet P is conveyed in the second discharge path 91 to reach the switchback roller 92.Thereafter, the sheet P is conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 and is bent frontward by the L-shaped guide 93 to be guided toward the switchback tray 22.In this regard, the sheet P exposed on the switchback tray 22 may be restricted at the widthwise ends thereof by the lateral frames 2S from skewing on the switchback tray 22.Thereafter, before the sheet P exits the switchback roller 92, the controller 110 drives the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the reverse direction.\",\n \"Thereby, the sheet P is guided by the lateral frames 2S at the widthwise ends thereof while being drawn back in the main chassis 2 and conveyed toward the duplex conveyer path 121.Thereafter, after the sheet P exits the switchback roller 92, the controller 100 drives the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction.\",\n \"Thereby, the sheet P conveyed through the duplex conveyer path 121 returns to the image forming unit 4, in which another image is printed on the other side thereof.\",\n \"Thereafter, the sheet P is conveyed through the second discharge path 91 to the switchback tray 22.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"4, when, for example, an image is to be formed on a single side of a sheet P2 in the A3 size, a user may set the feeder tray 31B for the A3 size in the main chassis 2 and input a print command to the controller 100 through, for example, the personal computer.\",\n \"The controller 100, upon receiving the print command, places the switch member 110 in the second guiding position, which is indicated by the broken lines in FIG.\",\n \"4, and drives the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction.\",\n \"The sheet P2 in the feeder tray 31B is conveyed to the image forming unit 4 to have an image printed on one side thereof.\",\n \"The sheet P2 is further guided to the second discharge path 91 by the switch member 110.The sheet P2 is conveyed in the second discharge path 91 to reach the switchback roller 92.Thereafter, the sheet P2 is conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 and is bent frontward by the L-shaped guide 93 to be guided toward the switchback tray 22.When, for another example, double-face printing is performed, i.e., when images are to be formed on both sides of an A3-sized sheet, a front end of the sheet being conveyed to the switchback tray 22 may touch a desktop, a floor, or a plane, on which the MFD 1 is placed, and may be tainted.\",\n \"Meanwhile, according to the present embodiment, when images are to be printed on both sides of the A3-sized sheet P2, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"4, the rotating direction of the switchback roller 92 is switched to the reverse direction before the front end of the sheet P2 may reach the desktop.\",\n \"Therefore, the sheet P2 may be prevented from being ruined.\",\n \"For another example, when an image is to be printed on a single side of a sheet P3, which is a postcard size and may be thicker than the sheet P, the user may pull down the manual-feeder tray 220 to open.\",\n \"The user may place the sheet P3 on the manual-feeder tray 220 and input a print command to the controller 100 through, for example, the personal computer.\",\n \"The controller 100, upon receiving the print command, places the switch member 110 in the second guiding position, which is indicated by the broken lines in FIG.\",\n \"4, and places the L-shaped guide 93 in the non-guiding position, which is indicated by broken lines in FIG.\",\n \"4.Further, the controller 100 drives the switchback roller 92 to rotate in the normal direction.\",\n \"The sheet P3 in the manual-feeder tray 220 is conveyed to the image forming unit 4 to have an image printed on one side thereof and is guided by the switch member 110 to the second discharge path 91.The sheet P3 is conveyed in the second discharge path 91 to reach the switchback roller 92.Thereafter, the sheet P3 is conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 to be discharged in the upper discharge tray 23.In this regard, the route for the sheet P3 to be conveyed from the manual-feeder tray 220 to the upper discharge tray 23 does not contain a curve with the smaller curvature radius.\",\n \"Therefore, the thicker sheet P3 may be prevented from being bent or damaged in the conveyer path.\",\n \"Meanwhile, the method to print images on the sheets may not necessarily be limited to those described above.\",\n \"For example, when double-face printing is conducted to the sheet P, the L-shaped guide 93 may be placed in the non-guiding position so that the sheet P during switchback may be supported by the upper discharge tray 23 rather than the switchback tray 22.For another example, the sheet P during switchback may be supported by either the switchback tray 22 or the upper discharge tray 23, and thereafter, the switch member 110 may be placed in the first guiding position so that the sheet P with the images printed on both sides thereof may be discharged on the discharge tray 21.According to the embodiment described above, the positions of the widthwise ends of the sheet P supported by the switchback tray 22 during switchback may be restricted by the lateral frames 2S.\",\n \"Therefore, regardless of the length of the sheet P, the sheet P may be restrained from skewing in the widthwise direction, and the sheet P may be switched back stably.\",\n \"According to the embodiment described above, further, the reader unit 10 is disposed in the upper position with respect to the switchback tray 22 and supported by the lateral frames 2S.\",\n \"Therefore, the sheet P during switchback may be concealed by the reader unit 10 from the user's sight, and, for example, the sheet P may be prevented from being erroneously touched or grabbed by the user during the switchback.\",\n \"Further, it may be prevented that the user might place an obstacle on the switchback tray 22 and that the sheet P during the switchback may be caught or jammed by the obstacle.\",\n \"According to the embodiment described above, further, the L-shaped guide 93 is arranged to overlap the lateral frames 2S in a view along the widthwise direction of the sheet P. Therefore, while the surface of the sheet P is guided by the L-shaped guide 93, the widthwise ends of the sheet P may be guided by the lateral frames 2S.\",\n \"According to the embodiment described above, further, the aperture AP is formed by the sheet guide R7, which connects the reader unit 10 and the switchback tray 22 with each other.\",\n \"Therefore, the air may flow in the position between the reader unit 10 and the switchback tray 22, and the sheet P being switched back may be cooled down while being supported on the switchback tray 22.According to the embodiment described above, further, the sheet P conveyed upward by the switchback roller 92 may be supported by the upper discharge tray 23 in the vertical posture, and the sheet P may be taken out of the upper discharge tray 23 by the user from above.\",\n \"Thus, the sheet P may be retrieved by the user easily.\",\n \"In this regard, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"4, the user may visually recognize the sheet P discharged in the upper discharge tray 23 from the front.\",\n \"According to the embodiment described above, further, the upper portion of the upper discharge tray 23 inclines frontward.\",\n \"Therefore, the sheet P being supported by the upper discharge tray 23 may lean frontward, and the user may reach the sheet P to retrieve more easily.\",\n \"According to the embodiment described above, further, the upper discharge tray 23 is formed to have the plurality of slits R6, in which the guiding parts 93D in the comb-teeth arrangement in the L-shaped guide 93 may be inserted.\",\n \"Therefore, the upper discharge tray 23 may be placed to be closer to the switchback roller 92, and the sheet P may be conveyed from the switchback roller 92 to the upper discharge tray 23 smoothly.\",\n \"Next, an example of a printer 300 (see FIGS.\",\n \"8 and 9), which is not equipped with the reader unit 10, will be described.\",\n \"In the following example, items or structures which are the same as or similar to the items or the structures described in the previous embodiment will be referred to by the same reference signs, and description of those will be omitted.\",\n \"In the printer 300, the lateral frames 2S, which may support the reader unit 10, are replaced with lateral frames SF.\",\n \"Each lateral frame SF may include a wall SF1, which protrudes upward from an upper surface of the lateral frame SF.\",\n \"The wall SF1 may restrict the sheet P being switched back from skewing.\",\n \"According to the printer 300 without the reader unit 10, it may be possible for the user to place an obstacle, e.g., a book, on the switchback tray 22.However, the book may be held by the L-shaped guide 93 and upper edges of the walls SL1 in a position to be floating apart from the switchback tray 22.In other words, the L-shaped guide 93 and the walls SF1 may serve as a spacer, and the obstacle may not interfere with the sheet being switched back.\",\n \"According to the printer 300 shown in FIGS.\",\n \"8 and 9, the upper discharge tray 23 may be omitted.\",\n \"If the upper discharge tray 23 is omitted, the L-shaped guide 93 may have a guiding part 931, which may replace the guiding parts 93D in the comb-teeth arrangement.\",\n \"The guiding part 931 may include an outer shell 93K, which is a plate extending in the widthwise direction, and a plurality of guide ribs 93G.\",\n \"Although examples of carrying out the invention have been described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the image forming apparatus that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or act described above.\",\n \"Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.\",\n \"In the meantime, the terms used to represent the components in the above embodiment may not necessarily agree identically with the terms recited in the appended claims, but the terms used in the above embodiment may merely be regarded as examples of the claimed subject matters.\",\n \"For example, the inner surfaces S1 of the lateral frames S2 may not necessarily extend to the position to overlap the L-shaped guide 93 but may extend to reach at least the front end of the L-shaped guide 93, i.e., an exit for the sheet P formed between the L-shaped guide 93 and the switchback tray 22.With the inner surfaces S1 reaching the front side of the front end of the L-shaped guide 93, the sheet P supported on the switchback tray 22 may be restricted by the inner surfaces S1 from moving in the widthwise direction.\",\n \"For another example, the second discharge unit 9 may not necessarily be equipped with the L-shaped guide 93 or the selectable two (2) trays 22, 23.The L-shaped guide 93 may be omitted so that the sheet P may be conveyed upward solely to the upper discharge tray 23, and/or an opening, through which the sheet P is conveyed to the switchback tray 22, may be covered so that the sheet P may be guided upward to the upper discharge tray 23 rather than the switchback tray 22.For another example, the sheet P may not necessarily be paper, a postcard, or thinner paper, but may be, for example, an OHP sheet.\",\n \"For another example, the front ends of the lateral frames 2S, i.e., the downstream ends of the lateral frames 2S with regard to the conveying direction for the sheet P to be conveyed to the switchback tray 22, may not necessarily be arranged at the same or close position as the front end of the discharge tray 21.However, in order to restrict the sheet P from moving in the widthwise direction, the front ends of the lateral frames 2S may be arranged on the same side as the discharge tray 21 with regard to the discharge roller.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873545"}}},{"rowIdx":4494372,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["MANAGING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION","Embodiments of the present application relate to a method, apparatus, and system for managing confidential information.","The method includes accessing stored target information comprising a public part and a confidential part, wherein an identifier corresponds to the confidential part of the target information, outputting the public part of the target information and the corresponding identifier, wherein the public part of the target information comprises at least first address information, receiving location information and a to-be-recognized identifier, wherein the location information is associated with a current location of a mobile terminal, determining whether the location information is consistent with the first address information, and in the event that the location information is consistent with the first address information, sending the confidential part of the target information associated with the to-be-recognized identifier to the mobile terminal."],["1.A method, comprising: obtaining, by a server, stored information comprising a first part and a second part, wherein the stored information is stored in connection with an online transaction, and in association with an identifier corresponding to the obtained stored information; outputting, by a server, the first part of the information; obtaining, by a server, to-be validated information; validating, by a server, the to-be validated information based at least in part on the first part of the obtained stored information; and conditionally providing, by a server, the second part of the obtained stored information to a terminal, wherein at least one condition that is to be satisfied before providing the second part of the obtained stored information is that the to-be validated information is determined to be validated.","2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining, by a server, a to-be-recognized identifier, wherein the validating of the to-be validated information comprises: obtaining the first part of the obtained stored information based at least in part on the to-be recognized identifier, and determining whether the to-be validated information is consistent with at least the obtained first part of the obtained stored information.","3.The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier uniquely identifies stored information associated with a particular online transaction.","4.The method of claim 1, wherein the first part of the information comprises at least first address information.","5.The method of claim 1, wherein the to-be validated information is associated with a current context of the terminal.","6.The method of claim 5, wherein the to-be validated information is associated with a current location of the terminal.","7.The method of claim 6, wherein the first part of the information comprises at least first address information, wherein the to-be validated information comprises location information, and wherein the validating of whether the to-be validated information based at least in part on the first part of the obtained stored information comprises: determining whether the location information is within a threshold proximity of a location corresponding to the first address information.","8.The method of claim 6, wherein the first part of the obtained stored information comprises at least first address information, wherein the second part of the obtained stored information comprises at least second address information; and wherein a combination of the first address information of the obtained stored information and the second address information of the obtained stored information corresponds to valid address information.","9.The method of claim 8, wherein the first address information corresponds to a broader location than the second address information.","10.The method of claim 1, further comprising: after sending the second part of the obtained stored information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier to the mobile terminal, deleting at least the second part of the obtained stored information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier from a database that includes mappings of second parts of information and identifiers.","11.The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises at least one of the following: a Quick Response (QR) code, a barcode, a radio-frequency identification code, or a character string.","12.The method of claim 1, further comprising: setting the identifier corresponding to the second part of the information, wherein the setting of the identifier comprises encoding the second part of the information according to a preset encryption rule to obtain the identifier.","13.The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining of the to-be validated information comprises receiving the to-be validated information from the terminal.","14.The method of claim 1, further comprising: after sending the second part of the obtained stored information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier to the mobile terminal, rendering the second part invalid for a subsequent use of the second part in connection with a delivery associated with the online transaction.","15.The method of claim 1, wherein the server ensures that the second part of the obtained stored information to a mobile terminal is used in connection with a single a validation of the to-be validated information.","16.A server, comprising: at least one processor configured to: obtain stored information comprising a first part and a second part, wherein the stored information is stored in connection with an online transaction, and in association with an identifier corresponding to the obtained stored information; output the first part of the information; obtain to-be validated information; validate the to-be validated information based at least in part on the first part of the obtained stored information; and conditionally provide the second part of the obtained stored information to a terminal, wherein at least one condition that is to be satisfied before providing the second part of the obtained stored information is that the to-be validated information is determined to be validated; and a memory coupled to the at least one processor and configured to provide the at least one processor with instructions.","17.A computer program product, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for: obtaining stored information comprising a first part and a second part, wherein the stored information is stored in connection with an online transaction, and in association with an identifier corresponding to the obtained stored information; outputting the first part of the information; obtaining to-be validated information; validating the to-be validated information based at least in part on the first part of the obtained stored information; and conditionally providing the second part of the obtained stored information to a terminal, wherein at least one condition that is to be satisfied before providing the second part of the obtained stored information is that the to-be validated information is determined to be validated."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the rapid development of network technologies, online purchasing has become increasingly widespread.","When a buyer places an order for a good or service and makes a payment, the buyer also provides a delivery address, a contact telephone number, and other personal information to the seller.","In response to the buyer purchasing the good or service, the seller sends the product by way of a shipping company to the delivery address provided by the buyer.","During and after the transaction process described above, the buyer's personal information can be accessible to the public.","For example, the confidential information can easily be leaked through an express waybill or other document that clearly indicates such information.","The potential leakage of the confidential information constitutes a threat to the buyer's privacy.","For example, harassing phone calls made to the buyer, the delivery of unordered items, or the like.","In summary, the matter of managing confidentiality of buyers' personal information without affecting normal transactions has become a problem.","Therefore, there is a need for a method, a device, a server, and a system for managing confidentiality of personal information."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.","In order to provide a clearer explanation of the technical schemes in the prior art or in embodiments of the present application, simple introductions are given below to the drawings which are needed to describe embodiments or the prior art.","Obviously, persons with ordinary skill in the art could, without expending creative effort, obtain other drawings on the basis of these drawings.","FIG.","1 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","2 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","3 is a structural diagram of a system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","4 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","5 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","6 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","7 is a functional diagram of a computer system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","8 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","9 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?"],["CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/413,805, entitled MANAGING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION filed Jan. 24, 2017 which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, which is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/735,940, entitled MANAGING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION filed Jun.","10, 2015, now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,589,150, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, which claims priority to People's Republic of China Patent Application No.","201410262185.3 entitled A METHOD OF KEEPING INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL AND DEVICES ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, filed Jun.","12, 2014 which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a field of communications technology.","In particular, it relates to a method, a client, a server, and a system for managing confidential information.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the rapid development of network technologies, online purchasing has become increasingly widespread.","When a buyer places an order for a good or service and makes a payment, the buyer also provides a delivery address, a contact telephone number, and other personal information to the seller.","In response to the buyer purchasing the good or service, the seller sends the product by way of a shipping company to the delivery address provided by the buyer.","During and after the transaction process described above, the buyer's personal information can be accessible to the public.","For example, the confidential information can easily be leaked through an express waybill or other document that clearly indicates such information.","The potential leakage of the confidential information constitutes a threat to the buyer's privacy.","For example, harassing phone calls made to the buyer, the delivery of unordered items, or the like.","In summary, the matter of managing confidentiality of buyers' personal information without affecting normal transactions has become a problem.","Therefore, there is a need for a method, a device, a server, and a system for managing confidentiality of personal information.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.","In order to provide a clearer explanation of the technical schemes in the prior art or in embodiments of the present application, simple introductions are given below to the drawings which are needed to describe embodiments or the prior art.","Obviously, persons with ordinary skill in the art could, without expending creative effort, obtain other drawings on the basis of these drawings.","FIG.","1 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","2 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","3 is a structural diagram of a system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","4 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","5 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","6 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","7 is a functional diagram of a computer system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","8 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.","FIG.","9 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a process; an apparatus; a system; a composition of matter; a computer program product embodied on a computer readable storage medium; and/or a processor, such as a processor configured to execute instructions stored on and/or provided by a memory coupled to the processor.","In this specification, these implementations, or any other form that the invention may take, may be referred to as techniques.","In general, the order of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within the scope of the invention.","Unless stated otherwise, a component such as a processor or a memory described as being configured to perform a task may be implemented as a general component that is temporarily configured to perform the task at a given time or a specific component that is manufactured to perform the task.","As used herein, the term ‘processor’ refers to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing cores configured to process data, such as computer program instructions.","A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate the principles of the invention.","The invention is described in connection with such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment.","The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents.","Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.","These details are provided for the purpose of example and the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details.","For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.","As used herein, a terminal generally refers to a device used (e.g., by a user) within a network system and used to communicate with one or more servers.","According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal may include communication functionality.","For example, a terminal may be a smart phone, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop Personal Computer (PC), a laptop PC, a netbook PC, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), an mp3 player, a mobile medical device, a camera, a wearable device (e.g., a Head-Mounted Device (HMD), electronic clothes, electronic braces, an electronic necklace, an electronic accessory, an electronic tattoo, or a smart watch), or the like.","According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal includes a smart home appliance with communication functionality.","A smart home appliance can be, for example, a television, a Digital Video Disk (DVD) player, an audio device, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washer, a dryer, an air purifier, a set-top box, a TV box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a gaming console, an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, an electronic picture frame, or the like.","According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal can be any combination of the foregoing terminals.","In addition, it will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art that a terminal according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing terminal.","Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, a device, a server, and a system of managing confidential information.","For example, various embodiments solve the problem associated with leakage of personal buyer information in connection with an online shopping process.","FIG.","1 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","Referring to FIG.","1, a process 100 for managing confidential information is provided.","In some embodiments, process 100 is implemented by a server.","For example, process 100 can be implemented by server 500 of FIG.","5, mobile terminal 600 of FIG.","6, and server 800 of FIG.","8.Process 100 can be implemented by server 400 of FIG.","4.In some embodiments, the target information is divided into two parts: a public part and a confidential part.","The server sets an identifier corresponding to each confidential part of target information.","Upon dividing the target information into the public part and the confidential part, the server stores the public part of the target information, the confidential part of the target information, and the identifier.","The server outputs (e.g., makes public) the public part of the target information and the identifier.","In the example shown, at 110, a confidential identifier is set.","In some embodiments, a server sets an identifier (also referred to herein as the confidential identifier) corresponding to the confidential part of target information.","The identifier can be a predefined alphanumeric character, a serial number, or the like.","The target information can include confidential information that is intended to be maintained as confidential.","For example, the target information can correspond to transaction information.","The transaction information can be associated with an online purchase (e.g., a purchase by a buyer from an e-commerce website associated with a seller).","The portion of the target information that corresponds to the confidential part to which the identifier is set includes personal information of the buyer (e.g., address, name, credit card information, or the like).","The portion of target information that is not confidential information is deemed public information.","The server can receive the target information in connection with an online transaction.","For example, in the event that an online transaction is processed, the server can extract, or otherwise obtain, the target information from the transaction information associated with the online transaction.","In some embodiments, part of the address of the buyer is deemed confidential and part of the address of the buyer is deemed public.","At 120, target information is stored.","In some embodiments, the server stores the confidential part of the target information, the public part of the target information, and the identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.","The corresponding identifier indicates the portion of the target information corresponding to the confidential information.","At 130, the public part of the target information and the identifier is output.","In some embodiments, the server outputs the public part of the target information and the identifier.","The public part of the target information comprises first address information.","In some embodiments, the server outputs the public part and the confidential identifier to a logistics company in connection with shipping or delivery of a product purchased in connection with an online transaction.","The server can output the public part of the target information in response to an API or function call.","For example, the server can be configured to output only the public part of the target information and the identifier (e.g., and not the confidential part of the target information).","The server can use an application to send GPS location information or WiFi location information to a terminal.","The public part of the target information and the identifier can be sent from the server to an application on a terminal.","In some embodiments, the target information includes at least valid address information.","The valid address information can be divided into two parts: first address information not to be maintained as confidential (e.g., not in need of confidentiality) and second address information to be maintained as confidential (e.g., in need of confidentiality).","For example, the server regards the first address information as corresponding to the public part of the target information and the second address information as corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.","In the context of online shopping, after an order is created, the shopping site's server processes the target information provided by the buyer.","For example, the server first subjects the target information provided by the buyer to the processing according to 110 and 120 of process 100.The server can provide at least part of the target information to a logistics company in connection with delivery of a product purchased in an online transaction.","For example, the seller takes the received target information that was output by the server (e.g., displayed in a user interface screen or printed out as a hardcopy) and the corresponding identifier and enters, or types, the target information into an express waybill for the product, which is transported by a logistics company.","In some embodiments, the seller only receives the public part of the target information public part and the corresponding identifier.","For example, the seller does not receive the corresponding confidential part of the target information.","The buyer's target information is thus kept confidential vis-à-vis the seller.","The target information can include valid address information.","The valid address can correspond to the buyer's delivery address.","The valid address can be divided into at least two parts: first address information and second address information (also referred to herein as the smaller-unit second address information).","So as not to affect normal delivery by the logistics company, the smaller-unit second address information in the delivery address of each order can be regarded as a confidential part of the target information and the remaining first address information can be regarded as a public part of the target information.","In some embodiments, only the portions of the address information required by the logistics company to deliver the package to the intended recipient are deemed as public information.","The smaller-unit second address information corresponds to the more granular address information relative to other portions of the address information.","As an example, the smaller-unit can be a suite number, a room number, an apartment number, a unit number, or the like.","For example, in the case of the delivery address “xx province xx city xx district xx road xx no.","xx building xx unit xx room,” the server can regard the smaller-unit “xx unit xx room” as a confidential part of the target information and set the corresponding identifier to “Z.” Accordingly, the server can store the public part of the target information (e.g., “xx province xx city xx district xx road xx no.","xx building”), the confidential part of the target information (e.g., “xx unit xx room”), and the identifier Z in correspondence with each other.","The server can output the public part of the target information (e.g., “xx province xx city xx district xx road xx no.","xx building”) and the corresponding identifier Z.","For example, the public part of the target information and the corresponding identifier can be output to a logistics company or the like in connection with completion of the order.","Please note that the way in which the target information described in this paragraph is partitioned is merely one specific implementation of the present application.","The present application is not limited to the approach described above.","For example, in the delivery address “xx province xx city xx district xx road xx no.","xx building xx unit xx room,” “xx road xx no.","xx building xx unit xx room” may also be used as the confidential part of the target information and “xx province xx city xx district” as the public part of the target information.","In another example, if the delivery address is “room xx, unit xx, building xx, no.","xx, road xx, district xx, city xx, province xx,” “room xx, unit xx, building xx, no.","xx” can be used as the confidential part of the target information and “road xx, district xx, city xx, province xx” can be used as the public part of the target information.","In some embodiments, the server can store the target information in a database or table.","The server can store the target information to include mappings of public parts of target information, confidential parts of target information, and corresponding identifiers.","For example, the server can store the target information as shown in Table 1.TABLE 1 Target information and identifier Confidential part of target information (including Public part of target information second address (including first address information) information) Identifier Hebei Province xx city xx district xx Unit 1 Room 202 Z1 road xx no.","xx building Guangdong Province xx city xx district Unit 1 Room 202 Z2 xx road xx no.","xx building Beijing City, Chaoyang District, Anding Room 202 Z3 Road, Anhua Development Building Beijing City, Chaoyang District, Anding Room 420 Z4 Road, Anhua Development Building .",".",".",".",".",".",".",".",".","Beijing City, Dongcheng District xx xx room Z7, Z8 Road xx Building Apt.","A, No.","123 Main Street, San Apt.","A Z9 Francisco, CA .",".",".",".",".",".",".",".",".","As can be seen in Table 1, each identifier can uniquely determine one piece of target information.","As shown in Table 1, although the confidential parts of the target information corresponding to the identifiers Z1 and Z2 are the same, the corresponding public parts are different.","Accordingly, the two target information are not the same.","Because the two target information are not the same, the corresponding identifiers are different.","By the same logic, although the public parts of the target information corresponding to the identifiers Z3 and Z4 are the same, the corresponding confidential parts are different.","Thus, the target information corresponding to the identifiers Z3 and Z4 are different pieces of target information.","In some implementations, two pieces of target information in which both the public parts and the confidential parts are the same can exist.","For example, the target information can be the same across multiple pieces of target information in the event that two different orders by the same buyer exist.","In some embodiments, a single identifier may be set for the two pieces of target information that have the same public parts and confidential parts.","However, in some embodiments, in order to increase confidentiality, different identifiers are set for the two pieces of target information that have the same public parts and confidential parts.","Correspondingly, the aforesaid two pieces of target information and the corresponding identifiers can be separately stored, or the two pieces of target information and corresponding identifiers may be merged and stored.","For example, the target information “Beijing City, Dongcheng District xx Road xx Building xx Room” in Table 1 has two identifiers Z7 and Z8.In some embodiments, the target information includes other information in addition to the delivery address, such as buyer name, telephone number, the like, or any combination thereof.","To protect the buyer's privacy, the aforesaid buyer name, telephone number, and other information can be regarded as confidential information.","The buyer name, the telephone number, and other information can be deemed a confidential part of the target information.","For example, the buyer name, the telephone number, and other information can be regarded jointly with the first address information as the confidential part of the target information.","At 140, location information and a corresponding identifier are received.","In some embodiments, the server receives the location information and the corresponding identifier from a mobile terminal (e.g., a mobile terminal used by a logistics company's representative).","For example, the mobile terminal can acquire location information corresponding to the location at which the mobile terminal is currently located.","The mobile terminal can acquire the location information of the current location of the mobile terminal using a Global Positioning Service (GPS) module, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the IP address of the mobile terminal, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the connection or signals associated with various access points, or any other known technique for obtaining the location.","The mobile terminal sends the location information and the corresponding identifier (e.g., a to-be-recognized identifier) to the server.","The to-be-recognized identifier is an identifier that the server can recognize (e.g., by searching a database storing mappings of identifiers and target information such as the public part of the target information or the confidential part of target information).","The server receive the to-be-recognized identifier and can extract the appropriate information so as to recognize the identifier.","The to-be-recognized identifier can be generated by the mobile terminal.","For example, the to-be-recognized identifier can include a GPS position information or WiFi position information, and a mobile terminal or a user identifier that is registered with the server.","The mobile terminal or user identifier included in the to-be-recognized data can be registered with the server such that server can identify an associated user or mobile terminal in the event that the server receives a message (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) including the mobile terminal or user identifier.","The mobile terminal can acquire the identifier from logistic documentation (e.g., an express waybill).","For example, a user can input the identifier to the mobile terminal using an application that provides an input interface (e.g., a graphical user interface).","In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can capture an image of the logistic documentation and extract the identifier from the logistic documentation.","In some embodiments, in the event that the logistic documentation is an electronic object such an electronic document or other file, the mobile terminal can extract the identifier from the logistic documentation.","In some embodiments, the mobile terminal acquires the identifier using an image capture module.","For example, the mobile terminal can use an image capture module (e.g., a camera) to capture an image of the identifier, and an application executed by the mobile terminal can process the captured image to acquire the identifier.","In the event that the identifier is included in a QR code, a barcode, or the like, the identifier can be captured via image captured and the QR code, barcode, or the like can be processed using an application executed by the mobile terminal.","In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can acquire the identifier as an attachment in an e-mail, a text message, an instant message, or the like.","The identifier can be acquired over a Near Field Communication (NFC) connection, a Bluetooth connection, a WiFi connection, or the like.","In some embodiments, the location information and the corresponding identifier can be sent in conjunction with a user identifier (e.g., an employee identifier, or the like), or the like.","For example, the mobile terminal can send information used to authenticate the user.","For example, the mobile terminal can be used by a logistics company representative.","The logistics company representative can be authenticated before the location information and corresponding identifier are accepted, processed, or the like.","The location information and the corresponding identifiers can be used in connection with completing delivery of an item (e.g., a product purchased via an online transaction).","For example, when logistics company delivery personnel are making deliveries, the logistic company can make use of current location information and the corresponding identifiers (i.e., the to-be-recognized identifier) on the express waybill that are uploaded to the server from mobile terminals.","A mobile terminal can be configured to use GPS positioning components of the mobile terminal to provide information acquired by the mobile terminals on the current location of the mobile terminal.","For example, the mobile terminals can have an application installed thereon that acquires the current location of the mobile terminal (e.g., using GPS positioning components) and sends the location information to the server (contemporaneously with the corresponding identifier, waybill, the like, or any combination thereof) According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a more granular portion of a delivery address and other confidential information associated with the delivery are not provided until a logistics company representative is within a threshold proximity (e.g., 100 meters, 10 kilometers, etc.)","of the delivery address.","The location of the logistics company representative can be confirmed to be within the threshold proximity of the delivery address based on the logistics company representative using a mobile terminal to send the current location of the mobile terminal to the server.","The server can determine whether the current location of the mobile terminal is consistent with, or otherwise matches, the delivery address (e.g., the public part of the target information).","For example, the server can determine whether the current location of the mobile terminal is within the threshold proximity of the delivery address.","In some embodiments, the threshold proximity is configurable by a user such as a seller, a buyer, a recipient, a logistics company, or the like.","The threshold proximity can be set according to user or business preferences, according to the type of address (e.g., residential, commercial, rural, or the like) of the delivery address, according to a jurisdiction in which the delivery address is located, the like, or any combination thereof.","At 150, a determination is made as to whether the location information (e.g., the location information received from the mobile terminal that indicates the current location of the mobile terminal) is consistent with the first address information (e.g., the public part of the target information).","In some embodiments, the location information can be deemed consistent with the first address information if the location information is the same as the first address information.","In some embodiments, the location information can be deemed consistent with the first address information if the location information is in approximately the same location as the first address information (e.g., if the location information is within a threshold proximity of the first address information).","In some embodiments, in response to the server receiving the current location information and corresponding identifier from the mobile terminal, the server determines whether the location information is consistent with the first address information.","The server can use the identifier received from the mobile terminal in connection with the current location of the mobile terminal to look up the corresponding first address information.","For example, the server uses the identifier to search a database or table storing mappings of first address information and identifiers for first address information mapped to the identifier.","In the event that the server finds first address information associated with the received identifier, the server determines whether the location information received from the mobile terminal (e.g., the location information indicating the current location of the mobile terminal) matches (e.g., is the same as, or within a threshold proximity of a location corresponding to) the first address information.","The server can determine whether the current location of the mobile terminal is the same as the first address information.","In the event that the location information and the first address information are determined to be consistent at 150, then at 160, corresponding confidential information is sent.","If the location information and the first address information are consistent (e.g., are the same or within a threshold proximity of each other), then the server can send the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier received in connection with the location information (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal.","After receiving the location information and the corresponding identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier), the server searches a local storage or a remote storage for the public part of the target information (e.g., the aforesaid first address information) corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier received in connection with the location information) and compares the location information with the public part of the target information.","If the location information and the public part of the target information are the same, then the product is already within range (e.g., a threshold proximity) of the address corresponding to the first address information.","In some embodiments, in order for the location information and the public part of the target information to be deemed the same, the location information and the public part of the target information need only be the same to a preset granularity.","For example, the granularity can require that the location information and the public part of the target information be the same at the district level but does not require that the location information and the public part of the target information be the same at the street level.","In addition, if the location information and the public part of the target information are the same, then it can be inferred that the person holding the mobile terminal is a delivery person for the logistics company and not another person in another area.","At this point, the server obtains the confidential part of the target information (including the second address information) corresponding to the identifier received in connection with the location information (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) and sends the confidential part of the target information to the mobile terminal.","Accordingly, the delivery person obtains the entire target information (e.g., including the valid address information formed by combining the first address information and the second address information) and thus successfully delivers the product into the hands of the buyer.","In the event that the location information and the first address information are determined to be not consistent at 150, then at 180, an indication that the location information is not consistent with the first address information is provided.","The server can send the indication that the current location of the mobile terminal (e.g., the location associated with the location information) is not consistent with the first address information to the mobile terminal.","In response to receiving the indication from the server, the mobile terminal can display, or otherwise provide, the indication.","For example, in response to receiving the indication, the mobile terminal can generate an alert and provide the alert to the user (e.g., via a vibration, a display of an icon, a text box, other prompt, an indicator LED, or the like).","If the local information and the first address information are different, then the server does not send the confidential part of the target information to the mobile terminal.","The server can send appropriate prompt information such as “address incorrect” to the mobile terminal.","In some embodiments, the location information and the first address information are deemed to be different if the location information is not within the threshold proximity of the first address information.","According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a server sets up an identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information, stores the public part of the target information, the confidential part of the target information, and the corresponding identifier, and outputs the public part of the target information and the corresponding identifier.","The public part of the target information can include at least first address information.","A mobile terminal acquires location information associated with the current location of the mobile terminal, and an identifier (e.g., a to-be-recognized identifier) such as an identifier associated with an online transaction, and sends the location information and the identifier to a server.","In response to receiving the location information and the identifier, the server determines whether the location information and the first address information are consistent.","If the location information and the first address information are consistent, then the server sends the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal.","In some embodiments, the identifier is used to acquire the corresponding confidential part of the target information when the location information of the mobile terminal is the same as the first address information (e.g., when the delivery person has arrived within the address range corresponding to the first address information).","For example, the entire target information (e.g., the public part of the confidential information and the confidential part of the target information) can be acquired (e.g., sent to the mobile terminal) only when the location information of the mobile terminal is within the threshold proximity of the first address information.","In some embodiments, neither the seller nor any other personnel involved in the product transportation process may acquire the entire target information.","Accordingly, various embodiments achieve confidentiality for the target information.","Thus, the privacy of a buyer associated with an online transaction can be protected.","According to various embodiments, even in cases where target information is leaked, responsibility of the leak can generally be traced beginning with the delivery personnel (e.g., because the confidential part of the target information is only sent in response to the delivery personnel being within the threshold proximity of the first address information).","The interests of buyers are thus safeguarded.","In some embodiments, the public part of the target information and the confidential part of the target information (and the identifier) are stored via Table 1 within a single storage unit in a server, or in a single location (e.g., the same database) in a remote storage accessible by the server.","In some embodiments, the public part of the target information and the confidential part of the target information are stored in different storage units, and the public part and the confidential part that belong to the same target information are respectively associated with a unique number.","Accordingly, the public part and the confidential part associated with the same piece of target information can be located according to the unique number mapped to both the public part and the confidential part.","Different parts of the same target information can be stored in different storage units or in different databases.","As a result, should information in either storage unit (e.g., database) of the server be stolen, only one part of the target information (and not the entire target information) will be disclosed.","Thus, the confidentiality of the target information is further improved.","In some embodiments, the number used to relate the public part of the target information and the confidential part of the target information is a transaction order serial number or the like.","Tables 2 and 3 below present the form in which target information can be stored in a server.","Table 2 provides a form of storage of the public part of the target information, and Table 3 provides a form of storage of the confidential part of the corresponding target information.","Tables 2 and 3 can be stored in different storage units or different databases of the server.","TABLE 2 Public part of target information Number Public part of target information 2688000111 Hebei Province xx city xx district xx road xx no.","xx building 2688000112 Guangdong Province xx city xx district xx road xx no.","xx building 2688000113 Beijing City, Chaoyang District, Anding Road, Anhua Development Building 2688000114 Beijing City, Chaoyang District, Anding Road, Anhua Development Building .",".",".",".",".",".","2688000117 Beijing City, Dongcheng District xx Road xx Building .",".",".",".",".",".","TABLE 3 Confidential part of target information and corresponding identifier Number Confidential part of target information Identifier 2688000111 Unit 1 Room 202 Z1 2688000112 Unit 1 Room 202 Z2 2688000113 Room 202 Z3 2688000114 Room 420 Z4 .",".",".",".",".",".",".",".",".","2688000117 xx room Z7, Z8 .",".",".",".",".",".",".",".",".","As shown by Tables 2 and 3, the public part of the target information and the confidential part of the target information that correspond to the same number collectively constitute one piece of valid target information.","For example, Hebei Province xx city xx district xx road xx no.","xx building and Unit 1 Room 202 are combined to form the target information Hebei Province xx city xx district xx road xx no.","xx building Unit 1 Room 202.Referring to Tables 2 and 3, after receiving the location information and the corresponding identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) from the mobile terminal, the method whereby the server acquires the corresponding first address information includes searching for the number corresponding to the received identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) in Table 3; and searching for the public part of the target information corresponding to the number in Table 2.The public part of the target information that the server finds is the first address information corresponding to the received identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier).","In some embodiments, the server sets the identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.","The server can set the identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information by encoding the confidential part of the target information based on a preset encryption rule so as to obtain the identifier.","In some embodiments, different types of identifiers employ different preset encryption rules.","For example, a QR code corresponding to the confidential part of the target information can be generated according to a QR code encoding rule.","As another example, a barcode corresponding to the confidential part of the target information is generated according to a barcode encoding rule.","In some embodiments, a variety of specific types of identifiers can be implemented depending on the requirements of the system.","For example, one or more of the variety of specific types of identifiers may be employed.","The types of identifiers can include QR codes, barcodes, radio-frequency identification (RFID) codes, character strings, or the like.","In the event that the identifier is a QR code or a barcode, the seller can directly print the QR code or barcode on logistic documentation (e.g., the express waybill of the product).","Correspondingly, the mobile terminal described can be configured to include a specialized scanning module or device, or the mobile terminal can be configured with a corresponding scanning function (e.g., a smart phone may be used to scan a QR code).","In the event that the identifier is a radio-frequency identification code, the seller can attach an electronic tag such as an RFID chip that stores the radio-frequency identification code to the logistic documentation (e.g., the express waybill of the product).","Correspondingly, the mobile terminal can be configured as an RFID reader, or the mobile terminal can be configured with a radio-frequency identification function which communicates wirelessly with the RFID chip through an antenna so as to read the stored radio-frequency identification code stored in the RFID chip.","In the event that the identifier is a character string, the seller can directly enter or type the string onto the logistics documentation (e.g., the express waybill of the product).","Correspondingly, the string can be input through a physical or virtual keyboard on the mobile terminal.","The aforesaid character string can be a numerical string, a Chinese character string, a string of letters, a string of special symbols, or a combination character string that contains at least two of the following: numbers, Chinese characters, letters, and special symbols.","In some embodiments, 170 is performed.","In various other embodiments, 170 is omitted.","170 can be performed after 160 of process 100.At 170, the corresponding confidential information is deleted.","In the event that the server sent the confidential part of the target information associated with the received identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier), the server deletes the confidential part of the target information from a database or table storing mappings of confidential parts of target information and identifiers.","The server can delete the confidential part of the target information upon receiving confirmation that the confidential part of the target information that was sent (e.g., to the mobile terminal) is received.","Referring to Table 1 as an example, in the event that the server sends the confidential part of the target information “Room 420” corresponding to the identifier Z4 to a mobile terminal at 160, then at 170, the server deletes the confidential part of the target information “Room 420” from the table.","In some embodiments, the server may also delete all information (e.g., target information) relating to the identifier (e.g., to-be-recognized identifier) from the database or table storing the mapping of target information (or portions thereof) to identifiers.","The server can contemporaneously delete all information associated with the identifier with deletion of the confidential part of the target information.","Referring to Table 1 as an example, when deleting the confidential part of the target information “Room 420,” the server also deletes the corresponding target information's public part “Beijing City, Chaoyang District, Anding Road, Anhua Development Building” and the identifier “Z4.” In other words, the server deletes the entire fourth line of information in Table 1.In some embodiments, after sending the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier, the server deletes the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier from the database storing mappings of confidential parts of target information and identifiers.","As a result, the mobile terminal cannot again use this identifier to acquire the confidential part of the corresponding target information.","Accordingly, the confidentiality of the target information is further increased.","In some embodiments, after the server sends the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., to-be-recognized identifier) to a mobile terminal, the server may also regard identifiers that are the same as the identifier received in connection with the current location of the mobile terminal (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) in the database including mappings of target information (e.g., confidential parts of target information) and identifiers as invalid identifiers.","For example, the database including the mappings of target information and identifiers can include a status field associated with an identifier.","After the server has sent the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal (and receives confirmation of such information from the mobile terminal), the server updates the status field associated with the identifier to indicate that the identifier is invalid.","Referring to Table 4, this approach likewise renders the mobile terminal incapable of again using this identifier to acquire the corresponding confidential part of the target information.","The confidentiality of the target information is further increased.","TABLE 4 Confidential part of target information and corresponding identifier Number Confidential part of target information Identifier Status 2688000111 Unit 1 Room 202 Z1 Invalid 2688000112 Unit 1 Room 202 Z2 Valid .",".",".",".",".",".",".",".",".",".",".",".","According to various embodiments, a server sets up an identifier corresponding to the confidential part of target information, stores the public part of the target information, the confidential part of the target information, and the corresponding identifier, and outputs the public part of the target information and the identifier.","The public part of the target information at least comprises first address information.","A mobile terminal acquires location information associated with a current location of the mobile terminal and an identifier (e.g., a to-be-recognized identifier) and sends the location information and the identifier to a server.","The server determines whether the location information and the first address information are consistent.","If the location information and the first address information are consistent, then the server sends the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal.","In some embodiments, the server sends the confidential part of the target information to the mobile terminal only when the received mobile terminal location information is the same as the first address information.","As a result, the mobile terminal obtains complete target information (e.g., both the public part of the target information and the confidential part of the target information).","In some embodiments, neither the seller nor any other personnel involved in the product transportation process can acquire the entire target information.","Therefore, various embodiments achieve confidentiality for the target information.","The privacy of the buyer can thus be protected in connection with online transactions.","FIG.","2 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","Referring to FIG.","2, a process 200 for managing confidential information is provided.","In some embodiments, process 200 is implemented by a terminal.","For example, process 200 can be implemented by device 600 of FIG.","6.Process 200 can be implemented by system 300 of FIG.","3.At 210, an identifier is acquired.","In some embodiments, a mobile terminal acquires an identifier associated with target information.","For example, the identifier is associated with a transaction.","The mobile terminal can acquire the identifier from logistic documentation (e.g., an express waybill).","For example, a user can input the identifier recorded on the logistic document to the mobile terminal manually using an interface (e.g., a graphical user interface).","In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can be used to capture an image of the logistic documentation and extract the identifier from the logistic documentation (e.g., by scanning a QR code printed on the express waybill).","In some embodiments, in the event that the logistic documentation is an electronic object, the mobile terminal can extract the identifier from the logistic documentation.","The identifier can be acquired, or otherwise input to, an application (e.g., a package delivery application) installed on the mobile terminal.","At 220, a current location is acquired.","For example, the mobile terminal can acquire location information corresponding to the location at which the mobile terminal is currently located.","The mobile terminal can acquire the location information of the current location of the mobile terminal using a Global Positioning Service (GPS) module, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the IP address of the mobile terminal, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the connection or signals associated with various access points, or the like.","The current location can be acquired, or otherwise input to, an application (e.g., a package delivery application) installed on the mobile terminal.","At 230, the current location and the acquired identifier are sent.","The mobile terminal can send location information indicating a current location of the mobile terminal and the acquired identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the server.","In some embodiments, the location information and the corresponding identifier can be sent in conjunction with a user identifier (e.g., an employee identifier, or the like), or the like.","For example, the mobile terminal can send information used to authenticate the user.","For example, the mobile terminal can be used by a logistics company representative.","The logistics company representative can be authenticated before the location information and corresponding identifier are accepted, processed, or the like.","The location information and the corresponding identifiers can be used in connection with completing delivery of an item (e.g., a product purchased via an online transaction).","For example, the mobile terminal can send the location information and the corresponding identifier to a server in order to receive second address information associated with delivery of an item.","The second address information can correspond to the confidential part of the target information associated with the identifier.","At 240, corresponding confidential information is received.","The mobile terminal can receive the confidential part of target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) that the mobile terminal sent at 230.In response to receiving the confidential information, the mobile terminal can provide the confidential part of the target information.","For example, the mobile terminal can extract the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier, and display the confidential part of the target information.","In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can invoke an application that generates directions from the current location of the mobile terminal to a location corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.","In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can display an indicator associated with a location corresponding to the confidential part of the target information on a map.","In the event that the location information and the first address information associated with the identifier are not determined to be consistent, the mobile terminal can receive, from the server, an indication that the location information is not consistent with the first address information.","In response to receiving the indication from the server, the mobile terminal can display, or otherwise provide, the indication.","For example, in response to receiving the indication, the mobile terminal can generate an alert and provide the alert to the user (e.g., via a vibration, a display of an icon or other prompt, an indicator LED, or the like).","In some embodiments, the identifier comprises at least one of the following: a QR code, a barcode, a radio-frequency identification code, a character string, or the like.","In some embodiments, the confidential part of the target information comprises second address information.","A combination of the first address information and the second address can correspond to valid address information in the target information.","FIG.","3 is a structural diagram of a system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","Referring to FIG.","3, a system 300 for managing confidential information is provided.","The system can implement process 100 of FIG.","1 or process 200 of FIG.","2.System 300 includes a terminal 310 and a server 320.The terminal 310 can be a mobile terminal used to implement process 200 of FIG.","2.The server 320 can be a server used to implement process 100 of FIG.","1.In some embodiments, system 300 includes a network 330 over which the terminal 310 and the server 320 communicate.","In some embodiments, the terminal 310 logs into the server 320.For example, the server 320 hosts an application or an application system to which the terminal (e.g., a current user) logs in.","The server 320 can authenticate the terminal 310 (or a user thereof).","In the event that the terminal 310 is authenticated, the terminal 310 can receive confidential information from the server 320.For example, the terminal 310 can receive the confidential part of target information corresponding to an identifier from the server 320.FIG.","4 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.","Referring to FIG.","4, a server 400 for managing confidential information is provided.","Server 400 can implement process 100 of FIG.","1.Server 400 can be implemented by system 300 of FIG.","3.Server 400 includes a setting module 410, a storage module 420, an output module 430, a receiving module 440, an assessing module 450, and a sending module 460.The setting module 410 is configured to set an identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.","The corresponding identifier indicates the portion of the target information corresponding to the confidential information.","For example, the corresponding identifier indicates the bifurcation between confidential information and public information among the target information.","The server 400 can receive the target information in connection with an online transaction.","For example, in the event that an online transaction is processed, the server 400 can extract, or otherwise obtain, the target information from the transaction information associated with the online transaction.","The storage module 420 is configured to store the public part of the target information, the confidential part of the target information, and the identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.","The public part of the target information at least comprises first address information.","The output module 430 is configured to output the public part of the target information and the identifier.","In some embodiments, the server outputs the public part and the confidential identifier to a logistics company in connection with shipping or delivery of a product purchased in connection with an online transaction.","The output module 430 can output the public part of the target information in response to an API or function call.","For example, the output module 430 can be configured to output only the public part of the target information and the identifier (e.g., and not the confidential part of the target information).","The receiving module 440 is configured to receive the location information corresponding to a current location of a mobile terminal and an identifier (e.g., to-be-recognized identifier) sent by the mobile terminal.","The assessing module 450 is configured to determine whether the location information is consistent with the first address information.","In some embodiments, the location information can be deemed consistent with the first address information if the location information is the same as the first address information.","In some embodiments, the location information can be deemed consistent with the first address information if the location information is in approximately the same location as the first address information (e.g., if the location information is within a threshold proximity of the first address information).","The assessing module 450 can use the identifier received from the mobile terminal in connection with the current location of the mobile terminal to look up the corresponding first address information.","For example, the assessing module 450 uses the identifier to search a database or table storing mappings of first address information and identifiers for first address information mapped to the identifier.","In the event that the assessing module 450 finds first address information associated with the received identifier, the assessing module 450 determines whether the location information received from the mobile terminal (e.g., the location information indicating the current location of the mobile terminal) matches (e.g., is the same as, or within a threshold proximity of a location corresponding to) the first address information.","The assessing module 450 can determine whether the current location of the mobile terminal is the same as the first address information.","The sending module 460 is configured to send the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal if the location information and the first address information are consistent.","FIG.","5 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.","Referring to FIG.","5, a server 500 for managing confidential information is provided.","Server 500 can implement process 100 of FIG.","1.Server 500 can be implemented by system 300 of FIG.","3.Server 500 includes a setting module 510, a storage module 520, an output module 530, a receiving module 540, an assessing module 550, a sending module 560, and an updating module 570.The setting module 510 is configured to set an identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.","The corresponding identifier indicates the portion of the target information corresponding to the confidential information.","For example, the corresponding identifier indicates the bifurcation between confidential information and public information among the target information.","The server 500 can receive the target information in connection with an online transaction.","For example, in the event that an online transaction is processed, the server 500 can extract, or otherwise obtain, the target information from the transaction information associated with the online transaction.","The storage module 520 is configured to store the public part of the target information, the confidential part of the target information, and the corresponding identifier.","The public part of the target information at least comprises first address information.","The output module 530 is configured to output the public part of the target information and the identifier.","In some embodiments, the server outputs the public part and the confidential identifier to a logistics company in connection with shipping or delivery of a product purchased in connection with an online transaction.","The receiving module 540 is configured to receive the location information corresponding to a current location of a mobile terminal and an identifier (e.g., to-be-recognized identifier) sent by the mobile terminal.","The assessing module 550 is configured to determine whether the location information is consistent with the first address information.","The assessing module 550 can use the identifier received from the mobile terminal in connection with the current location of the mobile terminal to look up the corresponding first address information.","For example, the assessing module 550 uses the identifier to search a database or table storing mappings of first address information and identifiers for first address information mapped to the identifier.","In the event that the assessing module 550 finds first address information associated with the received identifier, the assessing module 550 determines whether the location information received from the mobile terminal (e.g., the location information indicating the current location of the mobile terminal) matches the first address information.","The assessing module 550 can determine whether the current location of the mobile terminal is the same as the first address information.","The sending module 560 is configured to send the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal if the location information and the first address information are consistent.","The updating module 570 is configured to delete the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) from a database or table storing mappings of confidential parts of target information and identifiers.","The updating module 570 can delete the confidential part of the target information upon receiving confirmation that the confidential part of the target information that was sent (e.g., to the mobile terminal) is received.","FIG.","6 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.","Referring to FIG.","6, a mobile terminal 600 is provided.","Mobile terminal 600 can implement process 200 of FIG.","2.Mobile terminal 600 can be implemented in system 300 of FIG.","3.Mobile terminal 600 includes an acquiring module 610, a sending module 620, and a receiving module 630.The acquiring module 610 is configured to acquire location information corresponding to the current location of the mobile terminal and an identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier).","The acquiring module 610 can acquire the identifier from logistic documentation (e.g., an express waybill).","For example, a user can input the identifier recorded on the logistic document to the mobile terminal 600 manually using an interface (e.g., a graphical user interface) and the acquiring module 610 can communicate with the interface to acquire the identifier.","In some embodiments, the acquiring module 610 can be used to capture an image of the logistic documentation (e.g., by invoking a camera function of a camera on the mobile terminal 600) and extract the identifier from the logistic documentation.","In some embodiments, in the event that the logistic documentation is an electronic object, the acquiring module 610 can extract the identifier from the logistic documentation (e.g., by scanning a QR code printed on the express waybill).","The acquiring module 610 can acquire the location information of the current location of the mobile terminal using a Global Positioning Service (GPS) module, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the IP address of the mobile terminal, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the connection or signals associated with various access points, or the like.","The sending module 620 is configured to send the location information and the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to a server.","In some embodiments, the sending module 620 can send the location information and the corresponding identifier in conjunction with a user identifier (e.g., an employee identifier, or the like), or the like.","For example, the sending module 620 can send information used to authenticate the user.","For example, the mobile terminal 600 can be used by a logistics company representative.","The receiving module 630 is configured to receive the confidential part of the target information from the server.","The server determines whether the location information and the first address information in the public part of the target information are consistent.","If the location information and the first address information are consistent, the server sends the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier to mobile terminal 600.In response to receiving the confidential information, mobile terminal 600 can provide the confidential part of the target information.","For example, mobile terminal 600 can extract the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier, and display the confidential part of the target information.","In some embodiments, mobile terminal 600 can invoke an application that generates directions from the current location of mobile terminal 600 to a location corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.","In some embodiments, mobile terminal 600 can display an indicator associated with a location corresponding to the confidential part of the target information on a map.","FIG.","7 is a functional diagram of a computer system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.","Referring to FIG.","7, a computer system 700 for processing call requests is provided.","As will be apparent, other computer system architectures and configurations can be used to implement video calls.","Computer system 700, which includes various subsystems as described below, includes at least one microprocessor subsystem (also referred to as a processor or a central processing unit (CPU)) 702.For example, processor 702 can be implemented by a single-chip processor or by multiple processors.","In some embodiments, processor 702 is a general purpose digital processor that controls the operation of the computer system 700.Using instructions retrieved from memory 710, the processor 702 controls the reception and manipulation of input data, and the output and display of data on output devices (e.g., display 718).","Processor 702 is coupled bi-directionally with memory 710, which can include a first primary storage, typically a random access memory (RAM), and a second primary storage area, typically a read-only memory (ROM).","As is well known in the art, primary storage can be used as a general storage area and as scratch-pad memory, and can also be used to store input data and processed data.","Primary storage can also store programming instructions and data, in the form of data objects and text objects, in addition to other data and instructions for processes operating on processor 702.Also as is well known in the art, primary storage typically includes basic operating instructions, program code, data, and objects used by the processor 702 to perform its functions (e.g., programmed instructions).","For example, memory 710 can include any suitable computer-readable storage media, described below, depending on whether, for example, data access needs to be bi-directional or uni-directional.","For example, processor 702 can also directly and very rapidly retrieve and store frequently needed data in a cache memory (not shown).","The memory can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.","A removable mass storage device 712 provides additional data storage capacity for the computer system 700, and is coupled either bi-directionally (read/write) or uni-directionally (read only) to processor 702.For example, storage 712 can also include computer-readable media such as magnetic tape, flash memory, PC-CARDS, portable mass storage devices, holographic storage devices, and other storage devices.","A fixed mass storage 720 can also, for example, provide additional data storage capacity.","The most common example of mass storage 720 is a hard disk drive.","Mass storage device 712 and fixed mass storage 720 generally store additional programming instructions, data, and the like that typically are not in active use by the processor 702.It will be appreciated that the information retained within mass storage device 712 and fixed mass storage 720 can be incorporated, if needed, in standard fashion as part of memory 710 (e.g., RAM) as virtual memory.","In addition to providing processor 702 access to storage subsystems, bus 714 can also be used to provide access to other subsystems and devices.","As shown, these can include a display monitor 718, a network interface 716, a keyboard 704, and a pointing device 706, as well as an auxiliary input/output device interface, a sound card, speakers, and other subsystems as needed.","For example, the pointing device 706 can be a mouse, stylus, track ball, or tablet, and is useful for interacting with a graphical user interface.","The network interface 716 allows processor 702 to be coupled to another computer, computer network, or telecommunications network using a network connection as shown.","For example, through the network interface 716, the processor 702 can receive information (e.g., data objects or program instructions) from another network or output information to another network in the course of performing method/process steps.","Information, often represented as a sequence of instructions to be executed on a processor, can be received from and outputted to another network.","An interface card or similar device and appropriate software implemented by (e.g., executed/performed on) processor 702 can be used to connect the computer system 700 to an external network and transfer data according to standard protocols.","For example, various process embodiments disclosed herein can be executed on processor 702, or can be performed across a network such as the Internet, intranet networks, or local area networks, in conjunction with a remote processor that shares a portion of the processing.","Additional mass storage devices (not shown) can also be connected to processor 702 through network interface 716.An auxiliary I/O device interface (not shown) can be used in conjunction with computer system 700.The auxiliary I/O device interface can include general and customized interfaces that allow the processor 702 to send and, more typically, receive data from other devices such as microphones, touch-sensitive displays, transducer card readers, tape readers, voice or handwriting recognizers, biometrics readers, cameras, portable mass storage devices, and other computers.","The computer system shown in FIG.","7 is but an example of a computer system suitable for use with the various embodiments disclosed herein.","Other computer systems suitable for such use can include additional or fewer subsystems.","In addition, bus 714 is illustrative of any interconnection scheme serving to link the subsystems.","Other computer architectures having different configurations of subsystems can also be utilized.","FIG.","8 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.","Referring to FIG.","8, a server 800 for managing confidential information is provided.","Server 800 can implement process 100 of FIG.","1.Server 800 can be implemented by system 300 of FIG.","3 The server 800 comprises a processing component 810, which further comprises one or more processors, and storage resources represented by the storage device 820 which are for storing instructions (e.g., application programs) that can be executed by the processing component 820.The application programs stored in the storage device 820 may include one or more modules each of which corresponds to a set of instructions.","In addition, the processing component 810 is configured to execute instructions so as to execute the aforesaid method of managing confidential information.","The server 800 can also include a power supply component 850, a network interface 840, and an input-output interface 830.The power supply component 850 is configured to execute power supply management for the server 800.The network interface 840 can be a wired network interface or a wireless network interface 840, which is configured to connect the server 800 to a network.","The server 800 can operate based on an operating system, such as Windows Server™, Mac OS X™, Unix™, Linux™, FreeBSD™, or the like, which is stored in the storage device 820.In some embodiments, the server 800 includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that includes instructions (e.g., the storage device 820 in the server 800).","The aforesaid instructions can be executed by a server 800 processor so as to complete a method such as process 100 of FIG.","1 described above.","As an example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be ROM, random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, or an optical data storage device.","In the event that the instructions in the non-transitory computer-readable medium are executed by the server 800 processor, the server 800 becomes capable of executing a method for managing confidential information.","The method includes accessing stored target information comprising a public part and a confidential part, and an identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information, outputting the public part of the target information and the corresponding identifier, wherein the public part of the target information comprises at least first address information, receiving location information and a to-be-recognized identifier, wherein the location information is associated with a current location of a mobile terminal, determining whether the location information is consistent with the first address information, and in the event that the location information is consistent with the first address information, sending the confidential part of the target information associated with the to-be-recognized identifier to the mobile terminal.","In some embodiments, the method further comprises: after sending the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier to the mobile terminal, deleting at least the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier from a database that includes mappings of confidential parts of target information and identifiers.","FIG.","9 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.","Referring to FIG.","9, a mobile terminal 900 is provided.","Mobile terminal 900 can implement process 200 of FIG.","2.Mobile terminal 900 can be implemented in system 300 of FIG.","3.The mobile terminal 900 provided by the embodiment of the present application may comprise the following one or more components: a processing component 910, a storage device 920, a communication component 930, a power supply component 940, a sensor 950, an input/output (I/O) interface 960, a multimedia component 970, and an audio component 980.The processing component 910 generally controls overall operations of the mobile terminal, such as operations relating to display, telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations.","The processing component 910 can comprise one or more processors 911 for executing local or remote instructions so as to complete all or some of the steps of the method described above in the aforesaid embodiment.","In addition, the processing component 910 can comprise one or more modules to facilitate interaction between the processing component 910 and other components.","For example, the processing component 910 can comprise a multimedia module to facilitate interactions between the multimedia component 970 and the processing component 910.The storage device 920 may be configured to store various types of data to support operations on the mobile terminal.","Examples of this data include the instructions of any application program or method used in mobile terminal operations, contact data, telephone directory data, messages, pictures, and video.","The storage device 920 can be any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic disks, or optical disks.","The communication component 930 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between said mobile terminal and other devices.","The mobile terminal can access wireless networks based on a communications standard such as WiFi, 2G, 3G, or combinations thereof.","In some embodiments, the communication component 930 receives via broadcast channels broadcast signals or broadcast-related information from external broadcast management systems.","In some embodiments, the communication component 930 further comprises a near-field communication (NFC) module for promoting short-range communication.","For example, the short-range communications can be achieved in the NFC module on the basis of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) technology, ultra-wide band (UWB) technology, Bluetooth technology, and other technology.","The power supply component 940 provides electric power to the various components of the mobile terminal.","The power supply 940 can include a power supply management system, one or more power supplies, and other components related to generating, managing, and allocating power to the mobile terminal.","The sensor component 950 comprises one or more sensors and is used to provide status evaluations of various aspects of the mobile terminal.","For example, the sensor component 950 can detect the power on/off status of the terminal and the relative positioning of components (the display and small keyboard of the mobile terminal).","The sensor component 950 can further detect changes in the position of the mobile terminal or of a component of the mobile terminal, contact or non-contact between a user and the mobile terminal, the orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal, and changes in the temperature of the mobile terminal.","The sensor component 950 can comprise a near sensor which is configured to detect the presence of a nearby object when there is no physical contact.","The sensor component 950 can further comprise an optical sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor for use in imaging applications.","In some embodiments, the sensor component 950 can further comprise an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.","In some embodiments, the sensor component 950 can further comprise a front camera and/or rear camera.","In the event that the said mobile terminal is in operating mode, such as a picture-taking mode or a video mode, the front camera and/or rear camera can receive external data.","Each front camera and rear camera can be a fixed optical lens system or have focusing and optical zoom capabilities.","The input/output component 960 provides an interface between the processing component 910 and peripheral interface modules.","The aforesaid peripheral interface modules may be keyboards, click wheels, buttons, etc.","These buttons may include but are not limited to: homepage button, volume button, start button, and lock button.","The multimedia component 970 comprises an output interface screen provided between said mobile terminal and the user.","In some embodiments, the screen comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a touch panel (TP).","If the screen comprises a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touchscreen to receive input signals from the user.","The touch panel comprises one or more touch sensors to detect touches, sliding actions, and gestures on the touch panel.","The touch sensor can not only detect the boundaries of touch or slide actions, but also can measure duration and pressure related to the touch or slide operations.","The audio component 980 is configured to output and/or input audio signals.","For example, the audio component 980 includes a microphone (MIC).","When the mobile terminal is in an operating mode (e.g., when in calling mode, recording mode, or speech recognition mode), the microphone is configured to receive external audio signals.","The received audio signals can be further stored in the storage device 920 or sent by the communication component 930.In some embodiments, the audio component 980 further comprises a speaker for output of audio signals.","In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can be realized by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital signal processors (DSP), digital signal processing devices (DSPD), programmable logic devices (PLD), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, or other electronic components for executing the method described above.","In some embodiments, the mobile terminal 900 includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that includes instructions (e.g., the storage device 920).","The aforesaid instructions may be executed by the processor 911 of a mobile terminal so as to complete the method described above.","For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be ROM, random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, or an optical data storage device.","In the event that the instructions in said non-transitory computer-readable medium are executed by the mobile terminal processor, the mobile terminal becomes capable of executing a method associated with managing confidential information.","The method can include acquiring an identifier corresponding to a confidential part of target information stored by a server, wherein a public part of the target information stored by the server comprises at least first address information, acquiring location information, wherein the location information is associated with a current location of a mobile terminal, sending the location information and the identifier to the server, and in response to the server determining whether the location information is consistent with the first address information, receiving the confidential part of the target information associated with the identifier.","The above-stated are merely embodiments of the present application and do not limit the present application.","For persons skilled in the art, the present application may have various modifications and variations.","Any modification, equivalent substitution, or improvement made in keeping with the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included within the scope of the claims of the present application.","Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limited to the details provided.","There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention.","The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"MANAGING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION\",\n \"Embodiments of the present application relate to a method, apparatus, and system for managing confidential information.\",\n \"The method includes accessing stored target information comprising a public part and a confidential part, wherein an identifier corresponds to the confidential part of the target information, outputting the public part of the target information and the corresponding identifier, wherein the public part of the target information comprises at least first address information, receiving location information and a to-be-recognized identifier, wherein the location information is associated with a current location of a mobile terminal, determining whether the location information is consistent with the first address information, and in the event that the location information is consistent with the first address information, sending the confidential part of the target information associated with the to-be-recognized identifier to the mobile terminal.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method, comprising: obtaining, by a server, stored information comprising a first part and a second part, wherein the stored information is stored in connection with an online transaction, and in association with an identifier corresponding to the obtained stored information; outputting, by a server, the first part of the information; obtaining, by a server, to-be validated information; validating, by a server, the to-be validated information based at least in part on the first part of the obtained stored information; and conditionally providing, by a server, the second part of the obtained stored information to a terminal, wherein at least one condition that is to be satisfied before providing the second part of the obtained stored information is that the to-be validated information is determined to be validated.\",\n \"2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining, by a server, a to-be-recognized identifier, wherein the validating of the to-be validated information comprises: obtaining the first part of the obtained stored information based at least in part on the to-be recognized identifier, and determining whether the to-be validated information is consistent with at least the obtained first part of the obtained stored information.\",\n \"3.The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier uniquely identifies stored information associated with a particular online transaction.\",\n \"4.The method of claim 1, wherein the first part of the information comprises at least first address information.\",\n \"5.The method of claim 1, wherein the to-be validated information is associated with a current context of the terminal.\",\n \"6.The method of claim 5, wherein the to-be validated information is associated with a current location of the terminal.\",\n \"7.The method of claim 6, wherein the first part of the information comprises at least first address information, wherein the to-be validated information comprises location information, and wherein the validating of whether the to-be validated information based at least in part on the first part of the obtained stored information comprises: determining whether the location information is within a threshold proximity of a location corresponding to the first address information.\",\n \"8.The method of claim 6, wherein the first part of the obtained stored information comprises at least first address information, wherein the second part of the obtained stored information comprises at least second address information; and wherein a combination of the first address information of the obtained stored information and the second address information of the obtained stored information corresponds to valid address information.\",\n \"9.The method of claim 8, wherein the first address information corresponds to a broader location than the second address information.\",\n \"10.The method of claim 1, further comprising: after sending the second part of the obtained stored information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier to the mobile terminal, deleting at least the second part of the obtained stored information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier from a database that includes mappings of second parts of information and identifiers.\",\n \"11.The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises at least one of the following: a Quick Response (QR) code, a barcode, a radio-frequency identification code, or a character string.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 1, further comprising: setting the identifier corresponding to the second part of the information, wherein the setting of the identifier comprises encoding the second part of the information according to a preset encryption rule to obtain the identifier.\",\n \"13.The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining of the to-be validated information comprises receiving the to-be validated information from the terminal.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 1, further comprising: after sending the second part of the obtained stored information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier to the mobile terminal, rendering the second part invalid for a subsequent use of the second part in connection with a delivery associated with the online transaction.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 1, wherein the server ensures that the second part of the obtained stored information to a mobile terminal is used in connection with a single a validation of the to-be validated information.\",\n \"16.A server, comprising: at least one processor configured to: obtain stored information comprising a first part and a second part, wherein the stored information is stored in connection with an online transaction, and in association with an identifier corresponding to the obtained stored information; output the first part of the information; obtain to-be validated information; validate the to-be validated information based at least in part on the first part of the obtained stored information; and conditionally provide the second part of the obtained stored information to a terminal, wherein at least one condition that is to be satisfied before providing the second part of the obtained stored information is that the to-be validated information is determined to be validated; and a memory coupled to the at least one processor and configured to provide the at least one processor with instructions.\",\n \"17.A computer program product, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for: obtaining stored information comprising a first part and a second part, wherein the stored information is stored in connection with an online transaction, and in association with an identifier corresponding to the obtained stored information; outputting the first part of the information; obtaining to-be validated information; validating the to-be validated information based at least in part on the first part of the obtained stored information; and conditionally providing the second part of the obtained stored information to a terminal, wherein at least one condition that is to be satisfied before providing the second part of the obtained stored information is that the to-be validated information is determined to be validated.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the rapid development of network technologies, online purchasing has become increasingly widespread.\",\n \"When a buyer places an order for a good or service and makes a payment, the buyer also provides a delivery address, a contact telephone number, and other personal information to the seller.\",\n \"In response to the buyer purchasing the good or service, the seller sends the product by way of a shipping company to the delivery address provided by the buyer.\",\n \"During and after the transaction process described above, the buyer's personal information can be accessible to the public.\",\n \"For example, the confidential information can easily be leaked through an express waybill or other document that clearly indicates such information.\",\n \"The potential leakage of the confidential information constitutes a threat to the buyer's privacy.\",\n \"For example, harassing phone calls made to the buyer, the delivery of unordered items, or the like.\",\n \"In summary, the matter of managing confidentiality of buyers' personal information without affecting normal transactions has become a problem.\",\n \"Therefore, there is a need for a method, a device, a server, and a system for managing confidentiality of personal information.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.\",\n \"In order to provide a clearer explanation of the technical schemes in the prior art or in embodiments of the present application, simple introductions are given below to the drawings which are needed to describe embodiments or the prior art.\",\n \"Obviously, persons with ordinary skill in the art could, without expending creative effort, obtain other drawings on the basis of these drawings.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a structural diagram of a system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a functional diagram of a computer system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/413,805, entitled MANAGING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION filed Jan. 24, 2017 which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, which is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/735,940, entitled MANAGING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION filed Jun.\",\n \"10, 2015, now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,589,150, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, which claims priority to People's Republic of China Patent Application No.\",\n \"201410262185.3 entitled A METHOD OF KEEPING INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL AND DEVICES ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, filed Jun.\",\n \"12, 2014 which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a field of communications technology.\",\n \"In particular, it relates to a method, a client, a server, and a system for managing confidential information.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the rapid development of network technologies, online purchasing has become increasingly widespread.\",\n \"When a buyer places an order for a good or service and makes a payment, the buyer also provides a delivery address, a contact telephone number, and other personal information to the seller.\",\n \"In response to the buyer purchasing the good or service, the seller sends the product by way of a shipping company to the delivery address provided by the buyer.\",\n \"During and after the transaction process described above, the buyer's personal information can be accessible to the public.\",\n \"For example, the confidential information can easily be leaked through an express waybill or other document that clearly indicates such information.\",\n \"The potential leakage of the confidential information constitutes a threat to the buyer's privacy.\",\n \"For example, harassing phone calls made to the buyer, the delivery of unordered items, or the like.\",\n \"In summary, the matter of managing confidentiality of buyers' personal information without affecting normal transactions has become a problem.\",\n \"Therefore, there is a need for a method, a device, a server, and a system for managing confidentiality of personal information.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.\",\n \"In order to provide a clearer explanation of the technical schemes in the prior art or in embodiments of the present application, simple introductions are given below to the drawings which are needed to describe embodiments or the prior art.\",\n \"Obviously, persons with ordinary skill in the art could, without expending creative effort, obtain other drawings on the basis of these drawings.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a structural diagram of a system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a functional diagram of a computer system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a process; an apparatus; a system; a composition of matter; a computer program product embodied on a computer readable storage medium; and/or a processor, such as a processor configured to execute instructions stored on and/or provided by a memory coupled to the processor.\",\n \"In this specification, these implementations, or any other form that the invention may take, may be referred to as techniques.\",\n \"In general, the order of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within the scope of the invention.\",\n \"Unless stated otherwise, a component such as a processor or a memory described as being configured to perform a task may be implemented as a general component that is temporarily configured to perform the task at a given time or a specific component that is manufactured to perform the task.\",\n \"As used herein, the term ‘processor’ refers to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing cores configured to process data, such as computer program instructions.\",\n \"A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate the principles of the invention.\",\n \"The invention is described in connection with such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment.\",\n \"The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents.\",\n \"Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.\",\n \"These details are provided for the purpose of example and the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details.\",\n \"For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.\",\n \"As used herein, a terminal generally refers to a device used (e.g., by a user) within a network system and used to communicate with one or more servers.\",\n \"According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal may include communication functionality.\",\n \"For example, a terminal may be a smart phone, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop Personal Computer (PC), a laptop PC, a netbook PC, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), an mp3 player, a mobile medical device, a camera, a wearable device (e.g., a Head-Mounted Device (HMD), electronic clothes, electronic braces, an electronic necklace, an electronic accessory, an electronic tattoo, or a smart watch), or the like.\",\n \"According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal includes a smart home appliance with communication functionality.\",\n \"A smart home appliance can be, for example, a television, a Digital Video Disk (DVD) player, an audio device, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washer, a dryer, an air purifier, a set-top box, a TV box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a gaming console, an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, an electronic picture frame, or the like.\",\n \"According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal can be any combination of the foregoing terminals.\",\n \"In addition, it will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art that a terminal according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing terminal.\",\n \"Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, a device, a server, and a system of managing confidential information.\",\n \"For example, various embodiments solve the problem associated with leakage of personal buyer information in connection with an online shopping process.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"1, a process 100 for managing confidential information is provided.\",\n \"In some embodiments, process 100 is implemented by a server.\",\n \"For example, process 100 can be implemented by server 500 of FIG.\",\n \"5, mobile terminal 600 of FIG.\",\n \"6, and server 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8.Process 100 can be implemented by server 400 of FIG.\",\n \"4.In some embodiments, the target information is divided into two parts: a public part and a confidential part.\",\n \"The server sets an identifier corresponding to each confidential part of target information.\",\n \"Upon dividing the target information into the public part and the confidential part, the server stores the public part of the target information, the confidential part of the target information, and the identifier.\",\n \"The server outputs (e.g., makes public) the public part of the target information and the identifier.\",\n \"In the example shown, at 110, a confidential identifier is set.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a server sets an identifier (also referred to herein as the confidential identifier) corresponding to the confidential part of target information.\",\n \"The identifier can be a predefined alphanumeric character, a serial number, or the like.\",\n \"The target information can include confidential information that is intended to be maintained as confidential.\",\n \"For example, the target information can correspond to transaction information.\",\n \"The transaction information can be associated with an online purchase (e.g., a purchase by a buyer from an e-commerce website associated with a seller).\",\n \"The portion of the target information that corresponds to the confidential part to which the identifier is set includes personal information of the buyer (e.g., address, name, credit card information, or the like).\",\n \"The portion of target information that is not confidential information is deemed public information.\",\n \"The server can receive the target information in connection with an online transaction.\",\n \"For example, in the event that an online transaction is processed, the server can extract, or otherwise obtain, the target information from the transaction information associated with the online transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, part of the address of the buyer is deemed confidential and part of the address of the buyer is deemed public.\",\n \"At 120, target information is stored.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the server stores the confidential part of the target information, the public part of the target information, and the identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"The corresponding identifier indicates the portion of the target information corresponding to the confidential information.\",\n \"At 130, the public part of the target information and the identifier is output.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the server outputs the public part of the target information and the identifier.\",\n \"The public part of the target information comprises first address information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the server outputs the public part and the confidential identifier to a logistics company in connection with shipping or delivery of a product purchased in connection with an online transaction.\",\n \"The server can output the public part of the target information in response to an API or function call.\",\n \"For example, the server can be configured to output only the public part of the target information and the identifier (e.g., and not the confidential part of the target information).\",\n \"The server can use an application to send GPS location information or WiFi location information to a terminal.\",\n \"The public part of the target information and the identifier can be sent from the server to an application on a terminal.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the target information includes at least valid address information.\",\n \"The valid address information can be divided into two parts: first address information not to be maintained as confidential (e.g., not in need of confidentiality) and second address information to be maintained as confidential (e.g., in need of confidentiality).\",\n \"For example, the server regards the first address information as corresponding to the public part of the target information and the second address information as corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"In the context of online shopping, after an order is created, the shopping site's server processes the target information provided by the buyer.\",\n \"For example, the server first subjects the target information provided by the buyer to the processing according to 110 and 120 of process 100.The server can provide at least part of the target information to a logistics company in connection with delivery of a product purchased in an online transaction.\",\n \"For example, the seller takes the received target information that was output by the server (e.g., displayed in a user interface screen or printed out as a hardcopy) and the corresponding identifier and enters, or types, the target information into an express waybill for the product, which is transported by a logistics company.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the seller only receives the public part of the target information public part and the corresponding identifier.\",\n \"For example, the seller does not receive the corresponding confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"The buyer's target information is thus kept confidential vis-à-vis the seller.\",\n \"The target information can include valid address information.\",\n \"The valid address can correspond to the buyer's delivery address.\",\n \"The valid address can be divided into at least two parts: first address information and second address information (also referred to herein as the smaller-unit second address information).\",\n \"So as not to affect normal delivery by the logistics company, the smaller-unit second address information in the delivery address of each order can be regarded as a confidential part of the target information and the remaining first address information can be regarded as a public part of the target information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, only the portions of the address information required by the logistics company to deliver the package to the intended recipient are deemed as public information.\",\n \"The smaller-unit second address information corresponds to the more granular address information relative to other portions of the address information.\",\n \"As an example, the smaller-unit can be a suite number, a room number, an apartment number, a unit number, or the like.\",\n \"For example, in the case of the delivery address “xx province xx city xx district xx road xx no.\",\n \"xx building xx unit xx room,” the server can regard the smaller-unit “xx unit xx room” as a confidential part of the target information and set the corresponding identifier to “Z.” Accordingly, the server can store the public part of the target information (e.g., “xx province xx city xx district xx road xx no.\",\n \"xx building”), the confidential part of the target information (e.g., “xx unit xx room”), and the identifier Z in correspondence with each other.\",\n \"The server can output the public part of the target information (e.g., “xx province xx city xx district xx road xx no.\",\n \"xx building”) and the corresponding identifier Z.\",\n \"For example, the public part of the target information and the corresponding identifier can be output to a logistics company or the like in connection with completion of the order.\",\n \"Please note that the way in which the target information described in this paragraph is partitioned is merely one specific implementation of the present application.\",\n \"The present application is not limited to the approach described above.\",\n \"For example, in the delivery address “xx province xx city xx district xx road xx no.\",\n \"xx building xx unit xx room,” “xx road xx no.\",\n \"xx building xx unit xx room” may also be used as the confidential part of the target information and “xx province xx city xx district” as the public part of the target information.\",\n \"In another example, if the delivery address is “room xx, unit xx, building xx, no.\",\n \"xx, road xx, district xx, city xx, province xx,” “room xx, unit xx, building xx, no.\",\n \"xx” can be used as the confidential part of the target information and “road xx, district xx, city xx, province xx” can be used as the public part of the target information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the server can store the target information in a database or table.\",\n \"The server can store the target information to include mappings of public parts of target information, confidential parts of target information, and corresponding identifiers.\",\n \"For example, the server can store the target information as shown in Table 1.TABLE 1 Target information and identifier Confidential part of target information (including Public part of target information second address (including first address information) information) Identifier Hebei Province xx city xx district xx Unit 1 Room 202 Z1 road xx no.\",\n \"xx building Guangdong Province xx city xx district Unit 1 Room 202 Z2 xx road xx no.\",\n \"xx building Beijing City, Chaoyang District, Anding Room 202 Z3 Road, Anhua Development Building Beijing City, Chaoyang District, Anding Room 420 Z4 Road, Anhua Development Building .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"Beijing City, Dongcheng District xx xx room Z7, Z8 Road xx Building Apt.\",\n \"A, No.\",\n \"123 Main Street, San Apt.\",\n \"A Z9 Francisco, CA .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"As can be seen in Table 1, each identifier can uniquely determine one piece of target information.\",\n \"As shown in Table 1, although the confidential parts of the target information corresponding to the identifiers Z1 and Z2 are the same, the corresponding public parts are different.\",\n \"Accordingly, the two target information are not the same.\",\n \"Because the two target information are not the same, the corresponding identifiers are different.\",\n \"By the same logic, although the public parts of the target information corresponding to the identifiers Z3 and Z4 are the same, the corresponding confidential parts are different.\",\n \"Thus, the target information corresponding to the identifiers Z3 and Z4 are different pieces of target information.\",\n \"In some implementations, two pieces of target information in which both the public parts and the confidential parts are the same can exist.\",\n \"For example, the target information can be the same across multiple pieces of target information in the event that two different orders by the same buyer exist.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a single identifier may be set for the two pieces of target information that have the same public parts and confidential parts.\",\n \"However, in some embodiments, in order to increase confidentiality, different identifiers are set for the two pieces of target information that have the same public parts and confidential parts.\",\n \"Correspondingly, the aforesaid two pieces of target information and the corresponding identifiers can be separately stored, or the two pieces of target information and corresponding identifiers may be merged and stored.\",\n \"For example, the target information “Beijing City, Dongcheng District xx Road xx Building xx Room” in Table 1 has two identifiers Z7 and Z8.In some embodiments, the target information includes other information in addition to the delivery address, such as buyer name, telephone number, the like, or any combination thereof.\",\n \"To protect the buyer's privacy, the aforesaid buyer name, telephone number, and other information can be regarded as confidential information.\",\n \"The buyer name, the telephone number, and other information can be deemed a confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"For example, the buyer name, the telephone number, and other information can be regarded jointly with the first address information as the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"At 140, location information and a corresponding identifier are received.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the server receives the location information and the corresponding identifier from a mobile terminal (e.g., a mobile terminal used by a logistics company's representative).\",\n \"For example, the mobile terminal can acquire location information corresponding to the location at which the mobile terminal is currently located.\",\n \"The mobile terminal can acquire the location information of the current location of the mobile terminal using a Global Positioning Service (GPS) module, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the IP address of the mobile terminal, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the connection or signals associated with various access points, or any other known technique for obtaining the location.\",\n \"The mobile terminal sends the location information and the corresponding identifier (e.g., a to-be-recognized identifier) to the server.\",\n \"The to-be-recognized identifier is an identifier that the server can recognize (e.g., by searching a database storing mappings of identifiers and target information such as the public part of the target information or the confidential part of target information).\",\n \"The server receive the to-be-recognized identifier and can extract the appropriate information so as to recognize the identifier.\",\n \"The to-be-recognized identifier can be generated by the mobile terminal.\",\n \"For example, the to-be-recognized identifier can include a GPS position information or WiFi position information, and a mobile terminal or a user identifier that is registered with the server.\",\n \"The mobile terminal or user identifier included in the to-be-recognized data can be registered with the server such that server can identify an associated user or mobile terminal in the event that the server receives a message (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) including the mobile terminal or user identifier.\",\n \"The mobile terminal can acquire the identifier from logistic documentation (e.g., an express waybill).\",\n \"For example, a user can input the identifier to the mobile terminal using an application that provides an input interface (e.g., a graphical user interface).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can capture an image of the logistic documentation and extract the identifier from the logistic documentation.\",\n \"In some embodiments, in the event that the logistic documentation is an electronic object such an electronic document or other file, the mobile terminal can extract the identifier from the logistic documentation.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile terminal acquires the identifier using an image capture module.\",\n \"For example, the mobile terminal can use an image capture module (e.g., a camera) to capture an image of the identifier, and an application executed by the mobile terminal can process the captured image to acquire the identifier.\",\n \"In the event that the identifier is included in a QR code, a barcode, or the like, the identifier can be captured via image captured and the QR code, barcode, or the like can be processed using an application executed by the mobile terminal.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can acquire the identifier as an attachment in an e-mail, a text message, an instant message, or the like.\",\n \"The identifier can be acquired over a Near Field Communication (NFC) connection, a Bluetooth connection, a WiFi connection, or the like.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the location information and the corresponding identifier can be sent in conjunction with a user identifier (e.g., an employee identifier, or the like), or the like.\",\n \"For example, the mobile terminal can send information used to authenticate the user.\",\n \"For example, the mobile terminal can be used by a logistics company representative.\",\n \"The logistics company representative can be authenticated before the location information and corresponding identifier are accepted, processed, or the like.\",\n \"The location information and the corresponding identifiers can be used in connection with completing delivery of an item (e.g., a product purchased via an online transaction).\",\n \"For example, when logistics company delivery personnel are making deliveries, the logistic company can make use of current location information and the corresponding identifiers (i.e., the to-be-recognized identifier) on the express waybill that are uploaded to the server from mobile terminals.\",\n \"A mobile terminal can be configured to use GPS positioning components of the mobile terminal to provide information acquired by the mobile terminals on the current location of the mobile terminal.\",\n \"For example, the mobile terminals can have an application installed thereon that acquires the current location of the mobile terminal (e.g., using GPS positioning components) and sends the location information to the server (contemporaneously with the corresponding identifier, waybill, the like, or any combination thereof) According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a more granular portion of a delivery address and other confidential information associated with the delivery are not provided until a logistics company representative is within a threshold proximity (e.g., 100 meters, 10 kilometers, etc.)\",\n \"of the delivery address.\",\n \"The location of the logistics company representative can be confirmed to be within the threshold proximity of the delivery address based on the logistics company representative using a mobile terminal to send the current location of the mobile terminal to the server.\",\n \"The server can determine whether the current location of the mobile terminal is consistent with, or otherwise matches, the delivery address (e.g., the public part of the target information).\",\n \"For example, the server can determine whether the current location of the mobile terminal is within the threshold proximity of the delivery address.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the threshold proximity is configurable by a user such as a seller, a buyer, a recipient, a logistics company, or the like.\",\n \"The threshold proximity can be set according to user or business preferences, according to the type of address (e.g., residential, commercial, rural, or the like) of the delivery address, according to a jurisdiction in which the delivery address is located, the like, or any combination thereof.\",\n \"At 150, a determination is made as to whether the location information (e.g., the location information received from the mobile terminal that indicates the current location of the mobile terminal) is consistent with the first address information (e.g., the public part of the target information).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the location information can be deemed consistent with the first address information if the location information is the same as the first address information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the location information can be deemed consistent with the first address information if the location information is in approximately the same location as the first address information (e.g., if the location information is within a threshold proximity of the first address information).\",\n \"In some embodiments, in response to the server receiving the current location information and corresponding identifier from the mobile terminal, the server determines whether the location information is consistent with the first address information.\",\n \"The server can use the identifier received from the mobile terminal in connection with the current location of the mobile terminal to look up the corresponding first address information.\",\n \"For example, the server uses the identifier to search a database or table storing mappings of first address information and identifiers for first address information mapped to the identifier.\",\n \"In the event that the server finds first address information associated with the received identifier, the server determines whether the location information received from the mobile terminal (e.g., the location information indicating the current location of the mobile terminal) matches (e.g., is the same as, or within a threshold proximity of a location corresponding to) the first address information.\",\n \"The server can determine whether the current location of the mobile terminal is the same as the first address information.\",\n \"In the event that the location information and the first address information are determined to be consistent at 150, then at 160, corresponding confidential information is sent.\",\n \"If the location information and the first address information are consistent (e.g., are the same or within a threshold proximity of each other), then the server can send the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier received in connection with the location information (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal.\",\n \"After receiving the location information and the corresponding identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier), the server searches a local storage or a remote storage for the public part of the target information (e.g., the aforesaid first address information) corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier received in connection with the location information) and compares the location information with the public part of the target information.\",\n \"If the location information and the public part of the target information are the same, then the product is already within range (e.g., a threshold proximity) of the address corresponding to the first address information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, in order for the location information and the public part of the target information to be deemed the same, the location information and the public part of the target information need only be the same to a preset granularity.\",\n \"For example, the granularity can require that the location information and the public part of the target information be the same at the district level but does not require that the location information and the public part of the target information be the same at the street level.\",\n \"In addition, if the location information and the public part of the target information are the same, then it can be inferred that the person holding the mobile terminal is a delivery person for the logistics company and not another person in another area.\",\n \"At this point, the server obtains the confidential part of the target information (including the second address information) corresponding to the identifier received in connection with the location information (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) and sends the confidential part of the target information to the mobile terminal.\",\n \"Accordingly, the delivery person obtains the entire target information (e.g., including the valid address information formed by combining the first address information and the second address information) and thus successfully delivers the product into the hands of the buyer.\",\n \"In the event that the location information and the first address information are determined to be not consistent at 150, then at 180, an indication that the location information is not consistent with the first address information is provided.\",\n \"The server can send the indication that the current location of the mobile terminal (e.g., the location associated with the location information) is not consistent with the first address information to the mobile terminal.\",\n \"In response to receiving the indication from the server, the mobile terminal can display, or otherwise provide, the indication.\",\n \"For example, in response to receiving the indication, the mobile terminal can generate an alert and provide the alert to the user (e.g., via a vibration, a display of an icon, a text box, other prompt, an indicator LED, or the like).\",\n \"If the local information and the first address information are different, then the server does not send the confidential part of the target information to the mobile terminal.\",\n \"The server can send appropriate prompt information such as “address incorrect” to the mobile terminal.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the location information and the first address information are deemed to be different if the location information is not within the threshold proximity of the first address information.\",\n \"According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a server sets up an identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information, stores the public part of the target information, the confidential part of the target information, and the corresponding identifier, and outputs the public part of the target information and the corresponding identifier.\",\n \"The public part of the target information can include at least first address information.\",\n \"A mobile terminal acquires location information associated with the current location of the mobile terminal, and an identifier (e.g., a to-be-recognized identifier) such as an identifier associated with an online transaction, and sends the location information and the identifier to a server.\",\n \"In response to receiving the location information and the identifier, the server determines whether the location information and the first address information are consistent.\",\n \"If the location information and the first address information are consistent, then the server sends the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the identifier is used to acquire the corresponding confidential part of the target information when the location information of the mobile terminal is the same as the first address information (e.g., when the delivery person has arrived within the address range corresponding to the first address information).\",\n \"For example, the entire target information (e.g., the public part of the confidential information and the confidential part of the target information) can be acquired (e.g., sent to the mobile terminal) only when the location information of the mobile terminal is within the threshold proximity of the first address information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, neither the seller nor any other personnel involved in the product transportation process may acquire the entire target information.\",\n \"Accordingly, various embodiments achieve confidentiality for the target information.\",\n \"Thus, the privacy of a buyer associated with an online transaction can be protected.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, even in cases where target information is leaked, responsibility of the leak can generally be traced beginning with the delivery personnel (e.g., because the confidential part of the target information is only sent in response to the delivery personnel being within the threshold proximity of the first address information).\",\n \"The interests of buyers are thus safeguarded.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the public part of the target information and the confidential part of the target information (and the identifier) are stored via Table 1 within a single storage unit in a server, or in a single location (e.g., the same database) in a remote storage accessible by the server.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the public part of the target information and the confidential part of the target information are stored in different storage units, and the public part and the confidential part that belong to the same target information are respectively associated with a unique number.\",\n \"Accordingly, the public part and the confidential part associated with the same piece of target information can be located according to the unique number mapped to both the public part and the confidential part.\",\n \"Different parts of the same target information can be stored in different storage units or in different databases.\",\n \"As a result, should information in either storage unit (e.g., database) of the server be stolen, only one part of the target information (and not the entire target information) will be disclosed.\",\n \"Thus, the confidentiality of the target information is further improved.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the number used to relate the public part of the target information and the confidential part of the target information is a transaction order serial number or the like.\",\n \"Tables 2 and 3 below present the form in which target information can be stored in a server.\",\n \"Table 2 provides a form of storage of the public part of the target information, and Table 3 provides a form of storage of the confidential part of the corresponding target information.\",\n \"Tables 2 and 3 can be stored in different storage units or different databases of the server.\",\n \"TABLE 2 Public part of target information Number Public part of target information 2688000111 Hebei Province xx city xx district xx road xx no.\",\n \"xx building 2688000112 Guangdong Province xx city xx district xx road xx no.\",\n \"xx building 2688000113 Beijing City, Chaoyang District, Anding Road, Anhua Development Building 2688000114 Beijing City, Chaoyang District, Anding Road, Anhua Development Building .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"2688000117 Beijing City, Dongcheng District xx Road xx Building .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"TABLE 3 Confidential part of target information and corresponding identifier Number Confidential part of target information Identifier 2688000111 Unit 1 Room 202 Z1 2688000112 Unit 1 Room 202 Z2 2688000113 Room 202 Z3 2688000114 Room 420 Z4 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"2688000117 xx room Z7, Z8 .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"As shown by Tables 2 and 3, the public part of the target information and the confidential part of the target information that correspond to the same number collectively constitute one piece of valid target information.\",\n \"For example, Hebei Province xx city xx district xx road xx no.\",\n \"xx building and Unit 1 Room 202 are combined to form the target information Hebei Province xx city xx district xx road xx no.\",\n \"xx building Unit 1 Room 202.Referring to Tables 2 and 3, after receiving the location information and the corresponding identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) from the mobile terminal, the method whereby the server acquires the corresponding first address information includes searching for the number corresponding to the received identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) in Table 3; and searching for the public part of the target information corresponding to the number in Table 2.The public part of the target information that the server finds is the first address information corresponding to the received identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the server sets the identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"The server can set the identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information by encoding the confidential part of the target information based on a preset encryption rule so as to obtain the identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, different types of identifiers employ different preset encryption rules.\",\n \"For example, a QR code corresponding to the confidential part of the target information can be generated according to a QR code encoding rule.\",\n \"As another example, a barcode corresponding to the confidential part of the target information is generated according to a barcode encoding rule.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a variety of specific types of identifiers can be implemented depending on the requirements of the system.\",\n \"For example, one or more of the variety of specific types of identifiers may be employed.\",\n \"The types of identifiers can include QR codes, barcodes, radio-frequency identification (RFID) codes, character strings, or the like.\",\n \"In the event that the identifier is a QR code or a barcode, the seller can directly print the QR code or barcode on logistic documentation (e.g., the express waybill of the product).\",\n \"Correspondingly, the mobile terminal described can be configured to include a specialized scanning module or device, or the mobile terminal can be configured with a corresponding scanning function (e.g., a smart phone may be used to scan a QR code).\",\n \"In the event that the identifier is a radio-frequency identification code, the seller can attach an electronic tag such as an RFID chip that stores the radio-frequency identification code to the logistic documentation (e.g., the express waybill of the product).\",\n \"Correspondingly, the mobile terminal can be configured as an RFID reader, or the mobile terminal can be configured with a radio-frequency identification function which communicates wirelessly with the RFID chip through an antenna so as to read the stored radio-frequency identification code stored in the RFID chip.\",\n \"In the event that the identifier is a character string, the seller can directly enter or type the string onto the logistics documentation (e.g., the express waybill of the product).\",\n \"Correspondingly, the string can be input through a physical or virtual keyboard on the mobile terminal.\",\n \"The aforesaid character string can be a numerical string, a Chinese character string, a string of letters, a string of special symbols, or a combination character string that contains at least two of the following: numbers, Chinese characters, letters, and special symbols.\",\n \"In some embodiments, 170 is performed.\",\n \"In various other embodiments, 170 is omitted.\",\n \"170 can be performed after 160 of process 100.At 170, the corresponding confidential information is deleted.\",\n \"In the event that the server sent the confidential part of the target information associated with the received identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier), the server deletes the confidential part of the target information from a database or table storing mappings of confidential parts of target information and identifiers.\",\n \"The server can delete the confidential part of the target information upon receiving confirmation that the confidential part of the target information that was sent (e.g., to the mobile terminal) is received.\",\n \"Referring to Table 1 as an example, in the event that the server sends the confidential part of the target information “Room 420” corresponding to the identifier Z4 to a mobile terminal at 160, then at 170, the server deletes the confidential part of the target information “Room 420” from the table.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the server may also delete all information (e.g., target information) relating to the identifier (e.g., to-be-recognized identifier) from the database or table storing the mapping of target information (or portions thereof) to identifiers.\",\n \"The server can contemporaneously delete all information associated with the identifier with deletion of the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"Referring to Table 1 as an example, when deleting the confidential part of the target information “Room 420,” the server also deletes the corresponding target information's public part “Beijing City, Chaoyang District, Anding Road, Anhua Development Building” and the identifier “Z4.” In other words, the server deletes the entire fourth line of information in Table 1.In some embodiments, after sending the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier, the server deletes the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier from the database storing mappings of confidential parts of target information and identifiers.\",\n \"As a result, the mobile terminal cannot again use this identifier to acquire the confidential part of the corresponding target information.\",\n \"Accordingly, the confidentiality of the target information is further increased.\",\n \"In some embodiments, after the server sends the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., to-be-recognized identifier) to a mobile terminal, the server may also regard identifiers that are the same as the identifier received in connection with the current location of the mobile terminal (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) in the database including mappings of target information (e.g., confidential parts of target information) and identifiers as invalid identifiers.\",\n \"For example, the database including the mappings of target information and identifiers can include a status field associated with an identifier.\",\n \"After the server has sent the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal (and receives confirmation of such information from the mobile terminal), the server updates the status field associated with the identifier to indicate that the identifier is invalid.\",\n \"Referring to Table 4, this approach likewise renders the mobile terminal incapable of again using this identifier to acquire the corresponding confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"The confidentiality of the target information is further increased.\",\n \"TABLE 4 Confidential part of target information and corresponding identifier Number Confidential part of target information Identifier Status 2688000111 Unit 1 Room 202 Z1 Invalid 2688000112 Unit 1 Room 202 Z2 Valid .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"According to various embodiments, a server sets up an identifier corresponding to the confidential part of target information, stores the public part of the target information, the confidential part of the target information, and the corresponding identifier, and outputs the public part of the target information and the identifier.\",\n \"The public part of the target information at least comprises first address information.\",\n \"A mobile terminal acquires location information associated with a current location of the mobile terminal and an identifier (e.g., a to-be-recognized identifier) and sends the location information and the identifier to a server.\",\n \"The server determines whether the location information and the first address information are consistent.\",\n \"If the location information and the first address information are consistent, then the server sends the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the server sends the confidential part of the target information to the mobile terminal only when the received mobile terminal location information is the same as the first address information.\",\n \"As a result, the mobile terminal obtains complete target information (e.g., both the public part of the target information and the confidential part of the target information).\",\n \"In some embodiments, neither the seller nor any other personnel involved in the product transportation process can acquire the entire target information.\",\n \"Therefore, various embodiments achieve confidentiality for the target information.\",\n \"The privacy of the buyer can thus be protected in connection with online transactions.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a flowchart of a method of managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"2, a process 200 for managing confidential information is provided.\",\n \"In some embodiments, process 200 is implemented by a terminal.\",\n \"For example, process 200 can be implemented by device 600 of FIG.\",\n \"6.Process 200 can be implemented by system 300 of FIG.\",\n \"3.At 210, an identifier is acquired.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a mobile terminal acquires an identifier associated with target information.\",\n \"For example, the identifier is associated with a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile terminal can acquire the identifier from logistic documentation (e.g., an express waybill).\",\n \"For example, a user can input the identifier recorded on the logistic document to the mobile terminal manually using an interface (e.g., a graphical user interface).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can be used to capture an image of the logistic documentation and extract the identifier from the logistic documentation (e.g., by scanning a QR code printed on the express waybill).\",\n \"In some embodiments, in the event that the logistic documentation is an electronic object, the mobile terminal can extract the identifier from the logistic documentation.\",\n \"The identifier can be acquired, or otherwise input to, an application (e.g., a package delivery application) installed on the mobile terminal.\",\n \"At 220, a current location is acquired.\",\n \"For example, the mobile terminal can acquire location information corresponding to the location at which the mobile terminal is currently located.\",\n \"The mobile terminal can acquire the location information of the current location of the mobile terminal using a Global Positioning Service (GPS) module, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the IP address of the mobile terminal, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the connection or signals associated with various access points, or the like.\",\n \"The current location can be acquired, or otherwise input to, an application (e.g., a package delivery application) installed on the mobile terminal.\",\n \"At 230, the current location and the acquired identifier are sent.\",\n \"The mobile terminal can send location information indicating a current location of the mobile terminal and the acquired identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the server.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the location information and the corresponding identifier can be sent in conjunction with a user identifier (e.g., an employee identifier, or the like), or the like.\",\n \"For example, the mobile terminal can send information used to authenticate the user.\",\n \"For example, the mobile terminal can be used by a logistics company representative.\",\n \"The logistics company representative can be authenticated before the location information and corresponding identifier are accepted, processed, or the like.\",\n \"The location information and the corresponding identifiers can be used in connection with completing delivery of an item (e.g., a product purchased via an online transaction).\",\n \"For example, the mobile terminal can send the location information and the corresponding identifier to a server in order to receive second address information associated with delivery of an item.\",\n \"The second address information can correspond to the confidential part of the target information associated with the identifier.\",\n \"At 240, corresponding confidential information is received.\",\n \"The mobile terminal can receive the confidential part of target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) that the mobile terminal sent at 230.In response to receiving the confidential information, the mobile terminal can provide the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"For example, the mobile terminal can extract the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier, and display the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can invoke an application that generates directions from the current location of the mobile terminal to a location corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can display an indicator associated with a location corresponding to the confidential part of the target information on a map.\",\n \"In the event that the location information and the first address information associated with the identifier are not determined to be consistent, the mobile terminal can receive, from the server, an indication that the location information is not consistent with the first address information.\",\n \"In response to receiving the indication from the server, the mobile terminal can display, or otherwise provide, the indication.\",\n \"For example, in response to receiving the indication, the mobile terminal can generate an alert and provide the alert to the user (e.g., via a vibration, a display of an icon or other prompt, an indicator LED, or the like).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the identifier comprises at least one of the following: a QR code, a barcode, a radio-frequency identification code, a character string, or the like.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the confidential part of the target information comprises second address information.\",\n \"A combination of the first address information and the second address can correspond to valid address information in the target information.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a structural diagram of a system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"3, a system 300 for managing confidential information is provided.\",\n \"The system can implement process 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1 or process 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2.System 300 includes a terminal 310 and a server 320.The terminal 310 can be a mobile terminal used to implement process 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2.The server 320 can be a server used to implement process 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1.In some embodiments, system 300 includes a network 330 over which the terminal 310 and the server 320 communicate.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the terminal 310 logs into the server 320.For example, the server 320 hosts an application or an application system to which the terminal (e.g., a current user) logs in.\",\n \"The server 320 can authenticate the terminal 310 (or a user thereof).\",\n \"In the event that the terminal 310 is authenticated, the terminal 310 can receive confidential information from the server 320.For example, the terminal 310 can receive the confidential part of target information corresponding to an identifier from the server 320.FIG.\",\n \"4 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"4, a server 400 for managing confidential information is provided.\",\n \"Server 400 can implement process 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1.Server 400 can be implemented by system 300 of FIG.\",\n \"3.Server 400 includes a setting module 410, a storage module 420, an output module 430, a receiving module 440, an assessing module 450, and a sending module 460.The setting module 410 is configured to set an identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"The corresponding identifier indicates the portion of the target information corresponding to the confidential information.\",\n \"For example, the corresponding identifier indicates the bifurcation between confidential information and public information among the target information.\",\n \"The server 400 can receive the target information in connection with an online transaction.\",\n \"For example, in the event that an online transaction is processed, the server 400 can extract, or otherwise obtain, the target information from the transaction information associated with the online transaction.\",\n \"The storage module 420 is configured to store the public part of the target information, the confidential part of the target information, and the identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"The public part of the target information at least comprises first address information.\",\n \"The output module 430 is configured to output the public part of the target information and the identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the server outputs the public part and the confidential identifier to a logistics company in connection with shipping or delivery of a product purchased in connection with an online transaction.\",\n \"The output module 430 can output the public part of the target information in response to an API or function call.\",\n \"For example, the output module 430 can be configured to output only the public part of the target information and the identifier (e.g., and not the confidential part of the target information).\",\n \"The receiving module 440 is configured to receive the location information corresponding to a current location of a mobile terminal and an identifier (e.g., to-be-recognized identifier) sent by the mobile terminal.\",\n \"The assessing module 450 is configured to determine whether the location information is consistent with the first address information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the location information can be deemed consistent with the first address information if the location information is the same as the first address information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the location information can be deemed consistent with the first address information if the location information is in approximately the same location as the first address information (e.g., if the location information is within a threshold proximity of the first address information).\",\n \"The assessing module 450 can use the identifier received from the mobile terminal in connection with the current location of the mobile terminal to look up the corresponding first address information.\",\n \"For example, the assessing module 450 uses the identifier to search a database or table storing mappings of first address information and identifiers for first address information mapped to the identifier.\",\n \"In the event that the assessing module 450 finds first address information associated with the received identifier, the assessing module 450 determines whether the location information received from the mobile terminal (e.g., the location information indicating the current location of the mobile terminal) matches (e.g., is the same as, or within a threshold proximity of a location corresponding to) the first address information.\",\n \"The assessing module 450 can determine whether the current location of the mobile terminal is the same as the first address information.\",\n \"The sending module 460 is configured to send the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal if the location information and the first address information are consistent.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"5, a server 500 for managing confidential information is provided.\",\n \"Server 500 can implement process 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1.Server 500 can be implemented by system 300 of FIG.\",\n \"3.Server 500 includes a setting module 510, a storage module 520, an output module 530, a receiving module 540, an assessing module 550, a sending module 560, and an updating module 570.The setting module 510 is configured to set an identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"The corresponding identifier indicates the portion of the target information corresponding to the confidential information.\",\n \"For example, the corresponding identifier indicates the bifurcation between confidential information and public information among the target information.\",\n \"The server 500 can receive the target information in connection with an online transaction.\",\n \"For example, in the event that an online transaction is processed, the server 500 can extract, or otherwise obtain, the target information from the transaction information associated with the online transaction.\",\n \"The storage module 520 is configured to store the public part of the target information, the confidential part of the target information, and the corresponding identifier.\",\n \"The public part of the target information at least comprises first address information.\",\n \"The output module 530 is configured to output the public part of the target information and the identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the server outputs the public part and the confidential identifier to a logistics company in connection with shipping or delivery of a product purchased in connection with an online transaction.\",\n \"The receiving module 540 is configured to receive the location information corresponding to a current location of a mobile terminal and an identifier (e.g., to-be-recognized identifier) sent by the mobile terminal.\",\n \"The assessing module 550 is configured to determine whether the location information is consistent with the first address information.\",\n \"The assessing module 550 can use the identifier received from the mobile terminal in connection with the current location of the mobile terminal to look up the corresponding first address information.\",\n \"For example, the assessing module 550 uses the identifier to search a database or table storing mappings of first address information and identifiers for first address information mapped to the identifier.\",\n \"In the event that the assessing module 550 finds first address information associated with the received identifier, the assessing module 550 determines whether the location information received from the mobile terminal (e.g., the location information indicating the current location of the mobile terminal) matches the first address information.\",\n \"The assessing module 550 can determine whether the current location of the mobile terminal is the same as the first address information.\",\n \"The sending module 560 is configured to send the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to the mobile terminal if the location information and the first address information are consistent.\",\n \"The updating module 570 is configured to delete the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) from a database or table storing mappings of confidential parts of target information and identifiers.\",\n \"The updating module 570 can delete the confidential part of the target information upon receiving confirmation that the confidential part of the target information that was sent (e.g., to the mobile terminal) is received.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"6, a mobile terminal 600 is provided.\",\n \"Mobile terminal 600 can implement process 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2.Mobile terminal 600 can be implemented in system 300 of FIG.\",\n \"3.Mobile terminal 600 includes an acquiring module 610, a sending module 620, and a receiving module 630.The acquiring module 610 is configured to acquire location information corresponding to the current location of the mobile terminal and an identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier).\",\n \"The acquiring module 610 can acquire the identifier from logistic documentation (e.g., an express waybill).\",\n \"For example, a user can input the identifier recorded on the logistic document to the mobile terminal 600 manually using an interface (e.g., a graphical user interface) and the acquiring module 610 can communicate with the interface to acquire the identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the acquiring module 610 can be used to capture an image of the logistic documentation (e.g., by invoking a camera function of a camera on the mobile terminal 600) and extract the identifier from the logistic documentation.\",\n \"In some embodiments, in the event that the logistic documentation is an electronic object, the acquiring module 610 can extract the identifier from the logistic documentation (e.g., by scanning a QR code printed on the express waybill).\",\n \"The acquiring module 610 can acquire the location information of the current location of the mobile terminal using a Global Positioning Service (GPS) module, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the IP address of the mobile terminal, an application that is configured to determine the location of the mobile terminal according to the connection or signals associated with various access points, or the like.\",\n \"The sending module 620 is configured to send the location information and the identifier (e.g., the to-be-recognized identifier) to a server.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the sending module 620 can send the location information and the corresponding identifier in conjunction with a user identifier (e.g., an employee identifier, or the like), or the like.\",\n \"For example, the sending module 620 can send information used to authenticate the user.\",\n \"For example, the mobile terminal 600 can be used by a logistics company representative.\",\n \"The receiving module 630 is configured to receive the confidential part of the target information from the server.\",\n \"The server determines whether the location information and the first address information in the public part of the target information are consistent.\",\n \"If the location information and the first address information are consistent, the server sends the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier to mobile terminal 600.In response to receiving the confidential information, mobile terminal 600 can provide the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"For example, mobile terminal 600 can extract the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the identifier, and display the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile terminal 600 can invoke an application that generates directions from the current location of mobile terminal 600 to a location corresponding to the confidential part of the target information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile terminal 600 can display an indicator associated with a location corresponding to the confidential part of the target information on a map.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a functional diagram of a computer system for managing confidential information according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"7, a computer system 700 for processing call requests is provided.\",\n \"As will be apparent, other computer system architectures and configurations can be used to implement video calls.\",\n \"Computer system 700, which includes various subsystems as described below, includes at least one microprocessor subsystem (also referred to as a processor or a central processing unit (CPU)) 702.For example, processor 702 can be implemented by a single-chip processor or by multiple processors.\",\n \"In some embodiments, processor 702 is a general purpose digital processor that controls the operation of the computer system 700.Using instructions retrieved from memory 710, the processor 702 controls the reception and manipulation of input data, and the output and display of data on output devices (e.g., display 718).\",\n \"Processor 702 is coupled bi-directionally with memory 710, which can include a first primary storage, typically a random access memory (RAM), and a second primary storage area, typically a read-only memory (ROM).\",\n \"As is well known in the art, primary storage can be used as a general storage area and as scratch-pad memory, and can also be used to store input data and processed data.\",\n \"Primary storage can also store programming instructions and data, in the form of data objects and text objects, in addition to other data and instructions for processes operating on processor 702.Also as is well known in the art, primary storage typically includes basic operating instructions, program code, data, and objects used by the processor 702 to perform its functions (e.g., programmed instructions).\",\n \"For example, memory 710 can include any suitable computer-readable storage media, described below, depending on whether, for example, data access needs to be bi-directional or uni-directional.\",\n \"For example, processor 702 can also directly and very rapidly retrieve and store frequently needed data in a cache memory (not shown).\",\n \"The memory can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.\",\n \"A removable mass storage device 712 provides additional data storage capacity for the computer system 700, and is coupled either bi-directionally (read/write) or uni-directionally (read only) to processor 702.For example, storage 712 can also include computer-readable media such as magnetic tape, flash memory, PC-CARDS, portable mass storage devices, holographic storage devices, and other storage devices.\",\n \"A fixed mass storage 720 can also, for example, provide additional data storage capacity.\",\n \"The most common example of mass storage 720 is a hard disk drive.\",\n \"Mass storage device 712 and fixed mass storage 720 generally store additional programming instructions, data, and the like that typically are not in active use by the processor 702.It will be appreciated that the information retained within mass storage device 712 and fixed mass storage 720 can be incorporated, if needed, in standard fashion as part of memory 710 (e.g., RAM) as virtual memory.\",\n \"In addition to providing processor 702 access to storage subsystems, bus 714 can also be used to provide access to other subsystems and devices.\",\n \"As shown, these can include a display monitor 718, a network interface 716, a keyboard 704, and a pointing device 706, as well as an auxiliary input/output device interface, a sound card, speakers, and other subsystems as needed.\",\n \"For example, the pointing device 706 can be a mouse, stylus, track ball, or tablet, and is useful for interacting with a graphical user interface.\",\n \"The network interface 716 allows processor 702 to be coupled to another computer, computer network, or telecommunications network using a network connection as shown.\",\n \"For example, through the network interface 716, the processor 702 can receive information (e.g., data objects or program instructions) from another network or output information to another network in the course of performing method/process steps.\",\n \"Information, often represented as a sequence of instructions to be executed on a processor, can be received from and outputted to another network.\",\n \"An interface card or similar device and appropriate software implemented by (e.g., executed/performed on) processor 702 can be used to connect the computer system 700 to an external network and transfer data according to standard protocols.\",\n \"For example, various process embodiments disclosed herein can be executed on processor 702, or can be performed across a network such as the Internet, intranet networks, or local area networks, in conjunction with a remote processor that shares a portion of the processing.\",\n \"Additional mass storage devices (not shown) can also be connected to processor 702 through network interface 716.An auxiliary I/O device interface (not shown) can be used in conjunction with computer system 700.The auxiliary I/O device interface can include general and customized interfaces that allow the processor 702 to send and, more typically, receive data from other devices such as microphones, touch-sensitive displays, transducer card readers, tape readers, voice or handwriting recognizers, biometrics readers, cameras, portable mass storage devices, and other computers.\",\n \"The computer system shown in FIG.\",\n \"7 is but an example of a computer system suitable for use with the various embodiments disclosed herein.\",\n \"Other computer systems suitable for such use can include additional or fewer subsystems.\",\n \"In addition, bus 714 is illustrative of any interconnection scheme serving to link the subsystems.\",\n \"Other computer architectures having different configurations of subsystems can also be utilized.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a structural block diagram of a server according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"8, a server 800 for managing confidential information is provided.\",\n \"Server 800 can implement process 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1.Server 800 can be implemented by system 300 of FIG.\",\n \"3 The server 800 comprises a processing component 810, which further comprises one or more processors, and storage resources represented by the storage device 820 which are for storing instructions (e.g., application programs) that can be executed by the processing component 820.The application programs stored in the storage device 820 may include one or more modules each of which corresponds to a set of instructions.\",\n \"In addition, the processing component 810 is configured to execute instructions so as to execute the aforesaid method of managing confidential information.\",\n \"The server 800 can also include a power supply component 850, a network interface 840, and an input-output interface 830.The power supply component 850 is configured to execute power supply management for the server 800.The network interface 840 can be a wired network interface or a wireless network interface 840, which is configured to connect the server 800 to a network.\",\n \"The server 800 can operate based on an operating system, such as Windows Server™, Mac OS X™, Unix™, Linux™, FreeBSD™, or the like, which is stored in the storage device 820.In some embodiments, the server 800 includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that includes instructions (e.g., the storage device 820 in the server 800).\",\n \"The aforesaid instructions can be executed by a server 800 processor so as to complete a method such as process 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1 described above.\",\n \"As an example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be ROM, random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, or an optical data storage device.\",\n \"In the event that the instructions in the non-transitory computer-readable medium are executed by the server 800 processor, the server 800 becomes capable of executing a method for managing confidential information.\",\n \"The method includes accessing stored target information comprising a public part and a confidential part, and an identifier corresponding to the confidential part of the target information, outputting the public part of the target information and the corresponding identifier, wherein the public part of the target information comprises at least first address information, receiving location information and a to-be-recognized identifier, wherein the location information is associated with a current location of a mobile terminal, determining whether the location information is consistent with the first address information, and in the event that the location information is consistent with the first address information, sending the confidential part of the target information associated with the to-be-recognized identifier to the mobile terminal.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method further comprises: after sending the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier to the mobile terminal, deleting at least the confidential part of the target information corresponding to the to-be-recognized identifier from a database that includes mappings of confidential parts of target information and identifiers.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"9, a mobile terminal 900 is provided.\",\n \"Mobile terminal 900 can implement process 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2.Mobile terminal 900 can be implemented in system 300 of FIG.\",\n \"3.The mobile terminal 900 provided by the embodiment of the present application may comprise the following one or more components: a processing component 910, a storage device 920, a communication component 930, a power supply component 940, a sensor 950, an input/output (I/O) interface 960, a multimedia component 970, and an audio component 980.The processing component 910 generally controls overall operations of the mobile terminal, such as operations relating to display, telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations.\",\n \"The processing component 910 can comprise one or more processors 911 for executing local or remote instructions so as to complete all or some of the steps of the method described above in the aforesaid embodiment.\",\n \"In addition, the processing component 910 can comprise one or more modules to facilitate interaction between the processing component 910 and other components.\",\n \"For example, the processing component 910 can comprise a multimedia module to facilitate interactions between the multimedia component 970 and the processing component 910.The storage device 920 may be configured to store various types of data to support operations on the mobile terminal.\",\n \"Examples of this data include the instructions of any application program or method used in mobile terminal operations, contact data, telephone directory data, messages, pictures, and video.\",\n \"The storage device 920 can be any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic disks, or optical disks.\",\n \"The communication component 930 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between said mobile terminal and other devices.\",\n \"The mobile terminal can access wireless networks based on a communications standard such as WiFi, 2G, 3G, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the communication component 930 receives via broadcast channels broadcast signals or broadcast-related information from external broadcast management systems.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the communication component 930 further comprises a near-field communication (NFC) module for promoting short-range communication.\",\n \"For example, the short-range communications can be achieved in the NFC module on the basis of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) technology, ultra-wide band (UWB) technology, Bluetooth technology, and other technology.\",\n \"The power supply component 940 provides electric power to the various components of the mobile terminal.\",\n \"The power supply 940 can include a power supply management system, one or more power supplies, and other components related to generating, managing, and allocating power to the mobile terminal.\",\n \"The sensor component 950 comprises one or more sensors and is used to provide status evaluations of various aspects of the mobile terminal.\",\n \"For example, the sensor component 950 can detect the power on/off status of the terminal and the relative positioning of components (the display and small keyboard of the mobile terminal).\",\n \"The sensor component 950 can further detect changes in the position of the mobile terminal or of a component of the mobile terminal, contact or non-contact between a user and the mobile terminal, the orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal, and changes in the temperature of the mobile terminal.\",\n \"The sensor component 950 can comprise a near sensor which is configured to detect the presence of a nearby object when there is no physical contact.\",\n \"The sensor component 950 can further comprise an optical sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor for use in imaging applications.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the sensor component 950 can further comprise an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the sensor component 950 can further comprise a front camera and/or rear camera.\",\n \"In the event that the said mobile terminal is in operating mode, such as a picture-taking mode or a video mode, the front camera and/or rear camera can receive external data.\",\n \"Each front camera and rear camera can be a fixed optical lens system or have focusing and optical zoom capabilities.\",\n \"The input/output component 960 provides an interface between the processing component 910 and peripheral interface modules.\",\n \"The aforesaid peripheral interface modules may be keyboards, click wheels, buttons, etc.\",\n \"These buttons may include but are not limited to: homepage button, volume button, start button, and lock button.\",\n \"The multimedia component 970 comprises an output interface screen provided between said mobile terminal and the user.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the screen comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a touch panel (TP).\",\n \"If the screen comprises a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touchscreen to receive input signals from the user.\",\n \"The touch panel comprises one or more touch sensors to detect touches, sliding actions, and gestures on the touch panel.\",\n \"The touch sensor can not only detect the boundaries of touch or slide actions, but also can measure duration and pressure related to the touch or slide operations.\",\n \"The audio component 980 is configured to output and/or input audio signals.\",\n \"For example, the audio component 980 includes a microphone (MIC).\",\n \"When the mobile terminal is in an operating mode (e.g., when in calling mode, recording mode, or speech recognition mode), the microphone is configured to receive external audio signals.\",\n \"The received audio signals can be further stored in the storage device 920 or sent by the communication component 930.In some embodiments, the audio component 980 further comprises a speaker for output of audio signals.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile terminal can be realized by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital signal processors (DSP), digital signal processing devices (DSPD), programmable logic devices (PLD), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, or other electronic components for executing the method described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile terminal 900 includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that includes instructions (e.g., the storage device 920).\",\n \"The aforesaid instructions may be executed by the processor 911 of a mobile terminal so as to complete the method described above.\",\n \"For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be ROM, random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, or an optical data storage device.\",\n \"In the event that the instructions in said non-transitory computer-readable medium are executed by the mobile terminal processor, the mobile terminal becomes capable of executing a method associated with managing confidential information.\",\n \"The method can include acquiring an identifier corresponding to a confidential part of target information stored by a server, wherein a public part of the target information stored by the server comprises at least first address information, acquiring location information, wherein the location information is associated with a current location of a mobile terminal, sending the location information and the identifier to the server, and in response to the server determining whether the location information is consistent with the first address information, receiving the confidential part of the target information associated with the identifier.\",\n \"The above-stated are merely embodiments of the present application and do not limit the present application.\",\n \"For persons skilled in the art, the present application may have various modifications and variations.\",\n \"Any modification, equivalent substitution, or improvement made in keeping with the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included within the scope of the claims of the present application.\",\n \"Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limited to the details provided.\",\n \"There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention.\",\n \"The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873548"}}},{"rowIdx":4494373,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["SECURE REAL-TIME TRANSACTIONS","A method including determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Other embodiments are provided."],["1.A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform: determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction; sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, the first information comprising a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, wherein the one or more first accounts comprise at least one non-demand deposit account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","2.The system of claim 1, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","3.The system of claim 1, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","4.The system of claim 3, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","5.The system of claim 3, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","6.The system of claim 5, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","7.The system of claim 6, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","8.The system of claim 6, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","9.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; and the loan account is created after the first financial institution receives the request to pay the merchant; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.","10.The system of claim 9, wherein: a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","11.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.","12.The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account.","13.A method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the method comprising: determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction; sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, the first information comprising a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, wherein the one or more first accounts comprise at least one non-demand deposit account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","14.The system of claim 13, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","15.The system of claim 13, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","16.The system of claim 15, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","17.The system of claim 15, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","18.The system of claim 17, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","19.The system of claim 19, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","20.The system of claim 19, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","21.The system of claim 13, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; and the loan account is created after the first financial institution receives the request to pay the merchant; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.","22.The system of claim 21, wherein: a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","23.The system of claim 13, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.","24.The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account."],[" BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7 ; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19 ; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1 ; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/170,781, filed Jun.","1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/805,214, filed Jul.","21, 2015.U.S.","patent application Ser.","Nos.","15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.","TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.","BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).","The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.","The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.","Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.","Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).","A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.","The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.","1; FIG.","8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.","7; FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.","1; FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.","1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.","19; FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.","1; and FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.","1 has successfully completed.","For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.","Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.","For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.","The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.","The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.","It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.","The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.","Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.","Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.","“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.","The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.","in question is or is not removable.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.","As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.","As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.","In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.","In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.","In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.","As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.","A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.","Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.","In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.","The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.","However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.","DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The mobile application can be associated with the first account.","The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.","The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer cam ne maintained by a first financial institution.","The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.","The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.","The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.","The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.","The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.","The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","Turning to the drawings, FIG.","1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.","System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.","7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.","The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.","In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.","In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).","In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.","In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.","In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.","In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).","For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.","In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.","For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.","In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.","For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.","In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).","This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.","In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.","In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).","In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.","In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.","For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.","For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.","For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.","For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.","As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.","In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.","In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.","In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).","In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.","In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.","In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.","The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.","For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.","The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.","For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.","In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.","In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.","In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.","In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.","In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.","For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.","For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.","By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.","In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).","In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.","In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.","In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.","In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.","In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.","In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.","In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.","The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.","For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.","As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.","In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.","In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.","In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.","In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.","For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.","For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.","In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.","In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.","In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.","In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.","In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.","In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.","In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.","In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.","In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.","In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.","In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.","In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.","In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.","Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.","In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.","In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.","22 and described below.","In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.","For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.","In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.","In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.","129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).","In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).","In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.","In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.","In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.","For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.","In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.","For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.","For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.","Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.","In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.","Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.","In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.","In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.","In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.","In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.","For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.","In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.","For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.","In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.","In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.","The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.","In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.","In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.","In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.","In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.","For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.","In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.","The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.","In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.","In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.","In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.","In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.","In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.","In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.","In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.","In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.","For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.","In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.","In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.","In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.","The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.","In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.","In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.","In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.","In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.","Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.","9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.","In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.","In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.","In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.","In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.","In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.","In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.","In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.","In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.","In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.","In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.","For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.","In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.","In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.","In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.","In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.","1).","Referring to FIG.","13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.","In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.","The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.","In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.","In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.","In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.","In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.","In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.","In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.","In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.","In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.","For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.","In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.","In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.","Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.","In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.","In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.","In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.","This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.","Referring to FIG.","16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.","The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.","In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.","For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.","The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1).","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.","The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.","1).","The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.","1).","The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.","In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.","In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.","In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.","For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), as shown described below in further detail.","In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.","In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), as described below in further detail.","In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.","In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.","In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.","In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.","In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.","In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.","In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.","1)).","User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.","For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) to consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.","1).","In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.","1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.","1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1).","In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.","In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), such as Checking Account A.","When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.","1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.","1)) to use for the payment transaction.","In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to approve the transaction using the account.","In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to decline the transaction using the account.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.","User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17).","In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.","Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.","17).","In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.","In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.","In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.","In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17).","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.","User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.","18).","In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.","In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.","1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.","1).","In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.","In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.","1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), such as a new loan.","In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.","1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.","When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19).","In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.","In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to cancel the transaction.","Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.","1).","User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.","20).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.","1).","For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.","1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.","21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.","22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed.","User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.","User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.","1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.","1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.","1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.","17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.","18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.","19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.","20).","In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.","1)).","Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.","17), title bar 1801 (FIG.","18), title bar 1901 (FIG.","19), title bar 2001 (FIG.","20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.","21).","In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.","If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.","In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.","1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.","1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.","5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.","9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.","16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.","In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.","5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.","9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.","16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.","16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.","5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.","9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.","5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.","In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.","9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.","4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.","4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.","13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.","In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.","13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.","4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.","4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.","4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.","10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.","10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.","10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.","13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.","13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.","In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.","10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.","In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.","13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.","13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.","13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.","11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.","11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.","14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.","14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.","In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.","2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.","In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.","2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.","2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.","2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.","2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.","2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.","2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.","11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.","14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.","In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.","14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.","14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.","14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.","3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.","3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.","3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.","15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.","15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.","15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.","In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.","3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.","12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.","15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.","In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.","3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.","12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.","12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.","12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.","In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.","Continuing with FIG.","1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.","Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.","In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.","In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.","In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.","6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.","6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.","6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.","Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.","7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.","1), mobile device 120 (FIG.","1), financial institution 130 (FIG.","1), transaction system 140 (FIG.","1), financial institution 150 (FIG.","1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.","2), method 300 (FIG.","3), method 400 (FIG.","4), method 500 (FIG.","5), method 600 (FIG.","6), method 900 (FIG.","9), method 1000 (FIG.","10), method 1100 (FIG.","11), method 1200 (FIG.","12), method 1300 (FIG.","13), method 1400 (FIG.","14), method 1500 (FIG.","15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.","16).","Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.","8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.","8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.","8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.","Continuing with FIG.","8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).","Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.","7) to a functional state after a system reset.","In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).","In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.","7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7-8).","In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.","The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.","Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.","As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.","In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.","8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/0 devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.","7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.","7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.","8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.","Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.","7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.","7) of computer 700 (FIG.","7).","Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.","7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.","7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.","7 and 8).","In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.","In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7).","A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.","7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.","7) or USB port 712 (FIG.","7).","In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).","Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.","7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.","Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.","7) need not be discussed herein.","When computer 700 in FIG.","7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.","8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.","8).","A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.","In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.","Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.","7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.","Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.","In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.","In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.","1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.","In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.","Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.","Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.","It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.","For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.","1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.","For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.","2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.","Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.","The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.","Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"SECURE REAL-TIME TRANSACTIONS\",\n \"A method including determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Other embodiments are provided.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform: determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction; sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, the first information comprising a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, wherein the one or more first accounts comprise at least one non-demand deposit account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"2.The system of claim 1, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"3.The system of claim 1, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"4.The system of claim 3, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"5.The system of claim 3, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"6.The system of claim 5, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"7.The system of claim 6, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"8.The system of claim 6, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"9.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; and the loan account is created after the first financial institution receives the request to pay the merchant; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"10.The system of claim 9, wherein: a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"11.The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"12.The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account.\",\n \"13.A method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the method comprising: determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction; sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, the first information comprising a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, wherein the one or more first accounts comprise at least one non-demand deposit account, wherein the transaction system is maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution, and wherein the payment information comprises the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount; and receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"14.The system of claim 13, wherein: the payment information further comprises one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"15.The system of claim 13, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"16.The system of claim 15, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"17.The system of claim 15, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"18.The system of claim 17, wherein: the first financial institution is configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"19.The system of claim 19, wherein: the one or more first accounts further comprise the demand deposit account; a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the demand deposit account; and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction is funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"20.The system of claim 19, wherein: the demand deposit account is devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction; and the payment amount of the transaction is funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"21.The system of claim 13, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a loan account; and the loan account is created after the first financial institution receives the request to pay the merchant; and the loan account is used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"22.The system of claim 21, wherein: a second portion of the payment amount is funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"23.The system of claim 13, wherein: the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a credit account; and at least a portion of the payment is funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"24.The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one non-demand deposit account comprises a points account.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7 ; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19 ; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1 ; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/170,781, filed Jun.\",\n \"1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/805,214, filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2015.U.S.\",\n \"patent application Ser.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"15/170,781 and 14/805,214 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to secure processing of transactions, and relates more particularly to providing security and real-time transfers for transaction networks.\",\n \"BACKGROUND In a typical payment card transaction, a consumer provides an account number to a merchant to process a payment from the consumer for a transaction, and the merchant processes the payment transaction through the merchant's bank and/or payment processor (“acquirer”), which requests payment from the consumer's financial institution (“issuer”) through a payment processing network (e.g., a credit card network).\",\n \"The request initiated by the merchant for payment from the consumer is a pull-based payment model.\",\n \"The pull-based payment model generally involves significant transaction fees paid to various entities, such as the acquirer, the issuer, and the payment processing network.\",\n \"Moreover, the merchant is generally liable for chargebacks when the consumer's card is used fraudulently.\",\n \"Further, the consumer account information can be subject to theft under this model, as the consumer is providing the consumer's account information to third parties (i.e., parties other than the consumer's financial institution).\",\n \"A request initiated by the consumer, instead of the merchant, to send payment from the consumer's account to the merchant's account is a push-based payment model.\",\n \"The push-based payment model is often used for recurrent bill-pay transactions, but is generally not used for in-store transactions with merchants.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer that is suitable for implementing an embodiment of components of the system of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of elements included in circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer of FIG.\",\n \"7; FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to another embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to approve a transaction on the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds; FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds; FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to allow the consumer of FIG.\",\n \"1 to select the amount to pay using the other account selected the user interface display of FIG.\",\n \"19; FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that a payment request has been sent from the mobile device of FIG.\",\n \"1; and FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display to confirm that the payment transaction to the merchant of FIG.\",\n \"1 has successfully completed.\",\n \"For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.\",\n \"The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.\",\n \"The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.\",\n \"The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise.\",\n \"Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together.\",\n \"Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.\",\n \"“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types.\",\n \"The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.\",\n \"in question is or is not removable.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.\",\n \"As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.\",\n \"As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event.\",\n \"A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.\",\n \"Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data.\",\n \"The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.\",\n \"However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, or five minutes.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"A number of embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first request can include first information including a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first financial institution, second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform certain acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include one or more non-transitory memory storage units including computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer cam ne maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method additionally can include, after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution: receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device; and sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Performing the additional identity authentication of the consumer can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on at least one of: determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device; or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"The method further can include prior to sending the first request to pay the merchant: sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information; and receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution.\",\n \"The account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, determines second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device can include sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"Still further embodiments include a method being implemented via one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"The request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include, before sending the notification, crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Sending the notification to satisfy the expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method additionally can include providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The acts also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The method also can include verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can receive a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"The transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using the digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and the transaction identifier.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The acts also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The method also can include receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and a payment amount.\",\n \"The merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"The payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The acts also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"The information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The method also can include retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The acts also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The acts further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to authorize paying a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The method also can include determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"The method further can include receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Additional embodiments include a system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform various acts.\",\n \"The acts can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The acts also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The acts additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"The method can include determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The method also can include sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount, such that the mobile device sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"The method additionally can include receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"Turning to the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 that can be employed for a secure real-time payment transaction network, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"System 100 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The system can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 100 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 100.In some embodiments, system 100 can include one or more point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110; one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 120; two or more financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150; and/or a transaction system 140.In other embodiments, system 100 also can include a wallet provider 160.In a number of embodiments, each of the point-of-sale terminals, the one or more mobile devices, the two or more financial institution, and the transaction system can be or include a computer system, such as computer system 700, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7 and described below, and can be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"In many embodiments, various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100 can be in data communication with various other components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100, such as through one or more networks.\",\n \"The networks can be the Internet and/or other suitable public and/or private data communication networks.\",\n \"In various embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be located within a store of a merchant, such as merchant 119.In several embodiments, the store can be a place of business, which can offer and/or sell items, such as products and/or services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be used to checkout a consumer 129 using mobile device 120 for one or more items to be purchased by consumer 129.In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as a checkout module 111, a communication module 112, a payment module 113, a consumer information module 114, a security module 115, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, checkout module 111 can be used to determine the payment amount, communication module 112 can communicate with other components of system 100, payment module 113 can determine whether consumer 129 has satisfactorily paid for the one or more items to be purchased, consumer information module 114 can store information regarding consumer 129, and/or security module 115 can be used to generate a merchant security transaction code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register (e.g., cash register) that includes a card reader and communications with one or more card networks (e.g., STAR network, VISA network, etc.).\",\n \"In other embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can be a register that without a card reader or the ability to communicate with card networks.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to initiate a payment to merchant 119 for the one or more items to be purchased.\",\n \"In various embodiments, mobile device 120 can run a mobile application 123, such as a mobile wallet, which can be employed to facilitate paying merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or mobile application 123 can include one or more modules, such as an authentication module 121, an account module 122, a communication module 124, a security module 125, a loan module 126, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129, account module 122 can provide information regarding a consumer account of consumer 129, communication module 124 can communicate with other components of system 100, security module 125 can decipher and/or decode the merchant security transaction code and/or verify the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, and/or loan module can present options and receive instructions regarding processing the transaction at least partially using a loan or credit charge.\",\n \"In several embodiments, when consumer 129 using mobile device 120 is at point-of-sale terminal 110 to checkout, point-of-sale terminal 110 can determine the payment amount for the one or more items, and can communicate information to mobile device 120, such as the payment amount, a merchant identifier, and/or a transaction identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110.For example, in some embodiments, each point-of-sale terminal can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely identify the merchant (e.g., merchant 119).\",\n \"For example, each merchant (e.g., merchant 119) can have a unique merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a token that can be associated with merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, when merchant 119 sets up, configures, and/or reconfigures, point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier can be created and/or assigned to point-of-sale terminal 110.In the same or different embodiments, one part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify merchant 119, and another part of the merchant identifier can uniquely identify point-of-sale terminal 110, such that the part of the merchant identifier that uniquely identifies merchant 119 is the same for all point-of-sale terminals owned or used by merchant 119.In various embodiments, mobile device 120 and point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other (either one-way or two-way) using a wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In some examples, the communication protocol can allow for one-way or two-way communication.\",\n \"For example, the wireless data communication protocol can be a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), iBeacon, etc.\",\n \"In other embodiments, mobile device 120 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with each other using another suitable form of communication.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, point-of-sale terminal 110 can provide a barcode (such as a QR (Quick Response) code), which can be scanned using a camera of mobile device 120, and/or mobile device 120 can provide a barcode (such as a QR code), which can be scanned using an optical scanner of point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, communication module 112 can provide communication functionality for point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or communication module 124 can provide communication functionality for mobile device 120.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can be in data communication with various financial institutions, such as financial institution 130 and/or financial institution 150, and can provide for interaction, facilitate communications, and/or facilitate transactions between the financial institutions, such as financial institutions 130 and 150.In a number of embodiments, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 143, an account module 144, a transaction module 145, a security module 146, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"In some embodiments, communication module can be used to provide communications with the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150).\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a merchant account database 141 and/or a transaction database 142, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can interface with merchant account database 141, and/or transaction module 145 can interface with transaction database 142.In a number of embodiments, security module 146 can interface with security module 115 to facilitate providing a merchant security code, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, transaction system 140 can include a network system that facilitates communications between the various financial institutions (e.g., financial institution 130 and financial institution 150).\",\n \"This network system can have any suitable topology, such as hub and spoke, peer-to-peer, or another suitable topology.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) can be depository financial institutions, such as savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, card issuing financial institutions, or other forms of financial institutions.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more consumer accounts 131 associated with consumer 129.In various embodiments, consumer accounts 131 can include one or more demand deposit accounts (e.g., a checking account, savings account, or cash balance account), and non-demand deposit accounts (i.e., an account other than a demand deposit account), such as a lending account (e.g., a loan account or a credit account) or another type of account (e.g., a points account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as a communication module 132, an authorization module 133, an account module 134, a loan module 135, and/or other suitable modules.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 134 can interface with consumer account 134 to provide information regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, and/or can store and/or determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 132 can communicate with other components of system 100.In various embodiments, authorization module 133 can authorize payments from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can obtain information, such as balances and statuses, about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150 can be include a merchant account 151 associated with merchant 119.In various embodiments, merchant account 151 can be a deposit account or another suitable type of account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, financial institution 135 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, account module 153, and/or other suitable modules, as described below in further detail.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, account module 153 can interface with merchant account 151 to provide information regarding the status of merchant account 151, and/or can store and determine information regarding other accounts.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 152 can communicate with other components of system 100.In several embodiments, merchant account database 141 of transaction system 140 can store information regarding merchants (e.g., merchant 119) and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, merchant account database 141 can store a mapping between merchant identifiers and merchant accounts.\",\n \"For example, a certain merchant identifier can be associated with merchant 119 and merchant account 151 of merchant 119 maintained by financial institution 150.When provided with the merchant identifier, account module 144 and merchant account database 141 can be used by transaction system 140 to determine an account identifier (e.g., an account number) of merchant account 151, the name of merchant 119, a location of merchant 119, a location of point-of-sale terminal 110, and/or other information regarding merchant 119 and/or the merchant account.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, transaction system 140 can provide risk information (e.g., a risk score) regarding merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In some embodiments, a merchant can have three point-of-sale terminals, such as point-of-sale terminal 110, each with a unique identifier, which can each be associated with a single account of merchant 119, specifically, merchant account 151.In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a public identifier that serves as an alias to identify merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 among the various components (e.g., 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) of system 100.In a number of embodiments, merchant 119 can enroll and/or register with transaction system 140 through financial institution 150, through a merchant consortium, e.g., Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), or directly.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier for merchant 119 and or point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 can be selected and/or assigned at the time of enrollment or registration.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can be a phone number, an email address, a terminal identifier, or another suitable identifier.\",\n \"As part of enrollment and/or registration transaction system 140 can verify that merchant 119 is a legitimate (e.g., bona fide) merchant, such as by vetting merchant 119 through financial institution 150 and/or another enrollment entity.\",\n \"In several embodiments, upon or after enrolling and/or registering with transaction system 140, merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110 can be provided with a security module 115, which can be computing instructions that is used to create a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can communicate with security module 146 of transaction system 140, such as through application programming interface (API) calls.\",\n \"In other embodiments, security module 115 of point-of-sale terminal 110 can be self-contained computing instructions (i.e., that do not call security module 146 of transaction system 140) that are provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration), or are based on instructions and/or a software development kit (SDK) provided by transaction system 140 (e.g., at the time of enrollment and/or registration).\",\n \"In many embodiments, security module 115 can be used by merchant 119 during a transaction to generate a merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can include various information, such as the payment amount for the transaction, a transaction identifier that uniquely identifies the transaction to merchant 119 and/or point-of-sale terminal 110, the merchant identifier, a date and/or time of the transaction, a list of the items purchased, a digital signature, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, this information can be encoded in the merchant security transaction code using a suitable data encoding method.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the digital signature can be generated based on the data in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"The digital signature can be generated using a suitable digital signature code signing algorithm as part of a digital signature scheme.\",\n \"For example, the code signing algorithm can be public-key cryptography signing algorithm, such as those used in public key infrastructure (PKI), a cryptographic hash function, such as one of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) published by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (e.g., SHA-256), or another suitable signing algorithm.\",\n \"The digital signature can be used to verify that merchant 119 created the merchant security transaction code and/or that the data in the merchant security transaction code has not been corrupted or tampered with after having being created by security module 115.In several embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be a data code that can be transmitted between point-of-sale terminal 110 and mobile device 120 using a wireless data communication channel, as described above.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a barcode, such as a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or three-dimensional (3D) barcode, which can be optically ready by mobile device 120, such as by using a camera on mobile device 120, as described above.\",\n \"For example, the merchant security transaction code can be encoded as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code, and displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 to be scanned by a camera on mobile device 120.In still other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code can be transferred manually from point-of-sale terminal 110 to mobile device 120 by the merchant security transaction code being displayed on point-of-sale terminal 110 and then being manually entered in mobile application 123 of mobile device 120.In many embodiments, system 100 can provide a transaction network for secure real-time payments.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile application 123 of mobile device 120 can be used by consumer 129 to push a payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151 to satisfy an expectation of payment while consumer 129 is waiting at point-of-sale terminal 110.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with and/or configured to be associated with financial institution 130 and/or one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 can associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be provided by financial institution 130 as a mobile application for use on mobile device 120.In other embodiments, mobile application 123 can be associated with multiple different financial institutions and accounts of consumer 129 at those financial institutions.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can be in data communication with financial institution 130 directly through a network, such as the Internet, or indirectly through one or more other systems, such as mobile wallet provider 160.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate with transaction system 140 directly through a network or through mobile wallet provider 160.In other embodiments, mobile device 120 cannot communicate with transaction system 140.In several embodiments, mobile application 123 can provide information to consumer 129 regarding the status of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and availability of funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, account module 122 of mobile device 120 can obtain information from account module 134 of financial institution 130 regarding one or more of consumer accounts 131 and provide that information to consumer 129.For example, if one of consumer accounts 131 has an available balance and/or available credit of $500, mobile application 123 can communicate the amount of the available funds for one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129, which can allow consumer 129 to know the amount of the available funds for spending before shopping for items and/or before attempting to purchase items.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can provide account module 122 with various other information, such as the current status of one or more of consumer accounts 131, such as whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is open and in good status (or closed), whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has had recent not sufficient funds (NSF) activity, whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 has a stop payment order, and/or a buying power index of consumer 129 at least partially based on information about one or more of consumer accounts 131.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be used on mobile device 120 at point-of-sale terminal 110 to conduct a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119.The merchant identifier can be associated with merchant account 151 of merchant 119.By receiving the merchant identifier, mobile application 123 can initiate a push payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131 at financial institution 130 to merchant account 151 at financial institution 150 to complete the transaction in real-time before the consumer leaves the store of merchant 119.In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129.For example, authentication module 121 can verify the identity of consumer 129 using a personal identification number (PIN), a password, one or more fingerprints, voice recognition, other biometrics (e.g., mobile phone bio-measurements), and/or other suitable authentication methods, to ensure that consumer 129 is authorized to associate mobile application 123 with one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or make payments using mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, when mobile application 123 is used to conduct a transaction, mobile device 120 can be put in the proximity of point-of-sale terminal 110 to allow communication module 124 to receive information from point-of-sale terminal 110, such as the payment amount, the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or other information, such as the merchant name, the date and time, a list of SKUs (stock keeping units) of the one or more items to be purchased, etc.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile device 120 can receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110 as part of the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 of mobile device 120 can verify the digital signature in the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, security module 125 can verify the digital signature using a signature verifying algorithm that is part of the same digital signature scheme that was used to digitally sign the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"For example, a public key for merchant 119 can be used to verify the digital signature and the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"By verifying the digital signature of the merchant security transaction code, security module 125 can verify that the merchant identifier is from point-of-sale terminal 110 of merchant 119 and is accurate, which can advantageously ensure that the funding from consumer accounts 131 will be sent to an account actually associated with the merchant instead of a fraudster.\",\n \"In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to allow one-click checkout, which can be enabled by selecting a button on mobile application 123 or by placing mobile device 120 in the proximity of a data transmitter on point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, mobile application 123 can be configured to scan items and conduct transactions in real-time as items are taken from the shelf and scanned by mobile device 120 or placed within a “smart” shopping cart, such that checkout can take place in an aisle of the store, rather than at point-of-sale terminal 110.In other embodiments, checkout can take place automatically when consumer 129 exits the store of merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can receive the merchant identifier upon entering the store of merchant 119 or from a shopping cart having data transmitted in the store of merchant 119.In some embodiments, the mobile application 123 can send information from mobile device 120 to point-of-sale terminal 110, such as information regarding consumer 129, such as personally identifiable information, loyalty rewards number(s), shopping patterns, points, buying power index, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer information module 114 can process the information provided from mobile application 123 to provide information to merchant 119 regarding consumer 129.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can communicate information, such as a buying power index, to point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 upon entering the store of merchant 119.In several embodiments, consumer 129 can decide whether to authorize the transaction using mobile device 120.For example, mobile device 120 can ask consumer 129 to approve the transaction in mobile application 123.In a number of embodiments, mobile application 123 can present the one or more of consumer accounts 131 to consumer 129 to select which of the consumer accounts 131 to use to funds the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to split the funding of the transaction among multiple accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to fund 20% of the transaction from a demand deposit account (e.g., a debit account) and 80% of the transaction from a non-demand deposit account (e.g., by a charge to a credit account).\",\n \"In some embodiments, if an account of the one or more of consumer accounts 131 has an account balance that is less than the amount of the transaction (or the portion of the transaction that consumer 129 has chosen to allocate to the account), loan module 126 of mobile device 120 can determine that there is a deficiency and can present an option to fund the transaction (or a portion of the transaction) using a non-demand deposit account, such as a loan account, a credit account, or a points account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, loan module 126 can present the option for funding the transaction through a non-demand deposit account even if there is no deficiency in the one or more of consumer accounts 129.In some embodiments, the loan account can be a new account that is created upon consumer 129 choosing to fund the transaction (or portion thereof) with the loan account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the loan account can be for a previously authorized loan.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the loan account can have a pre-existing loan balance, which can be increased based on the amount of loan used to the fund the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan can be a small loan, and can be labeled a “micro-loan”), but can be treated the same as credit line for a loan instead of an overdraw of an account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, consumer 129 can make the decision from which account or accounts to fund the transaction, and/or to authorize a loan or a credit transaction, while at or near the point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store of merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, loan module 126 can allow consumer 129 to choose the one or more accounts from which to fund the transaction after consumer 129 has left the store.\",\n \"In many embodiments, financial institution 130 can fund the transaction temporarily from a shadow account that the bank uses to fund overdraft transaction, which can be reimbursed from the one or more accounts selected by consumer 129.For example, consumer 129 can authorize a transaction at point-of-sale terminal 110 in the store, and financial institution 130 can authorize transfer of funds to financial institution 150 to pay merchant 119, and after consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 129, loan module 126 can push a message to consumer 129 asking for one or more of consumer accounts 131 that consumer 129 wants to use to fund the transaction.\",\n \"The options of consumer accounts 131 can include the option to open a new loan account, or to add to the balance of an existing loan account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can setup a list (e.g., prioritized list) of consumer accounts 131 to use for transaction using mobile device 120, and/or can setup before-hand an amount and/or percentage to use from one or more of the accounts.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for the first $50 and then use a credit account for the rest.\",\n \"As another example, consumer 129 can choose to use a debit account for 40% of the transaction, and use a new micro-loan for the rest.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a points account can be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can have a points account at financial institution 130, which can have a balance of points earned by consumer 129 at financial institution 130.In many embodiments, these points can have an exchange value, such that the points can be redeemed to pay for all or at least a portion of the payment.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after mobile device 120 has communicated with point-of-sale terminal 110 using communication module 124 to receive the merchant identifier and other transaction information, and consumer 129 has authorized the transaction, mobile device 120 can communicate with financial institution 130 and/or transaction system 140, either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160, to request a payment be made to merchant account 151 of merchant 119 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, when mobile device 120 communicates with financial institution 130 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, account module 134 of financial institution 130 can determine account information about merchant account 151, such as the account identifier of merchant account 151, at least partially based on the merchant identifier received from mobile device 130.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can communicate with transaction system 140 to get the account information about merchant account 151, which can be stored in merchant account database 141.In some embodiments, financial institution 130 can save the account information about merchant account 151 so financial institution does not need to query the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for future transaction involving the same merchant identifier.\",\n \"In other embodiments, financial institution 130 can query for the account information from merchant account database 141 in transaction system 140 for each new transaction, or at occasional and/or regular intervals.\",\n \"In other embodiments, when mobile device 120 communicates with transaction system 140 (either directly or through mobile wallet provider 160) to request a payment be made, transaction system 140 can provide the account information about merchant account 151 to first financial institution 130.In many embodiments, having the account information about merchant account 151, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In several embodiments, before initiating payment, authorization module 133 can determine whether to authorize payment from one or more of consumer accounts 131.For example, financial institution 130 can determine whether the payment amount is within the available funds in one or more of consumer accounts 131, determine whether one or more of consumer accounts 131 is currently open and in good status (or closed), authenticate the identity of consumer 129 using mobile device 120, and/or perform other actions.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, authentication module 121 can authenticate the identity of consumer 129, and that information can be communicated from mobile device 120 to financial institution 130.In some embodiments, mobile device 120 can prompt consumer 129 to authenticate before and/or after mobile device 120 receives the merchant identifier and/or the transaction information from point-of-sale terminal 110.In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can request additional authentication from authentication module 121 (which can be directly through a network between financial institution 130 and mobile wallet 120, or can be through mobile wallet provider 160 and/or through transaction system 140) after receiving the request for payment from mobile device 120 and/or after receiving the information about merchant 119 and/or merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, authorization module 133 of financial institution 130 can perform different and/or varying levels of authentication based on various factors.\",\n \"For example, authentication module 121 and/or authorization module 133 can determine whether mobile device 120 used to send the request for payment has been previously used by consumer 129 for transaction with financial institution 130, whether biometrics of the consumer match stored biometrics of consumer 129, whether the requested transaction and associated details (e.g., the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, the payment amount, the one or more items to be purchased (e.g., a list of SKUs), and/or other suitable factors) are consistent with spending patterns of consumer 129, whether consumer 129 has reported mobile device 120 lost or stolen, whether consumer 129 has reported that credit cards, debit cards, or other information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 have been lost or stolen, and/or other suitable factors.\",\n \"In various embodiments, financial institution 130 can adjust the level of authentication used to verify the identity of consumer 129 based on one or more of these factors, and/or based on the payment amount, the identity of merchant 119, the location of merchant 119, historical spending of consumer 129, and/or other relevant information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, if one or more of consumer accounts 131 chosen by consumer 129 for the transaction is short on funds or otherwise cannot be fully used, loan module 135 can communicate with loan module 126 to present other funding options to consumer 129, such as the option for a micro-loan to fund all or part of the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, after receiving authorization from authorization module 133, financial institution 130 can initiate a payment to financial institution 150 to transfer funds from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151.In a number of embodiments, the payment can be effected by sending payment information regarding a payment to be made to merchant account 151 from one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate an authenticated credit push, which can irrevocably satisfy payment to the merchant and/or ensure that the merchant has good funds when consumer 129 leaves the store of merchant 119.For example, the payment can be a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from one or more of consumer accounts 131 to merchant account 151, which can be settled immediately.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment information transferred from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150 can effectuate a push promise to pay, which can provide an irrevocable guarantee of payment from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150.In several embodiments, for example, the payment can be an ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit push, which can provide an irrevocable funding guarantee.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment and/or the guarantee of payment can be sent in real-time from financial institution 130 to financial institution 150, which can happen for each such transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the settlement of the transaction can happen later, such as in a nightly batch fashion, and in some embodiments, can happen through a different network, such as an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the real-time payment and/or guarantee of payment can be processed through an ACH network or a credit network.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the consumer can provide instructions to financial institution 130 to label the transaction as a debit or a credit transaction in one or more of consumer accounts 131, and in some embodiments can provide such instructions with the request to pay, or before or after the request to pay.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a credit transaction can be treated as a micro-loan, as described above.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a debit pull with guaranteed promise to pay can be used, such that financial institution 150 can receive a guaranteed promise to pay from financial institution 130 and pull the funds using a debit pull.\",\n \"In various embodiments, transaction system 140 can store information regarding each transaction in transaction database 142.In several embodiments, transaction system 140 can serve as a central auditor for transactions between the financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) in data communication with transaction system 142.In some embodiments, transaction system 140 can receive some or all of the information from the merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, one or more portions of the merchant security transaction code can be encrypted by security module 115.For example, the merchant security transaction code can include an encrypted portion that can be decrypted by security module 146 of transaction system 140, which can be used to ensure that the message has not been tampered.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the merchant security transaction code is not encrypted, but is digitally signed, as described above, and the digital signature can be verified, in some embodiments, by security module 146, which can advantageously ensure that the merchant identifier correctly identifies merchant 119, so that the funds are paid to merchant account 151 corresponding to merchant 119.In a number of embodiments, financial institution 150, upon receiving payment and/or guarantee of payment, can notify point-of-sale terminal 110 and/or merchant 119 in real-time that merchant 119 has satisfactorily received payment from consumer 129.For example, the notification can include various information, such as the transaction identifier, the amount received in payment (or guarantee), the merchant identifier, and/or other information.\",\n \"Receiving the notice of good funds can allow merchant 119 to proceed, such as, for example, to allow consumer to leave the store of merchant 119 with the items.\",\n \"In some embodiments, for example, point-of-sale terminal 110 can match the notification to the pending transaction in point-of-sale terminal 110 using the transaction identifier.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, merchant 119 can match the notification to the point-of-sale terminal using the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, consumer 129 can receive a notification on mobile device 120 that the transaction has cleared, such as shown in FIG.\",\n \"22 and described below.\",\n \"In several embodiments, system 100 can advantageously provide a number of technological improvements that can overcome technological problems in conventional systems.\",\n \"For example, in several embodiments, system 100 can beneficially allow consumer 129 to send payment directly and/or immediately to merchant 119 when consumer 129 is checking out at point-of-sale terminal 110.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can eliminate the acquirer model that is conventionally used in payment card transactions.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously streamline payments by eliminating the need for the financial institution (i.e., the acquirer) of merchant 119 to request payment from the financial institution (i.e., the issuer) of consumer 129.For example, in many embodiments, financial institution 150 does not need to request payment from financial institution 130.In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially ensure merchants (e.g., merchant 119) are paid by consumers (e.g., consumer 129) while eliminating and/or reducing many of the transaction fees paid to various entities in the conventional model.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously eliminate the chargeback liability of merchants for fraudulent transactions.\",\n \"In the conventional acquirer-issuer model, the merchant (e.g., 119) is responsible for verifying the credit or debit card to ensure that the card is not being used fraudulently.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially place the liability on the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g.\",\n \"129), which can be in a better position (e.g., with more and/or better information) than the merchant (e.g., 119) to determine if the request to pay is a legitimate, authentic transaction requested by the consumer (e.g., 129) and/or if the consumer's account is still open and in good status (or closed), has sufficient funds, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can advantageously allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose how to authenticate the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or can beneficially allow the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129) to choose the level of authentication, which can be tailored for each consumer (e.g., 129) and/or for each transaction (e.g., the financial institution (e.g., 130) can decide, at least partially based on its risk determination, that a transaction with a higher payment amount warrants a higher level of authentication).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the liability for fraudulent use of one or more of the consumer accounts (e.g., 131) can be placed on the consumer (e.g., 129), and/or the consumer (e.g., 129) can choose the level of authentication used by the financial institution (e.g., 130) of the consumer (e.g., 129).\",\n \"In many embodiments, unauthorized access to one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be reduced and/or eliminated using the payment method provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide the ability for financial institution 130 to communicate directly with consumer 129 at point-of-sale 110 when making a transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can provide information to consumer 129, such as account balance, insufficient funds, lock/freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131, etc., in real-time before consumer 129 requests payments, which can advantageously eliminate and/or reduce negative experiences of consumer 129, such as attempting to transact with insufficient funds or a freeze on one or more of consumer accounts 131.In a number of embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein can beneficially provide consumer 129 with the ability the ability to split the payment with one or more other accounts or a new loan, such as a micro-loan, which can allow consumer 129 to successfully make the payment and reduce negative experiences of consumer 129.In some embodiments, account information about one or more of consumer accounts 131 can beneficially be better protected from theft by the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein, because, in a number of embodiments, the account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to third parties other than financial institution 130, which maintains consumer accounts 131.For example, in some embodiments, the account information of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 can be undisclosed to point-of-sale terminal 110, merchant 119, transaction system 140, and/or financial institution 150.In many embodiments, the account identifier (e.g., account number) of consumer accounts 131 is not sent across any networks, but resides solely in financial institution 130, which can beneficially prevent that information from being stolen.\",\n \"For example, the many recent large-scale data breaches of merchant systems that have exposed consumer account information and personally identifiable information of millions of consumers could have been mitigated by using the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 and described herein.\",\n \"In other embodiments, consumer 129 can choose to provide account information of one or more of consumer accounts 131 and/or personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to one or more third parties.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments consumer 129 can set privacy instructions in mobile device 120 and/or with financial institution 130 regarding what information can be disclosed to third parties.\",\n \"For example, consumer 129 can elect to disclose certain information to merchant 119 in order to receive discounts, point, and/or other perks from merchant 119.For example, in some embodiments, financial institution 130 can send certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 through transaction system 140 to financial institution 150 along with the payment information, and financial institution 150 can provide the information to merchant 119.In the same or other embodiments, mobile device 120 can provide certain personally identifiable information of consumer 129 to merchant 119, such as through the wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"Examples of such personally identifiably information can include a name, a home address, a telephone number, a social security number, a tax identification number, an age, an income level, marital status, a number of dependents, a frequent shopper identifier, shopping preferences, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the payment systems and methods provided by system 100 described herein also can beneficially shield the account information about merchant account 151 from being disclosed outside a network of financial institutions (e.g., 130, 150) and transaction system 140, which can beneficially prevent theft and misuse of the account information about merchant account 151.Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a flow chart for a method 200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"2, in some embodiments, method 200 can optionally include one or more preliminary blocks, such as a block 201 and a block 202, described below.\",\n \"Specifically, method 200 can include block 201 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 200 additionally can include block 202 of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account include can include an account balance and an account status of a first account.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 further can include a block 203 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first request can include first information, which can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first financial institution from a mobile application running on a mobile device used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile application can be associated with the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 200 additionally can include a block 204 of determining, at the first financial institution, second information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the account identifier can be or include an account number.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 205 of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the third information can be received by the first financial institution from the first system prior to receiving the first request to pay the merchant from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the third information can be stored at the first financial institution from a previous query to the first system.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 204 of determining second information can include a block 206 and a block 207, described below.\",\n \"For example, block 204 can include block 206 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the second request can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In these same other embodiments, block 204 can include block 207 of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information.\",\n \"The third information can include the account identifier of the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the second information can include the third information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 208 of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 208 of authorizing the payment from the first account to the second account can include a block 209 of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, or the payment amount is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include the one or more items to be purchased, and block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include authenticating the identity of the consumer based at least in part on the one or more items to be purchased by the consumer for the payment amount from the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, block 209 of authenticating the identity of the consumer further can include adjusting a level of authentication at least partially based on the payment amount to be paid to the merchant, whether the mobile device used to send the first request has previously been used by the consumer in transaction involving the first financial institution, whether biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device match stored biometrics of the consumer, and/or whether at least one of an identity of the merchant, a location of the merchant, the payment amount, or the one or more items to be purchased is consistent with historical patterns of behavior by the consumer.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 210 of determining a current status of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can determine whether the first account is open and in good status, or has a freeze or hold status.\",\n \"In several embodiments, block 208 of authorizing payment from the first account to the second account additionally can include a block 211 of determining available funds of the first account.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can use the determination of the available funds of the first account to determine whether the payment amount can be covered by the available funds of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 200 can continue with a block 212 of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant in order to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the merchant identifier.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates a flow chart for a method 300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 300 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"3, method 300 can include a block 301 of receiving, at a first system from a first entity, a request.\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile device being used a consumer.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the first entity can be a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request can include a merchant identifier.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can maintain a first account of a consumer.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first system can include the merchant account database In some embodiments, the first system can include a transaction database.\",\n \"The transaction database can be similar or identical to transaction database 142 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the merchant identifier can be obtained by the mobile device from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 302 of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the account identifier can be associated with the merchant identifier in the merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information further can include a name of the merchant and/or a location of a store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 further can include a block 303 of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 300 additionally can include a block 304 of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at the store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can be running a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the one or more items to be purchased can include at least one of one or more products or one or more services.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 300 optionally can include a block 305 of storing the payment information in the transaction database.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 300 can continue with a block 306 of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the payment information further can include an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include a set of personally identifiable information of the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the set of personally identifiable information can be at least partially based on privacy instructions sent by the consumer to the first financial institution.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a flow chart for a method 400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"4, method 400 can include a block 401 of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or a payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include various blocks before or after block 402 of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 can include a block 403 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the account information can include an account balance and an account status of the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 400 further optionally can include, after block 403 of sending the preliminary request for account information, a block 404 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 400 can continue with a block 405 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution can send to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, can notify the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 400 optionally can include additional blocks after sending the first request to pay the merchant and before the payment information is sent to the first system from the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, in a number of embodiments, method 400 optionally can include a block 406 of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 407 of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 407 can include performing the additional authentication of the consumer based at least in part on determining biometrics of the consumer using the mobile device and/or requesting the consumer to enter additional information in the mobile device.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block 408 of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates a flow chart for a method 500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 500 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"5, method 500 can include a block 501 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar of identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 500 additionally can include a block 502 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first information can be sent from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data protocol.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to the point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application that is associated with a first account of the consumer using the mobile device.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first account of the consumer can be maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the mobile device, upon receiving the first information, can send a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first request can include the first information, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the first request, can determine second information including an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution, at least partially based on the merchant identifier and third information obtained from a first system, and such that the first financial institution sends to the first system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, method 500 optionally can include a block 503 of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 503 can be performed before or after block 501 of determining the payment amount for the one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, before or after block 502 of sending the first information from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device used by the consumer, or before or after block 504, described below.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 500 can continue with a block 504 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 600 can be performed by financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"6, method 600 can include a block 601 of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can be sent from the first financial institution to the first system and routed through the first system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first system can be in data communication with the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the first system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the first financial institution and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for the one or more items.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can run a mobile application associated with the first account.\",\n \"The mobile application can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, an account identifier of the second account, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can determine the account identifier of the second account based on a merchant identifier and based on third information obtained from the first system.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the merchant identifier can uniquely correspond to a point-of-sale terminal at the store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request can include first information including the merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and/or the payment amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 600 optionally can include a block 602 of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"For example, after the second financial institution has received the payment information, the second account can be credited with the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 600 can continue with a block 603 of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 603 can include notifying the merchant that funds for the payment amount are immediately available in the second account.\",\n \"Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 900 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 900 and other blocks in method 900 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"9, method 900 can include a block 901 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 also can include a block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) cryptographically signing the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 902 of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier can include point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) calling the transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 900 additionally can include a block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, such that the mobile device verifies the digital signature and sends a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, and such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"In many embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include displaying the transaction code as a matrix barcode on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 903 of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer can include transmitting the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal to the mobile device using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal can display the transaction code such that it can be manually input into the mobile device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 900 further can include a block 904 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1000, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1000 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1000 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"10, method 1000 can include a block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a merchant public identifier being associated with the merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the transaction code further can include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code is cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include using a camera of the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, block 1001 of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant can include receiving the transaction code from the point-of-sale terminal using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 also can include a block 1002 of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"For example, the digital signature can be verified using a public-key signature verifying algorithm, as described above, or another suitable verification algorithm.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1000 optionally can include a block 1003 of receiving an approval for the transaction from the consumer through a user interface on the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1000 further can include a block 1004 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information including the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1100, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1100 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1100 and other blocks in method 1100 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"11, method 1100 can include a block 1101 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant public identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant as part of a transaction code.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed by the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the request to pay can be received at the first financial institution after the mobile device receives from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, as described above.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1100 also can include a block 1102 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1100 additionally can include a block 1103 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1200, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1200 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1200 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1200 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1200 and other blocks in method 1200 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"12, method 1200 can include a block 1201 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant public identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains a first account of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The first account can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay for one or more items in a transaction.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at the store.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can include a transaction identifier, a payment amount for the transaction, the merchant public identifier, and a digital signature.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction code can be similar or identical to the merchant security transaction code described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction code can further include one or more SKUs for the one or more items to be purchased in the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital signature can be similar or identical to the digital signature described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the digital certificate of the transaction code can be cryptographically signed.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be called by the point-of-sale terminal to generate the transaction code before the transaction system receives the request.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the transaction code can be verified by the mobile device using a digital signature of the transaction code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code by using a camera on the mobile device to scan the transaction code as a matrix barcode from a screen of the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"For example, the transaction code can be displayed as a QR code on a screen of the point-of-sale terminal, which can be scanned using a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code using a proximity-based wireless data communication protocol.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the mobile device can receive the transaction code through manual input.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 also can include a block 1202 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1203 of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1200 further can include a block 1204 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) a settlement credit push of funds for the payment amount from the first account to the second account, or (b) an irrevocable promise to pay the payment amount from the first account to the second account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1200 additionally can include a block 1205 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1300, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1300 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1300 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1300 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1300 can be performed by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"13, method 1300 can include a block 1301 of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 also can include a block 1302 of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, a payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be associated with the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment amount can be for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The transaction identifier can be associated with the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 additionally can include a block 1303 of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, such that the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, retrieves from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, such that the first financial institution sends to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface displays 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and in some embodiments, the loan account can be created after receiving the first information from the point-of-sale terminal.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in various embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1300 can include one or more optional blocks 1304-1308, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1304-1308 can be performed before block 1303, and in some embodiments, can be performed before block 1302.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of block 1304-1308 can be performed after block 1303.In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1304 of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1305 of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer on a user interface of the mobile device.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1306 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the determining of block 1306 can involve a comparison in the mobile device of the payment account against the account balance.\",\n \"In other embodiments, another system, such as the first financial institution, can perform the comparison of the payment account against the account balance, and the determining of block 1306 can involve receiving, from the other system, such as from the first financial institution, information about, or based on, the results of the comparison.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1307 of presenting to the consumer an option on a user interface of the mobile device to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1300 optionally can include block 1308 of receiving from the consumer through the user interface a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The user interface can be similar to user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and in some embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1400, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1400 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1400 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 can be performed by financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1400 and other blocks in method 1400 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"14, method 1400 can include a block 1401 of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can include at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the request to pay can include information including a merchant identifier, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer in a transaction, and a transaction identifier for the transaction.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the mobile device can be used by the consumer at a store of the merchant to pay for the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the information can be received by the mobile device from a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 also can include a block 1402 of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 additionally can include a block 1403 of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information is routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution, and such that the point-of-sale terminal receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable include.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further can include one of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, method 1400 can include one or more optional blocks 1404-1407, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed before one or more of blocks 1401-1403.In the same or other embodiments, one or more of blocks 1404-1407 can be performed after block 1403.In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1404 of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1405 of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1406 of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1400 optionally can include block 1407 of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1500, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1500 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1500 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1500 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 can be performed by transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1500 and other blocks in method 1500 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"15, method 1500 can include a block 1501 of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant.\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through the transaction system.\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first entity can be at least one of the first financial institution, a mobile device being used by a consumer, or a mobile wallet provider in data communication with the mobile device being used by the consumer.\",\n \"For example, the first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the mobile wallet provider can be similar or identical to mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transaction system can be in data communication with a first financial institution that maintains one or more first accounts of a consumer and a second financial institution that maintains a second account of the merchant.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the consumer can use a mobile device at a store of the merchant to pay a payment amount for one or more items in a transaction using the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after the consumer authorizes paying the payment amount.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 also can include a block 1502 of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"The merchant account database can be similar or identical to merchant account database 141 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1503 of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1500 further can include a block 1504 of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information can include a transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the payment information further can include one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, method 1500 additionally can include a block 1505 of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow chart for a method 1600, according to an embodiment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be a method of facilitating secure payment transactions.\",\n \"Method 1600 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Method 1600 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be performed in any suitable order.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 1600 can be combined or skipped.\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 can be performed by point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, method 1600 and other blocks in method 1600 can include using a distributed network including distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity.\",\n \"This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"16, method 1600 can include a block 1601 of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"The point-of-sale terminal can be similar or identical to point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The merchant can be similar or identical to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The consumer can be similar or identical to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 also can include a block 1602 of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer.\",\n \"The mobile device can be similar or identical to mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first information can include a merchant identifier, a transaction identifier, and the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be similar to the merchant identifier described above.\",\n \"For example, in many embodiments, the merchant identifier can be setup and/or registered through a transaction system, such as transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution.\",\n \"The first financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The one or more first accounts can be similar or identical to one or more of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include one or more of at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution, upon receiving the request to pay, can retrieve from a transaction system an account identifier of a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier.\",\n \"The second financial institution can be similar or identical to financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The second account can be similar or identical to merchant account 151 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The transaction system can be similar or identical to transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiment, the first financial institution can send to the transaction system payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, such that the payment information can be routed through the transaction system to the second financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the payment information can include the transaction identifier, the account identifier of the second account, the payment amount, and/or other suitable information.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the transaction system can be maintained by an entity that is different from the merchant, the first financial institution, and the second financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the payment information further includes one or more of: (a) one or more settlement credit pushes of funds that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account, or (b) one or more irrevocable promises to pay that collectively total the payment amount from the one or more first accounts to the second account.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the mobile device can send the request to pay after receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device.\",\n \"For example, the consumer can authorize the transaction, after which the request to pay can be sent from the mobile device, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In several embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"For example, the account balance can be displayed on the mobile device on a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), as shown described below in further detail.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to determine that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to send to the mobile device an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the option can be displayed on the mobile device using a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the first financial institution can be configured to receive from the mobile device a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"For example, the selection can be received on the mobile device through a user interface, such as shown in user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), as described below in further detail.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the one or more first accounts further can include the demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the demand deposit account, and a second portion of the payment amount of the transaction can be funded from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the demand deposit account can be devoid of being used to fund any portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and the payment amount of the transaction can be funded wholly from the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the one or more first accounts can include the loan account, and the loan account can be created after receiving the request to pay the merchant.\",\n \"In the same or other embodiments, the loan account can be used to fund at least a first portion of the payment amount of the transaction, and in a number of embodiments, a second portion of the payment amount can be funded from a demand deposit account or another non-demand deposit account of the consumer maintained at the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a credit account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the payment can be funded from a charge to the credit account.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the at least one non-demand deposit account can include a points account.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the first financial institution does not have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and the second financial institution does not have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the first financial institution can have access to a second account number for the second account for the transaction, and/or the second financial institution can have access to a first account number for the first account for the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, method 1600 further can include a block 1603 of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In many embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the transaction system.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the notification of the payment can be received by the merchant and/or at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution system.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1700 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to approve a transaction on a mobile device (e.g., 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"User interface display 1700 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1700.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve or decline a transaction request received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a title bar 1701, a descriptor 1710, a payment amount field 1720, a merchant field 1730, a transaction identifier field 1740, a prompt 1750, an approving selection button 1760, and/or a declining selection button 1770.In many embodiments, title bar 1701 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, descriptor 1710 can describe that a transaction request was received.\",\n \"For example, after mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) receives information, such as the transaction code, the merchant identifier, the payment amount, the transaction identifier, and/or other information from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), then user interface display 1700 can be displayed on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction, such as payment amount field 1720, merchant field 1730, and/or transaction identifier field 1740.In many embodiments, payment amount field 1720 can display the payment amount received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In several embodiments, merchant field 1730 can display the name of merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the name of the merchant can be received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiment, the merchant identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be used to retrieve the name of the merchant, such as by mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) querying transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1) directly or through mobile wallet provider 160 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and/or financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction identifier field 1740 can display the transaction identifier received from point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1700 can include additional or other suitable fields to display information about the transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1750 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to confirm the transaction using an account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) that has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), such as Checking Account A.\",\n \"When more than one account (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) has been provisioned to or otherwise associated with mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1), the user interface display (e.g., 1700) can include a request to select one of the accounts (e.g., consumer account 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In many embodiments, approving selection button 1760 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to approve the transaction using the account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, declining selection button 1770 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to decline the transaction using the account.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1800 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to choose to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds or limited funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1800 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), and various elements of user interface display 1800 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1800.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to choose whether to use another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a title bar 1801, an account balance field 1810, a payment amount field 1820, a prompt 1830, an account selection button 1840, and/or a canceling selection button 1850.In many embodiments, title bar 1801 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1801 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In several embodiments, user interface display 1800 can include a number of fields to display information about the transaction request using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"For example, the fields can include account balance field 1810 and payment amount field 1820.In some embodiments, account balance field can show the balance of the account that was approved for payment using user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, payment amount field 1820 can display the payment amount.\",\n \"Payment amount field 1820 can be similar or identical to payment amount field 1720 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"In many embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is less than the payment amount.\",\n \"In other embodiments, user interface display 1800 can be displayed when the account balance is more than the payment amount, but the difference between the account balance and the payment amount is less than a threshold amount, such as $10, $50, $100, $500, or another suitable threshold amount.\",\n \"In several embodiments, prompt 1830 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) whether to use another account or loan to pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In many embodiments, account selection button 1840 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that another account or loan should be used to at least partially pay for the payment amount.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1850 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, such as when the account balance is sufficient to cover the payment amount, another selection button (not shown) can be included in the user interface display (e.g., 1800) to authorize proceeding with the payment transaction using the account approved in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 1900 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient funds.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 1900 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and various elements of user interface display 1900 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 1900.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account for the payment transaction when the approved account has insufficient or limited funds.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include a title bar 1901, a prompt 1910, an option 1911, an option 1912, an option 1913, an option 1914, a proceeding selection button 1920, and/or a canceling selection button 1930.In many embodiments, title bar 1901 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 1901 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17) and/or title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 1910 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select another account or loan to use for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 1900 can include one or more options of other accounts or loan options that the user can select, such as options 1911-1914.In some embodiments, the options can include one or more existing accounts, such as Savings Account B displayed in option 1911, Credit Account C displayed in option 1912, and Points Account D displayed in option 1914.For example, Savings Account B, Credit Account C, and/or Points Account D can be others of consumer accounts 131 (FIG.\",\n \"1) held by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) at financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, the options can include the opportunity to open a new loan, as displayed in option 1913.For example, the new loan can be a micro-loan to pay at least partially for the payment amount, as described above.\",\n \"In some embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select one of options 1911-1914.In other embodiments, user interface display 1900 can allowed consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select more than one of options 1911-1914.In many embodiments, proceeding selection button 1920 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that accounts corresponding to the one or more options (e.g., 1911-1914) should be used for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 1930 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2000 to allow a consumer (e.g., 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1)) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"User interface display 2000 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2000 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and various elements of user interface display 2000 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2000.In a number of embodiments, the interface can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include a title bar 2001, a prompt 2010, an option 2011, an option 2012, an approving selection button 2020, and/or a canceling selection button 2030.In many embodiments, title bar 2001 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2001 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), and/or title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, prompt 2010 can ask consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to select the amount to pay using the other account or payment option selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), such as a new loan.\",\n \"In various embodiments, user interface display 2000 can include one or more options that consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can select, such as options 2011-2012.For example, option 2011 can include the option to pay the full payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"As another example, option 2012 can include the option to partially pay the payment amount using the other account (e.g., new loan) selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and can allow consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to enter the amount to be used for the partial payment from the other account.\",\n \"When more than one account was selected using user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), the user interface display (e.g., 2000) can include a prompt (e.g., 2010) and options (e.g., 2011-2012) for each of the other accounts selected in user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"In many embodiments, only one of options 2011 and 2012 can be selected, per account, by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) and approved by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) via approving selection button 2020.In many embodiments, approving selection button 2020 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to indicate that amount selected in one of options 2011-2012 should be used to pay for the payment transaction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, canceling selection button 2030 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to cancel the transaction.\",\n \"Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2100 to confirm that a payment request has been sent from mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"User interface display 2100 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2100 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and various elements of user interface display 2100 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2100.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that a request has been sent for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2100 can include a title bar 2101, a descriptor field 2110, and/or a selection button 2120.In many embodiments, title bar 2101 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2101 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2110 can include information about the payment that was requested, such as the amount that was requested to be paid out of each of the accounts that were authorized for payment by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"For example, if consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) choose to partially pay for the payment amount using a new loan in the amount of $83.20, then descriptor field 2110 can display that $60.00 from Account A was used and $83.20 from New Loan was used, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"21.In several embodiments, selection button 2120 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2100.Proceeding to the next drawing, FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 2200 to confirm that payment transaction to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the user interface display are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"The user interface display can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein, and can include other suitable elements.\",\n \"User interface display 2200 can be similar to user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21), and various elements of user interface display 2200 can be similar or identical to various elements of user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or user interface display 2100 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can provide an interface for display on mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), which can include user interface display 2200.In a number of embodiments, the interface can display a confirmation to consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) that payment to merchant 119 (FIG.\",\n \"1) has successfully completed for the payment authorized in user interface display 1700 (FIG.\",\n \"17), user interface display 1800 (FIG.\",\n \"18), user interface display 1900 (FIG.\",\n \"19), and/or user interface display 2000 (FIG.\",\n \"20).\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, user interface display 2200 can include a title bar 2201, a descriptor field 2210, and/or a selection button 2220.In many embodiments, title bar 2201 can include the name of the mobile wallet or mobile application (e.g., mobile application 123 (FIG.\",\n \"1)).\",\n \"Title bar 2201 can be similar or identical to title bar 1701 (FIG.\",\n \"17), title bar 1801 (FIG.\",\n \"18), title bar 1901 (FIG.\",\n \"19), title bar 2001 (FIG.\",\n \"20), and/or title bar 2101 (FIG.\",\n \"21).\",\n \"In many embodiments, descriptor field 2210 can include a message about the success or failure of the payment request, for example, that the payment is complete.\",\n \"If the request failed, the message can indicate that the payment failed.\",\n \"In several embodiments, selection button 2220 can be selected by consumer 129 (FIG.\",\n \"1) to dismiss the message displayed in user interface display 2200.Returning again to FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, point-of-sale terminal 110 can include one or more modules, such as checkout module 111, communication module 112, payment module 113, consumer information module 114, and/or security module 115.Point-of-sale terminal 110 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Point-of-sale terminal 110 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 110 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, checkout module 111 can at least partially perform block 501 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer, block 901 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction, and/or block 1601 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of determining, at a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, a payment amount for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by a consumer in a transaction.\",\n \"In several embodiments, communication module 112 can at least partially perform block 502 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer, block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 903 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of providing the transaction code to a mobile device being used by the consumer, block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant, block 1602 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of sending first information from the point-of-sale terminal to a mobile device used by the consumer, and/or block 1603 (FIG.\",\n \"16) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, payment module 113 can at least partially perform block 504 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal from the second financial institution, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, and/or block 904 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of receiving, at the point-of-sale terminal, a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In various embodiments, consumer information module 114 can at least partially perform block 503 (FIG.\",\n \"5) of receiving at the point-of-sale terminal from the mobile device, information about the consumer.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, security module 115 can at least partially perform block 902 (FIG.\",\n \"9) of generating a transaction code including a merchant public identifier, the payment amount, a transaction identifier for the transaction, and a digital signature.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, mobile device 120 can include one or more modules, such as authentication module 121, account module 122, communication module 124, security module 125, and/or loan module 126.Mobile device 120 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Mobile device 120 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of mobile device 120 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, authentication module 121 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at a mobile device, a preliminary identity authentication of a consumer using the mobile device, block 407 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of performing, at the mobile device, the additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, and/or block 1301 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of performing, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, an identity authentication of the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, account module 122 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution the account information, and/or block 1304 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, from the first financial institution, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, communication module 124 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving at the mobile device first information from a point-of-sale terminal, block 403 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a preliminary request for account information, block 404 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, the account information, block 405 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a first request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from the first account for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer, block 406 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of receiving, at the mobile device from the first financial institution, an additional authentication request to perform an additional identity authentication of the consumer using the mobile device, block 408 (FIG.\",\n \"4) of sending, from the mobile device to the first financial institution, a response to the additional authentication request, block 1001 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving, at a mobile device being used by a consumer, a transaction code from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1003 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of receiving from the consumer an approval for the transaction, block 1004 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, block 1302 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving, at the mobile device, first information from a point-of-sale terminal at a store of a merchant, block 1303 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of sending, from the mobile device, a request to pay the merchant for the payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by a first financial institution, and/or block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer.\",\n \"In several embodiments, security module 125 can at least partially perform block 1002 (FIG.\",\n \"10) of verifying the digital signature for the transaction code.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, loan module 126 can at least partially perform block 1305 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of displaying the account balance of the demand deposit account to the consumer, block 1307 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of presenting to the consumer an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1308 (FIG.\",\n \"13) of receiving from the consumer a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 130 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 132, authorization module 133, account module 134, and/or loan module 135.Financial institution 130 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 130 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 130 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 132 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 203 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device of a consumer, a first request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 206 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, a second request to determine the second information, block 207 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at the first financial institution from the first system, the third information, block 212 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1101 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from a first account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1103 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1401 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device being used by a consumer, a request to pay a merchant for a payment amount from one or more first accounts of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, block 1403 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, from the first financial institution to the transaction system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account.\",\n \"In some embodiments, authorization module 133 can at least partially perform block 208 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authorizing, at the first financial institution, a payment from the first account to the second account, and/or block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, account module 134 can at least partially perform block 201 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of receiving, at a first financial institution from a mobile device, a preliminary request for account information, block 202 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of sending, from the first financial institution to the mobile device, the account information, block 204 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, second information, block 205 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining, at the first financial institution, the second information at least partially based on the merchant identifier and the third information, block 209 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of authenticating an identity of the consumer that used the mobile device to send the first request to pay the merchant from the first account, block 210 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining a current status of the first account, block 211 (FIG.\",\n \"2) of determining available funds of the first account, block 1102 (FIG.\",\n \"11) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant public identifier, block 1402 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of retrieving, at the first financial institution from a transaction system, an account identifier for a second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution based on the merchant identifier, and/or block 1404 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an account balance of a demand deposit account of the consumer maintained by the first financial institution.\",\n \"In some embodiments, loan module 135 can at least partially perform block 1405 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of determining that the account balance of the demand deposit account is less than the payment amount of the transaction, block 1406 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of sending, to the mobile device, an option to at least partially fund the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, block 1407 (FIG.\",\n \"14) of receiving, from the mobile device, a selection to at least partially fund the payment amount of the transaction using the at least one non-demand deposit account, and/or creating the loan account.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, transaction system 140 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 143, account module 144, transaction module 145, and/or security module 146.Transaction system 140 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Transaction system 140 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of transaction system 140 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 143 can at least partially perform block 301 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at a first system from a first financial institution, a request, block 303 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending the first information from the first system to the first financial institution, block 304 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of receiving, at the first system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, block 306 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of sending, from the first system to the second financial institution, the payment information such that the second financial institution, upon receiving the payment information, notifies the merchant to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, block 1501 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant identifier associated with a merchant, block 1503 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending the account identifier from the transaction system to the first financial institution, block 1504 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the one or more first accounts, and/or block 1505 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information, such that a point-of-sale terminal at the store of the merchant receives a notification of payment for the transaction in real-time while the consumer remains at the store of the merchant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 144 can at least partially perform block 302 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of determining, at the first system, using the merchant account database, first information, block 1202 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account based on the merchant public identifier using a merchant account database, and/or block 1502 (FIG.\",\n \"15) of determining, at the transaction system, an account identifier of the second account of the merchant maintained by a second financial institution using a merchant account database.\",\n \"In a number of embodiments, transaction module 145 can at least partially perform block 305 (FIG.\",\n \"3) of storing the payment information in the transaction database, block 1201 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at a transaction system from a first entity, a request including a merchant public identifier associated with a merchant, block 1203 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending the account identifier to the first financial institution, block 1204 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of receiving, at the transaction system from the first financial institution, payment information regarding a payment to be made to the second account from the first account, and/or a block 1205 (FIG.\",\n \"12) of sending, from the transaction system to the second financial institution, the payment information.\",\n \"In some embodiments, account module 146 can at least partially perform generating the transaction code and/or merchant security transaction code.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"1, as described above, financial institution 150 can include one or more modules, such as communication module 152, and/or account module 153.Financial institution 150 and the modules therein are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein.\",\n \"Financial institution 150 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.\",\n \"In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of financial institution 150 can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.\",\n \"In many embodiments, communication module 152 can at least partially perform block 601 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of receiving, at a second financial institution from a first system, payment information regarding a payment to be made to a second account of a merchant maintained by the second financial institution from a first account of a consumer maintained by a first financial institution to pay the merchant for one or more items to be purchased from the merchant by the consumer for the payment amount, and/or block 603 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of sending, from the second financial institution to the point-of-sale terminal, a notification to satisfy an expectation of the merchant for payment from the consumer In various embodiments, account module 153 can at least partially perform block 602 (FIG.\",\n \"6) of crediting the second account with the payment amount.\",\n \"Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates a computer 700, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of point-of-sale terminal 110 (FIG.\",\n \"1), mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 130 (FIG.\",\n \"1), transaction system 140 (FIG.\",\n \"1), financial institution 150 (FIG.\",\n \"1), and/or the techniques described in method 200 (FIG.\",\n \"2), method 300 (FIG.\",\n \"3), method 400 (FIG.\",\n \"4), method 500 (FIG.\",\n \"5), method 600 (FIG.\",\n \"6), method 900 (FIG.\",\n \"9), method 1000 (FIG.\",\n \"10), method 1100 (FIG.\",\n \"11), method 1200 (FIG.\",\n \"12), method 1300 (FIG.\",\n \"13), method 1400 (FIG.\",\n \"14), method 1500 (FIG.\",\n \"15), and/or method 1600 (FIG.\",\n \"16).\",\n \"Computer 700 includes a chassis 702 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port 712, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 716, and a hard drive 714.A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 702 is shown in FIG.\",\n \"8.A central processing unit (CPU) 810 in FIG.\",\n \"8 is coupled to a system bus 814 in FIG.\",\n \"8.In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 810 can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.\",\n \"Continuing with FIG.\",\n \"8, system bus 814 also is coupled to memory 808 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).\",\n \"Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 808 or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) to a functional state after a system reset.\",\n \"In addition, memory 808 can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS).\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit 808, a USB-equipped electronic device, such as, an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8), and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7-8).\",\n \"In the same or different examples, the one or more memory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.\",\n \"The operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.\",\n \"Some examples of common operating systems can comprise Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS), Mac® OS, UNIX® OS, and Linux® OS.\",\n \"As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.\",\n \"In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 810.In the depicted embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"8, various I/O devices such as a disk controller 804, a graphics adapter 824, a video controller 802, a keyboard adapter 826, a mouse adapter 806, a network adapter 820, and other I/0 devices 822 can be coupled to system bus 814.Keyboard adapter 826 and mouse adapter 806 are coupled to a keyboard 704 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) and a mouse 710 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), respectively, of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"While graphics adapter 824 and video controller 802 are indicated as distinct units in FIG.\",\n \"8, video controller 802 can be integrated into graphics adapter 824, or vice versa in other embodiments.\",\n \"Video controller 802 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 706 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8) to display images on a screen 708 (FIG.\",\n \"7) of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"Disk controller 804 can control hard drive 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), USB port 712 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8), and CD-ROM or DVD drive 716 (FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8).\",\n \"In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.\",\n \"In some embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"A wireless network adapter can be built into computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) or USB port 712 (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"In other embodiments, network adapter 820 can comprise and/or be implemented as a wired network interface controller card (not shown).\",\n \"Although many other components of computer 700 (FIG.\",\n \"7) are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.\",\n \"Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer 700 and the circuit boards inside chassis 702 (FIG.\",\n \"7) need not be discussed herein.\",\n \"When computer 700 in FIG.\",\n \"7 is running, program instructions stored on a USB drive in USB port 712, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 716, on hard drive 714, or in memory 808 (FIG.\",\n \"8) are executed by CPU 810 (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"A portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out all or at least part of the techniques described herein.\",\n \"In various embodiments, computer 700 can be reprogrammed with one or more modules, applications, and/or databases to convert a general purpose computer to a special purpose computer.\",\n \"Although computer system 700 is illustrated as a desktop computer in FIG.\",\n \"7, there can be examples where computer system 700 may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system 700.In some embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.\",\n \"Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system 700 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"For example, mobile device 120 (FIG.\",\n \"1) can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.\",\n \"In certain additional embodiments, computer system 700 may comprise an embedded system.\",\n \"Although secure real-time payment transactions have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.\",\n \"Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.\",\n \"For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS.\",\n \"1-14 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.\",\n \"For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14 may include one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities of another different one of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 9-14.Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.\",\n \"Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments.\",\n \"The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.\",\n \"Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873549"}}},{"rowIdx":4494374,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["CONCEPT FOR CODING MODE SWITCHING COMPENSATION","A codec allowing for switching between different coding modes is improved by, responsive to a switching instance, performing temporal smoothing and/or blending at a respective transition."],["1.Decoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the decoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, perform temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band.","2.Decoder according to claim 1, wherein the decoder is responsive to a switching of one or more of from a full-bandwidth audio coding mode to a BWE or sub-bandwidth audio coding mode, and from a BWE or sub-bandwidth audio coding mode to a full-bandwidth audio coding mode, and from a guided BWE coding mode to a blind BWE coding mode, from a blind BWE coding mode to a guided BWE coding mode, and between full-bandwidth audio coding modes with different signal-energy-preserving properties.","3.Decoder according to claim 1, wherein the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place.","4.Decoder according to claim 3, wherein the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with a spectral BWE extension portion of one of the two coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place.","5.Decoder according to claim 4, wherein the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with a spectral BWE extension portion or transform spectrum portion or linear-predictively coded spectral portion of the other of the two coding modes.","6.Decoder according to claim 1, wherein the decoder is configured to perform the temporal smoothing and/or blending additionally depending on an analysis of the information signal in an analysis spectral band arranged spectrally below the high-frequency spectral band.","7.Decoder according to claim 6, wherein the decoder is configured to determine a measure for an information signal's energy fluctuation in the analysis spectral band and suppress, or set a degree of the temporal smoothing and/or blending dependent on the measure.","8.Decoder according to claim 7, wherein the decoder is configured to compute the measure as the maximum of a first absolute difference between information signal's energies in the analysis spectral band between temporal portions lying at opposite temporal sides of the transition and a second absolute difference between information signal's energies in the analysis spectral band between consecutive temporal portions, both succeeding the transition.","9.Decoder according to claim 6, wherein the analysis spectral band abuts the high-frequency spectral band at a lower spectral side of the high-frequency spectral band.","10.Decoder according to claim 3, wherein the decoder is configured to scale the information signals energy in the high-frequency spectral band in the second temporal portion with a scaling factor which varies between 1 and the information signal's energy in the high-frequency spectral band in the first temporal portion/the information signal's energy in the high-frequency spectral band in the second temporal portion according to the measure.","11.The decoder according to claim 3, wherein the decoder is configured to perform the switching and/or blending by applying blind BWE onto one of the first and second temporal portions, decoded using a first coding mode having an effective coded bandwidth smaller than an effective coded bandwidth of the second coding mode using which the other one of the first and second temporal portions is decoded, so as to spectrally extend the effective coded bandwidth of the one of the first and second temporal portions into the high-frequency spectral band and temporally shape the information signal's energy in the high-frequency spectral band in the one of the first and second temporal portions, as spectrally extended, according to a fade-in/out scaling function decreasing from the transition towards farther away from the transition till 0.12.Decoder according to claim 3, wherein the switching switches from a first coding mode to a second coding mode with the first coding mode having an effective coded bandwidth greater than an effective coded bandwidth of the second coding mode, wherein the decoder is configured to spectrally extend, using blind BWE, the effective coded bandwidth of the second temporal portion into the high-frequency spectral band and temporally shape the information signal's energy in the high-frequency spectral band in the second temporal portion, as spectrally extended using the blind BWE, according to a fade-out scaling function decreasing from the transition towards farther away from the transition till 0.13.Decoder according to claim 3, wherein the switching switches from a first coding mode to a second coding mode wherein an effective coded bandwidth of the first coding mode is smaller than an effective coded bandwidth of the second coding mode, wherein the decoder is configured to temporally shape an information signal's energy in the high-frequency spectral band in the second temporal portion according to a fade-in scaling function increasing from the transition towards farther away from the transition till 1.14.Decoder according to claim 3, wherein the decoder is configured to perform the temporal smoothing and/or blending at the switching instance by applying a fade-in or fade-out scaling function and to, if a subsequent switching instance occurs during the fade-in or fade-out scaling function, apply, again, a fade-in or fade-out scaling function to a high-frequency spectral band so as to perform temporal smoothing and/or blending at the subsequent switching instance, with setting a starting point of applying the fade-in or fade-out scaling function from the subsequent switching instance on such that the fade-in or fade-out scaling function applied at the subsequent switching instance is, at the starting point, a function value nearest to a function value assumed by the fade-in or fade-out scaling function when being applied at the switching instance, at the time of occurrance of the subsequent switching instance.","15.Method for decoding supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the method comprises, responsive to a switching instance, performing temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band.","16.An encoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes of different signal-energy-conservation property in a high-frequency spectral band, so as to encode an information signal, wherein the encoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, process the information signal by temporally smoothing and/or blending the information signal at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band to obtain a pre-processed version of the information signal, and encode the pre-processed version of the information signal.","17.The encoder according to claim 16, wherein the encoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance from a first coding mode comprising a first signal-energy-conservation property in the high-frequency spectral band to a second coding mode comprising a second signal-energy-conservation property in the high-frequency spectral band, temporary encode a modified version of the information signal which is modified compared to the information signal in that an information signal's energy in the high-frequency spectral band in a temporal portion succeeding the switching instance is temporally shaped according to a fade-in scaling function monotonically increasing from the transition towards farther away from the transition.","18.A method for encoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes of different signal-energy-conservation property in a high-frequency spectral band, so as to encode an information signal, wherein the method comprises, responsive to a switching instance, processing by temporally smoothing the information signal and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band to obtain a pre-processed version of the information signal, and encoding the pre-processed version of the information signal.","19.The method according to claim 18, wherein the method comprises, responsive to a switching instance from a first coding mode comprising a first signal-energy-conservation property in the high-frequency spectral band to a second coding mode comprising a second signal-energy-conservation property in the high-frequency spectral band, temporarily encoding a modified version of the information signal which is modified compared to the information signal in that an information signal's energy in the high-frequency spectral band in a temporal portion succeeding the switching instance is temporally shaped according to a fade-in scaling function monotonically increasing from the transition towards farther away from the transition till 1.20.The method according to claim 18, wherein, responsive to a switching instance from a first coding mode comprising a first signal-energy-conservation property in the high-frequency spectral band to a second coding mode comprising a second signal-energy-conservation property in the high-frequency spectral band, a modified version of the information signal is temporarily encoded which is modified compared to the information signal in that an information signal's energy in the high-frequency spectral band in a temporal portion succeeding the switching instance is temporally shaped according to a fade-in scaling function monotonically increasing from the transition towards farther away from the transition.","21.A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program comprising a program code for performing, when running on a computer, a method according to claim 15.22.A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program comprising a program code for performing, when running on a computer, a method according to claim 18."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present application is concerned with information signal coding using different coding modes differing, for example, in effective coded bandwidth and/or energy preserving property.","In [1], [2] and [3] it is proposed to deal with short restrictions of bandwidth by extrapolating the missing content with a blind BWE in a predictive manner.","However, this approach does not cover cases, in which the bandwidth changes on a long-term basis.","Also, there is no consideration of different energy preserving properties (e.g.","blind BWEs usually have significant energy attenuations at high frequencies compared to a full-band core).","Codecs using modes of varying bandwidth are described in [4] and [5].","In mobile communication applications, variations of the available data rate that also affect the bitrate of the used codec might not be unusual.","Hence, it would be favorable to be able to switch the codec between different, bitrate dependent settings and/or enhancements.","When switching between different BWEs and e.g.","a full-band core is intended, discontinuities might occur due to different effective output bandwidths or varying energy preserving properties.","More precisely, different BWEs or BWE settings might be used dependent on operating point and bitrate (see FIG.","1 ): Typically, for very low bitrates a blind bandwidth extension scheme is of advantage, to focus the available bitrate at the more important core-coder.","The blind bandwidth extension typically synthesizes a small extra bandwidth on top of the core-coder without any additional side-information.","To avoid the introduction of artifacts (e.g.","by energy overshoots or amplification of misplaced components) by the blind BWE, the extra bandwidth is usually very limited in energy.","For medium bitrates, it is in general advisable to replace the blind BWE by a guided BWE approach.","This guided approach uses parametric side-information for energy and shape of the synthesized extra bandwidth.","By this approach and compared to the blind BWE, a wider bandwidth at higher energy can be synthesized.","For high bitrates, it is advisable to code the complete bandwidth in the core-coder domain, i.e.","without bandwidth extension.","This typically provides a near perfect preservation of bandwidth and energy.","Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a concept for improving the quality of codecs supporting switching between different coding modes, especially at the transitions between the different coding modes."],[" SUMMARY An embodiment may have a decoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the decoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, perform temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is responsive to a switching of one or more of from a full-bandwidth audio coding mode to a BWE audio coding mode, and from a BWE audio coding mode to a full-bandwidth audio coding mode, wherein the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place, and the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with a spectral BWE extension portion of the BWE audio coding mode and a transform spectrum portion or linear-predictively coded spectral portion of the full-bandwidth coding mode, wherein the decoder is configured to perform the temporal smoothing and/or blending at the transition by, within a temporary portion directly following the transition, crossing the transition or preceding the transition, decreasing an information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the full-bandwidth audio coding mode and/or increasing the information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the BWE audio coding mode so as to compensate for an increased energy preserving property of the full-bandwidth audio coding mode relative to the BWE audio coding mode.","Another embodiment may have a decoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the decoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, perform temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is configured to perform the temporal smoothing and/or blending additionally depending on an analysis of the information signal in an analysis spectral band arranged spectrally below the high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is configured to determine a measure for an information signal's energy fluctuation in the analysis spectral band and set a degree of the temporal smoothing and/or blending dependent on the measure.","Another embodiment may have a method for decoding supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the method has, responsive to a switching instance, performing temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoding is performed responsive to a switching of one or more of from a full-bandwidth audio coding mode to a BWE audio coding mode, and from a BWE audio coding mode to a full-bandwidth audio coding mode, wherein the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place, and the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with a spectral BWE extension portion of the BWE audio coding mode and a transform spectrum portion or linear-predictively coded spectral portion of the full-bandwidth coding mode, wherein the temporal smoothing and/or blending at the transition is performed by, within a temporary portion directly following the transition, crossing the transition or preceding the transition, decreasing an information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the full-bandwidth audio coding mode and/or increasing the information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the BWE audio coding mode so as to compensate for an increased energy preserving property of the full-bandwidth audio coding mode relative to the BWE audio coding mode.","Another embodiment may have an encoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes of varying signal-conservation property in a high-frequency spectral band, so as to encode an information signal, wherein the encoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, encode the information signal temporally smoothened and/or blended at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band.","Still another embodiment may have a method for encoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes of varying signal-conservation property in a high-frequency spectral band, so as to encode an information signal, wherein the method has, responsive to a switching instance, encoding the information signal temporally smoothened and/or blended at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band.","Another embodiment may have a computer program having a program code for performing, when running on a computer, the above methods.","It is a finding on which the present application is based that a codec allowing for switching between different coding modes may be improved by, responsive to a switching instance, performing temporal smoothing and/or blending at a respective transition.","In accordance with an embodiment, the switching takes place between a full-bandwidth audio coding mode on the one hand and a BWE or sub-bandwidth audio coding mode, on the other hand.","According to a further embodiment, additionally or alternatively temporal smoothing and/or blending is performed at switching instances switching between guided BWE and blind BWE coding modes.","Beyond the above outlined finding, according to a further aspect of the present application, the inventors of the present application realized that the temporal smoothing and/or blending may be used for multimode coding improvement also at switching instances between coding modes, the effective coded bandwidth of which actually both overlap with a high-frequency spectral band within which the temporal smoothing and/or blending is spectrally performed.","To be more precise, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the high-frequency spectral band within which the temporal smoothing and/or blending at transitions is performed, spectrally overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place.","For example, the high-frequency spectral band may overlap the bandwidth extension portion of one of the two coding modes, i.e.","that high-frequency portion into which, according to one of the two coding modes, the spectrum is extended using BWE.","As far as the other of the two coding modes is concerned, the high-frequency spectral band may, for example, overlap a transform spectrum or a linearly predictively-coded spectrum or a bandwidth extension portion of this coding mode.","The resulting improvement therefore stems from the fact that different coding modes may, even at spectral portions where their effective coded bandwidths overlap, have different energy preserving properties so that when coding an information signal, artificial temporal edges/jumps may result in the information signal's spectrogram.","The temporal smoothing and/or blending reduces the negative effects.","In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the temporal smoothing and/or blending is performed additionally depending on an analysis of the information signal in an analysis spectral band arranged spectrally below the high-frequency spectral band.","By this measure, it is feasible to suppress, or adapt a degree of, temporal smoothing and/or blending, dependent on a measure of the information signal's energy fluctuation in the analysis spectral band.","If the fluctuation is high, smoothing and/or blending may unintentionally, or disadvantageously, remove energy fluctuations in the high-frequency spectral band of the original signal, thereby potentially leading to a degradation of the information signal's quality.","Although the embodiment further outlined below are directed to audio coding, it should be clear that the present invention is also advantageous, and may also be advantageously be used, with respect to other kinds of information signals, such as measurement signals, data transmission signals or the like.","All embodiments shall, accordingly, also be treated as presenting an embodiment for such other kinds of information signals."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/812,263, filed Jul.","29, 2015, which is a continuation of International Application No.","PCT/EP2014/051565, filed Jan. 28, 2014, which claims priority from US Provisional Application No.","61/758,086, filed Jan. 29, 2013, which are each incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present application is concerned with information signal coding using different coding modes differing, for example, in effective coded bandwidth and/or energy preserving property.","In [1], [2] and [3] it is proposed to deal with short restrictions of bandwidth by extrapolating the missing content with a blind BWE in a predictive manner.","However, this approach does not cover cases, in which the bandwidth changes on a long-term basis.","Also, there is no consideration of different energy preserving properties (e.g.","blind BWEs usually have significant energy attenuations at high frequencies compared to a full-band core).","Codecs using modes of varying bandwidth are described in [4] and [5].","In mobile communication applications, variations of the available data rate that also affect the bitrate of the used codec might not be unusual.","Hence, it would be favorable to be able to switch the codec between different, bitrate dependent settings and/or enhancements.","When switching between different BWEs and e.g.","a full-band core is intended, discontinuities might occur due to different effective output bandwidths or varying energy preserving properties.","More precisely, different BWEs or BWE settings might be used dependent on operating point and bitrate (see FIG.","1): Typically, for very low bitrates a blind bandwidth extension scheme is of advantage, to focus the available bitrate at the more important core-coder.","The blind bandwidth extension typically synthesizes a small extra bandwidth on top of the core-coder without any additional side-information.","To avoid the introduction of artifacts (e.g.","by energy overshoots or amplification of misplaced components) by the blind BWE, the extra bandwidth is usually very limited in energy.","For medium bitrates, it is in general advisable to replace the blind BWE by a guided BWE approach.","This guided approach uses parametric side-information for energy and shape of the synthesized extra bandwidth.","By this approach and compared to the blind BWE, a wider bandwidth at higher energy can be synthesized.","For high bitrates, it is advisable to code the complete bandwidth in the core-coder domain, i.e.","without bandwidth extension.","This typically provides a near perfect preservation of bandwidth and energy.","Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a concept for improving the quality of codecs supporting switching between different coding modes, especially at the transitions between the different coding modes.","SUMMARY An embodiment may have a decoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the decoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, perform temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is responsive to a switching of one or more of from a full-bandwidth audio coding mode to a BWE audio coding mode, and from a BWE audio coding mode to a full-bandwidth audio coding mode, wherein the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place, and the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with a spectral BWE extension portion of the BWE audio coding mode and a transform spectrum portion or linear-predictively coded spectral portion of the full-bandwidth coding mode, wherein the decoder is configured to perform the temporal smoothing and/or blending at the transition by, within a temporary portion directly following the transition, crossing the transition or preceding the transition, decreasing an information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the full-bandwidth audio coding mode and/or increasing the information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the BWE audio coding mode so as to compensate for an increased energy preserving property of the full-bandwidth audio coding mode relative to the BWE audio coding mode.","Another embodiment may have a decoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the decoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, perform temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is configured to perform the temporal smoothing and/or blending additionally depending on an analysis of the information signal in an analysis spectral band arranged spectrally below the high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is configured to determine a measure for an information signal's energy fluctuation in the analysis spectral band and set a degree of the temporal smoothing and/or blending dependent on the measure.","Another embodiment may have a method for decoding supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the method has, responsive to a switching instance, performing temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoding is performed responsive to a switching of one or more of from a full-bandwidth audio coding mode to a BWE audio coding mode, and from a BWE audio coding mode to a full-bandwidth audio coding mode, wherein the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place, and the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with a spectral BWE extension portion of the BWE audio coding mode and a transform spectrum portion or linear-predictively coded spectral portion of the full-bandwidth coding mode, wherein the temporal smoothing and/or blending at the transition is performed by, within a temporary portion directly following the transition, crossing the transition or preceding the transition, decreasing an information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the full-bandwidth audio coding mode and/or increasing the information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the BWE audio coding mode so as to compensate for an increased energy preserving property of the full-bandwidth audio coding mode relative to the BWE audio coding mode.","Another embodiment may have an encoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes of varying signal-conservation property in a high-frequency spectral band, so as to encode an information signal, wherein the encoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, encode the information signal temporally smoothened and/or blended at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band.","Still another embodiment may have a method for encoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes of varying signal-conservation property in a high-frequency spectral band, so as to encode an information signal, wherein the method has, responsive to a switching instance, encoding the information signal temporally smoothened and/or blended at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band.","Another embodiment may have a computer program having a program code for performing, when running on a computer, the above methods.","It is a finding on which the present application is based that a codec allowing for switching between different coding modes may be improved by, responsive to a switching instance, performing temporal smoothing and/or blending at a respective transition.","In accordance with an embodiment, the switching takes place between a full-bandwidth audio coding mode on the one hand and a BWE or sub-bandwidth audio coding mode, on the other hand.","According to a further embodiment, additionally or alternatively temporal smoothing and/or blending is performed at switching instances switching between guided BWE and blind BWE coding modes.","Beyond the above outlined finding, according to a further aspect of the present application, the inventors of the present application realized that the temporal smoothing and/or blending may be used for multimode coding improvement also at switching instances between coding modes, the effective coded bandwidth of which actually both overlap with a high-frequency spectral band within which the temporal smoothing and/or blending is spectrally performed.","To be more precise, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the high-frequency spectral band within which the temporal smoothing and/or blending at transitions is performed, spectrally overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place.","For example, the high-frequency spectral band may overlap the bandwidth extension portion of one of the two coding modes, i.e.","that high-frequency portion into which, according to one of the two coding modes, the spectrum is extended using BWE.","As far as the other of the two coding modes is concerned, the high-frequency spectral band may, for example, overlap a transform spectrum or a linearly predictively-coded spectrum or a bandwidth extension portion of this coding mode.","The resulting improvement therefore stems from the fact that different coding modes may, even at spectral portions where their effective coded bandwidths overlap, have different energy preserving properties so that when coding an information signal, artificial temporal edges/jumps may result in the information signal's spectrogram.","The temporal smoothing and/or blending reduces the negative effects.","In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the temporal smoothing and/or blending is performed additionally depending on an analysis of the information signal in an analysis spectral band arranged spectrally below the high-frequency spectral band.","By this measure, it is feasible to suppress, or adapt a degree of, temporal smoothing and/or blending, dependent on a measure of the information signal's energy fluctuation in the analysis spectral band.","If the fluctuation is high, smoothing and/or blending may unintentionally, or disadvantageously, remove energy fluctuations in the high-frequency spectral band of the original signal, thereby potentially leading to a degradation of the information signal's quality.","Although the embodiment further outlined below are directed to audio coding, it should be clear that the present invention is also advantageous, and may also be advantageously be used, with respect to other kinds of information signals, such as measurement signals, data transmission signals or the like.","All embodiments shall, accordingly, also be treated as presenting an embodiment for such other kinds of information signals.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present application are described further below with respect to the figures, among which FIG.","1 schematically shows, using a spectrotemporal grayscale distribution, exemplary BWEs and full-band core with different effective bandwidths and energy preserving properties; FIG.","2 shows schematically a graph showing an example for the difference in spectral cores of energy preserving property of the different coding modes of FIG.","1; FIG.","3 shows schematically an encoder supporting different coding modes in connection with which embodiments of the present application may be used; FIG.","4 schematically shows a decoder supporting different coding modes with additionally schematically illustrating exemplary functionalities when switching, in a high-frequency spectral band, from higher to lower energy preserving properties; FIG.","5 schematically shows a decoder supporting different coding modes with additionally schematically illustrating exemplary functionalities when switching, in a high-frequency spectral band, from lower to higher energy preserving properties; FIGS.","6a-6d schematically show different examples for coding modes, the data conveyed within the data stream for these coding modes, and functionalities within the decoder for handling the respective coding modes; FIGS.","7a-7c show schematically different ways how a decoder may perform the temporary temporal smoothing/blendings of FIGS.","4 and 5 at the switching instances; FIG.","8 shows schematically a graph showing examples for spectra of consecutive time portions mutually abutting each other across a switching instance, along with the spectral variation of energy preserving property of the associated coding modes of these temporal portions in accordance with an example in order to illustrate the signal-adaptive control of temporal smoothing/blending of FIG.","9; FIG.","9 shows schematically a signal-adaptive control of the temporal smoothing/blending in accordance with an embodiment; FIG.","10 shows the positions of spectrotemporal tiles at which energies are evaluated and used in accordance with a specific signal-adaptive smoothing embodiment; FIG.","11 shows a flow diagram performed in accordance with a signal-adaptive smoothing embodiment within a decoder; FIG.","12 shows a flow diagram of a bandwidth blending performed within a decoder in accordance with an embodiment; FIG.","13a shows a spectrotemporal portion around the switching instance in order to illustrate the spectrotemporal tile within which the blending is performed in accordance with FIG.","12; FIG.","13b shows the temporal variation of the blending factor in accordance with the embodiment of FIG.","12; FIG.","14a shows schematically a variation of the embodiment of FIG.","12 in order to account for switching instances occurring during blending; and FIG.","14b shows the resulting variation of the temporal variation of the blending factor in case of the variant of FIG.","14a.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Before describing embodiments of the present application further below, reference is briefly made again to FIG.","1 in order to motivate and clarify the teaching and thoughts underlying the following embodiments.","FIG.","1 shows exemplarily a portion out of an audio signal which is exemplarily consecutively coded using three different coding modes, namely blind BWE in a first temporal portion 10, guided BWE in a second temporal portion 12 and full-band core coding in a third temporal portion 14.In particular, FIG.","1 shows a two-dimensional grey-scale coded representation showing the variation of the energy preserving property with which the audio signal is coded, spectrotemporally, i.e.","by adding a spectral axis 16 to the temporal axis 18.The details shown and described with respect to the three different coding modes shown in FIG.","1 shall be treated merely as being illustrative for the following embodiments, but these details alleviate the understanding of the following embodiments and their the advantages resulting therefrom, so that these details are described hereinafter.","In particular, as shown by use of the grey scale representation of FIG.","1, the full-band core coding mode, substantially preserves the audio signal's energy over the full bandwidth extending from 0 to fstop,Core2.In FIG.","2, the spectral course of the full-band core's energy preserving property Ê is graphically shown over frequency f at 20.Here, transform coding is exemplarily used with the transform interval continuously extending from 0 to fstop,Core2.For example, according to mode 20, a critically sampling lapped transform may be used to decompose the audio signal with then coding the spectral lines resulting therefrom using, for example, quantization and entropy coding.","Alternatively, the full-band core mode may be of the linear predictive type such as CELP or ACELP.","The two BWE coding modes exemplarily illustrated in FIGS.","1 and 2 also code a low-frequency portion using a core coding mode such as the just outlined transform coding mode or linear predictive coding mode, but this time the core coding merely relates to a low-frequency portion of the full bandwidth which ranges from 0 to fstop,Core1 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present application is concerned with information signal coding using different coding modes differing, for example, in effective coded bandwidth and/or energy preserving property.\",\n \"In [1], [2] and [3] it is proposed to deal with short restrictions of bandwidth by extrapolating the missing content with a blind BWE in a predictive manner.\",\n \"However, this approach does not cover cases, in which the bandwidth changes on a long-term basis.\",\n \"Also, there is no consideration of different energy preserving properties (e.g.\",\n \"blind BWEs usually have significant energy attenuations at high frequencies compared to a full-band core).\",\n \"Codecs using modes of varying bandwidth are described in [4] and [5].\",\n \"In mobile communication applications, variations of the available data rate that also affect the bitrate of the used codec might not be unusual.\",\n \"Hence, it would be favorable to be able to switch the codec between different, bitrate dependent settings and/or enhancements.\",\n \"When switching between different BWEs and e.g.\",\n \"a full-band core is intended, discontinuities might occur due to different effective output bandwidths or varying energy preserving properties.\",\n \"More precisely, different BWEs or BWE settings might be used dependent on operating point and bitrate (see FIG.\",\n \"1 ): Typically, for very low bitrates a blind bandwidth extension scheme is of advantage, to focus the available bitrate at the more important core-coder.\",\n \"The blind bandwidth extension typically synthesizes a small extra bandwidth on top of the core-coder without any additional side-information.\",\n \"To avoid the introduction of artifacts (e.g.\",\n \"by energy overshoots or amplification of misplaced components) by the blind BWE, the extra bandwidth is usually very limited in energy.\",\n \"For medium bitrates, it is in general advisable to replace the blind BWE by a guided BWE approach.\",\n \"This guided approach uses parametric side-information for energy and shape of the synthesized extra bandwidth.\",\n \"By this approach and compared to the blind BWE, a wider bandwidth at higher energy can be synthesized.\",\n \"For high bitrates, it is advisable to code the complete bandwidth in the core-coder domain, i.e.\",\n \"without bandwidth extension.\",\n \"This typically provides a near perfect preservation of bandwidth and energy.\",\n \"Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a concept for improving the quality of codecs supporting switching between different coding modes, especially at the transitions between the different coding modes.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY An embodiment may have a decoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the decoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, perform temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is responsive to a switching of one or more of from a full-bandwidth audio coding mode to a BWE audio coding mode, and from a BWE audio coding mode to a full-bandwidth audio coding mode, wherein the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place, and the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with a spectral BWE extension portion of the BWE audio coding mode and a transform spectrum portion or linear-predictively coded spectral portion of the full-bandwidth coding mode, wherein the decoder is configured to perform the temporal smoothing and/or blending at the transition by, within a temporary portion directly following the transition, crossing the transition or preceding the transition, decreasing an information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the full-bandwidth audio coding mode and/or increasing the information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the BWE audio coding mode so as to compensate for an increased energy preserving property of the full-bandwidth audio coding mode relative to the BWE audio coding mode.\",\n \"Another embodiment may have a decoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the decoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, perform temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is configured to perform the temporal smoothing and/or blending additionally depending on an analysis of the information signal in an analysis spectral band arranged spectrally below the high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is configured to determine a measure for an information signal's energy fluctuation in the analysis spectral band and set a degree of the temporal smoothing and/or blending dependent on the measure.\",\n \"Another embodiment may have a method for decoding supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the method has, responsive to a switching instance, performing temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoding is performed responsive to a switching of one or more of from a full-bandwidth audio coding mode to a BWE audio coding mode, and from a BWE audio coding mode to a full-bandwidth audio coding mode, wherein the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place, and the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with a spectral BWE extension portion of the BWE audio coding mode and a transform spectrum portion or linear-predictively coded spectral portion of the full-bandwidth coding mode, wherein the temporal smoothing and/or blending at the transition is performed by, within a temporary portion directly following the transition, crossing the transition or preceding the transition, decreasing an information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the full-bandwidth audio coding mode and/or increasing the information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the BWE audio coding mode so as to compensate for an increased energy preserving property of the full-bandwidth audio coding mode relative to the BWE audio coding mode.\",\n \"Another embodiment may have an encoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes of varying signal-conservation property in a high-frequency spectral band, so as to encode an information signal, wherein the encoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, encode the information signal temporally smoothened and/or blended at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band.\",\n \"Still another embodiment may have a method for encoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes of varying signal-conservation property in a high-frequency spectral band, so as to encode an information signal, wherein the method has, responsive to a switching instance, encoding the information signal temporally smoothened and/or blended at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band.\",\n \"Another embodiment may have a computer program having a program code for performing, when running on a computer, the above methods.\",\n \"It is a finding on which the present application is based that a codec allowing for switching between different coding modes may be improved by, responsive to a switching instance, performing temporal smoothing and/or blending at a respective transition.\",\n \"In accordance with an embodiment, the switching takes place between a full-bandwidth audio coding mode on the one hand and a BWE or sub-bandwidth audio coding mode, on the other hand.\",\n \"According to a further embodiment, additionally or alternatively temporal smoothing and/or blending is performed at switching instances switching between guided BWE and blind BWE coding modes.\",\n \"Beyond the above outlined finding, according to a further aspect of the present application, the inventors of the present application realized that the temporal smoothing and/or blending may be used for multimode coding improvement also at switching instances between coding modes, the effective coded bandwidth of which actually both overlap with a high-frequency spectral band within which the temporal smoothing and/or blending is spectrally performed.\",\n \"To be more precise, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the high-frequency spectral band within which the temporal smoothing and/or blending at transitions is performed, spectrally overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place.\",\n \"For example, the high-frequency spectral band may overlap the bandwidth extension portion of one of the two coding modes, i.e.\",\n \"that high-frequency portion into which, according to one of the two coding modes, the spectrum is extended using BWE.\",\n \"As far as the other of the two coding modes is concerned, the high-frequency spectral band may, for example, overlap a transform spectrum or a linearly predictively-coded spectrum or a bandwidth extension portion of this coding mode.\",\n \"The resulting improvement therefore stems from the fact that different coding modes may, even at spectral portions where their effective coded bandwidths overlap, have different energy preserving properties so that when coding an information signal, artificial temporal edges/jumps may result in the information signal's spectrogram.\",\n \"The temporal smoothing and/or blending reduces the negative effects.\",\n \"In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the temporal smoothing and/or blending is performed additionally depending on an analysis of the information signal in an analysis spectral band arranged spectrally below the high-frequency spectral band.\",\n \"By this measure, it is feasible to suppress, or adapt a degree of, temporal smoothing and/or blending, dependent on a measure of the information signal's energy fluctuation in the analysis spectral band.\",\n \"If the fluctuation is high, smoothing and/or blending may unintentionally, or disadvantageously, remove energy fluctuations in the high-frequency spectral band of the original signal, thereby potentially leading to a degradation of the information signal's quality.\",\n \"Although the embodiment further outlined below are directed to audio coding, it should be clear that the present invention is also advantageous, and may also be advantageously be used, with respect to other kinds of information signals, such as measurement signals, data transmission signals or the like.\",\n \"All embodiments shall, accordingly, also be treated as presenting an embodiment for such other kinds of information signals.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/812,263, filed Jul.\",\n \"29, 2015, which is a continuation of International Application No.\",\n \"PCT/EP2014/051565, filed Jan. 28, 2014, which claims priority from US Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/758,086, filed Jan. 29, 2013, which are each incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present application is concerned with information signal coding using different coding modes differing, for example, in effective coded bandwidth and/or energy preserving property.\",\n \"In [1], [2] and [3] it is proposed to deal with short restrictions of bandwidth by extrapolating the missing content with a blind BWE in a predictive manner.\",\n \"However, this approach does not cover cases, in which the bandwidth changes on a long-term basis.\",\n \"Also, there is no consideration of different energy preserving properties (e.g.\",\n \"blind BWEs usually have significant energy attenuations at high frequencies compared to a full-band core).\",\n \"Codecs using modes of varying bandwidth are described in [4] and [5].\",\n \"In mobile communication applications, variations of the available data rate that also affect the bitrate of the used codec might not be unusual.\",\n \"Hence, it would be favorable to be able to switch the codec between different, bitrate dependent settings and/or enhancements.\",\n \"When switching between different BWEs and e.g.\",\n \"a full-band core is intended, discontinuities might occur due to different effective output bandwidths or varying energy preserving properties.\",\n \"More precisely, different BWEs or BWE settings might be used dependent on operating point and bitrate (see FIG.\",\n \"1): Typically, for very low bitrates a blind bandwidth extension scheme is of advantage, to focus the available bitrate at the more important core-coder.\",\n \"The blind bandwidth extension typically synthesizes a small extra bandwidth on top of the core-coder without any additional side-information.\",\n \"To avoid the introduction of artifacts (e.g.\",\n \"by energy overshoots or amplification of misplaced components) by the blind BWE, the extra bandwidth is usually very limited in energy.\",\n \"For medium bitrates, it is in general advisable to replace the blind BWE by a guided BWE approach.\",\n \"This guided approach uses parametric side-information for energy and shape of the synthesized extra bandwidth.\",\n \"By this approach and compared to the blind BWE, a wider bandwidth at higher energy can be synthesized.\",\n \"For high bitrates, it is advisable to code the complete bandwidth in the core-coder domain, i.e.\",\n \"without bandwidth extension.\",\n \"This typically provides a near perfect preservation of bandwidth and energy.\",\n \"Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a concept for improving the quality of codecs supporting switching between different coding modes, especially at the transitions between the different coding modes.\",\n \"SUMMARY An embodiment may have a decoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the decoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, perform temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is responsive to a switching of one or more of from a full-bandwidth audio coding mode to a BWE audio coding mode, and from a BWE audio coding mode to a full-bandwidth audio coding mode, wherein the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place, and the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with a spectral BWE extension portion of the BWE audio coding mode and a transform spectrum portion or linear-predictively coded spectral portion of the full-bandwidth coding mode, wherein the decoder is configured to perform the temporal smoothing and/or blending at the transition by, within a temporary portion directly following the transition, crossing the transition or preceding the transition, decreasing an information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the full-bandwidth audio coding mode and/or increasing the information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the BWE audio coding mode so as to compensate for an increased energy preserving property of the full-bandwidth audio coding mode relative to the BWE audio coding mode.\",\n \"Another embodiment may have a decoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the decoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, perform temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is configured to perform the temporal smoothing and/or blending additionally depending on an analysis of the information signal in an analysis spectral band arranged spectrally below the high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoder is configured to determine a measure for an information signal's energy fluctuation in the analysis spectral band and set a degree of the temporal smoothing and/or blending dependent on the measure.\",\n \"Another embodiment may have a method for decoding supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes so as to decode an information signal, wherein the method has, responsive to a switching instance, performing temporal smoothing and/or blending at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band, wherein the decoding is performed responsive to a switching of one or more of from a full-bandwidth audio coding mode to a BWE audio coding mode, and from a BWE audio coding mode to a full-bandwidth audio coding mode, wherein the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place, and the high-frequency spectral band overlaps with a spectral BWE extension portion of the BWE audio coding mode and a transform spectrum portion or linear-predictively coded spectral portion of the full-bandwidth coding mode, wherein the temporal smoothing and/or blending at the transition is performed by, within a temporary portion directly following the transition, crossing the transition or preceding the transition, decreasing an information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the full-bandwidth audio coding mode and/or increasing the information signal's energy during the temporary portion where the information signal is coded using the BWE audio coding mode so as to compensate for an increased energy preserving property of the full-bandwidth audio coding mode relative to the BWE audio coding mode.\",\n \"Another embodiment may have an encoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes of varying signal-conservation property in a high-frequency spectral band, so as to encode an information signal, wherein the encoder is configured to, responsive to a switching instance, encode the information signal temporally smoothened and/or blended at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band.\",\n \"Still another embodiment may have a method for encoder supporting, and being switchable between, at least two modes of varying signal-conservation property in a high-frequency spectral band, so as to encode an information signal, wherein the method has, responsive to a switching instance, encoding the information signal temporally smoothened and/or blended at a transition between a first temporal portion of the information signal, preceding the switching instance, and a second temporal portion of the information signal, succeeding the switching instance, in a manner confined to a high-frequency spectral band.\",\n \"Another embodiment may have a computer program having a program code for performing, when running on a computer, the above methods.\",\n \"It is a finding on which the present application is based that a codec allowing for switching between different coding modes may be improved by, responsive to a switching instance, performing temporal smoothing and/or blending at a respective transition.\",\n \"In accordance with an embodiment, the switching takes place between a full-bandwidth audio coding mode on the one hand and a BWE or sub-bandwidth audio coding mode, on the other hand.\",\n \"According to a further embodiment, additionally or alternatively temporal smoothing and/or blending is performed at switching instances switching between guided BWE and blind BWE coding modes.\",\n \"Beyond the above outlined finding, according to a further aspect of the present application, the inventors of the present application realized that the temporal smoothing and/or blending may be used for multimode coding improvement also at switching instances between coding modes, the effective coded bandwidth of which actually both overlap with a high-frequency spectral band within which the temporal smoothing and/or blending is spectrally performed.\",\n \"To be more precise, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the high-frequency spectral band within which the temporal smoothing and/or blending at transitions is performed, spectrally overlaps with the effective coded bandwidth of both coding modes between which the switching at the switching instance takes place.\",\n \"For example, the high-frequency spectral band may overlap the bandwidth extension portion of one of the two coding modes, i.e.\",\n \"that high-frequency portion into which, according to one of the two coding modes, the spectrum is extended using BWE.\",\n \"As far as the other of the two coding modes is concerned, the high-frequency spectral band may, for example, overlap a transform spectrum or a linearly predictively-coded spectrum or a bandwidth extension portion of this coding mode.\",\n \"The resulting improvement therefore stems from the fact that different coding modes may, even at spectral portions where their effective coded bandwidths overlap, have different energy preserving properties so that when coding an information signal, artificial temporal edges/jumps may result in the information signal's spectrogram.\",\n \"The temporal smoothing and/or blending reduces the negative effects.\",\n \"In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the temporal smoothing and/or blending is performed additionally depending on an analysis of the information signal in an analysis spectral band arranged spectrally below the high-frequency spectral band.\",\n \"By this measure, it is feasible to suppress, or adapt a degree of, temporal smoothing and/or blending, dependent on a measure of the information signal's energy fluctuation in the analysis spectral band.\",\n \"If the fluctuation is high, smoothing and/or blending may unintentionally, or disadvantageously, remove energy fluctuations in the high-frequency spectral band of the original signal, thereby potentially leading to a degradation of the information signal's quality.\",\n \"Although the embodiment further outlined below are directed to audio coding, it should be clear that the present invention is also advantageous, and may also be advantageously be used, with respect to other kinds of information signals, such as measurement signals, data transmission signals or the like.\",\n \"All embodiments shall, accordingly, also be treated as presenting an embodiment for such other kinds of information signals.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present application are described further below with respect to the figures, among which FIG.\",\n \"1 schematically shows, using a spectrotemporal grayscale distribution, exemplary BWEs and full-band core with different effective bandwidths and energy preserving properties; FIG.\",\n \"2 shows schematically a graph showing an example for the difference in spectral cores of energy preserving property of the different coding modes of FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"3 shows schematically an encoder supporting different coding modes in connection with which embodiments of the present application may be used; FIG.\",\n \"4 schematically shows a decoder supporting different coding modes with additionally schematically illustrating exemplary functionalities when switching, in a high-frequency spectral band, from higher to lower energy preserving properties; FIG.\",\n \"5 schematically shows a decoder supporting different coding modes with additionally schematically illustrating exemplary functionalities when switching, in a high-frequency spectral band, from lower to higher energy preserving properties; FIGS.\",\n \"6a-6d schematically show different examples for coding modes, the data conveyed within the data stream for these coding modes, and functionalities within the decoder for handling the respective coding modes; FIGS.\",\n \"7a-7c show schematically different ways how a decoder may perform the temporary temporal smoothing/blendings of FIGS.\",\n \"4 and 5 at the switching instances; FIG.\",\n \"8 shows schematically a graph showing examples for spectra of consecutive time portions mutually abutting each other across a switching instance, along with the spectral variation of energy preserving property of the associated coding modes of these temporal portions in accordance with an example in order to illustrate the signal-adaptive control of temporal smoothing/blending of FIG.\",\n \"9; FIG.\",\n \"9 shows schematically a signal-adaptive control of the temporal smoothing/blending in accordance with an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"10 shows the positions of spectrotemporal tiles at which energies are evaluated and used in accordance with a specific signal-adaptive smoothing embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"11 shows a flow diagram performed in accordance with a signal-adaptive smoothing embodiment within a decoder; FIG.\",\n \"12 shows a flow diagram of a bandwidth blending performed within a decoder in accordance with an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"13a shows a spectrotemporal portion around the switching instance in order to illustrate the spectrotemporal tile within which the blending is performed in accordance with FIG.\",\n \"12; FIG.\",\n \"13b shows the temporal variation of the blending factor in accordance with the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"12; FIG.\",\n \"14a shows schematically a variation of the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"12 in order to account for switching instances occurring during blending; and FIG.\",\n \"14b shows the resulting variation of the temporal variation of the blending factor in case of the variant of FIG.\",\n \"14a.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Before describing embodiments of the present application further below, reference is briefly made again to FIG.\",\n \"1 in order to motivate and clarify the teaching and thoughts underlying the following embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 shows exemplarily a portion out of an audio signal which is exemplarily consecutively coded using three different coding modes, namely blind BWE in a first temporal portion 10, guided BWE in a second temporal portion 12 and full-band core coding in a third temporal portion 14.In particular, FIG.\",\n \"1 shows a two-dimensional grey-scale coded representation showing the variation of the energy preserving property with which the audio signal is coded, spectrotemporally, i.e.\",\n \"by adding a spectral axis 16 to the temporal axis 18.The details shown and described with respect to the three different coding modes shown in FIG.\",\n \"1 shall be treated merely as being illustrative for the following embodiments, but these details alleviate the understanding of the following embodiments and their the advantages resulting therefrom, so that these details are described hereinafter.\",\n \"In particular, as shown by use of the grey scale representation of FIG.\",\n \"1, the full-band core coding mode, substantially preserves the audio signal's energy over the full bandwidth extending from 0 to fstop,Core2.In FIG.\",\n \"2, the spectral course of the full-band core's energy preserving property Ê is graphically shown over frequency f at 20.Here, transform coding is exemplarily used with the transform interval continuously extending from 0 to fstop,Core2.For example, according to mode 20, a critically sampling lapped transform may be used to decompose the audio signal with then coding the spectral lines resulting therefrom using, for example, quantization and entropy coding.\",\n \"Alternatively, the full-band core mode may be of the linear predictive type such as CELP or ACELP.\",\n \"The two BWE coding modes exemplarily illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2 also code a low-frequency portion using a core coding mode such as the just outlined transform coding mode or linear predictive coding mode, but this time the core coding merely relates to a low-frequency portion of the full bandwidth which ranges from 0 to fstop,Core1 BACKGROUND "],[" BRIEF SUMMARY A universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor, as described herein, can be used either as a biosensor or as an environmental sensor.","Because of its small size and flexibility, the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor is suitable for continuous use as, for example, an in-situ micro-sensor device disposed within a human or animal subject, or in an amperometric or potentiometric environmental measurement device.","When used as a biosensor, the device can be configured with different fluid electrochemical reagents to monitor blood glucose, blood-borne viruses such as HIV, cardiac marker enzymes, heart attack residue chemicals, and the like.","When used as an environmental sensor, the device can be configured with different fluid electrochemical reagents to measure ambient temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, oxygen concentration, and the like.","Such a fluid micro-sensor can be disposable, intended for one-time use, or semi-disposable, having a one-month operational lifetime."],["BACKGROUND Technical Field The present disclosure generally relates to microelectronic sensors, and in particular, to consumable biosensors that are flexible and can contain a fluid for electrochemical monitoring.","Description of the Related Art Biosensor strips are used to monitor blood glucose levels by millions of patients who suffer from diabetes.","With reference to FIG.","1, a typical home monitoring apparatus 80 includes a conventional disposable strip biosensor 82 and a portable electronic monitor 83.A blood sample is applied to the biosensor 82, and the strip is inserted into the portable electronic monitor 83.A conventional biosensor 82 is made of a semi-rigid backing material 84 approximately an inch long, impregnated with an electrolytic chemical reagent 86 at one end and printed with electrodes 88 at the other end.","The patient pricks a fingertip, applies a drop of blood 89 to the reagent 86, and inserts the electrodes 88 into the portable electronic monitor 83.The electrolytic chemical reagent 86 conducts a current that is proportional to an amount of glucose in the blood.","Current flow conducted via the electrodes 88 in the biosensor 82 closes a circuit when the biosensor 82 is inserted into the portable electronic monitor 83.The current in the circuit can then be measured by the portable electronic monitor 83.The portable electronic monitor 83 is configured with software that converts the current measurement into a numerical value that represents the blood glucose level.","The portable electronic monitor 83 then provides a digital readout of the numerical value and stores the numerical value as blood glucose data in an electronic memory.","By either recording or downloading the blood glucose data, the patient can track blood glucose values over time to adjust insulin dosage.","A drawback for manufacturers is that the chemical reagent, which is typically in liquid form, must be cross-linked into a solid form that is suitable for incorporation into the biosensor strip.","Furthermore, techniques used to fabricate the electrodes, the chemical reagent, and the packaging are specific to three different industries, namely the semiconductor, bio-chemistry, and packaging industries, respectively.","Thus, the current sensors and manufacturing process tend to be costly, overly complex, and disjointed, which results in a higher product cost to consumers.","In-situ monitoring systems offer many advantages over the patient-administered home monitoring system described above.","In one type of in-situ monitoring system, a transdermal patch is used to secure a blood sampling needle and a drug delivery needle to a patient's skin.","Blood glucose can be detected by a circuit within the patch, and the data can be wirelessly relayed by an antenna in the patch for remote processing and dose calculation.","Likewise, a wireless signal containing the determined dosage information can be received by an antenna in the patch and used to electronically control insulin delivery.","By automating the monitoring and dosing functions, such a system eliminates the need for patients to handle fluid chemical reagent strips or syringes of insulin.","However, although the transdermal patch is generally more accurate and more convenient than the home monitoring system, it is still cumbersome.","For example, the patient must apply the transdermal patch, wear the patch at all times, and periodically re-load the patch with insulin.","Because it is not fully automated, the transdermal patch still incurs opportunities for error in dosing.","There also exist environmental micro-sensors, such as temperature and humidity sensors, that monitor environmental conditions by exposing dielectric films that are sensitive to ambient conditions.","Embodiments of such sensors are described in U.S. patent application Ser.","Nos.","13/853,732 and 13/315,477, for example.","Some environmental sensors are integrated with chemical sensors, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.","US 2012/0168882.However, existing micro-sensors are typically tailored for either a bio-medical or an environmental application, and are generally not interchangeable.","BRIEF SUMMARY A universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor, as described herein, can be used either as a biosensor or as an environmental sensor.","Because of its small size and flexibility, the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor is suitable for continuous use as, for example, an in-situ micro-sensor device disposed within a human or animal subject, or in an amperometric or potentiometric environmental measurement device.","When used as a biosensor, the device can be configured with different fluid electrochemical reagents to monitor blood glucose, blood-borne viruses such as HIV, cardiac marker enzymes, heart attack residue chemicals, and the like.","When used as an environmental sensor, the device can be configured with different fluid electrochemical reagents to measure ambient temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, oxygen concentration, and the like.","Such a fluid micro-sensor can be disposable, intended for one-time use, or semi-disposable, having a one-month operational lifetime.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements.","The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.","FIG.","1 shows use of an existing blood glucose monitoring system.","FIG.","2 is a top plan view of a universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor, according to one embodiment described herein.","FIG.","3 is a flow diagram showing steps in a method of making the universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor shown in FIG.","2.FIGS.","4A-4C are top plan views of the partially made universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor after carrying out various steps in the method shown in FIG.","3.FIG.","4D is a top plan view of the micro-sensor after application of a peeling tape.","FIG.","5A is a cross-sectional view of the micro-sensor shown in FIG.","4D.","FIG.","5B is a top plan view of the completed micro-sensor following separation from a glass carrier substrate.","In FIG.","5B, the micro-sensor is inverted with respect to the illustration shown in FIG.","4D.","FIG.","5C is a cross-sectional view of the completed micro-sensor shown in FIG.","5B.","FIGS.","6A and 6B are top plan views of two alternative embodiments of the universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor, shown after application of the peeling tape.","FIG.","7A is a top plan view of the completed universal micro-sensor dual reservoir embodiment shown in FIG.","6B, following separation from the glass carrier substrate.","FIG.","7B is a cross-sectional view of the completed dual reservoir micro-sensor shown in FIG.","7A.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter.","However, the disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details.","In some instances, well-known structures and methods of semiconductor processing comprising embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the descriptions of other aspects of the present disclosure.","Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.” Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.","Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect.","Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects of the present disclosure.","Reference throughout the specification to integrated circuits is generally intended to include integrated circuit components built on semiconducting substrates, whether or not the components are coupled together into a circuit or able to be interconnected.","Throughout the specification, the term “layer” is used in its broadest sense to include a thin film, a cap, or the like, and one layer may be composed of multiple sub-layers.","Reference throughout the specification to conventional thin film deposition techniques for depositing silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, metals, or similar materials includes such processes as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), plasma vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), electroplating, electro-less plating, and the like.","Specific embodiments are described herein with reference to examples of such processes.","However, the present disclosure and the reference to certain deposition techniques should not be limited to those described.","For example, in some circumstances, a description that references CVD may alternatively be done using PVD, or a description that specifies electroplating may alternatively be accomplished using electro-less plating.","Furthermore, reference to conventional techniques of thin film formation may include growing a film in-situ.","For example, in some embodiments, controlled growth of an oxide to a desired thickness can be achieved by exposing a silicon surface to oxygen gas or to moisture in a heated chamber.","Reference throughout the specification to conventional photolithography techniques, known in the art of semiconductor fabrication for patterning various thin films, includes a spin-expose-develop process sequence typically followed by an etch process.","Alternatively or additionally, photoresist can also be used to pattern a hard mask (e.g., a silicon nitride hard mask), which, in turn, can be used to pattern an underlying film.","Reference throughout the specification to conventional etching techniques known in the art of semiconductor fabrication for selective removal of polysilicon, silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, metals, photoresist, polyimide, or similar materials includes such processes as wet chemical etching, reactive ion (plasma) etching (RIE), washing, wet cleaning, pre-cleaning, spray cleaning, chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) and the like.","Specific embodiments are described herein with reference to examples of such processes.","However, the present disclosure and the reference to certain deposition techniques should not be limited to those described.","In some instances, two such techniques may be interchangeable.","For example, stripping photoresist may entail immersing a sample in a wet chemical bath or, alternatively, spraying wet chemicals directly onto the sample.","Specific embodiments are described herein with reference to electrochemical micro-sensors that have been produced; however, the present disclosure and the reference to certain materials, dimensions, and the details and ordering of processing steps are exemplary and should not be limited to those shown.","FIG.","2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 that includes a volume of a fluid chemical reagent 94 at one end, and electrodes 95 in contact with the fluid chemical reagent 94.Electrical signals are accessible via contacts 96 coupled to the electrodes 95 by traces 113.Unlike the conventional biosensor 82, the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 is formed on a flexible backing 97 that can incorporate one or more polymer films.","Furthermore, the fluid electrolytic chemical reagent 94 need not be impregnated into the flexible backing 97.Instead, the polymer films and the electrodes together form a reservoir 98 that contains the fluid chemical reagent 94.A tape 121 on the back side can provide additional support.","In one embodiment, the electrodes 95 contact the fluid chemical reagent 94 along a perimeter of the reservoir 98.In another embodiment, an optional species inlet net, in the form of a conductive micromesh, covers the surface of the fluid chemical reagent 94 to keep it contained while allowing exposure of a portion of the surface area of the fluid chemical reagent 94 to the ambient biological or atmospheric environment; see, for example, FIGS.","6B and 6C.","The conductive micromesh can be electrically coupled to one or more of the electrodes 95 either by a wired connection, or by capacitive coupling.","The density of the conductive micromesh can be altered to accommodate fluid reagents having different viscosities.","For example, a fluid reagent in the form of a gel can be held in place with a wider micromesh than a fluid reagent in the form of a less viscous liquid.","Through use of the conductive micromesh, it is not necessary to cross-link the fluid chemical reagent 94 to prevent the fluid from flowing out of the device.","The micro-sensors disclosed have a greater degree of flexibility than conventional semi-rigid sensors.","Such flexibility is achieved by a special fabrication process in which a micro-sensor is built on a glass carrier substrate, and is then removed from the carrier substrate by attaching a thick polymer tape and peeling away the micro-sensor from the glass carrier substrate.","The final structure is thereby transferred to the polymer tape, which is very flexible.","The glass carrier substrate can then be re-used.","With reference to FIGS.","3-5D, fabrication of one embodiment of the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90, according to an exemplary method 100, is shown and described.","FIG.","3 shows a high level sequence of steps in the exemplary method 100.FIGS.","4A-5D illustrate formation of the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor having a single reservoir 98, step-by-step, following the method 100.The method 100 is efficient in that it entails only three mask layers, one micro-dispense step, and one laser cutting step.","The method 100 allows for a continuous, integrated process flow in which the electrodes, chemical reagent, and packaging are easily assembled.","The universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 can be used as a biosensor, for example, as an in-situ continuous blood glucose monitor, or as an environmental sensor immersed in an atmospheric or aqueous environment.","The exemplary method 100 produces flexible electrochemical micro-sensors using only three mask layers.","According to the method 100, the flexible electrochemical micro-sensors are constructed upside down and inverted at the end so that the first layer formed is the top of the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 and the last layer formed is the bottom of the micro-sensor.","At 102, a first polymer layer 103 is deposited on a rigid substrate 105.Contact holes 107 and a first well opening 109 are formed in the first polymer layer 103.If the first polymer layer 103 is a photosensitive polymer such as polyimide, patterning the contact holes 107 and the well opening 109 can be accomplished by exposing the first polymer layer 103 through a mask and rinsing away either the exposed or non-exposed portions, depending on whether the photosensitive polymer is positive or negative.","FIG.","4A shows one embodiment of a partially fabricated electrochemical micro-sensor after the first polymer layer 103 has been formed and patterned with the contact holes 107.The underlying rigid substrate 105 shows through the contact holes 107.In one embodiment, the rigid substrate 105 is a 500-600 μm thick glass carrier that is used as a support during formation of the micro-sensors.","The rigid substrate 105 is desirably made in the form of a disc so it can be processed in substantially the same fashion as a semiconductor wafer, but at a much lower cost because glass substrates are much less expensive than silicon substrates.","In one embodiment, the first and second polymer layers, 103 and 115, respectively, which form the flexible backing 97, are made of polyimide, although other polymers could be used instead.","As a photosensitive material, polyimide can be spun on to a thickness within the range of about 4-10 μm, exposed to light through a mask, and portions can be removed by a chemical developer using a standard lithography process, as is well known in the art.","Three patterned contact holes 107 are shown at the left end of the first polymer layer 103, and a circular well opening 109 is shown at the right end of the first polymer layer 103.Following patterning, the first polymer layer 103 is cured, for example, by exposure to ultraviolet light in a chamber that is heated to a temperature of about 100-300 C. At 104, the electrodes 95 are formed around a perimeter of the well opening 109, and contacts 96 are formed over the contact holes 107, using a second mask.","The electrodes 95 are coupled to the contacts 96 by traces 113.FIG.","4B shows one embodiment of a partially fabricated fluid electrochemical micro-sensor following formation of the contacts 96, electrodes 95, and traces 113.The electrodes 95 and traces 113 are desirably made of gold, or another biocompatible conducting material such as platinum or carbon.","The contacts 96 are designed to plug into a device such as the electronic blood glucose monitor described above.","Additionally or alternatively, the electrodes 95 can operate as antennas, similar to RFID tags, wherein the electrodes 95 can communicate data wirelessly to a database or server located at, for example, a physician's office, a hospital, or a weather station.","A gold film can be deposited and patterned using, for example, a plasma vapor deposition process, and a wet chemical etching process or a reactive ion etch process so as to form the electrodes 95 and traces 113 together in the same mask layer.","Each one of the rectangular contacts 96 overlaps a contact hole 107 and is coupled, via a separate trace 113, to a corresponding electrode 95 in the form of an arc segment.","Each arc segment overlaps a portion of the perimeter of the circular well opening 109, partially surrounding the fluid chemical reagent 94.The arc segments are spaced apart by gaps to ensure they are electrically isolated from one another.","Three arc segments are shown, of which one is a reference electrode, and one is a work function electrode.","At 106, a second polymer layer 115 is deposited, and a second well opening 117 is formed in the second polymer layer 115.Patterning the second polymer layer 115 makes use of a third mask.","FIG.","4C shows one embodiment of the partially fabricated fluid electrochemical micro-sensor following formation of the second polymer layer 115 and dispensing of the fluid chemical reagent 94 to form an active layer.","The second polymer layer 115 is spun on top of the electrodes 95, and is patterned, in similar fashion to the first polymer layer 103, with a second well opening 117 that coincides with the first well opening 109.Following patterning, the second polymer layer 115 is cured, for example, by exposure to ultraviolet light in a chamber that is heated to a temperature below 400 C, for example, within the range of about 100-300 C. Thus is formed a well suitable for containing a fluid.","The bottom of the well is formed by the substrate 105.The sides of the well are formed by a combination of the first and second polymer layers 103 and 115, together with and the electrodes 95, that are at least partially embedded therebetween.","At 108, a selected volume of the fluid chemical reagent 94 is dispensed into a well formed by the well openings 109 and 117, so that each one of the arc electrodes partially surrounds, and is in contact with, the fluid chemical reagent 94.The fluid chemical reagent 94 can be a biological reagent such as an electrolyte or an enzyme, for example, or another substance that is biologically configured to react with blood of an organism.","Alternatively, the fluid chemical reagent 94 can be an environmental reagent such as a gaseous oxidizer, a liquid, a gel, or a paste that contains a gas.","Such an environmental reagent can be, for example, an electrolyte that can sense continuously the presence of, or an amount of, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or oxygen.","A dispensing operation can be automated and precisely controlled so that a few microliters of the fluid chemical reagent 94 is delivered by a syringe at precisely the location of the well.","The fabrication system is designed to be universal, regardless of the type or form of the fluid chemical reagent 94 in the active layer, or its end use.","At 110, a peeling tape 121 is laminated onto the micro-sensors containing the fluid chemical reagent 94 to form the flexible backing 97, together with the first and second polymer layers, 103 and 115.FIG.","4D shows one embodiment of the partially fabricated fluid electrochemical micro-sensor following lamination of the peeling tape 121, which is shown herein as a translucent covering.","The peeling tape 121 is placed over the rigid substrate 105 so as to cover all of the micro-sensors that contain the fluid chemical reagent 94.The peeling tape 121 can be made of a polymer film, such as polyimide or a dry photoresist, having a thickness of about 150 μm.","The thickness of the peeling tape 121 can vary within the range of about 5-200 μm.","In one embodiment, the peeling tape 121 is attached using a lamination process in which heat and pressure are applied directly to the peeling tape 121.The lamination process causes the peeling tape 121 to adhere to the micro-sensors, and temporarily to the substrate 105, while the peeling tape 121 can be removed with ease from the substrate 105 at a later time.","Following lamination, the peeling tape 121 is cured, for example, by exposure to ultraviolet light at a low temperature that is compatible with the fluid chemical reagent 94.As shown in FIG.","4D, the fluid chemical reagent 94 remains bounded on the bottom by the rigid substrate 105, while a top surface of the fluid chemical reagent 94 is held in place by the peeling tape 121.FIG.","4D can be compared directly with the cross-sectional view shown in FIG.","5A.","It is noted that both the rigid substrate 105 and the peeling tape 121 are present in FIG.","5A, which illustrates a formed micro-sensor 90 sandwiched between the peeling tape 121 and the rigid substrate 105.At 112, the laminated micro-sensors can be singulated, or cut, to yield individual micro-sensors, still attached to the substrate 105.One or more of the three mask patterns used in fabrication of the micro-sensors can include scribe lines to guide singulation.","The singulation step can be executed using a laser beam.","At 114, the individual micro-sensors are separated from the substrate 105 to produce the completed individual flexible electrochemical micro-sensors 90.After the method 100 is complete, the rigid substrate 105 is not retained as an element of the completed micro-sensors, which are designed to be flexible.","FIGS.","5B and 5C illustrate one embodiment of a completed, flexible fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 following separation from the rigid substrate 105, wherein the peeling tape 121 now takes the place of the rigid substrate 105.Separation from the rigid substrate 105 occurs as the peeling tape 121 together with the microsensor are peeled off the rigid substrate 105 and inverted.","The resulting individual flexible electrochemical micro-sensor 90 is shown in mirror image with the fluid chemical reagent 94 shown on the left, and right side up, in FIGS.","5B and 5C, following peeling, as opposed to the upside down view shown in FIG.","5A that shows the fluid chemical reagent 94 on the right.","It is noted that in FIG.","5C, the contacts 96 are exposed at the surface of the micro-sensor 90.Prior to step 114, the fluid chemical reagent 94 is surrounded by the rigid substrate 105 on one side, and the peeling tape 121 on the other side.","The chemical reagent 94, for example, an electrolyte or enzyme, thus is protected against environmental degradation during processing because it is not exposed to the environment until it is separated from the substrate 105.This can be an important advantage of the current method over other methods in which the chemical reagent 94 is exposed to humidity and temperature fluctuations during processing.","Because many chemical reagents 94 have relatively short lifespans, without such protection they could be degraded by extreme environmental conditions present during fabrication, before the product is completed or sold.","In the embodiments shown in FIGS.","5C and 7B, the final sensor strip has one side with the contacts 96 and the electrodes 95 exposed along with the reagent 94.This is the condition in which the sensor strip will be inserted into the electronic circuit for use.","In some embodiments, this is the condition in which it shipped from the distributor to the customers.","In other embodiments, a protective backing made of an easy to remove material is a placed overlying the electrodes 95 and the reagent 94 and is peeled away just prior to use by the end user.","For example, a paper substrate with a small amount of adhesive, a layer of tape, a support layer like wax paper or the like may be placed overlying the entire side having the contacts 96 and reagent 94 thereon to keep them clean and protected until just moments before use.","In one embodiment, the protective cover includes a layer that is electrically conductive, such as a thin layer of tin foil, aluminum foil or the like.","In one embodiment, the conductive layer is in contact with all the contacts 96 and shorts all the electrodes together when the product is being stored and not yet in use.","This ensures that no stray electrical charges can build up one electrode and that all electrodes are held at the same voltage.","This keeps the reagent active and ready while protecting it from premature degradation.","In a further embodiment, the conductive layer is separated from the electrodes 95 and/or contacts 96 by a thin insulating layer so that the conductive layer acts as an RF shield, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) shield, and provides other protection to ensure that the electrodes 96 and the reagent 94 are properly isolated from interaction with the outside chemical and electrical environment until ready for use.","Initiation of the peeling process from a glass carrier substrate for example, can be facilitated by submersing one end of the singulated micro-sensor in a water bath to separate the edge of the peeling tape 121 from the substrate 105.In FIG.","5C it is clearly shown that, after peeling, at least a portion of a surface 125 of the fluid chemical reagent 94 is exposed to the ambient environment.","Thus, if the fluid chemical reagent 94 is a liquid, the micro-sensor must be removed from the water bath prior to exposing the fluid chemical reagent 94, or the fluid chemical reagent 94 may leak out and be lost.","Consequently, the fluid chemical reagent 94 is preferably in the form of a gel or a paste, although the fluid chemical reagent 94 alternatively can be a liquid.","During use of the micro-sensor as a biosensor, it is advantageous for the fluid chemical reagent 94 to be exposed to the ambient environment within an organism.","Such exposure facilitates reacting the fluid chemical reagent 94 with bodily fluids of the organism, such as blood.","During use as an environmental micro-sensor, it is also advantageous for the fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 to be exposed to the ambient environment to facilitate chemical reactions with the atmosphere.","FIGS.","6A and 6B show top plan views of two alternative embodiments of the fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 following lamination of the peeling tape 121 at 110, but prior to separation from the rigid substrate 105 at 114.FIGS.","6A and 6B can be compared directly with the embodiment shown in FIG.","4D, which shows the fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90, having a single circular reservoir 98 that contains the fluid chemical reagent 94 and exposes all of the surface area of the fluid.","In contrast, embodiments of the micro-sensors 126 and 128 shown in FIGS.","6A and 6B, respectively, each include a large rectangular active area 129 in which fluid is contained by a pair of reservoirs 98 covered by species inlet nets 99.Each species inlet net 99 provides a confinement structure and a conduction path for the exposed portion of the surface of the fluid chemical reagent 94 following the peeling step at 114.The species inlet net 99 is desirably in the form of a conductive micromesh having dimensions selected in accordance with the viscosity of the fluid chemical reagent 94 such that a more viscous fluid chemical reagent 94 can be confined by a conductive micromesh having wider spacing.","For example, a wider micromesh having openings about 100 microns wide may be sufficient to contain a fluid chemical reagent 94 in the form of a gel.","Whereas, use of a less viscous fluid chemical reagent 94 may benefit from a finer mesh having smaller openings of about 10-20 microns.","While the traces 113 shown in FIG.","4D are coupled directly to the electrodes 95, the traces 131 shown in FIGS.","6A and 6B can be coupled capacitively or inductively to the species inlet nets 99 that are in contact with the electrolytic fluid chemical reagent 94.Signals can be transmitted via the contacts 96, or, in similar fashion to an RFID tag, the species inlet nets 99 and traces 131 can act as radiating antenna elements to communicate data wirelessly to an external receiver.","FIGS.","6A and 6B show two different arrangements of the species inlet nets 99 and the traces 113 for use in capacitive or inductive coupling.","The micro-sensor 126 shown in FIG.","6A includes three electrodes in addition to the species inlet nets 99.The micro-sensor 128 shown in FIG.","6B includes two electrodes in addition to the species inlet nets 99, which are directly coupled to the third electrode.","A reference electrode 132 is also provided in each of the inductively coupled micro-sensors 126 and 128.FIGS.","7A and 7B illustrate the micro-sensor embodiment 126 of FIG.","6A from a top plan view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, following completion of the fabrication process 100.Approximate dimensions of the finished fluid electrochemical micro-sensor are 5 mm×3 mm×0.2 mm.","The thickness of each active area below the species inlet net is about 1 mm2×0.05 mm.","The universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor can be packaged in a canister to provide control of ambient humidity prior to its use, for up to 1-2 years.","The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.","All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.","Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.","These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description.","In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.","Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"FLEXIBLE ELECTROCHEMICAL MICRO-SENSOR\",\n \"A universal electrochemical micro-sensor can be used either as a biosensor or an environmental sensor.\",\n \"Because of its small size and flexibility, the micro-sensor is suitable for continuous use to monitor fluids within a live subject, or as an environmental monitor.\",\n \"The micro-sensor can be formed on a reusable glass carrier substrate.\",\n \"A flexible polymer backing, together with a set of electrodes, forms a reservoir that contains an electrolytic fluid chemical reagent.\",\n \"During fabrication, the glass carrier substrate protects the fluid chemical reagent from degradation.\",\n \"A conductive micromesh further contains the reagent while allowing partial exposure to the ambient biological or atmospheric environment.\",\n \"The micromesh density can be altered to accommodate fluid reagents having different viscosities.\",\n \"Flexibility is achieved by attaching a thick polymer tape and peeling away the micro-sensor from the glass carrier substrate.\",\n \"The final structure is thereby transferred to the polymer tape, providing a flexible product.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A device, comprising: a flexible substrate; a first polymer layer on the flexible substrate; a second polymer layer on the first polymer layer, the second polymer layer having a first surface opposite the first polymer layer; a well extending through the first polymer layer and the second polymer layer, the well having an opening at the first surface of the second polymer layer; a plurality of contacts on the first polymer layer; a plurality of electrodes in the well; and a plurality of traces between the first polymer layer and the second polymer layer, each of the traces extending between a respective contact and a respective electrode.\",\n \"2.The device of claim 1 wherein at least a first trace of the plurality of traces extends between a first contact and a first electrode in a straight line along a first direction.\",\n \"3.The device of claim 2 wherein at least a second trace of the plurality of traces extends between a second contact and a second electrode in a line having a first portion extending in the first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction.\",\n \"4.The device of claim 1 wherein the electrodes in the well extend at least partially over the opening in the well.\",\n \"5.The device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid chemical reagent contained in the well.\",\n \"6.The device of claim 1, further comprising a species inlet net partially covering the opening of the well.\",\n \"7.A micro-sensor, comprising: a flexible substrate; a first polymer layer on the flexible substrate; a second polymer layer on the first polymer layer; a well that extends through the first and second polymer layers, the first and second polymer layers together form sides of the well, the well having a well opening at a surface of the second polymer layer; and metal electrodes on the surface of the second polymer layer, the metal electrodes extend over at least a portion of the well opening.\",\n \"8.The micro-sensor of claim 7, further comprising: electrical contacts spaced apart from the well; and metal traces that electrically couple the electrical contacts to the metal electrodes.\",\n \"9.The micro-sensor of claim 8 wherein the micro-sensor includes three metal electrodes, three electrical contacts, and three metal traces that electrically couple respective ones of the metal electrodes to respective ones of the electrical contacts, each of the metal electrodes extend over respective portions of the well opening.\",\n \"10.The micro-sensor of claim 9 wherein the well opening is circular.\",\n \"11.The micro-sensor of claim 9 wherein the metal traces are disposed between the first polymer layer and the second polymer layer.\",\n \"12.The micro-sensor of claim 7, further comprising a volume of a fluid chemical reagent contained in the well.\",\n \"13.The micro-sensor of claim 7 wherein the flexible substrate is a polymer tape.\",\n \"14.A device, comprising: a substrate; a first polymer layer on the substrate; a second polymer layer on the first polymer layer, the second polymer layer having a first surface; a well that extends through the first and second polymer layers, the well including a first well opening at the first surface of the second polymer layer and a second well opening at the first surface of the second polymer layer.\",\n \"15.The device of claim 14, further comprising: an electrical contact spaced apart from the well; and a conductive trace that extends between the electrical contact and the well.\",\n \"16.The device of claim 15 wherein the conductive trace includes a portion between the first and second well openings.\",\n \"17.The device of claim 15, further comprising a species inlet net that at least partially covers the first well opening and the second well opening, wherein the species inlet is capacitively or inductively coupled to the conductive trace.\",\n \"18.The device of claim 17, further comprising a fluid chemical reagent in the well, wherein the species inlet net contacts the fluid chemical reagent.\",\n \"19.A method, comprising: forming a first polymer layer on a first substrate; forming openings in the first polymer layer, the openings including a well opening; forming metal electrodes that extend over at least a portion of the well opening; forming conductive traces on the first polymer layer, the traces being electrically coupled to the metal electrodes; and forming a second polymer layer on the first polymer layer, the first and second polymer layers together forming sides of a well.\",\n \"20.The method of claim 19, further comprising: dispensing a volume of a fluid chemical reagent into the well; attaching a second substrate to the second polymer layer; and separating the first substrate from the first polymer layer.\",\n \"21.The method of claim 20 wherein attaching the second substrate to the second polymer layer includes laminating a polymer tape onto the second polymer layer.\",\n \"22.The method of claim 19 wherein the first substrate is a glass carrier substrate.\",\n \"23.The method of claim 19 wherein the openings include contact holes, the method further comprising forming electrical contacts in the contact holes.\",\n \"24.The method of claim 19 wherein the well opening is substantially circular.\",\n \"25.The method of claim 19 wherein forming the metal electrodes includes forming one or more arc segments adjacent to a perimeter of the well opening.\",\n \"26.The method of claim 19 wherein forming the metal electrodes includes forming a metal micromesh over the well opening.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND \"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF SUMMARY A universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor, as described herein, can be used either as a biosensor or as an environmental sensor.\",\n \"Because of its small size and flexibility, the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor is suitable for continuous use as, for example, an in-situ micro-sensor device disposed within a human or animal subject, or in an amperometric or potentiometric environmental measurement device.\",\n \"When used as a biosensor, the device can be configured with different fluid electrochemical reagents to monitor blood glucose, blood-borne viruses such as HIV, cardiac marker enzymes, heart attack residue chemicals, and the like.\",\n \"When used as an environmental sensor, the device can be configured with different fluid electrochemical reagents to measure ambient temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, oxygen concentration, and the like.\",\n \"Such a fluid micro-sensor can be disposable, intended for one-time use, or semi-disposable, having a one-month operational lifetime.\"\n ],\n [\n \"BACKGROUND Technical Field The present disclosure generally relates to microelectronic sensors, and in particular, to consumable biosensors that are flexible and can contain a fluid for electrochemical monitoring.\",\n \"Description of the Related Art Biosensor strips are used to monitor blood glucose levels by millions of patients who suffer from diabetes.\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"1, a typical home monitoring apparatus 80 includes a conventional disposable strip biosensor 82 and a portable electronic monitor 83.A blood sample is applied to the biosensor 82, and the strip is inserted into the portable electronic monitor 83.A conventional biosensor 82 is made of a semi-rigid backing material 84 approximately an inch long, impregnated with an electrolytic chemical reagent 86 at one end and printed with electrodes 88 at the other end.\",\n \"The patient pricks a fingertip, applies a drop of blood 89 to the reagent 86, and inserts the electrodes 88 into the portable electronic monitor 83.The electrolytic chemical reagent 86 conducts a current that is proportional to an amount of glucose in the blood.\",\n \"Current flow conducted via the electrodes 88 in the biosensor 82 closes a circuit when the biosensor 82 is inserted into the portable electronic monitor 83.The current in the circuit can then be measured by the portable electronic monitor 83.The portable electronic monitor 83 is configured with software that converts the current measurement into a numerical value that represents the blood glucose level.\",\n \"The portable electronic monitor 83 then provides a digital readout of the numerical value and stores the numerical value as blood glucose data in an electronic memory.\",\n \"By either recording or downloading the blood glucose data, the patient can track blood glucose values over time to adjust insulin dosage.\",\n \"A drawback for manufacturers is that the chemical reagent, which is typically in liquid form, must be cross-linked into a solid form that is suitable for incorporation into the biosensor strip.\",\n \"Furthermore, techniques used to fabricate the electrodes, the chemical reagent, and the packaging are specific to three different industries, namely the semiconductor, bio-chemistry, and packaging industries, respectively.\",\n \"Thus, the current sensors and manufacturing process tend to be costly, overly complex, and disjointed, which results in a higher product cost to consumers.\",\n \"In-situ monitoring systems offer many advantages over the patient-administered home monitoring system described above.\",\n \"In one type of in-situ monitoring system, a transdermal patch is used to secure a blood sampling needle and a drug delivery needle to a patient's skin.\",\n \"Blood glucose can be detected by a circuit within the patch, and the data can be wirelessly relayed by an antenna in the patch for remote processing and dose calculation.\",\n \"Likewise, a wireless signal containing the determined dosage information can be received by an antenna in the patch and used to electronically control insulin delivery.\",\n \"By automating the monitoring and dosing functions, such a system eliminates the need for patients to handle fluid chemical reagent strips or syringes of insulin.\",\n \"However, although the transdermal patch is generally more accurate and more convenient than the home monitoring system, it is still cumbersome.\",\n \"For example, the patient must apply the transdermal patch, wear the patch at all times, and periodically re-load the patch with insulin.\",\n \"Because it is not fully automated, the transdermal patch still incurs opportunities for error in dosing.\",\n \"There also exist environmental micro-sensors, such as temperature and humidity sensors, that monitor environmental conditions by exposing dielectric films that are sensitive to ambient conditions.\",\n \"Embodiments of such sensors are described in U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"13/853,732 and 13/315,477, for example.\",\n \"Some environmental sensors are integrated with chemical sensors, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.\",\n \"US 2012/0168882.However, existing micro-sensors are typically tailored for either a bio-medical or an environmental application, and are generally not interchangeable.\",\n \"BRIEF SUMMARY A universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor, as described herein, can be used either as a biosensor or as an environmental sensor.\",\n \"Because of its small size and flexibility, the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor is suitable for continuous use as, for example, an in-situ micro-sensor device disposed within a human or animal subject, or in an amperometric or potentiometric environmental measurement device.\",\n \"When used as a biosensor, the device can be configured with different fluid electrochemical reagents to monitor blood glucose, blood-borne viruses such as HIV, cardiac marker enzymes, heart attack residue chemicals, and the like.\",\n \"When used as an environmental sensor, the device can be configured with different fluid electrochemical reagents to measure ambient temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, oxygen concentration, and the like.\",\n \"Such a fluid micro-sensor can be disposable, intended for one-time use, or semi-disposable, having a one-month operational lifetime.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements.\",\n \"The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 shows use of an existing blood glucose monitoring system.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a top plan view of a universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a flow diagram showing steps in a method of making the universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor shown in FIG.\",\n \"2.FIGS.\",\n \"4A-4C are top plan views of the partially made universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor after carrying out various steps in the method shown in FIG.\",\n \"3.FIG.\",\n \"4D is a top plan view of the micro-sensor after application of a peeling tape.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5A is a cross-sectional view of the micro-sensor shown in FIG.\",\n \"4D.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5B is a top plan view of the completed micro-sensor following separation from a glass carrier substrate.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"5B, the micro-sensor is inverted with respect to the illustration shown in FIG.\",\n \"4D.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5C is a cross-sectional view of the completed micro-sensor shown in FIG.\",\n \"5B.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"6A and 6B are top plan views of two alternative embodiments of the universal electrochemical fluid micro-sensor, shown after application of the peeling tape.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7A is a top plan view of the completed universal micro-sensor dual reservoir embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"6B, following separation from the glass carrier substrate.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7B is a cross-sectional view of the completed dual reservoir micro-sensor shown in FIG.\",\n \"7A.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter.\",\n \"However, the disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details.\",\n \"In some instances, well-known structures and methods of semiconductor processing comprising embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the descriptions of other aspects of the present disclosure.\",\n \"Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.” Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.\",\n \"Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect.\",\n \"Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects of the present disclosure.\",\n \"Reference throughout the specification to integrated circuits is generally intended to include integrated circuit components built on semiconducting substrates, whether or not the components are coupled together into a circuit or able to be interconnected.\",\n \"Throughout the specification, the term “layer” is used in its broadest sense to include a thin film, a cap, or the like, and one layer may be composed of multiple sub-layers.\",\n \"Reference throughout the specification to conventional thin film deposition techniques for depositing silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, metals, or similar materials includes such processes as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), plasma vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), electroplating, electro-less plating, and the like.\",\n \"Specific embodiments are described herein with reference to examples of such processes.\",\n \"However, the present disclosure and the reference to certain deposition techniques should not be limited to those described.\",\n \"For example, in some circumstances, a description that references CVD may alternatively be done using PVD, or a description that specifies electroplating may alternatively be accomplished using electro-less plating.\",\n \"Furthermore, reference to conventional techniques of thin film formation may include growing a film in-situ.\",\n \"For example, in some embodiments, controlled growth of an oxide to a desired thickness can be achieved by exposing a silicon surface to oxygen gas or to moisture in a heated chamber.\",\n \"Reference throughout the specification to conventional photolithography techniques, known in the art of semiconductor fabrication for patterning various thin films, includes a spin-expose-develop process sequence typically followed by an etch process.\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, photoresist can also be used to pattern a hard mask (e.g., a silicon nitride hard mask), which, in turn, can be used to pattern an underlying film.\",\n \"Reference throughout the specification to conventional etching techniques known in the art of semiconductor fabrication for selective removal of polysilicon, silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, metals, photoresist, polyimide, or similar materials includes such processes as wet chemical etching, reactive ion (plasma) etching (RIE), washing, wet cleaning, pre-cleaning, spray cleaning, chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) and the like.\",\n \"Specific embodiments are described herein with reference to examples of such processes.\",\n \"However, the present disclosure and the reference to certain deposition techniques should not be limited to those described.\",\n \"In some instances, two such techniques may be interchangeable.\",\n \"For example, stripping photoresist may entail immersing a sample in a wet chemical bath or, alternatively, spraying wet chemicals directly onto the sample.\",\n \"Specific embodiments are described herein with reference to electrochemical micro-sensors that have been produced; however, the present disclosure and the reference to certain materials, dimensions, and the details and ordering of processing steps are exemplary and should not be limited to those shown.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 that includes a volume of a fluid chemical reagent 94 at one end, and electrodes 95 in contact with the fluid chemical reagent 94.Electrical signals are accessible via contacts 96 coupled to the electrodes 95 by traces 113.Unlike the conventional biosensor 82, the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 is formed on a flexible backing 97 that can incorporate one or more polymer films.\",\n \"Furthermore, the fluid electrolytic chemical reagent 94 need not be impregnated into the flexible backing 97.Instead, the polymer films and the electrodes together form a reservoir 98 that contains the fluid chemical reagent 94.A tape 121 on the back side can provide additional support.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the electrodes 95 contact the fluid chemical reagent 94 along a perimeter of the reservoir 98.In another embodiment, an optional species inlet net, in the form of a conductive micromesh, covers the surface of the fluid chemical reagent 94 to keep it contained while allowing exposure of a portion of the surface area of the fluid chemical reagent 94 to the ambient biological or atmospheric environment; see, for example, FIGS.\",\n \"6B and 6C.\",\n \"The conductive micromesh can be electrically coupled to one or more of the electrodes 95 either by a wired connection, or by capacitive coupling.\",\n \"The density of the conductive micromesh can be altered to accommodate fluid reagents having different viscosities.\",\n \"For example, a fluid reagent in the form of a gel can be held in place with a wider micromesh than a fluid reagent in the form of a less viscous liquid.\",\n \"Through use of the conductive micromesh, it is not necessary to cross-link the fluid chemical reagent 94 to prevent the fluid from flowing out of the device.\",\n \"The micro-sensors disclosed have a greater degree of flexibility than conventional semi-rigid sensors.\",\n \"Such flexibility is achieved by a special fabrication process in which a micro-sensor is built on a glass carrier substrate, and is then removed from the carrier substrate by attaching a thick polymer tape and peeling away the micro-sensor from the glass carrier substrate.\",\n \"The final structure is thereby transferred to the polymer tape, which is very flexible.\",\n \"The glass carrier substrate can then be re-used.\",\n \"With reference to FIGS.\",\n \"3-5D, fabrication of one embodiment of the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90, according to an exemplary method 100, is shown and described.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 shows a high level sequence of steps in the exemplary method 100.FIGS.\",\n \"4A-5D illustrate formation of the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor having a single reservoir 98, step-by-step, following the method 100.The method 100 is efficient in that it entails only three mask layers, one micro-dispense step, and one laser cutting step.\",\n \"The method 100 allows for a continuous, integrated process flow in which the electrodes, chemical reagent, and packaging are easily assembled.\",\n \"The universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 can be used as a biosensor, for example, as an in-situ continuous blood glucose monitor, or as an environmental sensor immersed in an atmospheric or aqueous environment.\",\n \"The exemplary method 100 produces flexible electrochemical micro-sensors using only three mask layers.\",\n \"According to the method 100, the flexible electrochemical micro-sensors are constructed upside down and inverted at the end so that the first layer formed is the top of the universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 and the last layer formed is the bottom of the micro-sensor.\",\n \"At 102, a first polymer layer 103 is deposited on a rigid substrate 105.Contact holes 107 and a first well opening 109 are formed in the first polymer layer 103.If the first polymer layer 103 is a photosensitive polymer such as polyimide, patterning the contact holes 107 and the well opening 109 can be accomplished by exposing the first polymer layer 103 through a mask and rinsing away either the exposed or non-exposed portions, depending on whether the photosensitive polymer is positive or negative.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4A shows one embodiment of a partially fabricated electrochemical micro-sensor after the first polymer layer 103 has been formed and patterned with the contact holes 107.The underlying rigid substrate 105 shows through the contact holes 107.In one embodiment, the rigid substrate 105 is a 500-600 μm thick glass carrier that is used as a support during formation of the micro-sensors.\",\n \"The rigid substrate 105 is desirably made in the form of a disc so it can be processed in substantially the same fashion as a semiconductor wafer, but at a much lower cost because glass substrates are much less expensive than silicon substrates.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the first and second polymer layers, 103 and 115, respectively, which form the flexible backing 97, are made of polyimide, although other polymers could be used instead.\",\n \"As a photosensitive material, polyimide can be spun on to a thickness within the range of about 4-10 μm, exposed to light through a mask, and portions can be removed by a chemical developer using a standard lithography process, as is well known in the art.\",\n \"Three patterned contact holes 107 are shown at the left end of the first polymer layer 103, and a circular well opening 109 is shown at the right end of the first polymer layer 103.Following patterning, the first polymer layer 103 is cured, for example, by exposure to ultraviolet light in a chamber that is heated to a temperature of about 100-300 C. At 104, the electrodes 95 are formed around a perimeter of the well opening 109, and contacts 96 are formed over the contact holes 107, using a second mask.\",\n \"The electrodes 95 are coupled to the contacts 96 by traces 113.FIG.\",\n \"4B shows one embodiment of a partially fabricated fluid electrochemical micro-sensor following formation of the contacts 96, electrodes 95, and traces 113.The electrodes 95 and traces 113 are desirably made of gold, or another biocompatible conducting material such as platinum or carbon.\",\n \"The contacts 96 are designed to plug into a device such as the electronic blood glucose monitor described above.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the electrodes 95 can operate as antennas, similar to RFID tags, wherein the electrodes 95 can communicate data wirelessly to a database or server located at, for example, a physician's office, a hospital, or a weather station.\",\n \"A gold film can be deposited and patterned using, for example, a plasma vapor deposition process, and a wet chemical etching process or a reactive ion etch process so as to form the electrodes 95 and traces 113 together in the same mask layer.\",\n \"Each one of the rectangular contacts 96 overlaps a contact hole 107 and is coupled, via a separate trace 113, to a corresponding electrode 95 in the form of an arc segment.\",\n \"Each arc segment overlaps a portion of the perimeter of the circular well opening 109, partially surrounding the fluid chemical reagent 94.The arc segments are spaced apart by gaps to ensure they are electrically isolated from one another.\",\n \"Three arc segments are shown, of which one is a reference electrode, and one is a work function electrode.\",\n \"At 106, a second polymer layer 115 is deposited, and a second well opening 117 is formed in the second polymer layer 115.Patterning the second polymer layer 115 makes use of a third mask.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4C shows one embodiment of the partially fabricated fluid electrochemical micro-sensor following formation of the second polymer layer 115 and dispensing of the fluid chemical reagent 94 to form an active layer.\",\n \"The second polymer layer 115 is spun on top of the electrodes 95, and is patterned, in similar fashion to the first polymer layer 103, with a second well opening 117 that coincides with the first well opening 109.Following patterning, the second polymer layer 115 is cured, for example, by exposure to ultraviolet light in a chamber that is heated to a temperature below 400 C, for example, within the range of about 100-300 C. Thus is formed a well suitable for containing a fluid.\",\n \"The bottom of the well is formed by the substrate 105.The sides of the well are formed by a combination of the first and second polymer layers 103 and 115, together with and the electrodes 95, that are at least partially embedded therebetween.\",\n \"At 108, a selected volume of the fluid chemical reagent 94 is dispensed into a well formed by the well openings 109 and 117, so that each one of the arc electrodes partially surrounds, and is in contact with, the fluid chemical reagent 94.The fluid chemical reagent 94 can be a biological reagent such as an electrolyte or an enzyme, for example, or another substance that is biologically configured to react with blood of an organism.\",\n \"Alternatively, the fluid chemical reagent 94 can be an environmental reagent such as a gaseous oxidizer, a liquid, a gel, or a paste that contains a gas.\",\n \"Such an environmental reagent can be, for example, an electrolyte that can sense continuously the presence of, or an amount of, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or oxygen.\",\n \"A dispensing operation can be automated and precisely controlled so that a few microliters of the fluid chemical reagent 94 is delivered by a syringe at precisely the location of the well.\",\n \"The fabrication system is designed to be universal, regardless of the type or form of the fluid chemical reagent 94 in the active layer, or its end use.\",\n \"At 110, a peeling tape 121 is laminated onto the micro-sensors containing the fluid chemical reagent 94 to form the flexible backing 97, together with the first and second polymer layers, 103 and 115.FIG.\",\n \"4D shows one embodiment of the partially fabricated fluid electrochemical micro-sensor following lamination of the peeling tape 121, which is shown herein as a translucent covering.\",\n \"The peeling tape 121 is placed over the rigid substrate 105 so as to cover all of the micro-sensors that contain the fluid chemical reagent 94.The peeling tape 121 can be made of a polymer film, such as polyimide or a dry photoresist, having a thickness of about 150 μm.\",\n \"The thickness of the peeling tape 121 can vary within the range of about 5-200 μm.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the peeling tape 121 is attached using a lamination process in which heat and pressure are applied directly to the peeling tape 121.The lamination process causes the peeling tape 121 to adhere to the micro-sensors, and temporarily to the substrate 105, while the peeling tape 121 can be removed with ease from the substrate 105 at a later time.\",\n \"Following lamination, the peeling tape 121 is cured, for example, by exposure to ultraviolet light at a low temperature that is compatible with the fluid chemical reagent 94.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"4D, the fluid chemical reagent 94 remains bounded on the bottom by the rigid substrate 105, while a top surface of the fluid chemical reagent 94 is held in place by the peeling tape 121.FIG.\",\n \"4D can be compared directly with the cross-sectional view shown in FIG.\",\n \"5A.\",\n \"It is noted that both the rigid substrate 105 and the peeling tape 121 are present in FIG.\",\n \"5A, which illustrates a formed micro-sensor 90 sandwiched between the peeling tape 121 and the rigid substrate 105.At 112, the laminated micro-sensors can be singulated, or cut, to yield individual micro-sensors, still attached to the substrate 105.One or more of the three mask patterns used in fabrication of the micro-sensors can include scribe lines to guide singulation.\",\n \"The singulation step can be executed using a laser beam.\",\n \"At 114, the individual micro-sensors are separated from the substrate 105 to produce the completed individual flexible electrochemical micro-sensors 90.After the method 100 is complete, the rigid substrate 105 is not retained as an element of the completed micro-sensors, which are designed to be flexible.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"5B and 5C illustrate one embodiment of a completed, flexible fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 following separation from the rigid substrate 105, wherein the peeling tape 121 now takes the place of the rigid substrate 105.Separation from the rigid substrate 105 occurs as the peeling tape 121 together with the microsensor are peeled off the rigid substrate 105 and inverted.\",\n \"The resulting individual flexible electrochemical micro-sensor 90 is shown in mirror image with the fluid chemical reagent 94 shown on the left, and right side up, in FIGS.\",\n \"5B and 5C, following peeling, as opposed to the upside down view shown in FIG.\",\n \"5A that shows the fluid chemical reagent 94 on the right.\",\n \"It is noted that in FIG.\",\n \"5C, the contacts 96 are exposed at the surface of the micro-sensor 90.Prior to step 114, the fluid chemical reagent 94 is surrounded by the rigid substrate 105 on one side, and the peeling tape 121 on the other side.\",\n \"The chemical reagent 94, for example, an electrolyte or enzyme, thus is protected against environmental degradation during processing because it is not exposed to the environment until it is separated from the substrate 105.This can be an important advantage of the current method over other methods in which the chemical reagent 94 is exposed to humidity and temperature fluctuations during processing.\",\n \"Because many chemical reagents 94 have relatively short lifespans, without such protection they could be degraded by extreme environmental conditions present during fabrication, before the product is completed or sold.\",\n \"In the embodiments shown in FIGS.\",\n \"5C and 7B, the final sensor strip has one side with the contacts 96 and the electrodes 95 exposed along with the reagent 94.This is the condition in which the sensor strip will be inserted into the electronic circuit for use.\",\n \"In some embodiments, this is the condition in which it shipped from the distributor to the customers.\",\n \"In other embodiments, a protective backing made of an easy to remove material is a placed overlying the electrodes 95 and the reagent 94 and is peeled away just prior to use by the end user.\",\n \"For example, a paper substrate with a small amount of adhesive, a layer of tape, a support layer like wax paper or the like may be placed overlying the entire side having the contacts 96 and reagent 94 thereon to keep them clean and protected until just moments before use.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the protective cover includes a layer that is electrically conductive, such as a thin layer of tin foil, aluminum foil or the like.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the conductive layer is in contact with all the contacts 96 and shorts all the electrodes together when the product is being stored and not yet in use.\",\n \"This ensures that no stray electrical charges can build up one electrode and that all electrodes are held at the same voltage.\",\n \"This keeps the reagent active and ready while protecting it from premature degradation.\",\n \"In a further embodiment, the conductive layer is separated from the electrodes 95 and/or contacts 96 by a thin insulating layer so that the conductive layer acts as an RF shield, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) shield, and provides other protection to ensure that the electrodes 96 and the reagent 94 are properly isolated from interaction with the outside chemical and electrical environment until ready for use.\",\n \"Initiation of the peeling process from a glass carrier substrate for example, can be facilitated by submersing one end of the singulated micro-sensor in a water bath to separate the edge of the peeling tape 121 from the substrate 105.In FIG.\",\n \"5C it is clearly shown that, after peeling, at least a portion of a surface 125 of the fluid chemical reagent 94 is exposed to the ambient environment.\",\n \"Thus, if the fluid chemical reagent 94 is a liquid, the micro-sensor must be removed from the water bath prior to exposing the fluid chemical reagent 94, or the fluid chemical reagent 94 may leak out and be lost.\",\n \"Consequently, the fluid chemical reagent 94 is preferably in the form of a gel or a paste, although the fluid chemical reagent 94 alternatively can be a liquid.\",\n \"During use of the micro-sensor as a biosensor, it is advantageous for the fluid chemical reagent 94 to be exposed to the ambient environment within an organism.\",\n \"Such exposure facilitates reacting the fluid chemical reagent 94 with bodily fluids of the organism, such as blood.\",\n \"During use as an environmental micro-sensor, it is also advantageous for the fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 to be exposed to the ambient environment to facilitate chemical reactions with the atmosphere.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"6A and 6B show top plan views of two alternative embodiments of the fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90 following lamination of the peeling tape 121 at 110, but prior to separation from the rigid substrate 105 at 114.FIGS.\",\n \"6A and 6B can be compared directly with the embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"4D, which shows the fluid electrochemical micro-sensor 90, having a single circular reservoir 98 that contains the fluid chemical reagent 94 and exposes all of the surface area of the fluid.\",\n \"In contrast, embodiments of the micro-sensors 126 and 128 shown in FIGS.\",\n \"6A and 6B, respectively, each include a large rectangular active area 129 in which fluid is contained by a pair of reservoirs 98 covered by species inlet nets 99.Each species inlet net 99 provides a confinement structure and a conduction path for the exposed portion of the surface of the fluid chemical reagent 94 following the peeling step at 114.The species inlet net 99 is desirably in the form of a conductive micromesh having dimensions selected in accordance with the viscosity of the fluid chemical reagent 94 such that a more viscous fluid chemical reagent 94 can be confined by a conductive micromesh having wider spacing.\",\n \"For example, a wider micromesh having openings about 100 microns wide may be sufficient to contain a fluid chemical reagent 94 in the form of a gel.\",\n \"Whereas, use of a less viscous fluid chemical reagent 94 may benefit from a finer mesh having smaller openings of about 10-20 microns.\",\n \"While the traces 113 shown in FIG.\",\n \"4D are coupled directly to the electrodes 95, the traces 131 shown in FIGS.\",\n \"6A and 6B can be coupled capacitively or inductively to the species inlet nets 99 that are in contact with the electrolytic fluid chemical reagent 94.Signals can be transmitted via the contacts 96, or, in similar fashion to an RFID tag, the species inlet nets 99 and traces 131 can act as radiating antenna elements to communicate data wirelessly to an external receiver.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"6A and 6B show two different arrangements of the species inlet nets 99 and the traces 113 for use in capacitive or inductive coupling.\",\n \"The micro-sensor 126 shown in FIG.\",\n \"6A includes three electrodes in addition to the species inlet nets 99.The micro-sensor 128 shown in FIG.\",\n \"6B includes two electrodes in addition to the species inlet nets 99, which are directly coupled to the third electrode.\",\n \"A reference electrode 132 is also provided in each of the inductively coupled micro-sensors 126 and 128.FIGS.\",\n \"7A and 7B illustrate the micro-sensor embodiment 126 of FIG.\",\n \"6A from a top plan view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, following completion of the fabrication process 100.Approximate dimensions of the finished fluid electrochemical micro-sensor are 5 mm×3 mm×0.2 mm.\",\n \"The thickness of each active area below the species inlet net is about 1 mm2×0.05 mm.\",\n \"The universal fluid electrochemical micro-sensor can be packaged in a canister to provide control of ambient humidity prior to its use, for up to 1-2 years.\",\n \"The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.\",\n \"All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.\",\n \"Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.\",\n \"These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description.\",\n \"In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.\",\n \"Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15873557"}}},{"rowIdx":4494376,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING PARTICULATE EMISSIONS","Methods and systems are provided for filtering particulate matter in an exhaust passage of an engine system.","In one example, a method may include during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter, and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine.","In this way, the exhaust particulate filter may be reliably regenerated during engine shutdown events such as DFSOs while reducing filter degradation, and lowering PM emissions."],["1.A method for an engine, comprising: during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter; and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine.","2.The method of claim 1, further comprising directing combusted exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter only during the cold start condition.","3.The method of claim 2, further comprising heating the exhaust particulate filter during the warm engine condition, and stopping heating of the exhaust particulate filter during the cold start condition.","4.The method of claim 3, further comprising directing engine exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter during a regeneration condition, wherein the regeneration condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and a crankshaft acceleration being less than a threshold crankshaft acceleration.","5.The method of claim 4, further comprising directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter during the regeneration condition in response to an exhaust particulate filter pressure drop being less than a threshold pressure drop.","6.The method of claim 5, further comprising stopping heating of the exhaust particulate filter during the regeneration condition.","7.The method of claim 6, further comprising stopping heating of the exhaust particulate filter in response to an exhaust particulate filter temperature being greater than a threshold filter temperature.","8.The method of claim 7, further comprising thermally insulating the exhaust particulate filter.","9.A method, comprising: in response to an engine temperature being greater than a threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to bypass an exhaust particulate filter during engine fuel combustion, and heating the exhaust particulate filter when an exhaust particulate filter temperature decreases below a threshold filter temperature; and in response to the engine temperature being less than the threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter and stopping the heating of the exhaust particulate filter.","10.The method of claim 9, further comprising, in response to the engine temperature being greater than the threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter during deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO).","11.The method of claim 10, further comprising, in response to the exhaust particulate filter temperature increasing above the threshold filter temperature via the heating, directing uncombusted exhaust gas to regenerate the exhaust particulate filter.","12-20.","(canceled)"],[" BACKGROUND/SUMMARY Engine combustion using diesel or gasoline fuel may generate particulate matter (PM) (such as soot and aerosols) that can be exhausted to the atmosphere.","To enable emissions compliance, particulate filters such as diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) may be included inline in the engine exhaust stream, to filter out exhaust PMs before releasing the exhaust.","Particulate filters that become clogged with PM may be regenerated in-situ during deceleration fuel shut off (DFSO) events by supplying excess oxygen to the filter and raising the filter temperature to oxidize the PM.","One example approach shown by Bidner et. al.","in U.S. Pat.","No.","8,424,295 discloses increasing excess oxygen to the particulate filter during engine shutdown conditions and regenerating the particulate filter at least during a portion of the engine shutdown.","However, the inventors herein have recognized potential disadvantages with the above approach.","Oxygen flow to the filter during DFSO or other engine shutdown events may increase the filter temperature excessively leading to premature filter degradation.","Furthermore, employing strategies to limit DFSO duration to mitigate excessive exhaust particulate filter temperature increases and premature filter degradation can reduce fuel economy, and may also reduce drivability.","Further still during short engine on periods (e.g., during short vehicle trips), the particulate filter temperature may fail to reach a high enough temperature for regeneration.","The inventors herein have identified an approach that at least partly addresses the above issues.","In one example, a method for a combustion engine may comprise: during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter; and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine.","In another example, a method may comprise: in response to an engine temperature being greater than a threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to bypass an exhaust particulate filter during engine fuel combustion, and heating the exhaust particulate filter when an exhaust particulate filter temperature decreases below a threshold filter temperature; and in response to an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter and ceasing to heat the exhaust particulate filter.","In a further example, an engine system may comprise: an engine; an exhaust particulate filter positioned in an exhaust bypass passage downstream of the engine; an exhaust diverter valve positioned upstream of the exhaust bypass passage; and a controller, including executable instructions to, during a first condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct engine exhaust gas to the exhaust bypass passage and the exhaust particulate filter; and during a second condition, positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust bypass passage, wherein the second condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine.","In this way, the technical effect may be achieved that the exhaust particulate filter may be reliably regenerated during engine shutdown events such as DFSOs without premature degradation.","Furthermore, by avoiding any limiting of the engine shutdown events, drivability and fuel economy are maintained.","Further still, by diverting the exhaust stream to the exhaust particulate filter during engine cold start conditions and bypassing the exhaust particulate filter during warm engine combustion conditions, the exhaust particulate filter size may be reduced thereby lowering manufacturing costs and improving reliability while maintaining vehicle PM emissions.","Further still, by heating the exhaust particulate filter during warm engine conditions and during engine fuel combustion, the exhaust particulate filter temperature can be preheated to a temperature high enough for filter regeneration.","It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description.","It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description.","Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure."],[" BACKGROUND/SUMMARY Engine combustion using diesel or gasoline fuel may generate particulate matter (PM) (such as soot and aerosols) that can be exhausted to the atmosphere.","To enable emissions compliance, particulate filters such as diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) may be included inline in the engine exhaust stream, to filter out exhaust PMs before releasing the exhaust.","Particulate filters that become clogged with PM may be regenerated in-situ during deceleration fuel shut off (DFSO) events by supplying excess oxygen to the filter and raising the filter temperature to oxidize the PM.","One example approach shown by Bidner et. al.","in U.S. Pat.","No.","8,424,295 discloses increasing excess oxygen to the particulate filter during engine shutdown conditions and regenerating the particulate filter at least during a portion of the engine shutdown.","However, the inventors herein have recognized potential disadvantages with the above approach.","Oxygen flow to the filter during DFSO or other engine shutdown events may increase the filter temperature excessively leading to premature filter degradation.","Furthermore, employing strategies to limit DFSO duration to mitigate excessive exhaust particulate filter temperature increases and premature filter degradation can reduce fuel economy, and may also reduce drivability.","Further still during short engine on periods (e.g., during short vehicle trips), the particulate filter temperature may fail to reach a high enough temperature for regeneration.","The inventors herein have identified an approach that at least partly addresses the above issues.","In one example, a method for a combustion engine may comprise: during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter; and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine.","In another example, a method may comprise: in response to an engine temperature being greater than a threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to bypass an exhaust particulate filter during engine fuel combustion, and heating the exhaust particulate filter when an exhaust particulate filter temperature decreases below a threshold filter temperature; and in response to an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter and ceasing to heat the exhaust particulate filter.","In a further example, an engine system may comprise: an engine; an exhaust particulate filter positioned in an exhaust bypass passage downstream of the engine; an exhaust diverter valve positioned upstream of the exhaust bypass passage; and a controller, including executable instructions to, during a first condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct engine exhaust gas to the exhaust bypass passage and the exhaust particulate filter; and during a second condition, positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust bypass passage, wherein the second condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine.","In this way, the technical effect may be achieved that the exhaust particulate filter may be reliably regenerated during engine shutdown events such as DFSOs without premature degradation.","Furthermore, by avoiding any limiting of the engine shutdown events, drivability and fuel economy are maintained.","Further still, by diverting the exhaust stream to the exhaust particulate filter during engine cold start conditions and bypassing the exhaust particulate filter during warm engine combustion conditions, the exhaust particulate filter size may be reduced thereby lowering manufacturing costs and improving reliability while maintaining vehicle PM emissions.","Further still, by heating the exhaust particulate filter during warm engine conditions and during engine fuel combustion, the exhaust particulate filter temperature can be preheated to a temperature high enough for filter regeneration.","It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description.","It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description.","Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure."],["FIELD The present description relates generally to the design and use of an engine exhaust system for reducing particulate emissions from a combustion engine.","BACKGROUND/SUMMARY Engine combustion using diesel or gasoline fuel may generate particulate matter (PM) (such as soot and aerosols) that can be exhausted to the atmosphere.","To enable emissions compliance, particulate filters such as diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) may be included inline in the engine exhaust stream, to filter out exhaust PMs before releasing the exhaust.","Particulate filters that become clogged with PM may be regenerated in-situ during deceleration fuel shut off (DFSO) events by supplying excess oxygen to the filter and raising the filter temperature to oxidize the PM.","One example approach shown by Bidner et. al.","in U.S. Pat.","No.","8,424,295 discloses increasing excess oxygen to the particulate filter during engine shutdown conditions and regenerating the particulate filter at least during a portion of the engine shutdown.","However, the inventors herein have recognized potential disadvantages with the above approach.","Oxygen flow to the filter during DFSO or other engine shutdown events may increase the filter temperature excessively leading to premature filter degradation.","Furthermore, employing strategies to limit DFSO duration to mitigate excessive exhaust particulate filter temperature increases and premature filter degradation can reduce fuel economy, and may also reduce drivability.","Further still during short engine on periods (e.g., during short vehicle trips), the particulate filter temperature may fail to reach a high enough temperature for regeneration.","The inventors herein have identified an approach that at least partly addresses the above issues.","In one example, a method for a combustion engine may comprise: during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter; and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine.","In another example, a method may comprise: in response to an engine temperature being greater than a threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to bypass an exhaust particulate filter during engine fuel combustion, and heating the exhaust particulate filter when an exhaust particulate filter temperature decreases below a threshold filter temperature; and in response to an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter and ceasing to heat the exhaust particulate filter.","In a further example, an engine system may comprise: an engine; an exhaust particulate filter positioned in an exhaust bypass passage downstream of the engine; an exhaust diverter valve positioned upstream of the exhaust bypass passage; and a controller, including executable instructions to, during a first condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct engine exhaust gas to the exhaust bypass passage and the exhaust particulate filter; and during a second condition, positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust bypass passage, wherein the second condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine.","In this way, the technical effect may be achieved that the exhaust particulate filter may be reliably regenerated during engine shutdown events such as DFSOs without premature degradation.","Furthermore, by avoiding any limiting of the engine shutdown events, drivability and fuel economy are maintained.","Further still, by diverting the exhaust stream to the exhaust particulate filter during engine cold start conditions and bypassing the exhaust particulate filter during warm engine combustion conditions, the exhaust particulate filter size may be reduced thereby lowering manufacturing costs and improving reliability while maintaining vehicle PM emissions.","Further still, by heating the exhaust particulate filter during warm engine conditions and during engine fuel combustion, the exhaust particulate filter temperature can be preheated to a temperature high enough for filter regeneration.","It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description.","It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description.","Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 shows an example engine system including an exhaust particulate filter positioned downstream of an emissions control device.","FIG.","2 shows a plot of cumulative particulate matter generation from a vehicle testing under a New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).","FIGS.","3 and 4 show example exhaust systems of the engine system of FIG.","1, including an exhaust diverter valve and an exhaust particulate filter.","FIG.","5 shows a flow chart for an example method of operating an engine system, including an exhaust diverter valve and an exhaust particulate filter.","FIG.","6 shows an example timeline illustrating operation of an engine system, including an exhaust diverter valve and an exhaust particulate filter.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following description relates to systems and methods for reducing particulate emissions from an engine system including an exhaust diverter valve and an exhaust particulate filter.","A vehicle engine system, including an exhaust particulate filter, may be configured to operate with fuels such as diesel or gasoline is shown in FIG.","1.The exhaust particulate filter may include a diesel particulate filter (DPF), a gasoline particulate filter (GPF), and the like, to filter particulate matter (PM) in the engine exhaust.","The exhaust particulate filter may capture PM during vehicle driving, as illustrated by the plot in FIG.","2.As shown in FIGS.","3-4, the exhaust may be directed to an exhaust particulate filter disposed in a bypass exhaust passage via an exhaust diverter valve in the main exhaust passage.","A method for operating the engine system, including the exhaust diverter valve for directing exhaust to the exhaust particulate filter is shown in FIG.","5.FIG.","6 illustrates an example timeline for operating an engine system via the method of FIG.","5.In this way, vehicle emissions may be reduced while maintaining fuel economy, vehicle drivability, and engine system reliability.","FIG.","1 is a schematic diagram showing one cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine 10 in an engine system 100, which may be included in a propulsion system of a vehicle.","The engine 10 may be controlled at least partially by a control system including a controller 12 and by input from a vehicle operator 132 via an input device 130.In this example, the input device 130 includes an accelerator pedal and a pedal position sensor 134 for generating a proportional pedal position signal.","A combustion chamber 30 of the engine 10 includes a cylinder formed by cylinder walls 32 with a piston 36 positioned therein.","The piston 36 may be coupled to a crankshaft 40 so that reciprocating motion of the piston is translated into rotational motion of the crankshaft.","The crankshaft 40 may be coupled to at least one drive wheel of a vehicle via an intermediate transmission system.","Further, a starter motor may be coupled to the crankshaft 40 via a flywheel to enable a starting operation of the engine 10.The combustion chamber 30 may receive intake air from an intake manifold 44 via an intake passage 42 and may exhaust combustion gases via an exhaust passage (e.g., exhaust pipe) 48.The intake manifold 44 and the exhaust passage 48 (e.g., exhaust main passage) can selectively communicate with the combustion chamber 30 via respective intake valve 52 and exhaust valve 54.In some examples, the combustion chamber 30 may include two or more intake valves and/or two or more exhaust valves.","In this example, the intake valve 52 and exhaust valve 54 may be controlled by cam actuation via respective cam actuation systems 51 and 53.The cam actuation systems 51 and 53 may each include one or more cams and may utilize one or more of cam profile switching (CPS), variable cam timing (VCT), variable valve timing (VVT), and/or variable valve lift (VVL) systems that may be operated by the controller 12 to vary valve operation.","The position of the intake valve 52 and exhaust valve 54 may be determined by position sensors 55 and 57, respectively.","In alternative examples, the intake valve 52 and/or exhaust valve 54 may be controlled by electric valve actuation.","For example, the cylinder 30 may alternatively include an intake valve controlled via electric valve actuation and an exhaust valve controlled via cam actuation including CPS and/or VCT systems.","A fuel injector 69 is shown coupled directly to combustion chamber 30 for injecting fuel directly therein in proportion to the pulse width of a signal received from the controller 12.In this manner, the fuel injector 69 provides what is known as direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber 30.The fuel injector may be mounted in the side of the combustion chamber (as shown) or in the top of the combustion chamber, for example.","Fuel may be delivered to the fuel injector 69 by a fuel system (not shown) including a fuel tank, one or more fuel pumps, and a fuel rail.","In some examples, the combustion chamber 30 may alternatively or additionally include a fuel injector arranged in the intake manifold 44 in a configuration that provides what is known as port injection of fuel into the intake port upstream of the combustion chamber 30.Fuel injection flow rates may be estimated and/or measured by the fuel pump rates to the fuel injectors.","The fuel may comprise gasoline, diesel, ethanol blends, biodiesel, and a combination thereof.","Spark is provided to combustion chamber 30 via spark plug 66.The ignition system may further comprise an ignition coil (not shown) for increasing voltage supplied to spark plug 66.In other examples, such as a diesel engine, spark plug 66 may be omitted.","The intake passage 42 may include a throttle 62 having a throttle plate 64.In this particular example, the position of throttle plate 64 may be varied by the controller 12 via a signal provided to an electric motor or actuator included with the throttle 62, a configuration that is commonly referred to as electronic throttle control (ETC).","In this manner, the throttle 62 may be operated to vary the intake air provided to the combustion chamber 30 among other engine cylinders.","The position of the throttle plate 64 may be provided to the controller 12 by a throttle position signal.","The intake passage 42 may include a mass air flow sensor 120 and a manifold air pressure sensor 122 for sensing an amount of air entering engine 10.An exhaust gas sensor 126 is shown coupled to the exhaust passage 48 upstream of both an exhaust gas recirculation system 140 and an emission control device 70 according to a direction of exhaust flow.","The sensor 126 may be any suitable sensor for providing an indication of exhaust gas air-fuel ratio such as a linear oxygen sensor or UEGO (universal or wide-range exhaust gas oxygen), a two-state oxygen sensor or EGO, a HEGO (heated EGO), a NOx, HC, or CO sensor.","In one example, upstream exhaust gas sensor 126 is UEGO configured to provide output, such as a voltage signal, that is proportional to the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust.","Controller 12 converts oxygen sensor output into exhaust gas air-fuel ratio via an oxygen sensor transfer function.","An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system 140 may route a desired portion of exhaust gas from the exhaust passage 48 to the intake manifold 44 via an EGR passage 152.The amount of EGR provided to the intake manifold 44 may be varied by the controller 12 via an EGR valve 144.Under some conditions, the EGR system 140 may be used to regulate the temperature of the air-fuel mixture within the combustion chamber, thus providing a method of controlling the timing of ignition during some combustion modes.","The emission control device 70 is shown arranged along the exhaust passage 48 downstream of the exhaust gas sensor 126.The emission control device 70 may be a three way catalyst (TWC), NOx trap, various other emission control devices, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, during operation of the engine 10, the emission control device 70 may be periodically reset by operating at least one cylinder of the engine within a particular air-fuel ratio.","A particulate filter 72 is shown arranged along an exhaust bypass passage 82 off of the exhaust passage 48 downstream of the emission control device 70.As shown in FIG.","1, an exhaust diverter valve 80 may be positioned in the main exhaust passage 48 at the inlet junction of the exhaust bypass passage 82.As such, the exhaust diverter valve 80 may be positioned, either to divert exhaust gas from the main exhaust passage 48 to the exhaust bypass passage 82 and the exhaust particulate filter 72, or to bypass the exhaust bypass passage 82 and the exhaust particulate filter 72.Controller 12 may control actuation of the exhaust diverter valve 80.Although not shown in FIG.","1, a check valve may be positioned downstream of the exhaust particulate filter 72 within the exhaust bypass passage 82 to prevent flow of exhaust gases downstream from the exhaust particulate filter 72 in the main exhaust passage 48 back to the exhaust bypass passage 82.A particulate filter temperature sensor 76 may also be positioned at or in the vicinity of exhaust particulate filter 72 to estimate the particulate filter temperature.","Furthermore, a particulate filter heater 78 may be thermally coupled to the exhaust particulate filter 72.Particulate filter heater may be controlled by controller 12 for preheating the particulate filter 72 prior to regeneration of the particulate filter.","The exhaust gas treated by emission control device 70 and particulate filter 72 is released into the atmosphere through tailpipe 86.The particulate filter 72 may be a diesel particulate filter, a gasoline particulate filter, and the like.","A substrate of the particulate filter 72 may be made of ceramic, silicon, metal, paper, or combinations thereof.","During operation of the engine 10, particulate filter 72 may capture exhaust particulate matter (PMs), such as ash and soot (e.g., from unburned hydrocarbons) in order to reduce vehicle emissions.","The soot may clog the surfaces of the particulate filter thereby creating an exhaust backpressure.","The exhaust backpressure may negatively influence the engine performance.","Once the particulate filter 72 becomes fully loaded with soot (e.g., soot load on the particulate filter exceeds a soot load threshold), the backpressure may be too high for proper exhaust expulsion.","Work used to expel exhaust from the engine 10 increases in order to overcome the backpressure described above.","In order to avoid high backpressure, an engine 10 may periodically regenerate the filter either passively or actively.","The pressure drop across the filter may measured by one or more pressure sensors 74 located at or in the vicinity of the particulate filter 72.As an example, the one or more pressure sensors may be positioned immediately upstream and immediately downstream from the particulate filter 72 within exhaust bypass passage 82.In other examples, the one or more pressure sensors may be positioned at other locations within the main exhaust passage 48 or exhaust bypass passage 82.As an example, the particulate filter may be regenerated in response to a pressure drop across the particulate filter 72 increasing above a threshold filter pressure drop.","Passive regeneration may occur when an engine load exceeds a threshold load causing an exhaust temperature to rise.","As the exhaust temperature increases beyond a threshold temperature (e.g., 450° C.), the soot on the particulate filter 72 may combust.","Therefore, passive regeneration occurs without alterations to engine operations.","Conversely, active regeneration occurs via the controller 12 signaling for alterations to engine operations in order to increase exhaust temperatures (e.g., late injection, secondary injection, throttling, exhaust recirculation, spark retard, and/or a decrease in air/fuel ratio) independent of the engine load.","For example, the controller may send signals to a fuel injector to decrease the pulse-width of the fuel injection, and lean the combustion air-fuel ratio (relative to stoichiometry).","As another example, the controller may send signals to an electromechanical actuator coupled to the intake throttle to move the throttle valve towards a more open position, thereby increasing airflow to the engine.","In still other examples, valve timing may be adjusted (e.g., via cam adjustments) to increase positive valve overlap.","Further still, the controller may position exhaust diverter valve to direct exhaust gas to the exhaust bypass passage 82 and the exhaust particulate filter 72 during deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO) or other engine shutdown events to actively regenerate the exhaust particulate filter 72.Further still, the controller 12 may preheat the exhaust particulate filter 72 to a threshold particulate filter temperature using an exhaust particulate filter heater 78 thermally coupled to the exhaust particulate filter prior to active regeneration.","When the exhaust particulate filter is clogged the controller may send a message to the vehicle operator indicating regeneration of the exhaust particulate filter is to be conducted.","As described above, active regeneration may include retarding the engine spark timing to increase engine air flow and subsequently increase exhaust particulate filter temperature.","As the soot burns during either passive or active regeneration, the particulate filter temperature increases to a higher temperature (e.g., 1400° C.).","Extended engine operation at the elevated regeneration temperature may expedite degradation of the particulate filter 72.Degradation may include the particulate filter 72 developing a leak (e.g., crack) and/or a hole, which may cause soot to escape from the filter, and flow further downstream into the exhaust passage 48, increasing vehicle emissions.","As such, this can cause an engine to be emissions non-compliant.","Other factors contributing to particulate filter degradation include vehicle vibrations and lubricating oil ash.","Vehicle vibrations may degrade fragile components within the particulate filter 72 due to expansion of the components (e.g., decreased stability) caused by exposure of the particulate filter 72 to high temperatures.","Lubricating oil ash may contain metal oxides which can react with the particulate filter 72 and form phases (e.g., portions of the particulate filter degrade while other portions remain functional), ultimately degrading at least a portion of the particulate filter.","The controller 12 is shown in FIG.","1 as a microcomputer, including a microprocessor unit 102, input/output ports 104, an electronic storage medium for executable programs and calibration values shown as read only memory chip 106 (e.g., non-transitory memory) in this particular example, random access memory 108, keep alive memory 110, and a data bus.","The controller 12 may receive various signals from sensors coupled to the engine 10, in addition to those signals previously discussed, including measurement of inducted mass air flow (MAF) from the mass air flow sensor 120; engine coolant temperature (ECT) from a temperature sensor 112 coupled to a cooling sleeve 114; an engine position signal from a Hall effect sensor 118 (or other type) sensing a position of crankshaft 40; throttle position from a throttle position sensor 65; and manifold absolute pressure (MAP) signal from the sensor 122.An engine speed signal may be generated by the controller 12 from crankshaft position sensor 118.Manifold pressure signal also provides an indication of vacuum, or pressure, in the intake manifold 44.Note that various combinations of the above sensors may be used, such as a MAF sensor without a MAP sensor, or vice versa.","During engine operation, engine torque may be inferred from the output of MAP sensor 122 and engine speed.","Further, this sensor, along with the detected engine speed, may be a basis for estimating charge (including air) inducted into the cylinder.","In one example, the crankshaft position sensor 118, which is also used as an engine speed sensor, may produce a predetermined number of equally spaced pulses every revolution of the crankshaft.","The storage medium read-only memory 106 can be programmed with computer readable data representing non-transitory instructions executable by the processor 102 for performing the methods described below as well as other variants that are anticipated but not specifically listed.","The controller 12 receives signals from the various sensors of FIG.","1 and employs the various actuators of FIG.","1 to adjust engine operation based on the received signals and instructions stored on a memory of the controller 12.As described above, the controller may employ actuators such as the exhaust particulate filter heater 78 and the exhaust diverter valve 80 based on received signals from one or more pressure sensors 74, temperature sensors 76, and other engine system sensors.","For example, the controller may also actuate the exhaust particulate filter heater 78 and the exhaust diverter valve based on signals received from an engine temperature sensor (such as ECT sensor 112), and one or more fuel pumps, such as the fuel pump flow rate or the fuel injection flow rate.","Turning now to FIG.","2, it illustrates an example plot 200 showing cumulative PM generation from a combustion engine resulting from a new European driving cycle (NEDC) test.","Plot 200 illustrates that a major fraction of the overall PM generation occurs during the cold start period indicated prior to dashed boundary line 220.During the cold start period, when the engine temperature is low (e.g., cold), fuel combustion quality in a combustion engine may be low or incomplete, giving rise to a higher level of PM.","As such, diverting exhaust gases to an exhaust particulate filter to capture PM generated during cold start conditions may significantly reduce engine PM emissions.","Turning now to FIG.","3, it illustrates an example engine exhaust system 300 of the engine system 100 shown in FIG.","1.Exhaust from the engine flows from main exhaust passage 48 through ECD 70 to exhaust passage 348 immediately upstream from exhaust bypass passage 82.As shown in FIG.","3, controller 12 may position exhaust diverter valve 80 to divert exhaust gas from the exhaust passage 348 to the exhaust bypass passage 82 where it may be filtered by the exhaust particulate filter 72.Alternately, controller 12 may move exhaust diverter valve 80 in the direction of arrow 380 so that the exhaust gas in exhaust passage 348 bypasses the exhaust particulate filter 72 and continues along exhaust passage 348 to the tail pipe.","As described above, a check valve may be positioned in the portion of the exhaust bypass passage 382 downstream from the exhaust particulate filter 72 in order to prevent backflow of exhaust gases from the exhaust passage 348 to the exhaust bypass passage 382.In some examples, the exhaust bypass passage 82 (including 382) may be smaller than the main exhaust passage 48, whereby a cross-sectional area or diameter of the exhaust bypass passage 82 is less than a cross-sectional area or diameter of the main exhaust passage 48.Controller 12 may also actuate exhaust particulate filter heater 78, which is thermally coupled to the exhaust particulate filter 72, to raise the temperature of the exhaust particulate filter above a threshold filter temperature prior to regeneration of the exhaust particulate filter 72.Exhaust particulate filter heater may include an electrically powered coiled element heater that is partially or entirely wrapped around the external surface of the body of the exhaust particulate filter 72, or other types of heaters.","During cold start conditions, the exhaust diverter valve 80 may be positioned to divert exhaust gases from the main exhaust passage 48 to exhaust bypass passage 82 and the exhaust particulate filter 72.In this way, a substantial portion of the particulate matter generated from fuel combustion in the engine may be filtered by the exhaust particulate filter 72, thereby maintaining or reducing PM emissions.","Cold start conditions may include the engine status being ON, and the engine temperature, such as the ECT measured by temperature sensor 112 being less than a threshold engine temperature.","The threshold engine temperature may correspond to a temperature above which PM generated by combustion of fuel in the engine is significantly reduced or near zero.","As other examples, the engine temperature may correspond to an engine oil temperature, an engine block temperature, an engine exhaust temperature, and the like.","Furthermore, the cold start condition may alternatively comprise a plurality of such engine temperatures being less than a plurality of corresponding threshold engine temperatures.","Additionally, the cold start condition may include a duration after an engine status is switched from OFF to ON when the engine temperature is less than the threshold engine temperature being greater than a threshold duration.","During warm engine conditions, including when an engine temperature, such as the ECT measured by temperature sensor 112, is greater than the threshold engine temperature, the exhaust diverter valve 80 may be positioned indicated by arrow 380 so that exhaust gas bypasses the exhaust particulate filter 72 during engine combustion conditions.","The engine temperature may include a cylinder head temperature (CHT) and the threshold engine temperature may include a threshold CHT.","In other examples, warm engine conditions (or departure from cold start conditions) may be determined by an elapsed engine ON duration from an engine start increasing above a threshold duration.","Warm engine conditions may further be determined via an inferred piston temperature model on-board the controller.","In other examples warm engine conditions may be determined by transition from a first fuel injection mode to a second fuel injection mode in a split mode fuel injection engine operation.","In yet another example, warm engine conditions may be determined by an emissions control device (ECD) catalyst heating mode.","For example, during cold start conditions, the ECD catalyst may be rapidly heated in order to reduce engine emissions.","Conversely, during warm engine conditions, the rapid heating of the ECD catalyst may be switched off.","Thus the warm engine conditions may be indicated by the ECD catalyst heating mode being switched off.","Engine combustion conditions may be determined by a fuel injection flow rate to the engine being greater than a threshold fuel injection flow rate.","As described above, the fuel injection flow rate may be estimated or determined from a pump rate of one or more fuel pumps in the engine fuel system.","Alternately, engine combustion conditions may be determined by the delivery of a spark to combustion chamber 30 via spark plug 66 while the fuel injection flow rate is greater than a threshold fuel injection flow rate.","In one example, delivery of a spark to the combustion chamber 30 may be indicated by the supply of power to the ignition system comprising an ignition coil (not shown) for increasing voltage supplied to spark plug 66.Thus, engine combustion conditions may be indicated if a voltage supplied to spark plug 66 is greater than a threshold voltage and the fuel injection flow rate is greater than the threshold fuel injection flow rate.","In another example, engine combustion may be detected via crankshaft acceleration increasing above a threshold crankshaft acceleration.","The crankshaft acceleration may be measured via a crankshaft position (CKP) sensor such as Hall effect position sensor 118, and the threshold crankshaft acceleration may correspond to a crankshaft acceleration above which combustion in the engine is indicated.","When fuel combustion occurs during warm engine conditions, the amount of PM generated by the engine may be very low as compared to PM generated during cold start conditions.","Accordingly, in response to the engine temperature increasing above a threshold engine temperature and in response to indication of fuel combustion conditions, the exhaust diverter valve may be positioned to direct exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter 72, while maintaining PM emissions.","Accordingly, combusted exhaust gas (e.g., engine exhaust gas resulting from fuel combustion in the engine) may only be directed to the exhaust bypass passage and the exhaust particulate filter 72 during cold start conditions.","During warm engine conditions, when an engine temperature is greater than a threshold engine temperature, the exhaust diverter valve may be positioned to direct the combusted exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter 72 positioned in the exhaust bypass passage 82.Accordingly, during engine combustion events outside of the cold start conditions, engine exhaust (combusted exhaust) may be directed to bypass the exhaust particulate filter 72.Furthermore, in some examples, the engine exhaust system may further comprise a second exhaust particulate filter positioned at ECD 70, to capture the auxiliary PM generated during fuel combustion under warm engine conditions.","Although the exhaust diverter valve 80 may be positioned to direct exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter 72, controller 12 may switch on exhaust particulate filter heater 78 to heat the exhaust particulate filter 72 during warm engine conditions and fuel combustion conditions.","The exhaust particulate filter heater 78 may comprise an electrically powered or other type of heater thermally coupled to the exhaust particulate filter 72.In the example exhaust system 400 of FIG.","4, heating the exhaust particulate filter 72 may comprise positioning the exhaust particulate filter 72 directly adjacent to ECD 70 such that exhaust particulate filter 72 is thermally coupled to ECD 70 via thermally conductive surface 472.Heating the exhaust particulate filter 72 during warm engine and fuel combustion conditions may allow for preheating of the exhaust particulate filter 72 to a threshold filter temperature prior to regeneration.","Preheating the exhaust particulate filter 72 to the threshold filter temperature may help to ensure that the exhaust particulate filter 72 can be promptly regenerated when the exhaust particulate filter becomes clogged, for example, when an exhaust particulate filter pressure across the filter is greater than a threshold filter pressure drop.","In one example, the threshold filter temperature may be approximately 500° C.","(e.g., above the threshold temperature of 450° C., at which soot combusts).","For example, when the exhaust particulate filter is above the threshold filter temperature, directing exhaust oxygen to the exhaust particulate filter may oxidize and combust the soot particles contained therein, thereby regenerating the exhaust particulate filter.","If the exhaust particulate filter temperature is below the threshold filter temperature, the thermal energy contained in the exhaust particulate filter may be insufficient to fully or partially regenerate the exhaust particulate filter 72 when exhaust oxygen is directed to the filter.","In response to the exhaust particulate filter temperature increasing above the threshold filter temperature, the controller 12 may switch the exhaust particulate filter heater 78 OFF.","Accordingly, during engine combustion events outside of the cold start conditions, engine exhaust (combusted exhaust) may be directed to bypass the exhaust particulate filter 72 and the exhaust particulate filter 72 may be selectively electrically heated via the exhaust particulate filter heater 78.Furthermore, when the exhaust particulate filter temperature is heated above the threshold filter temperature, uncombusted exhaust gas (engine exhaust during engine shutdown conditions such as DFSO conditions) may be directed to the exhaust bypass passage 82 to regenerate the exhaust particulate filter 72.The controller 12 may initiate regeneration of the exhaust particulate filter 72 during warm engine conditions outside of fuel combustion conditions.","Warm engine conditions outside of fuel combustion conditions may occur when the engine is switched OFF after being on for a duration.","For example, the engine may be switched OFF during DFSO events or for a hybrid vehicle when operating in electric-only mode (e.g., the hybrid vehicle is propelled by the electric motor but not by the engine).","Furthermore, controller 12 may initiate regeneration of the exhaust particulate filter during warm engine conditions outside of fuel combustion conditions when the exhaust particulate filter temperature is greater than a threshold filter temperature.","Further still, the controller 12 may initiate regeneration of the exhaust particulate filter during warm engine conditions outside of fuel combustion conditions when the exhaust particulate filter temperature is greater than the threshold filter temperature and when the exhaust particulate filter pressure drop is greater than a threshold filter pressure drop.","Initiating regeneration of the exhaust particulate filter may comprise positioning the exhaust diverter valve 80 to direct exhaust to flow to the exhaust bypass passage 82 and the exhaust particulate filter 72.During warm engine conditions outside of fuel combustion conditions (e.g., engine OFF conditions, DFSO conditions), fuel is not combusted inside the engine and the exhaust gas may largely contain air, including oxygen.","As described above, when the exhaust particulate filter temperature is above the threshold filter temperature, flowing exhaust oxygen through the filter may oxidize and combust soot PM contained therein, thereby regenerating the exhaust particulate filter.","During filter regeneration, the pressure drop across the exhaust particulate filter 72 may decrease as soot PM contained therein are oxidized and combusted.","As described above, filter regeneration may be initiated at least partially in response to engine operating conditions including the pressure drop across the exhaust particulate filter increasing above a threshold pressure drop.","Accordingly, in response to the pressure drop across the exhaust particulate filter decreasing below the threshold pressure drop, filter regeneration may be stopped by the controller 12.Terminating filter regeneration may include positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter.","As described above, filter regeneration occurs during warm engine conditions outside of fuel combustion in the engine.","Consequently, directing exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter and to pass through the exhaust passage 48, ECD 70, and exhaust passage 348 to the tailpipe may not substantially increase PM emissions.","Furthermore, should the engine temperature decrease below the threshold engine temperature after terminating the filter regeneration, the controller 12, in response, may reposition the exhaust diverter valve 80 to direct exhaust gas to flow through the exhaust bypass passage 82 and the exhaust particulate filter 72, thereby reducing PM emissions.","As described above, being positioned in the exhaust bypass passage 82 allows for the exhaust particulate filter 72 to be used to filter PM in the exhaust gas selectively during cold start conditions.","As such, the sizing of the exhaust particulate filter 72 may be smaller than conventional exhaust particulate filters.","Conventional exhaust particulate filters, such as DPFs and GPFs that are positioned in the main exhaust passage, filter all the exhaust gas from the engine.","Conventional exhaust particulate filters are exposed to other types of particles other than soot PM, including larger inert particles such as rust, upstream catalyst fragment particles, metal particles, and the like.","These larger inert particles may not be oxidized or combusted during filter regeneration and thus can steadily accumulate in and degrade particulate filters.","By positioning the exhaust particulate filter 72 in the bypass exhaust passage, and by selectively flowing exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter 72 during cold start conditions and for filter regeneration, as described above, the amount of larger inert particles encountering the exhaust particulate filter 72 may be substantially reduced.","Accordingly, the sizing of the exhaust particulate filter can be smaller, and the frequency and effectiveness of regenerations thereof can be higher, thus decreasing vehicle manufacturing and operating costs and increasing vehicle reliability.","The power of the exhaust particulate filter heater 78 may be substantially less than a conventional electrical heater employed for electrically heating conventional emission control devices such as a TWC for hydrocarbon reduction.","For example, whereas conventional heaters typically consume greater than 2.2 kW of power, the exhaust particulate filter heater 78 may consume a much smaller amount of power, for example, 75 W. The exhaust particulate filter heater 78 may be dedicated for heating the exhaust particulate filter 72 and so may be smaller in size and may consume less power than conventional ECD heaters, which may be used for heating catalyst bricks integrated with other additional ECD devices such as particulate filters, housings, and the like.","Furthermore, as described above, the exhaust particulate filter 72 is positioned in the exhaust bypass passage 82, and may be sized substantially smaller than conventional particulate filters that are positioned in the main exhaust passage 48 (which is larger in cross-sectional area than the exhaust bypass passage 82).","Furthermore, the exhaust particulate filter heater 78 may be smaller than conventional ECD heaters because the exhaust particulate filter 72 is positioned in the exhaust bypass passage 82 and may be bypassed during engine operating conditions where PM is lower; in other words, the filter load, and consequently the regeneration frequency, of the exhaust particulate filter may be reduced.","In one example, the exhaust particulate filter may comprise a mini-particulate filter, having approximate dimensions of the exhaust particulate filter 72 may comprise a diameter <30 mm, a length <205 mm, a cross sectional area <1 square inch, and a ceramic volume of <50000 mm3.Furthermore, the mass of ceramic material contained within the filter may be <65 g. The exhaust particulate filter size may vary according to engine displacement, soot output, and maximum soot load threshold.","Further still, the exhaust particulate filter 72 may comprise a thermally insulated filter so that thermal energy losses from the exhaust particulate filter 72 are reduced, and so that the power consumed to heat the exhaust particulate filter 72 is reduced.","Thermally insulating the exhaust particulate filter 72 may comprise thermally insulating external surfaces of the exhaust particulate filter 72 with an insulating, non-flammable material.","Turning now to FIG.","4, it illustrates another example configuration of an exhaust system 400 of engine system 100.Exhaust system 400 may be operated as part of engine system 100 similarly to exhaust system 300 as described above with reference to FIG.","3.However, in the exhaust system 400, exhaust bypass passage 82 and exhaust particulate filter 72 are arranged such that the exhaust particulate filter 72 is thermally coupled to the ECD 70 via at least one common thermally conductive surface 472.In this way, thermal energy from ECD 70 may be conducted or transferred via thermally conductive surface 472 to heat exhaust particulate filter 72, thus further lowering the amount heating power output from exhaust particulate filter heater 78 for raising the temperature of the exhaust particulate filter 72 to a threshold filter temperature prior to filter regeneration.","ECD 70 may be heated at least partially from the hot engine exhaust gases passing therethrough.","Furthermore, an ECD heater may be employed and controlled by controller 12 to heat ECD 70.In the case where the exhaust bypass passage 82 and exhaust particulate filter 72 are arranged such that the exhaust particulate filter 72 is thermally coupled to the ECD 70 via at least one common thermally conductive surface 472, all external surfaces of the exhaust particulate filter 72 may be thermally insulated except for the common thermally conductive surface 472.Positioning the exhaust particulate filter 72 downstream from ECD 70 (including a catalyst such as a TWC, NOx reduction catalyst, and the like) may further be used to increase backpressure in the main exhaust passage 48 for increasing ECD temperatures during cold start conditions, even though PM levels in the exhaust may be low during cold start conditions.","In this way, power consumed to heat the catalyst may be reduced and the catalyst may be preheated more rapidly, thereby increasing fuel economy and reducing exhaust emissions.","In this manner, an engine system may comprise: an engine; an exhaust particulate filter positioned in an exhaust bypass passage downstream of the engine; an exhaust diverter valve positioned an exhaust diverter valve positioned in an exhaust main passage upstream of the exhaust bypass passage upstream of the exhaust bypass passage; and a controller, including executable instructions to, during a first condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct engine exhaust gas from the exhaust main passage to the exhaust bypass passage and the exhaust particulate filter; and during a second condition, positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust bypass passage, wherein the second condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine.","Additionally or alternatively, the engine system may further comprise an exhaust particulate filter heater, wherein the executable instructions further comprise heating the exhaust particulate filter to a regeneration temperature with the exhaust particulate filter heater during the second condition.","Additionally or alternatively, the exhaust particulate filter heater comprises an electrical heating element thermally coupled to the exhaust particulate filter.","Additionally or alternatively, the exhaust particulate filter heater may comprise an emission control device upstream of the exhaust particulate filter and thermally coupled to the exhaust particulate filter, and heating the exhaust particulate filter may comprise during the second condition, transferring thermal energy from the emission control device to the exhaust particulate filter.","Additionally or alternatively, the executable instructions may further comprise during a third condition, positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct engine exhaust gas to the exhaust bypass passage and the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the third condition comprises a fuel injection flow rate being less than a threshold flow while the engine temperature is greater than the threshold engine temperature.","Additionally or alternatively, the third condition may further comprise the exhaust particulate filter temperature being greater than the regeneration temperature.","Additionally or alternatively, the third condition may further comprise an exhaust particulate filter pressure drop being greater than a threshold pressure drop.","Additionally or alternatively, the executable instructions may further comprise, during the third condition, in response to the exhaust particulate filter pressure drop decreasing below the threshold pressure drop, positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct engine exhaust to bypass the exhaust bypass passage.","Additionally or alternatively, the executable instructions may further comprise, during the third condition, in response to the exhaust particulate filter temperature decreasing below the regeneration temperature, positioning the exhaust diverter valve to direct engine exhaust to bypass the exhaust bypass passage.","Additionally or alternatively, a cross-sectional area of the exhaust bypass passage is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the exhaust main passage.","Turning now to FIG.","5, it illustrates a flow chart for an example method 500 of operating an engine system, including an exhaust diverter valve and an exhaust particulate filter positioned in an exhaust bypass passage and thermally coupled to an exhaust particulate filter heater.","Method 500 may be executed as executable instructions on board a vehicle controller, such as controller 12.Method 500 begins at 502 where engine system conditions such as vehicle speed (Vs), engine rpm, engine coolant temperature (ECT), fuel injection flow rate (Qinj), and the like, are estimated and/or measured by the controller.","At 510, the controller may determine if engine cold start conditions have been met.","Engine cold start conditions may include an engine temperature, Tengine, being less than a threshold engine temperature, Tengine,TH.","As described above, Tengine may comprise ECT, engine oil temperature, engine block temperature, engine exhaust temperature, or another temperature indicative of the engine operating temperature, or a combination thereof.","Tengine,TH may represent a temperature below which combustion of fuel in the engine is more incomplete or of poorer quality such that a substantially higher amount of PM is emitted in the engine exhaust.","Conversely, when Tengine>Tengine,TH, combustion of fuel in the engine is more complete or of higher quality such that a substantially lower amount of PM is emitted in the engine exhaust.","If the cold start conditions are met, method 500 proceeds to 514 where the controller may position the exhaust diverter valve 80 to divert exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter 72 via exhaust bypass passage 82.By directing exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter 72, PM generated by fuel combustion during cold start conditions may be filtered from the exhaust gas and PM emissions may be reduced.","At 518, controller 12 may turn off the exhaust particulate filter heater 78 to stop heating of the exhaust particulate filter 72.After 518, method 500 ends.","Returning to 510, if the cold start conditions are not met, method 500 continues at 520 where controller 12 may determine if the engine is operating outside of fuel combustion conditions.","As described above, the engine may be operating outside of fuel combustion conditions if the fuel injection flow rate, Q,inj, is less than a threshold fuel injection flow rate, Qinj,TH.","Fuel injection flow rate may be estimated or measured by a fuel pump flow rate of one or more fuel pumps of the engine fuel system.","Alternately, the engine may be operating outside of fuel combustion conditions if a voltage supplied to a spark plug of an engine cylinder is less than a threshold voltage while the fuel injection flow rate directed to that engine cylinder is greater than the threshold fuel injection flow rate.","The threshold voltage may correspond to a voltage below which a spark is not generated at the spark plug of the engine cylinder.","In one example, Qinj,TH may be zero.","In another example, engine combustion conditions may be detected via crankshaft acceleration increasing above a threshold crankshaft acceleration.","The crankshaft acceleration may be measured via a crankshaft position (CKP) sensor such as Hall effect position sensor 118.Thus, if the crankshaft acceleration is below the threshold crankshaft acceleration, the engine may be determined to be operating outside of engine combustion conditions.","If the engine is operating outside of fuel combustion conditions, such as when the engine is off during engine shutdown events such as during DFSO, there may be an opportunity for regenerating the exhaust particulate filter since the exhaust gas comprises substantially air or oxygen.","In some examples, the exhaust particulate filter may be regenerated during lean air-fuel engine operating conditions.","Other examples of engine operation outside of fuel combustion conditions include during extended engine crank start-up and during shutdown of the engine.","If the engine is operating outside of fuel combustion conditions at 520, method 500 continues at 522 where the controller 12 may determine if the exhaust particulate filter temperature, TPF is greater than a threshold filter temperature, TPF,TH.","As described previously, TPF,TH may correspond to a filter temperature above which flowing exhaust oxygen through the exhaust particulate filter may initiate combustion of soot PM contained therein, thereby regenerating the filter.","As an example TPF,TH may be greater than 450° C., or TPF,TH may include 500° C. When TPF>TPF,TH, the exhaust particulate filter may be preheated and ready for filter regeneration, and the controller 12 may turn off the exhaust particulate filter heater 78 at 524 to stop heating the exhaust particulate filter 72.Next, method 500 continues at 526 where the controller 12 may determine if the exhaust particulate filter pressure drop, ΔPPF, is greater than a threshold exhaust particulate filter pressure drop, ΔPPF,TH.","ΔPPF,TH may correspond to a pressure drop above which the exhaust particulate filter may contain a substantial level of PM therein such that ΔPPF may prevent proper exhaust expulsion and reduce engine operability.","If ΔPPF>ΔPPF,TH, method 500 continues at 528 where the controller 12 may position exhaust diverter valve to direct exhaust gas to the exhaust bypass passage 82 to initiate regeneration of the exhaust particulate filter 72.After 528, method 500 ends.","Returning to 520 for the case where the engine is operating within fuel combustion conditions, method 500 continues at 530 where controller 12 may determine if TPFTPF,TH, method 500 continues at 538 where the controller 12 switches the exhaust particulate filter heater OFF to stop heating the exhaust particulate filter 72.When TPF>TPF,TH, the exhaust particulate filter 72 is preheated and ready for regeneration; further heating of the exhaust particulate filter 72 may reduce fuel economy unnecessarily.","After 538, method 500 continues at 536 where the exhaust diverter valve is positioned to direct exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter.","After 536 method 500 ends.","In this manner, a method for an engine may comprise: during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter; and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine.","Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise directing combusted exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter only during the cold start condition.","Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise heating the exhaust particulate filter during the warm engine condition.","Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise stopping heating of the exhaust particulate filter during the cold start condition.","Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise directing engine exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter during a regeneration condition, wherein the regeneration condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and a fuel injection flow rate being less than a threshold injection flow rate.","Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter during the regeneration condition in response to an exhaust particulate filter pressure drop being less than a threshold pressure drop.","Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise stopping heating of the exhaust particulate filter during the regeneration condition.","Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise stopping heating of the exhaust particulate filter in response to an exhaust particulate filter temperature being greater than a threshold filter temperature.","Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise thermally insulating the exhaust particulate filter.","In this manner, a method may comprise: in response to an engine temperature being greater than a threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to bypass an exhaust particulate filter during engine fuel combustion, and heating the exhaust particulate filter when an exhaust particulate filter temperature decreases below a threshold filter temperature; and in response to an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter and stopping the heating of the exhaust particulate filter.","Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise in response to the engine temperature being greater than the threshold engine temperature, directing exhaust gas to the exhaust particulate filter during deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO).","Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise in response to the engine temperature being greater than the threshold engine temperature and an exhaust particulate filter pressure drop being less than a threshold pressure drop, directing exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter during DFSO.","Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise, in response to the exhaust particulate filter temperature increasing above the threshold filter temperature via the heating, directing uncombusted exhaust gas to regenerate the exhaust particulate filter Turning now to FIG.","6, it illustrates a timeline 600 depicting operation of an exhaust system including an exhaust diverter valve 80 and an exhaust particulate filter 72 and exhaust particulate filter heater 78 positioned in an exhaust bypass passage 82.Timeline 600 includes trend lines for engine status 604, engine temperature, Tengine 610, fuel injection flow rate, Qinj 620, exhaust particulate filter temperature, TPF 630, exhaust particulate filter pressure drop, ΔPPF 640, exhaust diverter valve position 650, exhaust particulate filter heater status 660, and exhaust particulate filter regeneration status 670.Also shown in timeline 600 are threshold engine temperature, Tengine,TH 612, threshold fuel injection flow rate, Qinj,TH 622, threshold filter temperature, TPF,TH 632, threshold filter pressure drop, and ΔPPF,TH 642.At time