Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a set of API's for integrated retailers to perform standard order fulfillment operations to fulfill and return products on behalf of their clients is described. A common catalog on a software platform is intended be a flexible common hub around which many different commerce models can be implemented. Integrated retailer is one such model on which e-commerce occurs. Integrated retailers are permitted to sell product from the common catalog with another company providing back-end fulfillment. The common catalog infrastructure's pre-existing XML catalog export facility provides product information to the retailer. The Retail Web Service (RWS) provides the fulfillment functions as a REST-style web service.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a set of web services is provided that allow a client application to display product information from a site catalog, add/update/delete those products into a shopping cart hosted on the client, and have that shopping cart also maintained at a central hosted site. As such, the user is directed to the central hosted site in order to complete payment and fulfillment of the order. Several companies desire this functionality. As such, a set of shopping cart application programming interface (API) can be built and used to access product information and prices as well as to add or remove products from the shopping cart to which the consumer will be redirected upon finalizing the purchase. These processes are conducted in real time.

Abstract: An in-game e-commerce web service system and method is described. The system provides a seamlessly integrated, modular, turn-key solution to in-game commerce on game publisher web sites. Primary publisher-to-player and secondary player-to-player markets are supported along with their associated billing and customer management functions. Modules have been designed to allow the greatest flexibility in choosing the services to which a game publisher subscribes.

Abstract: A full-service turn-key in-application commerce solution with fraud detection is disclosed that provides web service interfaces to a commerce system. The in-application solution features fraud detection with user behavior tracking and fraud controls that limit the features that are offered to a user. Fraud detection involves input from the application, the commerce system, or third party systems. User fraud scores are updated frequently as events are processed. Controls are applied to the user account based on the user fraud score and risk classifications for ranges of fraud scores. An in-application solution also features a wallet with a personal threshold for microtransaction spending, limiting the amount that the user is allowed to spend before a wallet is cleared. The wallet is integrated with the fraud detection such that the personal threshold is determined from the user's latest fraud score.

Abstract: A method for testing versions for remote manufacturing of software media from a network is described. An interface to a user is provided for creation of a physical on demand product. A product version is created for the physical on demand product that includes an electronic copy of a product and information about the product. Approval of the created product version is requested from quality assurance. A test order capability is provided to the user after approval from quality assurance such that the user may have a physical on demand product order fulfilled prior to release of the product version for general sale in a commerce engine. The delivery of the test order is processed based upon who is requesting the test order. A software system that performs the testing method described above for the creation of compact discs (CDs) or digital video discs (DVDs) containing full product files (executables, binaries, music, video, etc.) also is described.

Abstract: Call center order system and process allows a customer service representative to make remote calls to a server to perform shopping cart actions, all on one web page. Historically, representatives would need to enter client information and product information on several different web pages to satisfy a purchase. Eventually, the representative would have “loaded” several different pages to enter product and customer information. This method resulted in a high amount of errors and increased the risk of fraud. The system utilizes AJAX and dynamic HTML technology. The representative is able to add, update, or remove products in the cart without waiting for the page to “refresh” after every action. Cart actions are flagged with a “ticking” indicator bar. Orders may be placed in a “queue” instead of loading a different page. A mild fraud mode to allow multiple orders is also described. A storefront is used in this process.

Abstract: Site optimizer is a tool that enables A/B testing of merchandising offers for your online store to help you determine which offers work best on your storefront. A/B testing compares multiple offers simultaneously to randomly selected groups of shoppers. The A/B testing approach provides a unique and effective way to optimize online store performance because it is metrics-driven, objective, and more efficient than other site optimization techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a Spender may spend money to buy an item, spend money on a donation, etc. A Spender (sometimes called a buyer) will typically use client software to access content, where the client is typically a computing device that includes a display, which facilitates the transaction between a Spender and an Earner. An “Earner” (sometimes called a seller) is someone who provides items or content within the system for sale, trade, or acquisition in return for credit or money earned. In the described embodiments, an Earner's server may be anything, which serves content and/or includes an Earner gateway, which facilitates trusted third party interaction frequently used in the system, and may also be used to describe several servers or a server farm. In some embodiments, the Earner's server is included as a part of the server controlling content access.

Abstract: A model for the next generation of software network agents for downloadable software is provided. The software network agent delivers a streamlined user experience that presents the user with options to try or buy. The agent may be co-branded for merchant and affiliate marketing. The agent may be integrated with a number of services, such as ecommerce systems, affiliate marketing network systems, site optimization, web analytics and email marketing systems that enable a merchant to enhance the user experience and improve marketing. A user's actions may be tracked in order to provide OEMs and retailers payout on purchase referrals to the merchant's online store. Code changes and bug fixes can be made at the server and in a timely manner with minimal impact to the various systems supporting the software activation user experience.

Abstract: A download processor for secure downloading of a digital product file when ordered by a user. The order includes a file identifier related to the file and an order identifier related to the order. The download processor performs security checks related to the file, the order, and the user. The file identifier and order identifier are verified based upon information related to the file and the order, and information related to the user is also verified. Based upon the verifications, the download processor selectively permits or denies download of the file to a user machine.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering content on a network using differential caching is described. A request for information is received from a request-generating element coupled to a browser associated with a client through the network. A static portion and a dynamic portion of a document to be included in a response as the requested information are identified based on previously cached information by utilizing a software element that is not part of the client. The static portion is cached in a memory that is logically local to the client that requested the information. The static portion is served to the request-generating element from the cached memory. The dynamic portion is served to the request-generating element from the network. The static portion and the dynamic portion are integrated using the request-generating element into the document included in the response to the browser as the requested information.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a commission for an affiliate referral is described. Typically, affiliate tracking programs utilize a cookie deposited on an end user's computer to collect the data it needs to accurately associate a commission with an affiliate. If the cookie is lost for some reason (e.g. the user deletes cookies), that valuable information is missing, and the system must collect other information to determine the possible source of the referral. Two additional data collection and association pathways may be utilized to ensure that the commissions paid to affiliates are complete and accurate. These additional pathways include eTags and a caching system which enable cookieless tracking techniques. In addition a conversion breakdown report provides the data collection and user interface for an affiliate manager to determine in some circumstance to whom, among several possible affiliates, the commission should be given.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system and method for managing sale and distribution of products over the Internet or other type of network is disclosed. In order to prevent attempts by users to fraudulently obtain the products, the system analyzes during an electronic commerce transaction the user-entered information entered by the users into the end user machine in connection with an electronic purchase order for a product to determine a fraud ranking. This fraud ranking indicates a likelihood that the order is attempted fraud based upon a quantitative analysis of a daily bad uses counter by determining a number of times that a piece of received user-entered information from the electronic purchase order appeared on another order that was declined that day. Based upon the determination, the system accepts or declines the order. The system also saves the user-entered information for use in determining whether to accept to decline future orders.

Abstract: A network object predictive pre-download device operable on a network logically between a web client and a web server on a network is described. The pre-download device includes a prediction engine that intercepts a request from the web client to the web server for a first network object and determines a second network object most probable to be requested in the future from the web server. The pre-download device also includes a cache primer that intercepts a response to the request from the web server and sends a first message to the web client informing the web client of the second network object to be cached by the web client. The cache primer also sends the second network object to the web client such that the second network object is predicatively pre-downloaded to the web client whereby second network object latency is reduced when an actual user request occurs.

Abstract: A universal tracking agent system and method are described. The system utilizes a single, universal tag on merchant web pages in a commerce system. The tag collects data for marketing tracking and analysis from a local computer (e.g., a cookie or session variable set on a user computer browser) when the web pages are accessed. The system to receive the data, along with tracking code to collect the data, is determined when the program code accesses a back end database containing records of the marketing providers to which the merchant site subscribes. Only those systems requiring data for a particular user access event receive a report, and each receives a report based on its own requirements. Any changes to providers may be made in the database rather than the web page, providing a very efficient method of changing providers or code without waiting for release schedules or requiring developer resources.

Abstract: An on-site dynamic personalization system and method having a browser interacting through an internet connection with web pages of members in a cooperative network is described. The system includes a processor coupled through the internet connection to the browser. In addition, the system includes a memory with a cooperative membership database that stores data collected as the browser navigates web pages in the cooperative network. The memory also includes a software module with program code that the processor executes to cause the system to perform certain operations.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a web page to a client device is described. Template information, sub-template information, and delta information are identified based on a request for information from the client device. The template information includes seldom changing elements of a web page. The sub-template information includes: (i) information that changes less frequently than delta information, and (ii) elements of a web page shared by several templates. At least one of the template information, sub-template information, and delta information is retrieved from a location other than an originating server that is the original provider of information requested by the client device. The request is responded to by sending to the client device the template information, sub-template information and delta information. In addition, a system for transmitting a web page to a client device is described.

Abstract: A system and method for determining e-commerce purchase eligibility of product offerings restricted to particular market segments and used in conjunction with an e-commerce system is described. Identifying information provided by the user is compared to a white list of eligibility parameters selected and configured by the vendor. An e-mail confirming eligibility and containing a customized URL is provided to the user; selecting the link automatically logs the user into the account. The system allows limited or unlimited purchases to be made by qualified users. Fraud detection is performed prior to checkout. Once the order has been processed the user may immediately download the product. An e-mail is sent to the user providing delayed downloading instructions and license key. Downloading may inject the license key for automatic software product or application activation.

Abstract: An email content builder that generates email content based upon customer created rules is described. Messages to clients are edited automatically to suit a client's needs. The language in the text of a message is translated and changed depending on the country and client. Users select a script in an ebusiness system. After retrieving the appropriate script and associated information, the email content builder would either build the appropriate script corresponding to a client or retrieve appropriate text from the database. Then, the email content builder builds a script and email message depending on certain aspects of the client, such as language, billing information, etc.

Abstract: A half-graphical user interface (Half-GUI) order processing (HGOP) system with single sign on and its method of use is described. A set of web services may be utilized for order processing in an electronic commerce system which allows a merchant to host a product catalog and shopping cart, but post the transaction to an e-commerce system in one simple transaction. In response to a shopping cart request and utilizing single sign on technology, the HGOP system exposes a single checkout form, prepopulated with customer account information to a merchant web site. If no edits are required, the transaction posts and an order confirmation/thank you page is displayed. If edits are required or a new customer account is required, the customer's account is updated or created.