Abstract: Techniques for mobile payments integrated with a booking system are described. In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving a request from a computing device of a user to pay a ticket open at a merchant point-of-sale computer, obtaining a current total ticket amount for the ticket from the merchant point-of-sale computer, determining an estimated total ticket amount based at least in part on the current total ticket amount, authorizing but not capturing payment of the estimated total ticket amount with a payment network gateway computer, after the ticket is closed at the merchant point-of-sale computer, obtaining a final total ticket amount for the ticket from the merchant point-of-sale computer, and capturing payment of the final total ticket amount with the payment network gateway computer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for evaluating entities for a target user, the method comprising obtaining, at a server computer, entity data from a plurality of data sources. The entity data is then stored in an entity database. The method further comprises merging the entity data from the plurality of data sources, mapping the entity data to a corresponding entity, and differentiating the entity. Then a relevance is determined associated with the entity data and data source. The method further comprises generating a set of entity evaluations to the target user using the relevance, determining a set of one or more entities relevant to the primary user based on the entity data, user data, and the relevance, with an initial order of relevance, and displaying, on a user device, the set of relevant entities to the target user in the order of relevance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a computer-implemented method and system for generating personalized recommendations for a target user based at least on stored data about the target user. The method comprises obtaining, at the server computer, data from a plurality of data sources, including entity data associated with a plurality of entities, stored in an entity database, or personal data associated with a plurality of users, stored in a user database. The personalized recommendations system then merges the entity data or personal data and maps the entity or personal data to a corresponding entity or target user, respectively. The entity or personal data is differentiated, a relevance is determined, a weight is assigned to the data and corresponding source to canonicalize the data, the respective databases are updated with the corresponding data, and then a set of personalized recommendations to the target user is generated using the updated databases.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for evaluating entities for a target user, the method comprising obtaining, at a server computer, entity data from a plurality of data sources. The entity data is then stored in an entity database. The method further comprises merging the entity data from the plurality of data sources, mapping the entity data to a corresponding entity, and differentiating the entity. Then a relevance is determined associated with the entity data and data source. The method further comprises generating a set of entity evaluations to the target user using the relevance, determining a set of one or more entities relevant to the primary user based on the entity data, user data, and the relevance, with an initial order of relevance, and displaying, on a user device, the set of relevant entities to the target user in the order of relevance.

Abstract: Mobile payments integrated with a booking system. In one embodiment, for example, a method in a service provider computer system is performed. The service provider computer system is communicatively coupled to a computing device of a user and a merchant point-of-sale computer by one or more data networks. The method comprises: receiving a request from the computing device of the user to pay a ticket open at the merchant point-of-sale computer; obtaining a current total ticket amount for the ticket from the merchant point-of-sale computer; determining an estimated total ticket amount based at least in part on the current total ticket amount; authorizing but not capturing payment of the estimated total ticket amount with a payment network gateway computer; after the ticket is closed at the merchant point-of-sale computer, obtaining a final total ticket amount for the ticket from the merchant point-of-sale computer; and capturing payment of the final total ticket amount with the payment network gateway computer.

Abstract: A point-of-sale system with a mobile payment feature includes an electronic display, one or more processors, and storage media storing a payment plugin to the point-of-sale system. The payment plugin sends ticket data representing a guest ticket over one or more data networks to an online service provider computer system; receives instruction from the service provider computer system to mark the guest ticket as designated for mobile payment; and causes user interface feedback on the electronic display that the guest ticket is to be paid via mobile payment. By doing so, the merchant is informed through their point-of-sale system that payment of the guest ticket will be facilitated by the online service provider. This alleviates the merchant from collecting payment from the guest before the guest leaves the merchant's premises and allows the guest to leave the premises as soon as the guest ticket is ready for mobile payment.

Abstract: Techniques for context-based queryless presentation of items are described. Without receiving an explicit query, an inferred query is determined based on a first set of context signals associated with a triggering event. Items matching the inferred query are selected based on a second set of one or more context signals associated with the triggering event. One or more results items identifying the one or more matching items are caused to display. Result items may be displayed in association with an explanation that identifies context values used to select an item or one or more attributes of the item that are relevant to a user or the inferred query.

Abstract: A system for managing a restaurant comprises a restaurant server including a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface comprises a display and an input interface. The display displays reservation information for the restaurant. The reservation information includes a colored indicator of a status. The input interface receives an indication to display the reservation information for the restaurant.

Abstract: Mobile payments integrated with a booking system. In one embodiment, for example, a method in a service provider computer system is performed. The service provider computer system is communicatively coupled to a computing device of a user and a merchant point-of-sale computer by one or more data networks. The method comprises: receiving a request from the computing device of the user to pay a ticket open at the merchant point-of-sale computer; obtaining a current total ticket amount for the ticket from the merchant point-of-sale computer; determining an estimated total ticket amount based at least in part on the current total ticket amount; authorizing but not capturing payment of the estimated total ticket amount with a payment network gateway computer; after the ticket is closed at the merchant point-of-sale computer, obtaining a final total ticket amount for the ticket from the merchant point-of-sale computer; and capturing payment of the final total ticket amount with the payment network gateway computer.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing access to inventory items available at vendor locations includes user stations transmitting user inquiries on a communications network. Network-connected location servers access a set of inventory availability information associated with inventory items available at their respective location, for example, tables at a restaurant. The host server receives user inquiries regarding availability of items associated with at least some of the location servers and queries a cache server that locally stores a binary subset of the information from the location servers to determine if the requested item is available without having to separately query the database at each location. Particularly, a web server receives and stores information regarding only whether a requested item is available or not available from a particular location rather than how many items are available at the location.

Abstract: Techniques for context-based queryless presentation of items are described. Without receiving an explicit query, an inferred query is determined based on a first set of context signals associated with a triggering event. Items matching the inferred query are selected based on a second set of one or more context signals associated with the triggering event. One or more results items identifying the one or more matching items are caused to display. Result items may be displayed in association with an explanation that identifies context values used to select an item or one or more attributes of the item that are relevant to a user or the inferred query.

Abstract: A guest monitoring and identification system is shown. The system comprises an RFID carried by a guest and includes therein programmed predetermined data identifying a guest. An activating transmitter transmits a monitoring signal over a designated area to be traversed by a guest having the RFID. A receiver receives from the RFID a transmitted data signal containing the programmed predetermined data identifying the guest. A guest identification and service information processor receives the transmitted data signal. The processor interprets the programmed predetermined data identifying a guest and generates data/information signals providing the name and service profile for an identified guest. A communication device communicates to service staff the name and service profile for an identified guest.

Abstract: Techniques for context-based queryless presentation of recommendations are described. Without receiving an explicit query, an inferred query is determined based on a first set of context signals associated with a recommendation triggering event. Items matching the inferred query are selected based on a second set of one or more context signals associated with the recommendation triggering event. One or more results items identifying the one or more matching items are caused to display. A result items may be displayed in association with an explanation that identifies context values used to select an item for recommendation or one or more attributes of the item that are relevant to a user or the inferred query.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a computer-implemented method and system for providing personalized recommendations for a target user based at least on stored data about the target user. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of feedback data from a plurality of users, wherein the feedback data comprises an indication of a media object, a response obtained from target user related to the feedback data, and at least one demographic data element associated with the target user. A set of personalized recommendations for the target user are identified based at least on stored data about the target user and the feedback data related to the user. The personalized recommendations system identifies media objects to potentially provide to the target user, and selects or filters the identified media objects to form a set of personalized media objects associated with the set of personalized recommendations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for evaluating entities for a target user, the method comprising obtaining, at a server computer, entity data from a plurality of data sources. The entity data is then stored in an entity database. The method further comprises merging the entity data from the plurality of data sources, mapping the entity data to a corresponding entity, and differentiating the entity. Then a relevance is determined associated with the entity data and data source. The method further comprises generating a set of entity evaluations to the target user using the relevance, determining a set of one or more entities relevant to the primary user based on the entity data, user data, and the relevance, with an initial order of relevance, and displaying, on a user device, the set of relevant entities to the target user in the order of relevance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a category based navigation system obtaining user data related to a plurality of users relevant to the primary user. The method further comprises obtaining entity data associated with an entity in a plurality of entities. The category based navigation system then determines one or more entities relevant to the primary user, and determines an initial order of relevance of a set of relevant entities. The method further comprises categorizing and displaying the set of relevant entities with an initial categorization on a user device to the primary user. The category based navigation system may then obtain, via the user device, user feedback, adjust the initial categorization and initial order of relevance based on the user feedback; and display the adjusted categorization and adjusted order of relevance of the set of relevant entities to the primary user on the user device.

Abstract: Mobile payments integrated with a booking system. In one embodiment, for example, a method in a service provider computer system is performed. The service provider computer system is communicatively coupled to a computing device of a user and a merchant point-of-sale computer by one or more data networks. The method comprises: receiving a request from the computing device of the user to pay a ticket open at the merchant point-of-sale computer; obtaining a current total ticket amount for the ticket from the merchant point-of-sale computer; determining an estimated total ticket amount based at least in part on the current total ticket amount; authorizing but not capturing payment of the estimated total ticket amount with a payment network gateway computer; after the ticket is closed at the merchant point-of-sale computer, obtaining a final total ticket amount for the ticket from the merchant point-of-sale computer; and capturing payment of the final total ticket amount with the payment network gateway computer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a data processing method comprises, using a merchant booking computer, associating a reservation record with a location identifier, wherein the reservation record comprises a user identifier; using a service provider computer system, matching a transaction ticket stored in a point-of-sale (POS) computer of a merchant to the location identifier of the reservation record, based upon obtaining one or more POS data values from the POS computer, and obtaining ticket data specifying one or more items in the transaction ticket; based upon the user identifier and a user account that associates the user identifier with a mobile computing device identifier, communicating the ticket data to a mobile computing device; receiving, from the mobile computing device, a request to pay a payment amount based upon the ticket data; requesting a payment gateway computer to initiate a payment transaction in which user payment account data associated with the user account identified as payer and in which a merchant

Abstract: A method and system for distributing access to inventory items available at vendor locations includes user stations transmitting user inquiries on a communications network. Network-connected location servers access a set of inventory availability information associated with inventory items available at their respective location, for example, tables at a restaurant. The host server receives user inquiries regarding availability of items associated with at least some of the location servers and queries a cache server that locally stores a binary subset of the information from the location servers to determine if the requested item is available without having to separately query the database at each location. Particularly, a web server receives and stores information regarding only whether a requested item is available or not available from a particular location rather than how many items are available at the location.

Abstract: A guest monitoring and identification system is shown. The system comprises an RFID carried by a guest and includes therein programmed predetermined data identifying a guest. An activating transmitter transmits a monitoring signal over a designated area to be traversed by a guest having the RFID. A receiver receives from the RFID a transmitted data signal containing the programmed predetermined data identifying the guest. A guest identification and service information processor receives the transmitted data signal. The processor interprets the programmed predetermined data identifying a guest and generates data/information signals providing the name and service profile for an identified guest. A communication device communicates to service staff the name and service profile for an identified guest.