Abstract: A system providing support for user transactions in a media exchange network. An embodiment of the present invention may comprise a television display, storage, and a set top box, and may provide an interface device for receiving from a user associated authorization device, information for authorizing user transactions via a communication network. A user transaction may comprise the exchange, purchase, storage, or consumption of media such as, for example, audio, still images, video, and data. The communication network may comprise, for example, a cable infrastructure, a digital subscriber line infrastructure, a wireless infrastructure, and may be the Internet. The system may provide for the completion of the user transaction without divulging the identity of the user to a vendor.

Abstract: A multi-panel user interface includes one-tap access of a shopping-related function from a collapsed panel in an expandable panel user shopping interface without requiring expanding the collapsed panel.

Abstract: An image of an item is obtained in one or more computing devices. The item is identified from the image based at least in part on data derived from reference images that are each associated with one or more items. Catalog data corresponding to the item is associated with the image. The catalog data is added to a merchant catalog in an electronic marketplace.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing and activating gift cards and advertising so as to provide a gift card mall in the home of a gift giver are described. The system can include a unitary single-sheet form, a package envelope, an activation system, a delivery system, and a redemption system. The system can also include a publication. A plurality of the forms can be inserted into the package envelope for delivery to the gift giver. The gift giver can select one or more of the gift cards for activation and delivery to a gift recipient. The gift recipient can then redeem the activated gift received from the gift giver for a redemption item sold or provided by a retailer, service provider, or manufacturer. The redemption item can be a good, service, or money. The redemption item can be purchased at an online shopping mall, by telephone, or in a retail store.

Abstract: An information system environment is described that, among other things, facilitates integration of electronic commerce and physical store front retailer selling channels. In some realizations, the system includes a shopper accessible kiosk co-located with a physical store front retailer and an electronic commerce information service accessible from locations external to the physical store front retailer. Both access inventory information supplied from a suitable information service. The shopper accessible kiosk allows a user thereof to access inventory information particular to the physical store front retailer, while the electronic commerce information service allows a user thereof to order items from out of stock of the physical store front retailer.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing a negotiation platform in the event that a listing fails by becoming inactive without the offering being sold. For example, a negotiation eligibility detector may detect a failed listing of an offering. The listing may be associated with a first user and a first offer. A potential buyer detector may identify at least one potential buyer based on a user action associated with the failed listing. A negotiation manager may be in communication with the negotiation eligibility detector and the potential buyer detector. In response to the detecting of the failed listing and the identifying of the potential buyers, the negotiation manager may transmit a request to the at least one potential buyer for a second offer associated with the failed listing.

Abstract: A system and method of providing an air travel pricing quote, including estimated fees for third-party air flight services and fuel vendors at each stop along the route of an air travel trip. A traveler is able to quickly and automatically retrieve air travel pricing quotes, thereby bypassing the detailed and time-consuming process of drawing up a flight plan, determining foreign and domestic third-party air flight service vendors across the globe, and arranging third-party air flight services.

Abstract: A method and system provides online software and services via prepaid scratchcards. Users may pay for online software and services with prepaid scratchcards. For example, online services may include accounting, legal, and auditing services. For example, online software may include productivity and business software. For example, online services and software may be provided on a subscription basis. Use of scratchcards may improve availability of software and services to more users, protect user security, and facilitate gifting between users.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to generate a performance metric are disclosed. An example method includes identifying a baseline volume and an incremental volume for a first time-frame and a second time-frame, calculating whether a market volume change direction is identical between the baseline volume and the incremental volume during the first time-frame and the second time-frame, and assigning a market change descriptor to the performance metric based on the calculated change direction.

Abstract: Computing systems, methods, and program products can support a closed retail network. A computing system can receive an inquiry from a first member entity of a retail network and identifying a product of interest. The system can use a datastore to determine if the product of interest is available for sale by a first member by determining if the product is available from a second member. If the product of interest is available for sale, the computing system can indicate that the product is available, receive data from the first member entity indicating that the product has been sold to a customer and including payment information, use the payment information to transfer funds from the customer, and initiate a distribution of the transferred funds to the first and second member entities. The system may consider distribution rules in determining if the product is available for sale by the first member.

Abstract: An approach to facilitating provisioning of in-vehicle services is provided. Trip-identifying information may be obtained from a user-provided device. The trip-identifying information may identify a trip that is to occur on the vehicle. A list of in-vehicle services, which are available for the trip on the vehicle, may be determined based on the trip-identifying information. The list of in-vehicle services may be provided to the user-provided device. A selection of at least one in-vehicle service that is to be provided during the trip may be received from the user-provided device. A request for the at least one in-vehicle service may be generated based on the selection.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a communication section that acquires application programs from an external apparatus, a memory that stores an application program and information relevant to the application program, and an application execution section that executes the application program stored in the memory. The information processing apparatus also includes a control section that determines other application programs to be recommended, during execution of the application program by the application execution section. The other application programs to be recommended are determined based on the information relevant to the application program, which includes first relevant information and second relevant information.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to a computer-implemented architecture that can facilitate computer-assisted haggling and/or negotiation between multiple parties simultaneously. For example, various proxies associated with both buyers and sellers can be configured to negotiate with other proxies to buy or sell an item. The negotiations can be required to be progressive and during the negotiations a buyer or seller is, typically, allowed to withdraw his or her proposals. The architecture can include a registration component that can resolve concurrency and facilitate a registration of an agreement between two of the parties. The registration of an agreement can create a binding obligation between the parties after which other outstanding proposals can be terminated.

Abstract: A system for transmitting information related to a network-based marketplace includes identifying information that may be interesting, useful, and entertaining to the users and to the potential users of the network-based marketplace. The identified information may be other than information that is already being displayed in listings by the network-based marketplace. The identified information may be about the sellers, the buyers or other items related to the items offered for sale.

Abstract: A server apparatus includes: a trend leader detecting portion that acquires purchaser identifying information for identifying a purchaser who purchased the product at an early stage satisfying a predetermined time condition, from at least two pieces of purchase history information; a recommended product acquiring portion that acquires at least one piece of product identifying information for identifying a product purchased by at least one purchaser identified with at least one piece of purchaser identifying information that has been acquired by the trend leader detecting portion; and a recommended product transmitting portion that transmits the at least one piece of product identifying information that has been acquired by the recommended product acquiring portion, to an information output apparatus. With this server apparatus, recommendation of a product can be provided based on the behavior in which a trend leader purchases a product.

Abstract: In a method for the operator control of a motor vehicle having a display for displaying variable information, a symbol assigned to a function pertaining to the motor vehicle is shown with the aid of the display, the viewing direction of an operator of the motor vehicle is ascertained, and the function pertaining to the motor vehicle is subsequently executed in response to recognition of an acoustic command assigned to the function pertaining to the motor vehicle, while the viewing direction is aimed toward the display.

Abstract: A method for minimizing risk of a consumer performing a fraudulent Internet purchase transactions using a transaction card is disclosed herein, the method comprising receiving an enrollment verification request for a transaction from a merchant's website, transmitting the enrollment verification request to an access control server; receiving an enrollment verification response from the access control server, determining whether the transaction is risky based on at least a portion of the enrollment verification request, if the transaction is not risky, forwarding the enrollment verification response to the merchant website and it the transaction is risky, modifying the enrollment verification response to denote the transaction is risky and forwarding the modified enrollment verification response to the merchant's website.

Abstract: A system for assessing environmental impact of processing print jobs includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium is in communication with the processor and comprises one or more programming instructions for: electronically receiving a campaign specification data structure including at least one job specification; and operatively selecting a plurality of vendors from a database. Each of the selected vendors is capable of performing a job as operatively specified by the at least one job specification of the campaign specification data structure. The computer-readable storage medium is in communication with the processor and also includes one or more programming instructions for generating a plurality of environmental impact assessments corresponding to the campaign specification data structure. Each of the plurality of environmental impact assessments is operatively associated with one of the selected capable vendors.

Abstract: Computer-related methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture to permit/facilitate the creation, marketing, and/or distribution of options to purchase tickets or obtain refunds to a particular future event, particularly an elimination format competition, when the chosen competitor's qualification for such a game is currently uncertain, but where the uncertainty will be resolved prior to the commencement of the particular future event.

Abstract: A system and method of providing fuel pricing quotes for air travel trip having at least two trip legs. Via the system, a user is able to quickly and automatically retrieve fuel pricing quotes, thereby bypassing the time-consuming process of drawing up a flight plan and figuring out where and when to refuel in light of such variables as aircraft endurance, fuel economy, safety, and the numerous options in refueling locations.