Abstract: A system gathers user behavior data from a group of web retailers and/or non-web retailers, analyzes the user behavior data to identify product recommendations for products offered by the web retailers, and provides one of the identified product recommendations in connection with a product page associated with one of the web retailers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the efficient and convenient provision of pool services, equipment and supplies. The system incorporates a network between a pool distributor, pool regional dealer and pool customer. The system allows for the distributor to increase market share by providing benefits to pool customers who sign up to the network, i.e., provide profile information. In exchange for passing the business to regional dealers, regional dealers agree to promote and employ distributor's products.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing content, the content to be produced depicting at least one person and being subject to a federal record-keeping requirement. The method includes the steps of providing to a computer system information pertaining to a person to be depicted in at least a portion of the content in accordance with a federal record-keeping requirement; associating by the computer system the information with the content to be produced by storing the information together with an identification of the content to be produced in a storage medium independent of a medium to be used to store the content; determining by the computer system that the stored associated information complies with the federal record-keeping requirement; and producing the content based on the determination of compliance. Methods for transmitting such content, and for preventing the transmission of such content, are also provided.

Abstract: An arrangement collects data from disparate system back-end sources, such as a contracts system, a billing system, a service provisioning system, and analyzes the data to determine whether any inconsistencies exist. If so, the system issues a modification request to compensate for the inconsistency.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for transacting a product purchase by a user. The product purchase is processed by a purchase server that recorded a unique user identification and is connected to an information providing server and a client (connected to the user) via a network. The purchase server: receives (from the information providing server) purchase data including purchase identity information including a description of a product selected by the user for purchase; receives (from the client) redirect data comprising purchase identity information describing the selected product; sends (to the client) a request for the unique user identification; receives (from the client) identification data pertaining to the user; authenticates the received identification data pertaining to the user; and validates purchase identity information in the received redirect data. The purchase identity information in both the purchase data and the redirect data does not include the unique user identification.

Abstract: A system comprises a buyer request creation module to receive a buyer request listing, the buyer request creation module automatically to determine a listing category for the buyer request listing. A buyer request searching module locates a buyer request listing corresponding to a search criteria. A buyer request response module adds a response to the buyer request listing, the response comprising a reference to a listing for an item offered for sale on the system.

Abstract: A method of reverse logistics using an auction to sell products directly to consumers from a store instead of using a third party reclamation company. One or more methods of auctioning one or more typically unsalable items directly to purchasers from a retail store including the steps of providing a communications multi-network having at least one logic engine, at least one star communication network through which non-location data is transferred to said logic engine, and at least one mesh communication network through which location data is transferred to said logic engine.

Abstract: Techniques are described for assisting users in dynamically creating and using composite services that are based on other constituent services. In some situations, each constituent service is a Web service (“WS”), and each composite service is a new WS whose execution involves dynamically invoking multiple specified constituent WSes in a specified manner. Such techniques may be used, for example, in conjunction with an electronic WS marketplace via which third-party WS providers make their WSes available to third-party WS consumers who locate and purchase access to those WSes, such as to allow a user to dynamically create a new composite WS that is based on one or more WSes available from other WS providers and that reflects any constraints of the WS marketplace, with the composite WS available for use by other WS consumers. This abstract is not intended for use in interpreting or limiting the scope of the claims.

Abstract: Techniques are described for assisting users in dynamically creating and using composite services that are based on other constituent services. In some situations, each constituent service is a Web service (“WS”), and each composite service is a new WS whose execution involves dynamically invoking multiple specified constituent WSes in a specified manner. Such techniques may be used, for example, in conjunction with an electronic WS marketplace via which third-party WS providers make their WSes available to third-party WS consumers who locate and purchase access to those WSes, such as to allow a user to dynamically create a new composite WS that is based on one or more WSes available from other WS providers and that reflects any constraints of the WS marketplace, with the composite WS available for use by other WS consumers. This abstract is not intended for use in interpreting or limiting the scope of the claims.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing customizable sign-on functionality, such as via an access manager system that provides single sign-on functionality and other functionality to other services for use with those services' users. The access manager system may maintain various sign-on and other account information for various users, and provide single sign-on functionality for those users using that maintained information on behalf of multiple unrelated services with which those users interact. The access manager may allow a variety of types of customizations to single sign-on functionality and/or other functionality available from the access manager, such as on a per-service basis via configuration by an operator of the service, such as co-branding customizations, customizations of information to be gathered from users, customizations of authority that may be delegated to other services to act on behalf of users, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing customized product information. The method includes maintaining a basic index database for recording basic index data associated with a plurality of users for each product model, extracting the basic index data of the user corresponding to a predetermined classification standard from the basic index database, generating point information associated with each product model by calculating the extracted basic index data, and displaying each product model on a predetermined webpage according to the generated point information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining inventory item descriptions includes a process for obtaining inventory item descriptions whereby a product description database is provided and manufacturer's descriptions of products are obtained and stored in the product description database using the manufacturer's identification data as an identifier. Data from a computing system implemented financial management system used by a seller of the product is then accessed to perform a mapping between the seller's identification data for a selected product and the manufacturer's identification data for the product.

Abstract: An integrated shipping scheme enables seller users of a third-party payment service to facilitate shipping transactions in connection with payment transactions for items sold by the sellers. Shipping information is automatically gathered and/or entered by the seller via a computer interface hosted by the third-party payment service and sent “behind the scenes” to a selected shipping vendor. The shipping vendor processes the shipping information, and returns shipment data, including data to generate a shipping label. A web page containing the shipping label is then generated and served to a client operated by the seller and displayed on a browser screen, enabling the shipping label to be printed out by the seller. At the same time, electronic payment transfer operations are performed to effectively transfer payment from the seller directly to the shipping vendor via the third-party payment service in a manner that is transparent to both the seller and the shipping vendor.

Abstract: Systems and methods enabling suppliers to control the distribution of products to consumers in a network environment while accommodating the concerns of its brick and mortar distribution channels are described. Consumer orders for products are received, and consumer product orders are routed in accordance with fulfillment policies respectively selected by the supplier(s). The system includes a graphical consumer interface configured to receive consumer orders for products, and an order flow controller configured to route consumer product orders in accordance with fulfillment policies respectively selected by the supplier(s). The system also includes a graphical consumer interface that is accessible over the Internet and is configured to display price and availability information for the products of each of the suppliers organized by product category and is configured to receive consumer orders for products.

Abstract: A service is disclosed for enabling web sites and other entities to provide item recommendations and other behavior-based content to end users. The service can be implemented as a web service that is remotely accessible over the Internet. Web sites use the web service's interface to report events descriptive of item-related actions performed by end users (e.g., item views, item purchases, searches for items, etc.). The web service analyzes the reported event data on an aggregated basis to detect various types of associations between particular items, and stores resulting datasets that map items to associated items. The web service's interface also provides various API calls for enabling the web sites to request item recommendations and other behavior-based content, including but not limited to personalized recommendations that are based on the event history of the target user. Advantageously, the web sites need not host the infrastructure for providing such content.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for servicing and/or providing spontaneous collaboration between a shopper and consultants concerning a shopping goal. Information about the shopper's physical or logical proximity to a particular product category, combined with the current contents of his or her shopping cart is used to determine one or more shopping goals. Information about each potential consultant, including physical proximity, willingness to consult, areas of expertise and recent experience is used to rank each consultant in terms of relevance to one or more shopping goal. Communication is established between the shopper and one or more consultants in order that consulting services be provided. Consultants' evaluations are maintained persistently for use in future ranking. In some cases collaboration is coordinated by a service bureau.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a facility for automated gifting. The facility receives from a gifter an identification of a gift recipient, an indication of an occasion, and selection criteria. The facility automatically selects a proposed gift for the indicated occasion based on at least the received selection criteria and, in the absence of further direction from the gifter, sends the gift to the recipient.

Abstract: Servicing and/or providing spontaneous collaboration between a shopper and consultants concerning a shopping goal includes deriving information about the shopper's physical or logical proximity to a particular product category, combined with the current contents of his or her shopping cart is used to determine one or more shopping goals; as well as information about each potential consultant, including physical proximity, willingness to consult, areas of expertise and recent experience is used to rank each consultant in terms of relevance to one or more shopping goal.

Abstract: A method and system for conditional transactions are provided. The system provides one or more master accounts wherein each master account is tied to and controlled by one or more subordinated accounts. Each subordinated account may have a configurable/customizable set of permissions defined by the master account. The subordinated account holder would optionally require permission from the master account holder to complete a purchase. The master account holder would have a number of configurable/customizable permission rules to choose from for each subordinate account.

Abstract: Detailed information about a particular used motor vehicle is quickly provided to a potential buyer having a personal digital assistant equipped with a receiving means. To provide the information, it is first necessary to obtain standard information about used motor vehicle values in digital form from a provider of such information. It is then necessary to obtain specific information about an inventory of used motor vehicles from the owner or seller of the vehicles. The standard information and the specific information are then integrated on a server computer and transmitted to the potential buyer.