Abstract: Method and apparatus regarding referral services are described. Further embodiments are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and computer program product for auditing rates based on server access of databases. In one embodiment, an expected rate is received, and a rate request is sent to a server, wherein the rate request promotes an entry of the rate request to access a database. A rate response is received from the server, wherein the rate response corresponds to the rate request and includes a specified rate. A sale request is sent to the server, wherein the sale request corresponds to the rate request and promotes an entry of the sale request to access the database. A sale response is received from the server, wherein the sale response corresponds to the sale request and includes a sale rate. A message is output based on the expected rate, the specified rate, and/or the sale rate.

Abstract: A method of tiered promotion and distribution of a product comprises hosting a transactional applet accessible via the Internet; accessing the host to execute the applet for a first fan; enabling the first fan to process a voucher for the product; and enabling the first fan to propagate the applet to a terminal of a second fan wherein the propagated applet (i) renders content associated with the first fan and the product, (ii) accepts an input from the second fan to process a subsequent transaction relative to the product; (iii) credits the first fan with a credit, and (iv) generates a transactional record for delivery to the first fan. The generated record may include a notation of account credit, evidence of an entry ticket, or other information. The applet may be propagated to third or subsequent fans to provide further credits for the first, second, or subsequent fans.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a location-aware payment system including: a smart device, the smart device including: a location sensing mechanism for detecting its location; an identification mechanism for identifying the smart device; and a wireless communication mechanism; a display device having at least one of an indicator light, a printed receipt, and a digital read out; and a server, the server including: a wireless communication mechanism communicating with the smart device and display device; and a software program loaded into the server that receives and sends out communications, calculates amounts due between a payor and a payee, issues authorization codes, and performs banking transactions between a payor and a payee.

Abstract: A shopping cart utility for e-commerce has a first workspace for retrieving and storing electronic catalog items; a second workspace for receiving specific ones or combinations of the catalog items; and a device display mechanism for displaying the items and associated item information in one of a thumbnail, collage, or list view. A user may reorder and reposition items in the collage view and wherein the first and second workspaces are functionally integrated.

Abstract: This is a method for use in conducting online and/or proxy-based auctions. This method achieves the best possible price in a timely manner, by more closely simulating the mechanics of a face-to-face auction transaction where bidding is not closed at a preset time but by balancing bid frequency against conducting a timely transaction. The process extends the auction closing time by a geometrically decreasing amount to accommodate bids entered near the end of the auction.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for authorization of independent agents for processing calls and distribution of calls to authorized agents are provided. An independent agent may purchase or otherwise acquire credits for leads related to commerce transactions. The credits may be maintained by a call center and accessed by a device responsible for routing calls to agents. Calls or other transactions leads may then be directed to the independent agent, and the independent agents credits may be deducted accordingly.

Abstract: A method and system for using a vehicle's electronic systems to provide all features and functions typically found on a handheld electronic book device. The vehicle's electronic systems can be used in an integrated fashion with a user's handheld electronic book device, such that the vehicle's systems can be used to recite electronic book materials, media files can be shared between the vehicle and the handheld device, bookmarks can be synchronized, and the user can seamlessly switch from one system to the other. The vehicle's electronic systems can also be used independent of any other electronic book device, such that the vehicle's systems provide all electronic book device functionality—including browsing for new reading materials, purchase, download, storage, reading, and listening.

Abstract: The Invention is a network-based system for the playing, enjoyment, and management of music and other electronic media which is easy to use by means of simple remote control devices assigned to each user. Each user votes for/against each track as it is played, and those preferences are stored to shape future playlists, while identifying each user's favorites. Because the remote control associated with a player has a unique address, it can connect to any music player. The system identifies the user and downloads his favorite tracks, adding them to the mix of music played. When multiple users are present the invention plays music selected from the media of all of them. They may buy copies of tracks from each other, yet firm control of the distribution of tracks is maintained ensuring protection of artist copyrights and enabling timely, accurate payment to distributors and copyright owners.

Abstract: An internal auction system may allow a seller to enter a scheduled auction. The scheduled auction may be a simple scheduled auction and a conditional scheduled auction. The internal auction system may receive parameters for the scheduled auction, determine a scheduled auction as a function of the received parameters, create the scheduled auction, and publish the scheduled auction at a specified start time on a seller e-commerce site visible to a buyer. A simple scheduled auction may be associated with a start time and a duration. A conditional scheduled auction may be associated with a condition and an action to be executed when the condition evaluates to a specified value.

Abstract: A recommendation system uses feedback from users on specific item recommendations to assess the quality of the recommendation rules used to generate such recommendations. The feedback may be explicit (e.g., a user rates a particular recommended item), implicit (e.g., a user purchases a recommended item), or both. The system may use these assessments to modify the degree to which particular recommendation rules are used to generate recommendations. For instance, if a particular recommendation rule leads to negative feedback relatively frequently, the system reduce or terminate its reliance on the rule. In some embodiments, the system may also increase its reliance on recommendation rules that tend to produce positive feedback.

Abstract: A closed loop referral system and method is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method, comprises embedding a tracking code into a first website. The tracking code communicates with a referral system. A user interface is provided on a browser for the first website. The browser is directed from the first website to a second website. Upon performance of a user action on the second website, the tracking code is executed. The tracking code communicates with the referral system to direct the browser to a third website determined by the referral system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating business rules for the purpose of promoting or demoting an item listing are presented. Consistent with an example embodiment, a conditional statement of a business rule that includes one or more expressions involving an item attribute and/or a seller attribute for an item listing is evaluated. If the conditional statement evaluates true, an adjustment factor set forth in the business rule is applied to a ranking score assigned to the item listing. The item listing is then presented in a search results page in a position relative to other item listings based upon the adjusted ranking score.

Abstract: Systems and methods for organizational purchasing are disclosed herein. More specifically, in certain embodiments a campaign corresponding to a product may be created and potential buyers informed of the campaign. These potential buyers may then themselves purchase the product in association with the campaign. In this manner not only are potential buyers informed that a product is being offered to one or more other buyers but the purchases of the individual buyers in association with the campaign may be aggregated to, for example, achieve a lower purchasing cost for each buyer relative to what the buyer would have paid if he had purchased only the quantity of product he desired.

Abstract: A universal shopping cart is provided that obtains and orders products and services from different merchants located on the Internet. The consumer completes all of their shopping on the shopping site and is not directed to another merchant's site to complete an order. The universal shopping cart provides a monitoring service that allows the consumer to monitor a product for specified criteria. The order injection system places orders for products contained within the universal shopping cart from affiliated and non-affiliated merchants. Specific ordering details required from merchants external to the shopping site are hidden from the consumer. For external merchant sites that require a consumer account before allowing the product to be purchased, the shopping site creates a new consumer account without intervention from the consumer. Once the products are ordered, the consumer may keep track of the ordered products from the shopping site.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed, operating at a server system. The method comprises, in response to a selection by a user of an electronic procurement system, adding a second item from the electronic procurement system to a first shopping cart including at least one first item from the electronic procurement system. The method further comprises moving at least one of the items from the first shopping cart to a second shopping cart, and processing purchase of the first and second shopping carts. Other related methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: Creation and placement of tag forums for tags enables a user to discuss aspects of both tags and elements associated with the tags, and further enables a user to view discussions from other users. The tag forum may be generated and/or placed based in part on user interaction or other factors related to the elements and the tags. Tag forums may be placed on, for example, selective tag web pages or associated element web pages within a website, among other possibilities.

Abstract: Methods of the present invention allow a static product category to be received from a user for a product on an ecommerce site. The user may then be enabled to dynamically associate the product with the static product category using a metadata tag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retailing system that provides a series of consumer products, customizable prime business communication products and a selection of ready to eat convenience food products. The retail system is provided at a fixed retail location such as a kiosk or permanent installation and may include a series of advertising panels displaying one or more products that is offered by the retail system. The retail system further includes one or more transaction points enabling a user to obtain the consumer goods, business communication products and ready to eat convenience foods.

Abstract: The invention describes a novel integrated data-system, a personal device for the system, and methods for operating the system. The invention produces means and technology for providing quantitative information about products. A key function of the system is to provide information about product-based emissions, such as carbon dioxide emissions.