Abstract: Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft can provide opportunities to incorporate aerial transportation into transportation networks for cities and metropolitan areas. However, VTOL aircraft can be sensitive to uneven weight distributions, e.g., the payload of an aircraft is primarily loaded in the front, back, left, or right. When the aircraft is loaded unevenly, the center of mass of the aircraft may shift substantially enough to negatively impact performance of the aircraft. Thus, in turn, there is an opportunity that the VTOL may be loaded unevenly if seating and/or luggage placement is not coordinated. Among other advantages, dynamically assigning the VTOL aircraft payloads can increase VTOL safety by ensuring the VTOL aircraft is loaded evenly and meets all weight requirements; can increase transportation efficiency by increasing rider throughput; and can increase the availability of the VTOL services to all potential riders.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating the awarding of prizes in chance-based contests in various ways, such as chance-based contests which are part of promotional advertising, etc. In at least some embodiments, the techniques include facilitating the awarding of prizes at the time a contestant enter or plays the contests, while awarding a selected number of prizes, which may be determined before the contest starts. In at least some embodiments, the techniques include employing an award counter to control awarding of prizes in a chance-based contest. For example, an award counter may be incremented at random or pseudo-random times. In at least some embodiments, the contest is associated with a location-based virtual group of users that has one or more associated geographical areas.

Abstract: A computer system can receive, from a mobile device of a user, a set of data that specifies a location of a second user as a destination location, wherein the second user is associated with a contact record. Subsequent to receiving the set of data, the computer system can receive, from a mobile device of the second user, location information indicating a current location of the second user, and configure the destination location of a service request of the user to correspond to the current location of the second user. The computer system may then transmit, to a mobile device of a service provider assigned to fulfill the service request, a second set of data associated with the service request, the second set of data including location data corresponding to a pick-up location of the user and location data corresponding to the configured destination location.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a pay-for-visit billing model for advertisements is provided. The advertisement system provides advertisements that have associated physical visit locations. The advertisement system provides advertisements to a mobile device or fixed of a user when the user is in the vicinity of or examining locations in the vicinity of the visit location. If the user subsequently visits the visit location of the advertisement by physically going to the location, the advertisement system then bills the advertiser for the advertisement. The advertisement system bills the advertiser under the assumption that but for the advertisement, the user would not have visited the visit location.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing multiple items for purchase to consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including circuitry configured complete a purchase of a first item using transaction data provided the consumer. The circuitry may be further configured to provide additional items to the consumer for a subsequent instant transaction. Using the same transaction data for the instant transaction as the purchase of the first item, the instant transaction may be streamlined by minimizing required consumer inputs. Some embodiments may additionally or alternatively provide for streamlined consumer inputs for the purchase of the first item.

Abstract: Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft can provide opportunities to incorporate aerial transportation into transportation networks for cities and metropolitan areas. However, VTOL aircraft can be sensitive to uneven weight distributions, e.g., the payload of an aircraft is primarily loaded in the front, back, left, or right. When the aircraft is loaded unevenly, the center of mass of the aircraft may shift substantially enough to negatively impact performance of the aircraft. Thus, in turn, there is an opportunity that the VTOL may be loaded unevenly if seating and/or luggage placement is not coordinated. Among other advantages, dynamically assigning the VTOL aircraft payloads can increase VTOL safety by ensuring the VTOL aircraft is loaded evenly and meets all weight requirements; can increase transportation efficiency by increasing rider throughput; and can increase the availability of the VTOL services to all potential riders.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a pay-for-visit billing model for advertisements is provided. The advertisement system provides advertisements that have associated physical visit locations. The advertisement system provides advertisements to a mobile device or fixed of a user when the user is in the vicinity of or examining locations in the vicinity of the visit location. If the user subsequently visits the visit location of the advertisement by physically going to the location, the advertisement system then bills the advertiser for the advertisement. The advertisement system bills the advertiser under the assumption that but for the advertisement, the user would not have visited the visit location.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing multiple items for purchase to consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including circuitry configured to initiate an add-to-order session timer subsequent to the primary purchase of a first item using transaction data of the consumer. The add-to-order session timer may indicate a period of time in which one or more additional items may selected for purchase using the same transaction data as the primary purchase. In some embodiments, the system may be further configured to provide incentives to the consumer for selecting an additional item prior to expiration of the add-to-order session timer.

Abstract: A computer system can receive, from a mobile device of a user, a set of data that specifies a location of a second user as a destination location, wherein the second user is associated with a contact record. Subsequent to receiving the set of data, the computer system can receive, from a mobile device of the second user, location information indicating a current location of the second user, and configure the destination location of a service request of the user to correspond to the current location of the second user. The computer system may then transmit, to a mobile device of a service provider assigned to fulfill the service request, a second set of data associated with the service request, the second set of data including location data corresponding to a pick-up location of the user and location data corresponding to the configured destination location.

Abstract: A network system provides delivery of items using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones. The network system uses an infrastructure of nodes that include landing pads to dock drones, as well as interfaces to provide and receive items from docked drones. Nodes may be stationary (e.g., fixed at a building rooftop or public transit station) or mobile (e.g., mounted to a vehicle). The network system may determine a route for delivery of an item, where a drone transports the item for at least a portion of the route. For example, the route may include multiple waypoints associated with nodes between which drones travel. For other portions of the route, the network system may request a provider to transport the item using a ground-based vehicle.

Abstract: According to some examples, a network computer system is provided to perform a first process to authorize a service request using a contact identifier, and to perform a second process to obtain a service parameter for addressing a service provider to a contact. Upon completion of the first process, the network computer system provides a service graphical interface for display on a mobile device of the user. The service graphical interface may display dynamic information that is based on the service parameter.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing multiple items for purchase to consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including circuitry configured to initiate an add-to-order session timer subsequent to the primary purchase of a first item using transaction data of the consumer. The add-to-order session timer may indicate a period of time in which one or more additional items may selected for purchase using the same transaction data as the primary purchase. In some embodiments, the system may be further configured to provide incentives to the consumer for selecting an additional item prior to expiration of the add-to-order session timer.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating the awarding of prizes in chance-based contests in various ways, such as chance-based contests which are part of promotional advertising, etc. In at least some embodiments, the techniques include facilitating the awarding of prizes at the time a contestant enter or plays the contests, while awarding a selected number of prizes, which may be determined before the contest starts. In at least some embodiments, the techniques include employing an award counter to control awarding of prizes in a chance-based contest. For example, an award counter may be incremented at random or pseudo-random times. In at least some embodiments, the contest is associated with a location-based virtual group of users that has one or more associated geographical areas.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating the awarding of prizes in chance-based contests in various ways, such as chance-based contests which are part of promotional advertising, etc. In at least some embodiments, the techniques include facilitating the awarding of prizes at the time a contestant enter or plays the contests, while awarding a selected number of prizes, which may be determined before the contest starts. In at least some embodiments, the techniques include employing an award counter to control awarding of prizes in a chance-based contest. For example, an award counter may be incremented at random or pseudo-random times. In at least some embodiments, the contest is associated with a location-based virtual group of users that has one or more associated geographical areas.

Abstract: A facility for assessing availability of an item for purchase from a merchant using a model of the availability of the item is described. The facility receives asynchronous messages identifying changes in the merchant's inventory for the item that affects the availability of the item for purchase from the merchant. For each received asynchronous message, the facility updates the model to reflect the changes in the merchant's inventory identified in the message. The facility then evaluates the state of the model in order to assess availability of the item for purchase from the merchant.

Abstract: According to some examples, a network computer system is provided to perform a first process to authorize a service request using a contact identifier, and to perform a second process to obtain a service parameter for addressing a service provider to a contact. Upon completion of the first process, the network computer system provides a service graphical interface for display on a mobile device of the user. The service graphical interface may display dynamic information that is based on the service parameter.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed to improve generation of electronic communications. The method may include providing a plurality of content slots each configured to receive content. The method may also include maintaining a database comprising a plurality of content generators, and determining, using a processor, one of the plurality of content generators for providing content to each of the plurality of content slots. The determining the one of the plurality of promotion content generators or non-promotion content generators may include providing a first content generator of the plurality of content generators with a set of selection parameters, and receiving a first bid for one of the plurality of content slots from the first content generator. The first content generator may determine the bid based at least in part on the set of selection parameters.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing location-based information and functionality to people and computing devices in various ways. In at least some situations, the techniques include enabling multiple people in a common geographic area to interact in various ways, such as via devices capable of communications (e.g., cellular telephones, computing devices with wired and/or wireless communications capabilities, etc.). In addition, the techniques include enabling the creation and maintenance of location-based virtual groups of users (also referred to as “clouds”), such as for users of mobile and/or fixed-location devices. Such clouds may enable various types of interactions between group members, and may be temporary and/or mobile.

Abstract: A facility for assessing availability of an item for purchase from a merchant using a model of the availability of the item is described. The facility receives asynchronous messages identifying changes in the merchant's inventory for the item that affects the availability of the item for purchase from the merchant. For each received asynchronous message, the facility updates the model to reflect the changes in the merchant's inventory identified in the message. The facility then evaluates the state of the model in order to assess availability of the item for purchase from the merchant.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a pay-for-visit billing model for advertisements is provided. The advertisement system provides advertisements that have associated physical visit locations. The advertisement system provides advertisements to a mobile device or fixed of a user when the user is in the vicinity of or examining locations in the vicinity of the visit location. If the user subsequently visits the visit location of the advertisement by physically going to the location, the advertisement system then bills the advertiser for the advertisement. The advertisement system bills the advertiser under the assumption that but for the advertisement, the user would not have visited the visit location.