Abstract: A web advertising effectiveness measuring apparatus measures a viewing time period of an advertisement on a web page displayed on a display device of a user terminal, the apparatus includes: a device for acquiring window information including a location and a size of a window in which the web page is displayed; an device for acquiring advertisement information including a location and a size of the advertisement; a device for acquiring a display area of the advertisement; a device for taking images of a user; an device for detecting an eye direction of the user based on the images; a device for making a determination whether the advertisement is on a visual line of the user; a device for measuring the viewing time period based on the determination; and a device for linking and storing the viewing time period and the advertisement information.

Abstract: A system and method for finding relevant advertisements to a search engine user's query where said query is received by a search engine, returning one or more search results by the search engine and analyzing the search results to determine more precisely or more broadly the search engine user's objective or interest and using the analysis to determine which advertisements, stored in an advertisement database, to present to the search engine user.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for predicting customer response to content and selecting content for delivery to particular customers in accordance with the predictions. As information is delivered to and received from a plurality of customers over multiple communication channels, data streams representing communications between providers and customers are analyzed and selected data extracted therefrom. Linkages are created between data collected from the different channels and data are anonymized. The data are analyzed to create a customer response predictor for each customer that models customer behavior and predicts customer response to advertisements. As content, such as advertisements, are to be delivered to a destination, information from a predictor created using data collected from a customer associated with the destination is used to select appropriate content.

Abstract: A complete system for the purchasing of goods or information over a computer network is presented. Merchant computers on the network maintain databases of digital advertisements that are accessed by buyer computers. In response to user inquiries, buyer computers retrieve and display digital advertisements from merchant computers. A digital advertisement can further include a program that is interpreted by a buyer's computer. The buyer computers include a means for a user to purchase the product described by a digital advertisement. If a user has not specified a means of payment at the time of purchase, it can be requested after a purchase transaction is initiated. A network payment system performs payment order authorization in a network with untrusted switching, transmission, and host components. Payment orders are backed by accounts in an external financial system network, and the payment system obtains account authorizations from this external network in real-time.

Abstract: A system and method of mobile matchmaking is provided enabling real-time management, filtering, prioritization, mapping, and interaction of and between location-based resources, such as member resources (persons), and affiliate resources (e.g., third party businesses and advertisers). Resources in the vicinity of a user are displayed on at least one of a mobile application map and a website map, providing the user with a dynamically comprehensive and detailed “matchmaking map.” Various embodiments enable prioritization, contact/interaction with, and management, in real-time, of those resources, (member and/or affiliate resources). Various icons representative of the resources are displayed on the matchmaking map, where the icons can be selected and shortened and/or detailed profiles of the resources are presented.

Abstract: A deployment and distribution model improves content delivery with a business incentive for placement of kiosks with one or more wireless access points in public locations so that portable media players (PMPs) can receive media content (e.g., audio, video, text, haptic content, etc.). In addition, coordination between subscribing users of PMPs, vendors who provide kiosks, and a network central controller of a content distribution system allow for prepositioning of video content at the kiosks through economically desirable low data rate communication links from the network (e.g., dial-up modem, DSL, etc.); coordinated queuing of downloads (e.g., partial downloads) between kiosk to PMP, peer-to-peer (P2P) downloading between PMPs, and uploads from PMP to kiosk; billing/crediting to correspond with such participation in the distribution; and changing priority/selection of prepositioning of content at kiosks to reflect a clientele profile.

Abstract: A method of promoting the health of a user is provided. The method includes obtaining input from a user through the use of a website that is health related. Participation points are assigned for the user based upon the input obtained from the user. The participation points may be pooled with participation points of additional users. A participation point may be selected from the pool of participation points. The selected participation point is linked to a user such that a user is selected.

Abstract: A system and method provides an advertiser access to a plurality of utilities that allow users to electronically manage trip items in a trip itinerary. An interactive tool allows the advertiser to create an advertisement related to the trip items. An identification of utilities in the plurality of utilities in which the advertisement will appear is received from the advertiser. The advertisement is inserted in the identified utilities.

Abstract: A system and method for providing advertisements in a web page including transmitting a message or advertisement including a sequence of a plurality of layers to the web page, each sequential layer being displayed in response to a user selection of the preceding layer. A client may be charged a fee for the advertisement when the user selects a predetermined number of sequential layers. The client may be charged a fee for the advertisement when the user selects a last one of the sequence of the plurality of layers to click through to the client web site. A user computer may send an advertisement server data relating to the web site content and the advertisement server may send the user computer advertisements related to the web site content.

Abstract: A system and method to disseminate information. The system (2) is typically used for advertising and, in general, for the distribution of information to several end-users. It uses a request-based model in that information (35) is only sent to parties requesting the information and is therefore useful in identifying real needs. It aggregates material from clients (1, 10, 11, 12), providing a conduit for potential customers (3, 30, 31, 32) who request (33) information relating to products and services offered by the client. The client is allowed to access, modify, view, and save (13, 14, 15, 16) product and service information. The system is also capable of analyzing data pertaining to customers, which it has aggregated, and converting it into meaningful information, which will have relevance to the client. It allows for secure and quick response to an incoming customer request for information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for searching for an online advertisement resource. The method includes: setting at least one label for each of online advertisement resources; categorizing the at least one label according to a categorizing rule; categorizing a keyword inputted by a user when searching for an online advertisement resource according to the categorizing rule; and if a category to which the keyword belongs has a label, transmitting the online advertisement resource corresponding to the label to the user. The embodiments of the present invention increase success rate and accuracy for finding the online advertisement resource, and lower the requirement for searching conditions. Compared with the prior art, the problem that it is difficult to find a matching result and that a potential online advertisement resource may be missed is solved.

Abstract: This patent discloses a system to display an online advertisement to a user viewing user-generated comments in an online discussion forum. The system may include an ad server having online advertisements in an ad database. The ad server may include an analyzer to compare compiled metadata to at least two of the online advertisements. The compiled metadata may include metadata from the user-generated comment. The comparison may result in the selection of one advertisement for display with the user-generated comment. The selected advertisement may be called a paired advertisement and the ad server further may serve the paired advertisement to the user-generated comment.

Abstract: There is provided a method of providing a plurality of advertisement data and a plurality of entertainment data. The method comprises receiving a first request from a user device for entertainment data. The method also comprises transmitting advertisement data to the user device in response to the first request, wherein the advertisement data include a first advertising expiration data associated with the advertisement data for use to disable a display of advertisement data by the user device after an expiration of the first advertising expiration data. The method additionally comprises transmitting the entertainment data to the user device in response to the first request, wherein the entertainment data include a first entertainment expiration data for use to disable a display of the entertainment data by the user device after an expiration of either the first entertainment expiration data or the first advertising expiration data.

Abstract: A portable information terminal includes: a position detecting section that detects a position of the portable information terminal; a selecting section that selects a guidance target object for which voice guidance is to be provided, and detects a guidance target direction that is a direction in which the guidance target object exists with respect to a reference direction, on the basis of a direction in which the guidance target object exists with respect to the position of the portable information terminal; a voice synthesis section that generates a synthetic voice so that a guidance voice for the guidance target object selected by the selecting section is heard from the guidance target direction; and a voice output section that outputs the synthetic voice generated by the voice synthesis section.

Abstract: An advertising support system includes an operation center, numerous display systems and one or more client services systems. The operation center is a platform that provides a collection of services and capabilities. For example, the operation center is responsible for assuring that the content is displayed on the display systems at required times and locations. The system may accommodate multiple operation centers in multiple geographical locations to provide failure recovery and to provide services over geographically diverse locations. A variety of services are provided by the operation center to support its operations and the display systems. For example, the operation center populates and maintains a current and archival database, which includes status, content, fault and maintenance logs, and other data of display systems. Numerous services may be provided through the client services systems.

Abstract: A coupon delivery and redemption system provides, (i) for wireless delivery of a product coupon file with the coupons of the product merchants to customers' wireless mobile devices from a coupon system anywhere, at home or in store while shopping, (ii) for customer to search and select for display a product coupon from the coupon file, (iii) for coupon redemptions by retail merchants by scanning the coupon bar code from the wireless device screen, (iv) for validation of the coupon for one time use by interfacing of the retail merchant system with the coupon system, (iv) for the product merchant to receive coupon redemption data from the coupon system, and (v) for the retail merchant to receive aggregate funds for redeemed coupons via the coupon system for an efficient and convenient paperless coupon system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a budget envelope credit card are provided. An apparatus according to the invention may include a budget envelope credit card software engine and a rewards software engine that provides a reward scheme for use by the budget envelope credit card engine, the rewards scheme that defines a reward frequency.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for detecting presentations of sponsored content and identifying persons bearing the content. A set of sponsored content items is identified for which a bearer presenting the content item in qualifying ways may receive payment, and a group of participating users is established, with information being stored for the users so as to allow for identification of a user presenting a content item in order to direct proper credit to the user making the presentation. A plurality of video feeds are identified and monitored and any video feed in which a sponsored logo appears is further examined to identify a bearer of the content item. Upon identification of the bearer, presentation of the content item is evaluated and appropriate payment is calculated. Details of content item presentations and payments may be stored in connection with users and evaluated to provide insight into the circumstances surrounding and influencing presentations.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable-media for presenting sub-videos in a media presentation are disclosed. The method includes transmitting a media bundle having a media presentation and a sub-video bundle to a playback device, the sub-video bundle comprising at least one of a video clip and a reference to a video clip, wherein the media presentation includes a plurality of locked segments, unlocking a segment of the media presentation for display to a user by playing a selected unlocking sub-video from the sub-video bundle such that the unlocked segment of the media presentation is playable, and receiving media impressions reported in the form of sub-video playback behavior of the playback device. In one aspect, a media bundle includes at least one of an episode file, a reference to an episode file, metadata, sub-video break locations, and sub-video unlocking information. The playback device can be an online playback device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing topic-guided broadening of advertising targets in social indexing is provided. Articles of digital information and one or more social indexes are maintained. Each social index includes topics that each relate to one or more of the articles. A Web page, which includes one or more of the articles, is identified. The one or more topics in at least one of the social indexes related to the one or more articles are determined. A plurality of advertising expressions that are each associated with advertising content for an online advertiser are received. Each of the advertising expressions is successively matched to the one or more topics related to the one or more articles followed by matching words descriptive of the one or more topics.

Abstract: A payee sends a financial document such as an invoice to a payer via a payment adviser service. The payer sends a financial document such as an advice of payment to the payment adviser service and instructions for payment to a payment clearance system. The payment clearance system sends to the payee information on where to access the financial document by including it in the payee's bank statement.

Abstract: A method of storing change resulting from a customer/merchant cash purchase, includes providing the customer with a customer electronic purse on a portable storage device for storing credit and the merchant with a merchant electronic purse for storing credit, communicating with the storage device through an access device communicating with the portable storage device, electronically crediting a value representing the change in the customer electronic purse from the merchant electronic purse, and debiting the merchant's electronic purse to an amount equivalent to the change that is credited to the customer electronic purse, the change value credited to the customer electronic purse is redeemable for further purchases, the customer electronic purse is stored solely in the storage device and the merchant electronic purse is stored solely in the access device, facilitating immediate transfer of credit directly from the merchant electronic purse to the customer electronic purse via the access device.

Abstract: A consolidation system for consumer gift cards, prepaid purchase cards or loyalty accounts which allows the consumer the flexibility to maintain account with a variety of independent merchants, each account individually tabulated, and access to each account available from a single unitary universal membership card.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product present products in an interactive environment. A determination is made that a user is accessing at least a portion of a given level in a set of levels of the interactive environment using at least a zoom operation on at least a portion of the interactive environment. The zoom operation dynamically changes a product information detail level of the interactive environment to correspond to one level in the set of levels. Each subsequent level in the set of levels is associated with a set of more detailed product information than a previous level. A set of product information associated with the given level and the portion of the given level is accessed based on the portion of the given level being accessed by the user. The set of product information that has been accessed is displayed to the user in the interactive environment.

Abstract: A renewable energy certificate business model embodiment of the present invention accumulates small shares of qualifying energy produced by many small solar installations into the minimum unit sizes that can be certified, traded and sold. Renewable energy generation and load control monitors are installed at hundreds and thousands of small installations to automatically report to centralized servers. These servers log and certify the production of renewable energy into the lot sizes needed for an efficient market. A system integrator provides the brokerage mechanisms needed for buyers and sellers to trade quickly and easily. In one aspect, an online auction website is constructed and maintained on the Internet as a centralized clearing house. The system integrator backs the quality of the lots and the trades with their large enterprise reputation and credit worthiness. The trading can be in renewable energy portfolios, emission offsets, carbon dioxide offsets, and other environmental attributes.

Abstract: A method and system for ordering content includes a content processing system and a device in communication with the content ordering system. The device displaying a link corresponding to content and accessing a content ordering system by selecting the link. The content processing system enables a content recording request. A user receiving device receives the content associated with the link in response to the content recording request and stores the content in a memory.

Abstract: A method for effecting electronic commerce via a network whereby salvage, excess or liquidated products to be sold are identified, and prospective buyers are qualified to purchase the products in accordance with selected conditions. The product is matched with a qualified buyer in accordance with additional conditions. The goods are then shipped, invoiced automatically, and the payments are processed directly by the buyer's financial institution or payor in response to receipt; and presentation of the invoice. The method is implemented using a suitably programmed computer containing a computer readable media.

Abstract: The present invention can allow a user to locate items in a database based on numeric characteristics of the items using words to describe those characteristics. In one embodiment, the invention includes selecting a numeric attribute of an item in a database of items some of which have values for the selected attribute, linking the numeric attribute to a descriptive word, linking the numeric attribute to a function, executing the function on values of the numeric attributes, and assigning a descriptive word to an item based on the results of the function.

Abstract: A computerized method for storing purchase information for a product in a price database to generate a purchase history includes receiving in a price database a set of sales information for a product, wherein the set of sales information includes a product identifier for a product and a price for the product; and storing in the price database a price entry, which include the set of sales information, wherein the price entry is editable to generate a purchase history.

Abstract: A system and method for storage and retrieval of information subject to authorization by a data controller that allows information for purchasing and other information exchange to occur only for authorized parties. A data subject place information abbot the data subject into a data repository controlled by a data controller. The data controller authorizes a data recipient to obtain that data subject data when authorized by a data subject. Such transactions as purchases of goods and services and applying for college admission are the types of transactions contemplated. The data repository places client software on the computer of the data recipient thereby signifying that the data recipient is authorized. Thereafter, the data recipient can receive information about the data subject when the data subject accepts and offer from the data recipient.

Abstract: A system and method for vending digitized content over an Internet network path, at least a portion of which is wireless, such as an SDMA high data rate directional wireless path. Content in the form of IP packets is provided to a user terminal via a connect server in response to user requests, which can be real-time requests or which can be requests embodied in a user-defined or system-defined user profile. The user is billed using one or more of several billing paradigms, including by the content piece, by the number of IP packets sent to the user, by the length of time the user accesses the system, by the subscription, and so on.

Abstract: A method to redirect a browser client is disclosed. The method comprises serving a first web page including a check-out option and receiving a check-out request from a consumer user of an electronic storefront web site. The check-out request is to purchase a product. In response to the check-out request the browser client is redirected to a web page hosted by a payment service web site. The payment service web site stores information that includes a return URL that corresponds to a web-based interface that is hosted by the electronic storefront web site. The redirection further includes a comparison of the return URL in the stored information to a return URL that corresponds to the web-based interface that is hosted by the electronic storefront web site. The comparison is to determine whether redirection to the web-based interface hosted by the electronic storefront web site should be performed.

Abstract: A system and method for data acquisition and processing is described which can audio data form the basis of new and improved business and consumer services. Audio datagrams such as short duration audio-recordings made from radio or television broadcasts or from a CD player or an MP3 player or the like are captured using a microphone associated with a multimedia computer or mobile phone or PDA or fixed line device and processed to create a digital audiogram dataset which may be subsequently transmitted to a data processing server which comprises a music and or audio archive. A server receives and processes the digital audiogram dataset to enhance the captured audio data and convert it into a suitable format which matches the format of the audio data stored in the server archive. A search engine processes the received digital audiogram and attempts to match the captured audio data with data stored in the archive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inventory item expiration and renewal in a virtual universe. A method for in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention provides at least one item in the inventory of an avatar with metadata specifying whether the item must be renewed and how often. Instructions are obtained regarding a renewal of the item and the item is renewed based on the instructions.

Abstract: System, methods, and computer program products are provided for enhanced freight tracking and monitoring. The system may track the location of a freight shipment within a carrier's transportation network from the time it is picked up by a carrier from a consignor until it is delivered to a consignee, provide for weight determinations and shipping re-classifications of the freight shipment during transport, and provide real-time status information and reports to the carrier, consignor, and/or consignee.

Abstract: System, methods, and computer program products are provided for enhanced freight tracking and monitoring. The system may track the location of a freight shipment within a carrier's transportation network from the time it is picked up by a carrier from a consignor until it is delivered to a consignee, provide for weight determinations and shipping re-classifications of the freight shipment during transport, and provide real-time status information and reports to the carrier, consignor, and/or consignee.

Abstract: A system for automatically replacing loaner parts within a loaner system to prevent loaner system callback. In response to selecting a loaner system within loaner inventory data, it is determined whether the selected loaner system is required to be returned based on a target return date for the selected loaner system. In response to determining that the selected loaner system is not required to be returned, a notification is automatically generated and sent to a customer to return expiring loaner parts within the selected loaner system based on loaner part rules. A part replacement order is automatically generated for replacement loaner parts for each of the expiring loaner parts. Then, the replacement loaner parts are automatically shipped to the customer to replace the expiring loaner parts to prevent callback of the selected loaner system.

Abstract: Transaction management is facilitated using an approach involving the use of transaction characteristics to authenticate transaction information. According to an example embodiment, a computer processing system is programmed to process a shipment transaction involving a shipper and a carrier. The system is particularly suited to efficiently automate the payment of a shipment transaction and to efficiently provide access to relevant shipment information. The system includes a shipper processor that receives transaction document information such as purchase order information and assists in generating a bill of lading for the transaction. A shipper access terminal interfaces between the shipper processor and a central processor arrangement to control the quantity, quality, and timeliness of information transferred to the central processor arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating the shipment of a package or packages, each package containing one or more items, from a Sender to a Recipient, via one of a number of shippers. The apparatus includes a database for storing shipper data, a processor for processing the data in the database, a Sender's terminal for selectively receiving and sending shipment information to and from the processing system, a first communications link for selectively enabling communication between the database/processor and the Sender's terminal, a second communications link for selectively communicating between the database/processor and the shipper of the package(s), and a third communications link for selectively communicating between the database/processor and customs facilitation entities such as customs brokers. The Internet may be used as at least one of the communication links, and the database may be made available through a Web site.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for managing labor time information. With respect to one implementation, among others, a labor time management system includes a time data storage device configured to store labor time. The labor time is related to the working time that one or more employees worked over a certain time period. The system also includes a time calculation rules engine and a rule set module. Furthermore, the system includes a simulation system configured to extract at least a portion of the labor time from the time data storage device and apply a proposed rule set on the extracted labor time.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for facilitating financial transactions over a network includes a first component adapted to communicate with a merchant via a merchant device over the network and a second component adapted to receive a merchant transaction request from the merchant via the merchant device over the network, determine a format of the merchant transaction request, translate the format into a recognizable format, and process the merchant transaction request based on information passed with the merchant transaction request. In one aspect, the merchant transaction request includes information related to a financial transaction between the merchant and a customer purchasing an item from the merchant. In another aspect, format translation provides the capability to easily switch transaction service providers without incurring important integration costs.

Abstract: A method for a business customer interfacing with a financial institution through a computer network is presented. The method includes an early warning evaluation of the customer and/or entities associated with the customer to identify fraudster/abusers and prevent them from opening online accounts at the financial institution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented system for facilitating generation of a computer-executable financial trading strategy, the system being adapted to provide a graphical user interface for defining a financial trading strategy by arranging interconnectable building blocks into a diagram on a drawing pane provided by the graphical user interface, each building block representing a functional system component of the financial trading strategy; wherein the system includes a plurality of types of functional system components, wherein the drawing pane includes a corresponding plurality of sub-panes, and wherein the system is configured to provide functionality for a user-controlled placement of building blocks into the sub-panes corresponding to the respective types of building blocks.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting an auction in an adult-entertainment facility includes a display operable to display a plurality of entertainer identifiers each corresponding to a different one of a plurality of adult entertainers within an adult-entertainment facility. Bidding devices with unique bidder identifiers are used by patrons and are operable to electronically transmit bids to a central processor, which associates the bid with the identified entertainer and bidder and determines if the bid has a bid-winning status. If the bid has winning status at the end of the auction, the bidder is provided with the dancer's company for a pre-set amount of time.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a graphical user interface for computer trading is provided. A display represents best bid and best ask prices for an execution venue, with one axis representing available prices, and another axis representing time. The display includes a sell area, a bid-ask spread, and a buy area. The boundary of the sell area and the bid-ask spread represents best ask price for the execution venue, and the boundary of the buy area and the bid-ask spread represents best bid price for the execution venue. First indicium on the display represents order executions and second indicium on the display represents orders. The position of the first indicium represents the time and price of the execution, the size represents the size or quantity of the execution, and the colour represents execution type and execution venue.

Abstract: A model of assumed price behavior of a financial instrument is used in trading the financial instrument. The model includes one or more analytic levels containing analytic values divided into nodes where each node is associated with a future price indicator (such as a price offset) of the financial instrument for a particular look ahead interval. For each analytic level of the model, a current analytic value is related to one of the nodes of that analytic level and a trade order is generated when the future price indicator associated with a node to which the current analytic value relates meets a trader's criteria for trading the instrument. Generated trade orders may rest on the book or be filled immediately. Resting orders may be re-priced as market conditions or current analytic values change. Optionally, a trader may specify an edge that triggers submittal of the trade order to an exchange when the future price indicator meets the inverse of the specified edge value.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for trading of debt securities (bonds), where multiple dealers participate and compete on a single platform (100). Dealers and investors have respective interfaces (250, 230) for communicating. In one aspect, dealers announce new debt security issues (400), the investors communicate an indication of interest (IOI) (500) in purchasing the new debt security issues, and the issues are allocated to the investors. In another aspect, issues from multiple dealers are made available to investors on a secondary trading market in a searchable format (1000). In response to price inquires sent by investors (1200), the dealers provide offers (1300) which are briefly held and released to the investor concurrently to allow the investor to consider all offers together. In another aspect, the dealers post bid and offer terms for actively traded issues (1700) that are updated in real-time to avoid the need for the inquiry procedure.

Abstract: The invention concerns accepting documents for publication. In particular, but not limited to, the invention concerns the publication of research related papers, such as publishing academic manuscripts on the Internet. The invention also concerns determining an indication of the quality of a document. Using the invention documents are accepted or rejected for publication, and/or an indication of the quality of a document is determined based on market forces associated with the selling of shares in the document. The participants all trade in the virtual market place with the aim of increasing the number of tokens that they own which reflects their reputation as an assessor of documents. This affects the value of shares in documents by increasing the value of documents of a higher quality. Aspects of the invention includes methods, a computer system and software applications used to perform the methods.

Abstract: A loan syndication tracking and management system and method provides a user with access to specific details related to a syndicated loan. The system and method coordinates investor, borrower and resource information, in addition to features related to the overall structure of a syndicated loan. Users access the system with various levels of permissions to view, add, update or delete information according to their allotted permissions. The system permits multiple users to access the information for efficient handling of approvals and requests related to multiple investors and borrowers, in addition to handling institution interchanges and notifications. The system and method keeps a record of all transactions and changes for review, reporting or regulatory purposes. The administration of a syndicated loan transaction is simplified while providing advanced features such as support for loan trading.

Abstract: Systems, program product, and methods for securing or procuring destination currency funds for a traveler to be used for travel in a destination country commencing at a scheduled future travel date, are provided. A system can include a domestic financial institution server including foreign destination currency transaction account program product. The system provides for establishing an interest-bearing foreign destination currency transaction account having a user-selected maturity date coinciding with a preselected travel date, and near, but prior to the preselected travel date, providing to the traveler a travel debit card having access to the balance of foreign destination currency finds including both principal and accrued interest.