Abstract: A system and method allows an offeror to identify parameters for determining whether a user could benefit from an offer, and transaction data for each of several users, and the parameters, are used to determine which of several users could benefit from the offer. The offer is presented to those users, along with the data of how the user could benefit, and the system and method allows the user to accept the offer, transmitting information to the offeror or his agent if the user accepts the offer. Payment may be made based on the offers, acceptances, or both.

Abstract: A cloud marketplace includes a network of data centers that collectively allow users to search and purchase products, including applications and extensions to applications. Each data center supports a marketplace module that executes on computing resources to offer users the products and receive and send product metadata descriptive of the products. The marketplace module in each data center passes the product metadata to a database management system for storage in the data center. The marketplace module also passes the product metadata to an agent module within the data center that is separate from the database management system. The agent module passes the product metadata to agent modules of other data centers via the network so that the product metadata can be synchronized across data centers without having to wait for the database management systems to synchronize the databases.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a set of computer executable instructions for running on a processor that cause the processor to: receive a video link to a video from a third party system. The video has an advertisement with one or more actions. At least one question related to the one or more actions of the advertisement and at least one correct answer to the question and at least one incorrect answer to the question is stored. The question is displayed on a donor system and the donor system is directed to the video via the video link. Then, at least one correct answer and at least one incorrect answer are displayed on the donor system.

Abstract: Systems, data access management utilities, and methods generate links between local merchants and community programs, whereby the merchant may provide incentives to customers in relation to community programs. The implementations may track community programs, as well as online and offline customer transactions with merchants that make use of the incentive. Implementations may include as participants, customers, merchants, community organizations, intermediaries, and other groups or individuals. Participants may have participant identifiers, which may be linked to a payment source. Data may be collected about all participants, either expressly, or from offline or online transactions between merchants and customers utilizing a participant identifier, and the data may be stored in a data storage area.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method executed by at least one processor for performing mini-batching in deep learning by improving cache utilization is presented. The method includes temporally localizing a candidate clip in a video stream based on a natural language query, encoding a state, via a state processing module, into a joint visual and linguistic representation, feeding the joint visual and linguistic representation into a policy learning module, wherein the policy learning module employs a deep learning network to selectively extract features for select frames for video-text analysis and includes a fully connected linear layer and a long short-term memory (LSTM), outputting a value function from the LSTM, generating an action policy based on the encoded state, wherein the action policy is a probabilistic distribution over a plurality of possible actions given the encoded state, and rewarding policy actions that return clips matching the natural language query.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining application experience of a user. One embodiment presented herein includes a computer-implemented method, which includes receiving, at a computing device, eye tracking data of a user interacting with at least a first page of an application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the eye tracking data, at least a current user experience regarding the first page. The computer-implemented method further includes predicting, based on evaluating the current user experience, that the user is likely to discontinue use of the application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the prediction, an intervention that reduces a likelihood of the user discontinuing use of the application, and interacting with the user according to the intervention.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining application experience of a user. One embodiment presented herein includes a computer-implemented method, which includes receiving, at a computing device, eye tracking data of a user interacting with at least a first page of an application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the eye tracking data, at least a current user experience regarding the first page. The computer-implemented method further includes predicting, based on evaluating the current user experience, that the user is likely to discontinue use of the application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the prediction, an intervention that reduces a likelihood of the user discontinuing use of the application, and interacting with the user according to the intervention.

Abstract: The systems are generally configured to provide rewards. The systems are capable of syncing transaction accounts with one or more reward programs and one or more channels. Moreover, the systems are capable dynamically provisioning rewards in one or more subsets to a rewards program to distribute high, medium and low value rewards to a reward program throughout the duration of the program.

Abstract: Implementations are related to observing user interactions in association with searching for various files, and modifying a model and/or index based on such observations in order to improve the search process. In some implementations, a reinforcement learning model is utilized to adapt one or more search actions of the search process. Such search action(s) can include, for example, updating an index, reweighting terms in an index, modifying a search query, and/or modifying one or more ranking signal(s) utilized in raking search results. A policy of the reinforcement learning model can be utilized to generate action parameters that dictate performance of search action(s) for a search query, dependent on an observed state that is based on the search query. The policy can be iteratively updated in view of a reward function, and observed user interactions across multiple search sessions, to generate a learned policy that reduces duration of search sessions.

Abstract: A system for executing actions based on user input is provided. The system comprises a virtual agent for a software application, wherein the virtual agent is configured to store a correlation between actions available in the software application. Further, the system associates one or more of the actions with one or more tags. The system receives at least an audio input from a user of the software application, and uses the input to identify an action desired by the user to be performed among the actions. Further, the system executes one or more actions based on the desired action and the correlation between the actions available in the software application.

Abstract: A Query/Response service provides Queries to Media Providers, the Queries to be displayed or played in media broadcast, and interactive Banners to be presented in web sites or other Internet destinations hosted by the Media providers. Audience members react to the Queries to visit the Media Provider's web destinations to respond to the Queries. The system motivates increased traffic to Media Provider's destinations.

Abstract: A session identification system classifies network sessions with a network application as either human-generated or generated by a non-human, such as by a bot. In an embodiment, the session identification system receives a set of unlabeled network sessions, and determines a label for a single class of the unlabeled network sessions. Based on the one-class labeling information, the session identification system determines multiple subsets of the unlabeled network sessions. Multiple classifiers included in the session identification system generate probabilities describing each of the unlabeled network sessions. The session identification system classifies each of the unlabeled network sessions based on a combination of the generated probabilities.

Abstract: A heuristic cross-selling recommendation engine includes capabilities to collect an unstructured data set and a current business context to suggest marketing actions. By providing a heuristic algorithm and executing the algorithm within the engine with the data set allows determination of predicted future contexts and optimal marketing actions. Such heuristic algorithms may learn from past marketing transactions and appropriate correlations with events and available data.

Abstract: A computer storage array detects and counters denial of service (DoS) attacks and provides one or more remote initiators with access to one or more storage devices connected to the computer storage array. computer storage array includes: a computer processor configured to run an operating system for managing networking protocols; a networking device configured to monitor and route network traffic, at a packet level to, and from the storage devices; a baseboard management controller (BMC) configured to detect a DoS attack based on monitoring of statistics of the network traffic by the networking device; a PCIe switch connecting the BMC with each of the storage devices via a PCIe bus; and a computer motherboard to which the computer processor, networking device, BMC and PCIe switch are installed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a social network information match-up system. The system receives the request message of the collaboration information to be published from the user end (demand end), and is able to promote the collaboration information of the user end to other user ends using the system. It also help other user end (request end) to publish collaboration information on the exclusive webpage of the user end on the social network website via the system according to the assistance request of the user end (support end).

Abstract: A method for connecting users of a software application, including registering a first version of the software application. The method further includes transmitting, to a matching server, a contact list including personally identifiable information of users of the software application. The method further includes receiving, from the matching server, a promoter contact selected, according to a promotion criterion, from the users of the software application in the contact list. The method further includes displaying the promoter contact.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method performed by a computer system. The method includes forming groups of traffic, where each group includes a subset of detected connection requests. The method further includes determining a periodicity of connection requests for each group, identifying a particular group based on whether the periodicity of connection requests of the particular group satisfies a periodicity criterion, determining a frequency of the particular group in the traffic, and identifying the particular group as an anomaly based on whether the frequency of the particular group satisfies a frequency criterion.

Abstract: System, method and computer program product for effective supply-side planning of inventories during product transitions. The system for a supply-side entity that generates recommendations that include personalized shaping actions to control each customer's rate of adoption of a new product to replace an older legacy product during a transition period, and optimize overall use of available supply. The method optimizes personalized shaping actions so that a customer is transitioned at a speed that suits their personal profile as well as the seller's production/inventory constraints for each product. Shaping actions are determined based on the trajectory of each product's lifecycle. Further, customer-level adoption patterns for transitioning products are predicted from past behavior.

Abstract: A system and method allows an offeror to identify parameters for determining whether a user could benefit from an offer, and transaction data for each of several users, and the parameters, are used to determine which of several users could benefit from the offer. The offer is presented to those users, along with the data of how the user could benefit, and the system and method allows the user to accept the offer, transmitting information to the offeror or his agent if the user accepts the offer. Payment may be made based on the offers, acceptances, or both.

Abstract: The systems are generally configured to provide rewards. The systems are capable of syncing transaction accounts with one or more reward programs and one or more channels. Moreover, the systems are capable dynamically provisioning rewards in one or more subsets to a rewards program to distribute high, medium and low value rewards to a reward program throughout the duration of the program.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a client device of a first user of an online social network, a search query associated with a first topic. The method also includes identifying one or more key-authors associated with the first topic. The method further includes retrieving multiple objects of the online social network matching the search query, where one or more of the retrieved objects are associated with the first topic and are authored by at least one of the identified key-authors. The method also includes generating multiple search-results modules, each search-result module including references to one or more of the retrieved objects. At least one of the search-results modules is a key-authors-module that includes references to one or more of the retrieved objects associated with the first topic that are authored by at least one of the identified key-authors.

Abstract: A method is implemented by a network device to dynamically optimize lookup speed in a packet processing table maintained at the network device while the network device is in operation. The method includes determining one or more runtime metrics of the packet processing table, selecting a lookup algorithm for the packet processing table from a set of lookup algorithms supported by the network device based on the one or more runtime metrics of the packet processing table, and configuring the network device to match incoming packets against rules in the packet processing table using the selected lookup algorithm for the packet processing table.

Abstract: System, method, and computer program product to perform an operation comprising defining a plurality of associations between each of a plurality of triggers and a respective event, of a plurality of events, monitoring a communication in a virtual environment between a first user represented by a first avatar and a second user represented by a second avatar, the communication having an explicit meaning to the first and second users, determining that the communication has a predefined meaning between the first user and the second user, determining that the communication is defined as a first trigger, of the plurality of triggers, based on the communication having the predefined meaning, identifying a first association, of the plurality of associations, between the first trigger and a first event, of the plurality of events, and triggering the first event in the virtual environment based on the first association.

Abstract: A method includes: inputting information indicating power usage; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a first user ID and ii) a second cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a second user ID in a prescribed period; generating a first conversion value by converting the differential value to a use time of an electric home appliance of a first type corresponding to the first user ID; generating a first electricity bill value by converting the difference value to an electricity bill; generating display data indicating that the first electricity bill value corresponds to the first conversion value; and a transmitting unit that transmits the display data.

Abstract: We disclose a system, method and software product for creating and updating a unified subject's profile. The system, method, and software product may include a computer processing means and computer readable medium, and a proximity device. The system may permit publishing icons to a user profile by multiple applications. The system may update the user profile to reflect various awards from multiple publishers. The system may also generate a visual indicator for display on a subject profile to demonstrate a skill, achievement, or other information associated with the activity. The system may also provide a manner of verifying the authenticity and identity of the publisher.

Abstract: A method includes: inputting information indicating power usage; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a first user ID and ii) a second cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a second user ID in a prescribed period; generating a first conversion value by converting the differential value to a use time of a first electric home appliance; generating a first electricity bill value by converting the differential value to an electricity bill; generating display data indicating that the first electricity bill value corresponds to the first conversion value; and transmitting the display data.

Abstract: A method includes: inputting information indicating power usage corresponding to each of the plurality of user IDs; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a first user ID and ii) a second cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a second user ID in a prescribed period; generating a first conversion value by converting the differential value to a use time of a first electric home appliance among electric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID; generating display data indicating that the differential value corresponds to the first conversion value; and transmitting the display data to an information terminal device corresponding to the first user ID.

Abstract: A security platform employs a variety techniques and mechanisms to detect security related anomalies and threats in a computer network environment. The security platform is “big data” driven and employs machine learning to perform security analytics. The security platform performs user/entity behavioral analytics (UEBA) to detect the security related anomalies and threats, regardless of whether such anomalies/threats were previously known. The security platform can include both real-time and batch paths/modes for detecting anomalies and threats. By visually presenting analytical results scored with risk ratings and supporting evidence, the security platform enables network security administrators to respond to a detected anomaly or threat, and to take action promptly.

Abstract: In a management device, a state determination table in a first storage portion indicates correspondence relationships in which target achievement levels are respectively associated with combinations with division periods and ranges of amount of power. An action table in a second storage portion indicates correspondence relationships with operations for making an execution portion perform and the target achievement levels. A first extraction portion extracts, from the state determination table, a target achievement level corresponding to a combination with a division period including a date acquired by a date acquisition portion and a range of amount of power including the amount of consumed power acquired by a power acquisition portion. A second extraction portion extracts, from the action table, an operation corresponding to the target achievement level extracted by the first extraction portion.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided for the generation and assembly of content pods for playback within an online streaming media service. A content pod is assembled to contain personal content that is relevant to an end user. In some embodiments, personal content can consist of traffic updates, voicemail messages, text messages, social media updates, and personal status updates. A content delivery system determines what personal content is available on the user device through connecting to available information sources. The delivery system then assembles the content pod from these elements in addition to invitational content from content providers. In some embodiments, a bumper message is included in the content pod to provide a context for the elements that are being assembled in combination with each other. Once the content pod is generated, it is sent to the user device to be played during content breaks within the online streaming playback.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for affecting action associated with machine-generated traffic. First historical information associated with Internet traffic to an Internet service at a first time is accessed and a first Internet Protocol Address (“IPA”) size representing a first number of devices sharing at least one IP address that accessed the Internet service at the first time is determined. Second historical information associated with Internet traffic to the Internet service that occurred at a second time is accessed and a second IPA size is determined. An algorithm is applied that uses the first IPA size to estimate a third IPA size, representing a third number of devices sharing at least one IP address at the second time. A difference between the third and the second IPA sizes is computed, and evaluated to a threshold. An action is taken at a resource-provider system when the difference exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: Application developers can request to have their applications registered for use with a content delivery platform. The operator of the content delivery platform establishes perimeters defining geographic areas, and maintains records reserving particular areas for delivery of content associated with particular sponsors. Registered applications running on mobile devices can request content from the content delivery platform. Based at least in part on the request, the content delivery platform can identify a target location, which may be the location of the mobile device, or some other location indicated in the request. A mobile device can be provided content based on the relationship of the target location to the geographic areas, so that a registered application running on a mobile device with a target location contained within a geographic area assigned to a particular sponsor will receive content related to that sponsor.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing an in-game offer to one or more players of an online game. The offer is provided to players that have newly joined the game and/or to players that have not yet made a purchase. In some implementations, the offer may be meant to incentivize purchase upon entry into the game. The in-game offer may comprise an offer to one or more items and a bonus comprising one or more bonus items provided to the player responsive to the offered items being purchased. The in-game offer may only be made available to a qualifying player for a certain amount of time.

Abstract: A client-server social-network for providing automated clothing suggestions. Fashion interested users form social networks, upload records of their respective wardrobes and fashion preferences, and display their wardrobe items and outfits other members of the network, often displaying entire outfits using customizable virtual mannequins. The social network members can evaluate the fashion merits of both their outfits and their friend's outfits, and the system will further store data pertaining to the social network group's fashion assessments. The system may also make statistical inferences as to what types of clothing may be favored and disfavored by the user's social network group, and present these recommendations to the user. Other factors, such as weather, event type, and user's recent history of wearing various wardrobe items can also be considered.

Abstract: An electronic lockbox system includes a wireless portable transponder that communicates with an electronic lockbox using a low power radio link. The portable transponder includes: a wide area network radio to communicate to a central clearinghouse computer, a motion sensor to activate its wide area network radio, and a connector to communicate with a secure memory device. The electronic lockbox sends a hail message that is intercepted by the portable transponder; the hail message includes identification information. The portable transponder responds with a message that includes a time sensitive encryption key; the lockbox authenticates this response message using its own time sensitive encryption key. If an electronic key is used to access the lockbox, the improved system effectively disables the electronic key during a showing, so that the electronic key cannot be used to access another lockbox until the correct dwelling key has been placed back into the lockbox.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, and including a method for selecting content.

Abstract: The systems, methods, and computer program products (collectively “systems”) described herein are generally configured to monitor actions in digital channels. More specifically, the systems may be employed in digital channels to initiate purchases or facilitate rewards. The systems are capable of syncing transaction accounts with various digital channels. Moreover, the systems are capable of initiating or completing transaction based on user information. The systems may also be capable of providing rewards based on activities or accomplishments in the digital channels. Moreover, the systems may be capable of verifying activities based on transaction information.

Abstract: A media selection and insertion control device implements a method for selecting media for delivery to a plurality of users at an incident. The media selection and insertion control device: receives a plurality of media inputs from multiple media sources; receives capabilities of devices of users at an incident; receives resource capabilities of a set of networks to which the users are communicatively coupled; receives a set of incident-based rules and applies these rules to the plurality of media inputs to select media inputs to deliver to the users; and determines a mode of delivering the selected media inputs to the users based at least on the capabilities of the users' devices and on the resource capabilities of the set of networks to which the users are communicatively coupled.

Abstract: In order to reward a consumer for trying or learning about a product, the customer is given a unique identification number, preferably an unvalidated ATM readable card, and instructions for completing a test or survey by telephone or on the Internet. Upon successful completion of the test by the consumer, the identification number is validated so that the consumer may withdraw a cash reward from a temporary bank account funded when the identification number is validated via an ATM. Where the consumer is the patient of a physician, the patient may receive the number and card from the physician along with a prescription for redemption at a pharmacy whereat the pharmacy dispenses a supply of the drug to the patient and is paid by the manufacturer of the drug through the former's insurance payment processing system.

Abstract: A system, method and device provide an incentive for the contribution of information related to marketed offerings. In one embodiment, the system has a data storage device storing data associated with marketed offerings, at least one point-earning condition and at least one award condition.

Abstract: A method of voting with your feet is disclosed. A performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game is associated with a vote on a matter. The performance of the location-based action by the player is detected. A count of votes corresponding to the vote on the matter is incremented based on the detecting of the performance of the location-based action by the player.

Abstract: Methods, systems and machine readable programs on non-transient media for rating of products (such as pre-production digital products) are provided. A pre-production copy of a rhythmic audio composition (e.g. musical product) can be offered for sale online. The musical product can be rated based on a number of the sold pre-production recordings or streams, as well as other factors and purchasers may be rewarded for their music evaluation skills.

Abstract: An online promotion method where a promoter manages a system where a business provides to a customer a valuable offer for the goods or services provided by the business in exchange for the customer providing favorable feedback on a social network system or other designated website. The promoter manages the system to provide usage measurements and to ensure that the customer receives the promised valuable offer and the business received the promised valuable feedback.

Abstract: A method and system of inspecting advertising contents of a keyword advertisement is provided. The method includes: crawling a Universal Resource Locator (URL) registered by an advertiser and extracting a URL keyword related to an advertisement site of the advertiser; extracting a target keyword from a plurality of advertisement information being registered in relation to the URL; and determining further inspection-required advertisement information through keyword comparison between the extracted URL keyword and the target keyword, the further inspection-required advertisement information having low relevance to the advertisement site.

Abstract: Creation and placement of rewards associated with preferred payment types enables a merchant to incentivize a customer for selecting the preferred payment types. A number of payment types may be presented to a customer, where at least one payment type is a preferred payment type with an associated reward. The reward may be transmitted to the customer if the customer satisfies conditions for obtaining the reward. The conditions may include using the preferred payment type, applying for the preferred payment type, or making the preferred payment type the default payment type, among other possibilities.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles for automating the process of registering a product purchased by a consumer from a merchant in a purchase transaction. Product data including product identification data is obtained from a merchant electronic point of sale system as the consumer checks out. The product data is then automatically transmitted to a product registration system, such as via a consumer's mobile communication device having a product registration app. An auto-registration database is accessed to see if auto-registration is available for the product. If auto-registration is available for the product, then a request is made to the consumer to authorize auto-registration for the product. If the consumer accepts the auto-registration, then consumer data, such as the consumer name and contact information, is sent to the product registration system. The product registration system then creates a product registration record using the product data and the consumer data.

Abstract: Special interest subgroups are formed by a group of participants by establishing a profile for each participant. The profile defines contribution attributes dealing with contributions the profiled participant might make to a subgroup and attribution attributes dealing with benefits the profile participant might receive from participating in the subgroup. For each possible pairing of participants in the group, an overall contribution score and an overall benefit score is calculated for each participant. A mutual benefit score is calculated by combining the benefit scores for both participants in the pair. Participants are assigned to subgroups as a function of participant contribution and mutual benefit scores.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, products and processes are disclosed for receiving, via a point-of-sale terminal that is not a vending machine, an indication of a set of products which a customer desires to purchase. At least one product is offered to the customer via the point-of-sale terminal, and an acceptance of the offer is received. Thereafter a request to receive the product is received. A unit of the product is dispensed via the vending machine.

Abstract: A method of voting with your feet is disclosed. A performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game is associated with a vote on a matter. The performance of the location-based action by the player is detected. A count of votes corresponding to the vote on the matter is incremented based on the detecting of the performance of the location-based action by the player.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a non-expanding advertisement that displays a video loop or a portion of a video within the advertisement. If the user interacts with the advertisement, the entire video is played within the advertisement without expanding. The user is not given the option to stop or pause the video. In addition, since the advertisement does not expand, the user is not given the option to close the video, ensuring that a complete view of the video is delivered to the user.