Abstract: A system comprises a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, a POS controller, a retail subscription system. The POS terminal allows a cashier to enter subscription sales data into the POS controller. The POS controller maintains databases on available subscriptions and produces databases containing data relating to subscriptions sold to customers. The retail subscription system verifies the subscriptions by reference to its own databases and transmits the subscriptions to a fulfillment house for distribution.

Abstract: A method for configuring a mobile communication device to perform transactions using a second communication channel that is different from a first communication channel through which the mobile communication device sends voice data. The method includes attaching a secure element to the mobile communication device. The secure element includes a memory storing an application, a processor configured to execute the application stored in the memory; and a wireless transceiver configured to send transaction data associated with the executed application through the second communication channel to a terminal that is remote from the mobile communication device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for behavioral modeling to optimize shopping cart conversion are discussed. For example, a method can include identifying a user interacting with a networked system, accessing user profile data associated with the user, tracking user activity associated with the user, accessing a behavioral model, applying the behavioral model, and determining a shopping cart optimization. The behavioral model can be generated from historical data detailing interactions with the networked system. The behavioral model can be applied to the user profiled data and the user activity data to assist in selection of a shopping cart optimization.

Abstract: The System includes a mobile application, a server-database, and a system website. The mobile application is executable on a user's smartphone. In some preferred embodiments, the system may further comprise a plurality of server applications. These server applications may comprise a targeting application, an advertising application, a consumer application, a messaging application, and a merchant application.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for determining motivator counts associated with purchase selections are presented herein. A data store can be configured to store purchase selections of respective products. A server can be configured to determine an incremental purchase time between a first purchase selection of the purchase selections and a second purchase selection of the purchase selections. Further, the server can be configured to determine a standard deviation of incremental purchase times between respective purchase selections of the purchase selections. Furthermore, the server can be configured to increment a prime motivator count associated with the second purchase selection based on the incremental purchase time and the standard deviation.

Abstract: Advertising on P2P networks can include a three-step system in one embodiment of the disclosure. The first step can include the review of search requests, followed by a response linking to a media file containing an advertisement. The second step can be a delivery process. The advertising cannot be considered spam as the user can be redirected towards information that can directly correlate to the users search. The advertising can be done with the full cooperation and volition of the media company or companies involved. The advertisers' contract with the media companies can allow for payment and the media companies can then expose their product to potential buyers. The third step can be contacting an advertising server any time that media file is played. In this third step it can be determined what the optimal advertisement for this media file is.

Abstract: A system for publishing a sponsor-comment together with content of a publisher that is associated with a particular file. A code segment is included in the particular file. A database relates a plurality of keywords with one or more sponsors. A registration module is operative to register one or more channels of the publisher, each said channel including at least one of the plurality of files. A communication module is operative to receive a sponsor-comment across the network. A comment management module is operative to selectively associate the sponsor-comment with the particular file in accordance with at least one criterion accessible to one or more of the servers. Upon opening each respective file in a browser of a client machine, the code segment executes to cause the browser to include in the display the sponsor-comment together with the publisher-content. Variations of systems and methods that publish sponsor comments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for voice ordering utilizing catalog taxonomies and hierarchical categorization relationships in product information management (PIM) systems includes: prompting a user with a query to input speech into a speech recognition engine; translating the inputted speech into a series of words; querying a product information management component (PIM) based on the series of words; wherein the querying is performed as a matching algorithm against PIM category and attribute keywords; returning coded results to a voice synthesizer to produce at least one of: a voice response, and a text response to the user; and wherein in the coded results indicate one or more of: a not found message for zero matches, a confirmation of a suitable single match, a request for additional information in the event one or more of the following occurs: more than one matching item, category, and item attribute was found in the PIM.

Abstract: A system for marketing products to customers includes an Internet-connected server and software executing on the server from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing display of links to one or more interactive video showcases; tracking consumer actions during video consumption of a video showcase; re-purposing focus of video content based on the results of the tracked consumer actions; redirecting consumers to a product description page based on consumer selection of a product during video consumption; and conducting one or more transactions through the portal relative to products selected for purchase by the consumers.

Abstract: A method for completing an online transaction request on a network device is disclosed. The method includes collecting transaction information and providing a visible transaction window interface on a network device. The method also includes providing transaction information in the visible transaction window interface. The method further includes initiating an online transaction request from the visible transaction window interface and determining whether the request was successful. The method also includes providing notice as to the results of the transaction request.

Abstract: When a potential consumer finds a product catalog on the monitor of the consumer's PC showing digital images of products, the potential consumer orders a desired product from a vendor, at least after selecting a desired product from the digital image of the product catalog in a recognized condition by naked eye observation that the color of the digital image of a basic color reference involved in the product catalog is substantially identical to a color reference owned by the potential consumer.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates e-commerce volume pricing is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the system includes an offers and orders component that receives and aggregates orders for a product from a plurality of buyers. The system also includes a logistics component that determines a shipping price for the product for a subset of the plurality of buyers. The shipping price is determined at least in part upon the subset of buyers sharing a shipping method. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided in which buyers within an aggregated purchasing group may be subject to different pricing structures for the same product.

Abstract: Advertising on networks can include a three-step system in one embodiment of the disclosure. The first step can include the review of search requests, followed by a response linking to a media file containing an advertisement. The second step can be a delivery process. The advertising cannot be considered spam as the user can be redirected towards information that can directly correlate to the users search. The advertising can be done with the full cooperation and volition of the media company or companies involved. The advertisers' contract with the media companies can allow for payment and the media companies can then expose their product to potential buyers. The third step can be contacting an advertising server any time that media file is played. In this third step it can be determined what the optimal advertisement for this media file is.

Abstract: Purchase phrases can be analyzed to infer user interests. A purchase phrase can include one or more user-defined textual words that a user employs to purchase items in an expedited manner. Many users' purchase phrases may include words that reflect the users' interests, such as “golf” or “rose.” Users with similar purchase phrases may therefore be interested in purchasing similar items. A recommendation system can therefore find items purchased with similar phrases to a target user's purchase phrase and then recommend these items to the target user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for transforming product code snapshots into real-time, offer-driven electronic purchase transaction notifications that minimize fraud. In one embodiment, a smart phone scans a product identifier from a product package, a server accesses a products database for product purchase offers associated with the product identifier, a user authorizes a credit card from his or her wallet to charge, and then product purchase offers or other credit card offers (for loyalty points or otherwise) are provided to the user mobile device. After a user has purchased an item while in the aisle of the store, the user's smart phone displays a barcoded electronic receipt that can be scanned by the exit so that the consumer can walk out with the produce. In some embodiments, a video chat is requested by a customer service representative and a transaction risk score is lowered based on acceptance of the video chat.

Abstract: Advertising on P2P networks can include a three-step system in one embodiment of the disclosure. The first step can include the review of search requests, followed by a response linking to a media file containing an advertisement. The second step can be a delivery process. The advertising cannot be considered spam as the user can be redirected towards information that can directly correlate to the users search. The advertising can be done with the full cooperation and volition of the media company or companies involved. The advertisers' contract with the media companies can allow for payment and the media companies can then expose their product to potential buyers. The third step can be contacting an advertising server any time that media file is played. In this third step it can be determined what the optimal advertisement for this media file is.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for facilitating purchase of a product. In some embodiments a system and/or method include providing a product-user interface that includes product data, collecting first real-time inventory data of the product from a first vendor website, and collecting second real-time inventory data of the product from a second vendor website.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates e-commerce volume pricing is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the system includes an offers and orders component that receives and aggregates orders for a product from a plurality of buyers. The system also includes a logistics component that determines a shipping price for the product for a subset of the plurality of buyers. The shipping price is determined at least in part upon the subset of buyers sharing a shipping method. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided in which buyers within an aggregated purchasing group may be subject to different pricing structures for the same product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing media and targeted content are provided. A network connection is established with a mobile device. Timing data associated with playing media content is received from the mobile device. The playing media content is from a disconnected media outlet, where the content management server does not receive data from disconnected media outlet. Synchronizing is performed with the playing media content based on the timing data. Advertisement data associated with the playing media content is accessed. At least one synchronized advertisement is provided to the mobile device in synchronized time, where each synchronized advertisement is associated with a time code associated with the playing media content. An advertisement response from the mobile device is received. The advertisement response is associated with a selected advertisement selected from the at least one synchronized advertisement. An e-commerce transaction is initiated based on the advertisement response.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for managing electronic currency of a consumer is provided. A mobile wallet application on a consumer device of the consumer and a transaction management server, in communication with the mobile wallet application via a network, are provided. The mobile wallet application receives and stores incentives obtained by the consumer for engaging in one or more commercial activities. The mobile wallet application converts the incentives to electronic currency and stores the electronic currency in the mobile wallet application. The mobile wallet application, in communication with the transaction management server via the network generates one or more electronic monetary objects using the electronic currency. The generated electronic monetary objects are, for example, cash, airtime credit, etc.

Abstract: A method for linking online computer activity with non-online consumer activity by creating a unique identifier for each consumer; storing online and non-online consumer activity in a database indexed by the unique identifier; and modifying online or non-online consumer offerings based on processing the stored online and non-online consumer activity.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to monitor an activity level associated with queries made in an online marketplace over a monitoring time period to provide an activity rate, and to determine that the activity rate has crossed a merchandising threshold rate. In response, a cluster of items or item groups associated with the queries may be presented on a display, perhaps in conjunction with a landing page merchandising promotion. Additional apparatus, system, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A sales system supports sales between a plurality of buyers and a plurality of sellers in a communication network. A sales server has a seller interface used by both a first seller and a second seller respectively via a first seller's computer and a second seller's computer to register availability for sale of a first product and a second product. The sales server, based upon received buyer input from an identified buyer via a buyer computer that includes buyer orders for the first product and the second product dispenses a first sales order to the first seller's computer for the first product and a second sales order to the second seller's computer for the second product. The sales server provides instructions to the first seller's computer for fulfillment of the first sales order and to the second sales computer for the fulfillment of the second sales order.

Abstract: A computing apparatus is configured to use the transaction data of a user and the transaction data of the friends of the user to generate a profile to identify, select, and/or customize an offer that is initially communicated to the user. The offer is shareable by the user with the friends of the user. The computing apparatus is configured to monitor the transactions of the user and/or the friends of the user to detect a transaction that satisfies the redemption requirement of the offer and thus provide the benefit of the offer to the purchaser involved in the transaction, which may be the user or one of the friends of the user.

Abstract: A system for providing supplementary product sales is provided in which a central controller receives a purchase from a card authorization terminal. The purchase includes at least one purchase parameter, such as a customer account identifier, product identifiers for specifying items purchased or product price. The central controller determines a supplementary product to offer that is based on the at least one purchase parameter. A product identifier for specifying the supplementary product is transmitted to the card authorization terminal, where the customer chooses whether to accept the offered supplementary product. The card authorization terminal generates and transmits to the central controller a selection signal indicative of whether the supplementary product is accepted. If the selection signal indicates that the supplementary product is accepted, the central controller adjusts a balance of a financial account in dependence on an adjustment value associated with the supplementary product.

Abstract: A system for providing supplementary product sales is provided in which a central controller receives a purchase from a card authorization terminal. The purchase includes at least one purchase parameter, such as a customer account identifier, product identifiers for specifying items purchased or product price. The central controller determines a supplementary product to offer that is based on the at least one purchase parameter. A product identifier for specifying the supplementary product is transmitted to the card authorization terminal, where the customer chooses whether to accept the offered supplementary product. The card authorization terminal generates and transmits to the central controller a selection signal indicative of whether the supplementary product is accepted. If the selection signal indicates that the supplementary product is accepted, the central controller adjusts a balance of a financial account in dependence on an adjustment value associated with the supplementary product.

Abstract: A system for providing supplementary product sales is provided in which a central controller receives a purchase from a card authorization terminal. The purchase includes at least one purchase parameter, such as a customer account identifier, product identifiers for specifying items purchased or product price. The central controller determines a supplementary product to offer that is based on the at least one purchase parameter. A product identifier for specifying the supplementary product is transmitted to the card authorization terminal, where the customer chooses whether to accept the offered supplementary product. The card authorization terminal generates and transmits to the central controller a selection signal indicative of whether the supplementary product is accepted. If the selection signal indicates that the supplementary product is accepted, the central controller adjusts a balance of a financial account in dependence on an adjustment value associated with the supplementary product.

Abstract: A system for providing supplementary product sales is provided in which a central controller receives a purchase from a card authorization terminal. The purchase includes at least one purchase parameter, such as a customer account identifier, product identifiers for specifying items purchased or product price. The central controller determines a supplementary product to offer that is based on the at least one purchase parameter. A product identifier for specifying the supplementary product is transmitted to the card authorization terminal, where the customer chooses whether to accept the offered supplementary product. The card authorization terminal generates and transmits to the central controller a selection signal indicative of whether the supplementary product is accepted. If the selection signal indicates that the supplementary product is accepted, the central controller adjusts a balance of a financial account in dependence on an adjustment value associated with the supplementary product.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving first and second requests for advertising associated with first and second users, wherein the users are identified; (b) retrieving data pertaining to the users from a data provider; (c) selecting respective advertising content from the first and second sponsors based at least on a determination of relevancy of each advertising content to the data provider's data, wherein the relevancy determination generates respective relevancy scores; (d) determining the advertising content of the first sponsor is more relevant to the first user and the advertising content of the second sponsor is more relevant to the second user based on the respective relevancy scores; and (e) transmitting the advertising content of the first sponsor to the first mobile communication facility for display and transmitting the advertising content of the second sponsor to the second mobile communication facility for display.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving first and second requests for advertising associated with first and second users, wherein the users are identified; (b) retrieving data pertaining to the users from a data provider; (c) selecting respective advertising content from the first and second sponsors based at least on a determination of relevancy of each advertising content to the data provider's data, wherein the relevancy determination generates respective relevancy scores; (d) determining the advertising content of the first sponsor is more relevant to the first user and the advertising content of the second sponsor is more relevant to the second user based on the respective relevancy scores; and (e) transmitting the advertising content of the first sponsor to the first mobile communication facility for display and transmitting the advertising content of the second sponsor to the second mobile communication facility for display.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving first and second requests for advertising associated with first and second users, wherein the users are identified; (b) retrieving data pertaining to the users from a data provider; (c) selecting respective advertising content from the first and second sponsors based at least on a determination of relevancy of each advertising content to the data provider's data, wherein the relevancy determination generates respective relevancy scores; (d) determining the advertising content of the first sponsor is more relevant to the first user and the advertising content of the second sponsor is more relevant to the second user based on the respective relevancy scores; and (e) transmitting the advertising content of the first sponsor to the first mobile communication facility for display and transmitting the advertising content of the second sponsor to the second mobile communication facility for display.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving first and second requests for advertising associated with first and second users, wherein the users are identified; (b) retrieving data pertaining to the users from a data provider; (c) selecting respective advertising content from the first and second sponsors based at least on a determination of relevancy of each advertising content to the data provider's data, wherein the relevancy determination generates respective relevancy scores; (d) determining the advertising content of the first sponsor is more relevant to the first user and the advertising content of the second sponsor is more relevant to the second user based on the respective relevancy scores; and (e) transmitting the advertising content of the first sponsor to the first mobile communication facility for display and transmitting the advertising content of the second sponsor to the second mobile communication facility for display.

Abstract: A novel digital photo frame is configured to display user-loaded photographs, moving pictures, and other personal data and corporate-paid advertisements which are dynamically updatable by an advertising data distribution center or another communications service provider, such as a cellular service provider computer or another device. The invention also discloses a related, novel method of advertising in a digital photo frame with dynamically-updatable-ads, in which initial advertising fees for one or more dynamically-updateable ads at least partially pay for manufacturing costs of the digital photo frame for inexpensive distribution of the digital photo frame to a targeted consumer.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving first and second requests for advertising associated with first and second users, wherein the users are identified; (b) retrieving data pertaining to the users from a data provider; (c) selecting respective advertising content from the first and second sponsors based at least on a determination of relevancy of each advertising content to the data provider's data, wherein the relevancy determination generates respective relevancy scores; (d) determining the advertising content of the first sponsor is more relevant to the first user and the advertising content of the second sponsor is more relevant to the second user based on the respective relevancy scores; and (e) transmitting the advertising content of the first sponsor to the first mobile communication facility for display and transmitting the advertising content of the second sponsor to the second mobile communication facility for display.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving first and second requests for advertising associated with first and second users, wherein the users are identified; (b) retrieving data pertaining to the users from a data provider; (c) selecting respective advertising content from the first and second sponsors based at least on a determination of relevancy of each advertising content to the data provider's data, wherein the relevancy determination generates respective relevancy scores; (d) determining the advertising content of the first sponsor is more relevant to the first user and the advertising content of the second sponsor is more relevant to the second user based on the respective relevancy scores; and (e) transmitting the advertising content of the first sponsor to the first mobile communication facility for display and transmitting the advertising content of the second sponsor to the second mobile communication facility for display.

Abstract: An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving first and second requests for advertising associated with first and second users, wherein the users are identified; (b) retrieving data pertaining to the users from a data provider; (c) selecting respective advertising content from the first and second sponsors based at least on a determination of relevancy of each advertising content to the data provider's data, wherein the relevancy determination generates respective relevancy scores; (d) determining the advertising content of the first sponsor is more relevant to the first user and the advertising content of the second sponsor is more relevant to the second user based on the respective relevancy scores; and (e) transmitting the advertising content of the first sponsor to the first mobile communication facility for display and transmitting the advertising content of the second sponsor to the second mobile communication facility for display.

Abstract: A system for secure transactions receives an authorization request from a mobile device, the mobile device having received the authorization request by scanning a QR code and/or other encoded data. The system processes the authorization request using one or more transaction accounts that are paired to the mobile device, and transmits a response indicating approval or denial of the authorization request.

Abstract: A sales system supports sales between a plurality of buyers and a plurality of sellers in a communication network. A sales server has a seller interface used by both a first seller and a second seller respectively via a first seller's computer and a second seller's computer to register availability for sale of a first product and a second product. The sales server, based upon received buyer input from an identified buyer via a buyer computer that includes buyer orders for the first product and the second product dispenses a first sales order to the first seller's computer for the first product and a second sales order to the second seller's computer for the second product. The sales server provides instructions to the first seller's computer for fulfillment of the first sales order and to the second sales computer for the fulfillment of the second sales order.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing an alternative payment platform, including method and systems for providing a platform for presenting an alternate offer to a user who is engaged with a primary offer and receiving an indication of the user's engagement with the alternate offer, wherein the user's engagement with the alternate offer serves as an alternative form of payment for an item associated with the primary offer. Such methods and systems may further include methods and systems for selecting one or more alternate offers engagement with which serves as an alternative form of payment for an item associated with a primary offer, presenting the selected alternate payment offers to a user, receiving an indication of engagement with at least one of the alternate offers, receiving payment in exchange for presenting the accepted offer and providing payment to the offeror of the primary offer.

Abstract: Marketing communications are delivered by advertising displays affixed to or surrounding gratings. Lease arrangements are determined by a machine-based method providing equitable revenue sharing to municipality or other entity owning the grating spaces and the marketing communication entity while providing rapid, reliable deployment to advertisers via a machine-based method of RFID tracking and deployment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing an alternative payment platform, including method and systems for providing a platform for presenting an alternate offer to a user who is engaged with a primary offer and receiving an indication of the user's engagement with the alternate offer, wherein the user's engagement with the alternate offer serves as an alternative form of payment for an item associated with the primary offer. Such methods and systems may further include methods and systems for selecting one or more alternate offers engagement with which serves as an alternative form of payment for an item associated with a primary offer, presenting the selected alternate payment offers to a user, receiving an indication of engagement with at least one of the alternate offers, receiving payment in exchange for presenting the accepted offer and providing payment to the offeror of the primary offer.

Abstract: An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity.

Abstract: A system and method for creation and management of Promotional Campaigns which specify items of EPC that are distributed to Mobile Users. The systems and methods involving networked distribution and redemption of such content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing sales of online transactions is provided. In some embodiments, a buyer selects a primary purchase, which may be either a good or a service. The system receives the committed order for the primary purchase and acknowledges the order. Order acknowledgement includes verifying payment information of the buyer. Then, at least one complimentary purchase may be offered on a web-page to the user. The user may then choose whether to accept or decline the offer. If the offer for the complimentary purchase is accepted, then the order for the primary purchase can be combined with the accepted complimentary purchase. Alternatively, the orders for primary and complimentary purchases can be completed separately. Otherwise, if the offer for the complimentary purchase is rejected, then the order for the primary purchase is still completed. Thus, there is no risk through this cross-selling activity of any loss to the primary purchase.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for selecting advertisements for presentation to a user in response to a user search query. The system may include a keyword server for parsing the user search query and an index server for receiving the parsed search query. The index server may include an index of advertising phrases and pre-filtering components for comparing index entries to the parsed user search query in order to discard non-matching index entries and locate matching entries. The pre-filtering components may include either a phrase length pre-filtering component or a word hash pre-filtering component. The system may additionally include a listing server for sorting through the matching entries located by the index server and further filtering the matching entries for retrieval and presentation to the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enabling a user to search for and display information stored in a searchable database of product records, including providing a user interface to the database for enabling data contained in the database to be displayed on the user's computer and for enabling user input to be received, enabling a search of the database to be performed in response to user input, and providing results of the database search to the user, including enabling the user's computer to display a list of attribute values of a product record in the database, wherein the list of attribute values corresponds to a list of distinct attributes of a current product record contained in a selected set of product records, enabling the display next to an attribute value a set of selectable sub-elements, wherein each selectable sub-element corresponds to a predetermined rank and corresponds to a predetermined subset of possible attribute values for an attribute.

Abstract: An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity.

Abstract: A method for promoting the selection of an item to a predetermined type of consumer. The method includes the steps of determining representative activities of the predetermined type of consumer, determining representative uses of the item by the consumer during the representative activities, and creating demand for the item by the consumer based upon one or more of the representative uses of the item by the consumer during the representative activities.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for promoting the sale of a substitute product at the point of sale (POS). Upon the presentation of an original product for purchase by a consumer at a POS terminal, various manufacturers may decide to offer a substitute product to the consumer, prior to completing the purchase of the original product. If the customer accepts the offer, the point of sale terminal completes the sale of the substitute product.