Abstract: A server stores personal information associated with a user of a wireless communication device. The server also receives from the wireless communication device an image of an item for sale and a price of the item, and appends the image and the price to include the user's email address and the delivery information.

Abstract: An auction of a batch with a deadline is disclosed. An apparatus includes one or more processors, and one or more memories storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to set a batch sale function determining pricing control for a batch and for a plurality of items belonging to the batch before an auction with a deadline commences, and to modify at least one price of at least one item belonging to the batch during the auction by the batch sale function.

Abstract: An advertisement space auction apparatus enabling a more strategic and open auction transaction to be realized using a network, including a memory storing advertisement space information and being accessible by a plurality of entities connected to the network, a bid data communication unit receiving bid data submitted via the network from at least one of the plurality of entities, the bid data corresponding to the advertisement space information stored in the memory; and a winning bidder determination unit for determining a winning bidder of an advertisement space designated by the advertisement space information, on the basis of the bid data received by the bid data communication unit.

Abstract: A method and system for resolving disputes between parties involved in a network-based transaction is described. One aspect of the present invention seeks to automatically facilitate the restitution of value to parties of the transaction, for example, facilitated by a network-based commerce platform or involving a network-based payment service, where a dispute has arisen with respect to the transaction.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a lending or cash advance system that can be (but is not required to be) integrated with an online commerce site. Sellers on the online commerce site can click a button or tab in their web browser that is visiting the online commerce site and information known to the online commerce site is automatically shared with a potential cash provider. Data from a delivery service can be automatically retrieved by the cash provider/cash server in order to determine the volume of shipments that the seller has been making. This volume can be used when the cash server determines the seller's score in order to evaluate an application for cash.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing secure, online centralized control over a solicitation and bidding process and more particularly the method and apparatus for the procurement of services and commodities, such as for example, procuring electricity to meet capacity for an electric generating plant, the method and apparatus providing screening and rejection of unqualified applicants, transparency exceeding governmental guidelines, options to aggregate offers among bidders that meet criteria, and facilitate automated, real time bid evaluation and ranking.

Abstract: A method for generating on-line sales leads in an on-line auction. The method determines when a prospective bidder for an on-line auction of a specific item by a seller accesses the on-line screen for the item. The method obtains the e-mail address of the prospective bidder and either correlates the e-mail address of the prospective bidder with the item by seller or with a classification for the item. The correlated e-mail address is then delivered to the seller or to a purchaser and may be accompanied with information identifying the specific item, the classification, whether a bid was made or not, etc. Furthermore, the delivery occurs at periodic fixed time intervals or when a fixed number of e-mail addresses are obtained.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, methods and systems disclosed herein provide for presentation of augmented reality images on mobile computing devices. An example method includes determining a measure of user interaction with a mobile computing device. The method may also include determining whether a user attention criterion is met based on the measure. Further, the method may include presenting an augmented reality image on a display in response to determining that the user attention criterion is met.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a self healing andon system. One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a system comprising at least one server. The system further includes logic executed on the at least one server that retrieves a defect history associated with a vendor and at least one product from an inbound shipment from a memory. The at least one product is stocked in a materials handling facility, and the defect history is associated with a specified time period. The at least one server extracts at least one inventory defect from the defect history in a computer system and calculates an inventory defect rate. The at least one server imposes remedial measures if the inventory defect rate exceeds a specified threshold of the inventory defect rate.

Abstract: An on-line market-place includes an auction wherein one or more predefined terms, qualities, incentives, or other such indicia (generally, “Program Terms”) are associated with the particular product and/or service which is the subject of the auction. Customers rank or otherwise designate their preference for these Program Terms (e.g., by selecting a “Preferred Program Term”), and the system then partitions the customers into “pools” in accordance with the selected Program Terms. Merchants then compete to obtain that pool of customers by bidding on the Preferred Program Term. Customers may be pooled according to demographic or other customer characteristics (“Characteristic Pooling”), or according to level of commitment to purchase (“Commitment Pooling”).

Abstract: A system and method are configured to provide business entities with news materials obtained by bystanders. The method includes receiving a news material from a device of a bystander, the news material related to an event that the bystander encountered, sending the news material to one or more business entities who want to obtain the news material, and managing associated transactions. The transfer of the news material can be made either exclusively to a winning bidder through an action or non-exclusively to multiple business entities through licensing.

Abstract: Described are performance-based pricing models for pricing execution of a client job in a cloud service. Client-provided performance-related parameters are used to determine a price. The price may be a minimum bid price that is evaluated against a bid received from client bidder to accept or reject the bid. Alternatively, the price may be returned as a quote. For batch application-type jobs, performance parameters include a work volume parameter and a deadline or the like. For an interactive-type application job, example performance-related parameters may include an average load parameter, a peak load parameter, an acceptance rate parameter, a minimum capacity parameter, a maximum capacity parameter, and/or a time window parameter over which load is specified.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for implementing lighting infrastructure application frameworks and networks and associated revenue models. In one embodiment, a computing device may receive a request from a first device to access data from a lighting infrastructure application framework, and the data from the lighting infrastructure application framework may include data from lighting node platform(s). In an embodiment, the computing device may perform authorizations related to providing access to data, as well as transmit responses to requests for data. Costs and revenues associated with applications may also be performed based on usage of platforms, sensors, and controllers within a lighting infrastructure. In an embodiment, software, applications, and other instructions may be transmitted by a computing device in response to receiving requests. In another embodiment, a computing device may process received data (e.g.

Abstract: The invention is a system and a method for renting portable property. The invention includes entering identification of an article onto the Internet. Receiving a plurality of requests via network from potential lessees to rent the article for requested rental periods then occurs. Sorting occurs for the requests to rent the article according to a chronology of the requested rental periods. Then, agreeing via network to rent the article to a plurality of lessees occurs. Transferring possession of the article from a lessor to a first lessee occurs such that the first lessee is the first in the chronology of the sorted, requested rental periods. Transferring sequentially the article between lessees according to the chronology of the sorted, requested rental periods is performed. Monitoring each rental and transfer of the article is done. Then, distributing a payment for each rental of the article occurs.

Abstract: Various embodiments relates to a vehicle servicing auction method and system. Based on vehicle diagnostic information transmitted to a vehicle servicing bidding, a vehicle servicing bidding event may be initiated. The bidding event may include submitting requests for bids to one or more vehicle service providers and receiving bids from the vehicle service providers for servicing the vehicle based on a servicing need determined from the vehicle diagnostic information. One or more bids may be received from one or more vehicle service providers and the bids output at a vehicle computing system. The user may select a bid as acceptance of the bid at the vehicle computing system. In some embodiments, the bids may be sorted by bid amount. Location information for the vehicle service provider who submitted the user selected bid may be output. A route to the vehicle service provider may be generated based on the location information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for conducting a live auction that combines various features of traditional and online auctions. According to one aspect of the present invention, the live auction includes a live, in-person auction component and a real-time online bidding environment component. Bidding information associated with an item in the online bidding environment is updated to reflect a current bid associated with the item in the live, in-person auction. During the live, in-person auction, a bid is be accepted from an online bidder in the online environment that reflects the online bidder's bid price for the item. Subsequently, the system bids on behalf of the online bidder against other online bidders as well as one or more live bidders that are participating in the live, in-person. As such, the live auction enables real-time online bidding in a live, in-person auction.

Abstract: Once a product in an auction has been purchased, a message relay (101) relays messages about sale and purchase of the product exchanged between a seller of the product and a bidder who is the winning bidder of the product, between a seller terminal used by the seller and a bidder terminal used by the winning bidder. A history storage (102) stores a history of the relayed messages. An information generator (103) uses the history to (1) estimate a seller's time that is required by the seller, in a period from when a not-yet purchased product is purchased until the product will be dispatched (2) estimates a bidder's time that is required by the bidder in the period from when the not-yet purchased product is purchased until the product will be dispatched and (3) calculates a sum of the seller's time and bidder's time, and employs the calculated sum as the expected period that is required from when the not-yet purchased product is purchased until the product will be dispatched.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing an item exchange service are usable to aid users in exchanging old items for newer items. According to one embodiment, a system can be operable to receive a request to offer a vehicle in an auction, calculate a base exchange value for the vehicle and provide, to one or more vehicle resellers, auction information associated with the vehicle. Additionally, the system may be configured to receive an exchange bid for the vehicle, determine a final exchange value of the vehicle, and provide the final exchange value of the vehicle to a seller of the vehicle. Further, the system may be configured to allow the seller to determine a course of action regarding disposing of the vehicle after conclusion of the exchange auction.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating seller to seller transactions. A seller can make products in the seller's inventory available to other sellers. Therefore, other sellers may list a portion of the seller's inventory as their own in-stock inventory. Upon the sale of such a product by another seller, embodiments of the disclosure can facilitate initiating and settling transactions between the sellers and the purchaser as well as fulfillment of the product from the seller's inventory to the purchaser on behalf of another seller.

Abstract: An auction system and method is provided comprising an auction server, a database communicating with the auction server for storing a set of auction cards and an accounting server for creating and maintaining a set of member accounts, a set of permit tag accounts and a set of coupon accounts. The auction card comprises an auction type, a current value, a bid device, a timer device, an auction item description and a suggested retail price. The auction server executes an auction for an auction item, accepting a set of bids, decrementing a bid value from the set of member accounts, determining a winning bidder of the auction, determining a set of losing bidders of the auction. If the auction item is cash, designating a cash value in the set of member accounts. A set of redeemable coupons are distributed to the set of losing bidders.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bidding on items include a predetermined price or range associated with an item, the price not disclosed to bidders. Successful bids conform to a predetermined success rule(s) determined independently of the amounts of other bids. Successful bids can be immediately communicated to the successful bidders. Price adjustments, typically discounts, can be determined and communicated prior to fulfillment.

Abstract: A smart-device application (app) enables businesses and customers to conduct semi-anonymous transactions. A customer initiates a specific but anonymous acquisition-request. A secure core-module operating on a web-server parses the request and assesses which businesses are most likely to respond, and sends the request to them. Any of these businesses may respond by sending an anonymous supply-offer back to the core-module, which is relayed on to the customer without any information identifying the potential supplier. The shopper selects two offers and submits an indication of interest in them to the core-module. More detailed information regarding the businesses is then sent to the customer, who elects to purchase from one of them by sending an offer of acceptance to the core-module. A deal confirmation is sent to both parties. The customer then rates the experience and a social medium message is sent to a social media site.

Abstract: A system and method providing for communication and resolution of utility functions between participants, wherein the utility function is evaluated based on local information at the recipient to determine a cost value thereof. A user interface having express representation of both information elements, and associated reliability of the information. An automated system for optimally conveying information based on relevance and reliability.

Abstract: The method for reducing vendor bid amounts includes providing a supplier with an invitation to make a bid for supplying a digital print job. The print job is characterized by a demand for a first number of units by a select date. The method further includes determining if a demand condition can be met. The determination includes using historical data to calculate a first commitment quantity for current jobs being provided by the supplier. The first commitment quantity is then used to calculate a second commitment quantity. The second commitment quantity provides an estimate for the number of the units and a date. The second commitment quantity is displayed to the supplier. The method provides the supplier with an option to bid for producing the estimated number of units by the estimated date.

Abstract: A preferred method of managing logistics sourcing decisions including shipping rates in a network involves transmitting a shipping bid, receiving a plurality of bid responses from a plurality of carriers including a first bid having a first shipping rate and a first expiration date from the first carrier, receiving a shipping constraint, determining whether the plurality of bid responses meet the shipping constraint to identify a rejected bid and a plurality of accepted bids, storing a plurality of accepted bids until at least their respective expiration dates, receiving a selected bid of the plurality of accepted bids of step, wherein the accepted bid is the first bid, transmitting a booking request to the first carrier and receiving tracking information related to the freight being shipped including a ship date when the freight is received by the first carrier and a receipt date when the freight is delivered to the consignee.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herewith for exchanging and/or rating works of art. A value for each of a plurality of portfolios of art owned by a plurality of participants is determined. Each portfolio of art comprises one or more works of art. The value of a particular work of art may be determined by a processor based on rating information and/or a value of another work of art. Ownership interests of the plurality of portfolios of art are pooled in a legal ownership entity having an initial total number of shares. For each participant, an initial participant value and quantity of shares is determined, e.g., based on the determined value of the respective participant's portfolio. An indicia of the respective quantity of shares is transmitted to each respective participant. In various embodiments, participants may buy and sell usage and ownership interests in the portfolios of art.

Abstract: A method includes presenting to a buyer a multi-unit auction, permitting the buyer to bid one or more of a price and a number of units in the auction, and permitting the buyer to re-bid in the auction. The auction includes a rule that prevents the buyer from reducing the price in the re-bid, and the auction further includes a rule that prevents the buyer from reducing the number of units in the re-bid.

Abstract: An information retrieval service system 40 includes: a storage device 64 for storing a question corpus; a clustering unit 100 clustering the questions and determining a prototype of each cluster; an auctioning unit 104 executing auctions for the prototypes; an updating unit 112 associating each of the questions with a winning bidder of the prototype sentence of the cluster to which the question belongs; a question-URL correspondence DB 68 storing, for each of the questions, a URL designated by the winning bidder; a question-searching unit 132 receiving a search request and searching for a question having the shortest distance to the search request; and URL searching units 134, 136 and a query issuing unit 138, transmitting the query generated from the search request to the URL corresponding to the searched out question and transmitting resulting information to an information service using terminal 48.

Abstract: System and method for computing price values associated with vehicle history attributes including a vehicle history database with vehicle history records, a transaction database, a vehicle history knowledge determination module adapted to determine whether a sale transaction related to a transaction record occurred with buyer's knowledge of the vehicle history attributes associated with the vehicle of the transaction record and to classify each transaction record based on whether buyer possessed knowledge of the vehicle history attributes, and a price adjustment module adapted to determine price values for the vehicle history attributes based on the vehicle history datasets and classification of the plurality of transaction records. In accordance with one aspect, the present invention may be implemented as a computer readable medium with instructions.

Abstract: An auction system and method, which identifies at least one lot to be auctioned, having a plurality of units within the lot and associated auction parameters; transmits a remaining quantity of units within the lot from a central server to a plurality of remote locations; receives bid identifications for remaining units within the lot at the contemporaneous offering price from the plurality of remote locations; and decrements the offering price over time. The decrement may be adaptive to a bid activity pattern, and the bid activity pattern may be stored in a database. A local server may be provided to communicate between the central server and remote locations while changing the format of the information communicated. The packets preferably include compressed information, and preferably include quantity remaining information for a plurality of auction lots.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the identity of a product and then calculating an offer price for the product are disclosed. The identity of the product may be determined using near-field communication in one aspect. The system and method are operable to enable retailers to provide a lowest price for the product and conduct a series of offer calculations to determine an offer for a consumer. The offer is based, in part, on costs to the consumer in executing the transaction (e.g., travel time, fuel, etc.). The offer may be higher than the lowest price as determined by each retailer, respectively, while still providing a discount to the consumer to entice a purchase of the product.

Abstract: A method of transacting sales over a computerized network defining a product desired to be purchased by a plurality of purchasers. A plurality of database records are produced and stored, each corresponding to a correlation between the product and a respective one of the purchasers. A cost-of-bid price is calculated in response to a first time rate at which the plurality of database records are accumulated in the database memory during the storing. The process is repeated to produce a cost-of-bid price that varies in time in response to the time rate of accumulation of the database records.

Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a transparent plate and at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor and a display for user interaction.

Abstract: A method of Internet bidding wherein a plurality of bidders bid on the item in a first episode of bidding until a deadline occurs. Within a time frame at the deadline, actual bidders from the plurality of bidders are identified and are displayed in a second continued episode of bidding. The time frame is such to identify serious bidders near the deadline and to compensate for Internet communication delays. The second episode of continued bidding is a bidding war among the identified bidders. In a first embodiment, bidding rounds, TBID, occur wherein the current high bidder's bid is displayed and the other identified bidders bid against it. In a second embodiment, bidding continues among the identified bidders with the current high bid being displayed.

Abstract: An automated bid proxy for online auctions transmits user-initiated bids to an online auction facility using dynamically adjusted bid times that vary from the user-specified or auction-specified bid times. This dynamic adjustment may advantageously distribute large bid loads over a time interval in order to reduce the peak load that is actually experienced by the automated bid proxy at times of high bid volume.

Abstract: According to the invention, a content delivery network (CDN) for delivering content objects from a content provider to a recipient is disclosed. The CDN includes a dynamic pricing engine and a second web location. The dynamic pricing engine is coupled to a first web location. The first web location, which is associated with a content provider, allows the recipient to order a content object. The delivery quote is solicited by the first web location for delivering a content object one or more times. The second web location delivers the content object to a recipient system of the recipient. The second web location is associated with the dynamic pricing engine. The dynamic pricing engine automatically produces the delivery quote, which is affected by at least one of the content object or a web location of the recipient system.

Abstract: A method and system of conducting interactive online auctions are disclosed. The method includes presenting via a network-connected auction system for viewing by users information on items for sale; presenting a first auction interface for a first item; receiving from a first group of users a plurality of pre-cap purchases, wherein each pre-cap purchase entitles user to place at least one bid for the first item; presenting an interactive chat room that enables users in the first group to communicate with each other, wherein access to the interactive chat room is limited to the first auction interface; when the received pre-cap purchases reach a threshold level, implementing a bidding interface having a bid submission interface and a timer; starting the timer; receiving from the first group of users a plurality of bids, wherein the bids correspond to the pre-cap purchases; and awarding first item to user who places the final bid before the timer ends.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing first information identifying a sensor-data set that includes sensor-data from multiple sensor-data streams from multiple sensors over a period of time, with the sensor data from the sensor-data streams having been combined with each other based on a relationship of the sensor data to a sensor subject; accessing second information identifying one or more offers to purchase the sensor-data set; and matching one of the offers with the sensor-data set to facilitate a purchase of the sensor-data set based at least on the one of the offers matched to the sensor-data set.

Abstract: Provided are computer-based systems, software, and computer-implemented methods for providing a marketplace for e-procurement that leverages asymmetric market forces to the benefit of an advantaged market participant. Such a marketplace additionally, creates a synergistic effect by offering a wide range of procurement methods.

Abstract: A system and method for a sales transaction system (STS) in a social media network is presented. The invention provides a simple way to sell and purchase products in a social media environment allowing sellers to easily set up campaigns of a group of products they wish to sell. A member of the social network simply types a purchase direction statement (PDS) that is a keyword to indicate their desire to buy a listed product. The STS detects the PDS and invoices the buyer, updating the seller as to the completed payment, and directing them to ship to the appropriate address.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to web based systems for providing and managing investment opportunities. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to system and method for providing individuals the ability to bid on and invest in fractional ownership of otherwise indivisible real and intellectual property assets. It is an object of the present invention to provide individuals who may otherwise be unable to afford or participate in investments related to property the ability to participate in a fractional ownership of such property and to have ownership rights and utilization rights of the property to be administrated or otherwise identified by components of the system.

Abstract: A merchant/seller portal enables sellers of auction items on Internet auction sites to obtain cash payments from buyers identified only by their buyer pseudonyms. The portal includes an open network interface, a seller database in which data associated with a seller are stored, a buyer manager for verifying auction purchase data received from a merchant terminal, an auction site manager for verifying auction transaction data with an auction site server, and an auction payment manager for communicating data messages with an auction payment server to transfer funds for a verified auction transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting prices and/or quantities of products in a multi-product clock auction are disclosed. An auction manager module determines first prices for the products and subsequently receives first bids from one or more bidding devices based on the first prices. After receiving first bids using the first prices, the auction manager module modifies the first prices to generate adjusted prices if the first bids indicate a product is oversubscribed. After receiving second bids using the adjusted prices, if a product is undersubscribed, the auction manager module rolls back the adjusted price of the undersubscribed product to the first price. In one embodiment, the auction manager module also rolls back product quantities from the second bids to quantities from the first bids if such a modification alleviates product undersubscription.

Abstract: A method of communications network shopping by buyers of products and services for purchasing such from sellers in which buyers request an automatic reverse auctioneer or auction controller to initiate a reverse auction in real time amongst willing sellers and to solicit their automatic real-time iterative bidding price quotations for such products and services to be returned automatically over the network back to the controller under the iterative processing guidance of the controller to assure a best bid price quotation for the buyer; and automatically effecting buyer notification or purchase at such best price, all while the buyer may remain on-line, and without any manual intervention.

Abstract: Methods and systems for use in acquiring parts from suppliers using auction information including a requested part and decision criteria from an ordering manager agent and from supplier agents associated with part suppliers. A criteria comparison matrix representing a relative importance of each decision criterion is created. A criteria importance vector is created based on the criteria comparison matrix, and a supplier comparison matrix corresponding to each decision criterion is also created. The supplier comparison matrix represents a relative ranking of each supplier with respect to the corresponding decision criterion. A supplier criteria ranking vector corresponding to each decision criterion is created based on the supplier comparison matrix that corresponds to the decision criterion. The supplier criteria ranking vectors and the criteria importance vector are combined to create a supplier score matrix associated with the ordering manager agent and indicating a score associated with each supplier.

Abstract: In typical two-way trading systems, bidders cannot trade directly with other bidders, and sellers cannot trade directly with other sellers, resulting in possible missed trading opportunities. Methods, systems, devices, and networks for enabling two-way trading systems to perform multi-party exchanges are disclosed. Example embodiments allow multiple bidders (buyers), multiple sellers, or a seller and bidder of separate marketplaces to trade among themselves. Embodiments may discover, for bidders and sellers, opportunities to trade with other sellers or bidders, or both, without a time-consuming and limited process of searching and discovering relevant opportunities. Bidders and sellers may not find such opportunities on their own in typical two-way trading systems. The embodiments may be implemented as stand-alone systems or as add-ons that may be used to augment or enhance existing two-way trading systems.

Abstract: An auction set of publisher parameters is composed. In addition, the auction set of publisher parameters is sent to an auction engine that provides a subset of the auction set of publisher parameters to one or more of a plurality of content network delivery providers. A selected bid based upon a bid selection process that evaluates a bid from each of the one or more of the plurality of content delivery network providers based upon the auction set of publisher parameters is received from the auction engine.

Abstract: A system and method for defining a custom business process associated with a financial transaction. Defining a business process includes creating one or more forms for exchanging information among a customer, a financial institution, and, optionally, a vendor or other third-party who performs one or more sub-transactions related to the financial transaction. The system and method of the present invention provide for customizing each form to include one or more data elements associated with the financial transaction. The selected data elements are subsequently used to define logical relationships for automating order placement of sub-transactions. The logical relationships are triggered by one or more predetermined events. Once triggered, the logical relationships are applied, and the result or outcome is used to perform other tasks associated with the financial transaction automatically.

Abstract: A system for conducting commercial transactions between buyers and sellers is disclosed. The system includes a transaction processing system for facilitating payment for transactions between buyers and the sellers. In addition to the buyer and the seller, the transaction processing system also interacts with issuers and acquirers. The transaction processing system monitors and manages payment information relating to transactions conducted between buyers and sellers. Using such information, the transaction processing system further offers a number of additional financing services including, for example, buyer payment assurance, buyer bank payment assurance, buyer bank payable discounting, buyer bank payable discount aggregation, seller/receivable financing and seller bank receivable discount aggregation.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing a workflow system by providing supportive information for a project is disclosed. A purchase order relating to at least one request for at least one good, at least one service, and combinations thereof relating to the project is received from a first user. An actual data to complete a portion of the project is received from a second user in response to the purchase order. An invoice is received from the second user upon completion of the portion of the project. The purchase order, actual data, and the invoice are compared to determine a discrepancy between the purchase order, actual data, and the invoice. A proposed reconciliation from the first user or the second user is received in response to an electronic notification of the discrepancy. An approval or disapproval of the proposed reconciliation is received from the first user or the second user.