Abstract: A server receives an initial query that identifies a first item listed by a first user account and an initial query value for the first item. The server provides the initial query to a first computing device associated with the first user account and receives a first response to the initial query from the first computing device. The first response indicates a rejection of the initial query value. In response to the rejection, the server identifies a second item listed by a second user account. The second item includes a shared attribute with the first item. The server substitutes the initial query with a replacement query that identifies the second item and the initial query value for the first item. The replacement query is provided to a second computing device associated with the second user account.

Abstract: A content code is defined containing user content, and a corresponding profile code defining user context information. The profile code may be scanned and stored temporarily in a user device or elsewhere. The user content can then be modified on the basis of the stored context information. In some cases the context code and profile code may be separate, so that a given profile code may be applied to diverse pieces of content, or may be combined. The stored context information may be undated or modified when particular events, such as re-scanning a code, occur. The codes may comprise binary codes, such that the profile code and the content code can be compared by a logical operation.

Abstract: In a classifier whose classification accuracy is maintained without frequently collecting labeled learning data, a learning unit learns a classification criterion of a classifier at each time point in the past until the present and learns a time series change of the classification criterion by using data for learning to which a label is given and that is collected until the present. A classifier creating unit predicts a classification criterion of a future classifier and creates a classifier that outputs a label representing an attribute of input data by using the learned classification criterion and time series change.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the postponed purchase of an item is described. The system comprises: a networked matching engine for matching stock identifier information relating to one or more items for postponed purchase by a user, with information relating to the availability of the one or more items in a physical store; a location engine for locating a mobile device in a physical location relative to the physical store; and a notification engine in communication with the networked matching engine and the location engine, the notification engine configured to receive matches of stock identifier information and then notify the user via the user mobile device regarding the availability of the one or more items when the mobile device is disposed at a selected distance from a physical store which has items within it which correspond to the matched stock identifier information. There is also described a method of facilitating a postponed purchase of an item to a user.

Abstract: Ring attributes may be predicted using a predictive model. A diamond selection system determines predicted ring attributes by obtaining and analyzing data related to a recipient, such as social media activity. The diamond selection system may determine search parameters based on predicted ring attributes and present a curated selection or list of candidate stones and/or settings that match the determined search parameters, for example, in a user interface of a mobile electronic device.

Abstract: One embodiment involves a method and apparatus for mapping lexical keywords into entity description semantics in order to create unambiguous buyer-confirmed descriptions of entities. The method described herein relies on a computer program and some mechanism for computer data storage.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein for automatic limit service increase in a multi-tenant cloud infrastructure environment. The systems and methods described herein provide for automatic approval of limit service increase requests that are either automatically generated based upon a tenant's usage of resources within the cloud infrastructure environment, or are received via, e.g., a user portal. Such automatic approval can be based upon a set of maximal limits that are computed based upon the tenant's current usage, level of subscription, or hard limit values.

Abstract: A computer-implemented platform has a cloud-based offset engine that determines data stored on a local storage device of an external device exceeds a predetermined local data storage threshold, whereby the external device is remotely situated from the computer-implemented platform. Further, the computer-implemented platform has a receiver that receives, via a network, first level encrypted offset data. The encrypted offset data is the data that is encrypted by the external device according to a first encryption key, and that is timestamped by the external device according to a first timestamp. Moreover, the computer-implemented platform has a compression assessment engine that determines that the external device is incapable of performing compression according to one or more predefined compression criteria and that performs compression of the first level encrypted offset data according to the one or more predefined compression criteria to generate compressed and encrypted offset data.

Abstract: A system recommends outfits to a user by communicating through a database layer and a computing layer. The system transmits a sequence of onboarding outfits corresponding to a plurality of product attributes and generates a dynamic user profile in response to an onboarding process. The system trains the computing layer during a computing session based on the dynamic user profile to generate a plurality of recommendations The recommendations are transmitted to a remote end-user device ranked according to the dynamic user profile.

Abstract: In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a list of items to be purchased by a user. The method further includes performing an analysis of the list of items based at least in part on a cost for each item of the list of items at each of a plurality of stores, a distance of travel to each of the plurality of stores, and promotional discounts for one or more of the items of the list of items at each of the plurality of stores. The method further includes generating a table of recommendations based on the analysis. Each recommendation of the table of recommendations can include a description, a total travel distance, and a total cost.

Abstract: An intelligent television can provide various interfaces for navigating processes associated with providing content. The user interfaces include unique visual representations and organizations that allow the user to utilize the intelligent television more easily and more effectively. Particularly, the user interfaces pertain to the display of media content, electronic programming guide information, television content, and other content. Further, the user interfaces provide unique process of transitioning between the content.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, user feedback on a purchased item is received from a user. Attributes of the purchased item are identified. Then relevant attributes are determined from the attributes, the determination of relevant attributes being based on user information regarding the user. Comments for the relevant attributes are generated based on the user feedback. The comments are then displayed to the user for selection and posting.

Abstract: Method for the calculation resource-saving semantic segmentation of image data of an imaging sensor with the aid of an artificial neural network, in particular, of a convolutional neural network, the artificial neural network including an encoder path, a decoder path, the encoder path transitioning into the decoder path, the transition taking place via a discriminative path, the following steps taking place in the discriminative path: dividing an input tensor as a function of a division function into at least one first slice tensor and at least one second slice tensor, the input tensor originating from the encoder path; connecting the at least one first slice tensor to the at least one second slice tensor as a function of a connection function in order to obtain a class tensor; and outputting the class tensor to the decoder path of the neural network.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating searching, obtaining and displaying product choice recommendations using inputs, including continuum-based inputs, and variable-sized visual representations are disclosed. In an embodiment, a user is presented with at least one continuum-based selector and at least one product choice visual representation. At least one input indicating user interest value in a product attribute is received and compared with stored result values of product choices. A unique weighing value indicating the relevancy of the product choice is generated for each product based on the comparison performed. The user is then presented with at least one product choice visual representation which may be modified based on the unique weighing value of the product choice.

Abstract: An inventory system methodology is presented including generating a three dimensional computer representation of an environment using a camera of a mobile device, converting the three dimensional computer representation of the environment into a two dimensional electronic map, scanning, with a scanner that is coupled to the mobile device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, which is coupled to an item that is in the environment, determining a location of the RFID tag based on a location of the scanner in the three dimensional computer representation of the environment when the scanning occurred, and indicating the location of the item, based on the location of the RFID tag, on the two dimensional electronic map.

Abstract: Approaches presented herein enable providing a user with a procurement context notification. More specifically, a selection of an item for procurement by a user through an e-commerce enabled website is obtained. The item, including a use for the item, is identified. A web pointer to web accessible media provided by a third party source that describes the use for the identified item is then retrieved from a browsing history of the user. A description of this web accessible media is generated based on content from the web accessible media. The description and/or the web pointer are attached to a procurement confirmation document, which is then sent to the user. The confirmation document with the attached description and web pointer can be a physical document for inclusion with a physical package containing the item to be transported to the user.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems, methods, and techniques for managing transaction cards. User registration processes, order processes, and failure detection processes for a secure universal shopping cart are provided. Systems and methods may acquire identifiers. Systems and methods may also identify items associated with the identifiers. In addition, systems and methods may acquire a list of merchants that offer each item. Systems and methods may further determine, for each identifier, merchants based on user preferences. Even further, systems and methods may generate a payment token for each item. Systems and methods may then transmit the payment token for each item to its respective merchant.

Abstract: A centralized accounting system for invoice generation is described as a web-based portal accessible by parties of a supply chain finance relationship via one or more computer networks. The centralized system provides a computer-based, network accessible platform in which a customer and a vendor may negotiate and agree upon terms of a purchase order for products. The centralized system then approves the purchase order based on vendor and customer profile information, and sends a notification of the approved purchase order to a bank. The centralized system automatically generates a vendor invoice for the approved purchase order and submit the vendor invoice to the bank for payment according the terms of the supply chain finance relationship. The centralized system ensures that the vendor invoice is accurate for the approved purchase order. The centralized system may also automatically generate and submit a bank invoice to the customer for the approved purchase order.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a set of normalized attribute values that define a particular item being offered and a corresponding threshold score for each of the normalized attribute values. The method further includes, for each attribute value of a candidate item listing, determining a score for the attribute value based on whether it matches a corresponding normalized attribute value, and determining whether the score is above or below the corresponding threshold score for the normalized attribute value. The method still further includes determining whether the candidate item listing describes the particular item being offered based on a set of rules that define an acceptable number of scores that are allowed to be below the threshold scores.

Abstract: An information providing device includes a specifying unit that specifies a second trading object related to a second trading object page to be compared with a first trading object related to a first trading object page to be displayed on a user terminal, a comparison unit that extracts first trading object information corresponding to the first trading object and second trading object information corresponding to the second trading object from a page information database that stores trading object information corresponding to trading objects, and compares the first and second trading object information, and a page transmitting unit that presents comparison information indicating a result of comparison to a user. The second trading object page is a webpage displayed on the user terminal prior to the first trading object page.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to matching users with items. In one example, information related to one or more users is obtained from one or more sources including an online source. The information is transformed into one or more psychological needs of each user. One or more items are obtained. Each item is associated with abilities to satisfy one or more psychological needs. The one or more users are matched with the one or more items based on the users' psychological needs and the items' abilities to satisfy psychological needs to generate a matching result. The matching result is provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for processing customer orders. An example method can commence with receiving a customer document and converting the customer document into a text document. The method can further include analyzing the text document to determine at least one customer data field in the text document. The method can continue with matching the at least one customer data field to at least one order data field. The method can further include populating, based on the matching, the at least one order data field with at least one text value corresponding to the at least one customer data field. The method can continue with generating a purchase order document based on the at least one text value. The purchase order document can include at least one product corresponding to the at least one order data field.

Abstract: A system, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media includes a computer system configured to receive a selected product to be located in a retail store of a retailer inputted by a user into a mobile computer application running on a mobile computing device, to perform a search for the selected product on a plurality of products records corresponding to a plurality of products offered by the retailer, to identify one or more of the product records relevant to the selected product, to transmit the one or more product records identified as one or more search results, to provide the one or more search results to the mobile computer application running on the mobile computing device, each of the one or more search results being associated with a product offered by the retailer, and to suggest at least one related product to the selected product, and to receive at least one product or at least one related product from the search results selected by the user using the mobile computer application run

Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method may include the steps of selecting a family of article types, selecting a customized article type, manufacturing an article of footwear with the customized article type and shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. The customized article type can be configured with a user selected characteristic. The method can also include limiting the number of article types displayed to a user at any time.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a user to quickly access product information and/or commerce functionalities as related to one or more products that are associated with an electronic document, such as a web page, that is currently being viewed by the user in an electronic document viewing program, such as an Internet browser.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to identify non-traditional asset-bundles for purchasing groups using social media. An example method includes identifying an asset-bundle in a social media message and generating a profile for a user associated with the social media message. The example method also includes identifying a plurality of social media messages posted by cohorts of the user based on the generated profile and classifying the asset-bundle based on occurrences of the asset-bundle in the plurality of social media messages.

Abstract: A facility for initiating a purchase is described. The facility receives a text sequence captured by a user from a rendered document using a handheld text capture device. The facility identifies in the received text sequence a reference to a distinguished product. In response to identifying the reference, the facility presents to the user an opportunity to place an order for the established product. If the user accepts the presented opportunity to order the distinct product, the facility orders the distinct product on behalf of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a point-of-recognition optimizer system configured to optimize onsite user purchases at a physical location. In various aspects, a purchasable-unit identifier (ID) may be received via a computer transmission, where the purchasable-unit ID, as identified by an optimizer device, is associated with a recognized purchasable-unit located onsite with the optimizer device. Based on the purchasable-unit ID, a plurality of competing purchasable-units may be identified, which may be either onsite or offsite purchasable-units. An offer is transmitted via a second computer transmission for an offered purchasable-unit to the optimizer device where the offer originates from an outbidding purchasable-unit distributor, and where the outbidding purchasable-unit distributor outbid other competing purchasable-unit distributors, each distributor corresponding to the plurality of competing purchasable-units, for an opportunity for the optimizer device to receive the offer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for reorder point management in a smartphone. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for purchase reminding includes monitoring payments performed by a payment application executing in memory of a smartphone and determining by a processor of the smartphone for each of the payments, an ordered product. The method further includes associating each ordered product for which payment has been made with a corresponding reorder point indicating a lapse of time subsequent to which the ordered product is to be reordered. Finally, the method includes periodically processing each reorder point to determine whether or not to reorder a corresponding ordered product and, in response to the processing, displaying in the smartphone a reminder to reorder each ordered product for which a corresponding reorder point indicates reordering.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for identifying similar items in a data store by generating a modified query from a user supplied query and from information stored about particular item in the data store. Predetermined descriptive terms can be designated as useful for identifying items, and these terms can be located within keyword data for a particular item. Item correlations can also be identified with respect to a category designation of the item. The modified query can be generated based upon the predetermined descriptive terms in the item keyword data and the item correlations.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems, methods, and techniques for managing transaction cards. User registration processes, order processes, and failure detection processes for a secure universal shopping cart are provided. Systems and methods may acquire identifiers. Systems and methods may also identify items associated with the identifiers. In addition, systems and methods may acquire a list of merchants that offer each item. Systems and methods may further determine, for each identifier, merchants based on user preferences. Even further, systems and methods may generate a payment token for each item. Systems and methods may then transmit the payment token for each item to its respective merchant.

Abstract: A user function operation method and an electronic device supporting the same are provided. The user function operation method includes executing a user function according to at least one of a selection event and a preset execution cycle by loading program data realizing the user function on a memory and starting a timer, outputting information collected during execution of the user function, and removing, upon expiration of the timer, the program data from the memory while sustaining information output by the user function.

Abstract: Method and systems for providing universal event reminders in place of advertisements by leveraging advertisement retargeting. Information about a reminder event and a registered interest associated with the reminder event is received from a browser utilized by a user. The user's browser is then directed to provide the registered interest and information about accessing the reminder to an advertising service. In response to receiving a request for content from the browser, the request for content being generated in response to the browser receiving information about accessing the reminder from the advertising service, serving to the browser the reminder.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments described herein are related to techniques for automatically generating narratives about data based on communication goal data structures that are associated with configurable content blocks. The use of such communication goal data structures facilitates modes of operation whereby narratives can be generated in real-time and/or interactive manners.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for reducing functional ambiguity from an image. In one embodiment, an input image is received and processed to identify objects. Spatial proximity score of the identified objects are determined based on which functional proximity score of functionalities associated with the identified objects is further determined. Upon determining the functional proximity score, possible domain of all the functionalities associated with the identified objects is determined. Further, a domain score is determined based on which the ambiguity of the domain related to the input image is reduced. A text summary of objects, functionalities and possible domains associated with the input image is then generated upon mapping with one or more user profiles and displayed to end user.

Abstract: A user communication device retrieves shape information from active labels and performs an image based search on the shape files to find locally available acceptable replacement parts. The user communication device may use only the shape files from the active label, or the user communication device may use a combination of images from both the active label and images generated by a user to search for an acceptable replacement part for a faulty system. Using the active label system, the user communication device directly pings replacement parts at local retailers independently of the computer networks operated by the retailers. The user communication device receives back data from replacement parts and provides the user with a list of locally available parts.

Abstract: To enable registration of a commodity without interrupting the flow of sales registration by an operator, a commodity identification device 2 specifically includes: a camera 27 that takes an image of an object that an operator holds over the camera; and a CPU 211 that is configured to, when the object is recognized from an image taken by the camera 27 and the object recognized is compared with reference images of each commodity in plurality of directions, and when the object is similar to a plurality of commodities, specify reference images having a noticeable difference, and guide the operator to rotate the object so that the object in the direction corresponding to the specified reference images is directed toward the camera 27.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing point of advertising purchasing include using mass media publications configured for or containing service, product or vendor transmittable signals, such as from radio frequency identification tags. In a preferred arrangement, a consumer perceiving an advertisement of the mass media publication may activate a reader in a portable communications device, such as a smart mobile or cellular phone, to receive information from the radio frequency signal associated with the advertisement to identify a vendor, product or service associated with the radio frequency identification. The smart mobile phone or communications device of the consumer may communicate with a system of a vendor or vendors by way of a commerce data organization system across a network to order a product or product information from a system of the vendor over the network by using the information from the radio frequency identification.

Abstract: A facility for initiating a purchase is described. The facility receives a text sequence captured by a user from a rendered document using a handheld text capture device. The facility identifies in the received text sequence a reference to a distinguished product. In response to identifying the reference, the facility presents to the user an opportunity to place an order for the established product. If the user accepts the presented opportunity to order the distinct product, the facility orders the distinct product on behalf of the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments relating to generating profile-based item suggestions from a stylist when purchasing items through an electronic commerce system. A network page is rendered in a client computing device comprising an input field to input descriptions of items the user wishes to purchase and a stylist profile selection mechanism to select a suggested stylist profile. The user inputs descriptions of items and selects the suggested stylist profile. An item suggestions request comprising the item descriptions and the selected stylist profile is sent from the client computing device to a server computing device.

Abstract: A method of extending an existing product taxonomy for an inventory of products. The existing product taxonomy can include pages having a hierarchical tree structure. The method can include determining a first set of keywords. The first set of keywords can be a prediction of keywords searched above a predetermined threshold during a predetermined time period of one or more external search engines. The method also can include generating dynamic product groups based on the first set of keywords. The method further can include generating a relation graph of the dynamic product groups. The relation graph can include relation links between the dynamic product groups. The method also can include linking the dynamic product groups to pages in the existing product taxonomy to generate an extended product taxonomy. The extended product taxonomy can include the existing product taxonomy, the dynamic product groups, and the relation links of the relation graph between the dynamic product groups.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for receiving a query regarding an establishment, retrieving an output image from an image database in response to the query, and transmitting the output image to a mobile device. In one example, image data including a plurality of interior establishment images and a plurality of stocking area images are also received, wherein the image database may be constructed based on the received image data.

Abstract: The device relates to a system for predicting the period for children to safely wear newly acquired footwear without the risk of damage to their growing feet, which is directly applicable in shoe shops (at their computer cash registers). The essence of the solution for a system for predicting the period for children to safely wear newly acquired footwear rests in the fact that it contains an input module measuring foot length and input of information about the age of the monitored child to which is linked a model for predicting the growth of the child's foot by applying the laws of growth, possibly also including genetic and local influences, connected to a comparative and inferential module establishing the predicted course of growth in foot length of the monitored child, to which is then linked an output module designating the nearest date for the necessary replacement of shoe size for the monitored child.

Abstract: One embodiment involves a method and apparatus for mapping lexical keywords into entity description semantics in order to create unambiguous buyer-confirmed descriptions of entities. The method described herein relies on a computer program and some mechanism for computer data storage.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus can be operative to capture a frame of image data representing a scene having one or more decodable indicia and display image data corresponding to the one or more decodable indicia. The imaging apparatus can be operative so that responsively to a user input control decoded message data of a selected decodable indicia is selectively output. One or more processor executable program can be provided for facilitating selective output of decoded message data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing price information. Travel preferences are received from a user for a trip including a starting location, starting travel date, destination and arrival date. At least two months are presented in a calendar, including a month associated with the starting travel date. For one or more days from the starting travel date, a price is determined that is associated with a cost of originating travel on a respective day. A lowest price is determined of a ticket to travel on a trip starting on the respective day that lasts a projected number of days equal to a proposed trip length plus or minus a predetermined delta number of days. The lowest price for each day is presented in the calendar and in a graph that includes axes representing price and days.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of identifying desirable items in a category of items based on features. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for presenting alternative shopping options to a customer. A collection of alternative shopping options is identified in a computing device based upon subject matter of a network page generated by a first one of a plurality of network sites to be presented to a customer. Each of the network sites is configured to sell a plurality of products, and at least one of the alternative shopping options comprises a purchase opportunity associated with a second one of the network sites. An estimate of a benefit for each of the alternative shopping options is determined with respect to the first one of the network sites, and a subset of the alternative shopping options is identified to be included in the network page based at least upon the estimates. The subset of the alternative shopping options is included in the first network page.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for obtaining remote shopping advice are described herein. In one example, a method includes taking two or more media representations of items to be discussed. A parameter is selected within a social shopping app for obtaining feedback on the items to be discussed. The two or more media representations are assembled into a query within the social shopping app based, at least in part, on the parameter. The query is sent to a reviewer from within the social shopping app. Feedback on the items to be discussed is received from the reviewer within the social shopping app.

Abstract: There is provided systems and method for altering travel route with a transaction location. A buyer may wish to travel between two locations and have a least costly or most direct route with a transportation provider. Additionally, the buyer may wish to arrange a transaction location along the travel route with a merchant. The transaction location may correspond to a merchant storefront or a mobile seller. Thus, the least costly travel route may be changed to incorporate the transaction location, where the new travel route is calculated to minimize a monetary cost to the user by changing the least costly travel route with the transaction location.