Abstract: Methods and systems for providing personalized training.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments may generally be directed to, among other things, a platform for providing information to one or more consumers to facilitate the purchase of one or more vehicles. In one embodiment, the platform may provide information associated with one or more OEMs and their vehicle product lines. In another embodiment, the platform may facilitate selecting, building, modifying, comparing, and/or purchasing one or more vehicles. In yet another embodiment, the platform may determine inventory data corresponding to actual available inventory at one or more dealerships.

Abstract: Comparative decision systems and methods are disclosed for gathering and mining data representative of purchase decisions. One disclosed comparative decision system detects when a user is comparing items and provides the user with the ability to create a research note storing comparative information for the alternative items. The system displays information about items according to a variety of factors. The user can customize the factors and enter information for each alternative item according to the various factors. Some information may be pre-populated by the system. The research note may be made visible to other users, and may be suggested to another user based on the note's expected helpfulness and relevance to that user. One disclosed method for mining data stored within research notes identifies which factors are given higher relative priorities by users considering a purchase. Another mining method analyzes the effects of price changes on item popularity.

Abstract: A solution is provided for a method for a user to shop online in a three dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR) setting by receiving a request at a shopping server to view a shopping location, having at least one store, and displaying the shopping location to the user's computer in a 3D interactive simulation view via a web browser to emulate a real-life shopping experience for the user. The server then obtains a request to enter into one of the stores and displays the store website to the user in the same web browser. The store website has one or more enhanced VR features. The server then receives a request to view at least one product and the product is presented in a 3D interactive simulation view to emulate a real-life viewing of the product.

Abstract: A report generator that analyzes a vehicle for sale against other vehicles in the market. Each vehicle has specific attributes that are not shared by substantially all similar vehicles, (examples of such attributes are: a low price or a low mileage (both as compared to average), a certified status, a low number of accidents reported, whether it is a late model year, a standard color, a warranty, a low number of previous owners, a sunroof, an upgraded engine, an upgraded stereo, keyless entry, heated seats, navigation, or leather seats). The report generator lists a sub-set of the other vehicles and identifies the missing specific attributes of each vehicle in the sub-set.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying footwear information. The method and system utilize a database on a computer readable medium, the database including a plurality of footwear representations including various measurement parameters. A user inputs a selection of a reference footwear model. A footwear representation of the reference footwear model is loaded from the database along with footwear representations for a plurality of additional models of footwear. The footwear representation for the reference footwear model and the footwear representations for the additional models of footwear are compared to identify at least one of the additional models of footwear having similar measurement parameters as the reference footwear model. Additional models identified are presented to the user as a recommendation.

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: A computer-readable storage medium contains instructions that cause one or more computing devices to receive a product specification data set identifying one or more items, and price data sets that include one or more items and corresponding price data. For each price data set, metric data is obtained which includes one or more market reference prices for the items in the price data set. A market value of the items is calculated for comparison to the price data in the price data set. The instructions may also cause the one or more computing devices to compare the price data in the price data set to the calculated market value to generate a comparison value. In another embodiment, metric data is obtained for each item in a product specification data set, and a market value of each item is calculated for comparison to the price data in the price data sets.

Abstract: A method for comparison of product information based on product codes to determine the cost per unit volume per product and hereby determine the cheapest product per unit volume is disclosed herein. Embodiments herein enable the consumer to easily access the cost per unit volume of products, without putting an additional burden on the retailer or any other component in the product supply chain.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating a self-updating naturally-reading narrative product summary including assertions about a selected product. In one embodiment, the system and method includes evaluating an existing narrative product summary, comparing an existing attribute name, attribute value, attribute unit, and assertion model, respectively, to a current attribute name, attribute value, attribute unit, and assertion model to determine if one of the comparisons shows a change. The system and method further determines a new attribute associated with the selected product, selects an alternative product, retrieves a new assertion model with assertions that describe the selected product and identify an alternative product in a natural manner.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to providing travel destinations. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining first travel destination information associated with a first travel destination. The method also includes determining one or more alternative travel destinations based on similarities between each alternative travel destination and the first travel destination and based on pricing. The method also includes providing the one or more alternative travel destinations and pricing.

Abstract: A computerized urgent goods and services fulfillment system vets a plurality of providers of an urgent service or goods (URGS) requested by a seeker. The fulfillment system includes a server and a database for storing provider profiles. Upon seeker request, the server screens the providers capable of providing requested URGS. Screening can include analysis of provider profiles, the seeker profile, proximal data and temporal data associated with the plurality providers. The server then proffers at least one screened provider selected from the plurality of providers.

Abstract: The invention is characterized as a data processing architecture and method for multi-stage processing of buyers' purchase information documents where information of actual purchases are delivered to a server on the Internet and users of the system are able to view aggregated information of actual purchases, purchase dates, and store locations of anonymous buyers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of providing a user with one or more savings opportunities. The method comprising, gathering transaction data from a user's financial account, analyzing the transaction data for indications of savings opportunities, identifying savings opportunities from a database based on analysis and communicating the savings opportunities to the user.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system to verify an employment history of an applicant. The method involves obtaining data from a plurality of data sources comprising a business application, aggregating data to obtain aggregated data, where aggregated data includes employment and payroll data from the plurality of data sources, receiving a request for an employment history verification report based on a job application, where the request includes applicant identification information, searching aggregated data for data associated with applicant identification information, and providing the employment history verification report corresponding to applicant identification information, where the employment history verification report is based on the request and aggregated data. The employment history verification report may be based on employment and payroll data associated with applicant identification information.

Abstract: After marketplace listings are returned via a search, an indication of two or more of the marketplace results to pin and compare is received. A travel cost for any pinned local marketplace result to compare is calculated by determining a travel distance between the electronic device and the location in the pinned local marketplace result to compare and estimating a cost associated with traveling the travel distance. A true purchase price is calculated for each pinned local marketplace result to compare by adding the price for the product, the sales tax, and the travel cost. A true purchase price for each pinned online marketplace result to compare by adding the price for the product, the sales tax, and the shipping cost, these true purchase prices are then displayed side-by-side in the user interface.

Abstract: The subject matter of this document can be embodied in, among other things, a computer-method that includes receiving a text message associated with a first telephone number, and establishing a communication session associated with the received text message. The communication session is established by modifying the received text message so that the received text message is associated with a second telephone number that is different from the first telephone number, and subsequent text messages associated with the second telephone number are included as part of the communication session. The method also includes transmitting the text message to a text messaging system, such that the text message appears to have originated from the second telephone number. Upon receiving a text message reply from a user in response to the transmitted text message, the text message reply is associated with the established communication session.

Abstract: A comparison shopping method comprising reading with a portable device a product code comprising a product identifier that identifies a product of interest located at a local store; transmitting the product identifier to a comparison shopping server computer; the comparison shopping server computer obtaining price information from a plurality of shopping server computers; the comparison shopping server computer determining the identity of the local store; the comparison shopping server requesting a local store server associated with the local store to provide a real-time offer for purchase of the product from the local store; the local store server computer calculating the real-time offer; the local store server computer sending the real-time offer to the comparison shopping server computer; and the comparison shopping server computer sending the price information from the plurality of shopping server computers and the real-time offer to the portable device.

Abstract: A process for providing seller pre-qualification during the matching phase of an electronic commerce transaction includes a directory structure comprising multiple hierarchically organized product classes, each product class categorizing multiple products and defining one or more attributes of the products categorized in the product class. The process also includes one or more pointers for each product class, each pointer identifying a seller database in which product data enabling a product transaction is stored for products categorized in the product class. The process further includes a search interface configured to communicate a search query for product data only to one or more seller databases associated with sellers having seller attribute values matching the specified seller attribute criteria, these seller databases being identified by the one or more pointers associated with the selected product class.

Abstract: A user account including a personal profile is stored by a server for subsequent use. The user is provided a list of displayable entries sortable using specified criteria in a manner that allows the user to review a selection of entries and to make a change to the selection prior to submitting a transaction for processing. Responsive to a request to log into the user account, the identity of the user is verified. Once verified, the transaction is facilitated between a vendor and the user pursuant to instructions from the user. The instructions are generated based on a shopping cart screen rendered by a client device of the user. The user is sent a confirmation message regarding the transaction while the user is logged in the server. The user can be provided an account screen allowing access to information relating to user transactions and information relating to an account balance.

Abstract: A host computing device conducts scheduled repetitive searches for a resource to be purchased and delivery according to a specified delivery schedule. A customer provides the host with a description of the resource and provides a specified delivery schedule. The host computing device conducts automated scheduled repetitive searches for the resource, selects a vendor offering the resource based on a criterion (e.g., lowest price), and conducts the respective purchases such that the resources are delivered in accordance with the specified delivery schedule. Here, the resource may be purchased from a first vendor in a first purchase and a second, different vendor in a subsequent second purchase for the resource.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying and managing images of consumer products. A multi-resolution mosaic (MRM) digital image of a shelf layout on which consumer products, including those for pre-determined demographic groups, are displayed is created. The created MRM digital image includes a layered hierarchy of vector images and/or visual overlays stored in progressive resolution format and allows progressive resolution display without loss of image quality on the selected plural consumer products that appear in the MRM digital image. The created MRM digital image is displayed via a communications network and provides a virtual shopping experience that emulates a shopping experience in an actual retail store.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to a computer-implemented architecture that can provide a non-invasive comparative shopping tool, such as a browser plug-in. For example, the plug-in can determine whether a web user is currently visiting a purchase page, thus indicating that the web user is likely to be interested in purchasing items online. Upon making this determination, the plug-in can display a non-invasive listing (that can be quickly and conveniently dismissed) of comparable items at favorable prices (or with favorable features, etc.) that are available for purchase at other web sites. In addition, the plug-in can communicate with a data store, e.g., by way of the web, in order to help make various determination as well as to receive the listing of comparable items.

Abstract: A product catalog includes information regarding products for sale online by various merchants. An analysis software module can collect information regarding new product offers and associate that information with existing product information in the catalog. The module can identify one or more potential product matches in the catalog based on identical or similar strong identifier information between the offer and the potential match, and/or based on query search result relationships between the offer and the potential match. The analysis module can evaluate each potential match by performing an image comparison between one or more product images provided with the offer and one or more representative images selected by the analysis module for the potential matching product. If the analysis module confirms a match, the analysis module can add information regarding the new product offer to the product catalog, associating the new product offer with the confirmed matching product.

Abstract: A collaborative real estate search is described. Overlay data including indications of properties for sale within a geographic area are provided to a first user device. The overlay data are capable of being overlaid on a map of the geographic area on a user interface. Selections of some of the properties for sale are received from the first user device and a list of those properties is stored within a folder associated with the first user. The system enables a second user device—associated with a second user who is associated with the first user—to access the list of the properties selected by the user. This includes enabling the second user device to cause information regarding the properties to be stored within the folder. The information is made available for display on a user interface of the first user device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system that facilitates the selection of purchasable items for use in an environs defined by the customer. In one aspect, the system includes a processing element capable of proposing a plurality of purchasable items to the customer for selection by the customer. The processing element also is capable of receiving data representing the environs and data representing at least one purchasable item selected by the customer. The processing element is further capable of generating and displaying a three-dimensional graphical representation of the environs and each purchasable item or items selected by the customer so that the customer can visualize the items in the environs.

Abstract: Embodiments of sales generation, including sales generation employing reverse lead generation using vehicle data systems and methods, are presented herein. In particular, in certain embodiments a user may utilize the vehicle data system to obtain pricing data corresponding to a desired vehicle configuration. When the user is presented with the pricing data associated with the specified vehicle configuration the user may additionally be presented with an upfront price offered by a dealer, where by providing their personal information the user may obtain the name of the dealer offering the upfront price and may additionally be offered the opportunity to purchase the desired, or similar, vehicle at the upfront price.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying footwear information. The method and system utilize a database on a computer readable medium, the database including a plurality of footwear representations including various measurement parameters. A user inputs a selection of a reference footwear model. A footwear representation of the reference footwear model is loaded from the database along with footwear representations for a plurality of additional models of footwear. The footwear representation for the reference footwear model and the footwear representations for the additional models of footwear are compared to identify at least one of the additional models of footwear having similar measurement parameters as the reference footwear model. Additional models identified are presented to the user as a recommendation.

Abstract: Provided are systems, methods and computer programs for generating comparison information for all course books, regardless of whether or not the books are required or optional, for multi-course student schedules. Also provided are systems, methods and computer programs for transacting sales between sellers and buyers of course books and online products, wherein the sellers and buyers may be online or offline and the online products may have a standardized product identification number.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for generating a sales lead for the sale of a CVR system. The method comprises initiating a call in which a human calls an organization and interacts with an interactive voice response (IVR) system that defines an interface to a database for an organization in order to obtain information from the database; generating a first audio file comprising a recording of the interaction; generating a second audio file comprising a recording of an interaction of the caller with a CVR system in order to obtain the same information from the database; presenting the first and second audio files to a decision maker in the organization who has some influence on a decision to purchase the CVR system; tracking when the decision maker accesses the audio files; and initiating contact with the decision maker once access of the audio files is established.

Abstract: Video drive-by data provides a street level view of a neighborhood surrounding a selected geographic location. A video and data server farm incorporates a video storage server that stores video image files containing video drive-by data corresponding to a geographic location, a database server that processes a data query received from a user over the Internet corresponding to a geographic location of interest, and an image processing server. In operation, the database server identifies video image files stored in the video storage server that correspond to the geographic location of interest contained in the data query and transfers the video image files over a pre-processing network to the image processing server. The image processing server converts the video drive-by data to post-processed video data corresponding to a desired image format and transfers the post-processed video data via a post-processing network to the Internet in response to the query.

Abstract: A dynamic, fully-integrated computer-server-based platform (platform) provides users with tools for making informed decisions about available energy upgrades and for implementing desired home energy upgrades. In various embodiments, the platform provides various combinations of: (i) a variety of educational and assessment tools, including a Virtual Home Energy Audit (VHEA), which provides users with a customized home energy-savings plan detailing the financial and/or environmental impact of each upgrade alternative on a relative and absolute basis, (ii) product selection and purchase, (iii) access to arrangement and scheduling of in-home services through a network of professionals, (iv) financing solutions, and (v) a data registry that verifies completed upgrades and associated savings. The platform takes a holistic view of energy solutions, and provides tools across a broad spectrum of energy-related products and/or services.

Abstract: Product scores are generated for products. The product scores for the products are based on amounts of user-generated content (UGC) mentioning the products and based on how favorable the UGC is toward the products. A product comparison interface is provided to a consumer. The product comparison interface comprises product elements associated with at least some of the products. Each of the product elements comprises information about a different one of the products. The product comparison interface provides information about the product scores for the products associated with the product elements.

Abstract: Products that have been marked on a display as being selected for comparison with each other are counted. In response to the count being equal to or greater than a trigger number of products, a display is altered to add at least one compare link to the display. The compare link is such that when the user selects the compare link, the display shows a comparison of the products that have been marked on the display.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which a user's personal computer may access a variety of information regarding products and services, through a computer network, in real time. The computer network collects product/service information from various sources, such as gift stores, clothiers, computer dealers, etc. and formats the information in a recognizable manner to enable the information to be viewed by a user at the user's personal computer. The network performs a single search from a single search command from the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for assisting consumers in transitioning from a current absorbent product to a future absorbent product. Also described are transition aids for assisting in this transition. In particular, the transition aids provide a consumer with a means for comparing different characteristics of their current absorbent product with characteristics of a future absorbent product.

Abstract: It is possible to prevent the erroneous purchase of products with similar appearance characteristics and descriptive information. In the present invention, similar products for which the product-related image information and text information is very similar are defined and the possibility of erroneous purchase is reported to the user at the time of product selection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing improved server-implemented product price purchasing options based on unique product identifiers, display charts comparing average vendor prices, forecasts of best purchasing times, automated price updates, target price notifications, easy to use checkout methods for multiple retail sites and local vendor product displays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating a purchase request to a dealer immediately. A Data Center system has a system database accessible to a plurality of dealers. A potential buyer submits a purchase request over a computer network to the Data Center system. The purchase request may include product identification data and buyer location information. The Data Center system identifies at least one appropriate dealer to receive the purchase request. The Data Center creates a purchase request record from the data and information provided in the purchase request. The Data Center then communicates the purchase request to the appropriate dealer by immediately storing the purchase request record into the system database such that the purchase request is accessible only to the at least one identified dealer. The purchase request becomes available to the at least one identified dealer immediately upon the creation of the purchase request record.

Abstract: A method for evaluating price data includes receiving a product specification data set that identifies different items. Also received are price data sets that include items and corresponding price data. For each price data set, metric data for each item is obtained. The metric data includes one or more market reference prices for the items in the price data set. Using the metric data, a market value of each item in the price data set is calculated for comparison to the price data in the price data set. The method may also include comparing the price data in the price data set to the calculated market value to generate a comparison value. In another embodiment, metric data is obtained for each item in the product specification data set, and a market value of each item is calculated for comparison to the price data in the price data sets.

Abstract: A data processing system is provided for obtaining client's real time pricing information from password protected secure data bases, and sending the client a price comparison report. If the web sites are secure, the system provides real time impersonation of the client in order to gain access to the web site.

Abstract: Approaches for employing computerized processes to conform the behavior of users to a set of best practices and policies is provided. In an approach, a tool for use in performing a desired task may be identified. A plurality of characteristic values is stored, on a machine-readable medium, for each of a plurality of tools. Each of the plurality of characteristic values identifies a number that reflects how much the tool associated with the characteristic value supports a particular characteristic. A score for each of the plurality of tools is computed. The score for each tool is the sum of the characteristic values that are associated with each tool. Thereafter, display data that describes how to render a pictorial representation, which uses the scores in depicting a relative measure of how appropriate each of the plurality of tools is for the desired task, may be transmitted to a client.

Abstract: Systems and methods enable displaying an indication of traffic quality. The system retrieves keyword or other traffic data for at least one keyword associated with at least one search engine. The system compares the traffic data for a first time period to the traffic data for a second time period, according to one or more date ranges and other parameters selected by a user for each time period. As a result of the comparison, an indication of the traffic quality associated with a disparity between the first time period data and the second time period data, if any, is displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining an offer for a sale of a desired product or a service are provided. The method includes iteratively transmitting a first signal including a first data message using a mobile transceiver device. Each of the first data messages includes information relating to the desired product or service. The method further includes receiving at least one of the first signals having the first data message and determining whether a product or service provider has the desired product or service available for sale. Finally, the method includes transmitting a second signal including a second data message to the mobile transceiver device. The second data message includes an offer to sell the desired product or service.

Abstract: User activity is detected that indicates a user's interest in a product. The identifier of the product is determined and used to query a remote and independent network site to obtain information about the product of information. The information about the product of interest is then displayed to the user concurrently (e.g.

Abstract: A catalog based price search method comprises, among other things, associating a price search data with a particular data classifier of the set of data classifiers using a processor; creating a database having the price search data associated with the particular data classifier of the set of data classifiers, and different price search data associated with different data classifiers of the set of data classifiers; automatically rendering a structured view in a structured format of the set of data classifiers having the particular data classifier and different data classifiers; and processing a payment of an interested party when the structured view develops a patron base above a threshold value; and offering a subscription service on the structured view associated with the interested party when the patron base is above the threshold value.

Abstract: A system for enabling consumers to evaluate an automobile lease. The system includes a server bearing a lease evaluation algorithm and a client computer, which may be connected to the server over the Internet by a system user. After the system user connects said client computer to said server, said client computer prompts said system user to use said client computer to enter information about said lease. Said client computer sends said lease information to said server and said server responds by sending a lease evaluation to said client computer, for display to said user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for cross-referencing comments. In one aspect, a method includes, identifying unstructured text in a document associated with a first product or provider, in the unstructured text, identifying, by the one or more computers, a reference to a second product or provider different from the first product or provider, determining a relationship between the first product or provider and the second product or provider based on content of the unstructured text, and providing an indication of the relationship for display on a document associated with the first product or provider or the second product or provider.

Abstract: A system is provided that extrapolates item characteristics from items considered to possess a characteristic to items not known to possess the characteristic. The system may include an item data repository that stores data representing physical items. These items can include first items having a characteristic and second items not known to have the characteristic. A characteristic extrapolation module can extrapolate the characteristic from at least some of the first items to at least some of the second items based at least in part on the strength of associations between the plurality of items. A recommendations module may provide item recommendations based at least partly on the characteristic of the items.

Abstract: A system and method for distribution of content items, such as video or other files, can provide for adjustable pricing for access to a content item based on the popularity of the content item. The price for access can be calculated by adjusting a base access price that is determined based on how many times the content item has been accessed. The adjustment can utilize rating and review data received from users who have previously accessed the content item. In some embodiments, rating and review data is withheld from disclosure during a hold-back period whereby the quality of a user's rating can be evaluated by comparing it to other ratings received during the hold-back period. Other incentives can be provided to drive viewing and reviewing content items by providing discounts for users that provide positively-rated reviews.