Abstract: Enabling a passenger of a vehicle to enter or board the vehicle without necessarily having previously purchased a ticket or fare, and then to perfect a ticket purchase using their handheld device while on-board the vehicle.

Abstract: Greater network utilization is implemented through dynamic network reconfiguration and allocation of network services and resources based on the data to be transferred and the consumer transferring it. A hierarchical system is utilized whereby requests from lower layers are aggregated before being provided to upper layers, and allocations received from upper layers are distributed to lower layers. To maximize network utilization, paths through the network are reconfigured by identifying specific types of packets that are to be flagged in a specific manner, and then by further identifying specific routing rules to be applied in the transmission of such packets. Network reconfiguration is performed on an incremental basis to avoid overloading a path, and capacity can be reserved along one or more paths to prevent such overloading. Background data is agnostic as to specific transmission times and is utilized to prevent overloading due to reconfiguration.

Abstract: An environment is described which enables the generation, analysis, and use of secure browser extensions. Each browser extension includes an extension body and a policy expressed in a logic-based specification language. The policy specifies the access control and dataflow privileges associated with the extension body in a fine-grained manner by leveraging the structure and content of resources that are accessible to the browser extension. A suite of analysis tools for testing the safety of the browser extension includes a visualization module identifies features of a resource that are accessible to the policy. A static analysis module uses a static analysis technique to determine whether the extension body satisfies the policy. The environment also includes a conversion module for converting the browser extension, once deemed safe, into a form for use by a particular type of browser. The browser can execute that extension without performing runtime safety checks.

Abstract: An information processing system is for determining information about consumers at a store where at least some of the consumers may carry personal mobile wireless devices, and each personal wireless mobile device may transmit signals for identifying the respective consumer. The system may include at least one RF receiver device arranged about the store for receiving communications from the personal mobile wireless devices, and a processor coupled to the at least one RF receiver device. The processor may be for generating consumer position data of the consumers during movement about the store based upon communications from the respective personal mobile wireless devices to the at least one RE receiver device, and associating the consumer position data with respective identities of the consumers.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for implementing wireless service for a wireless device. In a representative embodiment, a service initiation system is executed in a computing device that communicates with a service provider system over a network to activate a wireless service associated with a newly purchased wireless device. The service initiation system also generates a network page to send to a client over the network, where the network page has a component that initiates a porting of a contact designation associated with a prior wireless device to the newly purchased wireless device separate from the activation of the wireless service for the newly purchased wireless device.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for rapid scalable unified infrastructure system management platform are disclosed by discovery of compute nodes, network components across data centers, both public and private for a user; assessment of type, capability, VLAN, security, virtualization configuration of the discovered unified infrastructure nodes and components; configuration of nodes and components covering add, delete, modify, scale; and rapid roll out of nodes and components across data centers both public and private.

Abstract: One object is to allow users to enjoy digital contents more easily. The server according to an embodiment can execute a program including: a service control module; a screen sending module configured to send, in response to a request from a terminal, screen data of screens including a playback instruction screen for making an instruction for playback of a musical piece; a mode setting module configured to set, for each user, a playback starting mode selected from a plurality of modes including Normal mode and One-tap Playback mode; a playback control module configured to start playback of a musical piece; and a possession state update module configured to update a possession state of playback tickets in response to playback of the musical piece.

Abstract: A social graph is built which includes interactions, sharing activity, and connections between the users of the open Web and can be used to improve ad targeting and content personalization. Sharing activity between two users will affect ads or content that both users will be presented while surfing the Web. This sharing activity includes sending of links, sending of videos, sending of files, cutting and pasting of content, sending text messages, and sending of e-mails. Building of the social graph can include creating an edge in the social graph that is representative of a particular category type.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a shopping personalization system 1) detecting that a user is located within a geographic vicinity of a retail store that provides accessories for computing devices, 2) accessing, in response to the detecting that the user is located within the geographic vicinity of the retail store, a user profile associated with the user, 3) identifying a computing device associated with the user, and 4) providing a personalized in-store shopping experience for the user in accordance with the user profile and the identified computing device while the user is located within the geographic vicinity of the retail store. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of delivering an audio and/or visual media file including, for example, one or more of full or partial master recordings of songs, musical compositions, ringtones, videos, films, television shows, personal recordings, animation and combinations thereof, over the air wirelessly, from one or more servers to an electronic device with or without an Internet connection, said method comprising transmitting and audio and/or visual media file in compressed format to said electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is effective to receive said audio and/or visual file and playback said audio and/or visual content on demand by a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the transmission of content are provided. A user group is defined and a group data structure corresponding to the user group is stored. An item of content is received and stored as a child data structure of a parent data structure of the group data structure. In response to this storage, the item of content is automatically transmitted to all other users of the user group.

Abstract: An online system for scheduling tablet dosage is described. The system comprises a server accessible via a network by at least one client. An application is hosted on the server. The application comprises a user interface configured to receive a designation of a tablet to be ordered. The user interface is further configured to display a scheduling matrix comprising a plurality of cells. Each cell of the matrix is configured to receive a tablet quantity designation. The application is further configured to generate a dosing schedule based on the tablet quantities entered into the scheduling matrix.

Abstract: An automatic updating apparatus includes a traffic receiver that receives numbers per unit time of the access of more than one menu displayed in a screen and calculates rates of variability with respect to the numbers of the access to each menu, and a menu updating unit that updates a menu display in the screen based on the rates of variability.

Abstract: A method for processing a product identifying code. The product identifying code that identifies a product is received from a wireless device. A location of the wireless device is received. An item that comprises information pertaining to the product is obtained. The obtained item is transmitted to the wireless device. The information pertaining to the product includes a name of each establishment of a plurality of establishments from which the product is available and informational selected from the group consisting of a contact address for each establishment, driving instructions to each establishment, a price of the product at each establishment, a geocoded location of one establishment of the plurality of establishments relative to the location of the wireless device, descriptive information specific to the product, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An automated store for storing and then distributing articles. The store includes a housing for receiving closed shipping containers for storage, and for distributing articles to an output of the housing, which articles were retrieved from inside the shipping containers. The store further includes within the housing an entry means for controlling entry into the housing of a plurality of closed shipping containers, with at least some of the plurality of closed shipping containers having outer dimensions which are different from the outer dimensions of other ones of the plurality of shipping containers, and further including a sensing means for determining the position of at least a portion of an outside surface of each one of the plurality of closed shipping containers that have entered into the housing.

Abstract: A method for displaying a plurality of items within a graphical interface, said method being performed by a computing device which comprises one or more processors, one or more secondary interfaces operatively coupled to at least one of the processors and one or more computer-readable storage media operatively coupled to at least one of the processors.

Abstract: A broadcast response system provides, e.g., a radio broadcast listener with the ability to obtain media content such as music or speech while listening to the radio. The user can respond to items in the radio broadcast such as advertisements, fund raising drives, or interactive listener polls during the broadcast. Data such as song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored, can be transmitted using, e.g., the RBDS/RDS data stream. A reference number representing song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored can also be employed for ease of implementation. This reference number can reside in a lookup table to be accessed by broadcast response server.

Abstract: A system and method for providing users an assessment tool for determining the level of demand for domain names. The assessment tool is configured to receive, by a server communicatively coupled to a network, a request from a requester. The request is used to identify a domain name and determine whether the domain name is registered. When the domain name is not registered, a search metric for the domain name is determined and a first user interface listing the domain name and the search metric is displayed. The first user interface enables the requester to purchase the domain name.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing products where the product is shown, presented or advertised via a first communication method and a request to purchase that product is issued substantially simultaneously with the listening or viewing of the product. The request is then transmitted via a second communication method to a distributor who fills the order for such products.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. In one example, logical relationship information between a first user and other users are recorded. Communications between the first users and other users are monitored, and content is received from the first user, the content having associated metadata. A first group to add the first user to is determined based on the logical relationship information, the communications, the content, and the metadata.

Abstract: A method and system whereby a consumer creates a shopping list using a portable barcode scanner to scan barcodes from a printed catalog and a printed advertisement. The entered barcodes are downloaded to an smart base-station from the barcode scanner. The base-station retrieves related information from a barcode database via the Internet. The database can belong to a merchant, or it can be a generic shopping service. The base-station can be a consumer's computer, or some other smart electronic device. The base-station maintains a predictive shopping list database for all barcodes entered via the barcode scanner. The database learns the shopping consumption habits of the consumer over a period of time and ensures that when the consumer is ready to shop no previously needed, but currently forgotten items are left off of the shopping list. The consumer can use this method to shop in a store, or via Mail-Order/Telephone-Order or on the Internet.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for displaying additional information corresponding to an item represented by a visual indicator in response to a mouseover event is disclosed. Various embodiments receive a mouseover event corresponding to a visual indicator displayed on a display screen and generate additional information corresponding to an item represented by the visual indicator in response to the mouseover event, the additional information being obtained from various databases and used to generate additional information corresponding to the item.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for assigning user interface widgets to page slots associated with a page pipeline. In response to a request to generate a content page, content placement requests are then received from user interface widgets. The page slots are associated with a placement value indicating a value of the page slot relative to other page slots in the page template and can be weighted based upon their location in a page pipeline. The highest ranked user interface widgets according to an effectiveness metric or placement score are scheduled for placement in the content page.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for managing catalog information that can include tracking and reporting search terms used for catalog items searches. According to one embodiment, a procurement application can maintain a log of unique search phrases which returned no search results. For example, the log can maintain records from a specific time period. A count can be maintained to capture how many times a phrase was used for search within the specific time period, and used to rank the frequency of the search phrases. Search phrases that exceed that time period may be purged. The accumulated counts and associated search terms can be provided to the managers periodically and/or upon request in the form of a summary or other graphical and/or textual report or presentation.

Abstract: A computing device determines a global scan rate average based on a plurality of transactions that have been received that includes at least one scanned item and the time to scan the at least one item. The computing device responds to receiving input by a customer indicating a current transaction start, by displaying the global scan rate average to the customer. The computing device receives a number of current items scanned and the time to scan the items. The computing device determines a current scan rate based on the current number of items scanned and the current period of time to scan the current number of items. The computing device displays a comparison of the current scan rate and the global scan rate average to the customer and displays a message based on whether the current scan rate exceeds the global scan rate average.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed allow a permitting party to share personal information with a receiving party. The receiving party may use the information to authenticate the permitting party, assess the permitting party, determine if the permitting party is compatible with one or more other users associated with the receiving party, or validate the permitting party. The permitting party may define how much of the permitting party's personal information is shared, and/or limit the use of the information for one or more specific purposes. A requesting party may also set up criteria for the types of information it wants to review along with the intended use of the information. The systems and methods disclosed also enables permitting parties the ability to grant requesting parties access to requested information.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising a plurality of listings, a plurality of labels associated with at least some of the listings. Additionally, a plurality of form inputs are provided, each associated with one of the labels, wherein selection of a form input causes a transition of the associated label from a first state to a second state. The system further includes a link that is made active upon the transition, thereby associating an action with a label wherein a first description is displayed in the first state and a second description is displayed in the second state.

Abstract: Geospatial compatibility between consumers and providers of goods or services is identified. The system allows consumers to find service providers with service areas encompassing their location or merchants within a desired shopping area, and allow consumers to query about consumers within a specified area, for example to identify a potential customer base or consider regional advertising. A digital map interface allows users to enter one or more locations or areas of interest and later performs location or area additions, modifications or removals. The system provides the geospatially matched consumers and vendors with information on how to contact one another, but is kept simple by leaving actual contact between the matched parties to separate outside communication channels independent of the system.

Abstract: Interactive circuit based use of devices with touch screen technology, includes: a server connected to the Internet; a web portal resident in the server together with respective databases; personal identification cards on which the card owners' identification data are stored; a plurality of interactive cores, each including: at least one touch screen device provided with at least one surface clickable at the touch of a finger and at least one screen having at least one section dedicated to the portal resident; at least one local computer for managing the screen and data displayed thereon; at least one device for reading personal identification cards; an Internet access point; wherein the interactive cores, the profiles/sites and any websites are interconnected and interact via the portal resident, to create a professional circuit, which can be controlled centrally, between subjects who belong to the circuit and are each provided with the interactive cores.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, business data may be received from a remote business server. A graphical three-dimensional virtual environment may then be dynamically rendered, in substantially real time, based on the received business data. Interactions may occur with a user via the virtual environment, and business data stored at the remote business server may be updated in accordance with the interactions.

Abstract: A method for generating a website includes obtaining a seed input associated with an entity. The seed input may include one or more keywords, such as a business name. Obtaining the seed input may include receiving the seed input from the user, or the seed input may be obtained without input from the user. The method further includes retrieving, using at least one of the seed input and the identification of the entity, content relevant to the entity from one or more data stores. The method may include generating an online store from product information within the retrieved content. The method may include identifying data elements from the retrieved content to be included in business documents, and generating the business documents.

Abstract: A computing device determines a global scan rate average based on a plurality of transactions that have been received that includes at least one scanned item and the time to scan the at least one item. The computing device responds to receiving input by a customer indicating a current transaction start, by displaying the global scan rate average to the customer. The computing device receives a number of current items scanned and the time to scan the items. The computing device determines a current scan rate based on the current number of items scanned and the current period of time to scan the current number of items. The computing device displays a comparison of the current scan rate and the global scan rate average to the customer and displays a message based on whether the current scan rate exceeds the global scan rate average.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for capturing information associated with wireless audio sounds among a plurality of users. When a user encounters audio sound files of interest, the user can capture information regarding the audio sounds, such as title, artist, collection, genre, year, encoding rate, size, playlist, a unique identifier, or other desired information. The information can be used to seamlessly purchase the sound files from a remote digital repository.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a digital retail store featuring digital slotting fees. A digital retail store can be associated with or independent of a physical retail store. When associated with a physical retail store, products that are available within the physical retail store and for which a digital slotting fee has been paid can be made available within the digital retail store. A display device can be used within a physical retail store to display the digital retail store to a customer. A digital retail store can also be personalized for each customer of the digital retail store. A manufacturer can pay a digital slotting fee to have its products or services featured within the digital retail store pertaining to a particular customer.

Abstract: A method for scan, try and/or buy may include receiving, from a mobile device, information that is representative of a clothing outfit. The clothing outfit may include a plurality of merchandise items available for purchase through a store. The information may be obtained by the mobile device by scanning a single code associated with the clothing outfit. The obtained information may be used to cause at least one user interface element associated with the clothing outfit to be displayed on the mobile device. In response to receiving a selection from the mobile device of the at least one user interface element, the plurality of merchandise items associated with the clothing outfit may be delivered to a merchandise check-out location within the store. The merchandise check-out location may be operable to receive payment from the user for the clothing outfit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a gift to a recipient. The method includes providing a website on which is displayed a set of gifts and a set of selectable gift values; receiving input from a gift giver which includes (a) a designated recipient for a gift, and (b) gift criteria which includes a gift value selected by the gift giver from said set of selectable gift values; creating a URL associated with the designated recipient upon which is displayed a subset of said set of gifts that meet the gift criteria input by the gift giver; receiving, from the designated recipient, a selection of a gift from said subset of gifts; and sending the selected gift to the recipient.

Abstract: Mobile device and method for operating the same to implement a personal mobile retail environment for off-line shopping for a traveler. Prior to the departure time the mobile device receives a mobile store definition that describes goods or services available for purchase during the transit period and available for delivery during the transit period or at the destination arrival location. The mobile store definition was previously generated based on a travel itinerary of the traveler. The mobile device also receives a charge limit indication representing a monetary limit for purchases available via the personal mobile retail environment. The mobile device provides an interactive shopping experience for the traveler based on the mobile store definition, including facilitating selection by the traveler of goods or services for purchase, and enforcing the monetary limit based on the charge limit indication.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a user's measurement for matching an item, comprising obtaining a predefined definition of a first body part; displaying on a user's handheld device instructions for measuring, using the handheld device, the first body part according to the predefined definition; utilizing a sensor of the handheld device that is adapted to measure physical displacement of the handheld device to measure a total physical displacement of the handheld device's movement over the first body part, giving rise to a first measurement; and searching for an item having a specification that matches the first measurement.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product to facilitate video interactions between a publisher, and a set of end users, the publisher having content available from a network-accessible site. Each end user has a device that includes a media player. In one embodiment, the method begins by receiving (e.g., via a web-based interface) information to configure a video module to execute in association with the end user media players. A particular instance of the video module is adapted to execute as an end user media player renders a video to provide interactivity to the video. Preferably, the interactivity specifies at least one of a set of interactivity actions available to an end user. The video module is then published. After deployment the video module, the platform receives data about (i) execution of the video module in the end user media players, and (ii) the interactivity actions.

Abstract: A method for provisioning IT resources includes receiving a signal from an e-book reading device indicating that a user of the e-book reading device is approaching a practical procedure section within an e-book being read by the user on the e-book reading device. The practical procedure section includes an exercise to be performed by the user pertaining to the subject matter of the e-book. What IT resources are needed for the user to perform the exercise are determined. The needed IT resources are provisioned such that the IT resources that the needed IT resources are available when the user is ready to perform the exercise.

Abstract: Access to information related to a digital image record is provided on a data processing device having a display. The digital image record is presented on the display. An indication of user interaction with the displayed digital image record is received. In response to the received indication, a labeled tab is presented on the display. The tab displays or emanates near or from an edge of the displayed digital image record or from an edge of a displayed digital image record container including the digital image record. The tab includes an access point configured to allow a user to access information about a personal social association related to content contained within the digital image record.

Abstract: A computer system configured to integrate a plurality of websites is provided. The computer system includes a memory, a display, and at least one processor coupled to the memory and the display. In one example, the system comprises a monitoring component executed by the at least one processor and configured to analyze web content generated by a website provider and detect one or more identified elements within the web content. The system may also comprise a converting component executed by the at least one processor and configured to, responsive to detection of the one or more identified elements by the monitoring component, convert at least one portion of the web content into converted content, wherein the at least one processor is configured to display, in the display, the converted content and at least one other portion of the web content.

Abstract: A utility application store may be configured to present an interface displaying multiple applications that are available from the utility application store. By accessing the interface of the utility application store, a utility supplier may, with a single request, initiate installation or activation of an application on multiple utility meters or other smart sensors in a utility communication network. The utility application store may be configured to provide notification of the availability of applications for utility meters or other smart sensors, consumer computing devices, and/or utility supplier back office computing devices. The utility application store may include one or more distributed applications that include a first portion configured for execution by a utility meter and one or more other portions configured for execution by another computing device (e.g., a personal computer, mobile device, utility supplier back office server, cloud service, or the like).

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for displaying a branded interface. Defining steps enabling a customer to select a particular entity from among one or more entities at a mobile device utilized by the customer, configuring the customer's mobile device to receive display specifications defined by a user associated with the particular entity, receiving the display specifications at the customer's mobile device, and configuring the customer's mobile device to display a branded interface based on the display specifications.

Abstract: A method for automatic access to a pre-reserved place may operate on a hotel reservation system, which can communicate with a user smart phone application. The method includes receiving a request from the user smart phone application to effect entry into the pre-reserved place. The request includes user data relating to the user and location data relating to the place. The location data relating to the place is obtainable by the user using the smart phone to scan a code on or in the vicinity of the place and decode the code to identify the location data relating to the place. The user data and the location data are compared with a list of pre-reserved places to identify a matching pre-reserved place. If a matching pre-reserved place is identified, a signal is automatically sent to cause the pre-reserved place to be opened to allow access by the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing sales or customer support using a telephone having a camera to capture at least a partial image of a product or service; wherein the at least partial image is used to select a database updated by one or more knowledgeable persons on the product or service.

Abstract: A system and method for virtually displaying on-line a gallery, a showroom, a store, a mall or any other room or space and the objects contained in said room or space, wherein the data displayed is comprised of a virtual reality data packet. The system displays still photographs of virtual reality shots and textual materials, and plays virtual reality video clips and audio stories about the room and/or the objects contained therein. Links are associated with each object and are stored external to the virtual reality data packet can be retrieved on demand from an external database for presentation to the viewer. The system also provides on-line controls that enable the viewer to move around the space, and a feature that enables a viewer to view an object from 360° around the object.

Abstract: Users are enabled to select a category with more ease than in the past. An information processing device estimates, for a target category that is one of a plurality of categories which have a tree structure including a plurality of hierarchy levels and to each of which one or more objects belong, whether a user is knowledgeable about categories below the target category, based on an input from the user, and controls whether or not display means displays the categories below the target category, based on whether or not the user is estimated as being knowledgeable about the categories below the target category.

Abstract: A method for establishing wireless communication between a service vendor and a customer accepts entry of a wireless address for a customer communications device, obtained from an electronic transaction. The entry of the stored wireless address is confirmed by transmitting a first wireless message that displays a hypertext link to a network address. Response to hypertext link selection classifies the customer communications device, identifies a network applications storage location, and transmits a second wireless message to the customer device that includes a first set of programmed instructions that display a download prompt. Response to download prompt selection transmits a third wireless message to the customer communications device, including a second set of programmed instructions associated with the service vendor, wherein the second set of programmed instructions generates and displays a user-actuable link on the customer communications device.

Abstract: A method of delivering an audio and/or visual media file including, for example, one or more of full or partial master recordings of songs, musical compositions, ringtones, videos, films, television shows, personal recordings, animation and combinations thereof, over the air wirelessly, from one or more servers to an electronic device with or without an Internet connection, said method comprising transmitting and audio and/or visual media file in compressed format to said electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is effective to receive said audio and/or visual file and playback said audio and/or visual content on demand by a user.