Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computerized survey polling system wrapper for use on the internet or other network is described. Survey polling system and method allows an administrator to set up a survey and manipulate and segment responders based on simple answers to certain questions. The survey polling system utilizes heuristics to automatically categorize responders based upon their responses. For example, responders may get three points for answering question one with “A”, two points for “B”, ten points for “C”. For question two, responders may get zero points for “A”, one point for “B”, and five points for “C”. Thereafter, the survey polling system will place the responders in categories based on the final point totals. In this manner, an administrator may create a survey and send the survey to a subscriber list or base with the intent of getting the population into relevant groupings.

Abstract: Software publishers generally want to produce on demand software CDs or DVDs as required for purchases to avoid maintenance of the stock of product. All of the CDs or DVD contents and graphics have to be uploaded and maintained. Physical on demand allows one to sell physical copies of software created to order. No extra inventory remains and there is no need to dispose of obsolete products. Furthermore, clients generally want to produce on demand software CDs as required for purchases and avoid maintenance of the stock of product. With physical on demand fulfillment process, there will be no concerns surrounding backorder or cancellation of orders.

Abstract: Call center order system and process allows a customer service representative to make remote calls to a server to perform shopping cart actions, all on one web page. Historically, representatives would need to enter client information and product information on several different web pages to satisfy a purchase. Eventually, the representative would have “loaded” several different pages to enter product and customer information. This method resulted in a high amount of errors and increased the risk of fraud. The system utilizes AJAX and dynamic HTML technology. The representative is able to add, update, or remove products in the cart without waiting for the page to “refresh” after every action. Cart actions are flagged with a “ticking” indicator bar. Orders may be placed in a “queue” instead of loading a different page. A mild fraud mode to allow multiple orders is also described. A storefront is used in this process.

Abstract: Techniques for predictive predownload of templates with delta caching are used to substantially minimize the time needed to send objects from a server to a client. A template builder generates templates for each web page. A prediction engine maintains a prediction map, responsive to web pages and other objects, the objects including the templates for web pages. The prediction engine selects objects likely to be requested by the client making the particular request, such as a next page or an object referenced by a page. A delta encoder for a page determines a delta between a current version of that page, and a template for that page, and encodes the page for delivery to the client using template information and delta information. The client is able to present the web page in response to the template information (which is likely already present at the client) and the delta information.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that allows users to define a set of parameters for Uniform Resource Locator (URL) mapping rules. A URL may be defined for each output parameter condition, input parameters inspected, and the output parameter value determined. Business logic is executed before and after URL mappings have been determined. Multiple exclusive groups of mapping rules are maintained and an incoming URL can be explicitly directed to a rule group. Rule handlers, new URLs within an existing link generator, as well as input and output parameters are created to act on parameters during processing. Input parameters and values are translated to output parameters and values, respectively. Output parameters and values are mapped to a destination URL. In addition, a customizable bulk loading tool is provided which sends the mapped sets directly to a client to add values to the sets and then returns the document.

Abstract: A software system that performs the creation of compact discs (CDs) containing full product files (executables, binaries, etc.) is described. This system allows clients to produce, on demand, software CD's as required for purchases and avoid maintenance of stock of product. A method of providing software CD's also is described.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a set of web services is provided that allow a client application to display product information from a site catalog, add/update/delete those products into a shopping cart hosted on the client, and have that shopping cart also maintained at a central hosted site. As such, the user may be directed to the central hosted site in order to complete payment and fulfillment of the order. It is believed that several companies desire this functionality. As such, a set of shopping cart application programming interface (API) can be built and used to access product information and prices as well as to add or remove products from the shopping cart to which the consumer will be redirected upon finalizing the purchase. These processes are conducted in real time.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a set of API's for integrated retailers to perform standard order fulfillment operations to fulfill and return products on behalf of their clients is described. A common catalog on a software platform is intended be a flexible common hub around which many different commerce models can be implemented. Integrated retailer is one such model on which e-commerce occurs. Integrated retailers are permitted to sell product from the common catalog with another company providing back-end fulfillment. The common catalog infrastructure's pre-existing XML catalog export facility provides product information to the retailer. The Retail Web Service (RWS) provides the fulfillment functions as a REST-style web service.

Abstract: Page builder system and method utilizes a user interface to maintain web pages. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a user may change and maintain layouts, content, and page details simultaneously with little or no approval from a system administrator. Furthermore, a user may create layouts and content that may be reused for other pages and on other sites. Markup language is also allowed that will pull site specific content into the page based upon a site identification code in the URL, giving it cross site usability. In another preferred embodiment, a user has the ability to track change and pages in a system. Also, a user may confirm the deployment of a change before making a page active. A user may update web pages over a real time network. Finally, page builder system and method lists search results for faster load times.

Abstract: A method for testing versions for remote manufacturing of software media from a network is described. An interface to a user is provided for creation of a physical on demand product. A product version is created for the physical on demand product that includes an electronic copy of a product and information about the product. Approval of the created product version is requested from quality assurance. A test order capability is provided to the user after approval from quality assurance such that the user may have a physical on demand product order fulfilled prior to release of the product version for general sale in a commerce engine. The delivery of the test order is processed based upon who is requesting the test order. A software system that performs the testing method described above for the creation of compact discs (CDs) or digital video discs (DVDs) containing full product files (executables, binaries, music, video, etc.) also is described.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system managing sale and distribution of products over the Internet or other type of network. In order to prevent attempts by users to fraudulently obtain the products, system analyzes the information submitted by the users in connection with stored and associated information in an order to determine that likelihood that the order is an attempt at fraud. Based upon the determination, system accepts or declines the order. The system also saves the user-entered information for use in determining whether to accept to decline future orders.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering content on a network using differential caching is described. A request for information is received from a request-generating element coupled to a browser associated with a client through the network. A static portion and a dynamic portion of a document to be included in a response as the requested information are identified based on previously cached information by utilizing a software element that is not part of the client. The static portion is cached in a memory that is logically local to the client that requested the information. The static portion is served to the request-generating element from the cached memory. The dynamic portion is served to the request-generating element from the network. The static portion and the dynamic portion are integrated using the request-generating element into the document included in the response to the browser as the requested information.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system managing sale and distribution of products over the Internet or other type of network. In order to prevent attempts by users to fraudulently obtain the products, system analyzes the information submitted by the users in connection with stored and associated information in an order to determine that likelihood that the order is an attempt at fraud. Based upon the determination, system accepts or declines the order. The system also saves the user-entered information for use in determining whether to accept to decline future orders.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a software system that solves the above-mentioned problems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computerized subscriber list creation and management system for use on the internet or other network is described. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a business may conduct advanced database search queries, then save, manage and update those searches automatically. A business may build subscriber lists using multi-part rules determined by customer data including demographics, preferences, and behaviors. Moreover, the business may save the searches and manage database segments effectively for use in multiple campaigns. Subscriber list s update automatically as the database grows and changes.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a recurring message system and method allows a business user or layperson user to send emails at regular intervals based on rules the users have created. This feature can be implemented in many different ways. For instance, the user may utilize the recurring message system and method to send annual “Happy Birthday” emails. Moreover, the user may utilize the recurring message system and method to work integrally with more complex applications that work in conjunction with other email message systems, email campaign managers, and subscriber list systems. It will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that the user could use the recurring message feature with an email campaign system or any of a variety of software programs that work with email. Furthermore, the user could use the recurring messages to send a special offer to customers who have not made a purchase in a predetermined number of days.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computerized dynamic content system and method for use on the internet or other network is described. The ability to communicate personally with customers about products and services they are interested in is one of the most important advantages internet marketing offers over traditional channels. Dynamic content system and method makes mail messaging personal and relevant. The features enable easy, profitable engagement with customers using content, images and offers that correspond to their interests and behaviors. Moreover, dynamic content functionality lets the user send personalized messages to each group using a single email template. If customers and subscribers fall into multiple groups, a user or business user may choose to send them all content that is relevant or select which content gets served by order of importance. In addition they may develop content that matches the interests of subscriber lists.

Abstract: A software system that utilizes a computerized messaging system with sub accounts for use on the internet or other network is described. A sub account lets the user establish multiple levels of access within the email system. As the administrator, the user may set up additional accounts and determine the types and levels of access users of those accounts will have.

Abstract: A technique for increased efficiency of content delivery over a network is described. Instances of web pages are divided into (1) templates including those elements of a web page that are relatively unchanging and (2) delta information including those elements that are ephemeral or customized. Each template is compressed and cached at an originating server. Transmission of the delta information is decoupled from transmission of the template. When a user requests a page, the compressed template is sent (either from an originating server or a mirror thereof). The delta information is compressed and sent separately. Since the template is only compressed once and is cached locally, it requires less bandwidth and allocation of other computing resources to transmit than transmission of a compressed web page.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique for serving relatively non-static content in a CDN (content delivery network). Content is pushed out from an originating server to a set of mirroring servers using differential caching. Each requestable object is separated into template and delta information. The originating server determines templates for differential caching, and causes those templates to be distributed using the CDN. Each mirroring server in the CDN is able to access a copy of a recent template for each request. Hosting of the template information is decoupled from hosting of the delta information. Delta information can include (a) changes to the template information since last distributed, or (b) personalized information specific to the client or to the request. Delta information can be served separately from the originating server, or can be served separately from mirroring servers using a CDN (possibly the same CDN as used to serve template information).

Abstract: An electronic commerce system having a server and an end user machine interacting through a network during an electronic commerce transaction is disclosed. The server includes a software module configured to receive user-entered information via the network including an electronic purchase order for a product within the electronic commerce system. In addition, the server includes a fraud detection mechanism active during electronic commerce transactions. The fraud detection mechanism determines a likelihood that the electronic purchase order is attempted fraud based upon (i) information associated with the user-entered information and (ii) factors relating to a users real-time interaction with the server during a transaction to process the electronic purchase order. A method performed by an electronic commerce system for determining a likelihood that the electronic purchase order is attempted fraud based is also provided.