Abstract: A number of sets of methods and apparatuses applicable to online shopping are disclosed. One set, “Bin Packing Methods with Approximate Membership”, includes methods in pricing and auctioning a bundle of items, some of which could belong to another bundle. Significantly, the membership of a bundle, during pricing and auction, could change. Another set, the “Shopping Console”, puts a structure into the online shopping experience, so that through one interface various shopping activities can be facilitated, including but not limited to researching, pricing, negotiation, group buying, and tracking of purchases. Still another set, “Flash Mob Shopping”, allows sellers and a (spontaneous) group of shoppers to connect on prices without requiring shoppers' hard commitments, and with sellers revealing only necessary price information.

Abstract: A system that facilitates publishing and consuming information that is of time sensitivity, for example, price information. Methods are employed to achieve completeness and freshness in information for a given domain. A preferred embodiment is a shopping site that is capable of comparing prices, purchasing bundled products and dealing with coupons.

Abstract: A system that facilitates publishing and consuming information that is of time sensitivity, for example, price information. Methods are employed to achieve completeness and freshness in information for a given domain. A preferred embodiment is a shopping site that is capable of comparing prices, purchasing bundled products and dealing with coupons.

Abstract: A system that enables the search for providers of services or products, for a given user query that's in free text, and typically the services or products are focused on a particular area, such as an industry, a sector, etc. The system thus enables a searcher to submit queries that are substantially similar to those asked to an expert in the area, and get back results that are helpful in their decision making in obtaining services or products. Thus the searcher's experience is substantially similar to that of consulting a human expert. The system employs methods in matching and placing advertisements in relation to user queries and the concepts contained in these queries. Still further, it employs other various methods to enhance the searcher's effectiveness in their decision making. Finally, the system searches for queries that are composes of at least two languages.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that deliver a searching experience that is substantially akin to consultation with a human expert, and that satisfies a user's information need in fulfilling projects such as purchasing, shopping, procurement, bartering, requesting for quotes, in online retail, traditional retail, wholesale, health care, travel, real estate, restaurant-going, entertainment, logistics, and sourcing are disclosed. Search results often contain entities that provide services and products. Records being searched are associated with industry sectors in a broad sense. Industry sector information is first derived from a user query; and is used in determining relevant and adequate additional questions for a searcher, and in matching, ranking, and presenting search results.

Abstract: A system that automatically discerning the best combinations of a user query's geographical origin and language, retrieving and displaying search results accordingly. A record on the system are associated with a geographic location and a language. A record could be composed of two or more records, each of which associates with a location and a language. A record could be in rich media format.