Abstract: A method begins with a server in a data communication system establishing an initial validity of an exchange item that includes data regarding a quantifiable value, a serial number, and issuance information, where the initial validity authenticates the exchange item and the data. The method continues with the server executing a secure custody protocol to establish that a first computing device has secure custody of the exchange item and to maintain validity of the exchange item. The method continues with the server transferring the secure custody of the exchange item from the first computing device to the server or to a second computing device. When the exchange item is in the secure custody of the server the method continues with the server modifying the data of the exchange item to produce a modified exchange item and transferring secure custody of the modified exchange item to the first computing device.

Abstract: A method begins with obtaining, by a retailing computing device of an exchange item marketplace network from a buyer device of the exchange item marketplace network in accordance with a securely passing process, control over a secure exchange item package for use of an exchange item, where only a device possessing control over the secure exchange item package may modify the secure exchange item package. The method continues by executing, by the retailing computing device, the use of the exchange item by updating the value of the exchange item to produce an updated value, generating an updated secure exchange item package to include identity of the exchange item, identity of the retailing computing device, identity of the buyer device, and the updated value of the exchange item, and securely passing, by the retailing computing device to the buyer device, control over the updated secure exchange item package.

Abstract: A method for execution by a computing device of a recommendation system includes receiving, from a user computing device of the recommendation system, a selection of one or more images from one or more selectable image groups, where the user computing device is associated with a user profile. The method continues by generating, by the computing device, a personal preference profile for the user profile based upon the selection of the one or more images. The method continues by determining, by the computing device, to correlate one or more databases of items based on the personal preference profile for the user profile. The method continues by generating, by the computing device, a representation of one or more correlated items of the correlated one or more database of items for displaying on a display of the user computing device.

Abstract: A method begins with a marketplace server authenticating value of an exchange item to produce an authenticated value of the exchange item and continues with the marketplace server obtaining control over a secure exchange item package, where the secure exchange item package includes identity of the exchange item. The method continues with the marketplace server receiving, from a buyer device, a request to purchase the exchange item and securely passing, to the buyer device, control over the secure exchange item package. For use of the exchange item, the method continues with the buyer device securely passing, to a merchant server, control over the secure exchange item package. The method continues with the merchant server executing use of the exchange item by updating the value of the exchange item, generating an updated secure exchange item package, and securely passing, to the buyer device, control over the updated secure exchange item package.

Abstract: A user-centric computer-implemented method and system for managing inputs and creating, modifying, importing, and sharing one or more user lifestyle preference profiles as input into a relevance assessment engine to determine a user's product or service preferences comprises a personalized recommendation software for assessing and aggregating lifestyle items via style dimension mapping of one or more computer-implemented algorithms to process image-associated metadata to create unique vector inputs, individualized lifestyle preference indices, and lifestyle preference outputs, associated with a plurality of correlated products, services and experiences. The recommendation system then directly matches each user to discrete relevant items without the need for management of historical data from other users.