Abstract: A system and method for adaptive determination of computing resources is presented. Sometimes, computing jobs are to be allocated among a set of computers. Historical information regarding input data size and output data size is retrieved. Capacity information about each machine is retrieved. A weighted function is used to calculate a desired allocation of computing resources based on historical input data size and output data size. Computing resources are allocated based on the calculated allocation. The computing job can be performed on the allocated computing resources. Other embodiments also are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating geographical demand for new items is presented. A system can include one or more processing modules and one more non-transitory storage modules. Information is received about existing SKUs and associated attributes. Demand is determined by geographic zone. When a new SKU is added, geographic demand for the new SKU is estimated using the attributes of the new SKU. The new SKU can be allocated according to the estimation. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a system. The system includes one or more processors, and one or more non-transitory memory storage devices storing computer instructions configured to run on the one or more processors. The computer instructions are configured to perform acts of: making available multiple items for purchase by an instant consumer; receiving a query from the instant consumer; determining an estimated price range; identifying one or more in-range items of the multiple items; identifying one or more out-range items of the multiple items; and facilitating displaying to the instant consumer a list of the multiple items such that the one or more in-range items are listed before the one or more out-range items in the list. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein that are useful for holding containers open. For example, in some forms a cart accessory and cart are disclosed herein with an apparatus for holding open a receptacle or container. In one form, the apparatus is an accessory including an elongated body having a cart attachment mechanism for securing the cart accessory to at least a portion of a cart, a receptacle securing mechanism connected to the elongated body via a tether, the receptacle securing mechanism being movable between a retracted position wherein the securing mechanism is positioned proximate the elongated body and an extended position wherein the securing mechanism is spaced apart from the elongated body closer to at least a portion of a receptacle to assist in holding open the receptacle when connected thereto. In another form a cart is disclosed having such a container holding apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to comparing two or more names in a database of contact records. In embodiments, systems of the present disclosure execute a comparison of submitted names to determine if the records should be linked and/or merged. Embodiments of the present disclosure can compensate for irregularities in the database of contact records, including inconsistent name prefixes and suffixes, misspellings, typographical errors, misordered first/last names, and nicknames.

Abstract: Example systems and methods that provide annotations of item descriptions are described. In one implementation, a method accesses data associated with an item and identifies multiple attributes associated with the item. The method further generates a Java class associated with the item and annotates the Java class to include the attributes associated with the item.

Abstract: Queries are analyzed to identify start-side sub-queries that include a starting word of the query and one or more contiguous words and end-side sub-queries that include an ending word of the query and one or more contiguous words. A start-side count is determined for a sub-query indicating a number of times it occurs among the queries as a start-side query. An end-side count is also computed for each sub-query indicating the number of times it occurs as an end-side sub-query. A score is computed for each sub-query that decreases with the start-side count and increases with the end-side count. A search is performed for a received query with some of the phrases (e.g. noun phrases) thereof weighted according to the scores. Noun phrases may be identified as the longest n-gram for which an entry in a reference dictionary exists.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing a data stream in real time to identify connections between one or more social elements social elements and aggregating and storing the identified connections over a rolling time window. Social elements may be stored as nodes and connection between social elements may be stored as labeled connections between nodes. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to incrementally updating a database in a production environment in a way that maintains data freshness and allows for high priority updates for critical changed values and regular updates for noncritical changed values in the database.

Abstract: A system and method for forecasting sales is presented. A transmission by a customer is received indicating an intention for a customer to purchase an item from a retailer via a mobile device. An embodiment determines if the item is subject to an age-restriction. This can be accomplished by using location data of a retailer. Biometric data is received from the customer intending to purchase the item. The biometric data is compared to verified biometric data to confirm the identity of the customer. The age of the customer is determined. Thereafter, the transaction is allowed to proceed if the age of the customer satisfies the age-restriction for the item. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of reallocating inventory in a fulfillment network is disclosed herein. The fulfillment network can include a plurality of distribution centers. An allocation plan can be created in a one of a variety of different manners, where the allocation plan involves allocating an item to one or more distribution centers in the fulfillment network. Thereafter, the allocation plan can be analyzed for feasibility. If the allocation plan is not feasible, each distribution center in the allocation plan can be analyzed to determine if using the distribution center is feasible. If the distribution center cannot be used, another distribution in the same cluster of distribution centers is examined for feasibility. This process is repeated for each distribution center in the allocation plan. Once an alternative allocation plan has been developed in this maimer, items can be allocated. Existing inventory can be taken into account in the allocation plan.

Abstract: Providing personalized item recommendations using scalable matrix factorization with randomness. Various embodiments involve ecommerce websites, an item interaction matrix, item interaction weightings, factorizing into a user feature matrix and an item feature matrix, computing a thin matrix, generating a random Gaussian matrix, decomposing a matrix Y by a QR factorization, performing a singular value decomposition, performing alternative least squares, computing item interaction scores, selecting at least one item for recommendation to an Internet user based on the item interaction scores, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A store computer system is provided. The computer system includes a sharded store transactional database such as an order or inventory database. The database may include a first database shard which stores a first group of order or inventory data and a second database shard which stores a second group of order or inventory data which is different than the first group of data. The computer system may include a store order management computer system that implements a shard determination module which is programmed to receive a query regarding an order or item associated with the store, identify a database shard associated with the order or item from data in the query, and communicate data regarding the order or item to or from the identified database shard.

Abstract: A method of providing predictive search query recommendations for a search query. The method can be implemented via execution of computer instructions configured to run at one or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one or more non-transitory memory storage modules. The method can include receiving the search query from a user. The method also can include determining the predictive search query recommendations for the search query using a tree data structure. At least one top layer of the tree data structure can include at least one trie query node and bottom layers of the tree data structure can include ternary tree query nodes. The method further can include sending the predictive search query recommendations to the user. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of managing products at a retail sales facility include scanning a product in a stocking cart at the retail sales facility using a hand-held electronic device including a processor. At least two of the following three functions may be performed based on the scanning of the product. First, the stocking cart may be audited by comparing scanned data to data contained in an inventory management database. Second, a determination of whether the item is on a pick list may be made, which may include determining a demand for the scanned product to arrive at a decision whether to store the product in the stock room or place it on a shelf on the sales floor. Third, if the item is to be stored in the stock room, a determination of whether identical items are stored in bins in the stock room may be made.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method can include: identifying a first consumer location of a consumer; identifying a first limited irregular product group associated with the first consumer location; and receiving a selected limited irregular product type of one or more first limited irregular product types. The first limited irregular product group can have the first limited irregular product type(s). Further, an irregular product group can have multiple irregular product types, the multiple irregular product types can have the one or more first limited irregular product types, a master product group can have multiple product types, and the multiple product types can have multiple regular product types and the multiple irregular product types. The multiple irregular product types can satisfy at least one irregularity parameter distinguishing the multiple irregular product types from the multiple regular product types. Other embodiments of related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A virtual conferencing system includes a 3D scanner in a local region and a camera. A scan of the local region and images are received and combined to make a model that is transmitted to a remote region. A remote model from the remote region is combined and rendered for a user in the local region. A reference point in the local region is mapped to a reference point in the remote region. The remote model is oriented with respect to the local region according to the reference points. Object in the remote and local regions may be filtered from models that are transmitted. Interactions with virtual objects in the local region may invoke modification virtual objects. Modifications may be transmitted to the remote region and superimposed on real objects corresponding to the virtual objects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating a social shopping experience via a group shopping user interface is provided. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of: receiving a selection of a first item for potential addition to a virtual cart from a first user of a plurality of users forming a social shopping group comprising members who share a purchase cost of items in the virtual cart; providing an indication of the selection of the first item to the plurality of users for their feedback; receiving, in response to the indication, feedback on the first item from one or more of the plurality of users; adding the first item to the virtual cart based on the feedback from the one or more of the plurality of users, and initiating shared payment for the cost of one or more items in the virtual cart among the plurality of users.

Abstract: A universal media pocket is provided. Disclosed is a universal media pocket that includes a durable outer body, a pair of handles pivotably coupled to the durable outer body, and a closing mechanism at a base of the pair of handles and configured to close an inside volume enclosed by the durable outer body. The pair of handles in a first position are configured to attach the universal media pocket to an object and in a second position are configured to remove the universal media pocket from the object. Also disclosed is a chair with a universal media pocket. The chair arm includes a first and a second hook. The universal media pocket hangs from the chair arm, coupled to the chair arm using the first and the second hook.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a sequence engine comprising a local queue configured to receive captured data in a first sequence, the captured data including a plurality of individual messages, each message including sequence information representative of a chronological order in which the messages was captured, a coupling facility in communication with the local queue, the coupling facility comprising a plurality of data tables wherein a first one of the plurality of data tables is configured to store the captured data in the first sequence, and a dispatcher in communication with the plurality of data tables and configured to resequence, based on the sequence information, the captured data into a second sequence, wherein the second sequence corresponds to the chronological order in which the plurality of individual messages were captured, and to forward the captured data to a destination database in the second sequence.