Abstract: An enhanced shopping system for facilitating grocery shopping and in-store advertising is disclosed. The system utilizes uniquely changes (1) the way grocery retail industry captures and retains customers, (2) how customers organize their shopping efforts in grocery stores, (3) the approach to advertising and reaching customers, and (4) the information available to retailers and merchandisers related to customer (a) shopping patterns, (b) responses to merchandising and advertising, and (c) specific impact of discounting/coupons.

Abstract: A viewer for displaying an electronic book and providing for electronic commerce. In conjunction with viewing an electronic book, a user can view information about products and services, view an on-line electronic catalog, and receive samples of products available for purchase. By entering a purchase request, the user can purchase products or services. In the case of a digital product, the user can download the purchased product directly into the viewer. The viewer also records statistics concerning purchase and information requests in order to recommend related products or services, or for directing particular types of advertisements to the user.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for facilitating interactive electronic commerce transactions over an electronic commerce network between a plurality of sellers and a plurality of buyers via an independent service provider. A request is received from a seller over the electronic commerce network to generate an auction program process associated with the seller. The auction program process associated with the seller is generated by an electronic commerce computer of the independent service provider. A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) hyperlink associated with the auction program process is generated by the electronic commerce computer. The URL hyperlink is communicated to the seller for insertion into a web page hosted on a website other than the independent service provider's website, wherein the web page displays information about an item for sale.

Abstract: A system gathers user behavior data from a group of web retailers and/or non-web retailers, analyzes the user behavior data to identify product recommendations for products offered by the web retailers, and provides one of the identified product recommendations in connection with a product page associated with one of the web retailers.

Abstract: A creative marketplace system and a computer-based method for marketing creative media include providing a computer system, the computer system defining a database. Inputs are received with said computer system from a plurality of potential sellers of media content and a plurality of potential purchasers of media content. Wherein, the inputs received from a potential seller include at least a portion of media content and media content data. The media content data includes a characteristic of media content and/or a characteristic of the potential seller of that media content. Wherein, the receiving inputs from a potential purchaser include receiving a selection of media content desired. The media content desired is selected from a characteristic of media content and/or a characteristic of the potential seller of that media content. Media content data is submitted that corresponds with media content desired by at least one potential buyer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, techniques are provided for interacting with an online media store to obtain a media asset bundle, such as a digital boxset. These techniques involve, for instance, browsing for a media asset bundle that includes at least one interactive playable media asset, purchasing the media asset bundle, obtaining the media assets contained in the media asset bundle, determining if a presentation request has been made for a media asset in the media asset bundle, and presenting the requested media asset.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a novel system for supporting contact lens users, who has not been provided with an after-selling support sufficiently, which is able to provide an appropriate support to individual contact lens user so that he can use contact lenses with comfortable. In order to attain the object, an image signal of the user's currently used contact lenses (20) acquired by a user client apparatus (18) is transmitted via communication network means (38), to a server apparatus (12) of a supporting entity (10). The server apparatus (12) then obtains lens condition evaluation data, which are stored in memory means (14) and transmitted via the communication network means (38) to the user client apparatus (18) so that the user (16) can be provided with the lens condition evaluation data.

Abstract: A method of transmitting content over a network, the content depicting at least one person and being subject to a record-keeping requirement, includes the steps of: providing information pertaining to a person depicted in at least a portion of the content in accordance with a record-keeping requirement; associating the information with the content; providing the associated information to a custodian; verifying that the information complies with the record-keeping requirement; and transmitting the content over a network.

Abstract: A method of post customization for articles of footwear is disclosed. The method includes a step of receiving an order for a plurality of pairs of footwear, a step of manufacturing the articles, a step of receiving a set of post customization designs and a step of applying post customization designs to the articles of footwear.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for recommending at least one coating composition for coating substrates considering the particular geographical location and the environmental conditions associated with that location. The computer based system and the method can also consider the particular performance and optionally the appearance features desired by the end user.

Abstract: A method for producing content, the content depicting at least one person, at least a portion of the content being subject to a record-keeping requirement, includes the steps of: providing a system including means for producing content, a first database, first input means for providing information pertaining to a person to be depicted in the content to the first database, and means for providing a signature of the person to the first database; obtaining a digitized model release signed by the person using the means for providing a signature of the person to the first database; providing the digitized signed model release to the first database; providing information pertaining to the person to be depicted in the content in accordance with the record-keeping requirement to the first data base using the first input means and associating the information with the content; and producing the content.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating interactions between computing systems, such as in accordance with usage models that are configured for available services by the providers of the services. In some situations, the services are Web services, and an electronic Web service (“WS”) marketplace is provided via which third-party WS providers make their WSes available to third-party WS consumers who purchase access to those WSes via the electronic marketplace based on configured usage models selected by the consumers. Some or all of the one or more usage models configured for an available WS may each have associated use prices and/or non-price use conditions, and if so access to those WSes using those usage models may be provided only if a consumer requesting access provides appropriate payment and otherwise satisfies the specified use conditions for a selected usage model.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method, system, and storage medium for providing automated purchasing and delivery services. The method includes performing analysis of electronic activities conducted by a network user, inferring an intent to execute a transaction by the network user, and executing the transaction on behalf of the network user. The analysis includes comparing the electronic activities with previously-conducted electronic activities, and applying user-defined policies to the electronic activities.

Abstract: Techniques are described for assisting users in dynamically creating and using composite services that are based on other constituent services. In some situations, each constituent service is a Web service (“WS”), and each composite service is a new WS whose execution involves dynamically invoking multiple specified constituent WSes in a specified manner. Such techniques may be used, for example, in conjunction with an electronic WS marketplace via which third-party WS providers make their WSes available to third-party WS consumers who locate and purchase access to those WSes, such as to allow a user to dynamically create a new composite WS that is based on one or more WSes available from other WS providers and that reflects any constraints of the WS marketplace, with the composite WS available for use by other WS consumers. This abstract is not intended for use in interpreting or limiting the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A facility for responding to a request for information about an item. The facility receives a request for information about the item. Among a plurality of sellers, the facility identifies those sellers (1) that are offering the item for sale, (2) whose availability level for the selected item exceeds a predetermined availability threshold, and (3) that have a seller score relating to a number of different items offered for sale by the seller that exceeds a predetermined score threshold. The facility uses the identified sellers and the price of the item to select the featured seller of the item. The facility replies to the request for information with a web page containing both information describing the item and a control that can be activated to order the item from the featured seller.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for influencing shoppers while they consider making purchasing decisions in a retail establishment. Specifically, the systems and methods for influencing shoppers may occur during a shopper's first moment of truth by transmitting through a communication network one or more influential messages to a handheld wireless electronic device or intelligent shopping cart, which is in close proximity to a shopper during a shopping trip throughout a retail establishment.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating a naturally reading narrative product summary including assertions about a selected product. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of determining at least one attribute associated with the selected product, selecting an alternative product, retrieving assertion models to describe the product and to recommend an alternative product in a natural manner, and generating a naturally reading narrative by combining the attribute and the selected alternative product with the retrieved assertion models such that the generated narrative includes a recommendation of the selected alternative product. A system is provided for implementing the described method.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for influencing shoppers while they consider making purchasing decisions in a retail establishment. Specifically, the systems and methods for influencing shoppers may occur during a shopper's first moment of truth by transmitting through a communication network one or more influential messages to a handheld wireless electronic device or intelligent shopping cart, which is in close proximity to a shopper during a shopping trip throughout a retail establishment.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an automated method for product ordering and other operations via the Internet, while acting as a substitute or surrogate for another entity. According to the method, a user may connect to a web site and request a list of entities (also, “partners”) for which the user is authorized to place orders or perform other operations. Nodes of a hierarchical data structure may be used to represent the entities and the user. The hierarchical data structure may be processed to determine which of the nodes the user is authorized to perform operations for. The instructions may return a list of eligible nodes to the user, filtering out ineligible nodes.

Abstract: A facility for responding to a request for information about an item: The facility receives a request for information about the item. Among a plurality of sellers, the facility identifies those sellers (1) that are offering the item for sale, (2) whose availability level for the selected item exceeds a predetermined availability threshold, and (3) that have a seller score relating to a number of different items offered for sale by the seller that exceeds a predetermined score threshold. The facility uses the identified sellers and the price of the item to select the featured seller of the item. The facility replies to the request for information with a web page containing both information describing the item and a control that can be activated to order the item from the featured seller.