Abstract: Methods and system for determining reputation information are provided. The method includes analyzing transactional and non-transactional information for an alias associated with an entity and determining reputation information for that alias. The reputation information is transferable across multiple domains. A user can request the reputation information about an entity prior to doing business with that entity. The reputation information is generated for merchants as well as users. The system can generate transaction risk score for every transaction to be conducted between two or more aliases. The system includes an alias identity and reputation validation server computer that receives inputs from various external systems and generated reputation information based on the inputs. Additionally, every individual user/merchant can manage his profile within the reputation database and enter some information manually.

Abstract: Computer based systems and methods allow designing (e.g., customization) of consumer products, such as articles of footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, etc., by users.

Abstract: A system providing seller pre-qualification during the matching phase of an electronic commerce transaction includes a directory structure comprising multiple hierarchically organized product classes, each product class categorizing multiple products and defining one or more attributes of the products categorized in the product class. The system also includes one or more pointers for each product class, each pointer identifying a seller database in which product data enabling a product transaction is stored for products categorized in the product class. The system further includes a search interface configured to communicate a search query for product data only to one or more seller databases associated with sellers having seller attribute values matching the specified seller attribute criteria, these seller databases being identified by the one or more pointers associated with the selected product class.

Abstract: A fraud detection system and method uses unique indicators for detecting fraud that extend beyond traditional transaction-based indicators. These unique indicators may include environmental information about a customer or a transaction. Such indicators may be used to identify fraud events based on computer-executable instructions that evaluate fraud risk. Further, an improved fraud detection system may include a learning component with a feedback loop. Also, authenticating and other information may be directed to the system for updating indicating data, fraud models, and risk assessments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for managing prepaid usage of document processing devices, in which an account manager system (104) automatically purchases prepaid account credits for customer accounts and applies print units to document processing devices registered to customer accounts periodically and according to preset top off thresholds (123, 128) subject to predefined limits (124, 129), and in which customer computer agents (360) allow just in time printing using devices with job-based application of print units to selected devices.

Abstract: A retail front-end experience for the user with a multi-seller back-end. A product is displayed on a webpage, and if the user views it, the software automatically selects at least one best supplier for each item and condition (new, used, etc.) for that user, and then displays the one specific price from only those vendors. The price includes the shipping costs from that vendor's location to the user's location. Thus, the back end is hidden from the user—the user is not forced to choose from a list of vendors. The software selects the best vendor based on a variety of criteria, such as item selection (condition, price and version), the geographic closeness of the vendor (reduced shipping costs and/or reduced shipping speed), the reliability rating of the vendor (responsiveness, product description accuracy, etc.).

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining photographic products and/or services comprises bundling image capture and printing technologies into products and/or services that are paid for by a consumer with monthly or yearly subscription fees. The system and method involves selecting a camera and selecting a photographic products/service plan which designates photographic products and/or services which are to be associated with the selected camera. The system and method gives the consumer the option of selecting a specific camera from a menu of cameras, and a specific photographic product/service plan which is to be associated with the selected camera from a product/service menu. As a further option, the consumer can customize his/her product/service plan in accordance with his/her preference. The plan can provide for products and/or services for images captured and/or film exposed by the camera for a predetermined amount of time at a predetermined fee.

Abstract: A process for providing seller pre-qualification during the matching phase of an electronic commerce transaction includes a directory structure comprising multiple hierarchically organized product classes, each product class categorizing multiple products and defining one or more attributes of the products categorized in the product class. The process also includes one or more pointers for each product class, each pointer identifying a seller database in which product data enabling a product transaction is stored for products categorized in the product class. The process further includes a search interface configured to communicate a search query for product data only to one or more seller databases associated with sellers having seller attribute values matching the specified seller attribute criteria, these seller databases being identified by the one or more pointers associated with the selected product class.

Abstract: System and method for shopping for products based on color of the product, time of product listing, and/or location of the seller of the product. Seller submits a representation of the product to be listed with an Internet-based shopping site that may include an image of the product. The site may determine one or more color of the product based on a submitted image by examining image pixels. The pixels examined may be chosen to accurately reflect the color of the product rather than the color of an image background or other image element. The color may include a set of the significant colors of the product or a single most significant or average color of the product. Shoppers may then search for products based on a color selected from a color search interface, a time selected from a time search interface, and/or a location selected from a location search interface.

Abstract: An intelligent product catalog system provides for electronic creation, management and viewing of product information using a multimedia display system. A central database repository stores the product information and provides for an unlimited number of product attributes and dynamic reconfiguration of the product information. The central database repository comprises a meta data system, a scheme system and an object model system. A plurality of applications access the central database repository, the applications being automatically adaptive to the dynamic reconfiguration of the product information. A user interface provides display, sorting and filtering of the product information including the unlimited number of product attributes.

Abstract: The pricing of a product is programmatically managed by defining a plurality of pricing states for the product. Each pricing state has a pricing mechanism associated therewith. A pricing mechanism can be a variable pricing mechanism such as an auction. It can also be a fixed pricing mechanism for the sale, rental, or subscription of the product. One or more triggers are defined, each of which may include one or more trigger parameters, to enable the pricing of the product to transition from one pricing state to another pricing state. In this manner, an automated, systematic approach to pricing management is provided.

Abstract: A method on a server for managing sales activities and group buying offers for a plurality of users over a communications network is disclosed. The method includes receiving sales transaction data from the users, receiving recruit enrollment data from the users, processing the sales transaction data and the recruit enrollment data to generate aggregate data pertaining to sales, transmitting the aggregate data to the users, receiving a group buying offer, transmitting the group buying offer to the users, receiving acceptances of the group buying offer, calculating a number of acceptances of the group buying offer, effectuating a sale of the product or service of the group buying offer to each of the users who accepted the offer, if the number of acceptances of the group buying offer is greater than a minimum number, and attributing a particular sale to a recruiter, so as to award a commission.

Abstract: A method on a server for managing discount offers for a plurality of users over a communications network. The method includes receiving a discount offer, wherein a discount offer comprises at least a product or service description, an initial price, a discount price less than the initial price, a minimum number of acceptances and a time deadline, and transmitting the discount offer to the plurality of users. The method further includes receiving acceptances of the discount offer, and executing a preliminary credit card authorization transaction for each acceptance received, at the initial price. The method further includes calculating a number of acceptances, detecting the time deadline, and effectuating a sale of the product or service at the discount price to each user that accepted, if the number of acceptances is greater than or equal to the minimum number of acceptances, including executing a final credit card authorization transaction.

Abstract: A method on a server for managing discount offers for a plurality of users over a communications network. The method includes receiving a discount offer, wherein a discount offer comprises at least a product or service description, an initial price, a discount price less than the initial price, a minimum number of acceptances and a time deadline, and transmitting the discount offer to the plurality of users. The method further includes receiving acceptances of the discount offer, and detecting attainment of a predefined time before the time deadline. The method further includes decreasing the minimum number of acceptances by a numerical decrement, if the number of acceptances is less than the minimum number of acceptances at the predefined time before the time deadline, and re-transmitting the discount offer with a decreased minimum number of acceptances to the mobile computers of the plurality of users.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to allowing a recipient of a closed-loop gift card to select one of a number of merchants toward which to apply the value. A consumer buys a variable gift card from a service provider for a set amount, pays the service provider that amount, and the service provider holds that amount in escrow. The consumer sends the gift card to a recipient with a predetermined merchant. The recipient receives the gift card and decides to switch the gift card from the predetermined merchant to a desired merchant. The recipient requests the service provider to change the merchant, and the service provider delivers the amount from escrow to the desired merchant. If the recipient does desire to use the predetermined merchant, the recipient contacts the service provider for activation and the service provider transfers the amount to the predetermined merchant.

Abstract: A catalog based price search method comprises, among other things, associating a price search data with a particular data classifier of the set of data classifiers using a processor; creating a database having the price search data associated with the particular data classifier of the set of data classifiers, and different price search data associated with different data classifiers of the set of data classifiers; automatically rendering a structured view in a structured format of the set of data classifiers having the particular data classifier and different data classifiers; and processing a payment of an interested party when the structured view develops a patron base above a threshold value; and offering a subscription service on the structured view associated with the interested party when the patron base is above the threshold value.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a method and apparatus whereby a single action may control fulfillment services are described. Various embodiments may include an inventory management system associated with a fulfillment services provider. The inventory management system may be configured to implement a fulfillment services management interface configured to generate a user interface providing an indication of item(s) listed for sale by a merchant. In various embodiments, order fulfillment services for such items may not be provided by a fulfillment services provider. Additionally, the user interface may provide a single action user interface element for the merchant to register the one or more items for fulfillment by a fulfillment services provider. The inventory management system may, in response to receiving an indication of activation of the single action user interface element, register the item(s) for fulfillment by the fulfillment services provider.

Abstract: To improve the scheduling and tasking of resources, the present disclosure describes an improved planning system and method for the allocation and management of resources. The planning system uses a branch and bound approach of tasking resources using a heuristic to expedite arrival at a deterministic solution. For each possible functional mode of the resources, an upper bound is determined. The upper bounds are employed in an objective function for the branch and bound process to determine the functional mode in which to place the resources and to determine movement paths for the resources, all in an environment where a hostile force may attempt to destroy the resources.

Abstract: An access management system for managing network access of an end-user to one or more online content sources of a number of content providers. The system comprises a content proxy unit that stores the concealed addresses of the content sources. The content proxy unit is designed to receive a request for accessing one or more content sources from the end-user. The system further comprises an access management unit that stores an access rights record of the end-user. The access management unit is designed to authorize the request according to the access rights record of the end user. If the request is authorized, the content proxy unit facilitates the accessing using the concealed addresses of the requested content sources.

Abstract: A payment method and system are provided for electronic data that is purchased by a recipient from a supplier thereof for transmission to the recipient with payment being made in advance of downloading of the electronic data. The pre-payment entitles the recipient to a predetermined period of time online, or a predetermined quantity of downloaded electronic data. Payment control means associated with communication means communicates with a source of funding associated with the particular recipient and an allocated funds register is associated with the source of funding such that an initial quantum of value contained in the source of funding is credited to the allocated funds register. The payment control means monitors the balance remaining in the allocated funds register and when a predetermined low value is reached a further predetermined quantum of value contained in the source of funding is credited to the allocated funds register to increase the balance therein and enable continued connectivity.