Abstract: A method for automatically maintaining orders on a networked computer is described, comprising maintaining, by the networked computer, information on an order including one or more entries, said information being associated with at least one ordering entity, receiving, by the networked computer, data indicative of an update of the order from the at least one ordering entity via a network, processing the data by the networked computer, updating, by the networked computer, a summary of the order, and providing, by the networked computer, the summary to the at least one ordering entity via the network in response to a trigger. Furthermore, a network system enabling automatic maintenance of orders is described.

Abstract: In general, network traffic-based electronic commerce (e-commerce) techniques are described. The techniques may potentially prevent website crashes caused by traffic spikes. An example method includes determining, by a computing device, a level of network traffic associated with accessing a website that provides one or more e-commerce capabilities, and comparing the level of network traffic against a threshold traffic level. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the level of network traffic exceeds the threshold traffic level, determining whether a purchase request received via the website identifies a limited time offer (LTO) that is currently available via the website, and when the purchase request identifies the LTO, denying the purchase request with respect to the LTO at an add-to-cart stage.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for managing vendor inventory information and shopping navigation routes based upon shopping list contents. A server computer can execute a shopping management service. A shopping list is obtained at the server computer. The server computer obtains location data indicating a geographic location of the user device and identifies, based upon the location data, a vendor having an inventory comprising the item. The server computer generates a navigation route comprising a stop at a vendor location associated with the vendor, and provides the navigation route to the user device. The server computer can monitor purchases of items on the shopping list, update the shopping list, and update the navigation route. The server computer also can provide suggestions to the user device based upon items in the shopping list.

Abstract: A current geographic location of a mobile device, such as a smart phone, tablet computer, or the like, is used to retrieve one or more lists of product related items, such as information related to product that has been delivered/shipped to one or more locations in the vicinity of the current geographic location of the mobile device. The lists of product related items provide details about the product related items and a user interface element for allowing, among other things, items to be ordered, e.g., for delivery/shipment to a corresponding geographic location.

Abstract: A customer purchasing workflow management functionality related to a customer account hosted by a vendor system is presented on a client computing device in a dashboard page. The system allows a customer to visualize purchasing workflows and processes by authorized purchasers and by authorized approvers, including the spending and approval limits associated with each, and the relationships therebetween. The system further provides for editing of the stored information comprising the purchasing workflows and processes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products that provide for a unique directional wayfinding system. In one embodiment of the invention, products are received from the user, such as a shopping list or wish list. The system determines the location of the user, determines the location of the product in the business, determines a route from the user to the product, and provides instructions to the user along the route. In an embodiment, the system identifies and/or confirms the product when the user reaches the product. In at least one embodiment, the systems, methods, and computer-program products provide functionality for the visually-impaired to assist in everyday shopping for products in businesses.

Abstract: A hybrid recommendation system uses offline testing and online testing to generate and optimize recommendation functions. The functions generate recommendations which may be presented online for product purchases. Indices are created from the recommendations. Lookups may be performed on the indices to select recommendations for a particular user. The selected recommendations may be filtered before presenting to the user.

Abstract: A system allows people to more easily find products matching their skin tone. A kiosk at a retail store or other location can assist customers in determining what products are right for them and then purchase them from the retailer. The kiosk can include a scanning device is used to scan one or more spots of a person's skin. For example, three different spots can be scanned. The scan determines a skin-tone identifier for the person's skin. This skin-tone identifier is used by a software program (e.g., executing on a tablet computer) to determine and output a listing of products that are appropriate for the person's skin tone.

Abstract: A system and method allows a user to define a search request by selecting and weighting graphical icons provided on a search creation interface. The graphical icons may be selected by using an icon selection feature provided on the search creation interface. The graphical icons may further be assigned relative search weights using an icon weighting feature provided on the search creation interface. The system and method generates search results based on metadata associated with the selected ones of the graphical icons and the search weights assigned to each of the selected ones of the graphical icons. The search results may comprise a ranked list of items, such as products listed for sale on an e-commerce server.

Abstract: A method and system of using widgets embedded in web pages as virtual storefronts is disclosed. A user of a social networking site may create a merchant account with a transaction service provider. The user embeds a storefront widget provided by the transaction service provider in the user's profile page on the social networking site and the user can use the storefront widget to input information about products that the user is selling. Other users of the social networking site view the user's profile page and the storefront widget will display the products that the user is selling. The other users may interact with the storefront widget to purchase the products that the user is selling.

Abstract: Various of the disclosed embodiments generally contemplate computer-implemented systems and methods for selecting an electronic or virtual gift card from among a plurality of possible gift cards or gift card issuers. Various of the embodiments may match and rank the gift cards according to a gift card recipient's characteristics, and possibly to the electronic or virtual gift card itself. Certain embodiments also contemplate the selection of physical gift cards selection, matching, and ranking aspects of the invention. Various methods for operating a gift card business using certain of the embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, a signal from a consumer transmitted through an augmented reality device worn by the consumer. The method also includes the step of confirming, with the processing device, the signal contains a query from the consumer. The method also includes the step of retrieving, with the processing device, a proposed answer to the query. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, the proposed answer to the augmented reality device. The method also includes the step of verifying, with the processing device, the proposed answer is accepted by the consumer. The method also includes the step of prompting, with the processing device, the consumer to resubmit the signal if the query is not confirmed in the confirming step or if the proposed answer is not accepted in the verifying step.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a schematic illustration of a design made by inserting cups in the openings of a chain-link fence are provided. A customer uploads a design representation through a web based interface. The designer adjusts the representation into a matrix of polygons displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI). The matrix of polygons represents the polygonal openings of the chain-link fence. The representation is converted into a cluster of highlighted polygons that represents the schematic illustration of the design. The customer can customize the design parameters and place an order for the design.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes transitioning, by a server system, from a full checkout procedure of a website to a reduced functionality checkout procedure of the website. The full checkout procedure includes calculations corresponding to a set of parameters associated with an electronic commerce transaction. The reduced functionality checkout procedure includes calculations corresponding to a subset of the parameters associated with the electronic commerce transaction. The method further includes receiving, by the server system and from a client device, a request to complete the electronic commerce transaction via the website, and in response to receiving the request to complete the electronic commerce transaction, executing, by the server system, the reduced functionality checkout procedure.

Abstract: A system allows people to more easily find products matching their skin tone. A kiosk at a retail store or other location can assist customers in determining what products are right for them and then purchase them from the retailer. The kiosk can include a scanning device is used to scan one or more spots of a person's skin. For example, three different spots can be scanned. The scan determines a skin-tone identifier for the person's skin. This skin-tone identifier is used by a software program (e.g., executing on a tablet computer) to determine and output a listing of products that are appropriate for the person's skin tone.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to electronic order processing of items in an electronic commerce environment. A geographic boundary associated with a physical location of a retail entity can be implemented using, for example, a geo-fence. An order for an item from the retail location can be received by a customer and a notification prioritizing processing of the order can be generated based on a location of the user relative to the geographic boundary.