Abstract: In one aspect, a computing apparatus is configured to profile the spending distribution of users who have made purchases from a merchant and who have paid for the purchases via a transaction handler (e.g., using credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards). The spending distribution is determined based on transaction data of the users, where the transaction data records the transactions of the users for purchases from various merchants. The spending distribution is profiled to indicate the preference of the customers of the merchant as a whole and thus can be used to customize the ratio of media content provided to the customers of the merchant, such as the presentation ratio of advertisements from different merchants, or from merchants of different categories.

Abstract: In an advertisement information providing system, a destination is set based on the identification number assigned for each store 10, published by an advertisement provider 20. When the user arrives at the setup destination and visits the corresponding store 10 or purchases a commodity in the store 10, the store 10 pays cooperation money to the advertisement provider 20.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for transacting business over a network between multiple buyers and sellers. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention operates within an improved extranet system which is a secure, limited access network which operates within the larger public packet switched network (Internet) and allows only registered buyers and sellers to access the website while the system communicates with, and takes advantage of, existing credit, billing, collection, clearinghouse, insurance, transportation, tracking and banking systems. The interactive database includes real-time information in connection with a transaction, where the buyer submits a request for product and the request for the product locks out the requested product from selection by any other buyers.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for transacting business over a network between multiple buyers and sellers. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention operates within an improved extranet system which is a secure, limited access network which operates within the larger public packet switched network (Internet) and allows only registered buyers and sellers to access the website while the system communicates with, and takes advantage of, existing credit, billing, collection, clearinghouse, insurance, transportation, tracking and banking systems. The interactive database includes real-time information in connection with a transaction, where the buyer submits a request for product and the request for the product locks out the requested product from selection by any other buyers.

Abstract: Provided are computer based methods and apparatus for carrying out an incentive award program by a business entity, comprising the steps of participating in a transaction having at least two parties, determining at least one of these parties to be an award recipient, and providing the award, wherein the award includes at least one investment chosen from a plurality of vehicles for investment and wherein the business entity may be the owner or an authorized operator of the incentive award program.

Abstract: A user information general management unit for generally managing user registration information and using status information transmitted from a user side of a computer-related product is provided at a system manager side, for example, a user registration centre. A user registration/reference unit for notifying the user information general management unit of the user registration information and the using status information at a request from the user, and for requesting new information provided from a vendor side about a computer-related product is provided on a user side. With this configuration, a user registration operation can be simple on the user side, the time and the cost required in checking the using status on the vendor side can be reduced, and an appropriate service for a user can be realized.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for ordering an advertising spot for an advertisement over a data network to be transmitted to a target user during a transmission of a motion picture. An advertiser first provides to a broadcaster a predetermined constraint that defines the target user for receiving the advertisement. Then, the broadcaster uses the predetermined constraint to determine a price for the advertising spot. The price is then offered by the broadcaster to the advertiser and the advertiser then orders the advertising spot based on the price to place the advertisement in the advertising spot to be transmitted to the target user during the transmission of a motion picture.

Abstract: A method of promoting a product. A user at a user location (100) is induced to obtain a first product having a unique ID from a first vendor to win a prize. The user registers the product via a user computer (102) connected on-line to a central registration server (108) across a packet-switched network (104) by completing a user profile and transmitting the user profile and unique ID to a central registration server (108) having a profile database stored on a profile database unit (110). Promoting the product in conjunction with an event at an event location (114), and in response to a triggering event occurring during the event, a tone control system (117) causes a tone signal to be transmitted in the broadcast signal using a broadcast system (116). The tone signal is coupled to the user computer (102) and decoded to enable the computer (102) to automatically connect to a web server having a prize-winning phrase containing advertisement of the second product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system that allows sellers to communicate conditional offers to potential buyers. The conditions include prices that depend on the aggregate amount of goods or services that buyers collectively agree to purchase by a given time and date. The invention facilitates “demand aggregation”, that is, aggregating demand by potential buyers (who may or may not know each other), for products offered by sellers. This invention allows sellers conveniently to offer “Demand-Based Pricing”, that is, prices which go down as the volume of units sold in any given offer goes up. A seller can therefor offer volume discounts to buyers acting as a group, even when the buyers may not have any formal relationship with one another.