Abstract: A system for determining selections that a user is likely to be interested in. The determination is made based on the user's prior indicated preferences. The user designates his or her preferred selections as entries in a user's preference list. Entries in the user's list are compared with entries in the other users' lists. When a significant number of matches have been found between two lists, the unmatched entries of the other user's preference list are extracted. The unmatched entries are further processed. Those unmatched entries with a high correlation to the user's preference list are presented to the user as selections in which the user is likely to be interested.

Abstract: Computer implemented processes and software products generate profiles of entities, such as providers, clients, merchants and customers, and entities comprising interacting pairs of entities. The processes including deriving direct profiles from transaction data pertaining to an entity and enhancing the profile of one entity using the profile of another entity. Parallel and serial applications of the derive and enhance processes on various individual and multiple entites yields enhanced profiles that powerfully describe the interactions and relationship of the entities to each other, and between their members.

Abstract: A system for administering scan-based promotions involving manufacturers and retailers. The system records the terms of the promotion, ensures that the promotion is conducted in compliance with the agreed terms, settles the promotion and provides continual promotion progress for review by the retailers and the manufacturers.

Abstract: The transmission of information during ad click-through is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method selects an ad to be displayed on a web page, as one of a plurality of ads within a current cluster in which each of the ad has a probability to be selected. The method displays the ad on the web page, and then detects activation—for example, click-through—of the displayed ad. The method transmits information to an entity associated with the ad, such as an advertiser, upon detecting click-through or other activation of the ad. In one embodiment, the information transmitted includes information regarding the current cluster.

Abstract: The profitability and effectiveness of a marketing program is increased by segmenting the customer population according to a combination of different segmentation strategies. A number of independent segmentation strategies are performed on the customers, each strategy resulting in its own set of scores. The sets of scores are then combined to form a composite score for each customer which is used to generate a ranked list of the customer population. Furthermore, different composite scores can be determined using different possible methods and these different scores can, themselves, be combined to generate an overall score and ranking for each customer. The targeted recipients for particular marketing materials are selected based on these rankings.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention a retailer may receive a request from a group of customers for a reward the group desires to earn by making purchases at the retailer. In response to such a request the retailer determines purchasing conditions the group must satisfy in order to earn the reward. The purchasing conditions may be determined based on, for example, a value of the reward (e.g., a cost of the reward to the retailer), a number of customers in the group, and/or a time by which the group desires to earn the reward. The purchasing conditions may be determined such that the retailer realizes at least a predetermined profit after the cost of providing the reward is considered. The methods of the present invention may be implemented at an online and/or brick-and-mortar retailer.

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.