Abstract: A stored order system is used with a shopping cart application for an electronic commerce site. The items of each stored order are saved together, which is an advantage when a main item and accessories are combined in an order. Additionally, a stored order can be E-mailed to another person. The E-mail message allows the recipient to purchase the items of the stored order.

Abstract: A contextual computing system allows a variety of actors to interact with system components to carry out computational and communication tasks. The system is provided as a self-contained and portable solution for communications needs, employable by a number of entities such as telecommunications companies, enterprises, and system operators. The computing system is implemented using layers, with components within the layers carrying out computational and communication tasks in response to input from actors. The system allows business logic and communication to be integrated into a single solution, providing for efficient communication and remarkable ease of use in a variety of possible deployments.

Abstract: A method for processing person-to-person payments and money requests using a computer network. A payment enabler linked to the Internet enables an individual to register for an account through which the individual can make payments to other individuals, request money from other individuals, and access other functionality to facilitate the management of the individual's financial transactions. At the time an individual authorizes a payment to another person or directs the payment enabler to request money from another person, the person to whom the payment or money request is directed may, but need not, have already registered for an account with the payment enabler. To communicate with individuals, the payment enabler may use both Web pages and e-mail. An intermediary typically operates the payment enabler and acts as a conduit for the money transfer from one individual (the payor) to another individual (the payee).

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and means for adjusting network preference information which includes detecting network activity. A characteristic of the network activity is measured. Network preference information is adjusted based on the characteristic. In some embodiments, network activity is network activity by a client device such as a computer accessing a network site.

Abstract: A method of providing network access includes entering network access information into a merchant device at a merchant location. The information relates to a request from a customer to obtain network access. The method also includes causing the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device, receiving a payment from the customer, receiving activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device, and providing a presentation instrument to the customer. The presentation instrument may be used by the customer to obtain network access. The method further includes using the presentation instrument to settle a transaction with the customer for merchandise.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for the comparison of a plurality of selected products on the display of a remote computer. In one illustrated embodiment, product data is displayed for a side-by-side comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for the comparison of a plurality of selected products on the display of a remote computer. In one example, a product image of each of the selected products is combined with a background image for presentation on the display of the remote computer.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive commerce is disclosed. Adaptive commerce enables recommendations of products or services based on usage behaviors and commercial contextual information. Commercial contextual information may include the business environment of the recommendation recipient, purchase histories, and product or service attributes. Bundles of products and/or services, or specific product or service configurations may be recommended. Corresponding prices may be determined in accordance with behavioral inferences and commercial contextual information.

Abstract: A system and method for determination and presentation of package offers. A package offer is an offer for sale by a retailer of a package of products at a package price. A retailer may offer products for sale in an on-line retail environment or in a physical retail environment. A determination is made that a primary product is of interest to a customer. This determination may involve detecting and interpreting input signals transmitted from a customer device. In response to detecting that the primary product is of interest to the customer, a package is determined that may comprise the primary product and at least one secondary product. A package may be determined by accessing a database to locate a pre-determined package or to select the secondary products ad hoc. A package price is determined that is less than the sum of the corresponding retail prices of the primary product and secondary products in the package.

Abstract: A solution for improving generally the selecting of window coverings, and more specifically, a method, system, and program product for selecting window coverings is provided. A method may include receiving at least one window attribute of a structure; obtaining a plurality of information via an electronic medium; and presenting at least one window covering option via the electronic medium, wherein the option is based on the at least one window attribute and the plurality of information.

Abstract: A method and system of buying a product for delivery to a specific individual or entity using a customized picture frame which includes selecting and placing an order for a specific item to be prepared and delivered. A photographic image of the provider is transmitted by the entity where the purchase was made to the intended recipient at the time of the order or when the order is ready for delivery. The provider and preparation and delivery entity both have a supply of the customized picture frames, and whoever is making the delivery of the product places the photographic image of the provider in one of these frames in one of several available ways to secure the framed picture along with an accompanying written message to the product for delivery. The framed picture is easily removed from the product and can be placed on a desk or mantle for viewing or used in any other way for the enjoyment of the recipient.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system and method for managing sale and distribution of products over the Internet or other type of network is disclosed. In order to prevent attempts by users to fraudulently obtain the products, the system analyzes during an electronic commerce transaction the user-entered information entered by the users into the end user machine in connection with an electronic purchase order for a product to determine a fraud ranking. This fraud ranking indicates a likelihood that the order is attempted fraud based upon a quantitative analysis of a daily bad uses counter by determining a number of times that a piece of received user-entered information from the electronic purchase order appeared on another order that was declined that day. Based upon the determination, the system accepts or declines the order. The system also saves the user-entered information for use in determining whether to accept to decline future orders.

Abstract: A method for distributing a digital image of a customer includes receiving a request from a customer for an image to be taken of the customer at a site. The request can be received, for example, via a remote signal from a customer's communication device. Payment data are obtained from the customer, and a location of the site is determined. The request is relayed to a remote imaging device that is positioned to image the customer at the site. An image is automatically captured of the customer at the site, and the image is relayed as a proof image to the customer's communication device. Finally, if the image is desired by the customer, an approval is received from the customer to purchase the image.

Abstract: A method and a system that associate items offered by sellers and others with selected categories within a network-based system are provided. The method and system may operate to include receiving a request including an item identification having at least one token, parsing the item identification to identify the token, and assigning a token weight to the token based on a total number of items offered at a site and a number of items offered at the site and associated with the token.

Abstract: A system for electronic commerce (10) having personal agents (12 and 13) that represent consumers and providers in a virtual marketplace (28). Consumer personal agents conceal the identity of the consumer and are capable of creating decision agents (14) that shop for products and assist consumers in comparing and ranking products. Provider personal agents are capable of creating demand agents (16) that quantify demand and target specific consumers without learning the identity of the consumers. Based on data generated by the activities of the decision agents and on preference data maintained by consumer personal agents, provider personal agents can quantify current, historical, and future demand, simulate demand, and target specific consumers for advertising and other messages. Provider personal agents can cooperate with consumer personal agents to collect data about reasons for sales and lost sales and to offer consideration payments to consumers.

Abstract: When device information is transmitted from a DVD recorder to a server, the server transmits selectable function information that is selectable in the DVD recorder side to the DVD recorder. If a reproducing function for MP3, for example, is selected from the selectable function information, the DVD recorder transmits information of reproducing function for MP3 to the server. The server transmits amount billed for the reproducing function for MP3 and the like to the DVD recorder. A user makes the DVD recorder transmit a password when the user approves the amount billed. If the server judges that the password is correct, the server transmits a firmware related to the reproducing function for MP3 to the DVD recorder, then the DVD recorder rewrites an existing firmware that is stored in a flash memory to a firmware on which the firmware related to reproducing function for MP3 is added.

Abstract: An order fulfillment tool may indicate fulfillability information for a plurality of open orders and receive user input specifying one or more orders for potential fulfillment. In response, the order fulfillment tool may indicate revised fulfillability information for orders not specified for potential fulfillment according to the effects on a current inventory if the specified orders were fulfilled. The order fulfillment tool may also recommend orders for potential fulfillment according to user-specified order fulfillment criteria and indicate revised fulfillability information for orders not recommended for potential fulfillment. Such an order fulfillment tool may also receive user input specifying fulfillment levels for individual items of orders and update fulfillability information for other orders according to the effect of the individual fulfillment levels.

Abstract: Methods and systems including an auction method including an auction price-setting process and a fixed price process for purchasing a seller's offering to a buyer. The seller may adjust a seller fixed-price offer during the auction price-setting process. Various embodiments include a network-based commerce system including, a processor coupled to a memory through a bus; and a fixed price-setting process executed from the memory by the processor to facilitate a request for an adjustment of a fixed price offer associated with a listing for an item, the request to be sent to a seller of the listing.

Abstract: Techniques to facilitate pre-ordering of digital media assets from an on-line media store are disclosed. A user of the on-line media store can view advance listings for digital media assets that have not yet been released. A user can also choose to pre-order a digital media asset that has not yet been released. According to one aspect, a bundle (or group) of digital media assets can be pre-ordered. Such a pre-order is recorded and monitored so that the desired digital media asset can be purchased and delivered to the user once the digital media asset become available. Since the monitoring is computerized and the delivery is electronic, once a digital media asset becomes available, delivery of any pre-order can, if desired, occur nearly immediately.

Abstract: Techniques to facilitate pre-ordering of digital media assets from an on-line media store are disclosed. A user of the on-line media store can view advance listings for digital media assets that have not yet been released. A user can also choose to pre-order a digital media asset that has not yet been released. Such a pre-order is recorded and monitored so that the desired digital media asset can be purchased and delivered to the user once the digital media asset become available. Since the monitoring is computerized and the delivery is electronic, once a digital media asset becomes available, delivery of any pre-order can occur nearly immediately.