Abstract: A smart-card based system and methods to control access to a plurality of attractions within a geographical area. The system may include one or more reward terminals that are located at attractions and are configured to read smart cards presented to them and, assuming the card is valid for that location, allow the card holder to access the attraction. Each smart card may be programmed with a product code that defines the attractions at which the card may be used. Product codes may be stored in a central database along with a list of the attractions associated with the each product code. The list of attractions may be updated as desired, thereby updating and changing the attractions at which any given card may be used.

Abstract: A system and method for managing welding consumable(s) is provided. The invention includes a welder having a consumable(s) monitor, a customer system and/or a remote system. The invention further provides for monitoring of welding consumable(s) usage and ordering of welding consumable(s) from suppliers, distributors and/or manufacturers. The invention further provides for an optional arc/weld quality monitor that provides information regarding weld quality. The invention further provides for invoicing a customer for welding consumable(s) as the consumable(s) are used by the customer. The invention further provides for invoicing of customers for welding consumable(s) that produce acceptable welds. The invention further provides for remote management of customer welding consumable(s) inventory based at least in part upon information received regarding welding consumable(s) usage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for conducting online auctions, and has particular application in conducting business on-line over a network of computers such as the Internet, for establishing materials supply contracts. In particular, the invention relates to control of a reserve price in an online bidding event. An online auction between a controlling party and at least two competing participants comprises the steps of setting a reserve price for the auction, conducting the auction between the at least two competing parties, determining whether a predetermined time trigger has been reached and suspending the auction if the reserve price is not reached at the time, determining whether the controlling party has selected to enter an optional reserve price negotiation phase, and revising the reserve price for that reserve price negotiation phase, and accordingly, extending the auction based on the revised reserve price.

Abstract: In an online marketplace environment, a connection provider can provide metrics to a seller of items relating to items for sale on one or more online sales channels. In one implementation, a method describes receiving information that describes one or more items for sale by the seller, and facilitating a sale of the items through one or more online sales channels. Metrics are reported to the seller regarding the one or more items for sale on the one or more online sales channels, in which the metrics include top-line highlights, bottom-line highlights, SKU-level information, and an executive summary.

Abstract: A customer-customizable lamp includes a vertical support post mounted to a base plate. The customer selects from five different heights of decorative blocks to be mounted on the post. Each selected block may be provided in any one of five selectable colors or four selectable simulated wood grains. The selection of blocks and finishes are made on a web page with an interactive representation of the customizable lamp being displayed as the design is being created by the customer. The remaining height on the support post to be filled with decorative blocks is displayed. Once the post is filled and the customer has selected finishes for each selected block, the lamp design can be finalized for delivery to the customer. The customer selectable blocks and colors/finishes permit several million permutations so that the customer can create a highly individualized decorative lamp.

Abstract: An electronic procurement system may enable users, such as professional purchasers for an enterprise, to create new business partners for the enterprise using information in business partner directories hosted by external service providers. The electronic procurement system and external service providers may use a partner interface protocol to exchange partner information. The new business partner may be created during a business process using the partner information.

Abstract: An electronic information system and method pursuant to which at least one user interface is adapted for interaction with a user; at least one database comprising adult digital content associated with a server is remotely accessible and accessed by the user, and a network provides remote access to the at least one database to enable downloading of adult digital content.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for automating placement of orders from a catalog that has been JumpCode enabled by inclusion of bar codes. A sequence of additive bar codes uniquely identify each item available from the catalog. A scanner is used for designating items from the catalog by scanning the identifying sequences of bar codes, which include at least a bar code element that uniquely identifies the catalog and the page of an item, and a further bar code element that uniquely identifies an item among the other items on a page, using a common reference scheme that is applicable to each page. This combination of bar code elements is a JumpCode, and JumpCodes for the items scanned are grouped into orders by affiliate and sent to the respective e-commerce sites of each affiliate, which are designed to handle orders from the catalog.

Abstract: A method and related system for predicting, possibly a software program executing on a computer system, an online auction outcome for each of a plurality of feedback rules.

Abstract: This invention concerns an improved forecasting and routing system for scheduling propane and other consumable deliveries as well as service deliveries to end consumers by one or more trucks in a multi-stop environment. The invention utilizes information regarding weather history and the consumption history of individual consumers to calculate their future expected demand, and the variability on that demand when sufficient delivery history is available. Customers lacking sufficient delivery history use the consumption of similar customers as a surrogate. This information serves to determine the near optimal set of successive days within which to replenish or service each customer. Knowing this demand the system assembles deliveries into daily truck delivery routes that maximize the consumables delivered per hour. The system is designed for use in cooperation with a computer having memory and incorporates item, customer, weather, and routing information databases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating data with product abstractions is provided. Steps are provided for associating a particular product with a product category, based on a first data set, wherein the first data set includes data that corresponds to an offer to sell the particular product by a particular party and matching the first data set with a product abstraction associated with the product category to which the particular product corresponds.

Abstract: A method is provided for effecting transactions across multiple vendors in an integrated environment, wherein the user may purchase each of a plurality of items the user finds independent of the vendors. The user's selections are received from the user and mapped to a selected set of vendors. When the user is finished, she invokes a check-out application to fill in one or many order entry forms for each of the relevant vendors whose goods the user selected during the course of shopping. The check-out application uses common information, such as name, address and credit card number, previously provided by the user in order to fill in the order entry forms for each vendor without requiring the user to fill in these forms. Finally, the check-out application tracks confirmation numbers in a common information store.

Abstract: Methods of the present invention allow for validating eCommerce transactions. An exemplary method for validating an eCommerce transaction may comprise the steps of validating a Hosting Provider, validating a Merchant using the Hosting Provider to host an eCommerce website, and validating a Customer who may purchase goods or services from the Merchant via the eCommerce website. If the Hosting Provider, Merchant, and Customer are validated, an eCommerce transaction may be approved.

Abstract: A configurator using structure and rules to provide a user interface. According to one embodiment of the invention, a customizable product class is created. The customizable product class includes a set of one or more attributes to define the customizable product class. A component product class is added to the customizable product class, where the component product class is a subclass of the customizable product. A customizable class rule is associated to the customizable product class, the customizable class rule including expressions which provide conditions on component products added to the customizable product. A customizable UI is mapped to the customizable product class, where the customizable UI provides access structure to the configurator.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which utilize information communication systems for transaction and information management. According to embodiments, an automated information management engine is provided enabling and facilitating the purchase of goods and services through various payment options resulting in increased profitability and visibility safely, securely and conveniently. Embodiments utilize a telephony system, and/or other information communication system, having access terminals disposed within a controlled environment facility for use by residents thereof to conduct transactions or other desirable exchanges of information, goods, services, etcetera. Embodiments provide integration across various aspects of transaction and information management, such as prepaid account management, collect calling services, and commissary services, to thereby facilitate seamless user interaction for account deposit, account status inquiry, commissary ordering, and collect calling.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically filing records concerning business events in a computer system so that the records are accessible to a business application. An identification code is assigned to a business event having a data structure that is represented in the computer system. At least one set of input data, which is provided with a structure specific to a class of business events, is created from data concerning a business event. The at least one set of input data is transformed into a set of output data, which is accessible by at least two business applications. The set of output data is stored with the assigned identification code such that the set of output data can be fully or partly read by the at least two business applications by referring to the identification code.

Abstract: System and method for availability based on limited-time offerings and transactions. One embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method that, based on a set of known preferences and historic transactions with customers, culls from a customer database those customers most likely to close a transaction in a short time. The selected customers are notified of the offer, and the system processes the customers responses in a timely manner, and thus allow fleeting inventories to be sold off before they expire.

Abstract: A method of completing a purchase utilizing a first electronic network and a second electronic network, the method being applicable for example to a case in which the second network (which may be the public telephone system) is considered by knowledgeable people to be more secure than the first network (which may be the Internet).

Abstract: An anomaly detection engine monitors network traffic to detect orders placed by users from an electronic catalog of items, aggregates data about the detected orders by time period, and analyzes the aggregated data to detect anomalies in activity levels associated with specific items in the catalog. To detect whether an anomaly exists in the activity data associated with a given item, a forecasting algorithm, such as an exponential smoothing algorithm, is used to generate an expected order volume for a current time period, and the expected order volume is compared to an actual order volume. Other criteria may also be taken into consideration. If an anomaly is detected, such as a sharp increase in the item's order volume, the anomaly detection engine generates an alert message to notify a catalog administrator, who may then determine whether the anomaly is attributable to an erroneous item description in the catalog.

Abstract: A central hub server stands between a number of affiliate web sites and a number of vendor web sites to execute sales of vendor products featured on the affiliate web sites. Affiliate sites sign-up with the hub server and select products offered by vendors. The affiliate sites feature selected vendor products on their web sites. A buyer that browses an affiliate web site causes identifiers of the buyer, the affiliate site, and the product to be sent to the hub server. The hub server searches a database to find a picture of the product, its current price and the buyer's previously stored credit information and shipping address. The hub server returns a form to the user visiting the affiliate site, including a picture of the product, its price and a submit icon superimposed on the picture. If the buyer clicks on the submit icon, the purchase information is returned to the hub server.