Abstract: A Web-based electronic commerce (EC) enabled shopping network configured to allow members of a consumer product management team and authorized parties to communicate directly with consumers shopping at EC-enabled WWW-sites along the World Wide Web (WWW), serviced by programmable Multi-Mode Virtual Kiosks (MMVKs) driven by server-side components and managed by product management team members and authorized parties. When generated by the first Internet-enabled information server, each MMVK has a graphical user interface (GUI) that is characterized by a plurality of independently programmable display modes. Upon the Web-browser of each consumer encountering an installed MMVK tag along an EC-enabled Website, the corresponding server-side driven MMVK is automatically generated by the first Internet-enabled information server and served to the Web browser for display and review by the consumer.

Abstract: A system, including a planning module, a control module and a receiver module, configured to schedule display of one or more advertising impressions of available advertising inventory. The planning module enables scheduling a requested quantity of advertising impressions in accordance with target criteria. Further, the planning module enables selecting an advertising impression goal for advertisement, assigning an advertising type and defining a weight for the advertisements. The control module receives the schedule, the advertising type and the defined weights and generates one or more metadata files that contain target criteria, advertising type and weights for the advertisements. The one or more metadata files, with the advertisements, are delivered to the receiver module that is configured to define a display frequency for the advertisements based upon one or more of the metadata files.

Abstract: A method for switching vendors, including sending an invitation to a user to rate a first vendor in response to the user designating the first vendor as a payee, receiving a rating assigned to the first vendor, determining a second vendor as an alternative to the first vendor based on the rating being below a predefined threshold, sending information associated with the second vendor to the user, receiving a request from the user to switch from the first vendor to the second vendor, sending a cancellation notice to the first vendor in response to receiving the request, transmitting user information to a computer of the second vendor for setting up a new account, and charging the second vendor a fee for sending the information associated with the second vendor to the user.

Abstract: An Internet-based product brand marketing communication network allowing members of a consumer product brand management team to communicate directly with consumers present at HTML-encoded pages of an electronic commerce (EC) enabled Web-site along fabric of the World Wide Web (WWW), using programmable Multi-Mode Virtual Kiosks (MMVKs) driven by server-side components and managed by product brand management team members and/or authorized parties. When a consumer's Web browser encounters an MMVK tag along the WWW, the MMVK is generated and automatically plays through its display modes, inviting and allowing the consumer to review and interact with advertising spots, promotional spots, and brand information resources displayed within the GUI of the MMVK, along the fabric of the WWW where the MMVK has been installed. Web-based subsystems are provided for programming these display modes.

Abstract: A method for using promotional programs and merchant values is disclosed. In one example, the method includes receiving an authorization request message including a merchant verification value through a payment processing network, where the authorization request message is associated with a purchase by a consumer. A merchant-specific promotional program is then determined using the merchant verification value, and the merchant specific promotional program is performed. For example, the promotional program can be a sweepstakes and the task may be determining of the consumer is an instant winner.

Abstract: Internet-based Enterprise-Level Brand Management And Marketing Communication Network based on an innovative brand command, control and communication architecture (BC3), which gives brand owners complete command and control over the wide range of brand-building assets, messaging and promotions scattered throughout the Web, and how they are communicated to directly consumers at diverse Web touch points, with the efficiency and automation of supply-chain management solutions. The Network supports the deployment, installation and remote programming of brand-building server-side driven Multi-Mode Virtual Kiosks on the World Wide Web (WWW), and provide brand managers, their agents and online trading partners the power to build stronger online brands, drive sales and eliminate existing friction in the retail chain through a collaborative carrier-class, industrial-strength e-marketing communication network.

Abstract: A method of offering advertising services to a client for advertising a client website on the Internet comprises the steps of enabling a website-related services partner to cause an opt-in object to be displayed on a partner or reseller affiliate website through which the client may choose to establish an Internet advertising services account without leaving the affiliate website, receiving corresponding client information from the affiliate, and using the received client information to establish the Internet advertising services account. The invention also covers a related computer system for performing the method. Generated revenue is preferably shared among the advertising services provider, the partner, and the affiliate.

Abstract: An advertising system automatically generates suggested ad campaign parameters for a business based on information obtained automatically from one or more sources, such as a corresponding business directory listing, a web site of the business, and/or a user account record associated with the business. The suggested ad campaign parameters, which may include suggested keyword strings for ad targeting, are presented to a user associated with the business via a partially or wholly pre-populated electronic form that can be submitted to create an active ad campaign for the business. In one embodiment, the pre-populated form is presented in response to the user selecting an ad solicitation object displayed on a web page. The ad solicitation object may be displayed in the format of an actual ad, and may include suggested ad text for use in the ad campaign.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an advertising method using internet e-mail and chatting window which involves an advertisement in e-mail or chatting window, and compensates the person for seeing the advertisement.

Abstract: Promoting efficient communication among users. Uses having a symbol of the same network resource are led to the same virtual space. Specifically, intermediary server 2 converting ID of merchandise icon and ID of virtual space for chat is provided. When user terminal 1 obtained a merchandise icon reports merchandise icon ID to the intermediary server 2, ID of a virtual space corresponding to the merchandise icon is returned to the user terminal 1. A user can share information on each merchandise by participating in this virtual space. Namely, users having a common purpose can chat with each other.

Abstract: An online system presents remote users with static incentives, dynamic incentives and the ability to create and submit customizable incentives related to goods or services of interest to the user. By using the incentive delivery system, the user can research goods or services of interest and in an interactive fashion create an incentive package most desirable to the user and submit same to a central location. The systems performs decisioning routines on submitted incentive requests and makes such requests available for review. Ultimately, the submitted requests may be accepted or rejected or a counter-incentive may be issued to the user for consideration. A manufacturer, such as an automobile manufacturer, can offer incentives direct to its consumers and enter into an electronic dialogue with its customers to help drive profits and sales in the most efficient manner.

Abstract: A store controller determines a monetary value, such as an amount of spare change due to a customer, and allocates a portion of a lottery ticket for the customer. The portion is based on the monetary value, and may be, for example, equal to the monetary value, or may be the monetary value rounded to the nearest nickel. The store controller outputs a ticket identifier that identifies the lottery ticket (e.g. a serial number) and a portion identifier that identifies the allocated portion of the lottery ticket (e.g. $0.34 of a $2.00 lottery ticket). Typically, the store controller outputs the identifiers to a POS terminal, which prints a fractional lottery ticket redeemable for a portion of the lottery ticket's prize. The store controller also stores the ticket identifier and the portion identifier, to assure that fraudulent tickets will be detected. After a drawing date of the lottery ticket, the customer redeems the fractional lottery ticket, typically at a POS terminal.

Abstract: A computer-implemented electronic commerce apparatus and method is provided. The apparatus includes a connection to the distributed communication network and a consumer information storage, the consumer information storage including a consumer identifier storage, at least one site identifier, and including for each site a consumer identifier activity information pertaining to visited websites, wherein the electronic commerce apparatus receives the activity information, stores the activity information in the consumer information storage, and uses the activity information to create a tailored promotion and to present the tailored promotion to the consumer upon the consumer's visit to a second website.

Abstract: A universal or special-purpose auction system and method are disclosed wherein at least one auction allocation policy is implemented which results in adjusting a bid submitted by a trader or a clearing calculation is modified to incorporate a constraint.

Abstract: Techniques for generating and making incentive offers and promotions to consumers to influenced the consumers' purchasing behavior. Offers are customized for each individual consumer based on the particular consumer's purchase history information (or shopping history) and the consumer's response to the offers.

Abstract: A system, including a planning module, a control module and a receiver module, configured to schedule display of one or more advertising impressions of available advertising inventory. The planning module enables scheduling a requested quantity of advertising impressions in accordance with target criteria. Further, the planning module enables selecting an advertising impression goal for advertisement, assigning an advertising type and defining a weight for the advertisements. The control module receives the schedule, the advertising type and the defined weights and generates one or more metadata files that contain target criteria, advertising type and weights for the advertisements. The one or more metadata files, with the advertisements, are delivered to the receiver module that is configured to define a display frequency for the advertisements based upon one or more of the metadata files.

Abstract: A promotion method and a system which can realize thoughtful promotion by facilitating changing settings such as the number of points issued for each commodity, a promotion period and the like without the necessity for changing settings of target automatic vending machines all at once. A commodity code peculiar to each commodity is added to point information, and a data center selectively adds the number of points of the point information of the specific commodity on the basis of the commodity code.

Abstract: A system comprises a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, a POS controller, a retail subscription system. The POS terminal allows a cashier to enter subscription sales data into the POS controller. The POS controller maintains databases on available subscriptions and produces databases containing data relating to subscriptions sold to customers. The retail subscription system verifies the subscriptions by reference to its own databases and transmits the subscriptions to a fulfillment house for distribution.

Abstract: A method for gathering marketing information from a player including transmitting a marketing question to a player proximate in space to a compensation dispensing machine, receiving a response to the marketing question from the player, and transmitting a signal to the compensation dispensing machine providing compensation to the player. The signal can be transmitted proximate in time to receiving the response. Alternatively, the method for gathering marketing information from a player can include transmitting a marketing question to a player, receiving a response to the marketing question from the player, and transmitting a signal causing a compensation dispensing machine to provide compensation to the player at a time proximate to receipt of the response. The compensation dispensing machine can be proximate in space to the player.

Abstract: The present invention is a system comprising image capture device, such as a scanner or digital camera connected to a computer processor that is able to capture and store images, and method of using the same for storing and processing expense receipts. The computer processor analyzes the images of the receipts, converts the images to text, analyzes the data, extracts expense data, and puts the data into an expense report. The end user can review the captured expense data, correct it or add to it. Preferably, the system displays the image of the receipt side-by-side with the captured expense data to make review and editing easier. In a preferred embodiment the image capture device is portable, such as a handheld scanner or digital camera, so that a user can scan receipts while traveling and discard the receipt. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the images are encrypted to prevent tampering by the user or a third party, and thereby preserve the integrity of the receipt image.