Abstract: An integration of components into a platform that enables the provision of a dynamically adjustable auctioning environment. The platform may include a data store, a search engine, an application interface and one or more network accessible applications. The data store operates to receive and maintain real-time data from one or more sources, such as participants in the auction as well as non-participating entities or systems that generally have relevant information. The search engine interfaces to the data store and is configured to receive requests, construct searching criteria, query the data store, receive query results and provide the query results to the one or more requesting elements. The data accumulated is accessible in real-time for altering the operating environment as well as providing data input to connected systems.

Abstract: A dynamic attribute search engine system can be implemented to execute faceted searches using dynamic facets. In embodiments, a dynamic attribute search engine system includes one or more product databases, a data ingestor, an index, a query service, and a faceted searcher. The dynamic attribute search engine system is programmed to dynamically determine facets for a faceted search in response to dominant categories identified for each search query.

Abstract: A communication is emphasized based on a past interaction related to promoted items. A communication application initiates operations to process a previous communication associated with an item upon receiving a communication from a provider associated with the item. The previous communication includes an order and/or shipping confirmation associated with a past purchase of the item by a recipient of the communication. Next, the item is identified as an item of interest for the recipient based on the previous communication, a recipient attribute, and/or an item attribute. The communication is also assigned to a list of communications to be emphasized based on the identification of the item as the item of interest. Furthermore, the communication is provided to a client application to be presented to the recipient with an emphasis.

Abstract: A steganographic-based ordering system and method using a digital identification (ID) are described. A user may obtain a digital ID card on a user device and select modes for interacting with the vendor. Using the digital ID, the user can create a personal profile that indicates the user's preferences, and place an order for an item (e.g., a product or service) through the digital ID. The order may be steganographically-embedded along with user data within the digital ID. The digital ID including the steganographically-em bedded order is transmitted to a digital ID reader located at the vendor. When completing an order for the user, the digital ID reader may de-embed user and order data from the received digital ID to obtain information about the user and provide more personalized service to complete the order.

Abstract: The information providing server obtains at least one of the first posted information on the plan posted by the user, the piece(s) of second posted information on the other plan(s) posted by the user, and the piece(s) of third posted information on the plan posted by the other user(s). Then, the information providing server identifies the subordinate rating criterion/criteria used for the user to rate the plan based on the obtained piece(s) of posted information, and presents the identified subordinate rating criterion/criteria to the user who rates the plan.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for matching user provided images that include representations of items with sellers of those items. A management service, as described herein, may provide a web site where users can post images, view images, share images, correspond with other users, etc. The management service may identify items represented in the images and determine one or more sellers that offer those items for sale. When another user requests to view the user provided image, the image, seller information identifying the seller determined to sell the item represented in the image, and/or a purchase control that may be selected by a user to initiate a purchase with the seller is presented.

Abstract: The invention discloses a waitressing drone that brings drinks to people at the restaurant, and the orders are identified from the Facebook photo of the user, that the drone displays when making the delivery. The invention facilitates the interaction with humans and drones via the social network. With the invention, the order input time is greatly reduced for the consumer, and the consumer may move about while waiting for the order as the drone finds the consumer. Also importantly, the social nature of the drone allows for the sharing of drones among multiple human users. Further, the interfacing of the social human profile with non-human drone profiles allows for the continuous retraining and reprogramming of drones to meet more specific and individualistic user tasks, thereby liberating people from mundane manual labour.

Abstract: Tradable physical collectible objects are described. In particular, systems and methods for using the tradable physical collectible objects facilitate generation of a digital copy that can be used within a network game. A user can use the digital copy and perform various modifications to the digital copy. A value can be determined for the digital copy based on the various modifications. At a later date, the user (e.g., owner) is free to give away, sell or trade the digital copy to another party in transaction with terms based on, for example, the determined value of the digital copy.

Abstract: A mobile device software app facilitates a user's identification of a product suitable for various vehicle types and operating environments. The app configures a sensor in the device to sample ambient sound or light in the vicinity of the vehicle, calculates an intensity level value for the sample, compares the value to a list of specification intensity values corresponding to vehicle accessory products, and generates a list of products having intensity values greater than that of the sampled sound or light. The app optionally provides for user selection of a product and for viewing product literature. Users can also access detailed technical installation information, listen to sound samples, and locate product vendors.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein offer assistance to customers shopping at a real-world shopping venue carrying mobile devices connected to a communication network. This involves tracking a physical action of a customer present at the real-world shopping venue and determining to offer assistance to the customer based on the tracked physical action. Based on determining to offer assistance to the customer, a notification is sent to a mobile device of the customer. The notification identifies that live support is available to assist the customer while the customer is present at the real-world shopping venue.

Abstract: A method of providing directed, two-way consultative communications between a consumer and a customer service representative comprises: establishing a storyboard layout by a company to provide a guideline for the customer service representative to follow; receiving a request by the consumer for a consultation regarding a product or service offered by the company; initiating a two-way online web browser session between the consumer and the customer service representative; pushing content from customer service representative computing device to a consumer computing device, wherein the content is pulled from a server of the company and place in the storyboard layout; and returning data from the consumer computing device to the customer service representative device in response to the content pushed from the customer service representative computing device to the consumer computing device.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product sorts and displays product reviews of ecommerce products. A system receives product reviews for ecommerce products. The product reviews are displayed on an ecommerce webpage, are generated by product reviewers, and are for different types of products. Reviewer profiles of the product reviewers are received. The reviewer profiles include characteristics of the product reviewers that affect usage of one or more of the different types of products. A user profile for a user is received. The user profile includes characteristics of the user that affect usage of one or more of the different types of products. The user profile is matched to a specific reviewer profile from the reviewer profiles. The product reviews are sorted according to the different types of products and the specific reviewer profile. The sorted product reviews are then displayed on the ecommerce webpage.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system includes one or more mobile computers, a server, and digital data storage accessible by the server. The storage includes records describing automobiles in an inventory, such as vehicle identification numbers (VINs) referenced to automobile site availability and specific automotive features from a set of available automotive features. The mobile computer is programmed to perform machine-executable operations to present a guided, interactive automobile specific demonstration checklist.

Abstract: A method for displaying a search result and an apparatus for displaying a search result are provided. The method comprises: receiving a search term; obtaining a first search result and a second search result according to the search term, in which the first search result comprises overall information corresponding to the search term and the second search result comprises individual information corresponding to the search term; and displaying the first search result and the second search result.

Abstract: A system displays information on one or more products or services to a shopper using an easily-controlled system for selecting the displayed information. The system uses a display device capable of retrieving information from local or remote memory for display in response to these commands from a shopper. The user controls the display device by physical motion of the display in communication with one or more nearby display cards containing one or more triggering symbols representing a product or service of interest. The display device senses the selected trigger and displays information related to the selected product or service. The shopper may also select differing types of information using the user camera and touch capability of the display device.