Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium stores a program causing a computer to execute a process including calculating a value indicating a complementarity and a value indicating a substitutability, the values each being calculated as information indicating a relationship between multiple items on a basis of browsing history information and purchase history information of the items.

Abstract: A method begins with a marketplace server authenticating value of an exchange item to produce an authenticated value of the exchange item and continues with the marketplace server obtaining control over a secure exchange item package, where the secure exchange item package includes identity of the exchange item. The method continues with the marketplace server receiving, from a buyer device, a request to purchase the exchange item and securely passing, to the buyer device, control over the secure exchange item package. For use of the exchange item, the method continues with the buyer device securely passing, to a merchant server, control over the secure exchange item package. The method continues with the merchant server executing use of the exchange item by updating the value of the exchange item, generating an updated secure exchange item package, and securely passing, to the buyer device, control over the updated secure exchange item package.

Abstract: The present system and method provides a unique and fast-paced method of auctioning multiple units concurrently. An auction group is created within the server, being made up of a plurality of, preferably homologous, units. All units within the auction group are concurrently auctioned in a primary auction, with each unit being bid upon within cooccurring separate sub-auctions within an auction period. Each bidding user has the opportunity to bid within one or more sub-auctions. Upon receiving a high bid within a particular sub-auction, a high bid period for that sub-auction is initiated, within which a counterbid must be received or the unit within that sub-auction will be awarded to the high bidding user. The sub-auctions may individually end prior to the expiration of the auction period. Successive primary auctions can be initiated, so that the user may obtain one or more units within each primary auction.

Abstract: A shopping information providing system that receives first product information selected by a first user from among a plurality of pieces of product information included in at least one piece of category information selected by the first user; searches for second users who selected at least one piece of information from the first product information and searches for second product information as one or more pieces of product information selected by the second user from among a plurality of pieces of product information included in at least one piece of category information selected by the second user; sets second users who selected more than a predetermined number of third product information commonly selected by the first and second users as interest friends of the first user; and provides information from among the one or more pieces of the third product information, fourth product information, and fifth product information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to marketing products through a social networking system. More specifically, one or more embodiments of the present invention relate to allowing social networking users to purchase products through the social networking system and to add products to shopping carts associated with third-party merchants.

Abstract: A computer-based method for determining a location of a mobile merchant computing device is provided. The method is implemented using a location manager (LM) computing device in communication with a processor and a memory device. The method comprises receiving from the mobile merchant computing device at least one authorization request message including a merchant identifier for the mobile merchant and a first location variable, determining a location of the mobile merchant using the first location variable, transmitting to a consumer computing device operable by a consumer, by the LM computing device, a location data message including the merchant identifier and the location of the mobile merchant, and causing, by the transmission, the consumer computing device to display the location on a display interface coupled to the consumer computing device.

Abstract: An on-line savings page for managing a savings account includes a list of items the user is saving for, where each item has a specified priority. A savings rate for each item is determined by the savings account based on the priority and total savings rate. The user is notified of any changes in the savings account, such as price changes, inventory changes, etc., as well as relevant information related to the item, such as sales, offers, recalls, etc.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for obtaining vendor information using mobile internet devices are described herein. An inquiry for a product or service is received from a user. A location for the receipt of the product or service is received. Vendor information of a vendor of the product or service proximate to the location is determined, with the vendor information including a price for the product or service, and a wait time to receive the product or service. The vendor information is then transmitted to the user.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for transacting e-commerce. In one embodiment, item information is stored for a plurality of items available for purchase from respective sellers. The item information that is displayed for each item can depend on the delivery zone of the customer.

Abstract: System and computer-implemented image search engine of analyzing tags associated with a sequence of images presented to a user to present a current object of interest of the user is disclosed. An image from among a plurality of images is presented on an electronic display. The image is associated with a set of tags. An input is received indicating a user's preference for the image. A plurality of tags is processed based on the preference and the set of tags to determine a next set of tags from the plurality of tags. A next image is determined from the plurality of images based on the next set of tags. The next image represents a physical object, different from a physical object represented by the previous image. A sequence of images is generated by repeating the above process with the next image in place of the previous image for present a user's current object of interest.

Abstract: Search queries may be received and optimized prior to performing the search and returning results. One example method of operation includes receiving a search query input from a user device including at least one search term, querying a history database to access previous queries related to the search query input, performing a query based on the search query input, categorizing results of the query based on the previous queries and a previous selection operation performed by the user, and displaying a plurality of search results in a user interface comprising a plurality of different selection options each related to a topic of the search query.

Abstract: An illustrative implementation of the technology includes three primary components: a desktop application, a mobile phone application, and connections to retailer inventory and pricing APIs (e.g., for Walmart and/or Best Buy). The experience begins with the consumer going to an online retailer's website (e.g., Amazon) to search for a product. The desktop application automatically searches for the same product using the APIs of Walmart and/or Best Buy. If matches and near-matches of the product are found, the product name, model, price, and local availability at affiliate locations is shown. With a mobile phone camera-scan of the product page, relevant information is transferred to the consumer's phone. From there, the consumer can interact with the options on the mobile phone to be directed to the nearby brick and mortar store of choice carrying that product at the price they want. Along the way, the retailer can present offers and additional product information directly to the consumer.

Abstract: A method for brokering a cloud service comprises receiving a request for a service and identifying parameters from the request. Further, a set of vendors who may satisfy the parameters of the requested service is identified. An invitation to respond based on the parameters is transmitted to the set of vendors. Responses including an estimation regarding the parameters are received from the vendors, and confidence levels that the vendors will meet the estimations are calculated based on an objective service history of the specific services. The responses and confidence levels are presented to the requester, and the service history is updated based on parameter results once the service has completed.

Abstract: Techniques described herein include a system and method for providing item descriptions customized to a skill level associated with a user. In some embodiments, statements related to an item may be stored and maintained by the service provider. Each statement may be associated with one or more skill levels. In some embodiments, statements associated with each skill level may be selected by members of a user community. Upon receiving a request for an item description, a service provider may determine a skill level associated with the requestor and may populate the item description with statements associated with the requestor's skill level.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system is provided. A processor identifies a web page for an item being viewed by a user, where the item is offered for sale by an online marketplace. A processor retrieves at least one contact of the user from a social network. Responsive to a determination the at least one contact reviewed the item, a processor sends a review authored by the at least one contact to the user. Responsive to an indication from the user, a processor initiates an electronic conversation between the contact and the user to discuss the item being viewed by the user.

Abstract: A server receives an electronic shopping cart from a client device. The electronic shopping cart describes an item for purchase from a merchant. The server comparison-shops to determine a different merchant offering the same or comparable item for sale. The server sends a notification to the client device describing a lower price offered by the different merchant. The server may then receive an approval to replace the item selected for purchase from the merchant with the item offered by the different merchant.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for automatically carrying out actions based on action identifiers in messages. In one embodiment, an appropriate computing entity can determine whether a message comprises an action identifier in the message. If the message comprises an action identifier, one or more of the parties of message can be identified and the corresponding action can be initiated.

Abstract: A mobile device of a shopper is tracked within at least one retail environment. A shopper merchandise proximity history of the shopper is formed based upon the tracking of the mobile device of the shopper within the at least one retail environment. The shopper merchandise proximity history includes shopper proximity to items of merchandise, shopper dwell times near the items of merchandise, and merchandise visit counts. The shopper merchandise proximity history is analyzed according to at least one shopper merchandise threshold interest criterion. Responsive to identifying within the shopper merchandise proximity history an item of merchandise that meets the at least one shopper merchandise threshold interest criterion, an action is performed that facilitates a gift recommendation of the item of merchandise.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for message-based purchasing are described. The system and method for message-based purchasing may include a message-based purchase service configured to determine that a selection has been performed through a network-based interface. Such selection may be indicative of one or more items offered for sale via the network-based interface. The message-based purchase service may be configured to, in response to the selection of one or more items, send to a communication device, a message indicating a code corresponding to the selection. The message-based purchase service may receive from the communication device through a communication channel that does not include the network-based interface, a message including the code. The message-based purchase service may be configured to, in response to determining that the message received from the communication device includes the code, generate a purchase request for the one or more previously selected items.

Abstract: Provided are a goods buying and selling method for buying goods through offline shopping and a shopping support system supporting the same. A buyer collects delivery information for delivery of bought goods based on short-range wireless communication using his or her own terminal. The collected delivery information includes any one of information about a destination to which bought goods are to be delivered and buyer identifier information, and information about the bought goods, and at least one of a payment terminal, a merchant server and a relay server requests delivery of the bought goods from a delivery server based on the collected delivery information. In addition, the buyer collects goods purchase information recorded in recording media arranged in an offline store using his or her own terminal, and pays for desired bought goods based on the collected goods purchase information.