Abstract: A method is disclosed for optimizing a business transaction between a selling vendor and a shipping vendor. The method includes receiving a query from a selling vendor. The query includes customer order data. The method also includes identifying at least one possible shipping vendor based on the customer order data and determining shipping information for each of the at least one possible shipping vendors. The method further includes selecting a preferred shipping vendor from among the at least one possible shipping vendors and completing the transaction between the selling vendor and the shipping vendor.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting electronic business between buyers and sellers is provided. The system and method disclose a means for at least one buyer to request and receive online bids from one or more sellers of a particular product according to a price curve or price schedule. A price schedule or curve for a product defining a product's unit price as a function of the volume of product ordered. Upon receipt of a plurality of bids from sellers, a buyer can then select a seller-supplier based at least in part on the price schedule.

Abstract: A method of and system for authorizing a transaction remotely is disclosed. A customer uses a computer to browse for a product displayed on the internet. The customer may enter a unique number into the computer. The unique number is authorized and an authorization code is sent to the customer's communication device. The customer enters the authorization code into the computer to complete the transaction.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing learning as a service in a learning network. At least certain embodiments connect users with providers of learning content using an online learning marketplace in a web-based user interface that allows users to control content and pace of learning. The learning can be self-directed, through self-paced online courses, as well as live online courses. The platform is configured to fulfill user requests for learning content without regard to location of the content or time of access. The learning content can be decomposed into monetized components, which can be accessed by users on a per-use or per-session basis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining an offer for a sale of a desired product or a service are provided. The method includes iteratively transmitting a first signal including a first data message using a mobile transceiver device. Each of the first data messages includes information relating to the desired product or service. The method further includes receiving at least one of the first signals having the first data message and determining whether a product or service provider has the desired product or service available for sale. Finally, the method includes transmitting a second signal including a second data message to the mobile transceiver device. The second data message includes an offer to sell the desired product or service.

Abstract: A system and method are directed to providing a sales channel registration system that allows sales deals to be managed. Aspects of the invention include a sales portal that receives information relating to sales deals, mechanisms for qualifying sales leads, and mechanisms for notifying sales partners, distributors, or a company of new information or changes in status relating to sales deals. One aspect of the invention determines when there may be potential conflicts, and performs actions to prevent such conflicts.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating products on demand. In some embodiments, a manufacturable model, which may include information about a three-dimensional representation of a product to be fabricated, is received by a user of an electronic system and may be validated by the electronic system. A prototype of the product can be generated based at least in part on the manufacturable model, and the manufacturable model and/or the product can be made available for selection by other users of the system. The product may be fabricated based at least in part on the manufacturable model using, for example, a three-dimensional printer, and may be delivered to users of the electronic system.

Abstract: Systems and methods match buyers and sellers of goods and/or services online. More specifically, a website facilitates a search by consumers of retailers for goods and/or services. In addition, the website facilitates the advertising of goods and/or services by retailers. Specifically, a user of the system may search for particular products and services, and/or businesses. Interactive maps provide a user with location information of businesses and/or service providers that fit one or more criteria searched by the user. Icons may be generated on the map, whereupon users may obtain information relating to products or services searched for by selecting the icons. Further information may also be obtained relating to the businesses, service providers, products and/or services of the businesses and/or service providers. Users may select to buy particular products and/or services directly from the businesses and/or service providers, or may tag products and/or services for viewing at a later time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the successful recommendation of goods or services are provided. A mobile phone-in the possession of a user is capable of sending and receiving communication messages, including recommendations. A first message is composed including a mobile phone number allocated to the mobile phone, a unique identifier of the recommender, and a reference code for a good or service. The first message is parsed, a referral record is created, and the results of the recommendation are recorded.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for estimating future grid job costs by classifying grid jobs and storing results of processing grid job microcosms are provided. In general, a client side agent estimates future grid job costs by comparing a current grid job of a particular classification with a history of stored costs for other grid jobs of that customer of that particular classification. In particular, the grid client agent for a client system enabled to submit grid jobs to a grid provider that facilitates a grid environment, calculates a ratio of an application based metric to a grid provider metric for processing a particular grid job. Then, the grid client agent creates a table with an entry comparing the application based metric to a cost per grid provider metric for the grid provider based on the calculated ratio. Next, the grid client agent stores the table with the entry.

Abstract: A method for multi-selection gifting, including identifying a multi-selection gift, the multi-selection gift including a plurality of items of merchandise, and at least one selection rule governing selection of at least two of the items of merchandise, and interactively guiding a gift recipient in selecting at least one item of merchandise in accordance with the at least one selection rule, wherein each selection rule is a member of the group including allowing the gift recipient to select up to a specified total number of items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift, allowing the gift recipient to select items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift up to a specified total cost, and allowing the gift recipient to select items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift up to a specified total measure. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for automated selective gift delivery whereby a gift-giver is provided the opportunity to register as a user of the system and with respect to each desired recipient of one or more gifts for one or more events, typically recurring, to provide information to the system about the recipient and the events such that the system may select, or cause to be automatically selected, a gift suitable for the recipient and event based upon the parameters provided by the gift-giver, and cause the gift to be automatically delivered to the recipient without further action or intervention by the gift-giver. Alternative modes of the invention provide for various additional or alternative actions, including providing for: the sending of alternate gifts, which may be pre-selected or selected by the user; for declining to send a gift; and for sending non-recurring gifts.

Abstract: An online merchant can use a product review to customize a solicitation of a product suggestion. If a customer reviews a product unfavorably, the customer might be solicited to suggest alternate products to the reviewed product. If a customer reviews a product favorably, the customer might be solicited to suggest accessories or other products related to the reviewed product. The products suggested by the customer might then be utilized to recommend the suggested products to other customers. Information provided by a customer in a product review or other data might also be utilized to customize a product recommendation for the customer. If a customer reviews a product unfavorably, a recommendation might be provided to the customer for an alternate, or substitutable, product for the reviewed product. If a customer reviews a product favorably, a recommendation might be provided to the customer for related products or accessories to the reviewed product.

Abstract: At least one computing system, in a network or stand-alone environment, accesses a consumer representation, wherein the consumer representation comprises a three dimensional model rendered to depict a consumer appearance and movement in each frame of a captured video stream and specified by a selection of sizing measurements detected from a scan of a consumer body shape. The computing system selects at least one merchandise item from among multiple merchandise items each with separate merchandise characteristics. In particular, the computing system selects the merchandise item of a size selected to fit the selection of sizing measurements for the consumer.

Abstract: An online ordering system for ordering of items of real time availability in inventory online employs An interactive TV system connected to a plurality of TV equipment units via a TV services platform, whereby a TV viewer can view an advertisement for a transactable item on the TV display and send a request for ordering the item by signals sent by the TV remote control unit to the TV services platform. A transaction-ordering web server is co-located with and operatively connected to the TV services platform for processing requests from TV viewers into web orders sent online via Internet connection to online ordering websites for processing against real time vendor inventories and confirming transactions of ordered items. The TV system may be a hotel in-room TV system coupled to a hotel purchase management system to manage guest billings for purchases. The hotel in-room TV system can provide guests with updates of activities and advertisements for guest activities on the in-room TV.

Abstract: A system and method for personalizing an article in real-time is provided. A selection of an article for personalization is accepted from a user. A model of the selected article is displayed. At least one personalization attribute is accepted from the user. The model is modified and displayed, based on the at least one accepted personalization attribute, as the at least one personalization attribute is accepted, thereby enabling the user to personalize the article in real-time. The article may be an article of jewelry, such as a ring, a necklace, or a watch.

Abstract: A novel method for obtaining transaction information includes receiving a first transaction record including data indicative of one or more products purchased by a first purchaser from a first merchant, storing the data included in the first record, receiving a second transaction record including electronic data indicative of one or more products purchased by the purchaser from a second merchant, storing the data included in the second record, and providing the first purchaser access to the first transaction record and the said second transaction record. The method is performed on a handheld device which is carried by the first purchaser. A point-of-sale system is also disclosed and includes: a processing unit, a product interface operative to receive product, memory operative to store a first transaction record, and a transaction record interface operative to output electronic data indicative of the first transaction record.

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: Techniques for providing friction-free transactions using geolocation and user identifiers are described herein. These techniques may ascertain a user's location based on a location of a mobile device. A transaction between the user and a merchant may be completed with zero or minimal input from the user based on the geolocation of the mobile device and the user identifiers. In some implementations, a transaction initiated earlier is completed when the mobile device arrives at the merchant. Additionally, a parent-child or similar relationship may be established between multiple devices. Security on the mobile device based may be provided by biometric identification and calculation of variance from regular movement patterns. Advertisements may be sent to the mobile device based on bids from merchants near to the mobile device. Promotions may be sent to the mobile device when more than a threshold number of mobile devices are located at the same merchant.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for determining motivator counts associated with purchase selections are presented herein. A data store can be configured to store purchase selections of respective products. A server can be configured to determine an incremental purchase time between a first purchase selection of the purchase selections and a second purchase selection of the purchase selections. Further, the server can be configured to determine a standard deviation of incremental purchase times between respective purchase selections of the purchase selections. Furthermore, the server can be configured to increment a prime motivator count associated with the second purchase selection based on the incremental purchase time and the standard deviation.