Abstract: A method of accommodating at least one difference between a first database schema and a second database schema is provided. The method includes receiving a response generated by a first application program using a first database schema, identifying a value in the response that is unrecognizable to a second application program using a second database schema and substituting, using a processor, the value that is unrecognizable to the second application program with a reserved element recognizable to the second application program, the reserved element indicating to the second application program that a portion of the response is not recognizable to the second application program. The method further includes communicating the response to the second application program.

Abstract: A system and method for producing realistic computer character based animation, for example for computer games, by decomposing each character into a plurality of elements, preparing low resolution approximations of at least some elements for constructing a three dimensional approximation of the character and then applying and transforming one or more sprites to the approximations of the elements.

Abstract: Providing prioritization of user online access to an online commerce site. Third party applications using API function calls to access an online commerce site are restricted to specific services by an access rule. An access rule defines which API server on the online commerce site a specific third party application may access when using a specific API function call. In this way, the operator of the online commerce site may prioritize server access per service level agreements based on a specific third party application and API function call.

Abstract: A home remodeling cost estimator tool is used to create a cost breakdown for use when remodeling a house or a room, based on user interaction with photos, for example from such sites as Houzz.com and other proprietary data sources. For any photo in a photo database for such design sites, a user can work with the estimator to generate a price estimate and a breakdown for a building project.

Abstract: Providing prioritization of user online access to an online commerce site. Third party applications using API function calls to access an online commerce site are restricted to specific services by an access rule. An access rule defines which API server on the online commerce site a specific third party application may access when using a specific API function call. In this way, the operator of the online commerce site may prioritize server access per service level agreements based on a specific third party application and API function call.

Abstract: Providing prioritization of user online access to an online commerce site. Third party applications using API function calls to access an online commerce site are restricted to specific services by an access rule. An access rule defines which API server on the online commerce site a specific third party application may access when using a specific API function call. In this way, the operator of the online commerce site may prioritize server access per service level agreements based on a specific third party application and API function call.

Abstract: Providing prioritization of user online access to an online commerce site. Third party applications using API function calls to access an online commerce site are restricted to specific services by an access rule. An access rule defines which API server on the online commerce site a specific third party application may access when using a specific API function call. In this way, the operator of the online commerce site may prioritize server access per service level agreements based on a specific third party application and API function call.

Abstract: Providing prioritization of user online access to an online commerce site. Third party applications using API function calls to access an online commerce site are restricted to specific services by an access rule. An access rule defines which API server on the online commerce site a specific third party application may access when using a specific API function call. In this way, the operator of the online commerce site may prioritize server access per service level agreements based on a specific third party application and API function call.

Abstract: Providing prioritization of user online access to an online commerce site. Third party applications using API function calls to access an online commerce site are restricted to specific services by an access rule. An access rule defines which API server on the online commerce site a specific third party application may access when using a specific API function call. In this way, the operator of the online commerce site may prioritize server access per service level agreements based on a specific third party application and API function call.

Abstract: Providing prioritization of user online access to an online commerce site. Third party applications using API function calls to access an online commerce site are restricted to specific services by an access rule. An access rule defines which API server on the online commerce site a specific third party application may access when using a specific API function call. In this way, the operator of the online commerce site may prioritize server access per service level agreements based on a specific third party application and API function call.

Abstract: A system and method are provided which provide a text messaging conference among at least three users who communicate on different first communication channels. A message initiated by a first user is received on one of the first communication channels. The message seeks to initiate a text message conference and includes identities of a plurality of additional users to participate in the messaging conference. Conference participants are identified by a two part identifier, which allows a single participant to participate in multiple ongoing simultaneous conferences.

Abstract: A method of accommodating at least one difference between a first database schema and a second database schema is provided. The method includes receiving a response generated by a first application program using a first database schema, identifying a value in the response that is unrecognizable to a second application program using a second database schema and substituting, using a processor, the value that is unrecognizable to the second application program with a reserved element recognizable to the second application program, the reserved element indicating to the second application program that a portion of the response is not recognizable to the second application program. The method further includes communicating the response to the second application program.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and systems for developing an optimized operational system in a network. The method includes: defining a project along with its domain and at least one set of formal development rules related to its domain with assistance from multiple users; decomposing the project into multiple tasks in a recursive up-down process with the assistance from the users, each of the tasks includes a task definition language, an associated test task, and multiple rules; publishing the multiple tasks along with their associated payment offer in the network; allocating the tasks to a number of participants based on a predefined criteria; and integrating a number of operational components into the operational system by using a recursive down-up integration process. The operational components are developed, by the participants, by completing the allocated tasks and testing each of the multiple tasks.

Abstract: A method of accommodating at least one difference between a first database schema and a second database schema is provided. The method includes receiving a response generated by a first application program using a first database schema, identifying a value in the response that is unrecognizable to a second application program using a second database schema, and substituting, using a processor, the value that is unrecognizable to the second application program with a reserved element recognizable to the second application program, the reserved element indicating to the second application program that a portion of the response is not recognizable to the second application program. The method further includes communicating the response to the second application program.

Abstract: A system and method are provided which provide a text messaging conference among at least three users who communicate on different first communication channels. A message initiated by a first user is received on one of the first communication channels. The message seeks to initiate a text message conference and includes identities of a plurality of additional users to participate in the messaging conference. Conference participants are identified by a two part identifier, which allows a single participant to participate in multiple ongoing simultaneous conferences.

Abstract: A system and method for producing realistic computer character based animation, for example for computer games, by decomposing each character into a plurality of elements, preparing low resolution approximations of at least some elements for constructing a three dimensional approximation of the character and then applying and transforming one or more sprites to the approximations of the elements.

Abstract: A platform allows experts, for example home improvement professionals, to upload their portfolios, i.e. content such as photos, videos, text, and sound, to a publicly available resource, such as a Web browser accessible, network based commerce system. Users may then browse the content, for example by room, style, and metro area. The content is arranged in collections that are in part passively sorted, based upon user relevance. Tags are shown on objects, for example within photos, for which there is more information. In the case of a movable display device, the tags can simulate the physics of real tags, for example they can move back and forth when the device is shaken. In another embodiment, a snap point is set to impart either a scrolling transition or a step transition between display pages, based upon user scroll activity.

Abstract: A plurality of application servers hosts a plurality of business applications. A plurality of Application Program Interface (API) servers host a plurality of APIs to provide programmatic access to the plurality of business applications, each of the APIs configured to receive request messages compiled by a remote client application. First and second request messages targeted to first and second APIs have at least one common data component. The first request message includes a first payload specific to the first targeted API and the second request message includes a second payload specific to the second targeted API, the first payload and the second payload each comprise a reusable identified schema definition specific to the targeted API.

Abstract: A server system facilitates an exchange of messages with a remote client application. The server system includes a plurality of application servers hosting a plurality of applications. A plurality of Application Program Interfaces (APIs) provides programmatic access to the plurality of applications, each of the APIs being configured to receive request messages compiled by the remote client application. First and second request messages, respectively addressed to first and second APIs of the plurality of APIs by a remote client application, each comprise at least one common data component. Further, the first request message includes a first payload specific to the first API, and the second request message includes a payload specific to the second API.

Abstract: Providing prioritization of user online access to an online commerce site. Third party applications using API function calls to access an online commerce site are restricted to specific services by an access rule, An access rule defines which API server on the online commerce site a specific third party application may access when using a specific API function call. In this way, the operator of the online commerce site may prioritize server access per service level agreements based on a specific third party application and API function call.