Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating a representation of an environment (U) of a vehicle (1) including the steps of: capturing respective images by means of a first camera (2) and a second camera (2) generating a virtual image (31) of a virtual camera (3) from the images, wherein at least a first perspective, in which the environment (U) of the vehicle (1) is represented from a bird's eye perspective, for a first virtual camera position (33) and a second perspective, in which exclusively an area of the environment (U) of the vehicle (1) rearwards related to the vehicle (1) is represented, for a second virtual camera position (44) of the virtual camera (3) are selectable for the virtual image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating a representation of an environment (U) of a vehicle (1) including the steps of: capturing respective images by means of a first camera (2) and a second camera (2) generating a virtual image (31) of a virtual camera (3) from the images, wherein at least a first perspective, in which the environment (U) of the vehicle (1) is represented from a bird's eye perspective, for a first virtual camera position (33) and a second perspective, in which exclusively an area of the environment (U) of the vehicle (1) rearwards related to the vehicle (1) is represented, for a second virtual camera position (44) of the virtual camera (3) are selectable for the virtual image.

Abstract: One or more requests are received from a first system. The requests are queued in a queue. A serialization group is determined for a request and the request is associated with the determined serialization group. At least a subset of the requests from the queue is transmitted to a second system if the second system is available, including transmitting requests in a respective serialization group to the second system serially in accordance with an ordering of the requests within the respective serialization group.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein include new, more efficient ways to request, create, send, and receive product reviews from the Internet. One aspect of the invention is an email message for a customer. The email message includes a request to review a product obtained by the customer in a transaction; a rating input area and/or a text input area; an authentication token that includes a transaction identifier corresponding to the transaction; and an HTTP form submission command to send a response to the request from the customer to a remote computer. The response includes a rating entered in the rating input area and/or text entered in the text input area, and the authentication token.

Abstract: One or more requests are received from a first system. The requests are queued in a queue. A serialization group is determined for a request and the request is associated with the determined serialization group. At least a subset of the requests from the queue is transmitted to a second system if the second system is available, including transmitting requests in a respective serialization group to the second system serially in accordance with an ordering of the requests within the respective serialization group.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase items from merchants. A customer interacts with the merchant to identify items to purchase, and the merchant directs the customer to the broker in order to complete the transaction. The broker receives a description of a virtual shopping cart generated by the merchant and presents the customer with an interface allowing the customer to select shipping and other options for the purchase. The broker calculates a total amount for the transaction based on the shopping cart description and the options selected by the customer. The broker informs the merchant of the purchase and coordinates the shipment of the purchased items from the merchant to the customer.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for determining a time zone for a computing device. A computing system identifies an approximate location of the computing device. The computing system identifies multiple time zones that correspond to the approximate location of the computing device. The computing system identifies a time offset for the computing device at a point in time. The computing system determines, as being a time zone for the computing device, a single time zone of the multiple time zones that matches the time offset at the point in time.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase an item from a merchant, where one or more merchants provide bids to sell the item to the customer. In one embodiment, the broker can sell the item to the customer for a defined price determined based on pricing criteria, and then accept bids from merchants offering the item for sale to select a merchant to provide the item based on selection criteria. In another embodiment, the bidding is done in real time before the item is sold to the customer. The broker selects a merchant out of the merchants providing bids, and the broker quotes a price to the customer. Once the customer has agreed to pay the price, the broker can sell the item to the customer. The broker manages the completion of the transaction and payment of the merchant.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase items from multiple different merchants. A customer interacts with the merchants to identify items to purchase, and the merchants send descriptions of the items to the broker. The broker maintains a virtual shopping cart that stores the items received from the different merchants. The customer can purchase the items in the shopping cart in a single purchase transaction with the broker. Further, the customer can publish a reference that identifies the shopping cart and invite other customers to purchase the items in the cart via the broker.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining a time zone for a computing device is disclosed. The method includes identifying a first time offset for the device at a first instant in time, identifying a second time offset for the device at a second instant in time, and determining a time zone for the device using the first and second offsets.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein include new, more efficient ways to request, create, send, and receive product reviews from the Internet. One aspect of the invention is an email message for a customer. The email message includes a request to review a product obtained by the customer in a transaction; a rating input area and/or a text input area; an authentication token that includes a transaction identifier corresponding to the transaction; and an HTTP form submission command to send a response to the request from the customer to a remote computer. The response includes a rating entered in the rating input area and/or text entered in the text input area, and the authentication token.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein include new, more efficient ways to request, create, send, and receive product reviews from the Internet. One aspect of the invention is an email message for a customer. The email message includes a request to review a product obtained by the customer in a transaction; a rating input area and/or a text input area; an authentication token that includes a transaction identifier corresponding to the transaction; and an HTTP form submission command to send a response to the request from the customer to a remote computer. The response includes a rating entered in the rating input area and/or text entered in the text input area, and the authentication token.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase items from multiple different merchants. A customer interacts with the merchants to identify items to purchase, and the merchants send descriptions of the items to the broker. The broker maintains a virtual shopping cart that stores the items received from the different merchants. The customer can purchase the items in the shopping cart in a single purchase transaction with the broker. Further, the customer can publish a reference that identifies the shopping cart and invite other customers to purchase the items in the cart via the broker.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase items from multiple different merchants. A customer interacts with the merchants to identify items to purchase, and the merchants send descriptions of the items to the broker. The broker maintains a virtual shopping cart that stores the items received from the different merchants. The customer can purchase the items in the shopping cart in a single purchase transaction with the broker. Further, the customer can publish a reference that identifies the shopping cart and invite other customers to purchase the items in the cart via the broker.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase items from multiple different merchants. A customer interacts with the merchants to identify items to purchase, and the merchants send descriptions of the items to the broker. The broker maintains a virtual shopping cart that stores the items received from the different merchants. The customer can purchase the items in the shopping cart in a single purchase transaction with the broker. Further, the customer can publish a reference that identifies the shopping cart and invite other customers to purchase the items in the cart via the broker.

Abstract: A restricted web site has features that are selectively exposed to clients. A screening web site interacts with clients and collects data about the clients using passive and/or active techniques. The screening site generates a token for the client, and includes data in the token identifying the token and describing the client. The token is encoded in a cookie and saved in the client's web browser. The client subsequently provides the token to the restricted site. The restricted site validates the token to ensure that it is legitimate, has not expired, and has not been used before. The restricted site selects one or more features to provide to the client based on the data about the client in the token and/or on other information. If the client does not present a token or the token is invalid, the restricted site does not expose any features to the client.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase items from merchants. A customer interacts with the merchant to identify items to purchase, and the merchant directs the customer to the broker in order to complete the transaction. The broker receives a description of a virtual shopping cart generated by the merchant and presents the customer with an interface allowing the customer to select shipping and other options for the purchase. The broker calculates a total amount for the transaction based on the shopping cart description and the options selected by the customer. The broker informs the merchant of the purchase and coordinates the shipment of the purchased items from the merchant to the customer.

Abstract: A micro-payment system has buyers, sellers, and a broker. The buyers establish accounts with the broker and provide payment information allowing the broker to invoice the buyers. The sellers establish accounts with the brokers and specify terms for accessing items, including electronic content, available from the sellers. The sellers also provide payment information that allows the broker to credit the sellers for sales of the items. The broker aggregates the buyers' micro-payment purchases and invoices the buyers. The broker also aggregates the sellers' micro-payment sales and credits the sellers.