Abstract: A current geographic location of a mobile device, such as a smart phone, tablet computer, or the like, is used to customize a selection guide that is used to retrieve product related information. The product related information generally provides details about one or more products meeting one or more criteria specified via use of the customized selection guide.

Abstract: A system and method for using a mobile device to cause a vending machine to provide access to a product. After a calibration position is established within the mobile device, an accelerometer of the mobile device is used to determine a current location of the mobile device relative to the vending machine resulting from a movement of the mobile device from the calibration position. A product location to mobile device location mapping is then used to determine a one of a plurality of vending mechanisms associated with the vending machine that is to be activated given the determined current location of the mobile device. A signal may then be sent from the mobile device to the vending machine to instruct the vending machine to activate the determined one of the plurality of vending mechanisms.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a user to quickly access product information and/or commerce functionalities as related to one or more products that are associated with an electronic document, such as a web page, that is currently being viewed by the user in an electronic document viewing program, such as an Internet browser.

Abstract: A system and method compares an image of an object of interest captured by an image capturing device from a first positional view relative to the object of interest against each of a plurality of images of each of a plurality of reference objects wherein each of the plurality of images of each of the plurality of reference objects is reflective of a unique positional view of the corresponding one of the plurality of reference objects to determine a second positional view relative to the object of interest at which the image capturing device is to be positioned to capture a further image of the product of interest.

Abstract: A dynamic merchandising system creates for each of a plurality of products in a plurality of purchase orders a list of products purchased together. This information is then used to create ordered lists reflecting relationships between various product attributes, e.g., the relationships between different brand names purchased together, different product categories purchased together, different catalog pages of products purchased together, etc. From these ordered relationship lists information may be selected and presented to the customer for the purpose of directing the customer to additional purchasing opportunities.

Abstract: A graphical user interface has an input element for receiving from a user a search criteria to be submitted to a server device having an associated search engine and an associated repository of items wherein each item in the repository of items is cross-referenced to one or more contextual filters and wherein the one or more contextual filters correspond to sensor obtained data. As the user provides the search criteria, the system functions to dynamically and automatically suggest to the user within the graphical user interface one or more of the contextual filters from the repository of items as a function of the search criteria being provided and data obtained from one or more sensors resident on the computing device.

Abstract: A graphical user interface has an input element for receiving from a user a search criteria to be submitted to a server device having an associated search engine and an associated repository of items wherein each item in the repository of items is cross-referenced to one or more contextual filters and wherein the one or more contextual filters correspond to sensor obtained data. As the user provides the search criteria, the system functions to dynamically and automatically suggest to the user within the graphical user interface one or more of the contextual filters from the repository of items as a function of the search criteria being provided and data obtained from one or more sensors resident on the computing device.

Abstract: A received search query is used to create a search result where the search result is a listing of items identified in a data repository of item information where the item information includes data indicative of parametric values for each of a plurality of items. Data indicative of parametric values within the item information of the listing of items is used to order the search result for display whereby at least one subset of items within the listing of items determined to have similar parametric values will be displayed as a group having positions within the listing of items that are proximate relative to each other. Data indicative of parametric values within the item information of the at least one subset of items is also used to discern differences in one or more parametric values between items in the at least one subset of items which discerned differences in the one or more parametric values between items in the at least one subset of items within the listing of items are caused to be highlighted.

Abstract: A user associates a supply chain event with a personalized message. The system causes the personalized message (or a link thereto) to be sent to a recipient using a selected dissemination method when the supply chain event occurs.

Abstract: A system and method can monitor inventory of product within storage bins of a storage facility by mounting cameras to the storage bins. The cameras and a user processing device may be operably connected to a network such that the user processing device is in communication with the cameras. Further, the user processing device may search records of a database that correspond to product stored in the storage facility. Once a product of interest is identified, a location of the relevant storage bin may be provided to the user processing device, along with an image and/or video captured by the camera to show contents of the storage bin.

Abstract: Prior ordering history of a product is examined to determine an historical ordering quantity distribution for a product. A customer specified, to-be-purchased quantity of a product is then compared against the determined historical ordering-quantity frequency distribution for the product. When the customer specified, to-be-purchased quantity of the product falls below a certain probability threshold determined using the historical ordering-quantity frequency distribution, or is otherwise suspicious, the customer is notified of a suspected error in the provided product order quantity and/or asked to verify if the provided product quantity is correct.

Abstract: A system and method for using a mobile device to cause a vending machine to provide access to a product. After a calibration position is established within the mobile device, an accelerometer of the mobile device is used to determine a current location of the mobile device relative to the vending machine resulting from a movement of the mobile device from the calibration position. A product location to mobile device location mapping is then used to determine a one of a plurality of vending mechanisms associated with the vending machine that is to be activated given the determined current location of the mobile device. A signal may then be sent from the mobile device to the vending machine to instruct the vending machine to activate the determined one of the plurality of vending mechanisms.

Abstract: A user is provided a display or user interface that is tailored to the user based on a community the user is a part of Based on interactions with and/or modifications to the display by other users of the community, the display or user interface is tailored to the user to show a similar display as desired by those in the user's community. This provides a better display or user interface that allows a user to quickly access product information and/or commerce functionalities that they are more likely to use. This display or user interface is displayed as an electronic document, such as a web page, that is viewed by the user in an electronic document viewing program, such as an Internet browser.

Abstract: An inventory management system includes a beacon or button connected to a warehouse server. The beacon buttons are placed in or near a product storage area with a number of products. The beacon has a controller and a transceiver to communicate with a server. There is a user input on the front of the beacon and several sensors able to detect a user identity and interaction with the products. When the user input is triggered, the beacon sends a message to the warehouse server including a user identity and other sensor data. Additionally, the beacon includes an energy harvester configured to power the beacon from ambient or user provided energy.

Abstract: An auto cross-referencing functionality related to an order number directed to a product within an electronic catalog hosted by a vendor system is presented on a client computing device in a page providing an access point for ordering an item. The system allows a customer to enter a manufacturer, competitor, or other non-vendor specific ordering number into an ordering system and have the provided number transformed in-situ to the vendor's ordering number, either in real-time and/or through a batch-like process.

Abstract: A system and method compares an image of an object of interest captured by an image capturing device from a first positional view relative to the object of interest against each of a plurality of images of each of a plurality of reference objects wherein each of the plurality of images of each of the plurality of reference objects is reflective of a unique positional view of the corresponding one of the plurality of reference objects to determine a second positional view relative to the object of interest at which the image capturing device is to be positioned to capture a further image of the product of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing a kit of items from one or more vending machines includes a kit determination system with a kit analyzer to determine whether there is a specific kit or kits to recommend or assign to a user. A kit may be pre-assigned to the user by a third party. If there is no kit assigned to the user, a kit may be recommended to the user based on past history and a number of other factors. Also included is a vending machine kit dispensing system for dispensing a kit of items from one or more vending machines, the vending machines being interconnected on a network.

Abstract: A system and method provides product/service recommendations by rendering and analyzing content on webpages that are linked to on a user's personal webpage. In this manner, the system and method compiles a more complete view of the user's interest and preferences, thus providing more effective and finely-attuned user recommendations.

Abstract: A system and method uses an image manipulating application to define in an object image a plurality of discrete cells. Predefined image information is substituted for image information in selected ones of the plurality of discrete cells to form a translated version of the object image. The translated version of the object image may then be provided to an image recognition capable search engine to obtain search results.

Abstract: A system and method uses an image manipulating application to define in an object image a plurality of discrete cells. Predefined image information is substituted for image information in selected ones of the plurality of discrete cells to form a translated version of the object image. The translated version of the object image may then be provided to an image recognition capable search engine to obtain search results.