Abstract: A docking assembly for a handheld device comprising a handle and associated methods are disclosed herein. The docking assembly may include a base, a tube extending from the base, and a dock cup in rotatable communication with the tube. The dock cup may be configured to mate with the handle. The docking assembly also may include an electrical connection assembly configured to mate with the handle when the handle is positioned within the dock cup. Moreover, the docking assembly may include a first locking assembly configured to lock the handle in the dock cup to prevent the handle from being removed from the dock cup, and a second locking assembly configured to lock the orientation of the dock cup to prevent rotation of the dock cup.

Abstract: A system for automated reward management for network-based contests includes one or more processors and memory coupled to the processors, where the memory stores program instructions executable by the processors to implement a contest manager. The contest manager is configured to collect an entry fee corresponding to each entry of a plurality of entries submitted for a contest over a network, and provide a prize to a winning entry of the contest based at least in part on a total amount of entry fees collected for the contest.

Abstract: A system for automated reward management for network-based contests includes one or more processors and memory coupled to the processors, where the memory stores program instructions executable by the processors to implement a contest manager. The contest manager is configured to collect an entry fee corresponding to each entry of a plurality of entries submitted for a contest over a network, and provide a prize to a winning entry of the contest based at least in part on a total amount of entry fees collected for the contest.

Abstract: A system for automated administration of network-based contests includes one or more processors and memory coupled to the processors, where the memory stores program instructions executable by the processors to implement a contest manager. The contest manager is configured to receive a plurality of contest entries over a network such as the Internet for a contest, and to administer the contest in an automated manner in accordance with one or more contest specifications also received over the network.

Abstract: A system for network-based contest creation includes one or more processors and memory coupled to the processors, where the memory stores program instructions executable by the processors to implement a contest manager. The contest manager is configured to receive a request via a network to establish a contest, and to automatically establish the contest in accordance with one or more contest specifications included in the request.

Abstract: A method for coordinating investor-guaranteed loans over the internet whereby borrowers submit loan requests to a database and investors search the database and select borrowers. The investors then consent to act as guarantors on loans made to the selected borrowers and, in addition, make an investment by contributing funds to an intermediary. The intermediary lends money to the selected borrowers. The resulting investor-guaranteed loans are serviced by the intermediary. To enhance user benefits, the method further enables both borrowers and investors to form personal and/or community relationships or associations which can accompany or transcend the borrower/guarantor relationship.

Abstract: A system and method to provide wanted ad listings within an e-commerce system. Wanted ads are posted by buyers of goods and services seeking to purchase items described within the wanted ad listings. Sellers of goods and services on the e-commerce server respond to wanted ad listings by providing a response on the wanted ad listing that provides a reference to the seller's listings for items currently being offered for sale. Buyers may use these responses from sellers to locate items matching wanted items. Buyers then may purchase the items offered for sale.

Abstract: A method and system of providing listing recommendations to users of a network-based commerce system including a plurality of listings arranged in a plurality of divisions is described. The method includes identifying a division of the plurality of divisions based on user interaction with the network-based commerce system, and identifying at least one frequently used search term associated with the division. A link is provided to the user to listings associated with the frequently used search term. The search terms may be ranked by retrieving frequently used search terms from a first memory location and determining a number of listings in each division associated with each frequently used search term. Each frequently used search term may then be ranked based on the number of listings in each division.

Abstract: A method and system of providing listing recommendations to users of a network-based commerce system including a plurality of listings arranged in a plurality of divisions is described. The method includes identifying a division of the plurality of divisions based on user interaction with the network-based commerce system, and identifying at least one frequently used search term associated with the division. A link is provided to the user to listings associated with the frequently used search term. The search terms may be ranked by retrieving frequently used search terms from a first memory location and determining a number of listings in each division associated with each frequently used search term. Each frequently used search term may then be ranked based on the number of listings in each division.