Abstract: A method of storing data includes receiving general purpose (GP) data and special Error Tolerant or Streaming (ETS) data, storing the GP data using a data storage method, and storing the ETS data using a different data storage method which affects the access rate, resilience to errors, data integrity, storage density, or storage capacity. The storage medium, which can include a disk drive, flash memory, or holographic memory, is utilized differently depending on the required Quality of Service in aspects including block size, storage of error correction codes, utilization of error correction codes, storage area density, physical format pattern, storage verification, or reaction to failed storage verification. For disk drives these differences include spacing between tracks; overlap between tracks; spiral track formatting; concentric track formatting, and size of blocks, and for flash memories these differences include levels per cell and number of cells.

Abstract: A method of storing data includes receiving general purpose (GP) data and special Error Tolerant or Streaming (ETS) data, storing the GP data using a data storage method, and storing the ETS data using a different data storage method which affects the access rate, resilience to errors, data integrity, storage density, or storage capacity. The storage medium, which can include a disk drive, flash memory, or holographic memory, is utilized differently depending on the required Quality of Service in aspects including block size, storage of error correction codes, utilization of error correction codes, storage area density, physical format pattern, storage verification, or reaction to failed storage verification. For disk drives these differences include spacing between tracks; overlap between tracks; spiral track formatting; concentric track formatting, and size of blocks, and for flash memories these differences include levels per cell and number of cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for identity mapping between commerce customers and social media users. Aspects of the invention use inferred attributes and activity correlations from both commerce data and social media data to map identities. In one aspect, activity correlations are calculated between a commerce customer account and each of the one or more candidate social media user accounts. For each of the one or more candidate social media user accounts, a probability that the commerce customer account and the social media user account map to the same identity is calculated. In another aspect, the accuracy of a mapping between a commerce customer account and a social media user is evaluated using additional social media data.

Abstract: A method of storing data includes receiving general purpose (GP) data and special Error Tolerant or Streaming (ETS) data, storing the GP data using a data storage method, and storing the ETS data using a different data storage method which affects the access rate, resilience to errors, data integrity, storage density, or storage capacity. The storage medium, which can include a disk drive, flash memory, or holographic memory, is utilized differently depending on the required Quality of Service in aspects including block size, storage of error correction codes, utilization of error correction codes, storage area density, physical format pattern, storage verification, or reaction to failed storage verification. For disk drives these differences include spacing between tracks; overlap between tracks; spiral track formatting; concentric track formatting, and size of blocks, and for flash memories these differences include levels per cell and number of cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A credit may be applied to an online transaction of the user. Based on the use of the credit, the user's in-store purchases and online purchases may be related to the same individual and used to better characterize interests of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. Transactions may be compared to past transaction of a user in order to detect fraud. Recent activity may be flagged as potentially fraudulent and reviewed before providing a credit.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a consumer comparative pricing data from at least two merchants is discussed. In one aspect of the invention a customer queries a database containing time and location specific pricing data for competitors of a first merchant. If the query shows that the customer could have purchased the same item or items for a lower price at a competitor, the first merchant awards the customer an on-line credit that is redeemable at the merchant. In another aspect, a consumer uploads an image of a competitor's receipt. The item specific data on the receipt is converted to UPC codes on an item-by-item basis. These UPC codes are then compared against the merchant's pricing database and the consumer is provided data set comparing the prices the consumer paid to the prices the consumer would have paid had the consumer shopped at the merchant.

Abstract: A method of storing data includes receiving general purpose (GP) data and special Error Tolerant or Streaming (ETS) data, storing the GP data using a data storage method, and storing the ETS data using a different data storage method which affects the access rate, resilience to errors, data integrity, storage density, or storage capacity. The storage medium, which can include a disk drive, flash memory, or holographic memory, is utilized differently depending on the required Quality of Service in aspects including block size, storage of error correction codes, utilization of error correction codes, storage area density, physical format pattern, storage verification, or reaction to failed storage verification. For disk drives these differences include spacing between tracks; overlap between tracks; spiral track formatting; concentric track formatting, and size of blocks, and for flash memories these differences include levels per cell and number of cells.

Abstract: A method of storing data includes receiving general purpose (GP) data and special Error Tolerant or Streaming (ETS) data, storing the GP data using a data storage method, and storing the ETS data using a different data storage method which affects the access rate, resilience to errors, data integrity, storage density, or storage capacity. The storage medium, which can include a disk drive, flash memory, or holographic memory, is utilized differently depending on the required Quality of Service in aspects including block size, storage of error correction codes, utilization of error correction codes, storage area density, physical format pattern, storage verification, or reaction to failed storage verification. For disk drives these differences include spacing between tracks; overlap between tracks; spiral track formatting; concentric track formatting, and size of blocks, and for flash memories these differences include levels per cell and number of cells.

Abstract: A method of storing data includes receiving general purpose (GP) data and special Error Tolerant or Streaming (ETS) data, storing the GP data using a data storage method, and storing the ETS data using a different data storage method which affects the access rate, resilience to errors, data integrity, storage density, or storage capacity. The storage medium, which can include a disk drive, flash memory, or holographic memory, is utilized differently depending on the required Quality of Service in aspects including block size, storage of error correction codes, utilization of error correction codes, storage area density, physical format pattern, storage verification, or reaction to failed storage verification. For disk drives these differences include spacing between tracks; overlap between tracks; spiral track formatting; concentric track formatting, and size of blocks, and for flash memories these differences include levels per cell and number of cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for identity mapping between commerce customers and social media users. Aspects of the invention use inferred attributes and activity correlations from both commerce data and social media data to map identities. In one aspect, activity correlations are calculated between a commerce customer account and each of the one or more candidate social media user accounts. For each of the one or more candidate social media user accounts, a probability that the commerce customer account and the social media user account map to the same identity is calculated. In another aspect, the accuracy of a mapping between a commerce customer account and a social media user is evaluated using additional social media data.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a consumer comparative pricing data from at least two merchants is discussed. In one aspect of the invention a customer queries a database containing time and location specific pricing data for competitors of a first merchant. If the query shows that the customer could have purchased the same item or items for a lower price at a competitor, the first merchant awards the customer an on-line credit that is redeemable at the merchant. In another aspect, a consumer uploads an image of a competitor's receipt. The item specific data on the receipt is converted to UPC codes on an item-by-item basis. These UPC codes are then compared against the merchant's pricing database and the consumer is provided data set comparing the prices the consumer paid to the prices the consumer would have paid had the consumer shopped at the merchant.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A credit may be applied to an online transaction of the user. Based on the use of the credit, the user's in-store purchases and online purchases may be related to the same individual and used to better characterize interests of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A portion of the credit may be donated to a donee. Third party donations associated with a product purchased in a transaction may also be assigned to a donee.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. Transactions may be compared to past transaction of a user in order to detect fraud. Recent activity may be flagged as potentially fraudulent and reviewed before providing a credit.

Abstract: A method of storing data includes receiving general purpose (GP) data and special Error Tolerant or Streaming (ETS) data, storing the GP data using a data storage method, and storing the ETS data using a different data storage method which affects the access rate, resilience to errors, data integrity, storage density, or storage capacity. The storage medium, which can include a disk drive, flash memory, or holographic memory, is utilized differently depending on the required Quality of Service in aspects including block size, storage of error correction codes, utilization of error correction codes, storage area density, physical format pattern, storage verification, or reaction to failed storage verification. For disk drives these differences include spacing between tracks; overlap between tracks; spiral track formatting; concentric track formatting, and size of blocks, and for flash memories these differences include levels per cell and number of cells.

Abstract: A system and method for providing media content to a content subscriber is described. One embodiment includes a media device for controlling access to media content. The media apparatus comprises a processor, a memory and a storage device housing to may house a storage device. The media apparatus further comprises a media database that stores information about media content residing on the storage device. The media apparatus may also comprise one or more communication interfaces for communicating with a content provider, the storage device or other devices. The media apparatus may also include a real-time clock to maintain the current time and date. Further, the media apparatus may comprise a viewing policy engine for controlling access to the media content on the storage device. Lastly, the media apparatus comprises a rental agreement engine for enforcing a rental policy associated with a storage device.

Abstract: A synapse cell for use in providing a weighted connection strength is disclosed. The cell employs a four-quadrant multiplier and a pair of floating gate devices. Various charge levels are programmed onto the floating gate devices, establishing weight and reference levels. These levels affect the current flowing through the multiplier. The output of the cell thus becomes a multiple of the input and the programmed charge difference.