Abstract: An image processing system processes digital image files. The system organizes the images into sets of related images. The system stores information relating to various content, contextual and/or topical themes. The system's auto-theming engine matches an image set to one of various stored themes. Each theme is associated with backdrop images contextually matched to the assigned theme. The system stores information relating to various image layout templates. The system's auto-layout engine applies image layout templates defining positioning for the images in a foreground layer to be applied over a background layer comprising the backdrop image(s). The auto-layout engine selects and positions the images within the templates to create a compilation comprising the images arranged on a background that includes contextually-relevant imagery. The compilation may be designed for printing as a physical book (photobook) or poster, or may be configured as an electronic book, webpage/website, etc.

Abstract: Systems, media and methods for presenting information relating to a good for sale are provided. In an example embodiment, a system comprises at least one module, executing on one or more computer processors, to receive from a seller, via a network, product information relating to a good for sale, store the received product information in a database, receive an inquiry from a buyer via a portable wireless communication device, the inquiry including data usable to identify the good for sale, and based on an identification of the good, send, via a network, for display in an interface of the portable wireless communication device, at least some of the information relating to the good for sale.

Abstract: A method and system facilitate a transaction via a network-based transaction facility. For example, a pre-order relating to an item may be recorded in a database, a plurality of offers to sell the item may be received, and a matching operation may detect a correspondence between the pre-order and the plurality of offers. The pre-order may be set to a reserve state in the database responsive to detecting an offer of the plurality of offers matching the pre-order, in which the reserve state is to reserve the offer of the plurality of offers pending to perform a transaction with the pre-order.

Abstract: A method and system facilitate a transaction via a network-based transaction facility. For example, a pre-order relating to an item is recorded in a database; a plurality of offers to sell the item is received; and a matching operation to detect a correspondence between the pre-order and the plurality of offers is automatically performed using processor-implemented logic. The pre-order is set to a reserve state in the database based on at least one offer of the plurality of offers matching the preorder, in which the reserve state reserves the at least one offer pending establishment of a transaction for the at least one offer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to present information relating to a good. A product identification code is received via a cellular telephone, the product identification code identifying the good. The information relating to the good is presented via a network and using the product identification code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to present information relating to a good. A product identification code is received via a cellular telephone, the product identification code identifying the good. The information relating to the good is presented via a network and using the product identification code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to present information relating to a good. A product identification code is received via a cellular telephone, the product identification code identifying the good. The information relating to the good is presented via a network and using the product identification code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to present information relating to a good. A product identification code is received via a cellular telephone, the product identification code identifying the good. The information relating to the good is presented via a network and using the product identification code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to present information relating to a good. A product identification code is received via a cellular telephone, the product identification code identifying the good. The information relating to the good is presented via a network and using the product identification code.

Abstract: A method for pricing independent sellers' goods. A marketeer exploits the nature of readily identifiable, fungible, durable goods by determining a price for a good, such as a used good, by using a price of a comparable good, such as a new good, as an index price and deriving a discounted sale price for the good from the price of the comparable good having essentially the same value due to its fungible, durable nature. A best price for the good is ensured by using as the index price a lowest price among a group of vendors for the comparable good. A shopping agent program may be used to query one or more vendors to determine a best price for the comparable good, and a pricing agent program may be used to derive a discounted sale price for the good from the best price for the comparable good.

Abstract: Systems and computer-implemented methods are provided for pricing a good offered for sale by a seller. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving from a seller, via a communications network, data identifying a good offered for sale by the seller at an unspecified fixed price to be determined by a marketeer controller as a function of a third party's price for a comparable good. The method further includes querying a third party to determine a price for a comparable good and receiving, via the communications network, the third party's price for the comparable good. The marketeer controller is used to establishing a sale price for the good based on the third party price for the comparable good.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to present information relating to a good. A product identification code is received via a cellular telephone, the product identification code identifying the good. The information relating to the good is presented via a network and using the product identification code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to present a good of a seller. A product identification code is received via a cellular telephone, the product identification code identifying the good. The good is then presented for sale via a network and using the product identification code.

Abstract: A method and system facilitate a transaction via a network-based transaction facility. For example, a pre-order relating to an item is recorded in a database; a plurality of offers to sell the item is received; and a matching operation to detect a correspondence between the pre-order and the plurality of offers is automatically performed using processor-implemented logic. The pre-order is set to a reserve state in the database based on at least one offer of the plurality of offers matching the preorder, in which the reserve state reserves the at least one offer pending establishment of a transaction for the at least one offer.

Abstract: A method to facilitate pre-ordering of an offering via a network-based transaction facility includes, responsive to user identification of an offering, communicating offering information to the user regarding the offering. In conjunction with the offering information, a selectable option is communicated to the user to pre-order the offering by specifying pre-order attribute information. Following selection the pre-order option by a user and provision of the pre-order attribute information, a pre-order relating to an item is recorded at the transaction facility. The pre-order specifies a plurality of pre-order attributes. An offer to sell the item is received at the transaction facility, the offer specifying a plurality of offer attributes. A matching operation is automatically performed to detect a correspondence between the pre-order and the offer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to present a good of a seller. A product identification code is received via a cellular telephone, the product identification code identifying the good.

Abstract: A method for selecting a seller in a multi-seller environment in which multiple sellers are offering for sale one or more goods desired by the buyer. A criterion for selecting a seller may be specified by the buyer or an intermediary. After identifying a seller offering the desired good(s) for sale, a seller is selected which best satisfies the criterion. More than one criterion may be specified. If the buyer desires to purchase multiple good, a seller offering one or more of the multiple goods may be selected or a seller solution including a combination of sellers may be selected. A computer-implemented method and apparatus for carrying out the computer-implemented method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for using a telephone to list a seller's good for sale on a website including the steps of receiving good-identifying information from a seller via a telephone and presenting the good for sale on a website. The good-identifying information may be received as a series of tones generated by depression of keys of a telephone. The tones may optionally be used to navigate through a voice prompt system or to provide information about the good, such as the good's UPC code, ISBN number and/or characteristics of the good. The seller's provision of a standard identification code allows the marketeer to retrieve information relating to the good from a database and to use such information to present the good for sale. Such information, and/or the characteristics provided by the seller that are specific to the good may optionally be used to set or recommend a price for the good.

Abstract: A method for selecting a seller in a multi-seller environment in which multiple sellers are offering for sale one or more goods desired by the buyer. A criterion for selecting a seller may be specified by the buyer or an intermediary. After identifying a seller offering the desired good(s) for sale, a seller is selected which best satisfies the criterion. More than one criterion may be specified. If the buyer desires to purchase multiple goods, a seller offering one or more of the multiple goods may be selected or a seller solution including a combination of sellers may be selected. A computer-implemented method and an apparatus for carrying out the computer-implemented method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for facilitating sales and pricing of independent parties' goods. The method removes price control from buyers and sellers by deriving a sale price from an index price using a method set by either the seller or a third party. The index price is provided by a party other than the buyer or seller. The sale price may be derived at a time of sale or at a time of registering the good for sale. The standard ID code of readily identifiable, fungible, durable goods is used by sellers to identify used goods to the marketeer. The marketeer exploits the nature of such goods by choosing the price of a comparable new good as an index price and deriving a discounted sale price for the used good from the price of a new good having essentially the same value due to its fungible, durable nature. A best price for a good is ensured by using as the index price a lowest price among a group of vendors for a comparable good.