Abstract: Offers for goods or services are targeted more efficiently to potential consumers by using a loyalty graph having nodes that correspond to users and edges that correspond to relationships between the users. The offers are transmitted to only superusers, corresponding to supernodes in the loyalty graph. By targeting only the superusers, the number of invitations transmitted as part of the promotion is reduced. The superusers are determined by calculating a weighted score for each node. Each weighted score corresponds to a number of directed connections between a node and its leaf nodes, with the supernodes determined as the subset of nodes having a weighted sum above a pre-determined threshold. After identifying superusers, subgraphs can be generated corresponding to each superuser. The subgraphs can be selected according to different criteria. In this way, promotions can be targeted to superusers in only selected subgraphs or to all the users in selected subgraphs.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for estimating potential sales of animal products based on estimated animal population determined from a transaction history of sentinel products associated with particular animals. A set of sentinel products is determined that is associated with a specific type of animal. A number of the type of animal in a geographic region is estimated based on a transaction history associated with the set of sentinel products. A potential sales estimate for the geographic region is determined based on the estimated number of the particular type of animal in the geographic region.

Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a campaign response option, a sales target plan, a sales price list and a sales specification business object.

Abstract: A set of enrollment buckets are allocated to a business unit and are subdivided such that a portion of the enrollment buckets are allocated to at least one test. A user ID can be hashed using a first hash function to map the user to one of the enrollment buckets. A set of test buckets are also subdivided such that a portion of the buckets are allocated to one or more test groups and a portion of the test buckets are allocated to the control group. If the user was mapped to a bucket that is allocated to test in the set of enrollment buckets, the user ID will again be hashed using a second hash function to map the user to one of the test buckets.

Abstract: The method comprises determining an internal factor of the oilfield operation representing a cost analysis of an oilfield service; determining an external factor of the oilfield operation representing a price analysis and/or a market analysis of the oilfield service; determining a price of the oilfield operation to be performed in the well for a customer, wherein the price is determined based on the internal factor and the external factor, and wherein determining the price comprises utilizing a data processing system; transmitting the price of the oilfield operation to the customer; completing a sale of the oilfield operation; and performing the oilfield operation in the well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the aggregation, analysis, and display of data for used vehicles are disclosed. Historical transaction data for used vehicles may be obtained and processed to determine pricing data, where this determined pricing data may be associated with a particular configuration of a vehicle. The user can then be presented with an interface pertinent to the vehicle configuration utilizing the aggregated data set or the associated determined data where the user can make a variety of determinations. This interface may, for example, be configured to present the historical transaction data visually, with the pricing data such as a trade-in price, a list price, an expected sale price or range of sale prices, market low sale price, market average sale price, market high sale price, etc. presented relative to the historical transaction data.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for automatically adjusting the price of an offer, the method comprising: receiving a request to create the offer at one or more hardware processors; receiving an opening price and a minimum price for the offer; setting a current price of the offer based at least in part on the opening price; making the offer available to one or more consumers; automatically adjusting the current price of the offer based at least in part on demand for the offer, wherein demand for the offer is based at least in part on one or more variables that each reflect the measured or interest in the offer by the one or more consumers; and determining whether any of the one or more consumers has purchased the offer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selling in a multi-tenant database system are provided. A sales information packet including sales material, daily schedule, and customer information are stored in the multi-tenant database. Sales personnel may download the sales information packet to a portable device. Sales personnel may present prospective clients with the sales material in text, image, and video formats. The sales personnel may provide feedback on the information packet, and/or collect feedback from the clients regarding the information packet. The portable user system may send geographical coordinates of the sales session, information about interactions with the input device of the portable device, along with the feedback, to the server system. The server may analyze the feedback and generate a report which may be used to determine the quality of the information packet, efficiency of sales schedules and the performance of the sales personnel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an asset management computer system for assessing operational data indicative of the movement of one or more mobile assets within a work environment. The mobile assets may be, for example, employees, packages, or vehicles moving through a work environment. According to various embodiments, the asset management computer system may be configured for analyzing the operational data and segmenting it into a plurality of position segments representing periods of time classified according to the mobile asset's position in relation to one or virtual work areas. In addition, the asset management computer system may be further configured to determine operational characteristics for each of the position segments, generate a graphical representation of the position segments, and provide operational statistics based on the position segments, which can be used to assess asset behavior and the efficiency of a work environment's design.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring order fulfillment times for fast food incorporate video cameras to generate sequences of images of the fulfillment process. Time intervals to fulfillment are determined and stored. Average time intervals to fulfillment, based on multiple fulfillment records, are automatically generated.

Abstract: Method of notifying a user of site abnormalities via an application configured to access an event server having a first sensor abnormality detector connected to a first sensor, for detecting first abnormal behavior of first sub-events sensed by the first sensor, the first abnormal behavior corresponding to a first abnormal behavior value, a second sensor abnormality detector connected to a second sensor, for detecting second abnormal behavior of second sub-events sensed by the second sensor of a type different from the first sensor, the second abnormal behavior corresponding to a second abnormal behavior value, a correlator for correlating the first and second abnormal behavior values and logging correlated values as a composite event, a data store, the application having a viewer configured to show, on the device, data associated with a plurality of composite events, the viewer further configured to display the plurality of composite events in a temporal order.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for asset operation information services is described. In one example embodiment, the method can comprise receiving data related to operation of an asset, the data including positional data and at least one machine operational data, interpreting the positional data with the machine operational data to accurately determine an operational characteristic of the machine, performing analysis of the operational characteristic in view of a stored target to produce a performance output, and providing a report that includes the operational characteristic and the performance output.

Abstract: An interactive method for operating a server to trace the origin of data which results in a display of unsatisfactory Quality of Service for a plurality of wireless communication devices.

Abstract: A method is provided for implementing collaborative information management. Information collaboration entities are authorized to allow a plurality of entity members thereof access, to a collaborative information data structure. Each information collaboration entity is a different business entity than each other information collaboration entity. An entity member of each information collaboration entity is authorized to maintain business process information associated therewith in the collaborative information data structure. The business process information of each information collaboration entity is generated through a business process thereof. The business process information of each information collaboration entity is useful as quality control information for a manufactured product of a particular information collaboration entity.

Abstract: A retailer computer system receives from a first computing device a shopping recap having data indicative of one or more products that were shown to a customer by the sales associate while the customer was within a retail establishment. The received shopping recap is stored within a data repository where it is linked to a customer identifier that is associated with the customer and an associate identifier that is associated with the sale associate. If the customer later purchases a product, data indicative of the product being purchased is compared against data within any shopping recap that is linked to that customer to determine if a sales associate that is also linked to any shopping recap linked to that customer is to be awarded a commission for the product being purchased. The purchase of the product by the customer may further generate a digital receipt where the digital receipt includes a notice that the customer is being awarded an incentive, such as a coupon.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for generating a digital pass is disclosed. The method may comprise retrieving a plurality of identity attributes, and grouping a subset of identity attributes in the plurality of identity attributes to generate at least one digital pass. The method may further comprise grouping a subset of static identity attributes and a subset of dynamic identity attributes to generate a digital pass.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification device includes an integrated circuit including a receiver, a transmitter, and a microprocessor. The receiver and transmitter together define an active transponder. The integrated circuit is preferably a monolithic single die integrated circuit including the receiver, the transmitter, and the microprocessor. Because the device includes an active transponder, instead of a transponder which relies on magnetic coupling for power, the device has a much greater range.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for identifying a driver versus a passenger within a smart vehicle. This involves a determination of the relative positions of the wireless communication devices within the smart vehicle using near-field communication (NFC) or GPS, AGPS, etc. The wireless communication device detected closest to the driver seat is assumed to be the device owned by the driver. Once identified, the driver can be billed for tolls and other road services, based on the location of the smart vehicle. For instance, as the smart vehicle approaches a toll, a notification can be sent to all of the wireless communication devices. A response from a particular wireless communication device will result in the corresponding user's account being billed for the toll. Further, the smart vehicle can communicate with near-field transceivers placed, for instance, alongside a High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane.

Abstract: An implementation of a system and method for processing transfer rides associated with at least one public transit network is provided. The system and method preprocess transactions to consolidate or eliminate unnecessary transactions with a financial institution clearing and settlement network.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed including client and/or server computing devices, such as smartphones, laptop computers, servers, and the like, having application software thereon configured to award credit points towards the purchase of goods and services from third parties upon meeting predefined milestones associated with the taking of online tests, educational courses or modules.

Abstract: A system and method provide a group purchase service in which a discount rate is applied differentially depending on the group purchase volume on first-come-first-served basis. In the group purchase service, a central server determines a discount policy such that each local server applies differential discount rates in group purchase rounds depending on group purchase volumes of an item in a purchase process performed by buyer devices. When each of the buyer devices accesses the local server in each service area and performs the purchase process for the item through the local server, the local server applies the differential discount rates to the rounds depending on the group purchase volumes of the item.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to translate a model. An example method includes applying an independent variable and a dependent variable to the model and estimating a value for a model parameter, generating predicted best fit data points based on the model parameter, values associated with the independent variable, and values associated with the dependent variable, estimating coefficients based on the best fit data points, and generating a spline comprising a plurality of polynomial functions based on the coefficients.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for implementing a customer loyalty rewards program by assigning point values to a customer's completion of certain activities, monitoring the customer's activities to determine when the customer has completed an activity, crediting the customer the assigned value of points for the completed activities, correlating points to one or more rewards and facilitating the exchange of rewards.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for allowing a customer to choose rewards as part of a customer incentive program by receiving a first customer input, wherein the first customer input is a characteristic of the customer, receiving a second customer input, wherein the second customer input is a category of reward in which the customer is interested, correlating the first customer input to a plurality of activities to be completed by the customer, correlating the second customer input to rewards to be provided to the customer for completing an activity, monitoring the customer's activities to determine when the customer has completed an activity and providing a reward to the customer corresponding to the completed activity.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a rewards program for a plurality of rewards accounts is disclosed that promote the adoption, retention, and the desirable usage of credit cards, prepaid cards, debit cards, and other transactional products and that induce the development and improvement of consumer behavior through education and rewards. Embodiments of the invention provide a rewards program by associating a financial product with a rewards account of the plurality of rewards accounts and detecting rewardable actions associated with the financial product. Any type of actions may be deemed rewardable actions including the participation in educational programs related to features of the financial product, financial responsibility, health, professional development and others. For completing rewardable actions, participants may be rewarded with points that they may then use to enter into sweepstakes in order to win prizes.

Abstract: An online time-based collaborative contribution system for the purchase of good(s) or service(s) includes a database, a server, a plurality of user devices, and a user interface provided at each user device. The database stores information related to the goods or services, a predetermined amount, and a designated target contribution amount. The server is coupled to the database. The plurality of user devices are connected to the server and the database via a network. The user interface allows a respective user to make a contribution of the predetermined amount towards the designated targeted contribution amount. The server initiates the transfer of the good(s) or service(s) as a function of the contributions made by the user and the designated target contribution amount.

Abstract: A value management system which facilitates substantially real-time exchange of loyalty value during transactions. The value management system includes an exchange computer for acting as an intermediary between a loyalty member computer and a loyalty system on behalf of a loyalty member. The exchange computer is for storing login information of the loyalty member, for accessing a loyalty account of the loyalty member within the loyalty system using the login information, for determining a loyalty value associated with the loyalty account, for performing a transaction with the loyalty member involving a change in the loyalty value in exchange for other value, and for charging a fee from the loyalty member in return for the transaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile device including: a power receiver for wirelessly coupling with a power transmitter to receive power wirelessly from the power transmitter; and a function that automatically initiates upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. Also provided is a transmitter apparatus including a power transmitter for wirelessly coupling with a power receiver in a mobile device to provide power wirelessly to the power receiver, wherein, upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter, data is transferred between the power transmitter and the power receiver and a function of the mobile device automatically initiates. The mobile device and transmitter apparatus together form a system for operating the mobile device. Methods and computer-readable media storing executable application programs associated with the system are also provided.

Abstract: The system operates through a computer platform connected to an internet social network. A user can share information about an item through the network by providing it to the platform using a communications device connected to the network. If a similar or identical product corresponding to the item is available for purchase through the system, a link is created between the item and the product and the item is shared on the platform in digital media, such as an image of the item, selected by the sharing user. Other users can access the platform through the network using a communications device, view the image of the shared item, and purchase the available product. The sharing user is rewarded for sharing the item, regardless of whether or where the product is purchased. Both the sharing user and the purchasing user are rewarded if the product is purchased using the system.

Abstract: A system and related methods for a proprietary system, or a business or merchant, to track purchases by customers, and associate those purchases with one or more other customers who referred, directly or indirectly, the purchasing customer to that business or merchant. The purchasing customer also may be rewarded for purchases made by other customers that the purchasing customer has referred to the business or merchant, directly or indirectly, through social media sites or networks.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving an indication that a user selected social network data that is displayed, on a client device, concurrently with offer data that indicates a coupon offer; wherein prior to receiving the indication, the user of the client device is incapable of accessing the coupon offer; in response to receiving the indication that the user selected the social network data, allowing the user to access the coupon offer, and causing a message to be sent to each user of a plurality of users that are identified, in a social network, as connected to the user, wherein the message includes data about the coupon offer or a coupon provider that initiated the coupon offer; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

Abstract: A method for providing an enriched version of a creation, the method comprising: receiving a creation from an author, and storing the creation in a creation database; receiving through a computerized communication channel a suggested addition to the creation from one or more contributors and providing the suggested addition to the author; receiving approval for the suggested addition from the author, and storing the suggested addition in the creation database; displaying to a reader indications to the suggested addition; receiving a selection from a reader, the selection indicating a selected addition from the suggested additions; retrieving the creation and the selected addition from the creation database, and compiling an enriched version of the creation, the enriched version comprising the creation and the at selected addition, the enriched version adapted to be viewed on a reading digital platform; and providing the enriched version to the reader.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for generating a digital pass is disclosed. The method may comprise retrieving a plurality of identity attributes, and grouping a subset of identity attributes in the plurality of identity attributes to generate at least one digital pass. The method may further comprise grouping a subset of static identity attributes and a subset of dynamic identity attributes to generate a digital pass.

Abstract: A computer system is located at a retail premises for executing a point of sale transaction comprising: a point of sale terminal having an interface for receiving product data from at least one product purchased by a customer, the product data including a first price for the product; a processor arranged to execute a computer program which receives from the point of sale terminal first price data including at least said first price and second price data pertaining to the product, the second price data being from a remote source, compares the first price data with the second price data and issues a voucher request based on the comparison of the first and second price data; and a voucher issuing unit arranged to receive the voucher request and to automatically provide a voucher to the customer responsive to the voucher request.

Abstract: Programming a hidden area of a web page in the path of exit from the web page or browser, and activating a hyperlink to provide a user incentive to complete an online transaction when the user pointing device enters the hidden area and before a termination event. The hidden area can move with scrolling of the web page.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method of influencing customer behavior. The customer is offered a price-per-unit (PPU) discount for fuel as a reward for performing a predefined action. A point-of-sale (POS) system at a merchant determines that the customer performed the predefined action, and stores the PPU discount and a customer identifier in a Discounts-Earned database. When the customer initiates a subsequent purchase of fuel, at the merchant or a different retail fueling merchant, a fuel dispenser controller retrieves the PPU discount from the database, discounts the posted price of the fuel by the PPU discount, and causes the dispenser to dispense fuel to the customer at the reduced price.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a social network coupon platform, a request to display coupon data regarding a particular coupon that is provided by a coupon provider, wherein a user that is registered with a social network provider initiated the request; in response to receiving the request, sending, from the social network coupon platform, the coupon data to be displayed to the user; receiving, at the social network coupon platform, from the social network provider, profile data that includes profile information of the user; in response to receiving the profile data, allowing the user access to the particular coupon; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

Abstract: A method for providing consumer discount offers from a merchant using a central computer host system including defining a discount offer associated with a merchant and prescribing consumer parameters for the discount offer. Consumer demographic parameters stored in the central computer host system are analyzed with the prescribed consumer parameters to identify those consumers to whom the merchant discount offer is applicable to. The identified consumers are provided in real-time the discount offer.

Abstract: Systems and methods of simulated objects in simulated environments for marketplaces, gaming, sporting events and/or performance events are disclosed herein. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method to control a simulated object that is associated with a physical location in a real world environment. One embodiment includes enabling access of the simulated object in a simulated environment by a user via a device responsive to determining that a location data or timing data satisfies a criterion. The simulated environment can include a marketplace associated with the physical location in the real world environment where the simulated object represents virtual goods or real goods associated with the marketplace.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for generating a digital pass is disclosed. The method may comprise retrieving a plurality of identity attributes, and grouping a subset of identity attributes in the plurality of identity attributes to generate at least one digital pass. The method may further comprise grouping a subset of static identity attributes and a subset of dynamic identity attributes to generate a digital pass.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to allowing users of a social networking system to promote specific social networking objects in exchange for payment. In particular embodiments, promoted social networking objects may be exported to a sponsored story system for display in a sponsored story area of the promoting user's friends' home pages. In particular embodiments, the promoted social networking objects may be pinned for a predetermined amount of time, clicks, or impressions at the top of the news feeds for the first degree connections of the promoting user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a multimedia service are provided. A first request message is transmitted from the device to a rights issuer requesting a first right object required to execute an advertisement. A first request response message having the first right object is transmitted from the rights issuer to the device. The advertisement is executed at the device using the first right object. A report message having an advertisement consumption specification is transmitted from the device based on execution of the advertisement. A report response message having an advertisement consumption certificate is received at the device. A second request message is transmitted from the device to the rights issuer requesting a second right object required to execute the content. A second request response message having the second right object is transmitted from the rights issuer to the device, when the second request message includes the advertisement consumption certificate.

Abstract: A computerized method is provided for receiving data for a plurality of offers, wherein the data includes a number of impressions and a number of clicks associated with each offer in the plurality of offers. The method comprises determining a click-through rate for each offer in the plurality of offers using the received data for the plurality of offers and partitioning offers into a first offer group and a second offer group based on a value of performance data associated with each offer. A predetermined number of offers with highest values are assigned to the first offer group, and the rest of the offers are assigned to the second offer group. The method comprises serving offers from both groups, calculating a response rate and confidence level for the first group, calculating a response rate and confidence level for the second group and determining that the performance data of the first and second groups has diverged by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for obtaining information regarding a plurality of conversion paths that each end with a conversion interaction, wherein each conversion path includes one or more user interactions that include a plurality of dimensional data related to the user interaction. For each conversion path, it is determined if the conversion path includes a particular user interaction, a first position of the particular user interaction, and the number of user interactions of the conversion path. The conversion paths are grouped based upon if the conversion path includes the particular user interaction. For each conversion path group, an average position of the particular user interaction and an average path length based upon the path length of the conversion paths is computed. Data regarding the average position of the particular user interaction and the average path length is provided.

Abstract: Managing social network-based marketing campaigns includes obtaining, using one or more computer processors, a social media network-based marketing campaign and configuration information associated with the social media network-based marketing campaign; and publishing the plurality of selected publishable elements on the social media platform, according to the configuration information. The social media network-based marketing campaign comprises a plurality of selected publishable elements that are selected from a collection of master publishable elements. The master publishable elements are publishable on a social media platform. The configuration information at least includes information on how the plurality of selected publishable elements are to be published on the social media platform.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for generating a digital pass is disclosed. The method may comprise retrieving a plurality of identity attributes, and grouping a subset of identity attributes in the plurality of identity attributes to generate at least one digital pass. The method may further comprise grouping a subset of static identity attributes and a subset of dynamic identity attributes to generate a digital pass.

Abstract: An interactive radio network enables users to interact with the content of a radio broadcast, including commercials or messages, and to selectively save, store, review, fast forward, rewind, pause, forward, and respond to the radio programs and/or the commercials. The interactive radio network provides a widespread, international, and economical access to the radio stations, and reduces the need for advertisement billboards. It provides the users with an opportunity to selectively inquire about the products or services being advertised. Furthermore, the interactive radio network allows the users as well as various sectors of the advertisement industry to interact with the content of the radio broadcast. The advertisements are no longer limited to audio messages, but can further include elaborate video, text, and data information. The interactive radio network enables the users to communicate and interact with each others, based on the broadcast content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a content update method, comprising the steps of: receiving, by a terminal, a specific-formatted data from a server, the specific-formatted data including a container and a variable information box, wherein the container includes a header, the variable information box includes a new advertisement content, the header includes a field which contains information on first advertisement content, and the field indicates that the new advertisement content is used for updating the first advertisement content; checking whether the terminal includes information matched with the information on the first advertisement content, wherein the first advertisement content is included in the specific-formatted data together with a non-advertisement content; and if a matching information is found as a result of the check, replacing the first advertisement content within the specific formatted data with the new advertisement content.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed including determining structured information sources that a local business participates in based on a common set of features that identify the business, collecting user interaction information from the structured information sources, aggregating the collected user interaction information into a set of attributes that are common across the structured information sources, storing local business location and the aggregated user interaction information for the set of attributes into a local business database, receiving a request from a mobile device for an ad including a geographic location, determining a geographic region that contains the geographic location, retrieving a set of local businesses from the local business database having locations within the region, determining distance values between the geographic location and the business locations, retrieving a subset of attributes for the aggregate user interaction information from the database, constructing feature vectors i

Abstract: A parcel advertising system and method for providing a targeted advertisement on a package wherein the advertisement is specifically directed towards a recipient to whom to the package is being delivered. The system includes an image server located remotely from a warehouse management system and adapted to communicate with the warehouse management system via a communications network. The image server includes a computer system including at least one processor and at least one datastore, wherein the computer system is operative and configured to select an advertisement for a package in response to an advertisement request for a parcel from a warehouse management system.