Abstract: A system and method to optimize the yield of a restaurant having perishable inventory is described. Through a card company, a restaurant can market incentives to make reservations during an off-peak time to enrolled card members. Offer marketing is based on stated customer preferences, and conducted via, for example, a website, email, or text message. Reservations are made, for example, via a centralized booking service. The incentive is fulfilled to the card member in a coupon-less manner. The card company receives a commission from the participating restaurant for every such sale.

Abstract: Billing data associated with telecom products provided by a variety of vendors is captured, normalized, and processed to calculate true profit margins by invoice, by vendor, by geographic location, by end-customer, by circuit, or combinations of these.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for determining motivator counts associated with purchase selections are presented herein. A data store can be configured to store purchase selections of respective products. A server can be configured to determine an incremental purchase time between a first purchase selection of the purchase selections and a second purchase selection of the purchase selections. Further, the server can be configured to determine a standard deviation of incremental purchase times between respective purchase selections of the purchase selections. Furthermore, the server can be configured to increment a prime motivator count associated with the second purchase selection based on the incremental purchase time and the standard deviation.

Abstract: A method for selecting a business process workflow. The method includes the steps of receiving a set of performance results, where each performance result is associated with a different business process workflow executed by a business process engine, determining a best-performing business process workflow based on selecting the business process workflow having the highest performance result in the set of performance results, and automatically routing work items through the selected business process workflow.

Abstract: Enhancing crop performance using a computer coupled to a memory, including receiving a plurality of area of interest (AOI) raster files from a remote sensing device via a network, and generating at least one index raster file based on the plurality of AOI raster files. At least one yield zone is defined within the AOI based on the at least one index raster file, and a hybrid and a seed rate are determined for the hybrid for use in planting in the at least one yield zone. A planting recommendation is generated for the AOI based on the hybrid and the seed rate and is delivered to a planter, wherein the planter is configured to plant the at least one yield zone using the hybrid and the seed rate.

Abstract: A wireless vehicle valet management system comprising multipart barcoded valet tickets, a plurality of wireless handheld communication devices for entering customer, vehicle and valet information and communicating it to the system, a server, software, at least one database and a communication network. The wireless handheld communication devices (also referred to herein as “handheld unit or units”) preferably comprise a cellular telephone having applications programming capability and allow simultaneous communication with a plurality of handheld units from a central dispatch location. A system and method for retrieval of a parked vehicle includes offering the retrieval assignment to the attendants who are the closest to the vehicle to be retrieved.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method receives job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user and creates at least one workflow related to the direct mail printing job. The workflow comprises at least one job activity. The method automatically transmits requests for bids on the job activities to entities for allowing the entities to bid on performing job activities within the workflow. Bids are received on the job activities from the entities and from rate cards previously established by the entities. The method identifies the lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from the bids received from the entities and the rate cards and outputs the lowest bids to the user. The method receives an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within the workflow from the user and performing the workflow to output the direct-mail printing job.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a service exception analysis system for identifying the existence of one or more service exceptions incurred during actual transport of one or more of a plurality of packages. The system comprises one or more computer processors configured to receive actual data related to one or more observed parameters associated with transport of at least one of the plurality of packages; retrieve at least a portion of forecast data contained in one or more memory storage areas, the forecast data being related to one or more expected parameters associated with transport; compare the actual and forecast data to identify one or more discrepancies; analyze the one or more discrepancies to verify whether one or more service exceptions exist; and in response to one or more service exceptions being identified, generate one or more service exception reports. Associated computer program products and computer-implemented methods are also provided.

Abstract: An Enterprise-wide Value chain management (EVCM) system for real-time monitoring and control of enterprise-wide value generation and consumption is disclosed. The EVCM system comprising, an interface unit to interact with pluralities of entities in an organization to track and collect event records, compute value generation or consumption, measure the value and aggregate it at various levels of enterprise, make it available though dashboard to provide cockpit view of the enterprise value, provide control system, both internal and external, for influencing the value dynamics across the enterprise.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method receives job specifications for a plurality of direct mail printing jobs from a user and automatically groups the multiple direct mail printing jobs into at least one campaign, using a computerized or processor-based machine. The machine automatically creates a plurality of workflows related to direct mail printing jobs within a campaign and transmits requests for bids on these job activities to entities (e.g., supply vendors) to allow the entities to bid on performing the job activities. The machine automatically selects winning bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from the bids received from the entities and combines the bids to provide cost and completion estimates for each of the workflows. The machine automatically combines estimates for the workflows to produce an overall estimate for the campaign. The overall estimate for the campaign is output to the user for review and approval.

Abstract: Aggregation of life cycle impact assessment data and generation of life cycle impact assessment and scoring for goods and/or services or for components of goods and/or services are provided. Life cycle inventory data for components of goods and/or services are validated and audited to determine their available use in the generation of life cycle impact assessments for the goods and/or services. Life cycle impact assessments (LCIA) and LCIA scores are generated for each component or phase of production, use or disposal of a given good and/or service. LCIAs and LCIA scores for each component or phase are aggregated together and composite LCIAs and LCIA scores are generated for the good and/or service. The generated LCIAs and LCIA scores may be exposed to consumers, and the LCIAs and LCIA scores may be updated periodically as required to account for changes in LCI data for the scored good and/or service.

Abstract: Promoting a candidate content item included in a plurality of content items is disclosed. A plurality of user reputation scores is received. For the candidate content item in the plurality of candidate content items, a content reputation score is determined based at least in part on a portion of the received user reputation scores. A determination of whether to promote the candidate content item is made based at least in part on the content reputation score and a dynamically adjusted threshold. The candidate content item is promoted if it is determined that the candidate content item should be promoted.

Abstract: Delivering data. A method includes determining a relative monetary value of data, with respect to time, at a particular point in time. The method further includes based on the determined monetary value providing the data to a set of one or more end user consumer devices for consumers correlated to the monetary value.

Abstract: The current application discloses a dual-purpose automated system and related methods for collecting consumer data by providing a product-and-services consumer recommendation service and using the collected data to provide market research and analyses to clients. The consumer recommendation service assists consumers in evaluating and choosing particular products and services from among certain available and/or hypothetical products and services and, during operation, electronically stores information obtained from consumer interactions with the consumer recommendation service that is used as a basis for providing market-research data and analyses to retailers, manufactures, and other clients.

Abstract: A client transmits one or more lead records to a lead enhancement module that is configured to enhance the received lead records and return enhanced lead records to the client. The lead enhancement module may return a contactability score for each lead record, indicating a likelihood that the individual identified in the lead may be contacted using the contact information provided in the lead record and/or additional contract information located by the lead enhancement module. The lead enhancement module may also receive additional data items associated with leads from one or more data sources. Additionally, statistical models that may be customized for each client may be applied to information associated with lead records in order to determine one or more propensity scores for each of the lead records, where a propensity score indicates a likelihood that an individual will take a particular action, such as purchasing particular goods or services.

Abstract: A system and method for media and commerce management is disclosed herein. The system includes a user interface, a customer overview module accessible through the user interface and configured to allow a user to manage customers, a search module accessible through the user interface and configured to allow the user to search for one or more of orders, customers, contacts, activities, leads campaigns, and opportunities, an activities module accessible through the user interface and configured to allow the user to manage tasks, an opportunities module accessible through the user interface and configured to allow the user to track potential opportunities for sales, a campaign module accessible through the user interface and configured to allow the user to create and manage plans to generate sales, and a leads module accessible through the user interface and configured to allow the user to manage potential customers.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system and method includes receiving historical data of promotional offers associated with a product or service, the promotional offers including at least one tactic effect; receiving a request to forecast a demand for the product or service, the request including an indication of a promotional offer tactic effect; generating a demand forecast including a tactic lift for the requested promotional offer tactic effect, the demand forecast based on the at least one tactic effect contributing to the demand for the product or service; and providing an output of the generated demand forecast

Abstract: A computer device receives a list of events, and generates possible outcomes of the events. Each one of the possible outcomes indicates which ones of the events occur and which ones of the events do not occur. The computer device receives a request for forecast information for an item associated with two or more of the events. The computer device further retrieves data, from the possible outcomes, for the item. The computer device generates the forecast, for the item, based on the data. The computer device also uses the forecast to generate a plan to provide or to provide the item or a product associated with the item.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for selecting a synchronous or asynchronous process to determine a forecast. These mechanisms and methods for such synchronous/asynchronous process selection can enable embodiments to determine forecasts for multiple users (e.g. with hierarchical relationships, etc.) over an arbitrary time interval. The ability of embodiments to provide forecasts that involve such a large amount of data in an effective way can enable forecasting that was otherwise infeasible due to resource limitations.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to generating temporal indicators with respect to web-based survey responses. Exemplary embodiments identify quantity information and temporal information associated with responses to a web-based survey. The temporal indicator is generated based on the quantity information and the temporal information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for acquiring geospatial data, compiling the geospatial data and providing and interactive visual representation of the geospatial data based on user input is provided. The method acquires and evaluates geospatial data vendors providing historical geospatial data under multiple categories. The categories comprise national variables, metro market datasets, monthly/quarterly datasets, and all national property datasets. The method compiles variables from the acquired and evaluated geospatial data into individual geospatial datasets. The method loads a twenty four month geospatial forecast with statistical confidence based on mathematical processes performed on the individual geospatial datasets by a predictive engine. A user-defined, ranked or tiered weighted search comprising multiple choices is provided to the user for generating geospatial maps. The geospatial maps generated from the geospatial forecast are visually represented as heat maps.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for analyzing products. An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, a method includes but is not limited to identifying a weak attribute of a component in the product; and generating a recommendation related to the weak attribute of the component. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the description, claims, and drawings that form the present disclosure.

Abstract: According to the invention, a content delivery network (CDN) for delivering content objects from a content provider to a recipient is disclosed. The CDN includes a dynamic pricing engine and a second web location. The dynamic pricing engine is coupled to a first web location. The first web location, which is associated with a content provider, allows the recipient to order a content object. The delivery quote is solicited by the first web location for delivering a content object one or more times. The second web location delivers the content object to a recipient system of the recipient. The second web location is associated with the dynamic pricing engine. The dynamic pricing engine automatically produces the delivery quote, which is affected by at least one of the content object or a web location of the recipient system.

Abstract: A method for managing a business process in an enterprise includes executing a business process model, wherein executing the business process model comprises generating a plurality of business level messages associated with business level tasks, generating one or more system level messages associated with system level tasks to be performed by one or more enterprise subsystems, wherein the one or more system level messages are in a common format that is accessible by the one or more enterprise subsystems, and broadcasting the one or more system level messages over a communication channel communicably coupling the plurality of enterprise subsystems. A system includes a communication channel carrying system level messages in a generic format, a plurality of business subsystems communicably coupled to the communication channel, adapters operable to translate messages from the generic format into associated business subsystem specific formats and vice versa.

Abstract: A restaurant service automatically generates test orders comprised of items selected to minimize the cost and/or inconvenience to participating restaurants that accidentally prepare the test order.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring innovation performance comprises creating a performance record on a network device, wherein the performance record is stored in a memory. The performance record includes a plurality of life cycle stages and perspective factors for each life cycle stage. One or more performance goals and associated key performance indicators (KPIs) and corresponding values are retrieved for performance participants. The KPIs and corresponding values are associated with one or more corresponding perspective factors and/or life cycle stages. The retrieved KPIs and corresponding values are compiled and then displayed in a customizable dashboard report in association with the performance record.

Abstract: Sensors are deployed within a for-hire vehicle (taxi, limousine, or shuttles, for example) to measure changes in the environment of the for-hire vehicle. The sensors transmit data to a computing system that processes the data to determine the severity of the change in the environment. The aggregate of the severity of the data is used to determine if remedial action should be taken against the driver or owner/operator of the for-hire vehicle. Remedial action may include issuing a citation, fining the driver, or disabling a meter located within the for-hire vehicle. In some embodiments, venues (hotels, airports, nightclubs, or entertainment venues, for example) may restrict the ability of for-hire vehicles to pick up passengers where the aggregate of the severity of the data indicates the drivers may be engaging in careless, reckless or overly negligent driving behavior.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed for enabling the management of a transit user account of a transit system with a mobile device. Embodiments of a transit system utilizing such transit user accounts are also disclosed. Embodiments for enabling a mobile device to manage a transit user account can include receiving an identification code of a fare media and receiving contact information of the mobile device. The transit user account, which can be used in transactions of the transit system associated with the fare media, can be created using user information and a passcode. Additionally, the mobile device can be authenticated by sending at least one message to the mobile device and receiving at least one message from the mobile device.

Abstract: A parking lot control system using a third-party system, having at least one transmitting device emitting an entry ticket including first and second sets of reading data, the first set of data being read by the third-party system which emits an exit password upon fulfillment of parking lot exit conditions. The control system also includes: a processing unit which communicates with the third-party system in order to receive the exit password therefrom, and at least one exit validation device which receives the exit password from the processing unit and reads the first and/or second set of data on the entry ticket in order to allow the release of vehicles having a ticket corresponding to the exit password generated by the third-party system. If no exit password is received, the validation device can operate redundantly in order to allow the release of vehicles meeting the exit conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods and systems for processing search requests and for performing searches over a network. In an embodiment, a recipient designation is received from a user over a network. The designation indicates that future searches performed by the user are to be associated with the recipient (even if the subject matter of the search is not related to the recipient). A search request is received from the user; causing a search to be performed in response to the search request. An identifier corresponding to the recipient is stored in association with an indication regarding the occurrence of the first search request.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing point of advertising purchasing include using mass media publications configured for or containing service, product or vendor transmittable signals, such as from radio frequency identification tags. In a preferred arrangement, a consumer perceiving an advertisement of the mass media publication may activate a reader in a portable communications device, such as a smart mobile or cellular phone, to receive information from the radio frequency signal associated with the advertisement to identify a vendor, product or service associated with the radio frequency identification. The smart mobile phone or communications device of the consumer may communicate with a system of a vendor across a network to order a product or product information from a system of the vendor over the network by using the information from the radio frequency identification.

Abstract: In a crowd-sourced question answering system, the user is allowed to provide clarifying information to eliminate some of the most probable solutions or answers. This allows the user to find less common solutions to a query.

Abstract: An online auction system with a random rebate includes a computer having a processor, memory storing programming, and input, the computer being in network communication with the internet. The processor executes programming to receive auction item, rebate range, pool closure time, and auction time data from the computer input. The processor receives bidder registration data until pool closure, a predetermined fee, and bids from registered bidder until auction time expiration. The processor determines the highest bidder upon auction time expiration and notifies the highest bidder to make payment. A random rebate percentage is determined and sent to the bidder. Operation of the auction system enables a seller to receive a predetermined amount of auction registration fees and a winning bid amount less the random rebate. A buyer is able to purchase an auction item for less than market value and also receive a randomly assigned rebate.

Abstract: An electronic affiliate marketing system is disclosed that functions as a social networking affiliate advertising rewards (SNAARE) system in which rewards are provided to affiliates for selectively referring potential customers including social networking contacts, to a merchant's web site that allows the affiliate to selectively push multiple offers from one or multiple merchants and/or advertising/marketing firms (i.e., Groupon, Living Social, Amazon, etc. . . . ) to multiple parties and be paid rewards for all referrals that are derived from the initial referral. The electronic affiliate marketing system may optionally include a rating system for rating various parties based upon their previous purchasing history.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for rewarding subscribed users who invite other users to a business establishment. On receiving an indication that a subscribed user of a social group is at a business establishment, a message is sent to a plurality of users of the social group announcing that the user is at the business establishment. On receiving one or more signals, within a predetermined period, that one or more of the plurality of users entered into a purchase transaction with the business establishment, an offering is sent to the subscribed user.

Abstract: A selling method and system that allows individuals or groups to interactively select associate products and services with their online presence in exchange for the online service, as part of an online service, or for some reward, monetary or otherwise. Individuals or groups select products and services from a pool of partner e-commerce retailers or import them from their purchasing histories based on personal preference and may use them as a means of expression for their online audience as part of an online service. This provides e-commerce retailers with self-selected targeted marketing and referral selling to affinity groups, the online version of word of mouth selling. E-commerce retailers share revenue and pay for referrals that occur via this word of mouth selling framework. Online services that have any form of user identity within the context of a larger audience may utilize this form of user based referral selling as a revenue generating tool.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising: a mobile device including an application to obtain purchase information from a physical receipt, wherein the purchase information includes a product identification and a purchase price; a monitoring server designed to receive the purchase information from the application on the mobile device, correlate the purchase information with a retailer, retrieve a retailer purchase protection policy associated with the retailer, wherein the retailer purchase protection policy contains limitations under which a credit can be authorized, monitor a current price for a product identified by the product information, and, when the current price for the product drops below the purchase price and the limitations of the retailer purchase protection policy have not been violated, send the purchase information to the retailer with as request for a credit.

Abstract: A promotional rewards system processes data from transactions with consumers, some of which qualify for rebates. Qualified rebates are remitted to the consumer through a first value instrument, such as a widely accepted debit card account. The consumer can expend the rebate according to terms of use of the first value instrument issuer, typically in incremental amounts within a maximum period of time. Upon reaching an expiration date, or by another process such as when reaching a minimum balance or when requested by the consumer, at least part of a residual value associated with the account of the first value instrument issuer is applied to issue a second value instrument that can have different and potentially more restrictive terms of use, such as an in-store value card or a discount coupon. In this way, the residual value and its promotional effect are not lost.

Abstract: A user provides an input to a public stream system indicating that the user desires to conduct a transaction (such as a sale, renting a piece of equipment, etc.). The system identifies a group of other users that may wish to participate in the transaction, and at some point, informs those users of the opportunity to participate in a group transaction. Offers for the group transaction are identified and made available to the users and user acceptance of, and commitment to, the offer is tracked. Incentives can optionally be provided to one or more members of the group.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing targeted marketing to goods and services provides and consumer resource management services to consumers. An example system and method for targeted marketing comprises collecting transaction data from point-of-sale (POS) terminals and using a consumer identifier in the transaction data to access stored information about the consumer. This information may be used to target offers and advertisement to the consumer. In an example system for consumer resource management, a consumer may configure a consumer account on the enterprise infrastructure via a web-site. The consumer may use the consumer account to purchase and configure gift cards that may be used for purchasing goods and services. A universal transaction identifier may be associated with the consumer account and used to purchase goods and services from more than one selected goods and services providers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a private label promotion card as a bank product, being issued and managed by the bank and using an open payment network for purchase authorization and payments. A bank computer processes activation information for a promotion card and receives funds into an account at the bank on behalf of a retailer for payment for the promotion card, perhaps at a discount to a customer value of the promotion card. The bank computer authorizes purchase requests to use one or more activated promotion cards as payment for a consumer purchase from the retailer via an open payment network and transfers funds to the open payment network to satisfy the authorized consumer purchase. Upon expiration, the bank computer sweeps the account of the remaining value for expired promotion cards to thereby establish a credit for the bank.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a central hub may establish a preference profile associated with a user, and the preference profile may include, for example at least some information not provided by the user. Catalogue data may then be exchanged between the central hub and a first and second retailer that store product information in association with a enterprise data management systems. The central hub may receive user information associated with the user (including location information) from a remote user device. Based on (i) the user information, (ii) the catalogue data from the first and second retailers, and (iii) a set of business rules established at the central hub, an offer may be selected and information about the selected offer may be transmitted to the remote user device.

Abstract: A savings system that utilizes a website on a server having an administrator that is implemented over an electronic network. The website has software that is able to electrically communicate with a plurality of consumers, product and service provider databases, and product manufacturer databases. Each of the plurality of consumers receive a card that provides consumer information to a database that is communicated to the website and based on the activity of the plurality of consumers or team of consumers savings and discounts are provided to an account.

Abstract: A cost-per-second (CPS) based technology for Internet advertising is introduced. In one embodiment, the systems and methods described herein improve efficiency and efficacy of Internet based advertisements. Efficiency is improved by making advertisements relevant to the user; decreasing loss or waste in advertisement space and opportunity for the publisher; and displaying advertisements only for an appropriate duration and being charged according to actual duration for the advertiser. In embodiments, the cost for a certain branding effect can be measured and used with higher accuracy. In embodiments where multiple advertisements are shown simultaneously or at various timings, the technology introduced here provides unique bidding models to allow an advertiser to bid for advertising space, of an advertisement display. The bidding models incorporate bidding based on CPS, a function of CPS and cost-per-click, effective CPS, etc.

Abstract: Effects of content communications propagated to users of a social networking system may be tracked and measured by the social networking system. Identifiers of content presented to a user within a time period prior to an action performed by the user are recorded in a first label object associated with the action. The action performed by the user generates new content to be presented to other users. The identifiers of the new content and the first label object are recorded in new label objects associated with actions performed by the other users subsequent to viewing the new content. Various metrics may be determined by analyzing the label objects associated with actions performed by users of the social networking system, including virality, reach, and identifying users that share a particular content item.

Abstract: A cost-per-second (CPS) based technology for Internet advertising is introduced. In one embodiment, the systems and methods described herein improve efficiency and efficacy of Internet based advertisements. Efficiency is improved by making advertisements relevant to the user; decreasing loss or waste in advertisement space and opportunity for the publisher; and displaying advertisements only for an appropriate duration and being charged according to actual duration for the advertiser. In embodiments, the cost for a certain branding effect can be measured and used with higher accuracy. In embodiments where multiple advertisements are shown simultaneously or at various timings, the technology introduced here provides unique bidding models to allow an advertiser to bid for advertising space, of an advertisement display. The bidding models incorporate bidding based on CPS, a function of CPS and cost-per-click, effective CPS, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to an online advertising system comprising an activity determining module configured to determine, via a channel setup module, browsing activity on a web page comprising the channel setup module; a content database storing content associated with a plurality of web pages comprising channel setup modules; and an advertising server configured, at each determination of browsing activity on the web page, to determine whether recent content from the web page is substantially stored in the content database, wherein if the recent content from the web page is substantially stored in the content database, the advertising server is configured to serve an advertisement to the web page. The advertisement served advantageously selected after operation of a forward matching module and a reverse matching module to that the advertisement served is contextually relevant to the web page. The invention also relates to a method of operating the online advertising system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, and associated system, of determining contextually relevant advertisements to serve to a web page, the method comprising steps of providing a content database of content associated with web pages; storing keywords having bids associated therewith, the keywords being associated with advertisements; storing a plurality of advertisements associated with different keywords and/or advertisement-keyword combinations; analysing a web page and extracting prominent terms therefrom; comparing each extracted prominent term with keywords stored in the keyword database and/or advertisement-keyword combinations to determine and store a relevance score for each identified keyword; searching all content stored in the content database for each identified keyword having active bids, assigning and storing further relevance scores to identified keyword respectively in terms of a relevance to the content stored in the content database; and using the stored relevance scores for the identified key

Abstract: Generating an advertisement unit is disclosed. A selection of one or more content items is received. Each of the content items has an associated quality score. A representation of at least one of the content items is included in a generated advertisement. The advertisement also includes, for each included content item, an associated link configured to, when activated by a viewer of the advertisement, direct the viewer to an instance of the respective included content item.

Abstract: Effects of content communications propagated to users of a social networking system may be tracked and measured by the social networking system. Identifiers of content presented to a user within a time period prior to an action performed by the user are recorded in a first label object associated with the action. The action performed by the user generates new content to be presented to other users. The identifiers of the new content and the first label object are recorded in new label objects associated with actions performed by the other users subsequent to viewing the new content. Various metrics may be determined by analyzing the label objects associated with actions performed by users of the social networking system, including virality, reach, and identifying users that share a particular content item.