Abstract: Systems, methods, and media are provided for inducing customer loyalty that are configured to: identify a loyalty account associated with a consumer, wherein the loyalty account is part of as loyalty program established by a retailer, create a monetary account linked to the consumer's loyalty account, designate an amount of change from a cash transaction at the retailer to be deposited into the monetary account, deposit the amount of change into the monetary account by adding the designated amount of change to an existing balance of the monetary account to create a new balance, determine if the consumer is entitled to a reward based on the depositing of the designated amount of change into the monetary account and at least one threshold; and display to the consumer the outcome of the determining.

Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing direct marketing mail pieces are described. In one configuration, information relating to an advertiser is customized using demographic, psychographic, addressee, and/or individual profile data. In another configuration, environmental data is utilized to customize direct mail pieces using a two part printing process.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for managing a media advertising proposal from inception to completion of an order with one or more media outlets are described. An embodiment of the method includes receiving a customer request for placement of advertising in one or more media outlets, creating a media advertising proposal, that includes schedule of advertising for the requested placement, based on user inputs into a media proposal tool, storing the media advertising proposal in a database connected to the media proposal tool, accessing one or more external applications to integrate information and data into the media advertising proposal, assigning a grade to the media advertising proposal, entering the media advertising proposal into a computerized workflow in the media proposal tool for review and approval, and if the media advertising proposal is approved, injecting the media advertising proposal as an order into a traffic and billing system.

Abstract: The notification system identifies media content based on personal preferences of individual users and provides notification of identified media content to the users. In one embodiment, the system includes a number of user nodes that communicate with a registration site and a notification site via the interne. The notification site includes a media content database and a processor running contents election logic. The processor accesses the media content database in order to identify content that may be of interest to particular users of the user nodes. In this regard, content for a particular user may be identified by matching interest information obtained from the registration site with the content information of the media content database.

Abstract: A shadow ad can be evaluated by receiving an ad request, identifying at least one shadow ad and at least one actual ad based on the received ad request, generating an ad ranking by analyzing one or more criteria associated with the identified at least one shadow ad and the at least one actual ad, and selecting one or more of the identified at least one shadow ad and the at least one actual ad based on the ad ranking. Further, the at least one shadow ad can be associated with one or more campaign parameters corresponding to a shadow ad campaign. Additionally, the ad request can be received from an online advertising system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, user interfaces, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, for providing performance estimates for a content campaign. A method includes identifying a campaign including one or more targeting criteria for targeting content items to users; identifying historical auction results; storing the historical auction results as a plurality of documents; evaluating the plurality of documents to determine an estimated number of impressions that would occur in the plurality of documents based on the targeting criteria; determining an estimated total number of impressions for the targeting criteria in the time period based at least in part on the estimated number of impressions in the plurality of documents; and determining a total number of unique targeted users including determining a frequency of impression and determining the total number of unique targeted users as the total number of impressions divided by the frequency of impression.

Abstract: A system may provide an advertising link in association with a document. The content of the advertising link is unrelated to a content of the document. The system may also determine a rate at which the advertising link is selected and determine whether illegitimate activity occurred based, at least in part, on the determined rate of selection.

Abstract: Content providers can target individuals for receipt of selected content based, at least in part, on profiles associated with users. The associations between the users and the profiles are determined based on analysis of receipts for transactions completed by the users. These receipts contain information that is indicative of the individuals' spending habits. Electronic correspondence associated with the users is scanned to identify the receipts and information is extracted from the receipts for use in the analysis. The individuals can opt-in to receive content targeted to the profiles associated with their accounts without allowing the content providers to have direct access to their receipts or their identity. The individuals can also opt-out if they no longer want to receive targeted content.

Abstract: An improved system and method is provided for using sampling for scheduling advertisements in an online auction with budget and time constraints. A multi-armed bandit engine may be provided for sampling new advertisements by allocating advertisements for web page placements of equal quality and optimizing payments to maximize the welfare of the advertisers while remaining within advertiser's budget and time constraints. Advertisers may report their private information including arrival time, departure time, value per click, and budget. And the multi-armed bandit mechanism may approximate the maximal welfare that may be achieved under budget and time constraints by bounding the possible gain from any possible lie an advertiser might submit in reporting private information. Advertisers departing from the online auction may be charged using a payment method that may provide truthful guarantees on budget, arrivals, departures, and valuations for a budget-constrained online auction.

Abstract: There is provided an advertising method comprising receiving a broadcast request signal from a video on demand (VOD) terminal to download data broadcast; receiving an advertisement request signal from a mobile communication terminal to download advertising broadcast including information on goods related to contents of the data broadcast; synchronizing the data broadcast with the advertising broadcast in such a way that an advertising broadcast scene corresponding to the data broadcast is displayed on the mobile communication terminal while replaying the data broadcast on the VOD terminal; sending the data broadcast to the VOD terminal; and sending the advertising broadcast to the mobile communication terminal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer storage mediums for directing a user to an image of an advertiser's geolocation are provided. An exemplary method includes retrieving a first image associated with a geolocation, where the geolocation is based on a user action. At least one advertising unit is also selected based on at least the geolocation associated with the first image. Each advertising unit includes at least one geolocation associated with an advertiser. At least one advertising unit is then placed on the first image. Finally, a second image is retrieved when a placed advertising unit is selected by the user. The second image is retrieved based on the geolocation associated with the placed advertising unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, information pertaining to preferences of end users with respect to network access is received from a first entity, and properties of one of wireless access points (WAPs) are then configured based on the information pertaining to the preferences of end users.

Abstract: A method and system for the automated generation of a unique code such as a two dimensional (2D) code such as a quick response (QR) code for each of a plurality of target users. An appearance of the code for each target user can be personalized based on information from a database which includes personalized information for each target user. The appearance of the code is personalized for each user so that, for example, the code is more likely to draw the target user's attention than a code which is not personalized for the target user.

Abstract: A progress bar for a multi media device, such as a television or a computer, can depict digital media streaming or otherwise where a progress bar operates during the media playback function. One embodiment of the present invention includes the progress bar as an advertisement including company logos. The progress bar is the advertisement and is operable to morph into various positions allowing the advertisement to develop during the playing of the video. Marketers promote their logo as the progress bar to increase brand exposure.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate classification and storage of events in a network are described. An event and associated content information are received from an entity over a network. The content information is further analyzed to determine one or more themes representing subject matter related to the content information. The event is further classified according to the themes into one or more corresponding categories. Finally, the event is stored into one or more corresponding databases of a data storage module according to the one or more corresponding categories.

Abstract: Ad rendering parameters for a set of two or more ads may be determined by (a) accepting, for a set of two or more ads, ad information which includes at least one ad feature having a value that depends on ad rendering parameters, and (b) determining ad rendering parameters for at least one ad from the set of two or more ads using the accepted ad information. The act of determining ad rendering parameters may use accepted ad rendering constraints. The ad rendering constraints may include space available for rendering the ads, a footprint available for rendering the ads, and/or a maximum number of ads permitted to be rendered. The act of determining ad rendering parameters may include maximizing a value associated with serving at least one ad from the set of two or more ads with ad rendering parameters subject to the ad rendering constraints. The ad rendering parameters may include sizes of the served ads, and/or a layout of the served ads.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting advertisements to present to a user of a computing device are provided. An advertisement system selects advertisements to display to a user based on the serving area of candidate advertisements. The advertisement system selects those candidate advertisements whose serving area encompasses the user's current location. The advertisement system may also select candidate advertisements to present to a user based on a map area currently being displayed to the user. The advertisement system may filter the candidate advertisements based on the provider location being within the map area that is currently being displayed to the user.

Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for managing interaction with electronic advertisements. In some examples, user contact information is received from a user who has indicated interest in an electronic advertisement, where the user contact information comprises the user's phone number. A do-not-call status of the user is determined based at least in part on the user's phone number. Based on the do-not-call status, further action is taken, such as providing a message to the user. In some situations, the message provided to the user can include a click-to-call link for contacting the advertiser.

Abstract: A system may include a point-of-sale system that gathers payment card track data from a payment card and a payment card gateway that processes the track data to authorize purchase transactions. The point-of-sale system may remove sensitive data such as a portion of a primary account number from the track data and may compress the removed data. The compressed version of the data may be appended to a discretionary field in the track data. The discretionary field may be encrypted following insertion of the compressed data. Track data that has been modified in this way may be conveyed to the payment gateway for processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating digital media content. The systems and methods include receiving search terms from a client device through a single interface, searching a plurality of digital media content providers for digital media content using the search terms to obtain search results, sorting and organizing the search results, and returning the search results to the client device through the single interface.

Abstract: The present innovation provides a method and a system for embedding e-commerce and community building capability into a seller website, comprising maintaining on an e-commerce server a product database of products sold by a seller, providing a seller script that runs in a web browser for incorporation into at least one web page on the seller website, downloading upon execution of the seller script a dynamic page analyzer from the e-commerce server that, upon execution by the web browser, adds at least one toolbar to the web page, requesting by the web browser, a dynamic cart script, displaying a dynamic cart that enables the buyer to interactively specify an order for the product corresponding to the e-commerce control, and sending the specification of the order to the e-commerce server for fulfillment of the order.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are described herein for providing media content sharing. The concepts and technologies disclosed herein can be employed to share media content with a social network, even for content subject to access control mechanisms and/or copyright laws. According to various embodiments disclosed herein, media content can be shared with a social network, or the like. An application running at or in conjunction with a computer can obtain information relating to media content displayed at or accessible to the computer, format the data, and transmit the data to a social networking site or other location in a format appropriate for the site. Contents and technologies for viewing the shared content also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Internet broadcasting contents consignment sale system and method. An Internet broadcasting station makes a consignment sale contract with companies or individuals who have copyrights of authored pieces, such as computer and video game makers, filmmakers, music producers, television broadcasting stations, and publishers; generates the consigned authored pieces into specific contents data; allows users to use the contents data only through a specific execution program provided by the Internet broadcasting station; permits Internet users to download the contents data via wire and wireless Internet free of charge and keep them; and allows the users to use desired contents data by receiving restoration information on the Internet.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for separating control of network sites through the use of a proxy server application. A proxy server application obtains a request for a network page associated with one customer out of several customers of an organization. Each of the customers has an online presence hosted in a trusted network. The trusted network is subject to security supervision by the same organization. It is determined whether the network page is within a customer-managed portion of the network site. The network page is obtained from an untrusted network that is not subject to security supervision by the organization when the network page is within the customer-managed portion of the network site.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing event information and payment information associated with an event listing on an event management system, and calculating a fraud risk score for the event listing based at least in part on the event information and payment information.

Abstract: The top rated products in a product category are identified by computing a score for each product in the category. The score is computed by calculating a time decay factor for each product category. The time decay factor is utilized to decay the ratings of each product as a function of time. A relevance value is also computed for each product. The relevance value is utilized to modify the ratings for each product in view of the recency of the ratings. The score may be computed for each product using the ratings for the product, the computed time decay factor, and/or the relevance value. The computed scores are utilized to rank the products in the product category.

Abstract: A communication part of a purchased power management device transmits, in response to an instruction from a user, rate information indicating a rate of power that the user wants to purchase to a sales management device. A charging part of the purchased power management device charges the battery at a date and time designated by the sales management device. A power output part of the purchased power management device outputs power stored in the battery during a time period of high electric power demand. A sale destination decision part of the sales management device decides a sale destination of the power generated during a time period of low electric power demand on a basis of the rate indicated by the rate information. A sales date and time information transmission part of the sales management device transmits sales date and time information designating a date and time when power is sold to the sale destination decided by the sale destination decision part.

Abstract: A recurring order management system and method for a computer network is disclosed. The system receives a request to suggest a recurring order for one or more products or services. The system generates a profile which stores the suggested products or services, the suggested recurrence for those products or services and the suggested quantities to deliver upon each recurrence. The order then automatically recurs one or more times according to the specified recurrence.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a data driven methodology to construct index print products for photographic images. A system and method are provided for defining an index print product as a collection of regions which may be pieced together to present a final index product. The index product is customizable for and by any one or more retailers or integration partner providers for a unique appearance and offering to end customers. More specifically, the present invention relates to providing dynamic index print products of photographic images wherein the index print product may also include other content that is individually specified, provided and maintained by partner providers of a film processor or fulfillment center. Providers are able to leverage customized marketing and brand messaging or other advertisement to add value to their index print product.

Abstract: Methods and systems include receiving feedback from one of a plurality of users for one of a plurality of items, storing the received feedback and past feedback received from the plurality of users, wherein the received feedback and past feedback are stored as combinations of users and items having feedback given by the users, calculating relevance between the one of the plurality of items and another one of the plurality of items, based on first information indicating a degree of feedback given by the one of the plurality of users for the plurality of items, and second information indicating a degree of stored past feedback given by the plurality of users to the plurality of items, and immediately recommending items to the one of the plurality of users, the recommended items having the highest relevance to the one of the plurality of items, based on the calculated relevance.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a website user behavioral portrait based on navigation on the website and dynamically reconfiguring web pages based on those portraits. In accordance with the method, data relating to the progress of a user through a website is recorded, and an ongoing behavioral portrait of the user is built based on the data. The portrait is then used to dynamically reconfigure web content.

Abstract: A social networking system predicts a life event (e.g., birthday, change in marital status, relationship status, etc.) for a target user based on information associated with the user. The social networking system identifies gift suggestions to provide to one or more friends of the user based on the predicted event. A gift suggestion may include an invitation to purchase or send an item, voucher, or other gift to the target user, wherein the gift may be determined based on information about the target user's interests obtained by the social networking system. The social networking system sends a gift suggestion to one or more friends of the target user, where the gift suggestion identifies the predicted life event and provides the gift suggestion to the target user's friend. The advertisement may require action by multiple of the target user's friends before the gift is sent to the target user.

Abstract: A computer program product having code that when executed implements steps in a method for displaying to the user a recalculated sales price of realty. The recalculated sales price reflects user-selected brokerage services and not a fixed-commission percentage, typical with the sale of realty. Steps include establishing a database of itemized broker services; accessing a sales price of the realty; providing user access to the database; recording user-selected broker services; producing a recalculated sales price of the real estate property factoring the user-selected broker services into the sales price; and then displaying to the user the recalculated sales price. A system using the computer program product gets smarter with use because the method may include steps of automatically recalculating average factors used to produce a recalculated sales price of the real estate property.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing complete electronic commerce (“E-Commerce”) transactions and solutions for a marketing company's products via the World Wide Web, including facilities for signing up new customers and recruiting, training and supporting new Independent Business Owners through an interactive online process. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the combination of a marketing business with a membership buying opportunity using both electronic commerce and face-to-face transactions. The present invention is also directed to a system and method for combining a marketing business with a membership buying opportunity, so that Independent Business Owners participating in the marketing plan can introduce customers to a membership buying opportunity and earn bonuses or commissions based on the purchases by those members, while Members in the buying opportunity can consume products or, at their option, qualify to become Independent Business Owners.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to providing travel destinations. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining first travel destination information associated with a first travel destination. The method also includes determining one or more alternative travel destinations based on similarities between each alternative travel destination and the first travel destination and based on pricing. The method also includes providing the one or more alternative travel destinations and pricing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the instant invention provides for a method that includes the following steps of: programming a computer system to perform the steps of: receiving, from a seller, seller information for an item that the seller offers to sell; determining from the seller information: identifying characteristics that specifically describe the item and specifically identify the seller; Minimum Acceptable Price (MAP) and Minimum Acceptable Price Range (MAPR), and Maximum Allowable Number of Negotiating Chances per each buyer (MANBCs); receiving, from the potential buyer, a buyer offer for the first item and consummating a sale transaction when: a monetary amount or a range of monetary amounts submitted by the buyer respectively matches the MAP or the MAPR, and the potential buyer has not previously submitted an other offer for the item so that a total number of offers made by the potential buyer is equal or less than the MANBCs.

Abstract: A fraud detection system and method uses unique indicators for detecting fraud that extend beyond traditional transaction-based indicators. These unique indicators may include environmental information about a customer or a transaction. Such indicators may be used to identify fraud events based on computer-executable instructions that evaluate fraud risk. Further, an improved fraud detection system may include a learning component with a feedback loop. Also, authenticating and other information may be directed to the system for updating indicating data, fraud models, and risk assessments.

Abstract: A transaction-based social network for a life science vertical industry is provided. A method for implementing the network includes qualifying a user to join the transaction-based social network based on a minimum set of qualifications. The method also includes creating, from input received by the user, an opportunity with respect to an offer, identifying members of a target user community in the network based on the input from the user, and posting the opportunity over the social network to the members of the target user community. The method further includes receiving at least one response from the target user community that is indicative of a bid to accept the opportunity. The method also includes providing a view of the bid for the user and, once accepted, executing a transaction based on a pre-negotiated fee. The executing includes validating regulatory compliance of content associated with the transaction.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for generating a synchronous sales stack for a customer dialog. A user can visit a Web site and load selections into a checkout basket to prepare to purchase desired products and/or services. The user can select a live chat feature, which invokes an instant message, audio or video dialog with a sales representative. The sales representative can initiate a synchronous sales stack with the user, by which the user and sales representative can share a common view of purchase selections and potential alternatives or add-ons to the selections, as they are made. The customer and sales representative can continue their dialog as possible selections are explored, and the resulting sales stack is updated in real-time. When the user is satisfied with their selections, the sales stack can be stored as the customer's finalized checkout basket and the transaction can be completed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of utilizing communications networks and multivariate analysis to predict or recommend optimal products from a predefined population of commercially available products are disclosed. The recommendations are based on intelligence contained in processing elements and subjective and/or objective product information received from consumers or input to the systems as part of their initial setup. The output of the systems comprise sets of products that they predict the consumer will prefer and/or perform well for the problem or concern identified by the consumer. The performance and preference predictions are a function of consumer problems and product responsiveness patterns. Objective product information is generally obtained with diagnostic instruments. Data measured with the diagnostic instruments may be communicated to the data processing portions of the invention via the Internet.

Abstract: The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, computer readable mediums, and distributed systems for providing a message-based interface for exchanging customer requirement information. One method includes receiving, via a message-based interface derived from a common business object model that includes business objects having relationships enabling derivation of message-based interfaces and message packages, a first message for providing a notification of an update of product availability including a first message package hierarchically organized as a product available to promise update notification and fulfillment confirmation message entity and an accompanying set of specific, ordered packages, each including specifically ordered elements.

Abstract: A facility for processing a request for information about a specified item is described. The facility receives the request from an originator. In response to receiving the request, the facility generates a response to the request that contains information about the specified item. The facility also determines a current level of availability of the specified item, and, based upon this determined level of availability, determines, for each of a number of ordering actions, whether the ordering action is currently available for the specified item. For each ordering action determined to be currently available for the specified item, the facility augments the generated response by adding a control for performing the ordering action. The facility sends the augmented response to the originator of the request.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for an inventory story monitor are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves predicting a number of inventory items on a future date based at least in part upon a number of the inventory items on the current date and a rate of consumption of the inventory items, which is determined based on prior sales of the inventory items. The method also involves determining a price trend of the inventory items. In addition, the method involves determining whether to purchase the inventory items on the current date based at least in part upon the predicted number of inventory items, a rate of consumption of the inventory items, and a price trend of the inventory items. Further, the method involves displaying to the user an indicator of whether to purchase the inventory items on the current date or on a later date.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inventory planning. In some embodiments, automated real-time inventory replenishment planning is provided based on business inputs, such as vendor order-processing schedules. To this end, continuous inventory review of target inventory positions is performed to automatically derive inventory replenishment frequencies and corresponding buying schedules. Such systems and methods may increase efficiency by decoupling the generation of inventory replenishment plans and the execution of the generated inventory replenishment plans.

Abstract: A computer software method implemented on a computer for real-time analysis of a company's bill, such as a cell phone bill, by submitting a bill, generated by the billing company in electronic format, over the Internet, using computer loaded published public and current market information for selected billing companies. The computer advises the bill submitter, in real-time, by providing a report for submission to said billing company for correction and adds report to a blind summary in memory of generated reports by type of errors for billing companies from previous analysis for each billing company's collective errors and uses the collective summary for each billing company to enhance and improve future bill analysis on the computer and to provide a summary for each billing company.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provides that access a tag cell file in computer storage media, wherein the tag cell file is associated with a abstract representation of a component to be included in a semiconductor device. The tag cell file includes a tag that identifies the component as being based on intellectual property of a third party. The abstract representation of the component is translated to a computer data file for manufacturing the semiconductor device. The tag associated with the component is included in the data file, and the data file may be parsed by accounting programs to determine the extent of usage of the intellectual property in the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented engine, system and method for generating business valuations, scoring, and/or flagging over a network, responsively to information input by a user remote from the engine, system and method. The invention may include a graphical user interface capable of locally querying a user to input the company information, at least one network port capable of remotely receiving the company information from the graphical user interface, and at least one engine communicatively connected to the at least one network port, which engine preferably includes a plurality of rules to generate, responsively to the input company information, at least one of a business valuation, a business score, and/or one or more business flags to be used as indicators in a network marketplace, for the company associated with the inputted company information.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a mass reversal of documents in a convergent invoicing system may be accomplished by first receiving a first set of one or more reversal triggers, wherein each of the one or more task triggers corresponds to a document in the convergent invoicing system. Then a reversal task is received, wherein the reversal task corresponds to the first set of one or more reversal triggers. A second set of reversal triggers may then be automatically corresponded to the reversal task, based upon documents corresponding to the one or more task triggers in the first set of one or more reversal triggers. Once an indication that the reversal task has been released is received, for each reversal trigger corresponding to the reversal task, the reversal trigger is processed, causing a corresponding document to be reversed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing user-generated content are disclosed. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention may allow content to be generated by a user at a manufacturer's site with respect to a corresponding product and this content distributed to one or more retailers who sell that product such that the user-generated content may be incorporated into the retailer's site or brick and mortar location in conjunction with that product to allow consumers shopping at that retailer to access or view such user-generated content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that provide a unified view of invoice and revenue information for a contract. One embodiment includes receiving a request to display information about a contract, and displaying, in response to the request, a financial summary interface including invoice and revenue information for the contract in the same financial summary interface. The invoice and revenue information for the contract may include contract value, invoiced amount, accrued revenue, and backlog amount.