Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing advertising content for display in a page over a network. The advertising content is displayed based on a category assigned to the advertising content and an identified geographic location of a search query. The category correlating to a given search may be based on the search results. The search results may be associated with one or more categories and the category for selecting advertising content is determined in accordance with the amount of search results each category is correlated to. The provided advertising content may be selected from an available inventory of advertising content within the geographic location of the search query or the geographic location of an advertiser location associated with the geographic location of the search query.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing in-store merchandise offers. An exemplary system is configured to: receive an offer request from a consumer that indicates the consumer's interest in purchasing a product exhibited in an in-store merchandise showroom and determine product offers based on the request. The consumer is sent offers, where at least one of the offers is related to a merchant not associated with the merchandise showroom. The consumer is then provided an option to select at least one offer. Selecting an offer is equated to accepting one or more terms and conditions associated with the offer, and not selecting an offer is associating with denying one or more terms and conditions associated with the offer. After a selection is made the system receives the consumers offer selection.

Abstract: A method of providing a digital shopping marketing platform is provided. The method includes: igniting a flash box that takes over control of the media site upon access of a media site by a user; providing at least one brand in the flash box for the user to select from; and taking over brand advertisement on the media site based on the brand selected.

Abstract: An online system, such as a social networking system, may determine user trends and identify actions to be taken by users that may help optimize revenue for an advertiser. A social networking system may generate offers for an advertiser based on the user trends, user characteristics, and claims about users where the offers include actions determined by the social networking system that users may take to help optimize revenue for advertiser. Venues may also sell ad space, ad inventory, and real-time customer data to advertisers through a social networking system.

Abstract: An advertiser “buys” a venue by controlling something in the environment of a venue, e.g., playing music in a bar, changing the channel of a TV, changing drink specials, changing coupons in a store, or subsidizing transport to the venue (e.g., cab fare). The advertiser then advertises to people in the venue, where the ad is based on the thing that was controlled (e.g., an ad for the album for the song that was played in the bar). The ad may be served to users of a social networking system currently located at the venue through a user interface on the social networking system, a display screen at the venue, a mobile ad network, or another ad distribution mechanism.

Abstract: A system for accessing consumers before, during and after purchase decisions includes a plurality of electronic devices carried by consumers. The plurality of electronic devices include location/position technology. The system also includes a back-end system, and a front-end interface system communicating with an existing wireless network. The front-end interface system communicates with the plurality of electronic devices carried by consumers for the display of data and potential in-store interaction between the consumer and a product and service company or a retailer.

Abstract: A proximity sensor adapted to collect consumer location information is described. The proximity sensor includes: a detection module adapted to detect a user device within a threshold distance of the proximity sensor; a receiver adapted to collect data regarding the user device; and a communication interface adapted to allow the proximity sensor to send the collected data to a remote server. An advertising system includes: an advertising medium adapted to provide interactive advertising content to users via a multimedia output; a proximity sensor adapted to detect and communicate with user devices that pass within a threshold distance of the advertising medium; and a remote server adapted to communicate with the proximity sensor and to provide advertising content to the advertising medium. An interactive advertising device includes: a proximity sensor; and a display element adapted to display an advertising content element from among a set of advertising content elements.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a system of an automatic publication of garage sale broadcast data on a set of user profiles having associated verified addresses in a threshold radial distance from a set of geospatial coordinates associated with the garage sale broadcast data. The garage sale broadcast data is radially distributed to data processing systems associated with users and their profiles around an epicenter (defined at the set of geospatial coordinates associated with the garage sale broadcast data) to all subscribed user profiles in a circular geo-fenced area (defined by the threshold distance from the set of geospatial coordinates associated with the garage sale broadcast data) through the radial algorithm of a neighborhood broadcasting system that measures a distance away of each address associated with each user profile from the current geospatial location at the epicenter.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a web app on both user's mobile device and merchant's website for using biometrics to identify and deliver user information across multiple merchants and allow for targeted advertising to be delivered to the user from the merchant using the identified user's information.

Abstract: A method of presenting a seller's goods or services to a consumer is provided. The method includes engaging the consumer in conversation with a representative of the seller while the consumer is accessing a webpage of the seller on an Internet browser of a consumer computing device. The method further includes directing the Internet browser to a presentation at a time selected by the representative using a representative computing device, wherein the presentation is configured to provide the consumer with information about at least one of goods and services of the seller.

Abstract: A system includes a processor; a cellular, WiFi, or Bluetooth transceiver coupled to the processor; an accelerometer or a motion sensor coupled to the processor; and a sensor coupled to the processor to sense mood, wherein text, image, sound, or video is rendered in response to the sensed mood.

Abstract: A computer program accessible on a website displays a virtual warehouse containing representations of a number of virtual items corresponding to specific physical item counterparts owned by and to individuals having identities stored by the program. The physical items optionally are drums containing chemicals. A method for executing a sale of an item on the website includes the steps of providing a website which displays a virtual location containing representations of a number of virtual items corresponding to specific physical item counterparts; two potential users becoming registered program users as one of a buyer user and a seller use; the seller user moving the virtual item from a first virtual location displayed on the website to a second virtual location displayed on the website, and thereby putting the item up for sale; and the buyer user searching the website for virtual images of desired items.

Abstract: A method for maximizing a conversion value for content provided by a content provider based on a fixed budget includes receiving a total budget of the content provider and a set of keywords for the content provider to bid on. The method further includes determining a conversion value and a cost for each keyword. The method further includes calculating a bid for each keyword based on a comparison of the conversion value for each keyword and the cost for each keyword.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for use, for example, in e-commerce. E-commerce data from a merchant may be received regarding interactions of customers with a website of the merchant. Characteristics of the e-commerce data may be identified. Based at least in part on the one or more identified characteristics, a plurality of marketing actions may be selected, or automatically selected, that are potentially effective for the merchant. The selected marketing actions may be ranked based at least in part on one or more of a quality score and one or more bids associated with each of the selected marketing actions. A ranked list of the selected marketing actions may be provided, or recommended, to the merchant.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer-program product provide the ability to create a promo. Media items to be used in a promo are obtained. A low-res proxy version of the media items is created and provided, across a network, to an editing application. A promo is edited based on the proxy version and is represented by an EDL. The EDL is transmitted to an approving user. The EDL is then used to dynamically provide the promo to the user using the low-res proxy version of the media items. Input regarding the promo is received from the approving user. Once approved, the EDL is provided to a non-linear high-fidelity editing bay to create a hi-res version of the promo based on the EDL.

Abstract: A method for extending direct marketing services entails utilizes an existing direct marketing network to provide direct marketing services to a company that does not have its own direct marketing network. A new compensation system is overlaid on an existing direct marketing network. The new compensation system corresponds to distribution of one or more products of the company that does not have its own direct marketing network. The new compensation system is overlaid on the existing direct marketing network without disturbing an existing compensation system for existing products already distributed through the existing direct marketing network.

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: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for providing online advertisements, in which a fade-in type advertisement window that becomes gradually clear over a preset time is provided to a specific region of the content area of the web page. According to the method for providing advertisements using a fade-in advertisement window in accordance with the present invention, the advertisement window is provided such that the advertisement window is gradually clearly exposed to the user while the user is viewing the web page, thereby heightening the interest of the user in the advertisement.

Abstract: A method for selling restaurant food. One method, for selling food, comprises the steps of: providing a buffet restaurant; selling containers to customers of the buffet restaurant; and permitting purchasers of said containers to place therein food from the buffet for take-away purposes. Another method is for use with a buffet restaurant of the all-you-can-eat type, wherein a patron is, in exchange for payment of a fixed price, allowed to eat as much as he or she wishes from the buffet in a single sitting. This method comprises the step of: allowing said patron, for an additional price, the opportunity to retrieve a predetermined quantity of food from the buffet for take-away purposes. The additional price can be embodied in the sale of a container to the patron, the volume of the container defining the predetermined quantity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting prices of products from a local currency of a merchant to a preferred currency of a shopper. The conversion can be performed automatically and the shopper's preferred currency product price can displayed when the shopper is at a place where such price information is typically desired. For example, the shopper's preferred currency product price can be displayed on a product display or on a point of sale (POS) display. The shopper's preferred currency product price can be displayed on a mobile device of the shopper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method which effectuates an interactive interface and protocol for interfacing a payment module (system 500) to and data communicating with a computing platform (computing platform 802), wherein the computing platform can elect to control by way of the interactive interface and protocol a vending transaction cycle or alternatively elect to monitor the payment module by way of the interactive interface and protocol allowing the payment module to control a vending transaction cycle.

Abstract: Point-of-sale transaction processing is disclosed. In one innovative aspect, there is a point-of-sale system. The point-of-sale system includes a device manager configured to receive a token as input. The token may be associated with a mobile device. The token may also be associated with a particular provider (e.g., store, bank, loyalty program). The system includes a payment information engine configured to map the token to payment information such as a credit card track based at least in part on the received token. In the system, the device manager is further configured to transmit the payment information to a point-of-sale application.

Abstract: A wallet consolidator to process a transaction and related methods, are provided. An embodiment of a wallet consolidator can include a controller to control operation of the wallet consolidator, and an input device connected to the controller and positioned to receive a copy of information. The input device, for example, can include a magnetic stripe reader/writer for reading and writing magnetic stripes, a bar code scanner for scanning bar codes, or a keypad, among others, to input user selections and commands. An embodiment of a wallet consolidator can also include a memory for storing information provided to the wallet consolidator, and an output device connected to the controller and positioned to communicate at least a portion of the information stored in the memory device to a computer device, e.g., point-of-sale terminal, dumb terminal, and/or database, located at a point-of-sale, to process a transaction.

Abstract: An automated print and digital media and communications vending kiosk provides products for sale including printer ink cartridges, printer paper, digital media storage and other related products in a standalone unit which may be placed outside of convenience stores or other stores for convenient access by customers.

Abstract: A method and a system for processing a transaction in a distributed electronic payment system are disclosed. The system comprises at least one point of sale terminal and at least one customer mobile terminal, each being respectively configured to communicate with at least one host terminal over a network. A machine-readable unique identifier of the at least one point of sale terminal is read by the at least one customer mobile terminal. At each of the at least one point of sale terminal and the at least one customer mobile terminal, a respective transaction request message is encoded and communicated to the at least one host terminal, which includes the unique identifier. At the least one host terminal, the respective transaction request messages are matched with the unique identifier and a payment request message is encoded and communicated to the at least one customer mobile terminal.

Abstract: A system and method of integrating a penny auction and a sweepstakes includes presenting a split screen view to a user, with the split screen view containing a first portion and a second portion, the first portion displaying a penny auction and the second portion displaying a sweepstakes game, and receiving a request from the user to purchase one or more bids for use on the penny auction in the first portion of the split screen view. Based on the received request, the user is awarded one or more entries for the sweepstakes in the second portion of the split screen display.

Abstract: An Internet-based, multi-user-adaptable system for connecting auction agencies to interested customers and providing users notifications of upcoming auctions. The auction query and notification system compiles data from auction agencies and compares that information to user preferences, notifying individual users in a specified manner of upcoming auctions. The system further provides the ability to both connect auction agencies to a wider customer base and notify customers of upcoming auctions regarding their desired subject matter in a preferred area via email, text, or instant message.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for conducting a timed, online auction are described. In an example method, implemented in a server apparatus configured for communication with one or more network-connected user devices, current bidding information, for at least one item for sale, is sent to the one or more network-connected user devices, during an initial portion of a timed online auction event. Beginning at a predetermined time before termination of the auction event for the item, the server apparatus determines that one or more auction users have selected to participate in an interactive mode, and maintains a virtual auction room for participating users. This maintaining of the virtual auction room includes generating animation sequences based on bidding activity received from the participating users and sending the generated animation sequences to network-connected user devices corresponding to the participating users.

Abstract: A method and system is configured to receive information specifying an entity. The system is configured to generate at least one customized design for a retail item based on a template design and the received information. The template design comprises at least one element that is configured to be modified based on the received information, and the at least one element is one of a text object, image object, or color that is modified to correspond to text, an image, or a color associated with the specified entity. The system is configured to transmit the at least one customized design.

Abstract: A framework for managing service components associated with a service subscribed to by a customer in a cloud infrastructure system is disclosed. The framework generates a subscription order for the customer based upon receiving a selection of service components from the customer. The framework identifies resource metrics associated with the service components selected by the customer and generates a subscription order for the customer based upon the service components and the resource metrics.

Abstract: A plurality of information processing apparatuses are each assigned an apparatus identification code and a group identification code. In a database of a server apparatus, when or before each of the information processing apparatuses is sold to a customer, a correspondence relationship between the apparatus identification code and the group identification code assigned to the information processing apparatus is stored. When having communicated with any one of the information processing apparatuses sold to a customer, the server apparatus acquires from the database a group identification code corresponding to the apparatus identification code received from the information processing apparatus, and provides a service based on the acquired group identification code.

Abstract: System and method for shopping for products based on color of the product, time of product listing, and/or location of the seller of the product. Seller submits a representation of the product to be listed with an Internet-based shopping site that may include an image of the product. The site may determine one or more color of the product based on a submitted image by examining image pixels. The pixels examined may be chosen to accurately reflect the color of the product rather than the color of an image background or other image element. The color may include a set of the significant colors of the product or a single most significant or average color of the product. Shoppers may then search for products based on a color selected from a to color search interface, a time selected from a time search interface, and/or a location selected from a location search interface.

Abstract: A system includes a remote computing system and a mobile device. The remote computing system stores customer information in a customer database. The customer information is associated with an account identifier, and the remote computing system generates a customized recommendation based on the customer information. The mobile device receives the customer information, presents the customized recommendation, presents potential customer interests, receives a selection of at least one of the potential customer interests, and receives an updated customized recommendation from the remote computing system based at least in part on the selected customer interest.

Abstract: An in-app recommending system is provided. The in-app recommending system includes an in-app module interworking unit configured to periodically collect state information of a particular application having an in-app module from a user terminal in which the in-app module is installed, the in-app module being an application in the form of a component which can be inserted into a plurality of unspecified applications to provide a common service, a user analyzing unit configured to generate recommendation information of multimedia content on the basis of the state information of the particular application, the multimedia content including an application and digital content, and a transmission unit configured to push-transmit the recommendation information to the in-app module of the user terminal.

Abstract: A private civil security subscription mechanism serves to facilitate the provision of survival supplies for corresponding authorized beneficiaries. These supplies may or may not include gender-specific contents that are not specific to a given such beneficiary. These supplies can be retained and delivered as an aggregated unit or can, if desired, be parsed for storage and/or delivery purposes into smaller sub-units. Items as supplied by third parties (including the beneficiary themselves) can also be included with the survival supplies for later delivery. If desired, additional amounts of such supplies than are necessarily required to support such beneficiaries with supplies for a given authorized beneficiary being stored in a plurality of locations. The delivery process will accommodate, if desired, the use of event categorizations to direct the use of differing delivery protocols.

Abstract: A system and method of transacting a prepaid product with an electronic mobile device that is used to electronically interface with a code, such as a QR code, bar code, RF signal or NFC signal, representing a prepaid product. The codes of multiple prepaid products of multiple prepaid product providers are grouped together on a single structure or in a single computer displayed in a shopping area. The electronic mobile device subsequently electronically interfaces with a point of sale device after electronically interfacing with said code to provide prepaid product information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for authenticating a good and determining if the good is in the seller's possession. It relies on a web-based authentication service that requires the seller to provide photos of key features specific to the item, along with an identification number, specific to the item that must be present in each photo. The present invention applies to goods sold either in person, in a retail store, or over the internet.

Abstract: Presenting consumer information for and facilitating the purchase of a consumer product associated with a digital image. An image is presented having affiliated consumer products relevant to a displayed location in the image, a displayed product in the image, a displayed establishment in the image, and/or audio associated with the image. Information relevant to the purchase of the affiliated consumer products is presented in response to a selection including details or variations of the product. A transaction for purchase of the product is further facilitated.

Abstract: A method for determining product price information, includes capturing a data signal including image data, voice data, and/or keypad input data, the captured data signal including information related to a price of a product, to a point of retail of the product and to a type of the product; determining metadata including a geographic position of the capturing and a time of the capturing; determining a piece of product price information including the type of the product, the price of the product, and the point of retail by analyzing the captured data signal; determining credibility data of the piece of product price information; and including the piece of product price information, the metadata and the respective credibility data into a database.

Abstract: Disclosed is a knowledge product trading method of an online store. The knowledge product trading method as an operation method of an online knowledge trading system includes providing a knowledge authoring application (app), collecting knowledge from a knowledge provider through the knowledge authoring app, providing a knowledge service app, receiving a knowledge query request from a knowledge consumer through the knowledge service app, and selling the knowledge collected through the knowledge authoring app in response to the knowledge query request.

Abstract: Data processing includes accessing a product category tree, the product category tree comprising a plurality of hierarchical levels. A leaf category level of the plurality of hierarchical levels comprises a leaf category node. The leaf category node includes product information. The product information comprises a plurality of product attribute parameters. The plurality of product attribute parameters comprises standard product information. Data processing further includes selecting, among the plurality of product attribute parameters that correspond to the leaf category node, a representative product attribute parameter that is representative of the product information; and partitioning standard product information of the leaf category node to obtain a plurality of sets using the representative product attribute parameter, wherein each of the plurality of sets includes at least some of the standard product information.

Abstract: A computerized system collects used vehicle data regarding vehicles available for sale from numerous sources (e.g., as from a vehicle auction system), and modifies and supplements such vehicle data for presentation to the consuming public in a searchable manner such that a single entity (e.g., a specific dealer) can offer all of the vehicles for sale to consumers while accounting for the various costs that will be incurred by the selling entity to successfully complete the sales transaction.

Abstract: Method, arrangement and system for enabling comparison of product items. The method comprises retrieving measurements of a first product item, selected by a user to be a reference product item; and further retrieving measurements of a second product item, which is to be evaluated. The measurements of the first product item are compared with the measurements of the second product item; and an indication of the correspondence of the measurements of the first product item and the measurements of the second product item is provided to a user of a terminal, thus enabling evaluation of the size of said second product item in relation to the size of the first product item.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network transaction platform system having a goods subscribing structure, the system comprising: a product information database for storing product information; a personal consumption space configured to publish and reside a user's subscription information; an information publishing module configured to publish the subscription information in the personal consumption space; a goods subscribing structure which resides in the personal consumption space on the network transaction platform and comprises a subscription information listing module and a goods listing module, wherein the subscription information listing module is configured to generate and store a listing of the subscription information, and the goods listing module is configured to generate and store listing information of goods related to the subscription information. The present invention further provides a network transaction method utilizing a goods subscribing structure.

Abstract: Method and system to enhance the presentation of a pinned resource is provided. Users may be provided with an option to enhance the presentation of a shared (or pinned) resource by attaching to it a visual control that indicates that the resource can represent an item of merchandise and that the resource is associated with functionality that would allow a user to purchase an item depleted in the pinned resource.

Abstract: A supply chain management system that provides a single integration point to partners, retailers and distribution centers is described. The partners, retailers, and distribution centers register with a supply chain management system. Through the system, partners select those retailers with whom they desire to do business. Partners may further allocate inventory among selected retailers. The supply chain management system recommends distribution centers for maintaining product inventory.

Abstract: Utilities that allow organizations to implement “best practices” life-cycle management, asset disposition and asset tracking with enhanced visibility and accountability. In one aspect, a utility for use with managing inventory within the infrastructure of a technology service provider includes receiving a first bill of materials (BOM) from a first physical location, accessing an asset inventory listing for the technology service provider, first allocating assets in the asset inventory listing associated with the first physical location to the quantity of the first requested part of the first line item, and second allocating assets in the asset inventory listing associated with one or more additional physical locations within the first market to the quantity of the first requested part responsive to the first using failing to result in fulfillment of the quantity of the first requested part of the first line item.

Abstract: A method includes retrieving a debtor payment voucher file from a third party repository of bankruptcy trustee data, such as the National Data Center, wherein the debtor payment voucher file comprises information regarding debtor payments to a bankruptcy trustee; identifying a first set of debtor payment transaction information contained within the debtor payment voucher file that can be associated with one or more bankruptcy accounts of a collection authority; identifying a second set of debtor payment transaction information contained within the debtor payment voucher file that cannot be associated with one or more bankruptcy accounts of the collection authority; and combining the first set of debtor payment transaction information into a batch file. General ledger account entries for debtor payment transaction information in the batch file are generated and these general ledger account entries are then posted to an accounting system.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing a user interface to facilitate at least the accessing, the reviewing, and the analyzing of owner asset transaction data. Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller having a communication device and a user interface. The communication device is operable to receive owner asset transaction data for a plurality of owner asset. The user interface is operable to facilitate access of the owner asset transaction data by a user and the investigation of discrepancies between the owner asset transaction data and, for example, industry standard transaction data.

Abstract: Data validation techniques are provided. For example, such techniques complement user entries associated with events of interest through context. In one aspect of the invention, a technique for processing one or more user entries associated with one or more events of interest includes the following steps/operations. Context associated with the one or more events of interest is obtained. At least a portion of the obtained context is associated with one or more user entries representing events of interest. At least a portion of the one or more user entries is evaluated, responsive to at least a portion of the context. An indication of the one or more events of interest is provided, responsive to the evaluation.