Abstract: An example process for data initialization for a drilling operation may include generating a pre-well job packet for the drilling operation. The pre-well job packet may include at least one of formatted well planning data, contractual data, and equipment data; and may be generated at a first information handling system located remotely from a site of the drilling operation. The pre-well job packet may be received at a second information handling system located at the site of the drilling operation. Data from the pre-well job packet may be automatically imported into a software application of the second information handling system.

Abstract: Techniques for business event processing are presented. Methods and apparatuses disclosed herein may operate to receive a request to perform an operation on a listing previously published by an online marketplace; to identify at least one additional listing having certain characteristics in common with the listing from a plurality of previously published listings including the listing; and to automatically perform the operation on the at least one additional listing.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system comprises a first computer located in a first plant, a first memory, and a first object based process management application stored in the first memory. The system further comprises a second computer located in a location separate from the first plant, a second memory, and a second object based process management application stored in the second memory. When executed on the first computer, the first application invokes scripts in response to events and the scripts launch tasks. When executed on the second computer, the second computer invokes scripts in response to events and the scripts launch tasks, one of the events acted on by the second application is a message received from the first application.

Abstract: A behavior management and expense insight system stores user profiles, points of interest, and information for determining recommendations for the points of interest. An expense allowance module may compare an average amount spent for each point of interest by each user with a spending limit for each user, and determine an expense allowance indicator indicating whether an average amount spent is above, in par with, or below the spending limit for a geographic location for a user. A recommendation engine may determine a category of a point of interest in a request and select recommendations of points of interest for the request based on the category, the stored profile of the user, and the average amount spent for each stored point of interest in the category.

Abstract: First data is received from a device, where the first data includes a usage pattern of the device by a customer. Second data of the customer is received from a social media source, the second data including information regarding sentiment about an attribute expressed by the customer. A profile state of the customer is determined based on the first data and the second data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of positioning at least one location marker at a position in a retail store. The method also includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a position detection server, a video signal from an electronic device possessed by a consumer as the consumer shops in the retail store. At least one image frame of the video signal contains the at least one location marker. The method also includes the step of determining, with the processing device, a location of the consumer within the retail store in response to the receiving step.

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 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 customer category analysis device includes: a customer category identification unit configured to identify a customer category of each customer based on image information provided by an imaging device capturing images of customers and obtain customer category information indicating a result of identification; a customer category ratio obtaining unit configured to obtain customer category ratios based on the customer category information; a customer number obtaining unit configured to receive sales information from a sales information management device and obtain a number of customers based on the sales information; a category-based customer number obtaining unit configured to obtain a number of customers in each category by reflecting the customer category ratios on the number of customers; and an output information generation unit configured to generate output information representing a result of analysis based on the number of customers in each category.

Abstract: A computer-based system where mobile computing devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smart phones, tablet computers, netbook and notebook computers, and laptop computers, are used in the field to map and record individual damage assessments of a possible disaster area. GPS technology may be used in conjunction with local databases and mapping programs to map specific locations and associate location data with assessments. The assessments are reported through a data network to an administrative application, which may reside on one or more computing devices, tablet computers, or network servers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for continuous dual push sales. The method may include, inter alia, determining a continuous real time distribution channel, comprising at least one match of said at least one customer specification and said at least one supplier specification, wherein said real time distribution channel determination comprises at least a dynamic pricing of the set of the desired item, upsells and cross-sells; conducting a sale wherein the offered item of said determined real time distribution channel is made available to said at least one potential customer; collecting non-winner data from said at least one potential customer that was not selected as the at least one winning customer; and delivering the collected non-winner data to said at least one supplier. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for aggregating media product production and distribution responsive to demand fluctuations. The methods uses a communication network to send the one or more aggregations including a quoting deadline to the subset of production entities selected from the production entity network if the current one or more scores are within a pre-established threshold or holding the one or more aggregations until additional quoting requirements are received before the current quoting deadlines have elapsed. The methods also uses the communication network to receive quotes from the subset of production entities selected from the production entity network, using the processor to calculate customer pricing for the production and distribution of customer designated media products from the received quotes, and using the communication network to send the calculated customer prices to the plurality of customers before the quoting deadline has elapsed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for self-service recycling are provided. In particular, some embodiments include graphical user interfaces and backend systems that allow users to identify the market for used automotive parts. For example, each car in a self-service automotive recycling (SSAR) facility may be tagged with a bar code or QR code which identifies the vehicle. When the user scans the QR code, a determination is made regarding which parts are currently needed for by register members of the system, recent prices for individual parts, and/or a list of vehicles which can use these parts. This information is presented to the user. Using this information, the user can determine if any of the identified parts remain on the vehicle and may purchase the parts from the SSAR facility for resale. The system then assists the user in creating descriptions for postings on the Internet and/or otherwise connecting the user with potential purchasers.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating visual feedback and analysis over a network that has multiple users who each have a communication device, the method comprising facilitating posting a question to a selected number of consumers via the network; receiving, via the network, a response to each question from each responding consumer, wherein the response comprises a text message and an image (e.g., picture, a plurality of pictures, and a video); categorizing the response from each responding consumer; evaluating all responses in each category of responses by assigning a pre-established quantitative point value to each response; and ranking all responses using the quantitative point value.

Abstract: Techniques pertaining to automatically pricing a service involving multiple data points are disclosed. A server including a processing component hosts and manages an application. The application may receive multiple data points from a client computer device over a network connection, the multiple data points comprising pricing proposal data for a service to be provided. Multiple pricing points may be determined including a base cost pricing point. The base cost pricing point may be calculated from the multiple data points and indicative of the minimum cost to provide the service. The application may create an interactive graphical representation of the multiple pricing points. Thereafter, the application may receive input from the client computer device indicative of a target cost savings and calculate a target savings pricing point.

Abstract: Embodiments provide consumers browsing and shopping online for durable goods such as new vehicles with out-the-door prices for user-specified vehicle configurations. A vehicle data system can obtain automotive registration data from various sources, identify true taxes versus fees, process them into separate groups, associate them to vehicle configurations, and persist the associated taxes and fees in a database. This backend process can be done offline, independent of a frontend process that services user requests in real time. A user request containing a user-specified vehicle configuration may be received by the vehicle data system through a website. The vehicle data system may determine an out-the-door price for the user-specified vehicle configuration, the out-the-door price representing a final amount that a consumer is to pay a dealer for the user-specified vehicle configuration and including applicable taxes and fees retrieved from the database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for price point analysis which identifies dynamic root dimensional causes and enables identification of opportunities. Price point analysis includes analyzing transactions to generate a data set of transactions, identifying a primary waterfall cause of the data set, and lastly generating a discrete root dimensional cause classification by setting the primary waterfall cause as a dependent variable and all other dimensions as independent variables, and clustering the transactions into segments along dimensional boundaries that best explain the primary waterfall cause, thereby identifying the root cause and its location. In some embodiments, the transactions may be pre-processed before analyzing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for waterfall adjustment analysis which identifies continuous root dimensional causes and enables identification of opportunities. Waterfall adjustment analysis includes analyzing transactions to generate a data set of transactions, and then generating a continuous root dimensional cause classification by setting recoverable lift as a dependent variable and selected dimensions as independent variables, and clustering transactions into segments along dimensional boundaries that best explain the primary waterfall cause, thereby identifying the root cause and its location. In some embodiments, the transactions may be pre-processed before processing to allow for the examination of adherence to specific business hypotheses.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable and machine-executable instructions are provided to determine context-aware information item recommendations for deals. An example of a computing system to determine context-aware information item recommendations can extract a set of information concerning pursuit of a deal by an enterprise, where a first portion of the set can be extracted from an electronic communication network and a second portion of the set can be extracted from a profile of elements to be included in a completed deal. The computing system can form a context-aware query by determination of semantic relevance of the set of information and can determine an output based upon correlation of the context-aware query with content of a resource description framework (RDF) triple store, where the output includes the context-aware information item recommendations for the deal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer readable storage medium including executable instructions to provide a navigational menu and a choice of actions as a graphic user interface (GUI). The disclosed embodiments are particularly suited, but not restricted, to Business Intelligence (BI) applications requiring hierarchical menu items to be drilled down or up and searched across dimensions. Also disclosed is a computer readable storage medium including executable instructions to configure the content and the layout of a mobile application for a business intelligence dashboard, particularly displaying and interacting with data under any form of graphical or tabular visualization.

Abstract: An example method for dynamic profitability management for cloud service providers can include utilizing a processing resource to execute instructions stored on a medium to recommend adjustment of prices for a number of cloud services provided by a cloud service provider to manage profitability based upon analyzing input of input profiles. The input profiles can include a market price profile per workload unit, a behavioral profile per customer, a scheduled workload profile per offered cloud service, and a workload capacity profile per cloud service placement option.

Abstract: A system for ensuring timing study quality in a service delivery environment, comprises a participation module capable of determining a level of participation by assets in the timing study, a volume module capable of comparing effort data volume with workload data volume, and a records module capable of analyzing effort data for a duration for each record, wherein one or more of the modules are implemented on a computer system comprising a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory.

Abstract: A system for ensuring timing study quality in a service delivery environment, comprises a participation module capable of determining a level of participation by assets in the timing study, a volume module capable of comparing effort data volume with workload data volume, and a records module capable of analyzing effort data for a duration for each record, wherein one or more of the modules are implemented on a computer system comprising a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory.

Abstract: A parking meter includes a housing, processor, memory, network interface, graphical user interface, first camera disposed in the housing and facing outward from the first side of the housing, microphone, speaker, second camera disposed in the housing and facing outward from the housing towards a parking space, a status light, and a payment acceptor. The meter is configured to sense a vehicle's presence in the parking space, capture an identification of the vehicle, transmit the identification to a remote networked computer system, determine that a parking violation has occurred, transmit the notice to the remote computer system, accept payment of fines, transmit notice of fine payment to the remote computer system, transmit a time of the vehicle's exit from the first parking space to the remote computer system via the network interface, and reset the parking time period to zero upon the vehicle's exit from the parking space.

Abstract: A parking lot management system and method may include capturing image data and time of entry of a vehicle entering the parking lot and transmitting the image data and time data to a remote networked computer system. A vehicle identification is determined from the image data. Time and image data of the vehicle exiting the parking lot is determined and transmitting the remote networked computer system. A parking violation is determined due to a parking time period expiring without the vehicle exiting the lot prior the parking period expiring. A violation notice is communicated to the person associated with the vehicle identified to be in violation. A parking kiosk adjacent the parking lot can be provided. The kiosk is coupled to the remote networked computer system and is configured to set parking time, calculate payment and receive payment.

Abstract: An online promotion method where a promoter manages a system where a business provides to a customer a valuable offer for the goods or services provided by the business in exchange for the customer providing favorable feedback on a social network system or other designated website. The promoter manages the system to provide usage measurements and to ensure that the customer receives the promised valuable offer and the business received the promised valuable feedback.

Abstract: A device for presenting information about an article of footwear is disclosed, including: a housing for securing to the article of footwear; a position sensor disposed in the housing for determining a position of the device; a memory for storing information related to the article of footwear being in a first position; and a display for presenting the information about the article of footwear being in the first position based on the position of the device determined by the position sensor.

Abstract: An electronic publication (e.g., an electronic document, e-book, e-pub, etc.) is created and edited using content provided by at least one source. In some aspects, a server-based (e.g., web-based) environment enables multiple authors to seamlessly corroborate to create an electronic publication. In some aspects, a server-based environment enables content to be automatically or manually in a non-linear manner (e.g., designing pages while writing content, and visa versa, or one before the other) become incorporated into an electronic digitally interactive book and print-ready publication (e.g. books, novels, yearbooks, textbooks, comic books, etc.). In some aspects, a server-based environment provides new and innovative ways to incorporate subscriptions and advertisements into an electronic publication, and to display these advertisements in the electronic publication.

Abstract: A host device can establish a date and time for an online event such as a movie and send invitations out to join viewing the movie to, e.g., friends on a social network. Accepting friends, along with the host, can enter a theater page prior to the start time to view thumbnails of related recommended movies and can also enter a lobby page to chat and view who else has been invited to attend the movie.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus is provided that identifies recycling or other environmentally beneficial activities and provides the user with easily understood data about the environmental impact of such activities. The activities are measured and may be used to provide incentives for recycling, such as credits for online applications, positions on a leaderboard, identification of recycling achievements on social networking sites, and financial and other rewards.

Abstract: Disclosed are video games that offers players of a video game particular virtual items (such as a virtual object or a virtual service delivered in the video game) in exchange for a particular price, such as real money or the player character wearing a logo or branded material of an advertiser. The time at which the offer is provided to the player can depend on various game factors such as the location or the status in the game of the player character of the player.

Abstract: A system is connected for communication over a communication network with a plurality of provider entity processors for managing referral fees. The system includes a processor configured to store information associated with referral fee rights including rights of a first provider entity to receive referral fees for referral fee generating activities performed by one or more users that have been referred by the first provider entity to one or more second provider entities. The processor receives a request from the first provider entity to sell defined referral fee rights. The processor calculates a buy-out price associated with the defined referral fee rights and communicates the calculated price to the first provider entity. The processor receives information from the provider entity regarding whether or not the provider entity accepts the calculated buy-out price.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-based method of managing electronic transactions. A plurality of merchant accounts with offers are stored in a data store. A card number and a mobile phone number are then stored. Due to registration of the card number at least one of the offers is transmitted to a consumer mobile phone at the mobile phone number. A charge advisory is received after transmitting the offer to the consumer mobile phone. The offer is then applied against an account having a card number that matches a card number in the charge advisory.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of effecting a merchant funded reward when a consumer purchases goods and/or services from a merchant using an electronic payment, including a processor executing instruction code causing collection of transaction details of the consumer purchase, processing of the transaction details to calculate any associated reward, and notification of the entire reward to be collected from the merchant.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a method and system for rewarding socially is provided. The method includes tracking one or more activities associated with a data present in electronic media content. The method further determines a social influence value of the data based on the one or more activities. Thereafter, the method electronically rewards one or more users associated with the data based on the social influence value.

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

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for incentivizing users to create custom media stations. To incentivize users to create custom media stations, user can be granted rewards for meeting specified rewards conditions. Rewards conditions can be based on the user creating a custom media station as well as the performance of the user's custom media stations. Rewards granted to users as well as the size of the rewards can vary depending on various factors. Rewards can include any variety of possible rewards such as monetary rewards, credits to purchase items, uninterrupted media station play, etc. A countdown timer indicating the remaining amount of uninterrupted media station play can be presented during the uninterrupted media station play. The countdown timer can be replaced with a message indicating that the uninterrupted media play has been exhausted upon the remaining amount of uninterrupted media station play time expiring.

Abstract: A system and method for a user to have a credit card, debit card, or stored value card that is linked to their reward points account in such a way as to permit them to pay for purchases with a merchant by using the card, wherein the merchant uses the existing credit card payment infrastructure as if payment were being made/authorized by a bank linked to the credit card or debit card account, but in fact the card is linked to the user's reward points account. In this manner, the user and merchant can use the reward points account to pay for purchases in a seamless manner whereby reward points are used for consideration rather than or as a supplement to cash and traditional credit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing coupons in a point of sale terminal includes receiving electronic coupon data representing a machine-readable coupon code. The coupon code is associated with a coupon presented by a customer at a retail point of sale. The method further includes receiving electronic coupon validation data representing at least one valid coupon code and/or at least one fraudulent coupon code. The method further comprises determining whether the coupon is valid based on the coupon code and the valid coupon code(s) and/or the fraudulent coupon code(s), and identifying the coupon as accepted or invalid based on the determination of whether the coupon is valid.

Abstract: Improved techniques and systems for redemption of a promotional code for acquisition of a digital product, such as an in-application asset, for use in a corresponding application program are disclosed. The in-application asset can, for example, pertain to a consumable asset or a non-consumable asset. The techniques and systems can operate to validate the promotional code that is being redeemed to acquire the in-application asset, and can confirm that a requestor's redemption device has the corresponding application program installed thereon. Compatibility of the corresponding application program with the in-application asset can be confirmed. Updates to the corresponding application program can also be provided.

Abstract: A system for managing electric energy exchange devices is disclosed. The system comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to receive a set of predefined parameters for electric energy exchange for a vehicle using an electric energy exchange device for a time increment. The set of predefined parameters comprises price levels associated with levels of customers. The processor is further configured to receive a set of transaction specific parameters. The processor is configured to determine a price for electric energy exchange based at least in part on the set of predefined parameters and the set of transaction specific parameters. The processor is configured to determine whether a level of a customer meets predefined parameters for free electric energy exchange. The processor is configured to, in the event the level of the customer meets the predefined parameters for free electric energy exchange, provide for free electric exchange.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for processing an electronic payment that is initiated in response to a primary financial transaction between a first entity and a second entity. A computer is configured to receive electronic digital information relating to a primary financial transaction between the first entity and the second entity. A non-transitory computer readable electronic storage medium in operable communication with said computer is configured to store at least one customizable business rule associated with the electronic digital information, wherein the at least one customizable business rule includes a merchant loyalty reward. A transaction processor is in operable communication with at least one of the computer and electronic storage medium that is configured to determine all products purchased by the first entity from the electronic digital information; and determine, based on the electronic digital information, whether the merchant loyalty reward business rule applies.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a consumer comparative pricing data from at least two merchants is discussed. In one aspect of the invention a customer of a merchant queries a database containing time and location specific pricing data for competitors of the first merchant. If the query shows that the customer could have purchased the same item or items for a lower price at a competitor, the first merchant awards the customer an on-line credit that is redeemable at the merchant. In another aspect, a consumer uploads an image of a competitor's receipt. The item specific data on the receipt is converted to UPC codes on an item by item basis. These UPC codes are then compared against the merchant's pricing database and the consumer is provided data set comparing the prices the consumer paid to the prices the consumer would have paid had the consumer shopped at the merchant.

Abstract: A rebate fulfillment request may be obtained from a user. A determination may be made that an offer associated with the rebate fulfillment request is unlocked for the user. Data may be validated to ensure that offer terms associated with the offer are satisfied. A rebate associated with the rebate fulfillment request may be approved and rebate fulfillment for the rebate may be facilitated.

Abstract: Techniques for online price matching are provided. A consumer submits a price offer to a network-based servicer for a product or service. The price offer is directed to or resolved to a specific brick-and-mortar store. The brick-and-mortar store determines whether the price offer can be matched and when it can be matched; a coupon redeemable by the consumer at the brick-and-mortar store is communicated to the consumer. The coupon permits the consumer to acquire the product or service at the price offer provided by an online retailer to the consumer.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes an existing transaction processing and clearance system and POS equipment and implement a management module in the transaction and clearance processing system and a real-time processing module in POS equipment. As such, the present invention allows real time transmission and update of transaction information to the relevant transaction processing and clearance system so as to enhance management and clearance ability thereof. With the use and implementation of the present invention, the participating or clearance bank may effectively monitor the transaction information of the promotional events and allows electronic communication and processing of the transaction information which has not been currently available, and which brings radical changes to and enhance efficiency of current manual transaction clearance practice.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a method and system for providing an online event that can be customizable are provided. In some examples, a method can be provided including the steps of configuring a server to allow one or more users access to an online event having a specific date and time, configuring the server to allow a third party to provide event information to the one or more users related to the online event, and providing the event information from the third party to the one or more users regarding the online event at the specific date and time.

Abstract: A system and method for the presentation of advertisements is present. According to one embodiment, a number of impressions of an advertisement message are presented over a computer network such as the Internet to a variety of viewer computers. Depending on the actions taken by the viewers (e.g., whether the Viewer selects the advertising message and accesses a web-link to the advertiser's web-site), bonus exposure (e.g., an additional number of impressions provided to the viewers) of the advertising message is given.

Abstract: An online system determines the order in which advertisements or advertisements components are reviewed for compliance with policies of the online system based on a calculated score indicating the expected revenue for presenting the advertisement or advertisement(s) including the component to online system users. The score may also reflect additional metrics, such as the time to review, the quality, and the resources for review, calculated for the advertisement or for the component. Based on the score, the advertisements or components are ranked in an order to be reviewed for compliance with policies of the online system.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining proper presentation of a multimedia content may include a remote management module configured to enable managing a remote computer system. This may include having a local view of a multimedia content being displayed on a display of the remote computer system. The multimedia content may have been previously encoded. The system may also include a capturing module coupled to the remote management module and configured to capture the local view of the multimedia content, and a decoding module coupled to the capturing module and configured to decode the captured local view of the multimedia content to retrieve encoding information from the captured local view of the multimedia content.