Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating and applying quality ratings to data records, such as for use with mailing lists and similar applications, are provided. Information such as use information may be obtained for a plurality of data records, each of which is associated with a potential recipient of a mailpiece. A quality rating may be assigned to each data record, which indicates an assigned likelihood that a solicitation mailpiece is expected to receive a favorable response from the potential recipient. These quality ratings may be stored and an indication of the quality rating for each data record may be provided to a mailer. The quality ratings may be generated or updated based upon how the associated data records are used by the mailer and/or subsequent mailers.

Abstract: An advertisement interface receives an input identifying an object maintained by or otherwise accessible to a social networking system. A type associated with the object identified by the input is determined and one or more goals associated with the type are presented. Based on selection of a goal, one or more options are presented, where at least one of the presented options is associated with the selected goal. Hence, goals specific to a type of object may be presented and options specific to a selected goal are presented to increase advertisement effectiveness. Based on the selected options, an advertisement is created and displayed to other users of the social networking system.

Abstract: An online and offline communication processing and tracking using data processing and data/voice networks is described. A phone address from a phone address number pool is automatically assigned to a first entity. A call quality rating is determined and recorded. A call from a caller directed to the phone address is received at a call bridging system coupled to at least one network, wherein the call is associated with call signaling information. Based at least in part on the call quality associated with the caller call, the caller call is assigned to a first location in a call queue. An outbound call is generated from the call bridging system and the inbound and the outbound calls are bridged. One or more parameters of the bridged call are compared to the call quality rating. An indication is recorded regarding the successful bridging of the calls in association with an entity identifier.

Abstract: A display characteristic determination machine receives a request to display seller-related content that references an item available for sale. The display characteristic determination machine identifies a display characteristic available from a web server, determines that the seller-related content is to be displayed using the display characteristic, and communicates to the web server that the seller-related content is to be displayed using the display characteristic and with primary content. The display characteristic determination machine may function as an allocation device to allocate use of the display characteristic. This functionality may be scaled, for example, to include determining use of multiple display characteristics, available from multiple web servers, by multiple instances of seller-related content requested for display by multiple sellers of multiple items.

Abstract: A method and system for provides a user with an ability to capture a sample of an experiential environment and deliver that sample to an interactive service to trigger one or more predetermined events. In exemplary embodiments of the invention such triggered events include the delivery of information and services to the user, the execution of tasks and instructions by the service on the user's behalf, communication events; surveillance events and other control-oriented events that are responsive to the user's wishes. In other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the triggered events include transaction-oriented events, entertainment events, and events associated with enhancements to human ability or function.

Abstract: A system and method for providing targeted marketing to a user based on the user's social media interaction. The system includes one or more computing platforms providing computer-automated functionality performing method steps for accepting a digital media and digital media related data from a publisher, generating associated information unique identifiers, monitoring social media networks for member-user rankings of the digital media after it is posted, and communicating to a member-user targeted marketing information based on the user rankings. A data storage device persists the digital media, digital media related data, and information unique identifier, which may include a linking hash character, a unique identifier, an account identifier, and/or social media network system-defined elements. The publisher selects digital media and information representing digital media elements, and posts the digital media on the social media network website.

Abstract: Restaurant menu generation and in-restaurant promotions are provided in the context of a computer implemented electronic restaurant menu. As one example, in-restaurant promotions are displayed on a mobile device by detecting the existence of a dining event currently underway in a restaurant via the mobile device. The dining event indicates presence of the mobile device in the restaurant, and further indicates a stage of a dining experience. An electronic restaurant menu is displayed at a graphical display of the mobile device. A promotion is identified based on the stage of the dining experience and the presence of the mobile device in the restaurant. The promotion may be associated with a menu item on the electronic restaurant menu. The promotion is displayed at the graphical display of the mobile device.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to selection and display of content items based in part on sequencing information. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include receiving a request for content and a user identifier. The methods may further include identifying a sequence of content items in a browsing history corresponding to the user identifier, where the content items in the sequence are members of a set of content items. The methods may further include retrieving an estimate of a conditional probability of conversion for a first content item from the set, where the first content item is presented after the identified sequence. The methods may further include determining a bid for an impression in the requested content based in part on the estimate of the conditional probability of conversion and transmitting the bid.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided for implementing user centric advertising and multiuser communication. The method includes providing a communication interface between advertiser devices, user devices and publisher devices, receiving advertiser preferences from the user devices, matching the preferences with advertisements from the advertiser devices and displaying the matched advertisements on a portal. The method also includes providing functionality for conducting two way communication between select user devices and advertiser devices, and conducting e-commerce transactions. The method also including a social exchange platform with functionality for user to user communication.

Abstract: An advertisement providing system is provided. The system includes a first server configured to generate and store user models of interest, based on behavior history information of a user terminal and advertisement-of-interest selection conditions input by a user; a second server configured to generate and store target user attribute models, based on advertisement information and target user selection conditions provided from an advertisement provider; and a third server configured to detect a model by detecting the user models of interest and the target user attribute models based on user information when the user information is transmitted form the user terminal, and recommending an advertisement related to the detected model to the user terminal.

Abstract: A data representation of auctions in an online auction system and a bidding history associated with the auctions and the online auction system are maintained in a computer system for multiple users. A set of the users to whom to promote a selected auction is determined based at least in part on the bidding history. A message that promotes the selected auction is sent to each respective one of the set of the users. The message includes a control configured to open a web page that facilitates bidding in the selected auction through the online auction system.

Abstract: A method for providing an advertisement service using a game includes extracting advertisement groups to be exposed and determining any one of the extracted advertisement groups to be exposed as a target advertisement group to be serviced; and combining a game ability of the game participant client with at least any one of a game mileage of the determined target advertisement group, group level of the determined target advertisement group, times of game experience of the game participant client, and time elapsed since the game participant client has played the last game. Further, the method includes selecting an advertisement game having a game level corresponding to the result value of the combination; providing the selected advertisement game to the game participant client; and storing accumulatively information related to the game play result as a personal history record of the game participant client.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for retargeting content in a search environment. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for a content item to be provided with a search results page and determining that one or more retargeted content items are eligible for presentation with the search results page. Each of the retargeted content items is a content item that is eligible for presentation with the search results page based on: (1) the search query matching a targeting keyword for the retargeted content item, and (2) the user identifier matching a retargeted identifier that is included in a retargeting set for the retargeted content item. A responsive content item to be presented with the search results page is selected, based at least in part on bids that are associated with the retargeted content items, and data specifying the responsive content item are provided.

Abstract: The aspects of the disclosed embodiment provide a method and system for user-controlled rendering of mobile advertisements and for context based targeting of content to users. The method includes collecting information associated with location of a user and content displayed on a user device. One or more relevant advertisements are identified based on the information which is collected from the user device. An option to view the one or more relevant advertisements is displayed on the user device. The relevant advertisement(s) are displayed on the user device when the user selects the option to view the advertisement. The method further includes identifying an element of a web page for targeting one or more content on the element. Additionally the method further includes identifying one or more characteristics of the element, wherein the one or more characteristics are identified for determining a context of the element.

Abstract: A system and method for provision of content in messages sent to a mobile communications device. The additional content may be selected based on information associated with a user. In some embodiments the additional content includes a proposal from a vendor.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electronic sign is provided. Identification information is received from a plurality of mobile devices approaching an electronic sign. Using the identification information, user profiles corresponding to the plurality of mobile devices are retrieved. Information from the user profiles is then aggregated. An advertisement or message to display to the plurality of mobile devices is then identified based on the aggregated information. The advertisement or message is then caused to be displayed on the electronic sign.

Abstract: There is disclosed a computerized system and method for scheduling advertising Events which utilizes a set of configurable instructions regarding booking an order which iterates through a series of broadening, configurable criteria and also implements a configurable scoring system for the purpose of comparing multiple Events to determine if one Event is more valuable than the other.

Abstract: An online system ranks an advertisement for display on a user's mobile device based on a mobile friendliness score for the advertisement. The mobile friendliness score is calculated using information about the advertisement's landing page, such as feedback received for the landing page. The mobile friendliness score may also reflect additional information, such as information about the user to be presented with the advertisement, parameters of the mobile device on which the advertisement is to be presented, or user feedback associated with the advertisement. Based on the mobile friendliness score, the advertisement is ranked for presentation to the user via the mobile device. A higher ranking may increase the likelihood and/or frequency of presenting the advertisement via the user's mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a four dimensional (4D) information distribution system and method which allows on-demand and real-time transmission of time-sensitive and useful self-help data or instructional materials to user. The transmission of the 4D information can be initiated at the user's request or it can be automatically carried out based on a set of established rules, such as a schedule of events. The 4D information distribution system includes a processing device for generating the 4D information, a distribution device for transmission of the 4D information, a receiving device for accepting the 4D information, and a display device for outputting the received 4D information.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, interfaces, methods, and articles of manufacture that provide for Augmented Retail Reality (ARR).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a user profile of a user of an online platform, a computer-implemented method for providing a first user with targeted information and a computer-implemented method for providing a user of an online platform with targeted advertisements.

Abstract: A method of enabling the sale of products or services which are available on the internet which comprises selecting a retail location, providing the retail location with information about products or services available on the internet which includes a website address at which the products or services may be purchased and a code for use in making purchases which is correlated with the identity of the retail location, storing the code in a computer which is not located at the retail location, programming the computer to monitor incoming signals received from purchasers and after a code which is the same as the stored code is received, provide an indication of the identity of the retail location which is correlated with the code, and paying a finder's fee to the retail location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for communicating targeted health related data. The method includes targeting the consumers with an advertisement content and registering the consumers upon the selection of the advertisement. The registering includes capturing and storing the personal profile and health related data of the consumer and/or member(s) of this household. The method further includes processing the stored data to provide the consumer with the targeted content relevant to the consumer. The method further includes retrieving additional healthographic profiling of the consumer and the activity of the consumer to and further processing with the stored data to provide the consumer with an advertisement content targeted to the consumer and/or member(s) of his/her household.

Abstract: Sets of local, (e.g., online) ads may be generated by obtaining sets of information about (e.g., local) establishments, each set including a business address information and/or a telephone number, (b) determining, for each of the sets, a location using at least one of at least a portion of the business address information and at least a portion of the telephone number, and (c) generating, for each of the sets, an ad that includes targeting information that targets the serving of the ad to queries related to the determined location. A query, including information about a location of a client device, may be accepted and at least one of the generated ads that includes targeting information that targets the location of the client device may be determined.

Abstract: The methods and systems described herein may involve determining at least one lifeotype of at least one individual, analyzing the at least one lifeotype, and delivering content to at least one individual based on the analysis. The methods and systems described herein may involve providing a game, determining at least one lifeotype of at least one player of the game, analyzing the at least one lifeotype, and affecting the game play based on the analysis. The methods and systems described herein may involve providing an interactive space, determining at least one lifeotype of at least one individual in the space, analyzing the at least one lifeotype, and modifying at least one attribute of the space based on the analysis.

Abstract: Advertising method and system for creating a personalized advertisement, and for recommending a product being advertised. An uploaded facial photograph is received, the facial photograph including a plurality of facial features. At least one facial feature of the plurality of facial features is detected. Personal information may be extracted by analyzing the at least one detected facial feature. A product being advertised may be recommended, wherein the recommended product applies to a treatment related to the extracted personal information.

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: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, for reporting an externality effect. A method includes: identifying an auction associated with a content item request, the auction including one or more eligible inventory items for presentation responsive to the content item request and including a first inventory item associated with a first entity; evaluating results of the auction including determining an externality effect of another eligible inventory item in the auction on the first inventory item; and reporting the externality effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivery of directory services are provided. One method includes receiving an image of an identification code associated with a directory-providing organization, the identification code issued by the directory-providing organization, and transmitting a request to a directory server for a directory. The method includes receiving data defining a user interface including directory, local advertisement, and contact options, and upon receiving an indication from a user selecting the local advertisements, displaying a plurality of advertisements on the display of the user device, the advertisements including one or more redeemable incentive offers from a business local to the directory-providing organization.

Abstract: As components of an advertisement are received by an online system, the online system determines whether the received components satisfy one or more policies of the online system. If a component does not satisfy a policy of the online system, the user providing the components is notified when the component is provided, allowing the user to modify the component. Additionally, stored data describing previously analyzed components are compared to received components, and the stored data is used if the received component matches a previously analyzed component. This process expedites approval of advertisements by the online system.

Abstract: As components of an advertisement are received by an online system, the online system determines whether the received components satisfy one or more policies of the online system. If a component does not satisfy a policy of the online system, the user providing the components is notified when the component is provided, allowing the user to modify the component. Additionally, stored data describing previously analyzed components are compared to received components, and the stored data is used if the received component matches a previously analyzed component This process expedites approval of advertisements by the online system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application relate to a method for publishing merchandise information, a device for pushing information, and a computer program product for publishing merchandise information. A method for publishing merchandise information is provided. The method includes receiving a merchandise information publishing request from a user terminal, the merchandise information publishing request including page information of the merchandise information, determining an image and a first link for a merchandise corresponding to the page information based on the page information, relating the image and the first link for the merchandise, relating a second link of the merchandise to the first link of the merchandise, and publishing the determined image and the first link for the merchandise.

Abstract: A method and system may in response to a request for advertisement components stored at a server, select a subset of advertisement components, and transmit the advertisement components to a client. The client may, for example insert the components into an advertisement in order to, for example, display an advertisement that is custom made for the particular client, or includes a random selection of components, or is an advertisement with components assembled for a different reason.

Abstract: A method is provided of processing a food order in a table service restaurant. The method comprises receiving a food order including a table identifier, and electronically by a computer terminal, printing a food order label including the table identifier and providing the printed food order label. The method also comprises by a food preparer, preparing a food dish based upon the printed food order label, and by the food preparer, placing the prepared food dish in a position in vicinity of the printed food order label. The method further comprises by the food preparer or a food server, picking up the prepared food dish and attaching the printed food order label to the food dish with the table identifier being visible, and by a food server, delivering the prepared food dish to the table indicated by the visible table identifier on the printed food order label and thereby delivering the prepared food dish to a customer in the table service restaurant.

Abstract: A method for providing an item suggested by a retailer to a user prior to an upcoming transaction at a point of sale terminal includes detecting a presence of the user at an item impulse device in a facility of retailer, wherein the item impulse device is located proximate to the point of sale terminal. When the presence of the user is detected at the item impulse device and prior to the upcoming transaction a purchase history of the user and one or more items the user currently possesses are obtained. The item suggested the retailer for the user to purchase is determined based on at least one of the purchase history and the one or more items the user currently possesses. A notification indicating the item suggested by the retailer is generated and provided to the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for obtaining improved product descriptions via crowd-sourcing. Within the method, a point-of-sale system forming part of a computer system may initiate a point-of-sale transaction involving a customer. The computer system may identify a first product description describing a first instance of a product being purchased as part of the point-of-sale transaction. The computer system may invite the customer to improve the first product description. In response to such an invitation, the computer system may receive, from a computing device corresponding to the customer, a second product description comprising an improved description of the first instance of the product. The second product description may then be stored by the computer system. The second product description may be vetted to ensure a certain level of quality. Subsequently, the second product description may be passed to other customers when they purchase other instances of the product.

Abstract: Techniques for allowing multiple mobile electronic devices to contribute items to a single electronic shopping cart are disclosed. The techniques include electronically pairing a first mobile electronic device with a second mobile electronic device. The techniques also include receiving a UPC code from a first physical item at a brick and mortar store into self-checkout software on the first mobile electronic device, receiving first item information for the first item into the self-checkout software on the first mobile electronic device, creating an electronic shopping cart with the first item information on the first mobile electronic device, and transmitting information regarding the first item to the second mobile electronic device to thereby create a synced copy of the electronic shopping cart on the second mobile electronic device.

Abstract: In a control method of a control system including a terminal configured to execute an application, a device configured to send or receive data, and a controller connected to the device, a request for a device control is transmitted from the application to the controller. At the controller, the device control by the controller is established after the controller receives the request. At the terminal, the device control by the application through the controller is established after establishing the device control by the controller.

Abstract: A retail gift card system with integrated account and electronic receipt tracking is disclosed. The retail gift card system comprises an internet-accessible customer account and a customer account linked gift card. The gift card is used to purchase merchandize from a retailer-operated store, whereupon transaction data, monetary value data, and/or electronic receipt data is contemporaneously captured and stored on a retailer-operated computer network in association with the customer account. To promote customer convenience, the gift card is provided with a machine-readable link to the customer account, thereby enabling “on-the-spot” access using, for example, a smartphone. Particular embodiments of the system include a balance depositing function and/or electronic coupon and warranty coupling.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for adding value to a stored value card in excess of the purchase price for the stored value card is provided. In one embodiment a stored value card transaction processor receives an activation or redemption request for a stored value card from a point of sale terminal. The activation or redemption request comprises at least one of a card identification, a point of sale terminal identification, a merchant identification, and a time of activation which is compared to data stored in a stored value card datastore to determine if the stored value card to be activated is eligible for a value added award. The processor then determines the value added award and modifies the request to include the value added award. The processor then transmits the modified request to the card issuer authorization system and receives a response which is forwarded to the point of sale terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for estimating the risk of criminal activity in a retail setting. Using video data, biometric data for an individual may be obtained. A baseline biometric measurement is taken upon enqueuing of an individual, which may include entry of the individual into the field of view of a camera having a point of sale (POS) in its field of view. A biometric measurement is also taken when the individual is adjacent the POS. According to an analysis of these measurements, an estimate of risk is calculated, such as by comparing the baseline measurement to a POS measurement. Based on this risk assessment, an alert may be generated. The alert may be a graphical indicator displayed on the POS or transmitted to a device operated by a store representative. The risk assessment may also be used to select transactions for auditing in a self-checkout system.

Abstract: Techniques for transaction quantity control are provided. A transaction having multiple purchases for a same item type and having an adjustment in price is identified. An analysis on an adjustment condition results in dynamic splitting a line entry for the item into multiple sets, each set reflect a different aspect of the adjustment condition and a quantity identifier; and the sets together completely representing the adjustment condition.

Abstract: Techniques for collection of user-generated content, such as reviews and/or ratings relating to products, are described. User-generated content relating to an opinion of a product may be received at a first location, such as a point of sale of the product (e.g., content may be collected by a device at a store). A record corresponding to the received user-generated content may be stored, and a reference that is usable to provide access from a second location (e.g., from computer system at a consumer's home) to modify the stored record may be provided. The provided reference may be usable by a consumer to submit additional information to the initially-submitted content and/or to revise the originally-submitted information. Authenticity-screening rules may be employed to mitigate opportunities for submission of fraudulent reviews.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a product to a user includes determining that an item obtained by a mobile computing device corresponding to the user is indicative of an oversized item. A first notification is generated indicating the oversized item and retrieval information related to the oversized item. The first notification is transmitted to a first facility computing device corresponding to a first facility attendant. When the user completes a transaction for the purchase of the oversized product at one of the point of sale terminal, terminal information related to the point of sale terminal is obtained. A second notification is generated related to the terminal information. The second notification is transmitted to a second facility computing device corresponding to a second facility attendant.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for processing transactions at an in-store POS where some of the items of the transaction have not been retrieved, i.e. the customer neglected to add a needed item to a shopping cart. A customer selects a product on a user computing device and invokes display of an optical code corresponding to an unretrieved product. A point of sale (POS) device then scans the optical code to add the product to the transaction. The POS device or user computing device may transmit an alert to a representative computing device instructing a store representative to retrieve the product and deliver it to the POS or some other location.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for helping customers select lesser congested checkout lanes. A cashier can adjust a user-interface control to indicate customer congestion at his or her checkout lane. The indicated customer congestion is combined with indicated customer congestions for other checkout lanes (which may be more or less congested). The combined indicated customer congestions are used to form a lane congestion report for a physical store location. The lane congestion report can be sent to and presented at customer mobile devices at or near the physical store location. Customers can use the information presented in the lane congestion report to select a lesser congested checkout lane.

Abstract: Techniques for allowing a store security associate to complete a purchase audit for a customer leaving a brick and mortar store are disclosed. The techniques include preparing an electronic receipt for completed purchase transaction and transmitting a copy of the electronic receipt to a store audit electronic device at the brick and mortar store. The techniques also include receiving customer information into the store audit electronic device to identify the copy of the electronic receipt associated with a customer, displaying the copy of the electronic receipt on the store audit electronic device, and reviewing the copy of the electronic receipt on the store audit electronic device to verify that the customer has purchased items which are in the customer's possession as the customer exits the store.

Abstract: A method for crediting a customer account maintained by a vendor of services in response to payment received from a customer is disclosed herein. The method includes issuing, to the customer, a membership account number associated with at least the customer account. A membership account number and a payment corresponding to a requested amount of a service offered by the vendor are received from the customer at a point-of-sale. The method further includes generating, at the point-of-sale, an authorization message including at least the membership account number and embedded transaction information identifying the service offered by the vendor and the requested amount. The embedded transaction information is then communicated from the point-of-sale to a database server. The customer account is credited, in response to the embedded transaction information, based upon an amount of the payment.