Abstract: One embodiment of a method for detecting a lost sale due to an out-of-shelf condition in a retail environment includes automatically detecting when a customer fails to purchase an expected product, based at least in part on an observation of a current behavior of the customer in the retail environment and on a purchasing history of the customer, and inferring, based on the automatically detecting, that the expected product is out-of-shelf.

Abstract: The present invention provides a store identity (SI) image response research system, including: at least one consumer member terminal; at least one corporate member terminal; and an SI image response research server connected to the consumer member terminal and the corporate member terminal, providing a survey service for researching a consumer demand on an SI image design to the consumer member terminal, and providing at least one SI image design proposal created by reflecting a reply from the survey service or a consumer demand based on the reply to a corresponding one of the corporate member terminals, wherein the survey service provided by the SI image response research server includes a survey item for researching a consumer choice for a design element which matches a business category and less than a predetermined number of image adjectives representing a store personality which are registered by the corporate member terminal.

Abstract: Described is a poll-based system that provides an on-line network of products, goods and services that are determined through polling each of the users. This system polls a user with a variety of questions. The system compares, in real-time, the current user's responses with all products, goods and services to identify which most similarly match the answered questions to that of the user. As the user progressively answers questions, the system updates the matching and presentation of products, goods and services. Thus, as the user answers polling questions, the selected answers are compared against the selected descriptions of other products, goods and services to generate a likelihood of match between the user and each of the products, goods and services. The profiles of products, goods and services that have a likelihood of match within a predetermined threshold are then presented, including links within the profile for specific purchases.

Abstract: A system and method contact a customer of an energy utility to solicit participation in an energy efficiency, sustainability, or reliability program. The system receives data pertaining to each customer, the data for each customer having a plurality of attributes pertaining to a customer descriptive characteristic, communications history, energy usage, or attitude. The data are normalized to a canonical form, and populated in a multivariate data model. Data in the model is clustered using a multivariate algorithm. Each cluster is assigned a utility customer segment, such as “Concerned Green” or “DIY”, that reflects the prevalent attributes. For each segment, the system determines a prospect subset of the customers most likely to participate in an offering pertaining to that segment according to a likelihood threshold. Finally, a prospect customer is contacted with an offering that may be customized according to the assigned customer segment.

Abstract: A data server receives multiple requests for data cubes that include data related to a user-specified subject matter. The requests are aggregated into an aggregated request, and an initial data cube is retrieved based on the aggregated request. Upon determining that the initial data cube fails to provide requisite data needed by the aggregated request due to data being missing from the initial data cube, the missing data is located and identified as augmentation data. The initial data cube and the augmentation data are sent to senders of the multiple requests for data cubes. In response to a new request, from a new requester, for a data cube that provides data related to the user-specified subject matter, the data server presents the new requester with an option to purchase the initial data cube at a first price and the augmentation data at a second price.

Abstract: Provided is a method for assessing value of a brand based on online content. Content related to a brand is captured from the internet. Captured content is quantitatively analyzed to determine a first brand value of the brand. Captured content is filtered to extract subject matter relevant to the brand. The extracted subject matter is evaluated to determine a second brand value of the brand. The first brand value and the second brand value are combined to determine value of the brand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for demand modeling and price calculation based on competitive pressure is provided. Data related to a plurality of products related to a product of interest is collected, along with the number of sales, sales price and one or more product attribute values for each of the products. Conversion factors are used to equivalize the plurality of products relative to the product of interest, and attribute weights characterize product relevance to the product of interest. Based on these factors, a competitor pressure model is generated for the product of interest and describes its estimated variation in demand as a function of its variation in price. The competitor pressure model may be used to evaluate the effect of proposed price changes and correct the proposed price changes by calculating an optimal price.

Abstract: A location-based marketing method includes steps of providing at least one first computing device including at least one memory operatively coupled to at least one processor, the at least one memory storing at least a listing of participating vendor geographical locations. At least one second computing device is in computing communication with the at least one first computing device. The method further includes steps of displaying to a user on a display screen of the second computing device a rotatable three-dimensional navigational interface including a plurality of faces, and by a geolocator module of the second computing device, providing to the at least one first computing device a geographical location of the user. The user geographical location is compared to the stored listing of participating vendor geographical locations. On determining a match, the first computing device initiates a user check-in procedure specific to the matching participating vendor.

Abstract: Automatic processing and registering for merchant loyalty reward programs initiated by a single tap of a contactless device to a terminal reader. A user taps the contactless device in the terminal reader's radio frequency field. The terminal reader and the contactless device establish a communication channel and the terminal reader transmits details of the merchant's loyalty rewards program and a request for user information. The contactless device receives the request and accesses the user's stored information. The contactless device transmits the user information to the terminal reader and a new merchant loyalty account is created for the user. Acknowledgement of the new account, including a new loyalty account number, is transmitted to the contactless device. The loyalty account number is then saved in the contactless device.

Abstract: An interface is created to allow users to request custom awards. The interface can allow a company to seamlessly incorporate functionality into its website or other user interface that will allow a user to request a custom award once an accomplishment (or recognition moment) is reached. In this way, a company can provide users with the option of deciding whether to request an award.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a multi-user, multi-celebrity award distribution, exchange and redemption program by allocating in an award server computer a plurality of sets of celebrity awards, each of the plurality of sets of celebrity awards associated with one of a plurality of celebrities; monitoring web activities of a plurality of users interacting over a computer network; and for each of the plurality of celebrities and for each of the plurality of users, determining a celebrity sub-score based on a correlation between the celebrity and the monitored web activities of the user, and distributing, based on the celebrity sub-score for the celebrity with the user, a portion of the set of celebrity awards associated with the celebrity to a user account associated with the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating, distributing, redeeming, tracking, reporting digital and/or otherwise managing digital coupons. Digital coupons digitally associated and/or linked to consumer digital identifications and/or retail checkout digital identification to facilitate management.

Abstract: A method for generating search results based on a search term and displaying the search results in one or more groupings. The method includes receiving a search term entered by a user, selecting one or more search result groupings based on the search term entered by the user and at least in part on a bid amount associated with the search term, providing search results based on the search term entered by the user for each search result grouping, and displaying the search groupings to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for storing, managing, searching and presenting large-scale data derived from high-throughput experiments. It provides a highly efficient platform for researchers, statisticians and venders to interact.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments illustrate methods and systems for creating event-triggered marketing campaigns. The method includes determining one or more events by analyzing messages of one or more users on social media platforms. Each event has an associated location and a timeline. Thereafter, one or more first attributes, associated with a set of users, corresponding to each event, are determined from the one or more users. Further, one or more target customers are determined from one or more customers of an organization based on the one or more first attributes and one or more second attributes of the one or more customers. Thereafter, the marketing campaigns are created for the one or more target customers based on the one or more second attributes and a historical data of the one or more target customers. Further, media delivery channels for the marketing campaigns are determined based on the timeline of each event.

Abstract: A system and method for online marketing, comprises reading, by an electronic device, a machine-readable code corresponding to an object of interest or interpreting one or more characteristics of the object of interest itself in order to identify it; generating a request to a designated computer server for content related to the object of interest in response to processing a decoded address on the machine-readable code or the value of the one or more characteristics of the object of interest; and outputting a link to the content or outputting the content itself to a device in response to a receipt of the request.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating coordinated advertising campaigns in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: Creating and delivering an e-ticket digital companion wrap package in response to the sale or distribution of e-ticket(s) for an event. With e-ticket wrap packages, the cards are selectively authored to include (i) the e-ticket(s), (ii) media content, (iii) application functionality and/or (iv) e-commerce related services. In addition, the cards are authored in one or more linear sequences. With e-ticket digital companion wrap packages, the user experience when browsing is largely dictated by the author/ticket seller, not the ticket purchaser/holder. As a result, digital companion wrap packages have the unique ability to present to the viewer a palette of services, functions and experiences, related to the event and/or performance that the ticket holder will be attending. Further, in certain non-exclusive embodiments, the media of the cards can authored to provide a “story-book” like experience that unfolds as the individual cards are browsed in the one or more sequences.

Abstract: The method includes receiving a location of a client device and one or more items of interest to a user of the client device. The method further includes determining that the location of the client device is within a threshold distance of an item of the one or more items of interest. The method further includes generating a communication with the user of the client device. The method further includes receiving a response from the user of the client device. The method further includes determining if the received response indicates an intent to purchase the item. In one embodiment, the method further includes identifying a sales representative to assist the user of the client device, responsive to determining that the received response indicates an intent to purchase the item.

Abstract: A candidate region setting unit sets a candidate region, which is a candidate for a target region in real space to be associated with an electronic advertisement, based on position information that indicates the position of a user terminal and that is obtained by the user terminal. A target region setting unit sets a partial region of the candidate region as the target region to be associated with the electronic advertisement. An association information registering unit registers, in an association information storage unit, association information that indicates an association between the electronic advertisement and the region set by the target region setting unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system of locating mobile devices and building a database of the mobile device locations through the interaction of mobile devices with one or more proximity activation systems. The method and system uses beacon proximity activity to refine the location of a beacon and the relative position of one or more mobile devices to the beacon through a trilateration or multiple activation point distance calculation. As mobile devices come within a pre-determined proximity to a beacon, applications installed on the mobile devices supply a location and identity of the mobile device at the time of activation. The system and method may assign personas to the mobile device. The system and method uses numerous activations to refine and report the physical location of the beacon.

Abstract: The subject matter describes a computer-implemented method for selecting and displaying advertisements on a webpage, generating, via the server, one or more image tags associated with the image, wherein the one or more image tags are generated according to the analysis performed, providing, via the server, an advertiser user interface associated with an advertiser device for obtaining an advertisement, and at least one associated advertisement tag, and tag bid associated with the advertisement tag, generating, via the server, an advertisement tag score for the at least one advertisement tag, selecting, via the server, an advertisement for display based on the advertisement tag score and, embedding, via the server, the selected advertisement in an advertisement spot of the website and generate a revenue-per-click value to provide payment value when the advertisement is clicked upon by a viewer of the website.

Abstract: A method and system for providing hyper-local content push and a billing model is provided. The hyper-local content push (HYPER-LOCAL CONTENT PUSH) advertising system sends the user relevant content that have associated physical visit locations. The system provides relevant content (coupon and advertising) to the mobile devices of users through local hotspot(s) utilizing wireless networking technology (e.g. Wi-Fi), when the user is in the vicinity of or examining locations in the vicinity of a visit location. When the user comes into range of visit locations where the Wi-Fi hotspot(s) have been deployed, associated servers will push content to the user as they traverse the local Wi-Fi zone. The content includes coupons that can be requested by the user client that could include location relevant or on-location specials that are only available to the user by coming into the local hotspot Wi-Fi zone physically and in person.

Abstract: Content is to be provided at an appropriate time. An information processing device is an information processing device including a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit receives and transmits content through wireless communication. After reception of content, the control unit performs control to transfer the content to another information processing device from a location where a predetermined condition based on the location of the first transmission of the content is satisfied, the other information processing device existing in a predetermined range that is based on the location.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology provide for systems and methods to automatically measure and tune campaigns to achieve the most effective campaigns (e.g., balancing the most desired outcomes against the least negative outcomes and opportunity cost of sending) without requiring intervention by the campaign sender. By using various embodiments of campaign message selection and/or send time selection optimization, the sender does not have to manage and manually tune a multitude of experiments. Some embodiments of the technology leverage real-time user profiles to help send relevant messages to the right person at the right time on the right device. This helps customers of the marketing system delight their users with relevant messages, while boosting their bottom line and the brand experience.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed herein for identifying, analyzing, and extending audiences associated with online advertising. Systems include a first processing node configured to generate a first plurality of data categories that includes a plurality of seed data categories. Systems include a query node configured to retrieve a second plurality of data categories that includes a plurality of candidate data categories. Systems include a second processing node configured to generate a plurality of relevance metrics including a relevance metric for each candidate data category based on a comparison between each of the plurality of seed data categories and each of the plurality of candidate data categories. Systems include a third processing node configured to generate a third plurality of data categories that includes at least some of the seed data categories and at least some of the candidate data categories based on the generated plurality of relevance metrics.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a server, establish processes, for performing a computer-implemented method of providing customizable brand experiences that include end-user physical world interaction that is defined by a brand using a programmable configuration. The processes include receiving and storing at a given one of at least two modules at the server, each module associated with at least one brand, a programmable pattern defining, on behalf of the at least one of the brands with which the module is associated, conditions upon which a potential set of trigger messages when received would cause a change in end-user data, from one state to another state, pertinent to a specific one of the end-users, such conditions defining customization of the given one of the modules.

Abstract: An online direct marketing and advertising system is presented in which advertisers have an opportunity to send targeted promotions, coupons and offers that are placed in a user's web-based email account without the drawbacks of sending conventional email. The promotions do not take up disk quota space and, at the same time, the system does not need to divulge private user information to the advertiser. This system provides a means to free web-based email providers from the need to obtain opt-in permission to send offers to their users as providers are frequently prohibited from sharing the user's email address and personal information with merchants.

Abstract: A server receives incoming data records comprising an ID value and respective user attributes corresponding to a user activity that originates at a user device. Characteristics of the activity and/or characteristics of the user device are considered in order to assign a probabilistic confidence value, which is in turn used to generate links from an incoming data record to other previously-received data records, and in so doing, generates a probabilistic link between one set of user attributes from the incoming data record and another set of user attributes from previously-received data records. A messaging campaign specification that describes target user attributes is used to identify a matching set of target audience member records. The determination of a match or not is based on the probabilistic confidence value and a threshold can be varied to extend audience reach. The identified set of target audience member records are transmitted over a network.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide a way for users to identify information associated with a particular published item among numerous published items and a way for publishers to draw attention to their published items are described. In one embodiment, a tag management module receives an instruction to associate a listing with a tag specifying an attribute where the instruction comprises a listing identifier identifying the listing and a tag identifier identifying the tag. The tag management module initiates a payment process to enable a user to pay for associating the listing with the tag. A listing management module associates the listing with the tag by storing an association of the listing identifier with the tag identifier. A listing identification module identifies the listing as one listing of a plurality of listings to be published based on at least one tag associated with the listing.

Abstract: A media planning system is provided to generate a media plan. The system can employ a combination of a pre-optimization algorithm and an optimization algorithm to optimize a media plan with recommended placement block. The optimized media plan is generated based upon a fitness value using various media data and plan parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing a virtual advertisement, and more particularly to an apparatus and method that can determine the size of a virtual advertisement image to be inserted into a moving image while taking into account the size of an advertising region included in the moving image, that can select an appropriate virtual advertisement image based on the determined size of the virtual advertisement image, and that can measure the objective exposure level of a virtual indirect advertisement and calcgulate advertising expenses based on the measured objective exposure level. Furthermore, there are provided an apparatus and method that select a virtual advertisement image to be inserted into an advertising region while taking into account the size of a virtual advertising region that varies depending on the angle of a camera or the posture of a virtual advertisement object.

Abstract: A management system for managing, streamlining and automating the process of obtaining contributions for philanthropic entities (e.g., charities and other non-profit organizations), wherein user friendly Internet based processes are provided to (potential and actual) contributors that substantially eases the burden on such contributors in, e.g., contributing to such entities via planned giving or estate planning. For each of the philanthropic entities, the management system automates and facilitates the marketing and estate planning aspects for obtaining contributions in a manner that is consistent with the avowed beliefs and/or values of the entity, and that provides potential and actual contributors with contacts to professionals that also share the beliefs and/or values of the entity.

Abstract: Techniques for determining the popularity of a business entity are provided. A communication is received at a computing system. The computing system searches the received communication for a business entity name. The computing system also searches the received communication for information related to an opinion about the business entity. Based on the information related to the opinion, the computing system determines a customer satisfaction rating of the business entity.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for an information system configured to manage parking facility resources. The system can create and apply models and profiles regarding customers, parking space usage, access patterns, events, traffic, and other factors related to the parking facility. Parking facility operators may use the models to seek optimized revenues or profits. Increased revenue for parking facility operators may be supported by allocating resources to longer staying and better paying customers. New opportunities such as reselling, auctions, or options may further improve revenue generation for parking facilities. Customers may interface with the information system for availability queries, interactive reservation, and various other functions that may improve convenience, security, privacy, and service quality for the customers as well as for neighboring businesses and venues. Improved efficiency in parking facility resource consumption may reduce street traffic congestion.

Abstract: A technology for providing validation and optimization for listings on an online marketing platform for home sellers is described. In some embodiments, the disclosed technology provides a validation tool for users of the online marketing platform to quality check the users' home feeds in real-time through a graphical user interface of the online marketing platform. In some embodiments, the disclosed technology provides an optimizer tool for the users to optimize the users' home feeds through a graphical user interface of the online marketing platform. The users of the online marketing platform can be home sellers, which can include, for example, home builders, brokers, and their agents.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying and verifying qualified parties to a transaction. In an aspect, the present invention can be configured to verify a party as a qualified party based upon verified information. In an aspect, the present invention can be used to configure transaction options such that the buyer and seller will have either reduced incentive for fraud or protection from fraud from the other party.

Abstract: A method comprising receiving, on a server, from a computing device of a user, a request to receive a battery charge on a battery-powered device of the user, the request including one or more criteria; identifying, by the server, one or more potential charge donors as target charge donors by comparing the criteria of the request with donor preferences previously provided by potential charge donors; and sending, from the server, information related to a target charge donor to the computing device of the user.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for generating quotes are provided herein. Questions associated with service request parameters of a type of service can be presented. Input indicative of values for the service request parameters can be received. The values for the service request parameters can be associated with a service request. Service listings can be provided upon memory. Each of the service listings can be associated with a service provider, service provider rules for the service provider, and price parameters. The values for the service request parameters can be compared with the service provider rules. The service request can be matched to matching listings of the service listings based upon the service request parameters and the service provider rules that are compared. Quotes for the matching listings of the service listings can be generated. The quotes can be calculated using the price parameters associated with the matching listings of the service listings.

Abstract: The method includes receiving a location of a client device and one or more items of interest to a user of the client device. The method further includes determining that the location of the client device is within a threshold distance of an item of the one or more items of interest. The method further includes generating a communication with the user of the client device. The method further includes receiving a response from the user of the client device. The method further includes determining if the received response indicates an intent to purchase the item. In one embodiment, the method further includes identifying a sales representative to assist the user of the client device, responsive to determining that the received response indicates an intent to purchase the item.

Abstract: A system for creating custom fragrances is described that allows a customer to interact with an employee and a Perfumer's Organ to interactively select several scents for base, middle and top notes. They can then iteratively adjust the scents chosen. In one embodiment, the scents selected by a customer are provided to a computing device having a prestored table which separates the scents into variable potency scents having variable perceived strengths and normal potency scents having standard, equal perceived strengths. The table indicates the amount of each variable potency scent to use to normalize the strengths. The remaining normal potency scents are then added with an equal amount. In an alternative embodiment, predetermined mixtures are provided to the computing device and used as ‘training data’ to adjust the coefficients of a generalized formula to create a prediction equation fit to the training data.

Abstract: A powertrain optimization device and method that compares a predicted performance of customer-selected vehicle components to a customer-selected optimization goal. The optimization goal is used to determine dynamic performance thresholds. The method compares gradability at cruise, gradability at peak torque, engine speed, and startability to the dynamic thresholds to determine whether the vehicle performance will be satisfactory. The customer selections of vehicle components, selections of optimization goals, and any acknowledgements of failed performance checks are stored for later use.

Abstract: One embodiment involves a method and apparatus for mapping lexical keywords into entity description semantics in order to create unambiguous buyer-confirmed descriptions of entities. The method described herein relies on a computer program and some mechanism for computer data storage.

Abstract: A computer method and system provide means for recommending an organization to a user. The system includes a database of business relationships between organizations. A user may search for an organization according to search criteria and the system will select a set of organizations that match the criteria. The organizations may be displayed based on the relevance of the selected organization and the similarity of organizations connected to the selected organizations.

Abstract: Example systems and methods of recommending an item are presented. In one example, preference values for items by multiple users, as well as property values for multiple properties of the items by the users, are accessed. Reference property values for the properties of the items are generated based on the property values. Average deviations from the reference property values for the properties across a first group of the items by a target user are generated. Expected property values for the properties of a second group of the items for the target user are generated based on the reference property values and the average deviations. Preference values of the target user for the second group of the items are estimated based on the expected property values. At least one of the second group of the items is recommended to the target user based on the estimated preference values.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for providing contextual ecommerce shopping cart adjustments. One computer-implemented method includes receiving, from a partner application, a cart adjustment request. Zero or more available adjustments applicable to a cart of a user using the partner application for checkout are sent to the partner application. An execution request is received from a partner service server to execute an activated adjustment and a cart adjustment token identifying the activated adjustment to the cart of the user and a payment adjustment determined based on the activated adjustment to the cart of the user is sent to the partner service server. A finalization request for finalizing the activated adjustment is received from the partner service server and the activated adjustment to the cart of the user is finalized.

Abstract: An electronic commerce platform is communicatively connected to a plurality of electronic devices each of which including a carrier. The electronic commerce platform includes a commodity managing module and a server. The commodity managing module is configured to receive at least a commodity information having a commodity characteristic and to transmit the commodity information to the server. The server includes a shopping interface producer and a match module. The shopping interface producer is configured to produce a shopping interface based on the commodity information. The match module is configured to transmit the commodity information to a matched carrier. The electronic device is configured to be communicatively connected to the shopping interface when a user clicks the commodity information shown on the carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a device include determining a plurality of configuration settings for the device. The configuration settings are saved in a configuration file, and a sales order for the device is generated. The configuration file is assigned to the sales order. Based on the sales order, the configuration file is retrieved and applied to the configuration settings to the device.

Abstract: Processing items is provided. Multiple modes of fulfillment are identified for the items. The items are processed with the multiple modes of fulfillment in a single transaction for a customer.

Abstract: Methods for product data management and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving an order with an order condition. The method includes a set of valid condition statements from a bill-of-materials. The method includes color part usages in the BOM according to the valid condition statements and a color condition statement. Each color part usage corresponds to a less-finish part usage, and wherein each less-finish part usage includes engineering conditions and the color part usages do not include engineering conditions. The method includes returning a result set according to the order condition, the result set including colored part usages.