Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatus for tracking and reporting agricultural-producer information. In an example embodiment, an apparatus comprises a hand-held device including a display and one or more input devices to sense product identification indicia associated with or affixed to a food product that is grown or raised in an agricultural operation. The hand-held device includes at least one processor to determine a machine-readable identification code from the product identification indicia; send the identification code to at least one remote server; receive, from the at least one remote server, information that is associated with the product, the information including agricultural producer-specific information that is associated with the production of the food product; and display at least some of the received agricultural producer-specific information on the display in human readable form.

Abstract: A method for crowd sourcing tasks may include identifying a group of potential candidates for crowd sourcing. Each candidate of the group of potential candidates may be identified based on the candidate being expected to accept a certain type of task. The certain type of task may be at least a task that is performable within a predetermined range of time. The method may also include receiving a request to perform a particular task from a requester. The method may additionally include determining if the particular task is the certain type of task. The method may further include transmitting an offer for performance of the particular task to at least a subgroup of the group of potential candidates in response to the particular task being the certain type of task.

Abstract: A system comprises a workspace associated with content objects and users, the workspace enabling actors to perform operations on the objects; a data capture module configured to capture scoring factors associated with operations performed, the scoring factors including a number of times a target user has performed operations on the objects, the target user being possibly interested in receiving a notification about the operations performed; a relevance scoring module configured to evaluate the scoring factors associated with the operations performed to generate a relevance score associated with the target user and associated with the operations performed; and a notification module configured to provide a notification to the target user upon satisfaction of a notification threshold condition, satisfaction of the notification threshold condition based on identification of particular operations performed that satisfy relevance threshold conditions, satisfaction of the relevance threshold conditions based on the

Abstract: A method of detecting pre-determined phrases to determine compliance quality includes determining whether a precursor event has occurred based on a comparison between stored pre-determined phrases and a received communication, and determining a compliance rating based on a presence of a pre-determined phrase associated with the precursor event in the communication.

Abstract: Methods useful for processing shipping elements such as boxes, envelopes, and transport devices during transfer. In one embodiment, the shipping element contains an item being shipped by a user, and the method includes providing the user access to a computerized user interface by which at least information relating to the shipping element can be remotely obtained by the user. During at least one point during shipping, the shipping element is evaluated with respect to at least one physical parameter, and the user is informed via the user interface as to a status or condition of the at least one physical parameter. In another embodiment, a radio-frequency device is inserted into the shipping element along with a user item to be shipped, and the device is used as a basis for the remote provision of information relating to the shipping element during at least a portion of the shipping.

Abstract: A tracking system that includes equipment and methodology to determine when the tracked container is in close proximity to an aircraft. In general, the tracking device is deactivated while the aircraft container is close to or on board of the aircraft, and the tracking device is activated while the aircraft container is outside the aircraft. The tracking system includes multiple machine vision sensors associated with the tracking device positioned on the container to identify the curvature associated with the container's surroundings. Activation and deactivation of the tracking device is associated with the information transmitted and received by the tracking device, based on various features of the geographic position of the container.

Abstract: A multi-mode asset tracking and monitoring system and method is provided that enables comprehensive reporting of asset position, status, and alerts. In one embodiment, the multi-mode system and method is based on the addition of a local network monitoring system to a wide area satellite network monitoring system. In this example, the local network monitoring system would add container presence and status monitoring in crowded environments (e.g., within a port facility, on-board a ship, etc.), while the wide area satellite network monitoring system would provide tracking and monitoring coverage when the container is in dispersed environments. Both the local and wide area monitoring systems work together to provide end-to-end container tracking and monitoring to thereby ensure continuous container tracking and monitoring from container loading to container unloading.

Abstract: A machine or group of machines for monitoring location of at least one of a vehicle or freight carried by the vehicle includes a server comprising a central processing unit, a memory, a clock, and a server communication transceiver that receives location information of a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a GPS receiver, a microprocessor and a wireless communication transceiver coupled to the GPS receiver, the mobile device comprising the GPS receiver programmed to receive data sent by a plurality of GPS satellites, calculate location information of the mobile device comprising the GPS receiver and transmit the location information.

Abstract: An computer-implemented inventory control system and a method of inventory control which includes an inventory control program executable to analyze a sensor signal generated by a distance sensor having a fixed position at a target location to calculate the inventory level of a target product positioned at the target location based on separation distance between the distance sensor and the target product.

Abstract: Techniques for providing an entity monitoring safety feature in an inventory management system may be described. For example, information that indicates respective locations for a plurality of mobile drive units within an inventory management system may be received. Tracking information may be received from a mobile location unit that is moving within a bounded area around a signal transmitter that is coupled to an entity. The tracking information may include an approximate location of the signal transmitter relative to the mobile location unit. Pathway information may be generated that indicates to the plurality of mobile drive units within the inventory management system to stay outside of a radius distance of the mobile location unit based on the received tracking information. The generated pathway information may be provided to the plurality of mobile drive units to enable safe passage for the entity within the inventory management system.

Abstract: Brand-protection codes may be used to maintain authenticity chains for items or tags across a number of different entities. A first entity, such as a tag or item manufacturer, may generate a first brand-protection code (BPC) based on a first key and a tag or item identifier and store the first BPC on a tag associated with an item. A second entity that receives the tag and/or item may attempt to authenticate the first BPC. If the second entity authenticates the first BPC, the second entity may generate an authentication code based on a second key and the first BPC and/or the tag/item identifier, and may write the authentication code to the tag. In some embodiments, the authentication code may be a second brand-protection code, or an exit code that allows the item to exit a facility such as a retail store.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to user interface rendering for information objects and provide method, system and computer program product for an integrated view of multi-sourced information objects. In an embodiment of the invention, an attention manager data processing system can be provided. The system can include integrated view logic executing in a computing device and an attention manager user interface generated by program code of the integrated view logic. The user interface can include a grid of quadrants. Each quadrant can correspond to a unique combination of importance and urgency. The quadrant further can include representations of underlying information objects from multiple different sources of information objects. Correspondingly, each information object can include a respective importance and urgency consistent with a corresponding one of the quadrants.

Abstract: A method and system for streamlining a voting process performed by a web application is provided. As the web application may require that a voting action is effectuated after the user is registered to vote and also has supplied valid credentials, a voting application may be configured to intercept a request from a user to effectuate voting process directed to the web application, access credentials of the user stored by the web-based social networking application, and provide these credentials to the web application, such that the web application can process the request to effectuate voting process by registering the user to vote and storing the vote information for the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a plurality of content items is displayed. The content items are of a plurality of content types. In response to a user selecting a specific content type, only those content items of the specific content type are displayed. In response to the user unselecting the specific content type, all the content types are displayed.

Abstract: The subject matter discloses a method of handling messages received to an email client of a computerized device, the method comprises detecting the received message, said message is generated by a machine in a structured format; identifying the detected message to be conformant to a structured template related to a computerized application; generating a response upon identifying the message. In some cases, the rules are generated by a server connected to a plurality of computerized devices to create efficient and fast rules and templates.

Abstract: Sharing email content includes: receiving from a user a selection of an email to share; capturing the subject and content of the email; generating an identifier for the captured subject and content; storing the captured subject and content with the identifier; providing a window with the subject and content for user editing; and transmitting the edited subject and content to the user's social contacts.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling certificate-based open payment transactions involving a merchant and a customer utilizing various types of networks and terminals. Prior to accessing a merchant POS terminal or, for example, a merchant website, a customer obtains a certificate from a service provider (SP), such as a bank, certifying his identification (ID) and his relevant financial information, in a form that is understandable by the SP. The SP is capable of performing multiple functions. For example, the SP is capable of acting as a certificate authority when it issues the customer's certificates, an authenticator when it receives private-key encrypted certificates from the customers to be decrypted using the corresponding public-key, and an authorizing authority when it checks the value available in a customer' chosen payment account against the requested purchase or transfer amount.

Abstract: A method and system are described that facilitate efficient and secured management of a mobile payment account by an electronic wallet on a user portable electronic device, the electronic wallet for conducting payment transactions with a merchant point of sale terminal over a contactless communications link. In an aspect, the electronic wallet provides for the real-time addition of one or more users authorized to use the mobile payment account associated with the electronic wallet from their own respective portable devices, in a secure and efficient manner.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a dual validator self-service kiosk (“SSK”). The SSK may include a first validator. The first validator may examine a deposit inserted into the SSK. The SSK may include a second validator. The second validator may examine a tangible item before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The SSK may retract the tangible item if the tangible item in not collected by a customer. The second validator may examine the tangible item after being retracted by the SSK. The first validator may apply a first examination routine to the deposit. The second validator may apply a second examination routine before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The second validator may apply a third examination routine to a tangible item retracted by the SSK.

Abstract: An application store server may download a license to use a selected software application, after purchase of the license, along with the selected software application. The downloaded software application and license may be stored in the wireless mobile communication device. A user of the wireless mobile communication device may run the downloaded software application. In response, the downloaded software application may send a request for permission to run to an application store client in the wireless mobile communication device. The application store client may not return this permission, unless running is determined to be permitted by the downloaded license. The downloaded software application may in addition or instead seek to determine whether running is permitted by the downloaded license. An application store server may download a license to use a selected software application, after purchase of the license, along with the selected software application.

Abstract: Method for managing mobile point of sale (mPOS) operations using a wireless network to detect location data includes capturing video data of one or more customers within a retail store premises. The video data is analyzed to determine one or more customer behavior indicators potentially indicating a need for mPOS services. The location data is used to correlate the customer behavior indicators with the one or more customers. The method also involves determining a probability that at least one of the customers will be requesting mPOS services within a predetermined interval of time.

Abstract: During a financial transaction, a customer provides a token that identifies the customer to a peripheral device (which is other than a credit-authorization terminal or a magnetic-stripe reader) coupled to the point-of-sale terminal. Then, a unified point-of-sale service object executing on the point-of-sale terminal, which is a driver for a virtual peripheral device, performs one or more operations based on at least the token to obtain financial information associated with the customer. After providing the financial information and transaction information associated with the financial transaction to a financial institution specified in the financial information, the point-of-sale terminal receives a confirmation from the financial institution that the financial transaction has been completed. For example, the confirmation may be received via a credit-authorization-terminal service object that is a driver for the credit-authorization terminal.

Abstract: A system for providing an application associated with a portable communication device the ability to communicate via a secure element. The system has a digital identifier and digital token operably associated with the application; a card services module that provides an application programming interface to the secure element; and a secure data table associated with the card services module. The secure data table includes a list of trusted applications each identifiable by paired digital identifier and token. The card services module [includes] compares the identifier and the token with each of the identifier-token pairs in the table until a match indicates the application is trusted. The card services module issues commands to the secure element based on an action requested by a trusted application in conjunction with the presentation of the digital token. A method of providing an application with the ability to communicate via secure element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method facilitates purchase transactions over a computer network, including the purchase of electronically storable items. The embodiments herein encrypt “customer information” in an encryption stream and cause the encryption stream to be transferred from the customer to a merchant in the purchase transaction. A verification entity receives the encryption stream which is sent by the merchant for identity verification and payment authorization. Then, the verification entity verifies the identifiers contained in the encryption stream and transfers an identity verification and payment authorization from the verification entity to the merchant. The encryption stream or unique transaction identifier can be added, by the merchant, to a purchased electronic item to create a personalized electronic item.

Abstract: Embodiments for tracking multi-layer secured transactions include systems for providing a first transaction channel to a user and sending pre-authorization code to the user via the first transaction channel. The systems terminate the first transaction channel and provide a second transaction channel to the user and receive transaction data from the user comprising the pre-authorization code via the second transaction channel. The systems further identify one or more verifiers associated with the user for one or more transactions based on the transaction data, send a post verification notification to the one or more verifiers, and receive a post verification confirmation from at least one of the one or more verifiers in response to the post verification notification.

Abstract: Photovoltaic cells, facilities, systems and methods, as well as related compositions, are disclosed. Embodiments involve providing a sensor in association with a photovoltaic facility to form a sensor-pv facility; and providing the sensor-pv facility in a kit adapted for purchase by a consumer to be deployed in a home environment.

Abstract: A system is presented that comprises a third-party ad provider that serves advertisements to different websites being viewed at a plurality of display devices. The advertisements may be from different advertisers, and may include advertisements from a content service provider. The advertisements from the service provider may include a promotion for a video program presented by the service provider and may provide a selectable option for a viewer of the website to have that viewer's DVR service automatically programmed to record the promoted video program. The selectable option may be selected with a single action by the viewer, and all communications, associations between the display device and the DVR service, and programming of the DVR service may occur automatically without intervention by the viewer.

Abstract: A system, architecture and model for facilitating extensible messaging and interaction are provided. The message system may use a messaging architecture that includes a domain message model, and open message model and a wire format. The wire format may implement primitive data types that may be used by the open message model to define additional and/or more complex data formats. The open message model may further specify interaction paradigms, generic messages, and message and transport attributes. The generic messages may include payload data whose meaning and context may be defined using the domain message model. The domain message model may include a content definition model and an item type model for building data and object types and specifying data context and relationships. As such, the message system may use generic messages and formats to create different message and item types.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inspection apparatus includes an optical system portion on which a plurality of reflected light rays corresponding to a plurality of observation directions with respect to an optical variable image device are incident and which images the plurality of reflected light rays incident thereon, an imaging portion that images the plurality of reflected light rays imaged by the optical system portion and thereby generates reflected light images corresponding the plurality of respective observation directions, an object relation determination portion that determines whether or not there is a predetermined geometric difference between objects that are contained in reflected light images imaged by the imaging portion and corresponding to different observation directions, and an authenticity determination portion that determines authenticity of the optical variable image device based on a result of the determination by the object relation determination portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of a counterfeit electronic component, subjecting a suspected counterfeit electronic to an analytical method of ambient surface analysis to desorb and ionize compounds directly from a suspected counterfeit electronic surface with no pretreatment, detecting the resultant ions, comparing the identified ions to known standards, and returning a confidence that the suspected counterfeit electronic being analyzed is counterfeit.

Abstract: Methods and computer storage media for creating referral links are provided. Receiving an advertiser's registration of a target page that offers goods or services for sale. Receiving a request for a referral link that is directed to the target page, wherein the referrer of the referral link requests the referral link from the target page. A referral link is then created and presented to the referrer. In some embodiment, an indication that the referral link has been utilized is received. And upon receiving an indication that the referral link was utilized, a reward unit is determined and presented to the referrer.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and article of manufacture for spend based targeting and measurement. The method may comprise transmitting to a third party system a model and/or a measurement file associating a first party cookie ID with a model, and receiving, from the third party system, an updated model (and/or measurement) file associating a third party cookie ID with web-browsing data. The third party cookie ID may anonymously and uniquely correspond to the first party cookie ID, and the first party cookie ID may be stripped from the updated model (and/or measurement) file to de-identify a customer associated with the first party cookie ID. Moreover, the web-browsing data may be received by the third party system from a second party system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that can include monitoring of activities of potential customer users, for example, on an e-commerce Web site. Based at least in part on the monitored activities, a notification or alert may be provided to a merchant or a merchant administrator, regarding a potential customer, such as by being sent to a mobile device of the merchant or merchant administrator. Real-time communications may be facilitated or initiated between the merchant or the merchant administrator and the potential customer, such as with regard to a potential purchase, which communications can include the use of mobile devices.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for forecasting future values of an item, where an initial value for the item is determined, and then a baseline forecast for a future reference period is computed based on factors that include microeconomic data which is specific to an industry of the item and macroeconomic data which is non-specific to the industry of the item. The forecast may also be adjusted based on data for a set of competitive items. The forecast for the item is stored and is then made available to clients that can access the forecast to determine the expected future value of the item at some point in the future.

Abstract: Embodiments introduced utilize one action to complete multi-event survey or multiple surveys simultaneously. In addition, users are awarded with benefit for doing surveys. Awards from different surveys may be added together for redemption of a product or gift.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing co-mailing discounts are disclosed. An example method includes determining a first number of first books associated with a first pool, the first books to be addressed for delivery within a geographic region associated with a postal discount. The example method further includes identifying a filler from a second pool to fill open pockets associated with the first pool. The filler corresponds to a first type of book associated with the second pool. The example method also includes identifying a second number of second books associated with the filler to be bundled with the first books when the first number of the first books is less than a threshold number of books for the postal discount. The first number of the first books combined with the second number of the second books is at least as great as the threshold number of books.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a streaming banner promoting one or more items/content on mobile devices are disclosed herein. User activity information is determined based on a user interfacing with a mobile device. The user activity information is transmitted by the mobile device to a server. In response to receiving a streaming banner, the streaming banner is displayed at a pre-determined portion of a screen of the mobile device. The streaming banner recommends one or more applications that targets the user based on the user activity information and an initial application identification source.

Abstract: Systems and methods of evaluating information in a computer network environment are provided. A data processing system can obtain or receive a content placement criterion, such as a keyword, associated with a content item and can determine a quality metric of the content placement criterion. The data processing system can identify a candidate content placement criterion and expand placement criteria associated with the content item to include the content placement criterion and the candidate content placement criterion based at least in part on an evaluation of the quality metric of the content placement criterion. The data processing system can expand placement criteria based in part on a throttling parameter. The data processing system can identify a correlation between a document and the placement criteria to identify appropriate content items for the document.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling an augmented reality system to complement operation of existing output devices in an environment are described herein. An augmented reality system may include one or more augmented reality functional nodes (ARFNs) that are configured to project content onto different non-powered and/or powered display mediums. The ARFN may identify existing output devices, as well as any content that these content output devices currently output. The ARFN may then either take over the display of the content when appropriate, or may project related content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that use social networking profiles of users to generate personalized content of display pages. The personalized content may be generated using profile data retrieved via an application program interface of a social networking system, and may be presented on the display pages of a distinct system, such as a site that hosts an electronic catalog of items. The personalized content may include features that allow a user to indicate a like or preference for an item and that can be customized based on, e.g., the extent of the user's social network or the influence the user has over other potential users of the catalog system. Systems and methods are also disclosed that use the social networking profiles to generate personalized messages that can be posted to social network contacts of the user to provide information about items for which the contacts may be interested.

Abstract: A system and related methods suggest content based on user input and another metric. In one implementation, web-sites are suggested to advertisers in response to keyword input and by factoring in how often such web-sites were selected or “clicked on” as a result of corresponding search queries. Search logs are processed to determine how often certain query terms led to web-sites being selected. Web-sites are ranked accordingly. Keywords from advertisers are matched to the web-site rankings to present the top web-sites.

Abstract: Financial data associated with a consumer is obtained and analyzed to generate merchant watch list data associated with consumer. Sale events data is obtained associated with one or more sale events being sponsored by one or more merchants. Geographic position data associated with the consumer is the monitored and obtained. The merchant watch list data, the sale events data, and the geographic position data associated with the consumer, is then analyzed to identify matched sale event data representing sale events being sponsored by one or more merchants identified in the merchant watch list data and having sale event location data indicating a sale event location within a defined threshold distance of the approximate current geographic location of the consumer, and/or an anticipated future geographic location of the consumer. Sale event alert data is then provided to the consumer.

Abstract: The presentation of advertisements to a user on a mobile communications device is disclosed. A first external input corresponding to a triggering of an advertisement delivery is received on a first input modality. An advertisement overlay is displayed in a graphical user interface in response to receiving the external input. Advertisement invocation instructions are displayed within the advertisement overlay. A second external input is received on a second input modality different from the first input modality. The second external input is translated to a set of quantified values. An advertisement is then displayed within the advertisement overlay in response to a substantial match between the set of quantified values translated from the received second external input to the set of predefined values corresponding to the advertisement invocation instructions.

Abstract: Techniques for utilizing APs and messaging service for delivering personalized message to individual mobile devices connected to internet through APs. In one example embodiment, for any particular wireless AP, a set of messages are identified based at least in part on attributes of the service subscriber associated with the particular wireless AP; and the set of messages are distributed to the particular wireless AP for further distribution to wireless devices in the vicinity of the particular wireless AP.

Abstract: Computer-based systems and methods for an advertisement displayed on a fixed position on a web browser window displaying a visible portion of a web page. The fixed position advertisement remains in its fixed position in view of the user as the user scrolls the web page in various directions. The advertisement may be sized, shaped, or formatted based on the available space on the web page and on the content of the advertisement. The advertisement may include a variety of static and dynamic content, including interaction prompts and other elements, which may enable an engagement-based revenue generation model.

Abstract: Techniques are described for promoting content items in a page to load in a different order than the order in which they were initially designated to load in the page source. A page may include critical content items designated to load earlier than non-critical content items. In instances where there is a delay due to latency in generating or retrieving the critical content items, one or more non-critical content items may be promoted to load earlier than initially designated. By promoting non-critical content items to load during the period in which the loading of the page may otherwise be stalled, overall page load times may be reduced.

Abstract: Provided is a goods information providing system, including: a first position acquisition section (4) for acquiring from a position information DB (31) position information on goods specified by a shelf ID read by a reading unit (22); a related goods extraction section (5) for extracting from a related goods information DB (33) a related goods related to the goods specified by the shelf ID; a second position acquisition section (6) for acquiring from the position information DB (31) position information on the extracted related goods; a recommended goods determination section (8) for determining, as recommended goods, from among the extracted related goods, the related goods selected based on a position of the goods acquired by the first position acquisition section (4) and a position of the related goods acquired by the second position acquisition section (6); and an informing unit (23) for informing of information on the determined recommended goods.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus related to type of network-based social network in which network “connections” are include a topical trust factor between users, so that reputable information available over the network my be provided. In an example embodiment, a social rank score for available items of information is provided that allows the system to rank available information based upon topical factors associated with such information.

Abstract: Systems and associated processes for generating user attribute interest data and using that data to present and/or develop reviews of items are described herein. These systems and processes can dynamically collect data on a user's interest in specific item attributes from the user's interaction with an electronic catalog and can store this data in association with the user. This data may be used to provide users with a personalized set of reviews which will provide the user with information relevant to interesting item attributes. Further, this data may be used to display a set of dynamically generated statements and/or questions that prompt users to write an item review on specific item attributes. Accordingly, user attribute interest data can potentially both present and elicit more thorough and useful feedback than existing review systems in some embodiments.

Abstract: An order management system is provided. The order management system receives an order that includes one or more order lines, fulfillment topology data, and fulfillment flow data. The order management system generates one or more first order components from the order, the fulfillment topology data, and the fulfillment flow data based on a first criteria, where the first criteria is based on a first stage of a decomposition sequence, where the decomposition sequence comprises one or more stages. The order management system determines which of the one or more first order components each order line of the order is to be applied to, based on the first criteria. The order management system stores each order line of the order at each of the determined one or more first order components.