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: In one embodiment, a testing server-implemented method for automated testing of a processor-based survey. The method includes: (a) the testing server receiving from a survey tester, via a testing user interface, a uniform resource locator (URL) of a survey residing on a survey hosting server, the survey hosting server having a processor adapted to administer, via a survey-taking interface, the survey to obtain survey data from survey-taking users; (b) the testing server traversing at least a portion of the survey; (c) the testing server analyzing the survey to generate one or more test results; and (d) the testing server providing the one or more test results to the survey tester via the testing user interface. The traversing includes: (b1) the testing server receiving survey content from the survey hosting server; and (b2) the testing server providing test data to the survey hosting server to simulate survey-taking-user-provided survey data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to facilitate dynamic classification for market research are disclosed. Example disclosed methods include constructing, using a programmed processor based on data for a sample population and a first set of input variables, a self-organizing map classifying the sample population according to a plurality of classes defined in the map using fuzzy class membership. Example disclosed methods include extracting the fuzzy class membership for the sample population from the map. Example disclosed methods include correlating fuzzy class membership with behavior data for the sample population to determine a likely class behavior for the plurality of classes. Example disclosed methods include using fuzzy class membership and the likely class behavior to provide a predictive market output in response to a query.

Abstract: A location based community integration matchmaking system, method and computer readable recording media for optimizing sales is provided, including: obtaining user behavior pattern in an inquired area range based on stores information and user behavioral sequential information; calculating a location based community influence degree of each user in the inquired area range toward other location based users in a community based on the user behavior pattern, the community association and behavioral information, and calculating an interest domain influence degree of each user toward each interest domain; obtaining influence diffusing degree of each user toward each interest domain based on the location based community influence and the interest domain influence degree of each user; and finding a range with large influence degree in the inquired area range for performing advertisement setting, thereby achieving optimization analysis and visitor maximization of marketing channel of brick and mortar stores in the ar

Abstract: A hardware computer-implemented method is provided for pricing a current contract for bid that includes generating a tree of the current contract, and generating trees of historical contracts. The contracts each specify respective services. The method includes grouping the trees of historical contracts to form a plurality of groups of trees, based on respective tree distances between the trees in each group. The method includes identifying a group of trees, from the plurality of groups, that is closest to the tree of the current contract by calculating respective distances there between. The method includes calculating a price for the current contract based on gross profits and costs for each service in the identified group. The grouping, identifying, and calculating steps each use different methods, responsive to a service (a) having a baseline; and (b) lacking the baseline, wherein the baseline is a value that indicates a scale of the service.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiments integrate in-restaurant food ordering, paying, and reviewing using online and offline communications. The system, using offline beacons, detects which specific table a user sits at in a restaurant. A user orders and pays for the food while the system tracks what dishes the user orders. The system is enabled simply by placing the user's phone on the table; the user need not open an application or interact with the phone. Even if the user doesn't order or pay using the phone, the system will automatically save dining history. This system requires no human involvement to map the customer to the point-of-sale system. A transaction based review feature and a health care and nutrition tracking feature is included. By tracking and storing data on food ordered and reviews generated by the user, the system performs dining curation by tracking user's dining patterns to suggest food and restaurants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system that facilitates a platform for online purchasing and account management comprising: a universal shopping cart component, a social networking marketplace, identity and profile management, and a privacy patrol component. The method and system provides the ability to automatically optimize a user's shopping experience.

Abstract: A method for distributing coupons through a network and online coupon distribution network, including the steps of: (a) storing offers and coupon codes from sellers on a coupon distribution server; (b) installing and configuring a web widget in a first seller's ecommerce store server; (c) displaying on the web widget at a shopper's terminal, offers or coupon codes from one or more other sellers in the coupon exchange network; (d) allowing a shopper to select or request one or more of the displayed offers or coupon codes; (e) sending from the coupon distribution server, the coupon code associated with the selected offer to the shopper terminal; and (f) recording transaction information about the shopper and selected offer. The invention also provides for the ranking of sellers in the network to control the display of the seller's offers and coupons.

Abstract: Methods and systems for quantitative collaborative cognition in open market systems are described herein. Aspects relating to indexing, discovery, attribution, optimization, and forecasting in open market systems are disclosed. The present invention allows for network learning, identification, and discovery of heterogeneous data held remotely by a multitude of participants in a way that protects the integrity of the data. From this data, behavior patterns of people and groups of people spanning data sets and organizational boundaries can be predicted. The data can be monetized by a variety of interested parties without disclosing the identities of parties associated with the data. The time value of data is extended under the methods and systems of the present invention.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a computer server system implementing a method to obtain a plurality of online articles for display on a webpage; obtain a candidate promoted content for each of the plurality of online articles; for each of the plurality of online article and the corresponding candidate promoted content pairs: determine a virality score of the online article indicating popularity of the online article among online users; determine a similarity score indicating similarity between the online article and the candidate promoted content; determine a qualification score based on the virality score and the similarity score; select a pair of target article and target promoted content from the plurality of article and candidate promoted content pairs based on the corresponding qualification scores; and display the target promoted content on the webpage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated profile to promotion matching are provided. A plurality of segment variable value pairs that define a plurality of possible segments for a population of consumers are first identified, as are a plurality of promotion variable value pairs of a promotional design space. The variable value pairs are assembled into a plurality of test promotions by different permutations. The test promotions are administered, and results are collected. Trends between specific segment variable value pairs and promotion variable value pairs that result in statistically relevant shifts in the obtained responses are identified and used to define segments. The defined segments are then matched to promotion types (collected from a promotion repository) based upon likelihood of a positive result. The matches are then classified by a behavioral economic classification, which then may be outputted to a marketer to provide insights into consumer motivations.

Abstract: Customer targeted advertising may be efficiently planned based on different demographic and behavioral segments. A method may use event-level data to model conversion attribution based on different dimensions. These dimensions may include channel, content, placement and every other aspect of advertising. Multiple population segments of users may be identified and attribution modeling performed independently for each population segment. The attribution modeling may be implemented in a plurality of approaches such as independent or coupled modeling. Coupled attribution modeling may be capable of modeling the combined effect of multiple dimensions. The results of attribution modeling may then be used to plan optimum advertising placement with the highest attribution for each population segment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting and utilizing conversion data are disclosed. In one aspect, the system can receive an indication of a user interaction with content item presented at a user device. Based at least in part on a device identifier of the user device being received with installation data corresponding to the installation of an application, the system can attribute a conversion of the content item to the user interaction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting and utilizing conversion data are disclosed. In one aspect, the system can receive an indication of a user interaction with content item presented at a user device. Based at least in part on a device identifier of the user device being received with installation data corresponding to the installation of an application, the system can attribute a conversion of the content item to the user interaction.

Abstract: Connections (e.g., click-throughs) for online campaigns are steered. A plurality of UIOs and parameters for configuring a campaign (e.g., advertisement campaign) for the plurality of UIOs is received. UIOs comparable to each of the plurality of UIOs of the campaign are automatically identified and displayed in as an array of options that can be selected for more detailed information. A distribution of connections is predicted from resulting from displays for the plurality of UIOs of the campaign, based on historical information of connections for the identified comparable UIOs.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of using the Internet to promote goods and services and connect merchants with potential purchasers in chat groups who wish to obtain suitable sources of goods and services is provided, wherein a plurality of users each have a computer device provided with chat application software and software for accessing and interactively communicating via a computer network with a server provided with a search engine for searching the Internet. Users initiate a chat conversation among a group of users. One of the users invokes a search application using the search engine. The user conducts a search of the Internet for products or services, reviews the results of the search, selects a product or service located by the search, and shares the selected search result with the chat conversation. One of the users can order the selected product or service as part of the process.

Abstract: [Object] To provide an information processing device, control method, and program that are capable of improving cost-effectiveness of advertisements by delivering the advertisements in accordance with stages in the process to occurrence of an event.

Abstract: Various implementations provide improved advertisement workflow techniques designed to increase click-through rates in the context of a digital medium environment. When content, such as streaming video, is received and has an associated advertisement, an option can be provided to enable the user to defer viewing of the advertisement. If the user selects the defer viewing option, the advertisement is placed in a deferred advertisement queue for later viewing and the user can proceed directly to consuming their content. The user can then choose to view deferred advertisements at any time that is convenient to the user.

Abstract: As part of an online shopping process, a user's selection of offers, services, etc. is facilitated. A merchant's e-commerce server may form a composite display page that includes a display page section transmitted to the e-commerce server from a payment gateway in connection with an online purchase transaction. The display page section may include offer options selected or gathered by the payment gateway. The e-commerce server may serve the composite display page, including the offer options, to the customer in the online purchase transaction. The customer may easily select among the offer options, and may effect sign-up therefor without entering personal information to implement the offer, because that information has already been collected or become available during a checkout phase of the online purchase transaction.

Abstract: System for promoting spontaneous purchases of goods using prestocked lockers and proximity marketing. Locker banks having secure lockers are deployed at strategic locations near consumers. The lockers are prestocked with items available for purchase. The prestocked items are marketed to roaming consumers whose mobile devices report Global Positioning System (GPS) positions near the locker banks. When purchase commitments respecting prestocked items are received from consumers via their mobile devices, access keys to lockers where the purchased items are stocked are activated and the consumers retrieve the purchased items from the lockers using the access keys.

Abstract: Provided is a process of distributing offers to non-location-sensing devices based on a geolocation sensed by another device, the process comprising: obtaining a geolocation of a user from a mobile device of the user; associating the geolocation of the user with an identifier of the user in an offers engine; receiving a request for an offer from another computing device of the user, the request including or prompting obtaining data from the other computing device sufficient to identify the user; retrieving the geolocation of the user obtained from the mobile device by identifying the user with the data from the other computing device sufficient to identify the user account; selecting, with the offers engine, a responsive offer based on the geolocation of the user obtained from the mobile device; and sending the responsive offer to the other computing device of the user.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to wirelessly receive and store identification information received from a vehicle, in response to a transmitted fuel offer being wirelessly transmitted to the vehicle. The processor is also configured to provide a price for fuel in accordance with a stored record of the transmitted fuel offer, in response to the vehicle's wirelessly received identification information matching information associated with the stored record.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention provide for one or more server computers communicatively coupled to a network and configured to: receive, from a contact list app running on a mobile device determined to be operating in a business mode, at least one incoming contact data correlated with the contact list; display, on the mobile device, a request for, and a confirmation that the incoming contact data is a business-related contact data; display, on the mobile device, a request for and confirmation that the incoming contact data is a business-related contact data; generate a marketing strategy specific to the incoming contact data; and transmit the marketing strategy to the mobile device for display

Abstract: Mobile device detecting and engaging are described. A server can determine that a mobile device has connected with a wireless network at a physical location. The server can provide a captive portal of the wireless network to the mobile device to receive contact information for the mobile device. The server can then provide a message including information related to the physical location to the mobile device using the contact information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: receiving, by a computing device, sensor data relating to the attributes of garment worn by a user; determining, by the computing device, the attributes of the garment based on receiving the sensor data; determining, by the computing device, the user's shopping interest based on determining the attributes of the garment; generating, by the computing device, a targeted advertisement based on the user's shopping interest; and outputting, by the computing device, the targeted advertisement for display at a merchant facility.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes retrieving a media posting and searching the media posting for a keyword. When the keyword is present in the media posting, an action associated with the keyword is retrieved and target psychographic information associated with the media posting is retrieved. The action is then executed while utilizing the target psychographic information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine media impressions using distributed demographic information are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention provide for one or more server computers communicatively coupled to a network and configured to: receive, from an app running on a mobile device determined to be operating in a business mode, an incoming data; display, on the mobile device, a request for, and a confirmation that the incoming data comprises a website content and its description; generate a metadata from the description defining at least one detail of the website content; define, within a data record storing the incoming data, the website content and the metadata defining one or more details of the website content; determine that a quantity of the website content is above a required threshold to generate the website; and generate the website comprising the website content.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for distributing content are disclosed. In one aspect a distribution phrase that is used to distribute a content item for a content sponsor is accessed. Entities that correspond to the distribution phrase are identified and data specifying the entities are provided to the content sponsor. Data specifying at least one of the entities to be used as an entity distribution parameter for the content item are received from the content sponsor. A content item request that includes a resource identifier is received. A determination is made based, at least in part, on the resource identifier, that the resource references the at least one of the entities. The content item is distributed in response to the determination that the resource references the at least one of the entities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of raising funds for an organization. In one embodiment, the organization distributes a solicitation to a buyer, or for delivery to a buyer by way of a child relative of the buyer. The solicitation comprises an offer to sell a jewelry article made from a processed exfoliated deciduous tooth of the child, set in a jewelry object, as a gemstone would be set. The buyer sends a payment for the jewelry article to the manufacturer, who sends a payment to the organization for having distributed a solicitation that was converted into a purchase. The buyer sends the exfoliated deciduous tooth to the manufacturer. The deciduous tooth is specially processed in a manner that allows it to be set in the buyer's selected jewelry object as a gemstone would be set to create the completed jewelry article.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system comprising a plurality of user device and a platform, wherein the user device and the platform are communicated with each other via the network. An application is located on the user device. The application is configured to prompt the user to enter rating after the user finished a transaction with the merchant which is provided in the application. Users have options to initiate the application automatically or manually while receiving a prompt. The rating data is processed by special algorithms and pushed to the user device automatically or manually. The rating result displayed on the user device has multiple colors labeled and each color corresponds to different satisfaction of the user. Therefore the user will objectively understand this merchant without having to read tons of subjective reviews.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computerized system that analyzes the text of on-line product and service reviews, compares the textual components of the review with a database of manufacturer/service producer updates to the product or service to which the review pertains, provides corrective commentary to the review based upon post-review action taken by the manufacture/service provider, and adjusts the weighting of the review on the basis of the outdated information.

Abstract: According to an example implementation, a method comprises generating a graphical asynchronous messaging user interface including an input region containing a set of digital images of items and an activity region displaying graphical messaging elements respectively representing messages sent between a consumer node and a provider node, displaying the graphical asynchronous messaging user interface, receiving a first user input from a user via the input region selecting a first digital image associated with a first item from the set of digital images of items in the input region, generating a first message including the first digital image associated with the first item, including the first message including the first digital image associated with the first item in a first messaging element in the activity region displayed to the user on the display device, and transmitting the first message via a public computer network as a request to the provider node.

Abstract: A system for executing actions based on user input is provided. The system comprises a virtual agent for a software application, wherein the virtual agent is configured to store a correlation between actions available in the software application. Further, the system associates one or more of the actions with one or more tags. The system receives at least an audio input from a user of the software application, and uses the input to identify an action desired by the user to be performed among the actions. Further, the system executes one or more actions based on the desired action and the correlation between the actions available in the software application.

Abstract: A system and method include a kiosk processor, a device kiosk on a customer mobile device, which displays via a user interface, content and options for the customer from a third party customer service system, a customer interaction channel that receives, via an associated customer interaction network, a request to access the third party customer service system, via the device kiosk on a customer mobile device, an authentication module associated with the kiosk processor that receives customer data and customer input associated with an authentication request via a network to authenticate the customer, identifies a customer mobile device based on device identifiers, and evaluates risk factors associated with the customer mobile device, and a communication interface associated with the kiosk processor, that transmits, via a push notification gateway, a push notification to the device kiosk on the customer mobile device that establishes, via the network, a secure connection between the customer mobile device and

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to address incorrectly placed items. Some systems comprise: a plurality of motorized transport units that are each configured to perform multiple different tasks at a retail shopping facility; and a central computer system configured to instruct various ones of the plurality of motorized transport units to implement at least one of the multiple different tasks relative to the retail shopping facility, receive and analyze input data detected and provided by the motorized transport units while the motorized transport units perform the at least one of the tasks, and detect and categorize each item of multiple items that are incorrectly placed within the retail shopping facility according to one of multiple different predefined categories.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method for operating personal information brokerage apparatus and a method for operating a customized product production system using the method. The method for operating a personal information brokerage apparatus that mediates a transaction between a purchaser terminal device and a seller terminal device, the method including receiving personal information about a purchaser from the purchaser terminal device, classifying and storing the personal information for each purchaser, receiving product selection information related to a desired purchasing product of the purchaser from the purchaser terminal device, determining whether customized personal information required to produce the desired purchasing product is present in the stored personal information, and transmitting the customized personal information and the product selection information to the seller terminal device that sells the desired purchasing product, based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: The present system relates to methods and apparatus for displaying retail information. Specially, the present system provides a system for displaying retail information specified by a retailer or a consumer and real-time monitoring of retail product for the retailer. For example, this allows a retailer to send promotional offers to a consumer operated external device, the retailer to keep real-time inventory of products, and the consumer to request the location of a product in a retail outlet. Additionally, the described system provides methods and apparatus for theft detection of a retail product.

Abstract: A dynamic attribute search engine system can be implemented to execute faceted searches using dynamic facets. In embodiments, a dynamic attribute search engine system includes one or more product databases, a data ingestor, an index, a query service, and a faceted searcher. The dynamic attribute search engine system is programmed to dynamically determine facets for a faceted search in response to dominant categories identified for each search query.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for delivering in-store product information to customers using a remote server, a network, and one or more end user handheld devices. The method entails providing a network storage device with a product information database stored thereon. The storage device is connected to a network and the database is maintained by an administrator with the latest pricing information, inventory levels, and product location data for in-store products. A loadable application layer on the user handheld devices is provided for end users to access the product information database over the network. Users can query the product information database using the application layer to, among other things: select and view available products available in the store, create shopping lists, view sales, and calculate price totals for products placed on the user's shopping lists. Consumers are therefore afforded real-time product information while shopping or prior to arriving.

Abstract: A customer is provided with a personalized retail experience using a retail kiosk or mobile device that is enabled for near-field communication (NFC). The kiosk is provided with customer identifying information through an NFC-based communication with a customer's user device. The kiosk authenticates the customer based on the identifying information, retrieves retail information associated with the customer from a back-end server, and provides the personalized retail experience using the retrieved information. In one example, the personalized retail experience is provided based on customer-input received through an NFC reader of the kiosk. Also, the mobile device can be provided with a retail store identifier through an NFC-based communication link with an NFC tag for the store. The personalized retail experience can then be provided through the mobile device based on retail information for the retail store that is retrieved by the mobile device based on the identifier obtained through NFC.

Abstract: A method is provided for recommending relevant merchants for a consumer at a given geographical location. The method generally includes identifying, using a computing processing unit, transactions processed over at least one payment device network as being associated with a payment network account of a consumer. The identified transactions are then parsed to extract ISO 8583 formatted data. By evaluating the extracted ISO 8583 formatted data and determining a location of the consumer, a list containing merchant that are available for more purchases and within a predetermined distance to a geographical location of the consumer are determined. Furthermore, the list may be refined by evaluating the strength of the intersect between a plurality of consumer vectors and a plurality of merchant vectors.

Abstract: A system, computer-implemented method and computer program product for creating one or more personalized interactive virtual stores. The system comprising an offline data creation module configured to generate a virtual store layout and fill information corresponding to one or more products into the generated virtual store layout to generate a virtual store. The system further comprising a gamification module configured to facilitate one or more customers to personalize, via an electronic communication device, the generated virtual store through gamification. Furthermore, the system comprises a mapping module configured to analyze changes in the personalized virtual store to provide real-time personalized recommendations to the one or more customers.

Abstract: The present disclose provides a method of recommending at least one item to a user, the method comprising: receiving the user's feedback on an item; predicting a user vector and an item vector related to the user in an online mode based on the received feedback; and recommending to the user an acceptable item based on the user vector and item vector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recommending an item from a plurality of items. The plurality of items includes chemistry-based features. The system comprises a computing device and a database. The database includes user preference data, item data, and mapping data. The system receives user input regarding user preferences, and associates user preference values with chemistry-based feature values. The system compares chemistry-based feature values for each item to the user preference values and returns items that best match. In one embodiment, the items are wines and the system uses chemistry-based features of wines such as wine volatile chemical compounds to return wine recommendations.

Abstract: Providing personalized item recommendations using scalable matrix factorization with randomness. Various embodiments involve ecommerce websites, an item interaction matrix, item interaction weightings, factorizing into a user feature matrix and an item feature matrix, computing a thin matrix, generating a random Gaussian matrix, decomposing a matrix Y by a QR factorization, performing a singular value decomposition, performing alternative least squares, computing item interaction scores, selecting at least one item for recommendation to an Internet user based on the item interaction scores, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An issue with a pharmacy order that requires user interaction to complete the order is detected. A status message that includes information tailored to the issue and a link to additional information is sent to the customer who placed the order. A request for the additional information is received via the link, and the additional information is transmitted for display on the client device.

Abstract: A system to implement the virtual checkout service is disclosed. The system comprises comprising: a virtual checkout server configured to implement the virtual checkout service; a user computing device configured to communicate with said virtual checkout server as the user shops within a physical store; and a retailer device associated with said physical store to communicate with said virtual checkout server in order to verify purchases by said user.

Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods provide media content through an electronic commerce server. In one implementation, a method for providing electronic content is provided. The method includes receiving an order of a user. The order of the user may comprise a request of the user for a physical copy of media content. The commerce server may determine whether to provide to the user an electronic copy of the media content based at least on the order. Further, a request to access the electronic copy of the media content is received from the user. The method further grants the user access to the electronic copy of the media content based at least on the request to access the electronic copy of the media content.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus that will allow customers to virtually try on articles of clothing by presenting a mirrored display that allows for the garment to be displayed on the reflection of the user, thereby providing a means to see the article as it would appear if they were to wear it, eliminate the mess that may arise in the store's dressing rooms, help to prevent shoplifting, and increase sales of merchandise. Furthermore, the method accurately specifies the fitting of garments, and matches well-fitting garments with individual consumers, wherein the method provides means to keep dressing rooms clean, allow the user to see the merchandise as how it would look on them, prevent theft, and increase the sale of merchandise.