Abstract: The SYNTHETIC CONTROL GENERATION AND CAMPAIGN IMPACT ASSESSMENT APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“SCG”) provides a platform that, in various embodiments, is configurable to evaluate efficacy and/or return on investment of advertising and/or other media campaigns and/or to recommend actions for improvement thereof. In some implementations, multi-faceted campaigns of media and/or advertising behavior (e.g., including one or more of: internet advertising, television advertising, radio advertising, print advertising, social media publication, product placement, and/or the like) may be considered as a whole in relation to global metric behaviors and/or patterns in order to evaluate the efficacy and/or return on investment associated with the campaign as a whole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for outputting linked advertisement on basis of a smart phone which is capable of displaying an advertisement so that exposure frequency may be adjusted depending on an exposure index considering cost-per-click (CPC) price, possibility of selling products, and an amount of accumulated reward money, and displaying the advertisement information with a larger font size while more increasing possibility of access of users to advertisements having priority within a predetermined priority range.

Abstract: Sequential hypothesis testing techniques are described, which involve testing sequences of increasingly larger number of samples until a winner is determined. In particular, sequential hypothesis testing techniques is based on whether a result of a statistic has reached statistical significance that defines a confidence level in the accuracy of the results. Sequential hypothesis testing also permits the user to “peek” into the test through use of a user interface (e.g., dashboard) to monitor the test in real time as it is being run. Real time output of this information in a user interface as a part of sequential hypothesis testing may be leveraged in a variety of ways. In a first example, a user may make changes as the test is run. In another example, flexible execution is also made possible in that the test may continue to run even if initial accuracy guarantees have been met.

Abstract: A touchpoint exposure predictive model defines the relationship between a number of messages deployed in a message campaign and the response so as to model diminishing returns on the response due to the number of messages. A predicted message deployment—response curve is rendered on a display of a user computer depicts the effectiveness of the response to the messages. The user runs a simulation to increase the number of the messages in the campaign, and a modified message deployment—response curve for the messages, which incorporates diminishing returns, is rendered from the touchpoint exposure predictive model.

Abstract: Sample size determination techniques in sequential hypothesis testing in a digital medium environment are described. The sample size may be determined before a test to define a number of samples (e.g., user interactions with digital marketing content) that are likely to be tested as part of the sequential hypothesis testing in order to achieve a result. The sample size may also be determined in real time to define a number of samples that likely remain for testing in order to achieve a result. The sample size may be determined in a variety of ways, such as through simulation, based on a gap between conversion rates for different options being tested, and so on.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to incorporate saturation effects into marketing mix models are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a reach calculator to convert adstock data associated with an advertising campaign into effective reached realized (ERR) data based on a relationship between reach and adstocked gross rating points indicative of saturation effects of the advertising campaign on a target audience of the advertising campaign. The adstock data corresponds to adstocked gross rating points generated from marketing mix input data. The marketing mix input data includes (a) sales data associated with sales over a period of interest and (b) advertising data associated with the advertising campaign during the period of interest. The apparatus also includes a regression engine to determine an impact of the advertising campaign on the sales during the period of interest based on the ERR data analyzed relative to the sales data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with computing and generating schedule data structures for items in a display are described. In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a sales data structure corresponding to a store and analyzing sales records for items associated with subcategories to calculate a subcategory profit contribution score for each subcategory. The method may also include selecting a first subcategory from the subcategories as a candidate subcategory of items and analyzing the sales records to calculate an item profit contribution score for each of the items assigned to the candidate subcategory. A first item is selected from the candidate subcategory to be placed on a promotional display space, based upon the item profit contribution score of the first item. A schedule data structure is generated that assigns the first item to the promotional display space.

Abstract: A web page personalization system comprises a profile database and a profile manager. The profile database stores profiles for users. The profiles are comprised of segments of profile information for the users. The profile manager receives a request over an Internet for a group of segments of profile information about a user from a requestor. The request includes an anonymized identifier stored on a device for the user. The profile manager identifies a profile from the profiles for the user in the profile database using the anonymized identifier. The profile is comprised of the segments of the profile information about the user. The profile manager sends a portion of the profile information corresponding to the group of segments in an anonymized form in a reply over the Internet to the requestor. The requestor uses the group of segments to generate a personalized web page for the user.

Abstract: Provided is a method for advertising a product on the basis of a social network service activity of a user comprises posting, by an operation server, information on a product online for a predetermined time period; receiving an experience application for the product, through a user device of each user, from at least one user who has registered in the operation server with SNS interworking information for interworking with at least one SNS server; selecting at least one person to experience the product who will promote the product from among the users who have applied for the experience according to a predetermined condition when the predetermined time elapses; and providing the product to the person to experience the product and requesting the user device to share the review information related to the product with another user in an SNS server registered by the person to experience the product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a user device comprising: an output component for outputting media content to a user; computer storage holding a user model of a user, the user model comprising personal information of the user; an input component configured to receive a content identification document identifying pieces of content to be output to the user by the output component: a content modifier configured to modify the document received by the input component based on the user model of the user, the content modifier operable to filter out at least one piece of content identified by the content document to generate a modified identification document, wherein the output component is configured to interpret each piece of content identified in the modified identification document for outputting to the user, wherein the filtered out piece(s) of content is not provided to the user.

Abstract: An advertisement push apparatus and method are provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: a foreground advertisement playing module configured to play a foreground advertisement according to a playing address of the foreground advertisement provided by a background server; a material displaying module configured to display preview materials of all or some of n candidate advertisements upon detection of a selection instruction triggered by a user during a process of playing the foreground advertisement, where n is a positive integer; and a candidate advertisement selecting and playing module configured to select at least one candidate advertisement from the n candidate advertisements for playing, in response to a selection operation of the user performed on the preview materials of the candidate advertisements.

Abstract: An occupancy based targeted marketing system for augmenting market control techniques corresponding to one or more buildings of one or more building types within a geographic subsector is provided. The occupancy based traffic control system includes a subsector occupancy aggregator, an other facility occupancy estimator, and a subsector market control processor. The subsector occupancy aggregator is configured to receive energy consumption and outside temperature streams corresponding to a portion of the one or more buildings, and is configured to employ occupancy components for each of the portion of the one or more buildings to process the streams, and is configured to generate average occupancy components corresponding to each building type within the portion of the one or more buildings and a first aggregated occupancy component for the first portion of the one or more buildings, where the occupancy components are generated by exclusively processing the streams.

Abstract: An occupancy based focused marketing system for augmenting market control techniques corresponding to one or more buildings of one or more building types within a geographic subsector is provided. The occupancy based traffic control system has a subsector occupancy aggregator, an other facility occupancy estimator, and a subsector market control processor. The subsector occupancy aggregator is configured to receive energy consumption and outside temperature streams corresponding to a portion of the one or more buildings, and is configured to employ occupancy components for each of the portion of the one or more buildings to process the streams, and is configured to generate average occupancy components corresponding to each building type within the portion of the one or more buildings and a first aggregated occupancy component for the first portion of the one or more buildings, where the occupancy components are generated by exclusively processing the streams.

Abstract: An online system identifies a group of users of the online system based on connections between the users of the group maintained by the online system and distances between the users during a particular time interval. The online system predicts a purpose of the group and one or more common interests shared by users of the group. The predicted purpose and common interest(s) are mapped to content items eligible to be presented to one or more users of the group. A confidence score and/or bid price is computed for each content item to which the purpose and common interest(s) of the group are mapped. The online system selects one or more content items for presentation to one or more users of the group based on the confidence scores/bid prices.

Abstract: A location-based information system and method therefor, which is responsive to the user's selection of geographic zone and parameters. A proprietary app (application) is installed in a mobile device of the user, which insures that a connection to the user from a caller is based on the user's defined zone and other parameters without the disclosing the exact location of the user. Various embodiments of the invention provide an option for user-to-user location-based connection without depending on a remote server.

Abstract: Mobile device performance is predicted for a specified timeframe to drive selection of presentation media to be rendered on the mobile device during the specified timeframe. Further, mobile device context is determined for the specified timeframe according to current and historical context data. Presentations identified as suitable for a given context are delivered to the mobile device according to the determined mobile device context.

Abstract: Mobile device performance is predicted for a specified timeframe to drive selection of presentation media to be rendered on the mobile device during the specified timeframe. Further, mobile device context is determined for the specified timeframe according to current and historical context data. Presentations identified as suitable for a given context are delivered to the mobile device according to the determined mobile device context.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for customer segmentation. Customers can use mobile devices to interact with e-commerce retailers via Internet connections, in order to shop for products and services. E-commerce retailers aim to provide a more personalized shopping experience. Based on voice interactions with a customer, e-commerce retailers may apply embodiments of the present invention to store voice segments of a customer; assign voice segments to the customer; analyze the customer's spending behaviors; assign a customer segment to the customer based on the customer's spending behaviors; and generate offers to the customer based on the customer segment.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed utilizing cognitive computing to improve commercial communications from vendors to users. A user's financial account(s) and location may be monitored to determine when a user is within a threshold distance of a vendor. If the user is within the threshold distance the methods and systems disclosed may determine which targeted commercial communications to transmit to the user based upon a shopping profile for the user. The shopping profile may include a dataset indicative of the shopping habits of the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a personalization database. The computer system selects a number of segments of profile information about a user from a plurality of segments of the profile information about the user located in a human resources database. A record for the user in the personalization database is identified by the computer system, wherein an anonymized identifier for the user is used to locate the record. The number of segments selected is placed, by the computer system, into the record for the user in the personalization database, wherein a profile manager for the personalization database handles requests for information about users.

Abstract: An initial user is selected and social data associated with the user is retrieved. Social contacts within the profile are identified and assessed for association with a product or product type. Social contacts are sorted according to their proximity to the initial user. Target or reference contacts are identified based on product association and proximity.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for content delivery, including receiving a plurality of content items and target criteria corresponding to a target consumer of the plurality of content items, embedding a plurality of metadata tags in the plurality of content items based at least in part on the target criteria, storing the plurality of content items in a campaign data structure, transmitting a content item in the plurality of content items to a user, selecting a content path from the one or more content paths linked to the content item within the campaign data structure based at least in part on one or more metadata tags embedded in a next content item in each of the one or more content paths and a user profile corresponding to the user, and transmitting information associated with the next content item in the selected content path to the user.

Abstract: The system and methods of the present invention enable a paradigm shift in mass mailing campaigns wherein printing personalized images in a mailer takes the conventional focus of direct mailing from the marketer and fundamentally changes the focus to the recipient. The recipient is at the center of the correspondence, not the marketer's desire to sell a service or product. The recipient notices this shift and is more likely to engage with the marketer. The mailer greatly facilitates allowing the recipient to go from the offline medium of the mailer to an online Web page where additional personalized content may be displayed. The marketer may be notified, for example via SMS or phone call, as soon as the Web page is visited by the recipient.

Abstract: An internet-based workflow management platform for use in the broadcast and web industry to facilitate resources sharing and improved production efficiency—specifically adapted for creation and production of commercial advertisements. An internet, cloud-backed system for the creation and production of commercial advertising spots is provided wherein a role-based structure ensures that users only see the information relevant to them and relevant to their part in the overall process and workflow that ends with the completion of a work order. The internet and cloud structure of the platform affords vastly improved communication and information access to enable persons working on creative production or commercial advertisements through said work order to be geographically situated anywhere, as opposed to the limits of one physical location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for view-based advertisement selection involve controlling the rotation of reproduced advertisements based, in part, on whether the reproduced advertisements are within a browser viewport. An advertisement that is reproduced on a web page and is not within a browser viewport can continue to be reproduced until the advertisement is within the browser viewport for a period of time. After an advertisement is within the browser viewport for a period of time another advertisement is selected to replace the previously reproduced advertisement.

Abstract: Example embodiments of a system and method for image-based listing of an item, using an image of multiple items, are generally described herein. In some example embodiments, an image-based listing system includes an identifying module to identify a portion of an image of multiple items, the portion of the image depicting the item; a tagging module to associate tag information with the portion of the image, the tag information being associated with the item; and a listing module to list the item, the listing of the item comprising displaying at least some tag information.

Abstract: The serving of content with (e.g., on) video documents may be improved in a number of ways. For example, a system may accept information defining at least one ad spot associated with at least one instance of an video document, accept offers to have ads served in the ad spot(s), and arbitrate among competing ads, using at least the offers, to determine at least one ad to be served in that ad spot(s). As another example, a system may accept relevance information for an ad, determine at least one video document using the accepted relevance information, present information about the video document(s) to an ad provider associated with the ad, and accept, from the ad provider, an offer to have its ad served with at least one of the video document(s) accepted.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate donations via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility and an interchange having a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format. For a payment to a merchant, the common format processor provides a user interface configured to present charity donation options in response to a phone number being specified in the user interface to identify a fund source. The common format processor uses one of the converters to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm the payment to the merchant and a donation to a separate charity organization specified via the user interface.

Abstract: The present application provides methods and devices for collecting customer feedback. The methods comprise the steps of determining whether a received input string used to authenticate a payment instrument against which a transaction is charged contains customer feedback data, and extracting the customer feedback data in response to determining presence of the customer feedback data.

Abstract: A mobile computing device may comprise a user interface component configured to output stimuli and receive inputs, a wireless transceiver configured to communicate commands and/or messages to one or more wireless transceivers of the one or more electronic devices, and one or more processors coupled to the user interface component and the wireless transceiver. A computer-readable storage medium may contains computer-readable instructions, that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive input corresponding to a selected azimuth movement/position of the intelligent umbrella and a selected tilting movement position, communicate messages and/or commands, based on the selected azimuth movement and the selected tilting movement to the intelligent umbrella to cause a support assembly to rotate with respect to a base about an azimuth axis and to cause an upper support assembly to tilt with respect to a lower assembly about an elevation axis.

Abstract: In one example, a content catalog system may process a bulk set of errors to prioritize those errors that may benefit from manual review by a human error administrator. A catalog quality management sub-system of the content catalog system may receive an error output describing a catalog error for a product aspect of a product in a content catalog from an error detection module. The catalog quality management sub-system may categorize the catalog error by a degree of human interaction with an error fix determined from an error metric in the error output. The catalog quality management sub-system may apply an error fix to the catalog error based on the degree of human interaction.

Abstract: A platform facilitates buyers, sellers, and third parties in obtaining information related to each other's transaction histories, such as a supplier's shipment history, the types of materials typically shipped, a supplier's customers, a supplier's expertise, what materials and how much a buyer purchases, buyer and shipper reliability, similarity between buyers, similarity between suppliers, and the like. The platform aggregates data from a variety of sources, including, without limitation, customs data associated with actual import/export transactions and facilitates the generation of reports as to the quality of buyers and suppliers, the reports relating to a variety of parameters that are associated with buyer and supplier quality.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for identifying potential shoplifting incidents. In one embodiment, a system can receive and analyze information related to a number of items removed from a display and a number of items added to a shopping receptacle. These numbers of items can be detected by weight or load changes sensed by a sensor system, and if the counted numbers of items do not match, the system can flag nearby shopping receptacles via their unique identification numbers as potentially involved in shoplifting incidents.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for managing events which includes receiving a host request, through a host access terminal, the host request comprising one or more event constraints that at least partially define an event. The method also includes searching a database of service proposals to locate at least one service proposal complying with one or more of the event constraints; transmitting the at least one service proposal to the host access terminal; receiving at least one service proposal acceptance from the host terminal; and receiving client access details of one or more clients. Once client access details are received, a token is generated for each client, the token being for accessing one or more accepted service proposals and an event request is transmitted to each of the one or more client terminals, each event request comprising the requisite token.

Abstract: Session data from a first browsing session, of a first user of a first client device of a server, at an enterprise website is accessed. Session state data for the first browsing session is determined based on the session data. Information associated with the first user information is accessed from the enterprise, the first user information including first user contact information. A message is then transmitted to the first user, the message including a summary of the first browsing session generated based on the session data and the first user information. The message includes a link to a second browsing session at the enterprise website, and based on a selection of the link by the first user, the second browsing session is established. The session state data is used to establish an initial session state for the second browsing session including a browsing history of the first browsing session.

Abstract: A computer program product for creating personalized artwork includes an art creation server comprising a processor, a data store, and a controller comprising a data management engine, a randomization engine, and an online shopping. Each of the controller subsystems may manipulate information in the data store. The data management engine may receive and manage art objects, including both pre-set and custom versions of the following: outline shapes, design elements, and medium settings. The randomization engine may automatically generate the personalized artwork using selected art objects. The online shopping engine may process a purchase order for a good characterized by the personalized artwork. The selected art objects, the personalized artwork, and the purchase order may be added to the information included in the data store. A production device may create the good using the information in the data store.

Abstract: Browsing session data of a first user of a first client device at an enterprise website is accessed together with user information associated with the first user. The accessed data is used to determine that the first user would like to collaborate with a second user of a second client device. A first data file is retrieved from the enterprise based on the session data and a data type of the first data file is determined. Metadata associated with the first data file is accessed from the enterprise and one or more sources of data files are identified based on the data type and the metadata. A first collaboration widget is transmitted to the first device and a second collaboration widget to the second device. The first and second client devices access a collaboration user interface with access to the file sources using the first and second collaboration widgets respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interactive mirror (1) and to a method for displaying information on an interactive mirror (1).

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for monitoring a facility, such as the safety, security, and status of individuals and items within the facility. In one illustrative approach, a retail facility maintains information regarding product location, in part, from correlating a shopper's cart path and their purchased items with those of other shoppers. In some approaches, a cart path may be determined, in part, by depositing compounds on a floor surface, provide shopping carts configured to pick up the compounds deposited on the floor of the retail facility, and capture, via a compound detector, the compounds deposited on the cart wheels of a particular shopping cart during a customer checkout at a point of sale terminal, and generate an estimated cart path for the particular one of the plurality of shopping carts.

Abstract: The present invention may be used for creating an access point for hair vendors and customers to sell and buy affordable and excellent quality hair bundles in their current location. Users can search for hair bundles in any zip code, by using a built in search feature within the Application, that can filter by location and price. In addition, a built in database, stores vendors hair bundle information and pictures. Then this will populate the hair bundle results that are obtained when using the search function. A review and rating feature will help users determine the best quality bundle of hair to buy. Once a hair bundle is selected a user can checkout via a secure payment method, PayPal.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for optimizing a product assortment available at a retail location based on the likelihood of products to meet customer needs.

Abstract: A method is provided for making recommendations for a user of an activity tracking system. The method includes receiving activity data for the user over a period of days, the activity data collected by a geo-position device. The method further includes determining routine travel paths for the user based on the activity data, and then determining recommendations, the recommendations based at least in part on the routine travel paths of the user. The method also includes sending the recommendations to the user.

Abstract: System and method for management and optimization of waiting time for check-out service by using an unique identifier recognition via local wi-fi network with the purpose to manage one or several check-out positions (cashiers or counters), optimizing waiting time for check-out service. This system and method is designed to be used by persons, where each individual is identified by the unique physical address identifier (such as the MAC address) of their personal mobile device with Wi-Fi connection. To access the system on the local server, the user must connect to the licensed establishment's exclusive Wi-Fi local network and access the system using a dedicated pre-installed application or URL address, according to the user's choice. It is therefore a system designed to optimize waiting time, where the addition of new users will occur by mobile device (such as smartphones, tablets, iPods, netbooks, notebooks or other similar devices).

Abstract: According to exemplary methods, automated image processing of images from order locations of a multi-lane drive-thru system is continually performed using an automated ordering system. It is automatically determined if a vehicle is present at any of the order locations based on the automated image processing. It is automatically determined if an order has been initiated into the automated ordering system. When the order has been initiated while the vehicle is present at any of the order locations, an automated sequencing processing is automatically begun. The automated sequencing processing determines an order pick-up sequence for picking up orders at pickup windows of the multi-lane drive-thru system. When the order has been initiated while the vehicle is not present at any of the order locations, a potential out-of-sequence warning is automatically associated with the order and output from the automated ordering system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for generating and processing natural language requests. A request processing system processes a received natural language request to identify an intent of the natural language request and a confidence level of the identified intent. In response to the confidence level of the identified intent not satisfying a threshold level, the request processing system sends the natural language request to the fulfillment computing device for further processing by a person associated with the fulfillment computing device. In response to the confidence level satisfying the threshold level, the request processing system proceeds with fulfilling the request per the identified intent.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for utilizing interactive UI dialogs to resolve issues that may arise during the real-time ordering and activation of wireless products and services while a user is engaged during their session. The interactive UI dialogs may provide a customer with an opportunity to provide information, make decisions or trigger additional steps during the real time order.

Abstract: A drive-through shopping system includes a drive-through shopping configuration. The drive through shopping configuration may include a parcel of land including a drive-way and a shopping-building. The shopping-building may include a structure and a throughway for a customer. The shopping-building may include a structure including an inventory of goods and the throughway may include at least two convenience-windows accessible by one or more of the customers. A method of using a drive-through shopping system may include: providing access to the drive-through shopping system, receiving a remote order from a customer, retrieving the remote order from an inventory of goods, receiving payment from the customer in exchange for the order, and delivering the order to the customer, with the customer onsite to receive the order.

Abstract: An image analysis method for virtual wear fashion items worn on the head portion of a person such as hats, earrings, and glasses in augmented reality is provided. The image analysis method includes: Step A, receiving a user smart devices; Step B, a smart device that can shoot the head portion of the user obtain the video in real time; Step C, extracting feature information about the smart devices in the nose, mouth, forehead, ears, by the eye of the user's face from a real-time video; Step D, generating the characteristic point based on the feature information for tracking the feature points in accordance with the movement of the head part video; and Step E, synthesizing the virtual image of the product to fashion the head portions of the video of the variable so as to correspond to the movement of the feature point.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to receive, facilitate, and manage food ordering, especially remote, electronic food ordering. In some embodiments, a food order processing and management system includes an electronic user interface that receives a food order, a database with a plurality of food preparation facilities and capabilities associated therewith, and a central computer coupled to the database, where the central computer is configured to maintain the capabilities of the various food preparation facilities, such as the available ingredients and preparation selections in the database, receive a retrieval time for a particular food preparation facility and present the available capabilities to the user based on the updated database, and notify the food preparation facility of the details of the food order including the selected ingredients and preparation details, along with the retrieval time.

Abstract: A system and method for computer vision driven applications in an environment that can include collecting image data across an environment; maintaining an environmental object graph from the image data whereby maintaining the environmental object graph is an iterative process that includes: classifying objects, tracking object locations, detecting interaction events, instantiating object associations in the environmental object graph, and updating the environmental object graph by propagating change in at least one object instance across object associations; and inspecting object state for at least one object instance in the environmental object graph and executing an action associated with the object state. The system and method can be applied to automatic checkout, inventory management, and/or other system integrations.