Abstract: In some examples, a server may determine that a case, created to address an issue of a computing device, is closed and perform an analysis of steps in a process used to close the case. The analysis may determine a length of time of each step and determine that a time to close the case or complete a particular step was at least a predetermined amount faster than average. The server may use machine learning to create a survey question to determine a technique used to close the case or complete the particular step faster than average and to determine one or more incentives to provide a technician that closed the case. An answer from the technician to the survey question may include the technique used to close the case or complete the particular step faster than average. The technique may be shared with other technicians.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a social networking platform offering various services, such as, facilitating aggregation and management of a user's interaction on one or more social networking platforms, offering enhanced control over the level of privacy associated with the flow of user data, offering tools to customize the user's exposure to advertisement-related content on the social networking platform(s), integrating features to control aspects of how data/content is presented to and visualized by the user, empowering the user to multicast direct messages to other users without the other users having to meet certain constraints, empowering the user to create and/or join a group based on messaging threads, and the like. One or more of these enhanced services/features are associated with a powerful framework of authentication/permission model for access control.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gamification-based engagement are disclosed. In one embodiment, in an information processing apparatus comprising at least one computer processor, a method for gamification-based engagement, may include: (1) receiving, from a plurality of data sources, customer activity data comprising customer behavioral data and customer transactional data for a plurality of customers; (2) generating a dynamic customer profile for each of the customers based on the customer activity data and the customer transactional data; (3) retrieving challenge data for a challenge comprising an identification of a plurality of tasks to be completed, an order in which the tasks are to be completed, and an incentive for completing the tasks; (4) dynamically matching one of the customers to the challenge; (5) issuing the challenge to the customer; (6) tracking the customer's response to the challenge; and (7) updating the customer's dynamic customer profile based on the customer's response.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a social networking platform offering various services, such as, facilitating aggregation and management of a user's interaction on one or more social networking platforms, offering enhanced control over the level of privacy associated with the flow of user data, offering tools to customize the user's exposure to advertisement-related content on the social networking platform(s), integrating features to control aspects of how data/content is presented to and visualized by the user, empowering the user to multicast direct messages to other users without the other users having to meet certain constraints, empowering the user to create and/or join a group based on messaging threads, and the like. One or more of these enhanced services/features are associated with a powerful framework of authentication/permission model for access control.

Abstract: In a vehicle utilization supporting system, a total charge calculation part calculates a total charge including a travel charge calculated by a travel charge calculation part and a predicted excess charge calculated by a predicted excess charge calculation part. In a case where a plurality of moving routes are extracted by a moving route extraction part, a moving route selection information provision part provides selection information of the moving routes based on the total charge for each moving route calculated by the total charge calculation part and predicted moving time for each moving route calculated by a predicted moving time calculation par.

Abstract: A method and a system that gives any brand or retailer instant visibility by crowd-servicing grocery shoppers using a photo based app and dashboard are disclosed. Instant visibility in 24 hours with no emails, calls and waiting for half the price on a monthly subscription, all delivered in a neat dashboard and created by grocery shoppers using the intuitive app technology.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ticket classification and response include labeling tickets with a ticket classifier that assigns a ticket label and an associated confidence score to each ticket. Tickets are clustered according to semantic similarity to form ticket clusters. A template associated with each ticket cluster is determined. Templates and the respective ticket clusters are clustered according to semantic similarity to form one or more ticket super-clusters. Tickets that have below-threshold confidence scores are labeled according to the one or more ticket super-clusters. The tickets are automatically responded to.

Abstract: A system can receive a request for a service from the computing device of a given user of the network service. Based on the request, the system can determine a vehicle stopping location for a driver of a vehicle that is to service the request, and transmit map data to the computing device of the driver to present map content indicating (i) the vehicle stopping location for a vehicular portion of the service, and (ii) a path for the driver from the vehicle stopping location to a target location, the path to be followed by the driver upon parking the vehicle at the vehicle stopping location. The system can further transmit a set of delivery instructions to the computing device of the driver to specify one or more actions for delivering an item to the given user at a location specified by the given user.

Abstract: A method of managing a plurality of unique digital coupons that can be transmitted to a plurality of known consumers, such that each of the plurality of known consumers is associated with a particular plurality of coupons that can be registered to, searched for, saved on, traded with, and merged or “stacked” together; all on a single platform so that every interaction is recorded, analyzed, scored and reported on in such a way that advertisers can identify new previously unknown consumers and incentivize them to become future customers using their existing marketing campaign and distribution methods.

Abstract: This disclosure sets forth systems and techniques that trace plant provenance and determine a likelihood of plant spoilage within a plant growth operation. Particularly, a plant health monitoring system may monitor and record plant growth data of one or more individual plants during a plant life cycle from germination through to harvest. The plant growth data may include data relating to environmental conditions that surround the individual plants, and plant-specific data drawn from time-lapse images captured during the plant life cycle. A plant grower may use the time-lapse image data to identify changes in plant structure that indicate the degree of health of an individual plant, or the encompassing batch of plants. Further, a plant grower may use the plant growth data to generate one or more financial instruments that may be distributed to one or more financial institutions as support for securing capital to fund the plant growth operation.

Abstract: This disclosure sets forth systems and techniques that trace plant provenance and determine a likelihood of plant spoilage within a plant growth operation. Particularly, a plant health monitoring system may monitor and record plant growth data of one or more individual plants during a plant life cycle from germination through to harvest. The plant growth data may include data relating to environmental conditions that surround the individual plants, and plant-specific data drawn from time-lapse images captured during the plant life cycle. A plant grower may use the time-lapse image data to identify changes in plant structure that indicate the degree of health of an individual plant, or the encompassing batch of plants. Further, a plant grower may use the plant growth data to generate one or more financial instruments that may be distributed to one or more financial institutions as support for securing capital to fund the plant growth operation.

Abstract: The technology relates to facilitating transportation services between a user and a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode. For instance, one or more server computing devices having one or more processors may information identifying the current location of the vehicle. The one or more server computing devices may determine that the user is likely to want to take a trip to a particular destination based on prior location history for the user. The one or more server computing devices may dispatch the vehicle to cause the vehicle to travel in the autonomous driving mode towards a location of the user. In addition, after dispatching, the one or more server computing devices sending a notification to a client computing device associated with the user indicating that the vehicle is currently available to take the passenger to the particular destination.

Abstract: One or more embodiments related to a method that includes querying a data store for current interaction data between call center personnel and customers. The call center personnel are grouped into call center groups. The method further includes determining, for at least some call center groups, a current interaction metric specific to the call center group. The current interaction method is provided for each of the at least some call center groups.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic certificate processing method that includes: generating, based on an identifier of a first user, a first electronic certificate by using which the first user obtains a target product, and sending the first electronic certificate to the first user; receiving a sharing request for the first electronic certificate; determining, based on an identifier carried in the first electronic certificate, the target product that can be obtained by the first user by using the first electronic certificate; determining a second user having a social relationship with the first user and satisfying a sharing condition, and generating, based on an identifier of the second user, a second electronic certificate by using which the second user obtains the target product, the identifier carried in the second electronic certificate being different from that of the first electronic certificate; and sending the second electronic certificate to the second user, which is used for enabling the s

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for generating a record (R1-R1) corresponding to the validity of a proof of purchase including obtaining (98) product data elements (31-37) by a camera (24), a keyboard (28) or near-field communication through a mobile device (1), determining (99) contextual information of the mobile device (1) such as its geolocalization, transmitting (100, 101) product data elements (31-37) and contextual information to a server (2), determining (102) on the server (2) from the contextual information and the product data element (31-37) whether the proof of purchase is valid and generating (107) a record (R1-RI) corresponding a valid proof of purchase.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing flexibly reconfigurable meters on electronic gaming machines are provided; such meters may be considered to be “transient” with respect to meters that are hard-coded into the electronic gaming machine operating system or platform software or wagering game software and may be reconfigured by updating one or more meter definition files. Some such electronic gaming machines may provide for automated output of meter information.

Abstract: A customized interactive computing environment may allow for a customized interactive user experience. The interactive computing environment may be defined by session parameters to customize a session of the interactive computing environment. The session parameters may include customized interactive user objectives that may be defined by a user. Each objective may be defined with a number of points awarded to a user for completing the objective. Real-time interactive user data may be received from user devices for completion of the custom objectives. Custom profile information may be defined by a user to customize user interfaces provided to users that log into a session of the interactive computing environment. Data analysis about the session and/or the defined objectives may be generated and displayed to users to indicate progress or other data about the session.

Abstract: In some examples, a method includes constructing, by a computing device, a plurality of expressions using a generic query language that is independent of implementation of an associated data store, the associated data store supporting a plurality of operands comprising at least one comparison operand and multiple logical operands; generating, by the computing device, a single query including the plurality of expressions to the associated data store, wherein the plurality of expressions are connected using the multiple logical operands; transmitting, by the computing device, the single query to the associated data store; and receiving, by the computing device, a single set of results corresponding to the single query.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a promotion using autonomous vehicles is provided. The method includes extracting requirements for a promotion activity, collecting first sensor data of the promotion activity on a route of a first autonomous vehicle, and determining whether the promotion activity for which the first sensor data is collected is a valid promotion opportunity. If the promotion activity is determined to be the valid promotion opportunity, when a second autonomous vehicle is determined to be traveling on a route passing by a location of the promotion activity, collecting second sensor data of the promotion activity, and determining, based on the second sensor data and the details of the valid promotion opportunity, whether the second sensor data corresponds to the valid promotion opportunity. When the second sensor data is determined to correspond to the valid promotion opportunity, a promotion is provided to a user interface of the second autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented system and method for loyalty integration to facilitate redemption of rewards using a mobile device. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system and method comprise the steps of: connecting a merchant app, associated with a merchant, with a funding source associated with a financial institution, wherein the merchant app provides a merchant program to the user; identifying a number of points for conversion to stored value on the merchant app; converting the number of points to a stored value amount on the merchant app; loading the merchant app with the stored value; and responsive to a user request on the merchant app, performing a payment transaction for a purchase using the converted stored value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual opening of packages such as boxes and packs of cards are provided herein. Exemplary systems may execute methods via one or more processors, which are programmed to generate a visual representation of a package, receive input from the user, the input indicating opening of the package, and provide feedback to the user corresponding to the opening of the package that at least partially mimics a physical opening of the package.

Abstract: One or more embodiments related to a method that includes querying a data store for current interaction data between call center personnel and customers. The call center personnel are grouped into call center groups. The method further includes determining, for at least some call center groups, a current interaction metric specific to the call center group. The current interaction method is provided for each of the at least some call center groups.

Abstract: A system can receive requests for services from computing devices of users of s network service. For each of the requests, the system can determine a vehicle stopping location for a driver of a vehicle that is to service the request, and transmit an instruction set to the computing device of the driver. The instruction set can indicate (i) the vehicle stopping location for a vehicular portion of the service, and (ii) a path for the driver from the vehicle stopping location to a target location, where the path is to be followed by the driver upon parking the vehicle at the vehicle stopping location.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an Autonomous Vehicle Enhancement System (AVES) and method for monitoring and managing a virtual or existing fleet of autonomous vehicles in a transportation network and dispatching the autonomous vehicles to users. The AVES includes an AVES Central Operations Center (COC) that communicates with AVES vehicle equipment installed in the autonomous vehicles and AVES applications installed on computing devices accessible by the users. The AVES improves the operating efficiency of a transportation network by monitoring the condition of autonomous vehicles, optimizing the geographical distribution of the autonomous vehicles and optimizing assignment of the autonomous vehicles to users requesting services. The AVES COC monitors and controls the autonomous vehicles via the AVES vehicle equipment. The AVES COC communicates with the users via the AVES applications to provide services to the users.

Abstract: Embodiments for a communication enhancement module for a first communicating device are disclosed. The communication enhancement module includes instructions thereon. The instructions cause the communication enhancement module to receive an activation message from a data terminal of the first communicating device. The activation message is sent from a communication enhancement module of a second communicating device. In response to receiving the activation message, a set of pre-placed messages is identified to which the activation message is assigned. A set of messages is generated corresponding to the set of pre-placed messages. Each message in the set of messages conforms to a communication protocol used by the second communicating device for messages sent to the first communicating device. The set of messages indicate that the set of messages originated at the second communicating device. The set of messages is sent to a main processing module of the first communicating device.

Abstract: A media content management system that enables users to manage media content collections is disclosed. A media device is configured to receive requests to create media content collections for particular media content and, in response, to retrieve information related to the media content, and to generate one or more interfaces displaying information about created media content collections. In an embodiment, retrieving information related to a media content may include determining, for one or more episodes of the media content, whether the episode is available from various content sources, including both broadcast and broadband content sources. By enabling a media device to automatically retrieve and present information related to the availability of media content episodes across any number of different broadcast and broadband sources, users can more easily interact with and view information about particular media content of interest to the users.

Abstract: Systems and related methods of providing promotional offers to consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may provide for an apparatus including circuitry configured to provide promotional offers to consumers based on dimensions representing criteria by which promotions may be deemed relevant to a consumer. Some examples of dimensions may include location, time, environment, price, and/or consumer preference. Based on receiving signals from the consumer device, among other sources, indicating associated times, locations, and other characteristics of consumer activity, the apparatus may recognize patterns or trends in consumer behavior, and use such information to predict or influence future consumer behavior.

Abstract: A method and system for in-game calendar-based item promotion for use by groups of users in the game, such as alliances. The users have a shared calendar in which dates and times are scheduled for group activities and additional relevant information may be entered. The system and method include ways of identifying scheduled dates and times and activities and promoting items which may be helpful for the scheduled activities. The users are encouraged to purchase the promoted items. In addition, certain actions may be recommended to the users based on the scheduled dates, times, and activities and associated information. Scheduling incentives may be used to encourage users to play the game at preferred dates and/or times.

Abstract: An apparatus has a network interface circuit to access computer network resources. A processor is connected to the network interface circuit via a bus. A memory is connected to the bus. The memory stores instructions executed by the processor to collect from the computer network resources transportation information for a specified geographic location. The transportation information includes information on multiple transportation modes including public transportation, ride share transportation, bike transportation and walking transportation. The transportation information is transformed into individual scores for each of the multiple transportation modes. A graphical representation of the individual scores is supplied.

Abstract: A technique for classifying an alphanumeric candidate in an email message can include receiving and parsing a plurality of email messages to identify at least one alphanumeric candidate. For each particular alphanumeric candidate, the technique can include: (i) associating the particular alphanumeric candidate with an originating email in which the particular alphanumeric candidate was identified, and (ii) determining email specific, recipient specific, and recipient agnostic features pertaining to the particular alphanumeric candidate. The alphanumeric candidates can be clustered based on the email specific, the recipient specific, and the recipient agnostic features to generate a plurality of clusters, with which an alphanumeric candidate type can be associated.

Abstract: Provided is a game information analysis system which is operable to analyze player attributes and gaming machine attributes based on operation data of gaming machines and to conduct a matching analysis on the player attributes and the machine attributes. An analysis server 2012 of the game information analysis system 2001 receives game information from each slot machine 2014; obtains the player attributes and the machine attributes based on the game information; and conducts matching between a player and a gaming machine in response to an instruction issued by a user, thereby displaying correspondence relationship between the player attributes and the gaming machine attributes.

Abstract: A method of increasing transit ridership includes receiving a travel destination from a mobile device, identifying a plurality of entities positioned within a predefined radius of the travel destination, and alerting the entities that the mobile device has selected the travel destination. The method also includes receiving, in response to the alert, at least one transit ride option from at least some of the entities, providing the at least one transit ride option to the mobile device, and receiving a selection of one transit ride option of the transit ride option from the mobile device. The method further includes detecting that the mobile device is present on a transit vehicle associated with the transit ride option, determining that the mobile device is present within an entity associated with the selected transit ride option, and providing a transit product to the mobile device based on the determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual opening of packages such as boxes and packs of cards are provided herein. Exemplary systems may execute methods via one or more processors, which are programmed to generate a visual representation of a package, receive input from the user, the input indicating opening of the package, and provide feedback to the user corresponding to the opening of the package that at least partially mimics a physical opening of the package.

Abstract: Examples include a system and service for addressing users, vehicles, and service providers to targets using multi-segmented routes and/or targets whom are persons.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for managing supplemental content relating to a digital good are presented. The supplemental content relating to the digital good may be received, where the supplemental content may be for presentation to a consumer. The supplemental content may be stored in accompaniment with the digital good. Ownership criteria associated with ownership rights of the supplemental content may be determined. The ownership rights corresponding to the supplemental content may be transferred from a first entity to a second entity based, at least in part, on the determined ownership criteria. The second entity may be authorized to access the supplemental content based, at least in part, on the determined ownership criteria. The supplemental content may be caused to be distributed to the second entity.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for determining a level of confidence that an identified media item is currently being presented to a user is presented. A media item being presented to a user on an output device coupled to the client device is identified, the client device including an input device usable by a user of the client device to instruct the client device to acquire and present media items from a plurality of media devices. A level of confidence that the identified media item is currently being presented to the user is calculated. A determination is made that at least one predetermined event has occurred. A level of confidence that the identified media item is currently being presented to the user is adjusted based on the at least one predetermined event.

Abstract: A user device includes a user interface providing access to content from multiple content providers, each of the multiple content providers having a separate subscription associated with the user. The user device receives user input indicating interest in an aspect of particular content available from a first content provider of the multiple content providers and provides, to a network device, an indication of the user interest. The user device receives, from the network device, links to additional content available from a different content provider and related to the aspect of the particular content. The user device presents, via the user interface, the links to the additional content in association with the aspect of the particular content.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method are disclosed for providing a renewable energy network optimization tool. A method for optimizing a renewable energy network determines an initial configuration state, populates a pool of candidate sites for placement of renewable-energy generating units a hybrid simulated annealing-genetic algorithm, constructs a plurality of candidate renewable energy generation networks from the pool of candidate sites using random selection, evaluates the candidate renewable energy generation networks using scoring metrics, ranks the evaluated candidate renewable energy generation networks with respect to each other and prior iteration candidate renewable energy generation networks, adds candidate sites from a top ranked candidate renewable energy generation network to a list of candidate sites to be kept repeats the above until a final best candidate renewable energy generation network of kept sites is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for engaging consumers in the performance of predetermined action. The method comprises the steps of determining performance of a predetermined action, broadcasting confirmation of performance of the predetermined action, and providing incentive based upon the broadcasting. The predetermined action may include comprises consuming a consumable item. The broadcasting may be performed via a social networking site, and wherein the broadcasting further may include transmitting a video of the performance of the predetermined action. The incentive may comprise a monetary incentive to the performer of the action, to one or more peers of the performer of the action viewing the broadcast, or to one or more peers of the performer of the action upon performance of the predetermined action by the one or more peers.

Abstract: A new computer based economic model is disclosed which relies on users to donate or give away at a low cost material things or services in exchange for discounts on goods. In one embodiment, a person posts an old item, gives the old item away, buys a new item and gets a rebate within predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method is described for rewarding a viewer of a broadcast program in exchange for the viewer proving his presence at the time that certain program content is being broadcast. The method involves the use of running an application in a television environment, said application displaying a graphic inviting the viewer to intervene in some manner and to subsequently log the viewer's intervention, thereby documenting his viewing activity. The method further allows for the convenient and mobile reporting of the status of a log of the viewer's viewing activity. Finally, the method allows for the convenient and flexible redemption of accrued credit, as documented in the viewing log, against goods and/or services.

Abstract: An incentive providing task management system is disclosed. A plurality of providers are enabled to directly provide financial incentives to a user in exchange for a specific user performance. A user is enabled to set up a trust account on the system to accumulate the financial incentives. A user task performance may include a school study, a feedback to teachers or a feedback about a medicine or a political survey, or a contracted task performance between two contracting parties.

Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to electronic commerce (e-commerce) systems and media platforms, for use with both mobile and non-mobile systems, to deploy virtual advertising and promotion via the use of electronic coupons, and more particularly a method and system for aggregating and distributing carbon reduction credits in connection with the creation and/or use of electronic coupons or virtual electronic rebates (VeeBates) and permitting individuals and groups within one or more social communications networks to participate in and transmit information to others about their activities related to the virtual advertising, incentives, redemption and promotion and aggregate carbon credits in connection therewith, either as part of the incentive or aggregation by the incentive promoter as part of its activities in reducing its carbon footprint.

Abstract: A web-based system for creating a potentially endless stream of Child Entities which incentivizes users to participate in the creation of a Child Entity which may be a charitable organization at a variety of levels including helping select the people who will help lead or direct the activities of the Child Entity based on the merits of their life activities demonstrated through the system.

Abstract: Provided are computer implemented methods for rewarding a user of a web-based application, comprising: providing a web-based application accessible by a plurality of users via an interface, wherein the application interface provides for user-directed posting and retrieval of content relating to the application; monitoring use by the plurality of users of user-specific content; assessing a value of the user-specific content; determining an incentive or reward, based on the assessed value of the user-specific content; and providing the specific user with the determined incentive or reward. Also provided is a computer network apparatus or system for rewarding a user of a web-based application. Further provided are methods of data mining, comprising: providing a web-based application (e.g.

Abstract: In a distributed network, there are different data rates on different connections between a central computer system and remote terminal. The central system comprises one or more supersets of data to be distributed to the remote terminals by extracting subsets of data from the superset/s of data. The subsets of data are distributed to selected groups of remote terminals based on an infrastructure load. In this way, data is adaptively distributed.

Abstract: A method and a trusted social network platform (110) for facilitating peer-to-peer shipment delivery are disclosed. The trusted social network platform comprises a trip management module (202) configured to receive details of a trip of a trusted traveler, and a shipping information module (204) configured to receive a package shipment request from a trusted shipper. The trusted traveler and the trusted shipper have a pre-existing trust relationship through a trusted social network such that the trusted shipper is authorized to send one or more package shipment requests for the trusted traveler. The trusted social network platform also comprises a traveler-shipment matcher module (206) configured to match the package shipment request with the trusted traveler to facilitate peer-to-peer shipment delivery and a reward management module (208) configured to provide rewards to the trusted traveler and the trusted shipper.

Abstract: Business services are crowd sourced via a system including a database of customer data and participant data, a web server, an app server, and an analytics engine. The system is configured to distribute tasks to suitable participants, to assess task data generated by participants, and to award incentives to participants based on the task data.

Abstract: A method and system is described for using points in an online transaction between users comprising storing users' points earned from sharing or providing services, storing users' points earned from borrowing or receiving services, establishing a point value for a transaction, adding the transaction point value to a borrowing or receiving user's borrowing points total, and calculating a point value and adding it to a sharing or providing user's sharing points total. Additionally, the borrowing user's sharing points to borrowing points ratio can be used to calculate the point value to be added to the sharing user's sharing points total.