Abstract: According to embodiments illustrated herein there is provided methods and systems implementable on a computing device for remunerating one or more crowdworkers. The method comprising allotting at least one crowdworker from the one or more crowdworkers with a first lottery ticket from a set of lottery tickets on completion of a task allocated to the at least one crowdworker. One or more lottery tickets from the set of lottery tickets are selected by utilizing one or more techniques. Winnings are remunerated to each of a set of crowdworkers from the one or more crowdworkers associated with the one or more selected lottery tickets.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for redeeming a closed loop card/code funded with an amount of money. The system receives from a merchant point of sale an indication of use of a closed loop card/code not issued by the merchant and presented by a consumer, queries and receives a confirmation of an amount of money in an account associated with the closed loop card/code, presents the consumer with an offer to buy the closed loop card/code at a discount price, and upon accepting the offer, closes out the closed loop card/code and pays the discount price to the consumer. Paying the discount price can include applying the discount price to a purchase by the consumer at the merchant. The merchant can provide cash back to the consumer for excess value of the discount price over the consumer's purchase. Merchants can apply more than the discount price.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided visibility to future predicted traffic situations, based on all reserved routes in a system at a given point in time. This allows city planners, for example, to know where traffic will be to adjust traffic flow accordingly. Additional value comes into play by being able to calculate and publish aggregated savings from using this system, such as driver time, mileage, and gas. This information may be added to a database and made available to individuals via their GPS. In a typical implementation, a request for a route is received from a requester. Based on the request, an optimized route and a potential position of the requester within the optimized route are determined and then proposed to the requester. The requester can then select an option from the proposal.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program by which a content provider can display an incentive for a user to remain with their current channel or program. When the user attempts to leave the current program, a pop-up window containing an incentive to remain with the current program is displayed. The user must respond to the pop-up window in order to proceed, whether the user chooses to leave or remain with the current program.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an account is established for non-negotiable credits provided by an entity to one or more users. Interactions that earn a quantity of non-negotiable credits are detected. The quantity of non-negotiable credits from the interactions is added to the account. In absence of a conversion operation that converts the non-negotiable credits to in-game funds, a commerce partner does not accept the non-negotiable credits for in-game purchases for a computer game. The computer game is owned or controlled by the commerce partner. A quantity of the non-negotiable credits is subtracted from the account. The subtracted quantity of non-negotiable credits corresponds to a quantity of entity independent funds resulting from the conversion operation that converts the non-negotiable credits to a quantity of the in-game funds in accordance with agreement terms established by the commerce partner and the entity. The commerce partner is compensated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system for cross-integrating consumer data from separate consumer loyalty programs to create an aggregated consumer record and methods thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for cross-integrating consumer loyalty programs comprises obtaining a first set of consumer data on a consumer from a first reward partner, obtaining a second set of consumer data from the consumer, aggregating the first set of consumer data and the second set of consumer data in a database, creating an aggregated consumer record in the database from the aggregated data, and providing access to the aggregated consumer record to the first reward partner.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus is provided that identifies recycling or other environmentally beneficial activities and provides the user with easily understood data about the environmental impact of such activities. The activities are measured and may be used to provide incentives for recycling, such as credits for online applications, positions on a leaderboard, identification of recycling achievements on social networking sites, and financial and other rewards.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an account is established for in-game credits provided by an entity to one or more users. The entity owns or controls a computer game. One or more users play the computer game to earn at least a portion of the in-game credits. Game play occurrences are detected that earn a quantity of in-game credits, which are added to an account maintained by the entity. A quantity of the in-game credits are subtracted from the account, as a result of a conversion operation. The conversion operation converts the in-game credits to a quantity of negotiable or entity independent funds in accordance with agreement terms established between a commerce partner and the entity. The commerce partner is compensated for granting the negotiable or entity independent funds for the in-game credits.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting objects has a container for receiving and collecting objects, a unit in the container for determining a weight of an object introduced in the container, and a unit providing compensation to a person who introduced the object into the container, based on the weight of the object determined by the weight determining unit.

Abstract: Methods of allocating benefits received in response to generating energy within a community to a community interest. The methods include deploying energy generating equipment on property of a host community member and receiving a benefit associated with purchasing the energy generating equipment or generating energy with the energy generating equipment. The methods further include estimating a benefit rate according to an expected generation value, the expected generation value defining an amount of energy expected to be generated by the energy generating equipment at a later time. Moreover, the methods include distributing at least a portion of the benefit to the community interest, the portion of the benefit distributed to the community interest calculated based on the benefit rate.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention pertaining to a given task to be submitted for crowdsourcing computes an initial incentive range having minimum, maximum and midrange incentives, the maximum incentive being equal to a prespecified maximum incentive value. Historical data pertaining to tasks of the given type that were previously crowdsourced is acquired, wherein the historical data includes completion time and incentive information. The historical data is used with the minimum, midrange and maximum incentives to compute minimum, midrange and maximum incentive task completion times. These completion times are used to determine whether a first, second, or a third criterion has been met, and responsive to a first or second criterion being met, the given task is transformed, and the incentive range is updated, for use in computing a final incentive value.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention pertaining to a given task to be submitted for crowdsourcing computes an initial incentive range having minimum, maximum and midrange incentives, the maximum incentive being equal to a prespecified maximum incentive value. Historical data pertaining to tasks of the given type that were previously crowdsourced is acquired, wherein the historical data includes completion time and incentive information. The historical data is used with the minimum, midrange and maximum incentives to compute minimum, midrange and maximum incentive task completion times. These completion times are used to determine whether a first, second, or a third criterion has been met, and responsive to a first or second criterion being met, the given task is transformed, and the incentive range is updated, for use in computing a final incentive value.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a merchant to process third party closed-loop instruments (such as gift cards) as if the closed-loop instruments were open-loop instruments. A customer provides card data of a third party gift card to a merchant, e.g., online or in a merchant store, for the purchase of one or more items provided by the merchant. The merchant sends the gift card data to an intermediary that deducts at least a portion of the balance of the gift card. The intermediary sends an offer for the gift card to the customer. If the customer accepts the offer, then the merchant applies the offer towards the total purchase price of the one or more items.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, a computer implemented method for incentivizing professionals answering questions or responding to service requests in a consultation system is described where a ranking score is calculated for each professional admitted to the consultation system, and based on the professional's ranking score, he is provided early or delayed access to the user posted questions and requests.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a pre-defined electronic transactions is disclosed. The system comprises a server in communication with a database and a computer network, and the server is configured to: (1) receive a request to create a pre-defined electronic transaction from a client computer via the computer network, (2) receive input from the client computer comprising information that at least partially defines the pre-defined electronic transaction, and (3) store the received information in the database.

Abstract: Systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods are provided to determine the relative market value of a sale group and to generate a genetic merit scorecard. Such systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods utilize the genetic merit estimates of relatives of a sale group, along with associated economic weighting factors to determine the relative market value of the sale group. The genetic merit scorecard reflects the relative market value and ranking of the genetic merits of the sale group, as compared to the industry.

Abstract: A long term goal oriented incentive learning and feedback award system is disclosed. A plurality of third party 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 under the restriction of a long term goal. The long term goal includes supporting college education, supporting retirement, staring a business, or patenting an innovation. A user performance includes a school study, a feedback to teachers or a feedback about a medicine or a political survey.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selling a combination of travel tickets and consumer items to customers and, in particular, for selling international travel tickets and duty free items to international travelers. By acquiring surplus international travel tickets in bulk at discounted prices and by selling the duty free items in a way which avoids the overhead typically associated with such sales, the selling merchant is able to offer the combination of an international travel ticket and a duty free item to a consumer at a price below what the consumer would pay if the consumer separately acquired the ticket and duty free item from third parties. In one implementation, the selling merchant offers the consumer a free duty free item upon purchase of an international travel ticket, or vice versa. In a preferred embodiment, both the consumer and the selling merchant employ computers communicating over a computer network to carry out the inventive method.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a controller receives an indication of acceptance by a customer of an offer for a subsidy from a second vendor (e.g., a subsidizing vendor). The offer may define, for example, a reduction in the price charged for an item purchased from a first vendor and an obligation for the customer to fulfill in exchange for the subsidy. The customer is charged a second price for the items, which is less than the total price, and may even be zero.

Abstract: A set of Web pages are provided for a Web site for a different loyalty program of a commerce partner. Non-negotiable credits are identified that are earned by a member as part of a loyalty program of an entity. During a Web session involving the member and the Web site, a request is received to transfer or convert a quantity of the non-negotiable credits to entity independent funds. The entity independent funds are different loyalty points of the different loyalty program. During the Web session at least a subset of the non-negotiable credits are transferred or converted into entity independent funds that the commerce partner accepts for commerce partner goods or services. The commerce partner goods or services are available for member purchase via the Web site. Non-negotiable credits are not accepted for the commerce partner goods or services.

Abstract: An online merchant system provides a merchandise trade-in program that includes advance payment for items traded-in by qualified customers. When a request to trade-in an item is received from a customer, a determination is made as to whether an advance payment can be made for the item. If an advance payment can be made for the item, an advance payment for the total estimated trade-in value of the item is made to the customer. The advance payment may be made prior to shipment of the item to the merchant or when the merchant is notified that the item has been shipped. When the item is received by the merchant, the customer is debited if the actual value of the item is less than the advance payment and credited if the actual value of the item is more than the advance payment.

Abstract: A service to manage sweepstakes, games, contests, loyalty programs and scavenger hunts is disclosed. The user of an end user device moves to different locations and sends back information regarding the user's location to the service. The service can be updated/adjusted real time to automatically track users, points, entries, location, and multiple step scavenger hunts. The service may send the user to different locations where the user can obtain prizes. Companies can engage with their customers in new ways by leveraging and modifying mobile technology. In one implementation locations, address book, on device animations, randomized unique ID generated by a device during the contest can be modified in real time during operation of the service.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides, among other things, a method for providing a cost modification of a health care item for a subject. In an example method, a request is received for a health care item from a point of purchase of the health care item. Cost adjustment data is received from at least one source. The cost adjustment data is used to determine a cost modification for the health care item. The cost modification is communicated to a point of purchase of the health care item.

Abstract: The fulfillment of a predetermined package of one or more package items to a customer is disclosed. A unique fulfillment code corresponding to the predetermined package is received from the customer, as the package may have been previously acquired by the customer. Each package item has a defined monetary value range, and for each of the package items, one or more selectable options therefore in the defined monetary value range is retrieved. A form including each of the selectable options is transmitted to the customer, and a selection of one of the options is received thereafter. Each of the received selections is used for delivering a corresponding instrument representative thereof. The instrument is presentable to a vendor for settlement in exchange for provision of the selected option to the customer.

Abstract: Systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods are provided to determine the relative market value of a sale group and to generate a genetic merit scorecard. Such systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods utilize the genetic merit estimates of relatives of a sale group, along with associated economic weighting factors to determine the relative market value of the sale group. The genetic merit scorecard reflects the relative market value and ranking of the genetic merits of the sale group, as compared to the industry.

Abstract: A system for incentivizing an action offered by a third-party website. To this end, the system includes a host website comprising an offering module configured to display an incentive for taking an action on the third-party website. The host website further includes a user interface module configured to register users as participants, and accept inputs from the participants. In addition, a reporting module receives a report of an action on the third-party website and the identity of the participant taking the action. Further, an incentive calculation module present on the host website calculates an incentive applicable to the identified action and provides information regarding the calculated incentive. Moreover, a data storage module is configured to assemble, store, retrieve, and process information regarding the participant and the third-party website action.

Abstract: System and method for bartering items between two or more parties using a communications network in which each party accesses a central server via the communications network and provides a list of items they have to trade and want to obtain, a description of the items and any conditions for trade of the items. The lists are stored in a database and links indicating the party's possible trades are automatically created. A search for possible trades between the parties is undertaken using the links and the parties involved in each possible trade are notified to confirm the trade. Upon receipt of confirmation from each party, the trade is processed to completion. Weights may be assigned to the links, representing a degree of similarity between descriptions of items, whereby the search for possible trades is conducted based on the weights of the links.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for facilitating decision-making related to goal attainment, the steps of the method including providing a pool of prospective category-specific advisors, each of which have joined a membership community; selecting from the pool of category specific advisors, a subset thereof sufficient to define an online forum qualified for consideration of a given goal-related question; and then syntactically refining the goal-oriented question expressed by a system user by resolving the question into components, the refining step including (i) reviewing for and providing accuracy of forum of the components by a language processing agent of the system; and (ii) reviewing for accuracy of substantive meaning by the system user of the goal oriented question components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging virtual rewards for computing resources are provided herein. Exemplary methods may include receiving access to a portion of computing resources of an end user computing system and providing a virtual reward within a networked gaming environment to an end user in exchange for utilizing an amount of the portion of the computing resources of the end user computing system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to arranging for free or discounted transportation to an advertiser's business location. More specifically, the invention involves automatically comparing the cost of transportation and the potential profit from a completed transaction using a number of real-time calculations. For example, the calculation may consider various factors including a consumer's current location, the consumer's most likely route and form of transportation (such as train, personal car, taxi, rental car, or shared vehicle), the consumer's daily agenda, the price competing advertisers are willing to pay for the customer to be delivered to alternate locations, and other costs. In this regard, the customer's obstacles to entering a business location are reduced while routing and cost calculations are automatically handled based on the demand for the advertiser's goods and potential profit margins.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encouraging recycling of used items are disclosed. A central authority receives an indication of a plurality of items and determines a deposit value for each item based on at least an amount and an identity of one or more recyclable materials included in the item. The central authority receives an indication that an item has been sold by a retailer and receives the deposit value for the item from the retailer. The deposit value is invested for the usable life span of the item. The retailer sends a message to the central authority when the item has been returned, and the central authority reimburses the retailer for the deposit value. The return on investment is used to provide subsidies to manufacturers of recyclable material as an incentive to purchase recycled materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing, generating, and redeeming discount Virtual Coupons™, rebate or gift certificates or the like which may be used on conjunction with a frequency card program or the like. Virtual Coupons™ may be distributed electronically, for example, in the form of a diskette or CD-ROM software. Software on the diskette or CD-ROM may prompt a consumer to call a 1-800 number for a validation number or code. During the phone call, telemarketing personnel may request consumer demographic and or identification information which may be entered into a centralized database. Once the software is validated, a consumer may print out a list selected Virtual Coupons™ displayed on a Graphical User Interface (GUI). When a product is purchased, the UPC code of the product may be compared electronically with a list of Virtual Coupons™ authorized for a particular consumer. An appropriate coupon discount may then be applied and the Virtual Coupon™ may be considered “redeemed”.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a server that hosts webpages facilitating user interaction between multiple endpoints. The system monitors for a user input requesting initiation of a happy hour, and when the input is detected, modifies the webpages to alert users of the happy hour. The users are notified of which user initiated the happy hour, and are also notified that interaction incentives accumulate at an increased rate during the happy hour. The system also tracks user scorings that accumulate based on the user interaction, and enables certain website features based on these user scorings. The system also tracks ratings for user-uploaded objects and identifies top rated objects for displaying on webpages viewable by other users.

Abstract: A program by which retailers offer customers an exchange of older technology for newer technology. The older technology and newer technology have a common characteristic that facilitates the retailer to give the customer the newer technology for a reduced cost.

Abstract: A system of advertising on the Internet, including: an on-line system for sellers of future advertising space to create advertising contracts; an on-line system for presenting the advertising contracts to purchasers of advertising space; an on-line system for the purchasers of future advertising space to select the sellers' advertising contracts; a system to integrate purchased advertising contracts to a delivery mechanism that displays purchasers' advertising in the sellers advertising space; and a system for transferring funds from the purchasers to the sellers after completion and audit of the advertising contracts.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for scanning a barcode on an article to obtain article recycling information. A first incentive is received based upon the scanning of the article and a second incentive is received based upon verification that the article was recycled.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recycling a periodical are described. The methods may include the step of providing periodical information about the periodical to a recycling device, where the periodical is deposited with the recycling device. The methods may further include calculating one or more of discount offers based on the periodical information, and displaying the one or more of discount offers at the recycling device. One or more of the discount offers may be selected at the recycling device, and the selected offers may be printed into a ticket, coupon, or some other printed material at the recycling device.

Abstract: A host system and methods are provided for engaging consumers to interact with at least a sub-set of digital content provided by a third-party client. The client also provides associated user engagement criteria and reward criteria. A user community platform may be defined for engagement, and a user interface and delivery network are established accordingly. The host system engages a user to interact with the user interface, either by proactively inviting user interaction or by receiving a request for interaction with the user interface. The host displays digital content to the user which is selected based on user criteria and the user engagement criteria. Completion of user engagement is confirmed based on the reward criteria, after which access is provided to a predetermined reward. User engagement data is collected by the host in accordance with the engagement criteria and the client is provided access to the user engagement data.

Abstract: A portfolio management system includes a method that uses multi-dimensional analysis to create a user group based on whatever characteristics the manager desires that would be the subject of a messaging campaign and that tracks user actions as a result of the messaging campaign. The method includes creating a user data set through multi-dimension analysis to define a user target base. Based on the data set, a messaging campaign is developed and one or various communication channels are selected to run the messaging campaign. A message campaign runs to target the user data set. Information is tracked from user actions after running the message campaign. Analysis of the tracked information can be generated into a report and can be used to create additional user data and messaging campaigns.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for administering a recycling program having one or more vendor participants. An exemplary method involves electronically receiving an indication of a quantity of recycled goods corresponding to at least one of the one or more vendor participants, calculating a coupon value applicable to the purchase of new goods from at least one of the one or more vendor participants based at least in part on the indication, and electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing the coupon value to provide the coupon value to a consumer as a reward for providing the recycled goods.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a method and system for providing an incentive based compensation for an employee in a firm are provided. The employee can have an incentive based compensation that allows for compensation based on cash, firm equity, and service linked securities. The cash can be deliverable immediately, while the firm equity and service-linked securities can be vested and/or deliverable in equal or different portions each year. The service-linked security can be related to various parameters associated with service quality.

Abstract: In general, the present invention relates to route optimization/prediction. In one embodiment, the present invention provides visibility to future predicted traffic situations, based on all reserved routes in a system at a given point in time. This allows city planners, for example, to know where traffic will be to adjust traffic flow accordingly. Additional value comes into play by being able to calculate and publish aggregated savings from using this system, such as driver time, mileage, and gas. This information may be added to a database and made available to individuals via their GPS. In a typical implementation, a request for a route is received from a requester. Based on the request, an optimized route and a potential position of the requester within the optimized route are determined and then proposed to the requester. The requester can then select an option from the proposal.

Abstract: A method whereby advertisers wish to deliver at least one of offerings and advertising messages relative to at least one of a product and a service to a target audience of users selected by a system operator during an advertising campaign. The method includes defining the users within the context of a social network, selecting the users from among the users of the social network, storing the information relevant to the defined users and utilizing the information stored/defined within the social network to deliver the messages to the users in an optimal manner.

Abstract: A method performed by at least one processing system includes detecting that a purchaser of an item with a trade-in option has performed an action corresponding to the trade-in option using the processing system and modifying a trade-in option level of the purchaser using the processing system based on the action.

Abstract: Accordingly some embodiments, a merchant server receives an indication of acceptance by a customer of an offer for a subsidy from a second merchant of a purchase of at least one item from a first merchant. The customer agrees to participate in an additional transaction with the second merchant in exchange for having the subsidy applied against the purchase from the first merchant. In one embodiment, after selling the at least one item to the customer, the merchant server determines that the customer did not participate in an additional transaction with the second merchant as the customer agreed to, and assesses a penalty against the customer.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a unit of product is sold by a seller to a buyer at a first price and subject to a recall upon acceptance of a buyout provision. It is then determined that a buyout condition for outputting to the buyer a buyout notification has been satisfied, the buyout notification based on the buyout provision and the buyout notification is output to the buyer, informing the buyer that the seller is interested in recalling the unit of the product and requesting the buyer to define an amount of value for which the buyer is willing to surrender the unit of product (a recall payment amount). If the seller accepts the recall payment amount, the seller recalls the unit of product in exchange for providing the buyer with the recall payment amount.

Abstract: Computer systems and methods on computer servers in a communication network, including computers with processors and using computer-readable medium coupled to the computers having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the computers, causes them to perform operations. These operations include receiving profile information from a user at a communication network, registering the user with the reward incentive system in response to receiving the profile information, creating a registered user profile, and sending a notification to the user about reward postings based on factors from the profile information.

Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of a mobile telephone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes an inspection area with at least one camera and a plurality of electrical connectors in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the mobile telephone for determination of a value of the mobile telephone. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface.

Abstract: Embodiments enable the monitoring of project plans and the selection and application of rewards to motivate users. Project plans having one or more project content items are created according to a pre-defined schema. The project plans are integrated with user data stores, such as calendar appointments, tasks, and shopping lists. Progress indicators reflecting a completion status of the project plans are calculated for the project plans. Rewards are selected based on the progress indicators and on user preferences (e.g., collected user activity data). The rewards correspond to milestones associated with the project plans, and are integrated into the user data stores when the user reaches the corresponding milestones.

Abstract: A promotion management system identifies store-selected identifiers as necessary to implement a particular promotion across multiple store chains. An audit system compares number of promotion offers distributed to number of linking items sold.