Abstract: An electronic device may include a lenticular display. The lenticular display may have a lenticular lens film formed over an array of pixels. The lenticular lenses may be configured to enable stereoscopic viewing of the display such that a viewer perceives three-dimensional images. To mitigate jaggedness in a curved edge of the active area, control circuitry may modify input pixel data for the display using dimming factors. Each brightness value of the pixel data may be multiplied by a corresponding dimming factor such that the curved edge has a smooth appearance. Each physical pixel in the display may have an associated perceived pixel that is based on an appearance of that physical pixel through the lenticular lens film. The perceived pixel may have a different footprint than its corresponding physical pixel. The dimming factors for boundary smoothing in the curved edges may be based on the perceived pixels.

Abstract: When electrified vehicle is a vehicle capable of externally charging electric power, the point granting device imparts a point in accordance with a ratio of the amount of electric power obtained from renewable energy to the amount of electric power charged. In addition, when electrified vehicle is a vehicle traveling using electric power, the point granting device imparts a point in response to the actual electric power cost achieved by the traveling being equal to or higher than the modeled electric power cost.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and techniques for authenticating voice transactions with a payment card. A system example may include a purchase application executing on a smart digital device, and a payment card. The purchase application may receive an item purchase request via an audio input device of the smart digital device for an item available to purchase. The received item purchase request may be sent to an application server or the like, and, in response, a list of merchants offering the item available for purchase and each merchant's price for the item available to purchase may be received. The list may be presented on a smart digital device display for selection of at least one of the merchants selling the item may be received. A payment card may be inserted into the smart digital device's near-field communication field to provide a signal containing encrypted data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling gifting of a gift product on a merchant store front determine eligibility of an abstract product available for purchase on the merchant store front to be selected as a gift product, the abstract product representing a set of all available SKUs for a given product, a gift product representing a subset of all available SKUs for a given abstract product, and the subset including less than all available SKUs for the given abstract product and greater than one available SKU for the given abstract product; generate and place an embedded widget on the merchant store front to determine gift intent to initiate a gift transaction of the gift product; assign at least one representative SKU to represent the gift product; and mimic an orchestrated transaction between a user and the merchant store front prior to final selection of a specific SKU of the gift product.

Abstract: A computer-implemented systems and methods for online customer assistance are disclosed. The computer-implemented system comprises a user interface, a memory storing instructions, and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to execute instructions to receive a request for assistance from a customer via the user interface, identify at least one last-ordered product, and aggregate customer specific information, one or more previously-ordered products, and the customer specific information that may include product delivery information. Furthermore, the at least one processor may be configured to execute instructions to determine an action pattern of the customer for the at least one last-ordered product, assigning a priority to the order for the at least one last-ordered product or previously-ordered products, determine a response to the customer based on the priority of the order, and provide the response to the request from the customer device via the user interface.

Abstract: Recommending reviewers from which to request reviews is disclosed. A list of potential reviewers is received. A determination is made that at least one potential reviewer included in the list of potential reviewers should be targeted with a request to review an entity. The transmission of a review request to the potential reviewer is facilitated.

Abstract: A network access point may control access by limiting time of access to users, and by granting additional access time in exchange for certain user behavior, such as viewing advertisements. Other rewards may be granted as well, such as changes to the user's network access quality, or access to restricted content.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for facilitating shopping for products that have been liked to a social media network. A product can be seen on a merchant's website, for example. The product can be liked by user to the social media website. When the same or a different user subsequently sees the liked product on the social media website, the same or different user can purchase the product from the social media website. Thus, the user is not required to visit the merchant's website to perform the purchase transaction. Upon completion of the purchase, the user can be allowed to leave feedback to rate the item according to a predefined scale, which can be visible to all those who view the item, as exhibited by a vendor on the social media platform.

Abstract: A method comprising receiving, by a payment service system (PSS), a first biometric dataset produced by a wearable device of a user having a user account with the PSS associated with a respective wellness profile; training a machine learning model that uses as input user behavior and outputs a reward offer associated with behavior that improves a wellness score; determining, using the model, the reward offer for the user with a merchant; presenting the reward offer, wherein activation of the reward offer causes an association with the user account; receiving, from the mobile device, an indication that the user has activated the reward offer via a transaction with the merchant; obtaining a second biometric dataset at a time that is based on activation of the reward offer; and updating the user's wellness profile based on a comparison of the two biometric datasets.

Abstract: A content providing system is provided that includes a client terminal and a server, and provides content based on a use state of the client terminal. The client terminal includes a client control unit and a display unit. The server includes a client terminal management unit, a content recording unit, a content management unit, a content distribution control unit, and a distribution condition management unit. The client control unit secures a content frame based on a distribution condition notified from the distribution condition management unit, and transmits a distribution request of the content to the content distribution control unit. The content distribution control unit extracts and distributes the content from the content recording unit, and the client control unit displays the content distributed by the content distribution control unit on the display unit within the content frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking and managing the transfer of renewable energy and credits associated with the renewable energy are disclosed, particularly in the context of a V2G framework. A server may receive information about an electric vehicle's charging and discharging states. When the electric vehicle is known to have obtained a charge from a renewable source, the transfer of any energy associated with that charge to a recipient may also trigger the transfer of renewable energy credits (RECs) to the recipient. The server maintains an accounting of the movement of RECs, and may also facilitate compensation to electric vehicle owners for their return of clean energy to a third party.

Abstract: In some examples, a graphical user interface (GUI) presented via a mobile application includes a first user interface element representative of a payment instrument of a user, and one or more second user interface elements. Each second user interface element is representative of a respective reward offer associated with a respective merchant, and the respective reward offer is selectable via interaction with the corresponding second user interface element. The second user interface elements are presented in a scrollable carousel that is presented separately from, and proximate to, the first user interface element. Based at least on receiving, via the GUI, a selection of one of the second user interface elements, a corresponding respective reward offer from a respective merchant is associated with the payment instrument of the user, and the corresponding respective reward offer is redeemable in association with a transaction involving the payment instrument and the respective merchant.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing ghost account(s) for user(s). A ghost account may be created with a ghost account number that is a digitally provisioned payment card number linked to a backend account of a user. The ghost account number may be used to conduct transactions in situations where the user may otherwise use their backend account number. One more constraints governing the use of the ghost account may be specified by the user and/or the backend account management service. For example, the user may request a ghost account to be used only to make payments to a particular merchant or service. As another example, the user may request a ghost account to be useable for a particular period of time and/or a particular number of uses. Transactions initiated through the ghost account may be completed using the backend account that is linked to the ghost account.

Abstract: The present application describes a system of managing electronic receipts including a point-of-sale system, a unique identifier detection mechanism, and a server. The point-of-sale system is configured to register a plurality of goods and/or services, comprising a transaction receipt. The unique identifier detection mechanism detects a first unique identifier and a second unique identifier. The server is in communication with the point-of-sale system and includes a processor configured to register the payment of the transaction receipt as a function of the first unique identifier and a memory device is configured to store a database with a plurality of receipt-data storage locations. In response to the approval the payment, the point-of-sale system forwards the second unique identifier and the transaction receipt to the server and stores the transaction receipt within the receipt-data storage location associated with the second unique identifier.

Abstract: A network access point may control access by limiting time of access to users, and by granting additional access time in exchange for certain user behavior, such as viewing advertisements. Other rewards may be granted as well, such as changes to the user's network access quality, or access to restricted content.

Abstract: A system that automates the clearing and settlement of electronic coupons (E-Coupons) by leveraging existing technologies and enabling E-Coupon redemption at any merchant having electronic funds transfer (EFT) capabilities, such as credit/debit card acceptance. The system reduces opportunities for fraud, reduces or eliminates the need for manual clearinghouse counting and sorting of coupons, and provides an electronic audit trail for coupon redemption, tying a specific purchase to a specific coupon. After registering and selecting coupons, consumers then use an E-Coupon card or account access device at a merchant's point-of-sale (POS) terminal. E-Coupon values are deducted from the consumer's final amount due. Both consumer package goods manufacturers (CPGs) and merchants may be charged a fee. Expired coupons are automatically removed from the account and their value refunded to the CPGs. Reports on redeemed coupons and consumer profiles can be generated and provided to CPGs or merchants.

Abstract: A product purchase system may include a product retrieval robot at a physical store and sensors within the physical store and configured to obtain product identifying data for a given product for purchase in the physical store by a given user. The given product for purchase may be placed by the given user into a physical shopping cart. The system may also include a product purchase server configured to identify the given product for purchase based upon the product identifying data, and determine an add-on product associated with the given product for purchase and located in the physical store. The product retrieval robot may be configured to cooperate with the product purchase server to retrieve the add-on product from the physical store and deliver the add-on product to the physical shopping cart.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for efficiently allocating resources among participants. Methods can include receiving valuation data specifying, for each of a plurality of entities, a respective valuation for each of a plurality of resource subsets, each resource subset comprising a different combination of one or more resources of a plurality of resources. After receiving valuation data, assigning each resource in the plurality of resources to a respective entity of the plurality of entities based on the valuations and generating, for each particular entity, a respective input representation that is derived from valuations of every other entity in the plurality of entities other than the particular entity. The input representation for each particular entity is processed using a neural network to generate a rule for the particular entity and a payment based on the rule output for the entities.

Abstract: A device may receive, from a user device, credentials for a transaction account associated with a user. The device may provide, to a merchant device, authorization information enabling access to an indication of an incentive status associated with the user and the transaction account, wherein the incentive status indicates whether an incentive is available for the user. The device may receive, from the merchant device, an incentive status request including the authorization information. The device may determine that the authorization information is valid and is associated with the transaction account. The device may determine a current incentive status for the incentive, wherein the current incentive status is based on a satisfaction of a condition associated with the transaction account. The device may provide, to the merchant device, the indication of the current incentive status for the incentive.

Abstract: A computer-implemented systems and methods for online customer assistance are disclosed. The computer-implemented system comprises a user interface, a memory storing instructions, and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to execute instructions to receive a request for assistance from a customer via the user interface, identify at least one last-ordered product, and aggregate customer specific information, one or more previously-ordered products, and the customer specific information that may include product delivery information. Furthermore, the at least one processor may be configured to execute instructions to determine an action pattern of the customer for the at least one last-ordered product, assigning a priority to the order for the at least one last-ordered product or previously-ordered products, determine a response to the customer based on the priority of the order, and provide the response to the request from the customer device via the user interface.

Abstract: A system includes a memory and a processor configured to receive at least one seller parameter including a minimum value associated with a sale of property and acceptable purchase conditions for instant sale of the property; maintain the at least one seller parameter confidential; generate a user interface for displaying a property listing that includes a timeline display, and for entering a binding offer with at least one buyer condition; receive a binding offer from a buyer that includes an offer price and the at least one buyer condition; evaluate the offer against the at least one seller parameter to determine an accepted status for offers meeting the minimum value and the acceptable purchase conditions for instant sale of the property; responsive to the offer having the accepted status, instantly binding the seller and buyer to complete the sale without further interaction; and communicate sale information to the buyer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic device and method for controlling electronic payment.

Abstract: A method includes generating a control set, based on input received via a user interface, the control set comprising at least a first product of a product category type. The method further includes generating a test set, based on input received via the user interface, the test set comprising at least a second product of the product category type other than the first product in the control set. The method further includes changing a feature of the second product in the test set, the feature being visible on a web page via the internet, while maintaining the feature of the first product in the control set. The method further includes measuring competitor or consumer responses to the changing. The method further includes generating a recommendation based on the measured competitor or consumer responses.

Abstract: An example method comprises registering an account of a first user, receiving first and second requests to store user generated content and first and second user generated content by the first user, the first and second user generated content being associated with at least the first user, the first request including an uploading user identifier, one or more categorical identifiers, and a first domain identifier, associating the first user generated content with an account of the first user and the first domain identifier, associating the second user generated content with the second domain identifier, receiving, from a searching user at a domain, a search request including a search criteria and a third domain identifier, if the third domain identifier is associated with the first domain identifier, determining the first user generated content to provide to the searching user based on the search criteria, and providing the first user generated content.

Abstract: Current data archiving and storage solutions seek to store data in the most accessible manner possible, often foregoing security for sake of user convenience. The technology, system, and methods proposed in this document seek to protect data in a highly resilient, secure manner, suitable for extremely long-term periods of time without loss of data integrity. The proposed solution includes methods for storing digital data, validating the integrity of the data on both sides of the transmission, encryption with keys that only the user has access to, splitting files into obfuscated slices for increased security, and determining the most effective storage location according to a novel cost metric. Data is reduced to ephemeral “ghost” files that remain faithful copies of the original data files, capable of being perceived by a user device, but never resident upon the device.

Abstract: The present application describes a system of managing electronic receipts including a point-of-sale system, a unique identifier detection mechanism, and a server. The point-of-sale system is configured to register a plurality of goods and/or services, comprising a transaction receipt. The unique identifier detection mechanism detects a first unique identifier and a second unique identifier. The server is in communication with the point-of-sale system and includes a processor configured to register the payment of the transaction receipt as a function of the first unique identifier and a memory device is configured to store a database with a plurality of receipt-data storage locations. In response to the approval the payment, the point-of-sale system forwards the second unique identifier and the transaction receipt to the server and stores the transaction receipt within the receipt-data storage location associated with the second unique identifier.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for processing an electronic payment that is initiated in response to a primary financial transaction between a first entity and a second entity. A computer is configured to receive electronic digital information relating to a primary financial transaction between the first entity and the second entity. A non-transitory computer readable electronic storage medium in operable communication with said computer is configured to store at least one customizable business rule associated with the electronic digital information, wherein the at least one customizable business rule includes a merchant loyalty reward. A transaction processor is in operable communication with at least one of the computer and electronic storage medium that is configured to determine all products purchased by the first entity from the electronic digital information; and determine, based on the electronic digital information, whether the merchant loyalty reward business rule applies.

Abstract: A system for processing a digital promotion may include a mobile wireless communications device and a digital promotion server. The digital promotion server may be configured to operate a messenger bot to communicate a digital promotion for a given product to the mobile wireless communications device. The digital promotion may be redeemable at a redemption location. The digital promotion server may be configured to obtain an image of a guest check associated with a purchase transaction at the redemption location, and determine whether the given product is indicated on the image of the guest check, and when so, cooperate with the redemption location to redeem the digital promotion for the given product during the purchase transaction.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing ghost account(s) for user(s). A ghost account may be created with a ghost account number that is a digitally provisioned payment card number linked to a backend account of a user. The ghost account number may be used to conduct transactions in situations where the user may otherwise use their backend account number. One more constraints governing the use of the ghost account may be specified by the user and/or the backend account management service. For example, the user may request a ghost account to be used only to make payments to a particular merchant or service. As another example, the user may request a ghost account to be useable for a particular period of time and/or a particular number of uses. Transactions initiated through the ghost account may be completed using the backend account that is linked to the ghost account.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-mode communication management are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises presenting real estate listings regarding properties to buyers. Accounts may be created for buyers and real estate agents. Communications from different communication types between one or more buyers and one or more real estate agents regarding any of the real estate listings may be captured. Metadata corresponding to each of the communications may be captured. The communications and the metadata may be stored. A request including identification of a particular real estate agent, a particular buyer, and a particular property may be received. Particular communications may be retrieved in response to the request, the particular communications corresponding to the particular real estate agent, the particular buyer, and the particular property. The particular communications may be provided to the particular real estate agent.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which a method includes attributing a value to a pre-paid payment instrument, determining an expiration time associated with the pre-paid payment instrument, and automatically return an un-used portion of value associated with the pre-paid payment instrument at the expiration time to the purchaser.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer readable memory medium comprising program instructions for graphically developing a connectivity driver is provided. The computer readable memory medium is a non-transitory medium. The program instructions are executable by a processor to generate a purchase order for a laboratory item, transmit the purchase order to a remote computer in order to communicate the purchase order to a vendor, receive an advance shipping notice generated in response to the purchase order, receive item information stored in an RFID tag of a tagged item received at the delivery location, and check the item information against the advance shipping notice in order to verify that the tagged item is the same as the ordered laboratory item. The purchase order specifies a delivery location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for an electronic funds transfer, the method including obtaining a virtual payment account having access to a plurality of electronic payment mediums capable of being utilized in an electronic funds transfer. Obtaining, using an electronic payment management system, information related to the electronic fund and determining by the electronic payment management system based on the information related to the electronic fund a selected electronic payment medium from the plurality of electronic payment mediums for being the source of electronic funds for the electronic funds transfer. Based on the selection, recommending the selected electronic payment medium to a user for presentation to an electronic terminal for engaging in the electronic funds transfer.

Abstract: An embodiment of a computer implemented method for transferring cryptocurrency amounts includes receiving, by a processing device, a request to transfer an amount of a cryptocurrency from a first storage location. The method also includes, in response to the request, automatically generating a credit value and a debit value as a related pair, each of the credit value and the debit value having an identifier that relates the credit value and the debit value to the amount of the cryptocurrency, one of the credit value and the debit value being a positive value and another of the credit value and the debit value being a negative value, and transferring the amount of the cryptocurrency by the transaction module from a wallet connected to the transaction module to a second storage location.

Abstract: The systems, methods, and computer program products (collectively “systems”) described herein are generally configured to monitor actions in digital channels. More specifically, the systems are capable of creating reservations for items and initiating payments for the items based on actions or information received from the digital channel. The systems are capable of syncing transaction accounts with various digital channels. Moreover, the systems are capable of initiating or completing transaction based on user information. The systems may also be capable of providing rewards based on activities or accomplishments in the digital channels. Moreover, the systems may be capable of verifying activities based on transaction information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for classifying merchants. In one embodiment a method is provided comprising providing, a first promotion specifying a redemption and a charge monetary values, the redemption monetary value being specified by redemption parameters of the first promotion and a value indicative of a total amount of funds purchased in response to accepting an instance of the first promotion, wherein the funds purchased can be redeemed for offerings of one or more merchants specified by the promotion, the charge monetary value being a monetary value charged for accepting the first promotion, and providing a first classification classifying the first promotion as a promotion having a redemption monetary value that may be used to purchase offerings of the one or more merchants over the course of multiple transactions.

Abstract: Current data archiving and storage solutions seek to store data in the most accessible manner possible, often foregoing security for sake of user convenience. The technology, system, and methods proposed in this document seek to protect data in a highly resilient, secure manner, suitable for extremely long-term periods of time without loss of data integrity. The proposed solution includes methods for storing digital data, validating the integrity of the data on both sides of the transmission, encryption with keys that only the user has access to, splitting files into obfuscated slices for increased security, and determining the most effective storage location according to a novel cost metric.

Abstract: Systems and methods, and other embodiments, for processing in-store events regarding the location of a mobile device user are presented. Data regarding a plurality of physical stores is maintained, where the data comprises, for each of the plurality of physical stores, a web site comprising a plurality of web pages, each web page corresponding to a location with the physical store. While a mobile device user is within a physical store, in-store events regarding the mobile device user are repeatedly received. A corresponding implicit request for a web page corresponding to location information of the in-store events is generated and supplemental content from the web page, returned in response to the implicit request, is presented to the mobile device user.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to discounting a price of commodities to a consumer based on purchases made by the consumer with a financial card. A consumer registers with a reward program by providing information associated with a financial card to a reward program provider. The reward program provider may validate the financial card with a financial card provider (e.g., a card association), and, in response to a successful validation of the financial card, may receive, from the financial card provider, a token that may be used to identify purchases made by the consumer using the financial card, and the reward program provider may delete the financial information provided by the consumer during the registration process. The reward program provider may receive information that includes the token and indicates purchases made by the consumer and is used to determine rewards earned by the consumer.

Abstract: A method, mobile device, and non-transitory computer readable medium for transmitting information. The method includes determining, by a mobile device, a distance between the mobile device and another device in response to a request for the mobile device to transmit the information. The method also includes determining, by the mobile device, whether the distance between the mobile device and the other device is within a threshold distance. Additionally, the method includes transmitting, by the mobile device, the information to the other device after determining that the distance between the mobile device and the other device is within the threshold distance.

Abstract: A method of providing digital coupons to a user includes comparing a first plurality of codes with a second plurality of codes to identify one or more matching codes. The first plurality of codes are associated with products offered at a discount by a retailer, and the second plurality of codes are associated with products having a manufacturer discount associated therewith. A listing of one or more products associated with the respective one or more matching codes is displayed along with a digital coupon for each respective product. Each digital coupon has a combined value of the retailer discount and the manufacturer discount, and each digital coupon is user-selectable for placement in a digital wallet. In response to user selection, a digital coupon is placed within the digital wallet and is available for redemption at a location of the retailer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for facilitating payment transactions using an application program interface. In particular, the systems and methods allow payment providers to integrate with a social network and facilitates payment transactions by providing instructions to the payment providers based on the payment providers being integrated with the social network. For example, one or more embodiments identify a payment provider associated with a payment account of a user requesting to initiate a payment transaction. One or more embodiments then determine instructions to send to the payment provider based on transaction information and then send the instructions to the payment provider to cause the payment provider to process the transaction according to the transaction information. Additionally, one or more embodiments cause payment providers to communicate with each other for processing payment transactions involving users of the social network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for alerting an individual is described. A determination as to whether an individual is within a sensing area of a first device is made. The first device may be configured to provide information about a product on a shelf on which the first device is attached. In response to determining that the individual is within the sensing area, a determination as to whether to notify an occurrence of the determination that the individual is within the sensing area of the first device to at least one second device is made. In response to determining to notify, a notification may be transmitted to the at least one second device that the individual is within the sensing area of the first device. An alert may be triggered at the at least one second device based upon the transmitted notification.

Abstract: A financial institution can provide a best price guarantee to debit or credit card account holders. By providing a consolidated system including automatic price monitoring of purchased products and automatic claim form generation upon identifying a lower price, the consumer is relieved of the burden typically associated with conventional price matching.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computing apparatus is configured to allow merchants to initiate offers in an offer campaign based on a spending pattern specified by the merchant, such as the lack of transactions in a predetermined period of time of the day, in a recent time period, and/or in a particular merchant category. The offer campaign can be adjusted between offer delivery/announcement and fulfillment for a limited time period. The benefit of a further purchase may be announced via a message scheduled to be transmitted in response to an event identifying the arrival of a particular time instance, in response to a qualification notification of a transaction satisfying the requirements of a purchase event required in the offer campaign, or in response to the detection of a required spending pattern.

Abstract: The present application describes a system of managing electronic receipts including a point-of-sale system, a unique identifier detection mechanism, and a server. The point-of-sale system is configured to register a plurality of goods and/or services, comprising a transaction receipt. The unique identifier detection mechanism detects a first unique identifier and a second unique identifier. The server is in communication with the point-of-sale system and includes a processor configured to register the payment of the transaction receipt as a function of the first unique identifier and a memory device is configured to store a database with a plurality of receipt-data storage locations. In response to the approval the payment, the point-of-sale system forwards the second unique identifier and the transaction receipt to the server and stores the transaction receipt within the receipt-data storage location associated with the second unique identifier.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for identifying optimal rewards programs. The method involves retrieving from one or more databases a first set of information comprising payment card holder transaction information including at least purchasing activities and optionally payment activities attributable to the payment card holder, and retrieving from one or more databases a second set of information comprising a plurality of rewards programs. One or more predictive behavioral spend profiles are generated based on the first set of information. The one or more predictive behavioral spend profiles and the second set of information are then analyzed to identify one or more correlations between the one or more predictive behavioral spend profiles and the plurality of rewards programs. Targeted information, based on the one or more correlations, is provided to one or more entities (e.g., payment card holder or merchant).

Abstract: The systems, methods, and computer program products (collectively “systems”) described herein are generally configured to monitor actions in digital channels. More specifically, the systems are capable of creating reservations for items and initiating payments for the items based on actions or information received from the digital channel. The systems are capable of syncing transaction accounts with various digital channels. Moreover, the systems are capable of initiating or completing transaction based on user information. The systems may also be capable of providing rewards based on activities or accomplishments in the digital channels. Moreover, the systems may be capable of verifying activities based on transaction information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving a shopping experience are described. A customer brings items of clothing to try on in a dressing room. The customer's exact location is provided to the store clerk with the assistance of a beacon located in the dressing room. The store clerk also knows the exact items the customer has brought into the dressing room because a reader in the dressing room reads tags associated with the items. The customer may be provided with information on suggested products, such as alternative or complementary items to the items the customer selected.

Abstract: A method uses web servers to promulgate information from one server to another, instead of promulgating the information by the user to each server individually. A first server receives a first request for promulgating web-information from a user, locally promulgates the web-information, and sends a second request to at least one second website server to instruct the second website server to locally promulgate the web-information. The selection of the second server is done according to a preset configuration file which includes a relationship mapping between the first website server and the second website server. The relationship mapping may provide the user information related to the second website server based on the user information related to the first website server. The present disclosure further discloses a communication apparatus and a communication system.