Abstract: A system and method for receiving a promotional sample product, which can enable an advertiser to check whether a sample product, provided by the advertiser, is accurately delivered to a customer, thereby securing the reliability of means for seeking exposure advertisement by providing samples, and maximizing the promotion effects. A system for receiving a promotional sample product includes: a sample receiving relay server; an advertiser terminal; a customer terminal; and a sample processing terminal. The sample receipt app generates only one authentication key per customer ID in order to prevent duplicated samples from being provided for one customer ID.

Abstract: An adaptive content platform includes one or more content-enabled, dependent applications, each of which includes a user interface and business logic. A services layer, which is interfaced with the dependent applications and a software infrastructure, provides one or more services that are usable by the dependent applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel system and method for social play. The novel system and method includes a non-transitory machine readable storage medium containing instructions to cause a machine to send a request to a plurality of subscribers who fit a first profile to play a physical sport at a first venue and during a first time period. The first profile comprises at least one criteria and is partially set by a sender of the request and in part configured by default settings.

Abstract: User-defined criterion defines goods and services of interest to a user. An aggregated listing of the goods and services is generated that spans multiple retailers within a geographic range of a current location of the user. The aggregating listing is presented to the user for making a retail decision.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collecting information for physical products by providing virtual products to customers. Virtual products (digital representations of physical products) may be provided to customers that provide item information including but not limited to evidence of ownership of corresponding physical products, for example photographs or sales receipts. The customers may use the virtual products in various applications in which the customers may establish a virtual presence. The information provided by the customers may be collected, analyzed, and applied in one or more areas of real-world production and marketing, for example in obtaining competitive pricing information. Digital lockers may be provided for the customers to which the virtual products are stored; the applications may access the virtual products for a customer from a respective digital locker.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method and an apparatus. The apparatus includes interface circuitry and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry obtains attribute information of multimedia information associated with a multimedia provider. The attribute information includes website information of a website used to display the multimedia information and identifier (ID) information associated with the multimedia information. The processing circuitry generates a machine-readable identification code to be scanned by a user device of a user based on at least the website information. Based on the ID information, the processing circuitry obtains a first image corresponding to the multimedia information. The processing circuitry determines an image area in the first image in which the machine-readable identification code is to be inserted. The processing circuitry inserts the machine-readable identification code into the image area to generate a second image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ranking and appraising leads according to their quality are disclosed. The disclosed method operates within a systems' architecture configured to rank and auction leads. One or more client computing devices allow an agent to request for the ranking and appraisal of a set of leads. Following the request, a ranking module implements one or more software modules for assessing the quality of each lead and ranks the set of leads according to a quality criterion. Next, a price modeling module defines a floor price for the set of leads. The solutions derived from the software modules are stored in an internal database where they are available to other software modules operating within the system architecture for ranking and auction leads. In some embodiments, the ranking results are used for tracking results and developing insight about the value of leads and the effectiveness of the ranking method.

Abstract: The invention provides one or more consortia of networks that identify and share information about users and/or user devices interacting with the consortia. User devices may be identified, at least in part, by a delta of time parameter between a user device used and a reference time. Other parameters may be analyzed to identify a computer user and/or device and noteworthy transactions. The invention may be used for identity-based applications such as network security, the detection of fraudulent transactions, identity theft, ratings-based communities and law enforcement. User may be permitted to register user devices in order to control access for performing transactions.

Abstract: There is provided a scheme of communicating reward data from a first application running on a data processing device (100) to a second application on the data processing device (100) for use by the second application. The method comprises the first application obtaining a reward value in response to a user of the first application completing a predetermined task in the first application. In response to a request from the user to claim a reward, the first application generates and transmits: an instruction to place the second application into an interactive state; and reward data, which is generated on the basis of the reward value, for use by the second application in the interactive state. The passing of the reward value from the first application to the second application occurs within the data processing device (100), with no communication between the data processing device (100) and the backend server (200) via the Internet (400) taking place.

Abstract: An approach is provided for presenting privacy-respectful and personalized location-based comments based on passenger context and vehicle proximity to the location. The approach involves identifying a user, a location, and/or a context of a vehicle. The approach also involves determining a privacy level set by the user and/or associated with the context. The approach further involves generating a personalized comment related to the location based on the privacy level, wherein the personalized comment includes privacy-sensitive data associated with the user. The approach further involves triggering a presentation of the personalized comment in a user interface of the vehicle and/or a device based on a proximity of the vehicle to the location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining one or more credit lines based on statistical approximations of credit line optimization models. By approximating the results of the optimization model, the disclosed embodiments may provide real-time account level credit line determinations based on fewer criteria than used in the optimization models. Other aspects of the disclosed embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Mapping and obscuring digital representations of a number of user accounts on a social network map includes identifying a primary user account from a number of user accounts of a social network, determining, based on metadata associated with the user accounts, a relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, mapping, based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, a digital representation of each of the user accounts to a territory on a social network map, determining, based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, an obscurity level for each of the user accounts, and obscuring, based on the obscurity level, the territory associated with the digital representation of each of the user accounts on a social network map from the primary user account.

Abstract: A data protection ecosystem-based data valuation methodology includes the following steps. One or more of backup data, metadata, and analytics results maintained by a data protection ecosystem are accessed. The backup data, metadata, and analytics results are obtained during the course of the data protection ecosystem providing data backup and recovery functionalities for a data storage environment that stores one or more data sets. A valuation is calculated for at least one of the one or more data sets of the data storage environment based on at least a portion of the accessed backup data, metadata, and analytics results maintained by the data protection ecosystem.

Abstract: A recommendation server provides product or service suggestions to a user based on transaction and location data. The recommendation server receives transaction data from a merchant device operated by a merchant affiliate. The transaction data contains information that is used to identify a suggested product or service. A search vicinity is determined based on the location of the merchant affiliate and the suggested product or service. A suggested merchant is determined that is located within the search vicinity, and that sells the suggested product or service. Information about the suggested merchant and the suggested product or service is sent to a user device operated by the user in order to encourage them to make a purchase from the suggested merchant.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a portable computing device (a smart phone device) in an area of proximity to a vendor to determine relevant pertinent information. A beacon device at a retail location establishes communication with a user's smart phone device which detection is then send to a remotely located server. The remotely located server determines if the detected portable computing device is associated with a predefined category of user. Contingent upon the category of user determination, a determination is made regarding information pertinent to the user. The pertinent information is then caused to be sent to the user's smart phone device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining one or more credit lines based on statistical approximations of credit line optimization models. By approximating the results of the optimization model, the disclosed embodiments may provide real-time account level credit line determinations based on fewer criteria than used in the optimization models. Other aspects of the disclosed embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining or monitoring at least one process variable which comprises a sensor element, measuring electronics, at least one control/evaluating/calculating unit arranged removed from the measuring unit and/or an in/output unit arranged removed from the measuring unit and the control/evaluating/calculating unit. The control/evaluating/calculating unit and the in/output unit are connected with the measuring unit via a first interface, respectively a second interface, wherein the measuring electronics operates the sensor element and forwards the measurement signals via the interfaces to the control/evaluating/calculating unit as unprocessed, raw, measured values, and wherein the control/evaluating/calculating unit arranged removed from the measuring unit determines, improves and/or monitors the process variable based on the raw, measured values and makes such available via the in/output unit.

Abstract: Examples to determine media impressions using distributed demographic information are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a reporter to detect at the client device a login event. The example apparatus also includes a communication interface to send a communication to an impression monitor system in response to the reporter detecting at the client device the login event via the login webpage, the login event associated with a first Internet domain different from a second internet domain of the impression monitor system. The example communication interface also sends a login reporting message to the database proprietor, the login reporting message including first and second cookie identifiers, the first cookie identifier associated with the first Internet domain, and the second cookie identifier associated with the second Internet domain of the impression monitor system.

Abstract: Content is inserted into conversations hosted on a takeoff site using creatives that provide lures and links to other material that users engaged in the conversation might find helpful and relevant. Such insertions are made in a contextually meaningful fashion through the use of a matching and decision process that determines best candidate creatives and an appropriate time and place for their insertion into the conversation.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to transmit applications to mobile devices. The applications may operate to enable the reception of source and advertising information from a wireless transmitter. Reception may occur at a wireless receiver in a mobile device, as part of a single transmission and without prior solicitation by the mobile device. The source information can identify a source associated with the advertising information. The advertising information is stored in the mobile device when the source information and/or distance information associated with the source information comply with conditions included in a storage policy associated with the mobile device. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recommending merchant actions include a physical merchant location having a plurality of beacon devices. A system provider device receives a plurality of first location information from the plurality of beacon devices that is collected from a customer beacon communication device that is associated with a customer. The system provider device also receives a plurality of second location information over the network from the plurality of beacon devices that is collected from a merchant beacon communication device that is associated with an asset of the merchant. The system provider device analyzes the plurality of first location information and the plurality of second location information to determine at least one merchant action recommendation related to the customer and the asset of the merchant and provides the at least one merchant action recommendation over the network for display on a display device.

Abstract: An ad orchestration server selects and sequences the delivery of ads based on multiple offline and online conditions. The ad orchestration server takes into account messages a user might have seen from the advertiser online which the ad server knows about through its tracking cookie, as well as other data about the user that is obtained using offline and other online methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for generating reminder options that are presented to a user when a user browses to a content item to view the item and then browses away from the item. For example, a user may be presented with one or more content items, such as images, advertisements, etc., on a display of a user device. The content item, when interacted with by the user, results in the user being provided with an additional content item, such as a webpage, associated with the content item. If the user selects a back button, or other navigation control that results in a request being sent to navigate away from the additional content item and back to the previously presented content items, rather than just presenting the same previously presented content items again, a reminder option may be presented allowing the user to indicate whether the user desires to receive a later reminder about the additional content item and/or the object indicated in the additional content item.

Abstract: A system provides a way to manage agreements that institutions such as financial services companies have with distributors who sell their products. Each distributor has a plurality of sales representatives that earn commissions for selling such products. The commissions earned and any other constraints imposed on the sales representatives may be defined within a selling agreement. The system can generate each selling agreement utilizing a set of components representative of the type of agreement formed between the institutions and the distributor. The components of each selling agreement contain an associated rule set that enables a configuration engine to generate an appropriate document. The system also contains a set of regulatory conditions for each sale made by the sales representatives. The system may be utilized to process sales transaction data to ensure that selling agreement terms are followed and that regulations for each sale are satisfied.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for providing a universal security handler for use with a cloud-based integration platform. A universal security configuration interface can be provided to capture custom values, syntaxes, and/or grammars for a common set of security properties for different implementations of a particular authorization flow. The captured information can be used by a plurality of software components to create a custom security provider, which includes information needed for obtaining an access token from a specified cloud service provider. The security provider, which also includes methods for performing each step of the authorization flow, can be provided to a security processor configured to handle exchanges between the universal security configuration interface and the specified cloud service provider. The system enables the cloud-based integration platform to integrate with a plurality of third-party cloud services without writing additional code.

Abstract: A resource orchestration framework may include vertices representing physical network nodes and a resource orchestrator. The resource orchestrator may receive a service function chain request specifying service functions to perform on respective physical nodes and a first starting time for launching a first one of the service functions. The resource orchestrator may determine an ending time for performing the first service function that, with the first starting time, defines a time duration for the first service function, identify vertices at which the first service function is available during the time duration, map a first vertex to the first service function in a candidate service function chain, determine a second starting time for launching a second one of the service functions dependent on the first starting time, and provide the candidate service function chain, the first starting time, and the second starting time to a neighbor vertex of the first vertex.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ranking and appraising leads according to their quality are disclosed. The disclosed method operates within a systems' architecture configured to rank and auction leads. One or more client computing devices allow an agent to request for the ranking and appraisal of a set of leads. Following the request, a ranking module implements one or more software modules for assessing the quality of each lead and ranks the set of leads according to a quality criterion. Next, a price modeling module defines a floor price for the set of leads. The solutions derived from the software modules are stored in an internal database where they are available to other software modules operating within the system architecture for ranking and auction leads. In some embodiments, the ranking results are used for tracking results and developing insight about the value of leads and the effectiveness of the ranking method.

Abstract: The invention provides one or more consortia of networks that identify and share information about users and/or user devices interacting with the consortia. User devices may be identified, at least in part, by a delta of time parameter between a user device used and a reference time. Other parameters may be analyzed to identify a computer user and/or device and noteworthy transactions. The invention may be used for identity-based applications such as network security, the detection of fraudulent transactions, identity theft, ratings-based communities and law enforcement. User may be permitted to register user devices in order to control access for performing transactions.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure can facilitate managing a computing device. The computing device can be a managed device that is managed by a device management server. In some embodiments, the system includes a generation module and an interface module. The generation module may be configured to receive a site location for the computing device, identify an address of the device management server, and generate an optical representation of a configuration based on the site location and the address. The interface module may be configured to provide the optical representation to the computing device and receive a communication from the computing device, the communication corresponding to the configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include systems and methods for providing a social interface for sharing media experience information between households in a community. Users of different households may form the community. The social interface may be provided as an application on a mobile device or an Internet webpage as a portal to the community. An example implementation involves a device displaying representations of: a plurality of households; an indication of a selected household; one or more zones within the selected household; and a representation of media being played by a selected zone of the one or more zones. While displaying the representations, the device receives, from a server, data indicating updated information associated with the plurality of households; and, in response, updates the graphical display to display at least an updated representation of media being played by the selected zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide information to a user based on a symbol with a plurality of interpretations. Each candidate interpretation for the symbol is identified and compared to an attribute of a user profile. The meaning of the symbol is determined and the user profile is updated with the meaning of the symbol. This meaning may be used to provide relevant information to the user.

Abstract: A method of providing information including providing a communication session of at least one of audio and video media and applying automatic recognition to media transferred on the communication session. An advertisement is selected by a processor, based on the automatic recognition and non-advertisement information is selected by the processor, responsive to the automatic recognition. The selected advertisements and the selected nonadvertisement information, are presented during the communication session.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for determining a match between two devices includes receiving sensor data from a first device and a second device, determining whether the sensor data indicates a match between the first and second devices. If there is a match between the first and second devices, the match is confirmed. The match is confirmed based on at least one of: at least one knock, analysis of missing information and a characteristic of a user of the first device or a user of the second device. In various embodiments, a method of activating a function includes receiving sensor reading(s), analyzing the sensor reading(s) including determining whether at least one knock has occurred based on the sensor reading(s), determining whether to activate the function based on the analysis. If the function should be activated, the function is activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ranking and appraising leads according to their quality are disclosed. The disclosed method operates within a systems' architecture configured to rank and auction leads. One or more client computing devices allow an agent to request for the ranking and appraisal of a set of leads. Following the request, a ranking module implements one or more software modules for assessing the quality of each lead and ranks the set of leads according to a quality criterion. Next, a price modeling module defines a floor price for the set of leads. The solutions derived from the software modules are stored in an internal database where they are available to other software modules operating within the system architecture for ranking and auction leads. In some embodiments, the ranking results are used for tracking results and developing insight about the value of leads and the effectiveness of the ranking method.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computer-readable medium, and an apparatus operable to perform the method is provided for managing multiple provisioned domain name system (“DNS”) registry objects. The method can include receiving, at a DNS registry, a multiple domain extensible provisioning protocol (“EPP”) command from a registrar on behalf of a registrant to perform an action for each provisioned DNS registry object of the multiple provisioned DNS registry objects; comparing the action with one or more allowable actions in a policy maintained by the registry; determining, by a processor, that the action is allowable based on the comparing; and performing, based on the determining, the action on each of the provisioned DNS registry objects in one transaction.

Abstract: Provided is a server device whereby more customers are gathered at a store, and the spending per customer is increased. In a server device (50): a storage unit (54) stores charging parameters corresponding to purchase costs; a wired communication unit (53) receives information of the purchase cost which is inputted into a cash register; and a generating unit (55a) retrieves, from the charging parameters which are stored in the storage unit (54), the charging parameter corresponding to the purchase cost which is received by the wired communication unit (53), and, on the basis of the charging parameter, generates charging information which indicates either the charging time or the charging quantity at which a power outlet carries out charging.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an audio signal at a mobile computing device and determining whether the audio signal is within a particular frequency range using an application executing at the mobile computing device. When the audio signal is within the particular frequency range, the audio signal may be processed to determine speaker location data encoded within the audio signal that indicates a location associated with a speaker generating the audio signal. A message including information associated with the speaker location data may be sent from the mobile computing device to a server, and item data from the server may be received at the mobile computing device. The item data is related to an item that is located proximate to the speaker, and information descriptive of the item may be displayed at the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A method includes discovering live video feeds. The discovered live feeds are presented on a website. The viewing of one or more live video feeds and interaction with entities that are generating the live video feeds is enabled.

Abstract: A method for determining a fare for a transport service is provided. One or more processors determine that the transport service is in progress for a first user. A request to share the fare for the transport service in progress with a second user is received over a network from a first computing device of the first user. A confirmation that indicates that the second user is to share the fare is received over the network from a second computing device of the second user. A first amount of the fare for the first user and a second amount of the fare for the second user is determined.

Abstract: A method includes receiving location information, and determining one or more addresses based on the location information. At least one of the one or more addresses is associated with a construction site. The method includes presenting the one or more addresses as selectable elements within a first graphical user interface, and in response to receiving an input indicating selection of a particular selectable element within the first graphical user interface, receiving a second input corresponding to a request to capture item data, and capturing item data in response to the second input. The method includes storing the captured item data in association with a builder at a database. The captured item data is associated with a specific product provided by a vendor in association with construction of a home.

Abstract: Techniques are provided that include using a collaborative arrangement between a first entity associated with a physical location, such as a physical store or residence that has or sells one or more products of a first product type, and a second entity, such as a Web site offering for purchase products of the first product type. According to some such arrangements, if, for example, a user purchases a product from the Web site after the user evidently made a visit to the physical location, or received a display or demonstration of a product of the first product type at the physical location, then revenue or value resulting from the purchase may be split or shared between entities including the first entity and the second entity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that provides diverse and reliable media content suggestions. Specifically, the media guidance application may monitor user preferences of a select group of friends of the user and base media recommendations on those user preferences. The media guidance application may determine close friends of the user, such as friends that a user regularly communicates with, and include recommendations on the media preferences of only those close friends.

Abstract: A system receives notification that at least one user interested in acquiring desired information is within a predefined area. The system receives the desired information from a client located within the predefined area, and electronically transmits the desired information to the at least one user. The desired information is received by the at least one user via a wireless device.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein provide a method for performing one or more transactions between application containers. In various implementations, the method includes transmitting a key request to a first network node within a cluster of network nodes that are configured to generate and maintain a distributed ledger. In some implementations, the key request indicates that the requested key is for one or more transactions between a first application container and a second application container. In various implementations, the method includes receiving a key in response to transmitting the key request. In some implementations, the key is valid for the one or more transactions between the first application container and the second application container. In various implementations, the method includes synthesizing, at the first application container, transaction data with the key.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for providing contextual ecommerce shopping cart adjustments. An indication of an expressed intent to perform an action not available in a first application is received. One or more applications capable of fulfilling the action are requested from a Service, the request to the Service including available contextual data. A policy and a list of applications that can fulfill the action are received. A second application is selected to perform the action based on the policy. A response is received from a transmitted query to an operating system to determine if the second application is installed, wherein the response indicates whether the second application is installed. The second application is installed if the second application is not installed. A deep link is executed into the second application so that the second application can automatically perform the action.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel system and method for social play. The novel system and method includes a non-transitory machine readable storage medium containing instructions to cause a machine to send a request to a plurality of subscribers who fit a first profile to play a physical sport at a first venue and during a first time period. The first profile comprises at least one criteria and is partially set by a sender of the request and in part configured by default settings.

Abstract: Mapping and obscuring digital representations of a number of user accounts on a social network map includes identifying a primary user account from a number of user accounts of a social network, determining, based on metadata associated with the user accounts, a relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, mapping, based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, a digital representation of each of the user accounts to a territory on a social network map, determining, based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, an obscurity level for each of the user accounts, and obscuring, based on the obscurity level, the territory associated with the digital representation of each of the user accounts on a social network map from the primary user account.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence engine that receives data related to at least one of at least one available network of a mobile communication environment and system data of a mobile device in the mobile communication environment. The artificial intelligence engine includes a rules engine that receives a currently configured set including at least one rule, the at least one rule includes at least one condition and at least one action. The at least one condition includes at least one predicate and at least one condition state, and the rules engine is structured to evaluate the at least one condition and the at least one predicate. Further, a triggering device triggers the at least one action in accordance with the evaluation of the at least one condition and the at least one predicate.

Abstract: An electrically operated domestic appliance, in particular a kitchen appliance, includes a voice recognition device, which voice recognition device is designed to compare voice signals of a user with known control commands for operating the domestic appliance, and includes an activation device for activating the voice recognition device. The activation device has an optical detection device, wherein the activation device is designed to activate the voice recognition device in dependence on information captured by the optical detection device. A method operates the domestic appliance.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a comprehensive computer system and method (See FIGS. 1, 1a, 2) for automating and facilitating the performing and processing of tasks, information transfer, and information storage associated with the home sale (See FIG. 3a), mortgage origination (See FIG. 3b), and settlement process (See FIG. 3c), and the home mortgage refinancing origination and settlement process (See FIGS. 1b, 1c, 2a) (or performing other business processes), over a distributed computing network are disclosed. One aspect of the invention is a greatly simplified process for a home buyer to search for a home and simultaneously receive accurate and competitive bids for mortgages and services from multiple lenders and service providers. The process includes an automated under-writing process which generates complete, accurate information on the costs of buying and owning a home at very beginning of the home buying process. Another aspect of the invention is greatly automating the entire sale, loan and settlement process.