Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting advertisements for presentation in a map space are disclosed. Map requests are received, map spaces identified, advertisement bids are received for advertisement space within the map spaces, and advertisements are selected for presentation in the map space based on the advertisement bids. The advertisement bids can be selected through an auction.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for electronic commerce using streaming media. (1) E-commerce opportunities are combined with incentives (e.g., random, pseudo-random, skill-based, or responsive to aggregate buying) for participation by recipients, enhancing the likelihood of responses from recipients and the value of distribution of the promotional information. (2) Techniques are applied to a server associated with e-commerce opportunities, to avoid unduly burdening that server. An applet may conduct the interactive process with the recipient and present results to the server, implement the incentives, conduct e-commerce transactions with the recipient, and select one or more recipients for an incentive reward. (3) The promotional material is associated with elements of the streaming media being presented, such as an actor or object.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, context-induced wireless network information and content transport systems and methods are provided. In another aspect of the present application, a system includes first and second mobile devices that store respective interest profiles. A further aspect of the present application provides that wireless point-to-point connections are formed when the first and second mobile devices are in close physical proximity to each other. In another aspect, the mobile devices automatically exchange advertising content between each other based on the respective interest profiles over the wireless point-to-point connections. Yet another aspect employs a content distribution device wirelessly transmitting advertising content to one of the first and second mobile devices when the one of the first and second mobile devices is in close physical proximity to the content distribution device. A method of operating such a wireless network is also provided.

Abstract: Products and processes are provided in which information is received about a post for an item to be sold. The information may include type data identifying the item for sale as being a specific type of item. Based on the received type data, a posting payment amount is determined.

Abstract: A system and method for using a discount display system are provided in which a plurality of purchase option screens are displayed to a user. For each discount-eligible item identifier selected by the user, the price of the item is added to the user's total, the current discount available to the user is recalculated and the updated discount is displayed to the user.

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: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for providing and redeeming Purchase Incentive Artifacts via a mobile device and independent of a vendor point of sale system. The Purchase Incentive may be used to encourage a Purchaser to make a Purchase.

Abstract: Embodiments of task-based, decreasing-price markets enable dynamic discounting of items for sale. In one example, users shop for products (e.g., clothing, electronics, or cars) or services (e.g., hotel rooms, plane tickets, or car rentals) using a computing device or mobile device. As the users shop, they view advertisements or perform other tasks, like answering questions, and the system discounts an item's price based on the number or complexity of the performed tasks. Each user who performs a task gets a chance to buy the item at its discounted price. The other users also get a chance to buy the item at the discounted price. If someone buys the item, the item's price returns to its starting value. If nobody buys the item, the system discounts the item's price further as the users perform more tasks until someone buys the item or the item's price reaches a minimum value.

Abstract: An item may be purchased using a combination of rewards and monetary consideration, wherein a maximum allowable reward payment portion (or correspondingly a minimum monetary consideration amount) is established by the merchant, the reward issuer, or an online reward exchange operator. The user may select, using for example a user interface slider control, the desired number of rewards to redeem (up to the maximum allowable amount) and the corresponding monetary consideration portion is displayed. The transaction may then be executed wherein the selected rewards are redeemed and the balance is paid for with the corresponding monetary consideration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for online sales providing automatic rebate and coupon redemption corresponding to online purchases. Purchase orders from customers may be fulfilled and the products shipped to customers by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption. The system may provide customers with the ability to make online purchases using applicable coupons and rebates from merchants or manufacturers thereby passing the savings on to the customer. The system may also automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for use during an online purchasing activity for items in a shopping cart during a shopping activity.

Abstract: A method and system to help fund projects, such as business ventures, charitable causes, and those generally in financial need, by providing a website where viewers can browse projects, select projects to fund, and donate money, or goods and services to fund the project. In the spirit of giving, the creator of a new project may also be required to make a donation or pledge to an existing project in order to have the new project published.

Abstract: Incentive systems and methods on computer servers in a communication network, including components such as a user data component configured to receive and store user profile and activity information, a goal page module configured to generate a user interface to allow users of the incentive system to input a goal or need and an associated incentive. A distributor engine configured to allow users to cause the posting of the goal page to a plurality of communication platforms. An opportunity processor configured to process solution opportunities received in response to the posting. A bounty fulfillment module configured to allow the selection of solution opportunities, and a payment system configured to collect a fund based on the associated incentive and distribute the fund based on the selection solution opportunities.

Abstract: Computer systems and methods using servers in a communication network, including computer processors and computer-readable media with instructions to cause them to perform operations, including disseminating a reward page to communication platforms on the network. The reward page could include an associated goal or need and an initial reward amount. Further, the communication platforms can be accessed by contacts, receive a request from contacts to modify the associated initial reward amount, and upon validation of the request, update the reward page to indicate the modified reward amount. Also, disseminate the reward page with the modified reward amount on the network, to receive, from the contacts, solution opportunities to achieve the goal or need associated with the reward page. Then select solution opportunities to achieve the goal or need of the reward page and award the modified reward amount to a recipient who submitted the selected solution opportunity.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for creating a reward on computer servers in a communication network, including generating an electronic posting, based on information received from a posting user, where the received information includes a description of a goal or need. Then associating an incentive with the posting, the incentive being for a successful submission of a solution opportunity in response to the posting. Next, disseminating the posting including information about the incentive to at least one communication platform on the network and causing a display of the disseminated posting in display units. And in response to the posting, receiving at least one solution opportunity from users and allowing a selection of solution opportunities from any received solution opportunity. Then associating, the selected solution opportunity with at least one recipient, and awarding the incentive to the recipient.

Abstract: Computer systems and methods on servers in a communication network, including computers having processors and executing computer-readable media, to receive a first request to share a reward page from a user, indicating a goal or need. And in response to the received request, disseminate the reward page to communication platforms via the network. Next, receive a request to share the reward page from a user. Next, in response to the received request, disseminate the reward page to another group of communication platforms via the network and receive solution opportunities from contacts from the communication platforms. Then determine one received solution opportunity from solution opportunities that achieves the goal or need of the reward page and determine a chain of contacts that resulted in the submission of selected at least one solution. Finally split the reward among the contacts in the chain.

Abstract: Incentive systems and methods on computer servers in a communication network, including components such as a goal page module configured to generate an electronic posting on the communication network, where the posting is based on information received from a posting user. Also the received information could include a description of a goal or need. A bounty system module configured to associate an incentive with the posting, the incentive being for a successful submission of a solution opportunity in response to the posting. A distributor engine module configured to disseminate the posting, and a bounty fulfillment module configured to receive solution opportunities from the second user and allow selection of solution opportunities from any received solution opportunity. Further a payment system module configured to associate the selected solution opportunity with recipients and award the incentive to the recipients.

Abstract: Products and processes are provided in which information is received about a post relating to an item to be sold via a posting site. A posting payment award is determined. The posting payment award may be determined by calculating a posting payment amount. The posting award is provided in the form of a prominent feature of the post on the posting site.

Abstract: Products and processes are provided in which information is received for a post relating to an item to be sold via a posting site. A posting payment amount relating to the post is determined. The posting amount is provided as a credit for purchases. For example, the credit may be a credit that is usable for purchases via the posting site.

Abstract: In one aspect, an account identifier is associated with a deal purchased by a user from a deal site. The deal has a face value applicable to a transaction with a predetermined merchant, if the transaction satisfies one or more predetermined criteria. The user pays the deal site an amount smaller than the face value. When the account identifier is used at a transaction terminal to initiate a payment transaction, a transaction handler determines whether the payment transaction satisfies the one or more predetermined criteria; and if so, the transaction handler provides the transaction terminal with an authorization response identifying the remaining balance, which is determined by deducting the face value from the payment transaction. The account identifier may be a one-time account number generated specifically for the deal purchased by the user, or an account number of the user used to purchase the deal from the deal site.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving vehicle location information. The method also includes delivering a survey to one or more vehicle occupants, over a vehicle audio system, the survey related to a business having some correlation to the location information. Further, the method includes collecting survey results. Also, the method includes relaying the survey results to a remote server for processing. The method additionally includes providing a digital reward to the one or more occupants participating in the survey.

Abstract: A system and method that allows a group of organizations, e.g. a group of transit agencies, to provide their users with a stored value smart card payment method that rewards them for actual use. The system and method include a card interface device and a smart card for storing respective reward applications, wherein the card interface device reward application retrieves transaction and reward data from the smart card and processes the data within the card interface device in order to determine a transaction reward.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a value rating for discount coupon offers.

Abstract: A system and method for retrieving and redeeming product coupons, including the following steps: a) Offering a Web-based coupon retrieval and redemption application for downloading onto a compatible registered mobile device, preferably a mobile phone; b) Once the Web-based application has been downloaded and activated, receiving a coupon prompt from the mobile phone device for at least one item of interest at the store; c) Searching a system database of the Web-based application for at least one coupon corresponding to the item; d) Retrieving and forwarding the coupon to the mobile phone device in response to the coupon prompt at the store; e) Displaying the coupon in a display window of the mobile phone device; and f) Upon selection of the coupon, initiating a system for redeeming the coupon at the store.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling multi-merchant coupon campaigns within an online publication system are described. In an example, a method can include generating an item listing, receiving information specifying a set of coupon criteria, detecting an event within a multi-merchant publication system, and present a coupon in response to detecting the event. The generating an item listing can be based on information received from a merchant-computer. If the set of coupon criteria is detected it can result in presenting a coupon for the item listing. The event can satisfy a particular coupon criteria from the set of coupon criteria.

Abstract: A method for matching consumers and advertisements over a network includes matching demographic traits provided by the consumers with demographic targets provided by advertisers. Upon receiving a request for a consumer through a website of a web content provider, the central server provides the requesting consumer with a user interface that includes a slide-bar icon with which the requesting consumer can share a portion of the compensation it will receive for viewing that advertisement with the content provider.

Abstract: Improved techniques and systems to facilitate use of credit to acquire digital media assets from a network-based media server are disclosed. A user can acquire credit in a variety of different ways including, for example, through redeeming a credit invitation. Once a user has available credit by whatever means, the user can acquire one or more digital media assets from the network-based media server using his/her available credit. In one embodiment, the credit is provided as item credits, whereby each item credit can be used to acquire a selected digital media asset. However, not all of the digital media assets available from the network-based media server are permitted to be acquired using item credits. The country of origin of the user and/or the type of media asset can influence the digital media assets that can be acquired using item credits.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for registering consumers with merchant loyalty or other merchant programs by using a credit card or other form of payment to register the consumer, and thereafter automatically recognizing the consumer as a member in the program based on subsequent purchases made using the form of payment. Consumer rewards can then be automatically applied during the purchase transactions with the merchant. Thus, the present disclosure allows for consumers to seamlessly and transparently gain the benefits of consumer programs merely by purchasing goods and services using forms of payment, without consumers needing to carry additional cards or coupons or login information.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of adaptive marketing based on interactive feedback from one or more participants. In particular, a system for adaptive marketing, comprising a participant access device, at least one data management devices, a communication means between the participant access device and the at least one data management device, and one or more sub-platforms for facilitating at least one participant interaction with the system. The one or more sub-platforms may include an Advertising sub-platform, a Redemption sub-platform, an Offer sub-platform, a Social Media sub-platform, and an Education sub-platform. Also included are methods for adapting marketing. The methods include identifying characteristics of a participant, trending the identifying characteristics, and adapting marketing materials based on the trends. The invention provides methods for distributing offers for goods or services including driving viral interactions with an integrated system.

Abstract: Systems and methods to deliver dynamic context sensitive offers to incent user behavior are discussed. For example, a method to deliver a dynamic context sensitive offer can include operations for generating a dynamic offer, delivering the dynamic offer, receiving data associated with a user, updating a context input with data associated with the user, and adjusting the value of the dynamic offer. Generating the dynamic offer includes associating a rule for manipulating the value of the dynamic offer based on a context input. Updating the context input of the rule includes extracting context information from the data associated with the user. Adjusting the value of the dynamic offer can be based on reevaluation of the rule with the updated context input.

Abstract: The loyalty system allows a consumer to accumulate general loyalty points from one or more merchants, and convert any desired subset of general points to loyalty dollars associated with a specific merchant. The system stores, for each consumer, the merchant loyalty dollars (or monetary equivalent) by merchant within a remotely-accessible host database or within a smart card database. Upon conducting a purchase at a particular merchant, the consumer may utilize a code key to facilitate access to the consumer's own loyalty dollars for the particular merchant. The loyalty dollars are then applied to the purchase transaction as a discount or rebate. The consumer may also re-load the merchant loyalty dollar accounts.

Abstract: Meal planning and coupon dispensing are provided. An electronic-shopping list is created. Store-specific data is procured from third-party store websites. The store-specific data is added to the electronic-shopping list. Recipes from third-party websites are saved. The third-party recipes are parsing for ingredients. The ingredients are added to the electronic-shopping list. Manufacturer and/or coupon publisher websites are analyzed for coupons. Items on the electronic-shopping list are analyzed to maximize savings through the use of manufacturer coupons. Recipe ingredients are analyzed to maximize savings through the use of manufacturer coupons and store sales items. Recipes are ranked by the number of discounted ingredients they contain. An in-store navigation map includes an in-store application interface. Thus, an integrated approach for shopping list, coupon, and recipe management is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for the electronic distribution of product redemption coupons to remote personal computers located at users' homes are disclosed. A centrally located repository, such as an online service provider or web site on the Internet, stores packages of coupon data for downloading on demand to the user's computer. A coupon generated by the system and method of the present invention comprises an encoded area that consists essentially of a unique Coupon Id. The unique Coupon Id is also recorded in a database comprising a plurality of data tables. At least one of the data tables associates each Coupon Id with one or more of a Promotion Id and a Consumer Id. Preferably, the Print Id is also associated in a data table with a Session Id and information regarding the date/time of printing. The Ids other than the Coupon Id may not be printed on the coupon.

Abstract: A social networking system distributes offers to its users using the social networking users' news feed or another communication channel in the social networking system. To distribute offers, the social networking system receives a post from an advertising user, which includes a coupon or other offer that can be redeemed at a merchant establishment. The post generates an offer story that includes the post with the offer, and an option for claiming the offer. The social networking system sends the offer story to a viewing user of the social networking system, and receives from the viewing user a selection of the option for claiming the offer. To further distribute the offer, the social networking system sends a news story about the viewing user claiming the offer in a feed of news stories to one or more other users of the social networking system who are connected to the viewing user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of marketing to a prospective customer comprises: creating an offer for submittal to the prospective customer; enabling the prospective customer to access and retrieve at least one of a coupon, a barcode, a data matrix code, a partial numbering sequence, and a password related to the offer; and accepting, from the prospective customer, at least one of the coupon, the barcode, the data matrix code, the partial numbering sequence, and the password at a pre-designated validation site.

Abstract: A transaction handler receives, for forwarding to a sponsor account's issuer, a coupon authorization request message from a merchant's acquirer that identifies the sponsor account and a coupon for an item being purchased by a consumer in a transaction with the merchant. The issuer determines eligibility of the coupon for use by the consumer, and sends an authorization response message to the merchant via its acquirer and the transaction handler for the application of a corresponding discount for the item when the coupon is eligible. One or more coupon eligibilities for the purchase of the item by the consumer from the merchant can be derived from comparisons of the transaction to predetermined times, geographies, jurisdictions, sets of merchants, and/or the number of times that coupons have been used in other transactions. The transaction handler can further process the transaction for authorization the consumer's account to pay of the transaction.

Abstract: An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity.

Abstract: Methods and systems facilitate electronic commerce by designating an initiator of a sale of an item that is advertised by a merchant at an offering price on an Internet web site. One embodiment comprises detecting performance of designated activities by associates of the initiator via the web site. Responsively to each performance an exclusive offer of the item for sale is made to the initiator at a progressively marked-down price. Another embodiment comprises progressively marking down the advertised price of items upon performance of designated activities by users of the web site and progressively marking up the price upon each purchase of one of the items by the users.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to transmit deals, promotions and other manner of advertisements and offers to users of mobile devices that are relevant to the users' current location and intent. Users' current intent includes actions the user is likely to take in the near future, such as, for example, purchase a specific product or service. Users' probable intent is inferred from activities performed by users on their mobile devices such as, for example, user queries relating to products and services. Businesses set up offers that are directed to specific geospatial locations and specific user intent. When a user enters a geospatial location associated with an offer and manifests intent associated with the offer, the offer is transmitted to the user's mobile device.

Abstract: A system and method for using a discount display system are provided in which a plurality of purchase option screens are displayed to a user. For each discount-eligible item identifier selected by the user, the price of the item is added to the user's total, the current discount available to the user is re-calculated and the updated discount is displayed to the user.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for determining a combination of electronic coupons (e-coupons) for redemption by a retailer in a networked environment are disclosed. In the method, a check is made to determine if a selection of e-coupons complies with redeeming conditions for a purchase. If so, a further check is made to determine if two or more of the selected e-coupons are mutually exclusive. The selection of e-coupons complying with the redeeming conditions and being non-mutually exclusive is displayed. Preferably, the method includes suggesting to a user of an optimal or near optimal selection of e-coupons. The e-coupons may reside at a user's site, a third party's site, or a site of the retailer in the networked environment. The networked environment may be the Internet, an Intranet, an Extranet, a local area network, an ATM network, a wide area network and a wireless network.

Abstract: Advertising rewards and referrals are described, including detecting an interaction with an advertisement, recording the interaction, the interaction including an input being provided in response to the advertisement, generating a reward for the interaction, the reward being an action taken to provide a benefit in response to the interaction, analyzing data associated with the advertisement, the data including a plurality of documented interactions, and providing a result from analyzing the data.

Abstract: A system and method may comprise providing, via a computing device, a connection link to an end user device having a network connectivity access network element; extracting, via an advertisement server, an offer of a value voucher unique to the end user from a database connected to the advertisement server and presenting, through the end user device, an offer of the value voucher to the end user; receiving, via the computing device, from the end user an acceptance of the value voucher; and storing the value voucher in a coupon database in an Internet accessible coupon storage locker unique to the end user.

Abstract: An improved system and method for generating offers from marketing communications is provided. Marketing communications, including marketing emails, may be received, and offer information may be extracted from the marketing communications. A marketing message retrieved may be parsed to identify and extract offer information including the brand, headline text, description, and other content. Offers may be generated from the offer information extracted from the marketing communications, and may be stored in persistent storage for serving to users of an online offer service through a variety of user interfaces. In various embodiments, messages identified from recognized brands may be presented in a graphical user interface for a user to read with messages from unrecognized brands. Furthermore, either the message or an offer generated from a message may be displayed in various embodiments through a variety of user interfaces where its relevance may be specified by a user's interests.

Abstract: An improved system and method of providing offer groups to curate an offer list of promotional offers from multiple offer sources in an online service is provided. Components for offer groups support operations accessible through a graphical use interface for creating, editing, joining, and searching for offer groups, as well as curating and viewing offers of offer groups. Such operations may be governed according to rules of membership of an offer group, roles of members of an offer group, rules of visibility of an offer group, and rules of curating promotional offers for the list of promotional offers of the offer group. A user may create an offer group which others may join to participate in curating offers of interest to the group. Or users may identify and join offer groups of interest to browse curated lists of promotional offers pertaining to those interests.

Abstract: An improved system and method of providing offer groups to curate an offer list of promotional offers from multiple offer sources in an online service is provided. Components for offer groups support operations accessible through a graphical use interface for creating, editing, joining, and searching for offer groups, as well as curating and viewing offers of offer groups. Such operations may be governed according to rules of membership of an offer group, roles of members of an offer group, rules of visibility of an offer group, and rules of curating promotional offers for the list of promotional offers of the offer group. A user may create an offer group which others may join to participate in curating offers of interest to the group. Or users may identify and join offer groups of interest to browse curated lists of promotional offers pertaining to those interests.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media that may be used to present advertisements to a first user based on the first user's interactions with one or more other users are provided. One method includes transmitting an electronic advertisement to a user computing device. The electronic advertisement includes an invitation for the user to receive a non-cash benefit in return for allowing an advertiser associated with the electronic advertisement access to one or more aspects of an account of the user on a social network. The method further includes receiving an indication that the user has accepted the invitation for the non-cash benefit, performing an action on behalf of the advertiser relating to the account of the user on the social network and providing a confirmation message to the user indicating that the non-cash benefit will be provided.

Abstract: An improved system and method of providing offer groups to curate an offer list of promotional offers from multiple offer sources in an online service is provided. Components for offer groups support operations accessible through a graphical use interface for creating, editing, joining, and searching for offer groups, as well as curating and viewing offers of offer groups. Such operations may be governed according to rules of membership of an offer group, roles of members of an offer group, rules of visibility of an offer group, and rules of curating promotional offers for the list of promotional offers of the offer group. A user may create an offer group which others may join to participate in curating offers of interest to the group. Or users may identify and join offer groups of interest to browse curated lists of promotional offers pertaining to those interests.

Abstract: A communication system and method between independent service providers and customers can include registering a plurality of work histories from a plurality of independent service providers, each work history being distinguishable from another work history according to a plurality of information data fields. At least one merited work history can be located corresponding to one or more search terms entered by a user and selected with respect to the plurality of information data fields of the on-line system among the registered present work history and past work history of the independent service providers. The located merited work history data of an independent service provider can be displayed using a geographic user interface. Each work history, delivered by and entered from a corresponding independent service provider to an on-line system, can include a service type, a service time period, and a service location.

Abstract: An advertising device is provided which can be affixed to a nozzle for dispensing liquid products, such as a gasoline dispensing nozzle of a gasoline pump. This advertising device has a display platform and means for releasable attachment to the gasoline pump nozzle. The information depicted upon the advertising platform can included both text and graphic information, the latter being scannable by a smart phone or comparable device, to thereby direct the customer to the web site of the advertiser.

Abstract: Techniques for providing group discounts are described. A group discount package is configured by associating a plurality of different items with the package, associating a discount price with each item, and associating a threshold value with at least one item. One or more actions that have corresponding threshold values may also be associated with the package. The group discount package may be offered by enabling users to request to purchase items associated with the package. Each user may request to purchase one or more of the items associated with the package at the associated discount price. Furthermore, the users may be enabled to perform any actions associated with the package. A deal with the package is confirmed when each associated threshold value is met.