Abstract: In one embodiment, a coupon is created. The coupon includes a delivery date and data associated with a variable value schema, the schema dependent upon an elapsed time between the delivery date and redemption of the coupon.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus, when registering the identifier of information acquired via a connection system, a registration unit registers the identifier with discount information attached thereto in the case where a discount applies to a communication charge for the information. The identifier and discount information are transferred to another information processing apparatus and registered in a storage unit. An information acquisition unit of the other information processing apparatus acquires the information identified by an identifier selected from the storage unit, via another connection system, and in the case where discount information has been attached to the selected identifier, receives a discount on a communication charge for acquiring the information.

Abstract: Generating and embedding into a signature block of an electronic message a banner placeholder associated with an advertisement, sponsored or interactive content, coupon, deal, and/or other form of promotional banner. When a user receives the electronic message, the banner placeholder is configured to cause a browser to retrieve an advertisement, coupon, deal, and/or other form of promotional banner for display to the recipient of the electronic message in the signature block.

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: Systems and methods are provided for delivering a discount using a partner-issued currency or a combination of virtual currency and partner-issued currency, offering a high-perceived savings value to an end-user while maintaining the perception of product value. An embodiment of an inventive method includes presenting a display of a price paid by a consumer without access to the virtual currency along with a display of an amount payable by the end-user in actual currency in combination with an amount payable in virtual currency. The end-user perceives a benefit to using the virtual currency and since the price paid in actual currency is less than the displayed price to be paid by a consumer without access to the virtual currency.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and rewarding website activities based on a point reward system. The method for monitoring and rewarding a website activity includes the steps of creating a plurality of webpage links on the website, allocating a point value to each webpage link, tallying point values by navigating through at least one of the webpage links, the tallying is performed by a computer-readable program.

Abstract: A proprietary website is maintained on which merchants can access their account, in order to add, delete, and amend digital coupons available. Consumers can download a mobile application to their mobile device and geographical co-ordinates selectively receive digital discount coupons displayed on the consumers mobile device when the consumer physically approaches or enters the participating merchant's place of business.

Abstract: The present invention is a system of real-time tracking one or more transactions that includes a server system that generates one or more offers and allows the one or more offers entered into the server system to track performance of the entered one or more offers, a memory system, one or more customers that enter the one or more specific offer numbers into the server system and one or more customers. The system also includes one or more merchants, an administrator, a token generator that generates a plurality of tokens and a plurality of websites that include a customer website and a merchant website. The present invention also includes a method for real-time tracking one or more transactions.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting electronic business between buyers and sellers is provided. The system and method disclose a means for at least one buyer to request and receive online bids from one or more sellers of a particular product according to a price curve or price schedule. A price schedule or curve for a product defining a product's unit price as a function of the volume of product ordered. Upon receipt of a plurality of bids from sellers, a buyer can then select a seller-supplier based at least in part on the price schedule.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing online promotions integrated with social network-based platforms are disclosed. Promotion details such as rules, offered prizes, incentives and descriptions, survey questions, display banners, terms and conditions, privacy policy, and social networks to integrate the promotion with, are provided by the sponsoring organization to a server. The server generates a custom promotion application and/or widget for integrating with the organization's social network webpage and/or webpages external to social networks. A participant enters the promotion through these webpages or other links and lists friends in the social network to receive an invitation to enter the promotion.

Abstract: A method for tracking downloads to a computer system is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Suppliers of such digital media content would appreciate it if their works were more widely disseminated and used. Users or customers may receive an incentive to purchase or to download an application. The incentive may be, for example, a free application, rewards points or a virtual currency. In one method, the user downloads digital media content in two stages. In the first stage, the user activates a first web-based link to download the digital media content. In the second stage, after downloading, the user activates a second web-based link to activate the application or other digital media content. The web-based links include user identifiers that are matched for the user to subsequently receive the incentive.

Abstract: A method for tracking downloads to a computer system is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Suppliers of such digital media content would appreciate it if their works were more widely disseminated and used. Users or customers may receive an incentive to purchase or to download an application. The incentive may be, for example, a free application, rewards points or a virtual currency. In one method, the user downloads digital media content in two stages. In the first stage, the user activates a first web-based link to download the digital media content. In the second stage, after downloading, the user activates a second web-based link to activate the application or other digital media content. The web-based links include user identifiers that are matched for the user to subsequently receive the incentive.

Abstract: A method for tracking downloads of digital media content is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Content suppliers would appreciate it if their works were more widely disseminated and used. Users or customers may receive an incentive to purchase or to download a first portion of content. The incentive may be, for example, a second portion of the content or other incentive. In one method, a user downloads and receives a first portion of digital media content. In the second stage, the user's actions with the first portion of the content are tracked. When the user satisfies one or more conditions of using the first portion, the user is allowed to download the second portion or other incentive.

Abstract: A method for tracking downloads to a computer system is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Suppliers of such digital media content would appreciate it if their works were more widely disseminated and used. Users or customers may receive an incentive to purchase or to download an application. The incentive may be, for example, a free application, rewards points or a virtual currency. In one method, the user downloads digital media content in two stages. In the first stage, the user activates a first web-based link to download the digital media content. In the second stage, after downloading, the user activates a second web-based link to activate the application or other digital media content. The web-based links include user identifiers that are matched for the user to subsequently receive the incentive.

Abstract: A method for tracking downloads of digital media content is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Content suppliers would appreciate it if their works were more widely disseminated and used. Users or customers may receive an incentive to purchase or to download an application. The incentive may be, for example, a free application, rewards points or a virtual currency. In one method, a user downloads digital media content and receives the incentive in two stages. In the first stage, a user who has expressed interest is sent a first web-based link offering the content and the incentive. In the second stage, after activating the link, the user is allowed to download the content and receive the inventive. The web-based link includes user identifiers that are matched for the user to receive the incentive.

Abstract: A computer-implemented hierarchical revenue model to manage revenue allocations among derived product developers in a networked system. The model includes providing a first revenue value associated with a first digital component, providing a second revenue value associated with a second digital component, and combining the first revenue value with a second revenue value to produce a third revenue value associated with the second digital component, the second digital component including at least a portion, of the first digital component.

Abstract: Techniques for temporary access to enterprise networks are provided. Devices of customers are detected and authenticated for temporary enterprise network access to a facility of an enterprise when the customers are in a configurable geographic distance to that facility. Temporary access credentials for accessing select resources of the facility or enterprise network are pushed to the processing device upon successful authentication. When one or more terminating actions are detected, the temporary access credentials are revoked and access to the enterprise network ceases.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system advertisement delivery. The method includes: receiving a user request for visiting a local WEB page of a home gateway, where the user request is sent by a user terminal; and obtaining an address of advertisement data corresponding to a stored advertisement parameter, assembling the address of the advertisement data into data on the local WEB page of the home gateway according to the advertisement parameter, and sending the data into which the address of the advertisement data is assembled on the local WEB page of the home gateway.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and computer program to establish whether a user will likely conduct repeat business with a vendor presenting a commercial offer. If the system determines the user is likely to conduct repeat business with the vendor, the system will present the offer in a first format, and if the system determines the user is less likely do conduct repeat business with the vendor, the system will present the offer in a second format. In the second format, the offer is either more expensive or less prominently displayed as compared to the first format.

Abstract: A system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption provides customers making online purchases to automatically retrieve and redeem all applicable rebates and coupons during an online 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 makes purchases from merchants or manufacturers using all applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system automatically retrieves 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 and to retrieve manufacturer's and merchant's coupons prior to an online purchasing activity for subsequent submission to an online merchant during a subsequent purchasing activity.

Abstract: A user activity-based marketing system includes stand alone computer implemented application or an application within a social network rewarding users for participation in targeted social marketing of a product or service. The computer implemented method allows entities to provide incentives for users to engage in social marketing. Administrators controlling marketing efforts for an entity may define rewards for achievements or badges which recognize a user's level of influence and promote the entity. User activity, including social network activity, is tracked to determine whether a user has completed the achievement and gained access to a reward by engaging in social media activity defined by the achievement.

Abstract: A system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption provides customers making online purchases to automatically retrieve and redeem all applicable rebates and coupons during an online 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 makes purchases from merchants or manufacturers using all applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system automatically retrieves 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 and to retrieve manufacturer's and merchant's coupons prior to an online purchasing activity for subsequent submission to an online merchant during a subsequent purchasing activity.

Abstract: A method of managing user purchase information includes parsing information related to a product from a user uploaded data, comparing the parsed information with a purchase data of the product by the user, and linking an indicator to the user uploaded data according to the comparison and a method of providing user purchase data in user equipment. The method also includes purchasing and paying for a product with the user equipment, and posting payment information about the product on a social networking service (SNS).

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for delivering ad-initiated emails to a user's visual email inbox to provide access to content. Ad-initiated emails are emails that are generated by an ad server in response to a user's selection of an online advertisement that is served by the ad server. A visual email is an email that is represented using a creative. For instance, the visual email may include metadata that identifies the creative or that may be used to identify the creative. The creative may be an audio component, an image component, and/or a video component. A creative may be used to represent a single email or multiple emails. If a creative is used to represent multiple emails, selection of the creative may provide access to the various emails, information identified by the emails, and/or a list of the emails. Content may include a coupon, a file, an advertisement, etc.

Abstract: A method for delivering an electronic coupon to a mobile device includes receiving via a wireless network a target image or icons extracted from the target image, comparing the target image to a plurality of learned images using a processor in communication with the wireless network, determining whether the target image matches at least one learned image, and when the target image matches at least one learned image, delivering to the mobile device over the wireless network an electronic coupon associated with the at least one learned image. The target image can represent at least a portion of a front surface of a consumer packaged good located in a retail outlet. The target image can be generated using a mobile device configured to communicate with the wireless network.

Abstract: A user can select a higher Quality of Service network connection that is at least partially subsidized by a sponsor. In response, an indicia of the sponsorship of the higher Quality of Service connection is provided to the user. The indicia of sponsorship can be provided as a result of a sponsored proactive search, wherein advertising and/or sponsored links may be repeatedly or continuously provided to the user based on analysis of the user's navigation of the network while using the higher Quality of Service connection. A sponsorship message (analogous to a “brought to you by” message in conventional radio or television programming) and/or a sponsored link also may be provided. Accordingly, higher Quality of Service network connections may be at least partially sponsored by third parties to provide revenue to the network provider that can at least partially subsidize the higher Quality of Service network connection.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is described that matches commercial incentives to consumers based on targeting data associated with the commercial incentive and user data associated with consumers in a manner that advantageously allows for highly-targeted delivery of commercial incentives to the consumers that are most likely to use them. Because both the targeting data and the user data may include spatial, temporal, social and topical data, matching may be performed based on any or all of these data types, as well as based on any combination of these data types.

Abstract: A social networking system suggests deals relevant to a user. The deals are selected for suggestion based on social information associated with the user. Social information used for selecting candidate deals for a user includes information describing other users connected to the user and their associations with the candidate deals or with related deals, for example, deals from the same provider. Associations of connections of the user with the candidate deals may be determined based on actions associated with the candidate deals performed by the connections. The actions performed by the connections may be weighted based on types of the actions to determine a measure of relevance of the candidate deal for the user. Candidate deals are selected from a set of deals by applying deal targeting criteria received from deal providers. The deal targeting criteria specify attributes describing users to be targeted for a particular deal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for enabling an e-commerce website to persist electronic items, such as electronic coupons, gift certificates etc., across multiple browsing sessions. Users are offered electronic items over a communications network during a browsing session. In case the user wishes to save the items for a later browsing session, he/she is prompted for an email address. Details pertaining to the selected items are mapped against the email address. Thereafter, e-mail is sent to the user, containing a URL with the email address of the user embedded in it. Alternatively, entire details corresponding to the items selected during a session are embedded in the URL and in this case they need not be mapped against the email address.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of providing moving-image advertisements and coupons using VoIP. The present invention provides a method of providing moving-image advertisements and coupons using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). According to the above-described present invention, advertisements for products are provided in the form of moving images in a video call reception standby state, so that users can ascertain the content of the advertisements and the drawing of the attention of users towards the moving-image advertisements is increased, thereby maximizing the effects of the advertisements and also promoting the purchasing of products. A user and his or her counter party can be provided with coupons while on a video call, so that a minimum number of persons for cooperative buying can be easily achieved.

Abstract: In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for creating, storing, and/or presenting branded redemption portals. For example, in some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) receiving, from a holder of a rewards account, a request for redemption information, where the rewards account is maintained by a financial institution; (b) determining that the rewards account is associated with an organization, where the organization is not the financial institution, and where the organization is associated with a brand; and (c) presenting a redemption portal to the holder, where the redemption portal presents one or more products, and where the redemption portal has a theme that conveys the brand (and/or each of the one or more presented products conveys the brand).

Abstract: Virtual goods, such as Facebook credits or Farmville animals, are offered as an incentive to acquire new customers or reacquire former customers. Using a simple click-through process, a customer may receive a given number of virtual credits, or a particular virtual item, upon satisfying a given requirement, such as a purchase above a given amount, a subscription to a mailing list, submission of a preference profile, and so on. Initial tests have indicated that a substantial number of customers prefer receiving such virtual items in lieu of a cash rebate or other cash-based discount, even when the actual cost associated with the virtual item is the same as, or lower than the amount of the cash-based discount. In a preferred embodiment, a third-party campaign manager facilitates the execution and management of the incentive campaign.

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

Abstract: An approach is provided for providing an advertising platform. The advertising platform determines an initiation of a location-based search at a device, and one or more results of the location-based search. The one or more results include at least one listing for at least one merchant. The advertising platform then processes and/or facilitates a processing of the one or more results to determine one or more advertisements associated with the at least one merchant for presentation at the device. The advertising platform then causes, at least in part, tracking of user interaction information in response to the presentation of the one or more advertisements.

Abstract: A message system permits a commercial subscriber to create and store a message accessible by a consumer having the system application installed on his personal communication device for machine readable redemption at a point-of-sale or other redemption center. The system logs the redemption and activates rebates or payments from the commercial subscriber to the point-of-sale or other redemption center, in accordance with any agreement which may exist between the redemption center and the commercial subscriber.

Abstract: A web-based reward point system that awards points in the form of web credits to users as a reward for participating in certain online activities. The web credits are stored in a database that contains information about user accounts, web credit award activity and web credit redemption activity. The user is able to redeem web credits by receiving a voucher from the website that contains a unique voucher ID and presenting the voucher to a vendor at a business location of the vendor. The vendor is able to verify the authenticity of the voucher by checking the voucher ID at the website. In exchange for the voucher, the user receives a reward from the vendor. Alternatively, the user can load web credits onto an existing vendor loyalty card or debit/credit card which can be used as currency with the vendor.

Abstract: A watch and win or read and win system in which the user receives information about a subject being advertised, watches or reads it, and then answers questions. If the questions are answered properly, then the user gets a virtual item that can be used in the virtual world. In one embodiment, the virtual item is related to the item being viewed. This can be used to create a more effective form of advertising.

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: A structure for creating a facilitator organization to deliver content potentially at no cost to consumers in exchange for viewing advertising that might include an interactive element with the steps of: creating the facilitator organization, by which an entity is created offering intellectual content via any and all available means to the consumer, offering commercial businesses the advertising service, offering intellectual content to the consumer, offering advertising which might include an interactive element to consumers, collecting and distributing revenue by the advertising viewed by the consumers via the Internet or similar means, by which the data is collected and analyzed, by which the advertiser is satisfied that the advertising has reach a specific numerical population of consumers that might include specific demographics that the advertiser has contracted with the facilitator for.

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: An advertising-financed print service is enabled in which the printing of content by consumers is subsidized, in whole or in part, by the presentation of commercial content (e.g., coupons and offers) to the consumers.

Abstract: A method is presented for developing sales for promotional items. One or more educational videos are created for one or more promotional items. The educational videos are used as content on one or more web pages that provide information for the promotional items. The web pages are included on a website for the promotional items. Distributor contact information is received from a distributor. The distributor contact information is included on at least one of the web pages, such that a viewer of the website can contact the distributor.

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: One embodiment pertains to a method of transferring information. The method includes receiving a request for displayed information on a first device and forming a meta-language message based on the displayed information. The method also includes transferring the meta-language message to a handheld device and converting the meta-language message to a native language message of a user of the handheld device.

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: Systems and methods for carrying on marketing dialogues are disclosed. Specifically, embodiments of the systems and methods presented may allow marketing dialogues to be carried on with a set of participants by sending a communication to each of the participants. Another set of participant may be assembled from the initial participants and an action may then be taken with respect to this second set of participants.

Abstract: Information pertaining to products made by manufacturers and sold to consumers through retailers, is distributed to consumers through a communication network that connects consumer communication nodes to a cooperative network site having an accumulation of information about manufacturer product offers and retailer special deals. A consumer can obtain selected items of this information without knowledge of how to reach the cooperative network site, by simply logging in to a manufacturer network site or to a retailer network site. At a manufacturer site, the consumer can obtain a list of local retailers carrying the manufacturer offers and can then select from among the offers and receive complete details of the selected offers. At a retailer site, the consumer can obtain a list of manufacturer offers available at the retailer stores in the consumer's area, and can then select from among the available offers and receive their complete details.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for redeeming an electronic coupon comprises receiving on a transmit device the electronic coupon that includes an embedded identifier that indexes coupon data; playing the identifier of the electronic coupon over air from a speaker of the transmit device in proximity to a receive device; decoding the identifier in response to the receive device receiving the audio signal over the air; and using the identifier to access the coupon data including purchase discount information.

Abstract: Absorbent articles are disclosed that convey information to a user. In particular, the absorbent articles include an active graphic that comprises a machine readable code. The active graphic, for instance, may comprise a disappearing graphic, an appearing graphic, and/or a color-change graphic. The change in appearance of the graphic may occur once contacted with a suitable activation agent, such as urine. The machine readable code contained in the active graphic, once scanned by a suitable reader device, may convey information to a user related to the absorbent article.

Abstract: A network-based system includes one or more servers that transfer to a client computer a user interface that includes a selectable icon relating to available seats for an event at an event venue and a selectable icon relating to gift certificates that are redeemable for purchasing one or more available seats to one or more events at one or more event venues. If a request for a gift certificate is received, the one or more servers receive payment for a selected monetary equivalent value for the requested gift certificate; create a gift certificate having the monetary equivalent value at the time that payment is received but not prior to receipt of the requested gift certificate, where the created gift certificate was not previously stored in any database of the network-based system; and store the created gift certificate in a database of the network-based system.