Abstract: A system for generating a virtual private key using personal credentials, comprising: personal knowledge and a suite of algorithms and methodologies integrated, without using third party information, in such a manner that the private key can be securely generated without exposing the credentials entity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for electronically validating coupons comprises a primary positive coupon database containing positive coupon data. The positive coupon data relates to one or more coupons known to the valid. The system further includes a computing system comprising a control circuit configured to execute a processing module that, when executed, receives electronic coupon data from a coupon comprising a machine-readable code, parses the electronic coupon data, compares the parsed electronic coupon data to the positive coupon data in the primary positive coupon database, and determines whether the coupon is valid by determining whether there is a match between the parsed electronic coupon data and the positive coupon data, and determining whether the coupon has expired based on an expiration date of the coupon contained in the parsed electronic coupon data and an identified expiration date.

Abstract: Described is a computer implemented method for determining provenance and identity of a digital advertising request for an advertisement solicited by at least one of a publisher and an intermediary representing the publisher. The method includes receiving, with a transceiver of a first computing device, a first message having first message metrics associated with a candidate entity for identification. The first message is processed, with a processor of the first computing device, to identify a first portion of a candidate entity identity based on the first message metrics. An output related to confidence of the candidate entity identity is produced, with the processor, based on the first portion of the candidate entity identity.

Abstract: This paper presents a practical method for measuring the impact of multiple marketing events on sales, including marketing events that are not traditionally trackable. The technique infers which of several competing media events are likely to have caused a given conversion. The method is tested using hold-out sets, and also a live media experiment for determining whether the method can accurately predict television-generated web conversions.

Abstract: A fraud monitor in a managed network is provided. The fraud monitor uses the network's instrumentation data, configuration data, and account information to detect fraudulent activities in the network, such as fraudulent advertisement or other types of fraudulent data traffic, including fraudulent responses (e.g., fraudulent clicks) to advertisement. The fraud monitor receives configuration data and identification data for physical resources of the network. The fraud monitor receives instrumentation data of packet traffic in the network. The fraud monitor receives account information for users of the network. The fraud monitor analyzes the instrumentation data to detect a violation of a fraud detection policy that prevents malicious or fraudulent online advertisement activity based on the configuration data, identification data, or account information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for machine learning-based systems and methods for preventing fraud in programmatic advertising. The systems and methods provide for applying a plurality of machine learning models to data associated with a bid request, determining if the bid request is associated with fraudulent activity as a result of the machine learning models, and selectively preventing the bid request from being provided to potential buyers based on the determination.

Abstract: A method for verifying a discovery of a geocache positioned at one or more physical locations is disclosed. The method comprises providing a first location information corresponding to a first geocache located at a first physical position; receiving from a user device a target credential corresponding to the geocache, wherein the target credential comprises a dynamically varying identifier associated with the geocache; determining a validation credential associated with the geocache; comparing the target credential with the validation credential; and determining whether the geocache was discovered.

Abstract: An interaction facilitator system is operable acquire community member dialogue videos generated by community members, wherein each community member dialogue video includes dialogue spoken by the community member that describes their viewpoints and opinions regarding an associated subject media content event. A community member dialogue video is acquired from a community member while the community member plays a uniquely generated geo-activity game wherein the community member completes an activity at each of a plurality of game play locations that lie along a game play route. At the end of play of the geo-activity game, the community member receives an incentive.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for generating multi-merchant loyalty programs and dynamically enrolling customers into a multi-merchant programs. The multi-merchant loyalty programs can be generated based on a determination that the merchants in respective programs are complementary, and/or the merchants being located within a threshold distance of one another. In some instances, a customer can be automatically enrolled in a multi-merchant loyalty program responsive to conducting a transaction with one of the merchants in the program. After enrollment, the customer can receive incentives to conduct transactions with the merchants in the program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preventing search fraud in a content management system. For an update of a content item of a search index of a search service provided by the content management system ranking metrics are calculated using a set of one or more search queries from a collection of search queries previously received by the search service. At least one statistic is computed using the calculated ranking metrics and compared with at least one statistic provided by a statistics history database. Depending on the result of the comparing, the update of the content item is flagged as fraudulent or as non-fraudulent.

Abstract: An online content asset distribution system tracks content asset consumption and detects fraudulent attempts to access online content assets. The system also tracks online asset campaigns such as online political campaigns.

Abstract: A computer-based system connected to a remote user device and a plurality of services. A data collection engine having an input adapted to receive a set of collection data from a set of services, the set of collection data comprising a set of brand data for comparison against a control set of data stored in a database and having a set of fields and via the digital communications network a query.

Abstract: Disclosed are a personal intellectual property (IP) protection system and method. That is, according to the present invention, when writing a contract between individuals online, by providing a smart contract function based on a blockchain, transactions between individuals are safely conducted while protecting personal information.

Abstract: An online system determines the likelihood of an interaction between a user and a content item being an invalid interaction. The online system receives an indication of an interaction of a client device with a content item. The online system identifies a device ID for the client device and determines whether the device ID is associated with one or more browser IDs. If the device ID is not associated with any browser ID, the received interaction is likely an invalid interaction. The online system may further determine the likelihood of an online publisher manufacturing interactions. The online system determines a number of invalid interactions and a number of valid interactions associated with the online publisher. The online system determines a ratio between the number of invalid and valid interactions. If the ratio is larger than a threshold value, the online system determines that the online publisher is likely manufacturing interactions.

Abstract: This paper presents a practical method for measuring the impact of multiple marketing events on sales, including marketing events that are not traditionally trackable. The technique infers which of several competing media events are likely to have caused a given conversion. The method is tested using hold-out sets, and also a live media experiment for determining whether the method can accurately predict television-generated web conversions.

Abstract: A system for regulating online merchandise link activity. The system may comprise a memory storing instructions and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions. The instructions may comprise: maintaining a set of items for online link processing, the items being associated with a website; selecting a first item from the set of items; receiving an electronic request from a first affiliate system related to the first item; registering the first affiliate system as associated with the first item; generating an online link associated with the first item and the registered affiliate system; detecting an actuation of the online link, the actuation being associated with digital activity; and, based on the detected actuation and digital activity, permitting or denying the first affiliate system from operating the online link.

Abstract: A method may include extracting, from historical clickstream data, historical user events, generating historical user features from the historical user events, generating, using the historical user features, a training data set including feature vectors each labeled with an outcome of a historical requested event, adding, to a decision tree: internal nodes corresponding to the historical user features, branches corresponding to the values of the historical user features, and leaf nodes each corresponding to an outcome of the historical requested event. The method may further include extracting, from new clickstream data, new user events, generating new user features from the new user events, detecting a request to cause a new requested event, and predicting an outcome of the new requested event by traversing a path including: a series of branches each corresponding to a value of one of the new user features, and a leaf node corresponding to the outcome.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for targeting bid and position for a keyword. For instance, the method may include obtaining information about the keyword, the information about the keyword including observations of value with respect to position for the keyword. The method may further include applying a Gaussian Process Model on the observations to obtain a prediction function and associated uncertainties, the prediction function and the associated uncertainties relating positions to expected values; applying a Thompson sampling reinforcement learning model on the expected values and the positions to obtain a target position; and applying a bid model to the target position to obtain bid information for the keyword. The method may also include transmitting a bid message to a search engine, the bid message including the bid information.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for generating multi-merchant loyalty programs and dynamically enrolling customers into a multi-merchant programs. The multi-merchant loyalty programs can be generated based on a determination that the merchants in respective programs are complementary, and/or the merchants being located within a threshold distance of one another. In some instances, a customer can be automatically enrolled in a multi-merchant loyalty program responsive to conducting a transaction with one of the merchants in the program. After enrollment, the customer can receive incentives to conduct transactions with the merchants in the program.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods executing a security server that perform various processes using alert elements containing various data fields indicating threats of fraud or attempts to penetrate an enterprise network. Using alert elements, the security server generate integrated alerts that are associated with customers of the system and assign a risk score for the integrated alerts, which the security server uses to store and sort the integrated alerts according to a priority, based on the relative risk scores. Analyst computers may query and fetch integrated alerts from an integrate alert database, and then present the integrate alerts to be addressed by an analyst according to the priority level of the respective integrated alerts. This allows to ensure that the right customer, is worked by the right analyst, at the right time, to maximize fraud prevention and minimize customer impact.

Abstract: An interaction facilitator system is operable acquire community member dialogue videos generated by community members, wherein each community member dialogue video includes dialogue spoken by the community member that describes their viewpoints and opinions regarding an associated subject media content event. A community member dialogue video is acquired from a community member while the community member plays a uniquely generated geo-activity game wherein the community member completes an activity at each of a plurality of game play locations that lie along a game play route. At the end of play of the geo-activity game, the community member receives an incentive.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for protecting user privacy in, for example, online advertising environments. The method includes receiving data related to a user in a first communication session between a host server and a client device, and generating a user profile associated with the user. The method further may include encrypting the user profile to produce encrypted user profile data and generating a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted user profile data. Thereafter, either the decryption key or a portion of the encrypted user profile data may be transmitted to the client device and then deleted from host server before ending the first communication session. The method further may include establishing a second communication session between the host server and the client device and retrieving the transmitted content. Then targeted advertising may be provided by decrypting the encrypted user profile data.

Abstract: The current subject matter describes a method and system of detecting frauds or anomalous behavior. The procedures include extracting characteristics from a dataset to generate words and documents, executing a topic model to obtain the respective probabilities of appearance of a document in each latent archetype, dividing the dataset into a plurality of subsets based upon the archetypes. The formed subsets are further utilized to estimate the quantiles and calculate scores using a self-calibrating outlier model. The score of each new transaction is determined based on a single archetype or based on the sum of weighted scores determined from all the archetypes and associated statistics. Such methods are superior to a simple self-calibration outlier model without an LDA archetype.

Abstract: Image data associated with a number of launched application windows may be streamed from a remote service to client over a network and displayed by a browser application at the client. In some examples, a control for switching between applications may be provided by the browser application and may not be included in the image data that is streamed from the remote service. In some examples, while a first application window is being displayed, the control may be selected to allow switching the display to another application window. Upon selection of this control, selectable representations, such as thumbnail images, of the launched application windows may be generated and displayed. Selection of a particular representation may cause the display to switch to an application window associated with the selected representation.

Abstract: A request filtration system that implements techniques to reduce load on a downstream service by efficiently filtering requests before they are processed by the downstream service. The request filtration system may be used by a request processing system to eliminate requests that satisfy any of one or more filters. For example, each filter specifies one or more attributes that may apply to one or more requests. If a request satisfies a filter, then the request is not considered by the downstream service or a content item does not need to be selected by the request processing system in response to the request.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for keyword bidding in a market cooperative are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes receiving a keyword bid from a first party; determining a value to a host associated with the keyword bid; augmenting the keyword bid by an amount corresponding to the value to the host; and sending the augmented keyword bid to a second party.

Abstract: Integrating a plurality of third party service interactions into a portal including a Web content management system includes receiving a data structure, associating the data structure with a selected profile out of a plurality of profiles based on the origin of the data structure, and transforming content of the received data structure, using a declarative mapping associated with the selected profile, into an intermediate data structure. The intermediate data structure may be provided to a presentation layer of the portal. A signal causing a rendering of the intermediate data structure may be triggered via a portlet of the portal to a display. Captured input from the portlet from the intermediate data structure may be transformed to the data structure using the declarative mapping associated with the selected profile. The data structure may be sent.

Abstract: A method for updating consumers is provided. The method comprises tracking coupon redemption activity across a plurality of store locations; maintaining a coupon redemption store list comprising stores that are currently able to redeem coupon based on the coupon redemption activity; and updating a plurality of client devices with at least a subset of information from the coupon redemption store list to enable shoppers to know the stores at which coupons are redeemable.

Abstract: Systems and methods of increasing the efficiency of an event processing system are disclosed. In some example embodiments, a computer-implemented method comprises identifying a first group of computing events from a plurality of computing events in an execution pipeline based on a similarity between the computing events of the first group, and merging the computing events of the first group into a single representative computing event of the first group in the execution pipeline. In some example embodiments, the identifying of the first group of computing events comprises calculating a corresponding identifier using a hash function on at least one attribute of the corresponding computing event for each one of the plurality of computing events in the execution pipeline, and determining that the computing events of the first group have corresponding identifiers that match each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved advertising and marketing system and method that includes a data terminal for communicating information over a communication network and a display terminal for displaying information related to first and second products that are being offered for sale. The invention also relates to the measurement and specific sales and marketing that can be performed as a result of the information gathered by the data terminals.

Abstract: Methods and systems of providing advertisements to a user are disclosed. A user indication of preference for an item is received. A first hyperlink that references a first webpage of an advertiser is associated with an advertisement of the item if the user indication of preference for the item is indicative of a first level of interest in the item. A second hyperlink that references a second webpage of an advertiser is associated with an advertisement of the item is the user indication of preference for the item is indicative of a second level of interest in the item. The advertisement is presented to the user on an advertisement provider webpage.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved techniques that can be used to verify illegitimate non-human users that are accessing content. For example, a method of verifying a non-human user of a computerized device may comprise receiving information identifying a potential non-human user of a computerized device, altering a browser page to be used by the potential non-human user, and verifying whether or not the potential non-human user is an actual non-human user based on a behavior of the potential non-human user with the altered browser page.

Abstract: Endorsement abuse detection via social interactions is described, including generating an endorsement log comprising an endorser identifier, a target identifier, endorsement data, and a token indicative of an endorsement event; analyzing the endorsement log with respect to a user aggregator and a target aggregator, to generate an online endorsement abuse candidate; generating an endorsement overlap graph for the online endorsement abuse candidate based on the endorsement log, the user aggregator and the target aggregator, wherein nodes of the endorsement overlap graph represent ones of the online endorsement abuse candidate, and edges represent a number of shared endorsements; and determining whether the endorsement event is authorized based an analysis of the endorsement overlap graph and an orthogonal signal at least one of transmitted and received by the ones of the online endorsement abuse candidate.

Abstract: A machine may be configured to detect an anomalous event based on metrics pertaining to a production system. For example, the machine analyzes a time series of values associated with a metric pertaining to a production system. The machine identifies a pattern associated with the time series based on the analysis of the time series. The pattern may describe an occurrence of particular values at particular timestamps of the time series. The machine determines a range of potential values for a next timestamp in the time series based on the pattern. The machine assigns a score value to an actual value associated with the metric and corresponding to the next timestamp. The assigning of the score value may be based on a comparison of the actual value and the range of potential values. The machine identifies the actual value as a candidate for an alert based on the score value.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to associate geographic locations with user devices. An example method includes receiving, at a server, a request including source identifying information and monitoring information, the monitoring information sent by a device in response to accessing media, the source identifying information associated with a router connecting a private network to a public network. The example method also includes identifying a location identifier of the device based on the source identifying information and the monitoring information. The example method also includes attributing a geographic location to the device based on the location identifier.

Abstract: Methods and systems for presenting online content elements based on information caused to be stored on a communication apparatus by a service provider. One of the methods is a method for presenting online content at a communication apparatus. The method comprises: obtaining information caused to be stored on the communication apparatus by a service provider providing network access to the communication apparatus, the information pertaining to a profile maintained by the service provider; determining an online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the information; and causing the communication apparatus to present the online content element. The online content element may be an advertising content element forming an online advertisement, a primary content element of a network site, or an online page. The information may include location information, personal information, and/or bandwidth information. Servers for implementing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering offers is provided. The method includes enabling for a user via a device, a Web browser and an associated URL. A processor determines a manufacturer and model of the device and that the device is associated with a shared device list. A user agent receives the manufacturer and model of the device and the processor transmits the user agent, the manufacturer and model of the device, and the associated URL. The manufacturer and model of the hardware device is extracted from the user agent and a rules engine is evaluated with respect to the manufacturer and model of the device. Specified content associated with the device is determined based on results of the evaluation. The specified content is transmitted to the Web browser.

Abstract: A method for associating a merchant account with violating activity includes: storing a plurality of merchant profiles, each profile including at least a merchant identifier; receiving a uniform resource locator or hyperlink captured from distributed electronic content that is identified as being in violation of a rule or regulation; navigating, via a browsing application program, to a webpage via the received uniform resource locator or hyperlink; initiating a payment transaction for the purchase of goods or services via the webpage; receiving an authorization request for the payment transaction, wherein the authorization request includes at least a merchant identification; transmit an authorization response in response to the received authorization request; identifying, in the database, a specific merchant profile where the included merchant identifier corresponds to the merchant identification; and indicating, in the database, the specific merchant profile as being in violation of the rule or regulation.

Abstract: A method of controlling ads includes receiving a beacon over a network identifying an ad, an end user and a content source; querying a database of unauthorized content sources based on the beacon; determining whether the ad is an unauthorized impression; and storing information from the beacon in a database, including whether the impression was authorized or unauthorized. The database may include a list of unauthorized sites and the querying may include checking whether the content source is one of the unauthorized sites. Querying also may be used by advertising exchanges and networks to determine whether to place an ad on a particular publisher's site.

Abstract: A location based consumer interface for retail environments includes a plurality of data packet generators distributed around a retail store. The data packet generators include a wireless communication device and are configured to wirelessly transmit codes to mobile computing devices in the retail store. The codes are received by the mobile computing devices, and can be used to present promotional or other content to the consumer, such as content related to the consumer's current location within the store. The codes can also be used for other purposes, such as for use as part of a store rewards program. In some embodiments a vendor is charged a fee for presentation of the content to the consumer.

Abstract: A method and system of processing an invalid click is provided. The method includes the steps of: verifying an invalid click Internet Protocol (IP) address of a user terminal generating the invalid click with respect to an advertisement; associating the invalid click IP address with the advertisement, and registering and maintaining the invalid click IP address in an invalid click list when the invalid click IP address is verified; and providing the user terminal of the invalid click IP address with a result page other than the advertisement with respect to an advertisement exposure request using the invalid click IP address. When a number of clicks is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of clicks with respect to the same advertisement using the same IP address over a predetermined time, the step of verifying verifies the same IP address as the invalid click IP address.

Abstract: Events and metrics from time series data are analyzed to detect unexpected spikes and dips or other unpredictable occurrences. In time series measurement of a metric it is not uncommon for a particular metric to have predictable deviations from a median value. For example, activity on a particular “weekday” web site may be more intense during weekdays and have very little activity on weekends. A different web site might have the opposite “normal” activity profile. If the “weekday” web site were to have a large amount of activity on a Saturday and/or Sunday then that large amount of activity may be considered unpredictable and be classified as a “suspect anomaly.” Techniques to identify and novel presentation of suspect anomalies are presented in this disclosure.

Abstract: A method and system for providing the centralized collection of click-through traffic information. The method includes receiving a DNS query for a domain name at a third party auditing service from a requesting computing resource. The domain name is configured to include click-through information as a subdomain, and wherein a URL associated with the domain name provides content. The click-through information is parsed from the domain name without establishing a connection between said third party auditing server and any web server providing the content. An IP address for the web server associated with the domain name is sent to the requesting computing resource.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring electronic network advertisements for policed advertising content via a fraud monitor, retrieving a pay-per-call advertisement of an advertiser via the fraud monitor based on the monitoring, analyzing the pay-per-call advertisement via the fraud monitor to confirm it as a suspect pay-per-call advertisement, establishing a fraud-detection telephone call via an advertisement telephone number of the suspect pay-per-call advertisement from a control telephone number of the fraud monitor and in response thereto connecting the fraud-detection telephone call to a target telephone number of the advertiser via a connection provider, and tracking and storing fraud-detection telephone call information, including the advertisement telephone number, the control telephone number, a publisher reference associated with the suspect pay-per-call advertisement, and the target telephone number, via the fraud monitor, of a telephone connection between the control telephone number and the target teleph

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a packet flow associated with a click-through from an end user node destined for an advertiser server; extracting information from the packet flow; analyzing the extracted information to determine one or more characteristics of the packet flow; and classifying the packet flow based on the determined one or more characteristics; modifying the packet flow to include classification information to provide classification information indicating a quality level of the click-through. The packet flow may include a hypertext transfer protocol GET request. Modifying the packet flow may include adding a tag with classification information that indicates a likelihood of fraudulent click behavior associated with the packet flow.

Abstract: A system and method for relevancy of display placement, comprising a processor on non-transitory memory that compiles transactional information from advertisers, publishers and users and provides an interface that allows the advertiser to determine relevancy of the placement based on the activity of the user and publisher information.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing click fraud and/or determining invalid clicks are provided to measure click related data, decide according to target URL defined conditions whether to present an Intelligent interstitial, decide according to target URL defined conditions how to populate the interstitial and then measure Search user interaction with the interstitial.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for delivering targeted advertising to users. A digital ad targeting system is adapted to operate with respect to expressly provided profiles of and relating to consumers. The expressly provided profiles may include psychographic information of and relating to consumers. The system may include an application, a database, and/or an interface. Related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An independent auditing and ad service system that may be utilized in conjunction with a system for presenting marketing campaigns to audiences via a network of players located in public locations. Independent agents in the players monitor media content that is presented to audiences during marketing campaigns and generate independent agent playlogs that are provided to a content registry service. The content registry service compares the independent agent playlogs with playlogs that are provided by a network operator to validate the network-operator-generated playlogs. The independent agent playlogs may also be provided to an analytics service where they are used to analyze the performance of marketing campaigns. Based on the analyzed performance, the service may determine that the media content being presented to audiences via the media players should be changed. The independent agents may be instructed to implement recommended changes by modifying the media content being presented on the players.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing click fraud and/or determining invalid clicks are provided to measure click related data, decide according to target URL defined conditions whether to present an Intelligent interstitial, decide according to target URL defined conditions how to populate the interstitial and then measure Search user interaction with the interstitial.