Abstract: In a first aspect of the present invention, methods and apparatus implement graphical user interfaces for interactively specifying service level agreements used to regulate delivery of services to, for example, computer systems. An interactive graphical user interface allows a user to see the effects of varying values of service delivery variables on the level of service achievable in a particular service delivery context. In a second aspect, methods and apparatus of the present invention provision resources required for service delivery. In the second aspect, the methods and apparatus of the present invention select a service delivery model dependent on context. The selected service delivery model is used to provision resources that will be required during service delivery. In a third aspect, methods and apparatus of the present invention monitor compliance with a service level agreement during a service delivery event.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods that give selling actors the abilities and means to sell products and services by providing inferred dynamic offers to buying actors subject to buying actors locations. Systems, apparatus and methods that give selling actors the abilities and means to acquire information from the environment in the proximity of mobile device holders and use this information to generate inferred dynamic offers. Systems, apparatus and methods that give selling actors the abilities to infer dynamic offers subject of information received from mobile device holders and location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented offer redemption method includes the steps of: (a) storing information on a consumer and a payment account associated with the consumer in a computer storage system; (b) receiving activation of an offer from the consumer covering a product or service or a purchase from a retailer; (c) linking the offer to the consumer's payment account; (d) monitoring transactions in the consumer's payment account; and (e) when the consumer has purchased the product or service or made a purchase from the retailer covered by the linked offer using the consumer payment account, making payment for offer settlement to a payment processor managing the consumer's payment account to be credited to the consumer's payment account.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a publisher subsystem configured to communicate with an access device and an advertiser device over a data communication network. The publisher subsystem includes a publish module, a session module, and an allocation module. The publish module is configured to publish content over the data communication network, the content including an advertisement. The session module is configured to detect a selection of the advertisement, initiate a session between the access device and the advertiser device in response to the selection, the advertiser device being associated with the advertisement, and receive feedback from the advertiser device. The allocation module is configured to allocate revenue based on the feedback. In some examples, the amount of the revenue is independent of the feedback.

Abstract: Authentication information and product identification information associated with a product are captured by a portable interrogation device held and operated by a user. An authentication server determines from the captured authentication information whether the product is genuine or counterfeit. In response to the authentication, a marketing server identifies the product from the captured product identification information, and sends customized transactional information about the product to the device.

Abstract: The efficient allocation of advertisements, also known as creatives, on one or more web sites is provided for while ensuring that guarantees to advertisers are honored. In one embodiment, a linear program solver allocates creatives to advertising slots according to an optimizing function designed to maximize revenue for the site. The linear program solver takes as input a set of creatives, creative performance data, constraints, and slot identifiers. The output of the linear program solver is an optimized schedule not violative of any of the input constraints.

Abstract: The paid media online cooperative method is a multi-user method having computer-automated steps that provide price negotiation more effectively than a single buyer of media alone can. The digital cooperative includes organizations associated with the co-op, the organizations retaining the same variables as they would normally have outside of the co-op. The co-op method allows users to manage cost in the form of cost per visitor or per impression, thereby reducing advertising cost while upholding impression and visitor counts among all members. Software applications of the method may be centralized or distributed. The method provides a democratically controlled enterprise that is autonomous and independent of any of its members, and based on a lowest cost pricing model. Member participation in the co-op is voluntary. Each member accesses data fields to manage media buys, except the pricing field is unavailable to the member, and is instead managed by the software application.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for supporting advertisement contents in an HTTP streaming play mode. The method comprises: receiving media presentation description information from a server, wherein advertisement content support information is included in the media presentation description information; acquiring and playing advertisement contents according to media presentation information; requesting for media contents from the server according to the advertisement content support information and playing conditions of the advertisement contents. By means of verification, the embodiments of the present invention enable the media contents transmitted by adopting the HTTP Streaming mode to support advertisement contents without only depending on the rule files performed by the client, enables the result of watching the advertisement effectively impact on the subsequent request, acquisition and play for the content slices and improve the difficulty and level for avoiding the advertisements.

Abstract: A device for automatically distributing promotional items stores a plurality of promotional items and distributes the selected promotional items according to a demand by a user. The device includes: display and input units for the display and the manipulation by a user; an access code recognition unit for recognizing an access code provided by the user; a memory for storing reference data to be compared with the recognized access code; a promotional item storing unit and a promotional item output unit for storing and distributing the promotional items to the user; and a controller that compares the reference data and the access code with each other, which determines whether to distribute the promotion item selected by the user or not, and controlling the respective sections according to the determination.

Abstract: A voucher verification system is based on SMS message-based processing of voucher verifications by a central verification authority. Merchants may establish an account with the system and then register mobile communication devices and those of employees by sending an SMS-based registration request to the system. Once registered, the merchant and employees may verify the status of vouchers by sending SMS-base verification requests to the system. Verifications of voucher status are returned to the merchant mobile device via SMS messaging.

Abstract: Digital information cards associated with verified information about users are described. The cards can be used to optimize a network communications experience or interaction for a user and a commercial entity, such as a website provider. The cards can be user-centric in that the user can control access to information associated with the card. A website can access the information claim using a link of the information card and can customize a user's website experience based on the verified information claim.

Abstract: This invention improves upon existing pay-per-click arrangements periodically generating a code associated end users. This code, preferably in the form of a serial number, is compared to the end user of the website, such that by observing a metric like the number of clicks for a given period of time, be it a short time or a longer period, such as a day or a week, the system can automatically determine if certain clicks are illegitimate. This allows the pay-per-click company to more fairly invoice the merchants, thereby preventing fraudulent over use.

Abstract: This invention improves upon existing Spay-per-click arrangements periodically generating a code associated with the search-engine end users. This code, preferably in the form of a serial number, is compared to the end user of the website, such that by observing a metric like the number of clicks for a given period of time, be it a short time or a longer period, such as a day or a week, the system can automatically determine if certain clicks are illegitimate. This allows the pay-per-click company to more fairly invoice the merchants, thereby preventing fraudulent over use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting fraudulent clicks in an online environment to reduce fraudulent paid clicks for online advertisers. The method includes server side and client side code which combined enables a click verification web site to identify valid and invalid clicks and in real-time prevents advertisers from getting billed for fraudulent activity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method and server to assist account issuers in managing risk, fraud and unauthorized use. A system, method and server for use in pushing advanced warning alerts to issuers based on consumer data element level triggering events and fraud and unauthorized use reports is disclosed. The ability to the push the alerts to issuers with a permissible purpose for receiving the information in the alerts provides a real-time, online and cost effective way of providing issuers with valuable risk management tools.

Abstract: Systems and methods automatically scan content, such as advertisements, for a list of terms and/or phrases that may not be allowed in the content. In one implementation, the terms and/or phrases include trademarks. In this implementation, incoming advertisements may be automatically scanned for the presence of trademarks.

Abstract: A method of modeling includes quantifying a co-operative strength value for a plurality of pairs of variables, and identifying a clique of at least three variables based on a graph of the co-operative strength values of a plurality of pairs of variables. The method also includes selecting a first pair of variables of the plurality of pairs of variables having a high co-operative strength value. A second clique may also be identified. A model of the first clique and a model of the second clique are made. The outputs of these models are combined to form a combined model which is used to make various decisions with respect to real time data.

Abstract: An improved processing system for tracking commerce on the Internet provides for subvariable processing and includes web page scanning to discern fraud or improper content to insure proper promotion of select products within the network environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting fraudulent clicks in an online environment to reduce fraudulent paid clicks for online advertisers. The method includes server side and client side code which combined enables a click verification web site to identify valid and invalid clicks and in real-time prevents advertisers from getting billed for fraudulent activity.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a pay-for-visit billing model for advertisements is provided. The advertisement system provides advertisements that have associated physical visit locations. The advertisement system provides advertisements to a mobile device or fixed of a user when the user is in the vicinity of or examining locations in the vicinity of the visit location. If the user subsequently visits the visit location of the advertisement by physically going to the location, the advertisement system then bills the advertiser for the advertisement. The advertisement system bills the advertiser under the assumption that but for the advertisement, the user would not have visited the visit location.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems, and computer readable media of performing account acquisitions while associating pending transactions with applications for such accounts. One embodiment includes obtaining transaction information for preliminary transaction(s) by which a customer orders goods and/or services, proposing one or more additional transactions relating to goods and/or services to the customer, along with new accounts to pay for such preliminary or additional transactions, and associating the preliminary or additional transactions is with the new account application as pending transactions. Finally, the method can include requesting approval of the new application, with the transaction for goods/services associated with the application in a pending status.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for verifying content distribution authority. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for broadcast content for a broadcast feed from a requestor. In response to the request, specifying verification content for inclusion in the broadcast feed, the verification content being scheduled for presentation at a specified time. The broadcast feed is monitored for presentation of the verification content at the specified time. In turn, a determination is made whether the verification content was presented by the broadcast feed at the specified time. In response to determining that the verification content was presented by the broadcast feed at the specified time, the requestor is verified as an entity having content distribution authority over the broadcast feed.

Abstract: A system and method to select and retrieve contact center transactions from a set of transactions stored in a queuing mechanism. The system includes an interactive voice response system configured to accept at least one call and dynamically populate a web form with call data associated with the at least one call. The system also includes a queuing engine configured to allow a call agent to access the call data prior to the at least one call being connected to the call agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for tracking user access to an advertisement and user transactions with an electronic commerce computer associated with the advertisement. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed technology, a transaction tracking computer associates an identifier with each access (e.g., click) of an advertisement. Transactions that occur at the electronic commerce computer that are related to the advertisement will be reported to the transaction tracking server together with the identifier. In one embodiment, if the reported transaction is a duplicate of a previously reported transaction, then the reported transaction is determined to be invalid. In one embodiment, if the reported transaction occurs more than a predetermined amount of time after the time the identifier was initially generated, then the reported transaction will also be determined to be invalid.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a system for evaluating published content is provided. The system includes at least one processor and a plurality of components including instructions executable by the at least one processor. The components include a reputations component to determine a reputation value for each of a plurality of users of a network-based community. A reporting component is to receive a communication from one of the plurality of users, the communication identifying content accessible within the network-based community as objectionable. An evaluation component is to evaluate the identified content based on the reputation value of the one of the plurality of users to determine an action to take with respect to the identified content. A validation component is to take the action with respect to the identified content based on the evaluation of the identified content.

Abstract: An interchange enables advertising data to be interchanged among providers for serving the advertising data on different provider technology platforms and consumers for using the advertising data on different consumer technology platforms. The interchange includes provider connectors for connecting all the providers to a network, and consumer connectors for connecting all the consumers to the network. A host controller executes a standardized provider application programming interface (API) on the network to enable each provider to serve the advertising data via a respective provider connector over the network to at least one of the consumers, and for executing a standardized consumer API on the network to enable each consumer to use the advertising data via a respective consumer connector over the network from at least one of the providers.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering an authorized in-store promotion to a consumer includes storing in an offer database a plurality of offer data items for use in creating an in-store promotion. The method further includes storing in an authorization database an authorization parameter. In response to receiving a request from a consumer device to present the in-store promotion, the server uses the authorization parameter to verify that the request is authorized without requesting additional information from a consumer operating the consumer device. When the request is authorized, the server dynamically generates the in-store promotion using at least one of the plurality of data items stored in the offer database. Once generated, the server transmits the in-store promotion to the consumer device without any system-specific client software to be stored by the consumer device.

Abstract: An improved processing system for tracking commerce on the Internet provides for subvariable processing and includes web page scanning to discern fraud or improper content to insure proper promotion of select products within the network environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a fraud prevention method for a pay-per-click data processing system. The method can include receiving a click through for a link in a host site which references a marketed site. The method also can include identifying a link address for the link in the click through. The method yet further can include comparing the identified link address to a modified link address recorded for an actual link address for the marketed site. Finally, the method can include quashing the click through if the identified link address is not the modified link address. Conversely, the method can include redirecting the click through to the marketed site if the identified link address is the modified link address.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting instances of click fraud are disclosed. Click fraud occurs when, for example, a user, malware, bot, or the like, clicks on a pay per click advertisement (e.g., hyperlink), a paid search listing, or the like without a good faith interest in the underlying subject of the hyperlink. Such fraudulent clicks can be expensive for an advertising sponsor. Statistical information, such as ratios of unpaid clicks to pay per clicks, are extracted from an event database. The statistical information of global data is used as a reference data set to compare to similar statistical information for a local data set under analysis. In one embodiment, when the statistical data sets match relatively well, no click fraud is determined to have occurred, and when the statistical data sets do not match relatively well, click fraud is determined to have occurred.

Abstract: Embodiments provide content and advertising material superdistribution. In one embodiment, a method of distributing content and advertising material may be provided. The method may include: registering members who are potential users and distributors of content; receiving, from a first member, an identifier of a second member with whom the first member has a relationship; receiving, from the first member, a selection of content to be distributed to the second member; receiving, from the first member, a selection of advertising material to be associated with the content to be distributed to the second member; and distributing the content and the advertising material to the second member.

Abstract: A web based system with (a) a data server, (b) a web server, and (c) a client server with web browser capability is disclosed that utilizes, manipulates, and creates web content. The system uses additional web servers and other devices such as cameras, camcorders, microphones, trucks, storage units, etc. to result in innovative system capabilities. Eight specific innovative systems resulting from this invention are disclosed in this patent application: (i) web content authentication system, (ii) linguistic vocal sounds registration system, (iii) web ad authentication system, (iv) web-based functionality/interactivity system, (v) web-based expert consulting system, (vi) web-based logo branding system, (vii) web-based grocery shopping system, and (viii) a Point-N-Learn system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assuring delivery of paid advertising to a user may involve asking a question about an advertisement or requiring data about the advertisement to be entered. In one embodiment, a human presence indicator, such as stylized letters, may be displayed during or after the presentation of an advertisement to be copied by a user to indicate presence during the advertisement. When the challenge relating to ad viewing is correctly answered, a value associated with viewing the ad may be credited to a user account, either locally or at a clearinghouse or other repository.

Abstract: A method comprising for determining the value provided to an advertiser through the advertiser's online advertisements. The method may begin with providing an online advertisement linked to content. A macro-context may be obtained that quantifies the affinity of the content for a plurality of domains corresponding to a semantic space. A personalization vector may be obtained that quantifies the affinity of at least one aspect of a user for the plurality of domains. The user may then select the online advertisement. A match value may be calculated that quantifies the similarity between the personalization vector and the macro-context. The advertiser may then be charged a monetary amount for the user's “click.” The monetary amount may be based, at least in part, on the match value.

Abstract: In one aspect, input data for a predictive model characterizing a level of risk for a data transaction is received that includes values for categorical variables and one or more of binary variables and continuous variables the predictive model. Thereafter, one or more of the categorical variables is associated with one of a plurality of keys. Each key having corresponding coefficients for at least a subset of the binary variables and the continuous variables and the coefficients being dependent on a value for the key. A composite value based on values for each of at least a subset of the binary variables and the continuous variables as calculated using the corresponding coefficients for each key can then be generated. Scoring of the data transaction using the binary variables, the continuous variables, and the composite variables can then be initiated by the predictive model. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A process and device for uniquely identifying an Internet enabled device with a unique identification. The process can include receiving an identification when an Internet user accesses an Internet resource, and determining position-based information for at least one of an Internet user and an Internet enabled device based on the identification. The identification may be authenticated, to reduce fraud. The identification may further be used to determine whether or not the device is in a particular geographic area of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting fraud is presented. A self-calibrating outlier model is hosted by a computing system. The self-calibrating outlier model receives transaction data representing transactions, and is configured to calculate transaction-based variables, profiles and calibration parameters, and to produce a score based on the transaction data according to the transaction-based variables, profiles and calibration parameters. An adaptive cascade model is also hosted by the computing system, and is configured to generate a secondary score for the transaction data based on profile information from the variables and/or profiles calculated by the self-calibrating outlier model, and based on a comparison with labeled transactions from a human analyst of historical transaction data.

Abstract: A system for electronic commercial information transmission, and the method for electronic information transmission applied therein. The system comprises a server and at least one portable work station that can communicate with the server on which a combination of free multi-media information are stored. The multi-media information is played free of charge with non-limited times. The music group and commercial goods will gradually become famous. The actions for watching the commercial information will enlarge the market for multi-media information download and the commodities business. This system will enclose the combination of the said multi-media information and commercial information in the greeting card and send the same to whose lover and families to offer the festival wishes, and this card, further to the multi-media information and commercial information will easily become the gossip topic of the public.

Abstract: This invention improves upon existing pay-per-click arrangements periodically generating a code associated with the search-engine users. This code, preferably in the form of a serial number, is compared to the user of the website, such that by observing a metric like the number of clicks for a given period of time, be it a short time or a longer period, such as a day or a week, the system can automatically determine if certain clicks are illegitimate. This allows the pay-per-click company to more fairly invoice the merchants, thereby preventing fraudulent over use.

Abstract: An ad server system takes into consideration information about a user who clicks on an ad in determining whether to charge the advertiser for the click event, and/or in determining an amount to charge the advertiser. In one embodiment, unless the user is recognized, the advertiser is not charged for the ad selection event. Thus, advertisers do not have to pay the ad placement provider when the users who click on their ads are not recognized. If the user is recognized, the ad server system may determine whether and/or how much to charge the advertiser based on information about the recognized user. This information may include, for example, whether the user has set up an account, whether a valid credit card is on file for the user, and/or other types of user information that can be used to hold fraudulent users accountable for their actions.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for managing a whitelist. Upon receipt of an electronic message from an approved sender, the message is reviewed for references to other potential sender that may be added to the whitelist. For example, the potential sender may be copied on the electronic message. Based on this reference, the potential sender is deemed trustworthy and placed on the recipient's whitelist.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for facilitating user joint purchasing and user-participated online advertisements, including: providing means for a user to request joint purchasing of products and services online; subtracting sponsoring amount provided by users' sponsors from the listed prices of products and services; dividing the cost of products and services among users participated in joint purchasing; receiving separate payments from such users; delivering products and services based on system configurations and user joint purchasing instructions; integrating existing third party online advertisements with user incentives; and enabling users to create and modify online advertisements for entities and individuals, wherein said advertisements can be customized or designed by said users.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a publisher subsystem configured to communicate with an access device and an advertiser device over a data communication network. The publisher subsystem includes a publish module, a session module, and an allocation module. The publish module is configured to publish content over the data communication network, the content including an advertisement. The session module is configured to detect a selection of the advertisement, initiate a session between the access device and the advertiser device in response to the selection, the advertiser device being associated with the advertisement, and receive feedback from the advertiser device. The allocation module is configured to allocate revenue based on the feedback. In some examples, the amount of the revenue is independent of the feedback.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an all-inclusive virtual tour website that features virtual tours of real estate properties. The present invention further concerns methods for allowing real estate related businesses to advertise on the website while complying with applicable guidelines. The present invention further allows various product and service vendors to advertise on the website. The present invention also provides information about various neighborhoods, civic, and other important information to potential home buyers. The present invention also contemplates lead generation services, such as generating loan application information, which may then be provided to lending institutions for bidding or sale. The present inventor also concerns related software, business methods, and Internet websites, platforms or other portals.

Abstract: A system and method for improving advertising response rates by allowing an electronic advertising content to be stored, retrieved, shared, and manipulated by individual users, while enabling the accurate recordation of accounting information associated with the electronic advertising content.

Abstract: A system may confirm that advertising was played as originally intended. For example, in one embodiment, a system may determine that an advertisement was played as originally intended and in return, a credit may be provided to the user. This credit may be the ability to play content that the user wishes to play or the credit may be in the form of rewards that are provided to the user, as another example. Thus, the system determines whether the advertisements are played correctly, for example, by detecting watermarks encoded within the advertising, and in return, provides indications that reward the user for playing the advertisement as intended.

Abstract: A computerized and networked system protects individuals against identity theft without the need to disclose the detailed personal information of the individuals. Furthermore, the system helps prevent loss and damage to consumers, financial institutions and merchants caused by financial crimes related to identity theft. In addition, users can conduct payments in a secure manner without the need to use any traditional financial instrument. A pass code can be generated for each transaction and sent to a user's personal communications device. When the correct pass code is received from the user, the transaction is then authorized.

Abstract: A network-based, integrated advertising and data searching system, and method for implementing the system, the system enhances the advertising exposure probability of transaction-enabling, associative discernible content ‘ADC’ elements proximately arranged on a website by storing, accessing and displaying transaction-enabling ADC element-related files in accordance with search criteria which matches geographic-territory specific data-files and optionally matches, category or subject data-files. The ADC element-related files are configurable for display in one or more groupings or word-cloud like arrangements within a single user interface or webpage, and in one embodiment, display one or more transactionable offerings, for a product, service or activity associated with at least one advertiser/seller according to user-specified criteria, or in response to input made via a user input device in communication with browser-equipped apparatus.

Abstract: Digital information cards associated with verified information about users are described. The cards can be used to optimize a network communications experience or interaction for a user and a commercial entity, such as a website provider. The cards can be user-centric in that the user can control access to information associated with the card. A website can access the information claim using a link of the information card and can customize a user's website experience based on the verified information claim.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for distributing files, having the steps of receiving at least one digital file, transmitting the digital file to a location, and selecting at least one content provider. The process also has the steps of updating a content of the content provider to provide a reference to the digital file at the location, generating an updated digital file by adding information which identifies the content provider to the digital file when the reference to the digital file is selected at the content provider, and transmitting at least a portion of the at least one updated digital file to a client network.