Abstract: Targeted products are offered over a communications network. Product data for a plurality of products from a plurality of distributors for the products is received. Customer data from a plurality of customers comprising personal information about customers is received. Using the data, at least one user-specific product offering from the plurality of products is generated. Automated messages comprising the at least one user-specific product offering to the one or more customers are then sent.

Abstract: A method for generating online deal summaries. The method can include receiving primary deal content from an affiliate network, recognizing deal data from the received primary deal content using a computer processor, searching for and receiving secondary deal from a resource other than the affiliate network, wherein the secondary deal content includes graphical and textual representations, and generating a detailed deal summary, wherein the detailed deal summary includes the graphical and textual representations from the secondary deal content and deal data from the primary deal content. Accordingly, the method can be used to generate a more visually and engaging experience for consumers using secondary deal content in addition to or replacement of primary deal content.

Abstract: Narrowcast communication to one or more narrowcast communication recipients is provided through the use of an extensible method and apparatus. A narrowcast communication sender determines a set of attributes that define who will be eligible to receive a narrowcast communication. The set of attributes characterize potential recipients according to qualities such as interests, location, or another descriptor of a potential narrowcast communication recipient. Through the use of a privacy sphere, attributes associated with the narrowcast communication are matched to the qualities of potential recipients to identify the network addresses of the narrowcast communication recipients. The narrowcast communication is then transmitted to those network addresses. The narrowcast communication can be then expired from recipients who are no longer eligible to receive it and transmitted to recipients who become eligible to receive the narrowcast communication.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and corresponding system for personalizing and disbursing content material in an automated fashion based on differing characteristics or profiles of the recipients. The system includes a database of potential recipients with key characteristics such as location data, revenue, product ownership, customer status, tenure with the company/organization, payment status, credit rating, whether they have recently responded to other material, and the like. Dissemination media include email communications, collaterals, brochures, textual materials, image and video information, and any similar media, where the contents of the communication material is customized based on the key characteristics profiles of the recipients and driven by a set of business rules that can be adapted to fit various scenarios.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with exemplary embodiments may receive, at a server, user profile data associated with one or more set top boxes via a network. The system and method may then search for and select local advertisement content based on at least the user profile data. Further, the system and method may transmit, to the one or more set top boxes, the selected local advertisement content.

Abstract: Determining whether a commercial transaction has taken place may include a) collecting percipient behavior information from a mobile communication device associated with a percipient, wherein the percipient behavior information is related to behavior of the percipient; b) determining a correlation between the percipient behavior information and transaction behavior information associated with a predetermined commercial transaction; and c) determining from the correlation a confidence level for whether the predetermined commercial transaction has taken place.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of obtaining parameters of a digital video to be provided to users of a network. The method includes modifying one or more of the obtained parameters, such that the modification is based on information relating to segments of the users of the network. In addition, the method includes creating a plurality of versions of the digital video. Each one of the plurality of versions comprises a broadcast quality digital video adapted to appeal to at least one of the segments of the users of the network. Further, the method includes monitoring the computing cloud to obtain an assessment of rendering resources available to the computing cloud in rendering the plurality of digital videos, and coordinating allocations of the rendering resources in rendering the plurality of digital videos based on the real time assessment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which a first telephone number is associated with a second telephone number, and a web-based advertisement is served for an advertiser that includes the first telephone number. A call placed to the first telephone number is received, and the call is routed to the second telephone number based on the association of the second telephone number with the first telephone number. A determination as to whether a call-through event in response to receiving the call placed to the first telephone number has occurred, and an advertiser associated with the second telephone number is charged a cost-per-call amount if the call-through event is determined to have occurred.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products identify one or more web page impressions satisfying one or more simply queries, each of the one or more web page impressions associated with a respective impression ID. Respective impression IDs of the one or more web pages satisfying the one or more simple queries are stored in an impression log. Subsequent to storing the respective impression IDs, a query is received from a client device, and a number of impression IDs for the one or more web pages satisfying the query are identified based on the identified one or more web page impressions satisfying the one or more simple queries.

Abstract: A web portal residing on a computer server coupled to a worldwide computer network is configured to receive advertising campaign specifications from an advertiser, including merchandise offerings and customer demographics, identify at least one retailer having characteristics that match the advertising campaign specifications, receive a selection of at least one retailer from the advertiser, receive an advertising image file from the advertiser, receive printer specifications specifying printer and shipping label characteristics from the selected at least one retailer. The web portal is further configured to transmit the advertising image file to a printing vendor to pre-print the advertising image onto a plurality of blank shipping labels that satisfy the printer specifications, the plurality of pre-printed shipping labels to be supplied to the retailer for printing shipping information and application to shipping containers containing outgoing merchandise.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and/or methods for distributing advertisements from a central advertisement network to one or more peripheral devices at a location via a local advertisement server. In certain exemplary embodiments, the local advertisement server within a location receives advertisements from the central advertisement network and rebroadcasts them to peripheral devices within that location. Advertising information may be tracked and reported, e.g., for accounting, revenue-sharing, and/or other purposes in certain exemplary embodiments. Thus, in certain exemplary embodiments, the distribution of advertisements is provided to peripherals via a non-web- and non-PC-dependent network. Moreover, in certain exemplary embodiments, reporting and advertising related communications are substantially bi-directional regardless of device type.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a phone directory service to a user terminal in a mobile communication network are provided. The method includes receiving a search request including a search keyword for the phone directory service and a subscriber identifier for the user terminal from the user terminal, acquiring subscriber information of a subscriber possessing the user terminal from the mobile communication network in which the user terminal is registered using the subscriber identifier, acquiring a business list of businesses corresponding to the search keyword from a business DataBase (DB) for managing businesses which have subscribed to the phone directory service, arranging the business list based on a communication pattern of a group of similar subscribers which have been determined to have subscriber information similar to that of the subscriber possessing the user terminal according to a predetermined criteria, and providing the arranged business list to the user terminal.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for the sharing of experiences is provided. The method may include receiving a request for suggested experience data from the first user, said first user being associated with first user profile data stored in an experience data store and determining location data for the first user. The method may further include determining one or more interests for the first user based at least in part on the first user profile data. The method may also include determining at least one suggested experience based at least in part on the location data for the first user and the one or more determined interests for the first user. The method may further include providing the at least one suggested experience to the first user in response to the received request.

Abstract: A campaign offers and rewards system includes an offer serving engine that provides offers or rewards. An analytics engine, with data intelligence, identifies receipt line items and ties the line items, including uniform price code (“UPC”), stock keeping unit (“SKU”) or product short name from different receipts to create a list of products and services not matched to advertisers. A redemption engine is in communication with a database that includes a reward budget. The redemption engine assists in controlling the redemption of rewards in view of the reward budget and in response to a communication from the analytics engine.

Abstract: A method and system for personalized venue marketing is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an application that is resident on a mobile communication device of a patron sends personally identifiable information and the identifying device address to a server when the patron enters a venue. The server associates the identifying device address of the mobile device with the patron in a customer relations management (CRM) database for the venue. The identifying device address allows for tracking of the patron by WiFi sensors positioned throughout the venue.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for the electronic distribution of product redemption coupons to remote personal computers located at users' homes. A centrally located repository, such as an online service provider or web site on the Internet, stores packages of coupon data for downloading on demand to the user's computer. The user may view, select, sort and print desired coupons from the downloaded package. The user's demographic as well as coupon selection data is provided back to the online service and coupon distributor and issuers for subsequent marketing analysis. The online service can perform subsequent coupon processing on previously downloaded coupon packages such as variation of discount amounts. The online service provider can also determine how many times a particular coupon was viewed. When the printed coupons are presented at a retail store, the discount is provided to the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing advertising information on a second user viewing device relating to a media program viewed on a first user viewing device. Upon determining that the media program is being presented via the first user viewing device, an ad programming signal is transmitted to the second user viewing device so as to present on the second user viewing device at least one first advertisement relating to content of the media program.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for enhancing value for advertisers by helping them select and initiate the purchase of an advertisement associated with an advertising (ad) words or phrases that have strong semantic relationships to a given context, but which are not necessarily the most popular ad words or phrases with the highest costs. Advertisements associated with ad words or phrases that have strong semantic relationships to a given context, and yet are still cost effective in that their calculated value exceeds the costs of purchasing the ad keywords, are bid for and bought. In an embodiment, the system and method may be adapted to automatically purchase advertisements associated with ad words or phrases when the ad words or phrases fall within a desired price range based on their calculated value. By automatically purchasing such advertisements, the return on investment (ROI) for an advertiser may be improved.

Abstract: A system and method for inserting an advertisement for a document to be faxed. In this embodiment, a processor may be configured to determine a category associated with content in a document being faxed. The processor may select at least one advertisement that is related to the associated category. A determination may be made for a location within the document being communicated for one or more advertisements to be positioned. The processor may be further configured to place one or more selected advertisement into the determined location in the document being communicated.

Abstract: An advertisement server can provide sponsored listings for uniquely identifiable objects to remote search engines. The remote search engines display the listings locally as sponsored search results. The advertisement server can verify sponsored search results remain eligible for display, in real-time with a query received by the remote search engine. The verification can be based on budget values associated with an ad campaign.

Abstract: An integrated system, network, and method for providing audio/video broadcasting of programming and advertising content. The system provides sales, traffic, playback automation, and accounting services to a media outlet. The network links multiple integrated systems together between multiple media outlets and advertising clients. The network also provides distribution of programming and advertising content to multiple media outlets simultaneously.

Abstract: A system and method for managing video sequences and the payment of content online, including an application programming interface (API). The API allows creators of advertisements, sponsors of advertisements, providers of content, and viewers of the advertisements and the content to interact. The system facilitates interaction of the parties to allow users to access content from a content provider in exchange for the user viewing an advertisement that is created by an ad-creator and sponsored by an ad-sponsor. The method receives a request for payment of content, transmits a list that includes a plurality of links to advertisements, transmits an advertisement of interest to the user, and then authorizes payment of the content to the content provider. The system also allows advertisers to reach an ideal audience as users select the advertisements having a particular product or service with which the user is interested.

Abstract: A method to control advertising messages directed at a user is provided. Such control might include setting a filter to control advertisements directed at a user. Advertisements are sent to a user based on the filter settings. The user may accept the advertisements. If the user accepts the advertisements, the user is provided with a reward. In addition, a method using a quiz to determine if a user is human or an automated respondent is provided. The user is presented with a quiz. The user is advised of the acceptable manner for responding to the quiz. The user's response to the quiz is received. A determination based on the user's response as to whether the user is a human or an automated respondent is made.

Abstract: A portable device includes solid-state memory, an Ethernet and/or wireless network connection, and an HDMI. The portable device receives content guide data from a first server and displays a content guide on a display. In response to a user's selection of a content item, the portable device requests the content item over the Internet from a second server. The portable device receives the content item, stores the content item in solid-state memory, generates display signals that represent the content item, and sends the display signals to a display. The second server may match the content item with relevant advertisements based on keywords associated with the content item and the advertisements. The second server may send selected advertisement URLs to the portable device. Using the URLs, the portable device may obtain the advertisements over the Internet and cause the display to display the advertisements in conjunction with the content item.

Abstract: An approach for augmenting a real-time collaboration is presented. Content of a real-time collaboration is received. A key word which is included in the content or a theme of the content is determined. A match between the key word or theme of the real-time collaboration content and a theme of post(s) in a threaded discussion forum is determined. Based on the match, a display, on a monitor used for the real-time collaboration, of link(s) to the post(s) is initiated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for receiving route information associated with a route having an origination point and a destination point, determining a location of a reference point along the route, assigning a spatial identifier to the reference point, searching for points of interest (POIs) in a search area associated with the spatial identifier, ranking, using a processor, the POIs based on distances of POIs from the location of the reference point, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, wherein the POI information is associated with one or more POIs and selected based on the ranking of the POIs.

Abstract: A playlist and a digital advertisement are received. The digital advertisement is output to a screen on the basis of information in the playlist. A code is generated based on the information in the playlist and the generated code is output to the screen. The generated code is output to the screen by flashing the generated code on the screen at a predetermined flash frequency and for a predetermined flash time so that the generated code is visually imperceptible or barely detectable to a human viewer. A suitable equipped electronic device may detect the code and utilize information encoded in the code in various ways.

Abstract: Systems and methods of targeted advertisement are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes performing a deep packet inspection process of packet traffic within at least a portion of a communication network. The deep packet inspection process includes determining source data and destination data from the packet traffic without inspecting packet payload data. The method includes receiving aggregate demographic data of users that are associated with at least some of the packet traffic and generating an anonymous first profile of a first user based on first data acquired via the deep packet inspection process and based on the aggregate demographic data. The method also includes retrieving first user profile data from the anonymous first profile and sending the first user profile data to an advertisement system to determine a targeted advertisement based on the first user profile data.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling a brand owner to generate, via a template one or more promotions such that an endorser may engage a gateway to those promotions from any medium to disseminate referrals to selected contacts for such promotions within a familiar, trusted environment. The system includes the ability to make a selection of a promotion provided by a brand owner to enter the trusted environment. The endorser selects at least one contact and parameters at the trusted environment. The trusted environment generates or provides incentive data based on the selected parameters and displays the incentive data, that may be normalized for contacts related to an endorser at a webpage, accessible via a selected Uniform Resource Locator.

Abstract: A system and methods for facilitating contextual advertisement display based on real-time user input into a webpage of a publisher's properties (e.g., a website) are described. Various embodiments of the present invention advantageously allow contextual advertisements to be dynamically updated via an ad-affiliated server, without any complex involvement of the publisher or the advertisers. In one embodiment, a system for providing contextual advertisements based on user input and in accordance with advertising campaigns of a network of advertisers is disclosed. The system comprises an ad-affiliated server, a publisher, a network of advertisers, and a client browser. In one embodiment, a method for providing contextual advertisements via an embedded script code file is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing contextual advertisements via an inline frame is disclosed.

Abstract: Advertising content may be provided based on a map report. A map report may be received from a client device. The map report may be indicative of a perceived inaccuracy in geographic data stored in a geographic database. Advertising content may be provided to the client device based on the map report received from the client device.

Abstract: A device and method for displaying and monetizing photo and video images shared on social media services, comprising a display means and a user interface that enables the user to display photo streams from social media services such as Facebook or Instagram, “like” photos shown on the screen, and purchase items or services associated with the photo or video being displayed. The device preferably offers a simple hardware button for “liking” a photo.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for the directed insertion of assets in Content On Demand content across a plurality of computing devices. One system includes a database operable to maintain campaign data of the assets and an asset insertion decision system operable to instantiate on a plurality of computing devices and to periodically access the database to provide the campaign data to the instantiations of the asset insertion decision system on the computing devices. For example, the asset insertion decision system may establish a recording period in which each instantiation of the asset insertion decision system is operable to direct insertion of a portion of the assets in Content On Demand content selections upon request and to record the asset insertions between accesses to the database. The asset insertion decision system is also operable to process the asset insertions recorded by the instantiations to synchronize the campaign database.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content bases on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communications facilities respectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems that allow an Internet distribution partner of an advertisement listings provider to receive filtered and masked listings for display on the website of the Internet distribution partner. The Internet distribution partner defines filters to be applied to ranked advertising listings provided by an advertising listing provider. The advertisement listings provider system applies the filter to the listings in its database and identify matches and/or excludes matches depending on the characteristic specified. The advertisement listings provider may then send the Internet distribution partner advertisement listings based on the application of one or more filter selected by the distribution partner.

Abstract: A personalized video generation system, including: (i) a digital asset manager for storing a video project file marked with references to content groups and content substitution rules; (ii) an editing tool for accessing the file and displaying content of the file grouped based on the groups, and generating an interface for substituting content across a video corresponding to the file, the interface adjusting the references for the digital asset manager; and (iii) a content generation engine for processing the file and the rules, based on personal data for intended recipients, to access content items and generating a plurality of video project files for rendering as corresponding videos for the recipients.

Abstract: A social networking website logs information about actions taken by members of the website. For a particular member of the website, the website generates socially relevant ads for the member based on the actions logged for other members on the website to whom the member is connected (i.e., the member's online friends). The advertiser associated with the social ad may compensate the social networking website for publishing the ad on the website. When presenting a member with a social ad, the website may optimize advertising revenue by selecting an ad from the received ads that will maximize the expected value of the social ad. The expected value may be computed according to a function that includes the member's affinity for the ad content and the bid amount. The technique is also applied for providing socially relevant information off the social networking website.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a predictive model to select an object from a group of objects that can be associated with a requested web page, wherein a configuration of the requested web page defines a subgroup of one or more selected objects from the group of objects. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention seek to provide novel solutions for determining which content object, taken from a group of content objects, will be best suited for presentation in association with a link on a web page that has been requested by a certain surfer. Each web page can include one or more links to be associated with content objects from the group. For each content object presented over a requested web page, a predictive model with relevant predictive factors is processed such that the predicted objective, the probability of success for example, is calculated. A success is defined as a surfer responding to the presented content.

Abstract: A method is described that includes accessing bids for ranked goods and minimum rank indicators that each specifies a lowest rank for a good that is acceptable to a bidder, assigning a ranked good to a first bidder based on a first bid and a first minimum rank indicator each associated with the first bidder, and outputting a signal indicative of a cost of the assigned rank good based on a second bid associated with a next highest bidder having a second minimum rank indicator that specifies a rank that is inclusive of a rank of the ranked good assigned to the first bidder.

Abstract: A system for identifying a same user of multiple communication devices is configured to perform the steps of: (a) receiving first data relating to a first device operated by a user; (b) receiving second data relating to a second device operated by a user; (c) determining that the user of the first device is the user of the second device based on identifying that the first data is substantially the same as the second data; and (d) selecting and transmitting a sponsored content to the second device for display thereon, wherein the sponsored content has a relevance to the first and second data and/or a user characteristic datum associated with the user.

Abstract: A system for generating a schedule for use in triggering transmission of message content in a telecommunications network is provided. The system comprises a store for storing profiles of a plurality of recipients, and a plurality of message delivery campaigns with one or more criteria. The campaigns to be executed in relation to a given inventory, which may relate to a predetermined time period, may be arranged into one or more campaign clusters. A suitable allocation method may be used individually for each of said plurality of campaign clusters to allocate, among the plurality of recipients, target recipients for each of the campaign clusters based on campaign criteria and the profiles. The allocation process may be repeated to obtain, for example as high a number of messages as possible with the network resources available without exceeding a predetermined maximum number of messages per any given recipient.

Abstract: A method and system for selection of a task in proportion to a desired distribution. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention discloses a method and system for selecting a task associated with a visiting customer to a web site over a communication network. The customer is assigned to a segment of a target customer base that most closely resembles the customer's characteristics. A plurality of tasks is associated with the segment and can be expressed as a distribution of tasks performed. A current distribution of tasks is determined. The task which provides a new distribution that is closest to a desired distribution of the plurality of tasks is selected to be performed. In one embodiment, the task to be performed is the offering of an advertising promotion to the customer over the communication network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing targeted marketing to a user based on the user's social media interaction. The system includes one or more computing platforms providing computer-automated functionality performing method steps for accepting a digital media and digital media related data from a publisher, generating associated information unique identifiers, monitoring social media networks for member-user rankings of the digital media after it is posted, and communicating to a member-user targeted marketing information based on the user rankings. A data storage device persists the digital media, digital media related data, and information unique identifier, which may include a linking hash character, a unique identifier, an account identifier, and/or social media network system-defined elements. The publisher selects digital media and information representing digital media elements, and posts the digital media on the social media network website.

Abstract: A display characteristic determination machine receives a request to display seller-related content that references an item available for sale. The display characteristic determination machine identifies a display characteristic available from a web server, determines that the seller-related content is to be displayed using the display characteristic, and communicates to the web server that the seller-related content is to be displayed using the display characteristic and with primary content. The display characteristic determination machine may function as an allocation device to allocate use of the display characteristic. This functionality may be scaled, for example, to include determining use of multiple display characteristics, available from multiple web servers, by multiple instances of seller-related content requested for display by multiple sellers of multiple items.

Abstract: A method and system for provides a user with an ability to capture a sample of an experiential environment and deliver that sample to an interactive service to trigger one or more predetermined events. In exemplary embodiments of the invention such triggered events include the delivery of information and services to the user, the execution of tasks and instructions by the service on the user's behalf, communication events; surveillance events and other control-oriented events that are responsive to the user's wishes. In other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the triggered events include transaction-oriented events, entertainment events, and events associated with enhancements to human ability or function.

Abstract: A method of offering a user a plurality of scenarios under which to conduct at least one primary transaction involving at least one specific item, the specific item being one of goods and services, with each one of these scenarios entailing a corresponding cost to the user. The method can include at least the following. Communication is established via a communications device between the user and a system to facilitate the primary transaction. Primary transaction data is obtained relating to the primary transaction, with the primary transaction data including data representing an identity of the user and representing the at least one specific item. The user is offered a choice between at least two scenarios under which to conduct the primary transaction, determining costs of the transaction based on allowance of receiving offers of upsell transactions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display.

Abstract: A social networking system receives advertisement requests from advertisers describing information about advertisements and determines one or more ad topics associated with the advertisements. When an advertisement is to be presented to a user, the social networking system determines one or more topics associated with the user from actions performed by the user and identifies candidate advertisements having ad topics matching, or similar to, the topics associated with the user. The topics associated with the user may be determined based on the user's most recent actions. One or more of the candidate advertisements are selected for presentation to the user.