Abstract: An information providing device can provide an arrangement, in addition to conventional affiliate programs, through which affiliators or the like can get rewards. In the information providing device, when a user of a terminal device specifies an advertisement display area, a partial area including a position specified in the advertisement display area is specified such that a reward is paid to the user allocated to the partial area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for contextual analysis and segmentation of information objects. According to one implementation, information objects, such as web pages and user profiles, may be analyzed to identify key terms. These key terms may be included in a contextual representation of an information object. By comparing the contextual representations of a plurality of information objects, one or more contextual segments (i.e., categories of information objects) may be created. Each contextual segment may also be associated with its own contextual representation. Once a contextual segment has been created, information objects may be assigned to the contextual segment. These contextual segments may be used to deliver targeted advertising, for example.

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: Methods and apparatus to provide dynamic messaging services are disclosed. An example method includes determining, in a pre-boot environment, supported dimensions for display of information on the display screen; generating, in the pre-boot environment, restricted dimensions that are less than the supported dimensions; providing the restricted dimensions to an operating system of a virtual machine supported by a virtual machine manager, wherein the restricted dimensions define a boundary between a first screen portion and a second screen portion; displaying first information in the first screen portion and displaying second information in the second screen portion; and preventing, via the virtual machine manager, elimination of the first screen portion from the display screen.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates establishing a true market value for an online advertisement. An interface component can receive data related to at least one of a spot market or a future market. A dynamic pricing component can dynamically establish an ad price for an ad unit based on the spot market and the future market, the ad price reflects a market value of the ad unit in accordance with the spot market and the future market.

Abstract: Online marketing platforms are disclosed that harness user generated content to encourage the viral sharing and tracking of online marketing campaigns. One embodiment includes a campaign hosting system including a database connected to a network, a campaign creation device connected to the network and a plurality of user devices connected to the network.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively supporting software distribution in an electronic network includes a software server and a network of client devices. The software server stores software items received from a software provider. The software items include various types of trial software that is provided to device users for temporary evaluation and potential purchase. A recommendation engine of the software server creates recommendation lists to identify optimal candidates from among the stored software items for performing an automatic and transparent software download procedures. The recommendation engine creates the recommendation lists by analyzing selectable software-ranking criteria related to device users of the client devices. The software server then downloads the optimal candidates from the stored software items to respective target devices during the software download procedures.

Abstract: Content distribution systems that support Cost-Per-Engagement (CPE) based advertising are disclosed. One embodiment includes a server connected to a network and a plurality of user computers connected to the network.

Abstract: Methods, articles, and systems for determining a bidding strategy for on-line query answer set or contextual advertisement positions for marketing options is described herein.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed toward a method for providing an advertisement to user equipment. The method includes providing and transmitting an advertisement message and caller ID data including sender identification information to user equipment having a display. The advertisement message and caller ID data are received by the user equipment and displayed on the display.

Abstract: A system is provided for dynamic display based on estimated viewers. The system includes a sensor, a server, and a dynamic display. The sensor senses traffic in an environment. The server estimates a number of potential viewers based on sensing the traffic, selects content based on the number, and communicates the content. The dynamic display receives the content and displays the content for the potential viewers.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining identified impressions that are detected from consumption data collected from a group of media processors where the identified impressions represent viewing of selected content and where the consumption data indicates channel tuning events at the group of media processors including changing of channels, applying a ridge regression analysis to the identified impressions to determine a predicted number of target impressions per advertisement slot, and generating a media plan based on a ratio of an advertisement slot cost to the predicted number of target impressions per advertisement slot. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with a method and a system for distributing mobile applications, in particular to aspects of receiving, processing and displaying advertisements on mobile terminals. In one aspect, embodiments provide a software component for controlling movement for an advertisement image on a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal comprising a display area and a processor, the software component comprising processable instructions defining movement of the advertisement image relative to the display area, wherein the instructions are wirelessly transmissible to the mobile terminal and the processor is arranged to process said instructions in order to more the advertisement image.

Abstract: A method of accumulating descriptive profile data uses a databank that can be contacted by profile providers who contribute profile elements about an online visitor. The method includes keeping track of which profile provider contributed which elements, so that use of particular elements in targeting electronic third-party advertisements automatically can result in compensation.

Abstract: A social networking system generates socially-relevant stories for a user based on other users (e.g., based on actions taken by other users) to whom the user is connected. These socially-relevant stories, including news stories, social advertisements, etc., may be presented on a web page within a domain of an external system that is different from the domain of the social networking system. When a web page from an external system is requested for a viewing user, the social content about other users who are connected to the viewing user may be provided by the social networking system for that viewing user. This personalized social content may be presented in a frame (e.g., an iframe) of the external web page rendered and provided for display to the viewing user.

Abstract: In various embodiments, advertising campaigns can be defined that incorporate technologies such as two-dimensional bar codes or embedded links in electronic material, for directing a user to communicate with a call center. For instance, in particular embodiments, the reading of a two-dimensional bar code may cause a communication to be sent to, and received at, the call center, where a calling campaign associated with an advertising campaign is identified using information associated with the communication. Likewise, in particular embodiments, the activation of an embedded link may cause a communication to be sent to a publisher, who sends a communication to the call center. Upon determining the calling campaign, an appropriate agent is selected and a communication, such as a voice call, is initiated to the user. In particular instances, if a no-answer condition is reached as a result of the communication, another communication may be scheduled for a later time.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying inventory splits is disclosed. A server retrieves from a memory a first inventory policy provided by a first content provider. The server retrieves from the memory a second inventory policy provided by the second content provider. The server verifies that the first inventory policy and the second inventory policy are in agreement for at least one stipulation pertaining to a percentage of compensation to the first content provider for inventory owned by the first content provider and played by the second content provider. The server transmits the first inventory policy to a placement opportunity information service (POIS) communicatively connected to the second content provider. The server transmits the second inventory policy to a placement opportunity information service (POIS) communicatively connected to the first content provider.

Abstract: A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.

Abstract: An advertising attribution system determines an attribution value for a set of advertising modalities associated with a conversion event. The modalities each provided an advertisement to a user who performed the conversion event. A conversion value associated with each of a plurality of modality subsets is determined representing the value to the advertiser of providing advertisements by the modalities in each modality subset. Based on the conversion value of each modality subset, a marginal value for each modality is determined for the set of modalities associated with the conversion event.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for interacting with advertisements on a virtual keyboard. An advertisement appears in a position that is proximate to a virtual key of the virtual keyboard. A user can manipulate the advertisement based on performing one or more types of gestures or key presses on or near the virtual keys. One type of gesture triggers an interaction with the advertisement and another type of gesture or key press performs a standard keyboard function.

Abstract: There is provided a media content server for inserting a location-based advertisement into an online media content. The media content server comprises a memory including an online media content for online access; a processor configured to receive a request from a client for the online media content; determine an IP address of the client based on the request; map the IP address to a local advertisement server serving an area corresponding to the IP address; request a local advertisement from the local advertisement server; provide the local advertisement to the client; and provide the online media content from the memory to the client. The online media content has a first and second sequential segments, and the local advertisement may be provided to the client after the first segment is provided and before the second segment is provided.

Abstract: An advertisement distribution system can log advertisement conversions using Near Field Communication (“NFC”). An online advertisement may be served to a user in response to a query or at a website. In response to the user selecting the advertisement, a landing page is displayed to the user and information regarding the advertisement is stored for logging purposes. The landing page may instruct the user to check in with an NFC-enabled device at an NFC base station of a merchant. The NFC base station transmits information identifying the merchant to the user's device and, in turn, the user's device transmits the information to the advertisement distribution system. The advertisement distribution determines that the advertisement resulted in a conversion using information regarding the advertisement and the information identifying the merchant received from the NFC base station via the user's device.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for determining click values are described herein. A method for determining click values may include processing transaction history records. These records may be related to transactions that are conducted between visitors and a website. The method may also include computing respective click values associated with different visitors, based on the transaction history records involving those visitors. These click values indicate a likelihood that the visitors may transact for particular goods or services offered through the website.

Abstract: A system directs a browser or browsing application associated with a user to a targeted web site after the user performs at least two activations or “clicks” of his pointing device. The first “click” is typically on a communication provided by the system, serving as an intermediary, and the second “click” is typically on a first data object or web page of the intermediary, before the browser of the user is redirected to a second data object or targeted web page, typically associated with a party unrelated to the party or entity controlling the system.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for arranging advertisement content in digital receipts. A receipt database server formulates a digital receipt for a sales transaction. When the digital receipt is requested for viewing by another computer system, the receipt database server can arrange content in the digital receipt for an advertising purpose. In some embodiments, the digital receipt server places an advertisement insert into the digital receipt. In other embodiments, the digital receipt server (re)arranges receipt items of the digital receipt so that some receipt items appear more prominently (e.g., are moved towards the top of the digital receipt, are displayed in a different color, are highlighted, etc.). Thus, in response to requesting a digital receipt, a customer mobile device can receive an advertisement digital receipt. The advertisement digital receipt can include content arranged for an advertising purpose.

Abstract: A system for dynamically inserting advertisements into digital content is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system may be configured to receive a request to access digital content. In response to the request, the system may be configured to dynamically adjust the formatting of the digital content to create space in which the system can place an advertisement. Adjusting the formatting of the digital content may include moving text and/or images within the digital content to create the advertising space. The system may determine how to adjust the formatting of the digital content based on the type of device with which the digital content is being accessed. The system may also overlay partially transparent advertisements onto digital content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved approaches for pairing of a POS system and mobile device is described. The method includes: determining, by a POS system, a proximity of a physical location of a mobile device to an access point associated with the POS system, wherein the mobile device is configured to connect to the access point and to initiate establishment of a communication session over a service provider network; initiating a link, via the access point, between the mobile device and the POS system based on the determined proximity; receiving, via the link, an indication of an item that includes a good, a service, or a combination thereof; determining, by the POS system, item information for the item based on the indication; and transmitting, via the link, the item information to the mobile device.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, systems and methods to provide sizing content recommendations are provided. Search parameters are received from a user. In response, sizing data for the user is accessed. Using the sizing data, content from a marketplace matching the sizing data and the search parameters are determined. The matching content comprises a list of one or more items available from the marketplace. The matching content is prioritized for presentation to the user.

Abstract: There is described herein methods and apparatuses for the placement of offerings in gaming systems. According to an embodiment of a method, a game on a gaming system is operated by at least one processor, where the game includes one or more generic elements. A branded element is dynamically substituted for a selected one of the generic elements of the game during operation of the gaming system, where the branded element serves to advertise a product or service of a third party. Systems for establishing and tracking and controlling placements are also described.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data for an object at a computing device. The method includes sending a representation of the object from the computing device to a display device coupled to the computing device. The object includes a first display element in a featured position and a second display element. The method includes selecting advertising content with a processor of the computing device based on first information retrieved from the data that is associated with the first display element, based on second information retrieved from the data that is associated with the second display element, and based on a first location in the representation of the first display element relative to a second location in the representation of the second display element. The method also includes sending the advertising content from the computing device to the display device for display in an advertising window.

Abstract: A vertical elongated kiosk with a floor-engaging portion is equipped with a handle and optional wheels adjacent a rear surface to facilitate is mobility. A deck region has a dispenser which may include a spout from which hand/surface sanitizer is dispensed in response to a motion sensor. Electrical power is provided alternatively by a storage battery which may be recharged by a solar panel or an ac outlet plug. A wireless receiver/transmitter communicates with a remote base computer to control and monitor the operation of the kiosk. Informational displays, both video and placard, can be accommodated and a business card dispenser provided.

Abstract: A narrowcast advertising system includes a centralized late binding application (LBA) that communicates with one or more respective LBA device components on destination devices associated with a given consumer. The LBA application receives a plurality of advertisements in accordance with ad contracts negotiated between a consumer and an advertising entity. Selected ads are distributed to the respective destination devices for integration with accessible content. Confirmation indications are received by the LBA application from the destination devices so that contract fulfillment records can be updated in accordance with the various options a consumer has for satisfying the negotiated contract.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing content in accordance with informational campaigns or advertisements administered by one or more distribution partners. the distribution partners typically revenue share with the system administrator (system owner), who coordinates the informational campaigns and sends electronic mails (e-mails) associated therewith. By applying a distribution optimization formula to various informational or advertising campaigns of the distribution partners, e-mails with links to these distribution partners will be sent to users, and each user who opens the e-mail and clicks on a portion of the e-mail over an underlying link, will be directed to the requisite distribution partner, typically the server associated therewith.

Abstract: Integrated printed product design, production, and mailing services systems, methods and user interfaces which allow businesses and consumers to quickly design a product for a mailing campaign, provide/select/purchase a mailing list, and simply order an integrated mailing services product which includes the production, addressing, application of postage, and mailing of the printed advertisement product to the set of desired recipients.

Abstract: To provide an image content providing method capable of promoting advertisement effect by dynamically inserting an advertisement image to a distributed image content, an image content reproducing apparatus requests an image content providing apparatus to distribute the image content. Then, the image content is distributed to the image content reproducing apparatus and a viewer can utilize the image content. At this occasion, the image content providing apparatus distributes the image content, detects an advertisement inserting position and requests an advertisement image providing apparatus to distribute an advertisement image. Then, the advertisement image providing apparatus selects the advertisement image to be inserted to the image content and transmits thereof to the image content providing apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an interactive media guidance application to prevent a user from experiencing an episodic advertisement out of order. Each episodic advertisement includes a plurality of advertisements intended to be viewed in an ordered sequence, and each advertisement of the sequence is part of a story that the episodic advertisement tells. The interactive media guidance application determines whether the user's viewing activity may cause the user to experience a particular advertisement of an episodic advertisement out of order, identifies an alternative advertisement of the episodic advertisement to present in place of the particular advertisement, and presents the alternative advertisement so as to prevent the user from experiencing the particular advertisement out of the ordered sequence of advertisements.

Abstract: The disclosure details the implementation of apparatuses, methods, and systems for a Composite Content Generator. The disclosure teaches a Composite Content Generator, which provides a straightforward, unified, and transparent interface that presents users with the ability to customize publication purchases. Buyers of content may desire to customize their purchases in order to acquire certain sections of a work (e.g., select chapters from a travel book, select recipes from a cook book, choose certain subjects out of reference or medical journals, and specific sections of a periodical). In one embodiment, the Composite Content Generator allows buyers to view, select, and purchase portions of various works (e.g., such as books, periodicals, reference materials, and/or the like) and receive fulfillment of their purchase as a customized and modular composite publication.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method managing telephonic connections is disclosed. The method includes transmitting from a computer server system, for display on an electronic communication device, an advertisement from an advertiser; receiving from the electronic communication device a request to be connected telephonically with the advertiser; automatically playing a predetermined audio message after connecting telephonically with the advertiser; and connecting the electronic communication device telephonically with the advertiser after playing the predetermined audio message.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to improving the conversion rate of invitational content that is provided to the user of an interactive, content-receiving-and-displaying device. The content of a large number of primary-content sources is analyzed and keyword and/or other context-providing information is extracted from the primary-content sources. The keyword and/or other context-providing information is used to index the primary-content sources into an index according to a hierarchical taxonomy; the hierarchical taxonometric index is used to identify primary-content sources with which a given item of invitational content correlates; and the given item of invitational content is delivered to a user in response to the user accessing a primary-content source with which the given item of invitational content correlates.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a notification of an initial offer; identifying a consumer's vacillation to the initial offer; and generating a second notification of the supplemental incentive offer based on the consumer's vacillation for displaying on a device.

Abstract: A process tracks user advertisement exposure. To enroll a user as a panelist, the process generates a panelist ID and sends it to the user's home router. The process receives a message from the router that includes the panelist ID and a cookie ID associated with a web application. The cookie ID identifies the application and a personal device. The process stores the correlation between the panelist ID and the cookie ID in a database. The process receives an advertisement request from the personal device that includes the cookie ID. The process selects an advertisement and sends it to the personal device. The process also stores information corresponding to the advertisement request in an advertisement log, including the cookie ID and an advertisement identifier. The programs correlate the advertisement request with the panelist ID using the cookie ID. The process generates a report of the user's online advertisement exposure.

Abstract: This specification describes methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage device, for determining expansion rates for events related to expandable content items.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer storage mediums for placing advertisements on photographic images of geolocations. The method includes retrieving a photographic image associated with a geolocation, where the geolocation is based on a user action. An advertisement to place on the photographic image is also retrieved based on at least the geolocation. The photographic image is then analyzed to determine a position on the photographic image for placing the advertisement. Finally, the advertisement is placed at the determined position on the photographic image.

Abstract: Detecting click fraud that includes a processing device that receives data related to a cursor movement towards an advertisement displayed on a web page. The processing device analyzes the cursor movement data and determines a confidence level useable in the determination of click fraud, the confidence level responsive to the analysis of the cursor movement. The received data includes data that the cursor on the web page has transited at least one pixel cluster on the web page prior to a clicking the advertisement. In one embodiment, a click fraud is detected when the click occurred without the cursor crossing a pixel cluster, and no click fraud occurring when the click occurred after the cursor crossed a pixel cluster.

Abstract: The described method combines a transaction receipt and packaging. In this way the problem of having the bag and receipt as separate items is solved. The problem of having a separate receipt for a purchase is solved by printing the receipt on the bag, pizza box, tray liner, or other type of packaging.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system, and/or apparatus of leasing a virtual advertisement product performed by a server comprising a processor coupled to a memory, the memory having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the server to perform the method, including receiving an advertisement activation data from a mobile device comprising an image capture component. The advertisement activation data comprises an image data, a coded data, a text data, and/or a multimedia data captured by the mobile device. The method also includes extracting a temporal data and/or a geographical data concerning the advertisement activation data from the mobile device. Furthermore, the method includes querying a repository database for a stored copy of the advertisement activation data and adding the advertisement activation data to the repository database if the stored copy of the advertisement data is not found.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for modifying media player functionality and controlling advertisements included with media content played on media players. Chromeless media players may be created by content providers but modified by third party clients that wish to adapt the players to their purposes. These chromeless players may have defined modified functionality, such as removing the ability to fast forward, rewind, and skip chapters, according to a given circumstance. In an embodiment, the third party client may also define in a profile the specific advertisement sets to include with media content played on its chromeless player. In other embodiments, other types of additional media may be defined by the third party client. A proxy server, or intermediary server, detects these factors prior to retrieving media content.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores one or more computer programs adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include analyzing an image, identifying one or more faces in the image using a face recognition technique, designating at least one of the identified faces collectively as a first area of interest, and determining whether an insertion area exists in the image where additional content can be inserted without obstructing the first area of interest. Another computer program is adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include determining whether the insertion area can be divided into two or more regions based on color. Methods and processor based apparatuses that perform one or more of these steps are also disclosed.