Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive from a media communication system metadata describing one or more marketable items depicted in a media program supplied by the media communication system, present images of the media program at a media presentation device without highlighting the one or more marketable items, present an icon at least at one of a remote controller managing operations of the media processor or the media presentation device to indicate a presence of the one or more marketable items in one or more of the images presented at the media presentation device, detect a selection of the icon, and highlight the one or more marketable items. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to invoke a service over a signaling channel in a communication system with a communication device such as a mobile phone. The user dials a series of digits into their phone and enters them into the disclosed system, for example by pressing the send key on a mobile phone. The digits entered by the user include a prefix or routing code, and a data code. The dialed digits are transferred to a call switching system, which determines, based on the prefix code, a processing system to which a message is sent. The processing system further determines, based on the data code of the dialed digits, the service to provide and how the service should be fulfilled. The service can be fulfilled by content over the signaling channel or a transport channel, or both.

Abstract: A disclosed method of serving web page requests includes detecting a client request for a web page that contains an object. A preloader application is invoked to execute while the object is downloading to the client. The preloader application displays a preloader message during at least part of the downloading interval. At least a part of the preloader message is an advertisement or is otherwise unrelated to a progress of the downloading of the object. A size of the object may exceed a specified threshold and/or a type of the object may match any of a set of predetermined object types. The set of predetermined object types may include a Java® object type, a Flash® object type, or another object type suitable for implementing motion graphics. In some embodiments, the preloader application resides on a third party web site.

Abstract: Online advertisements may be verified before being rendered. In one example, an ad control is incorporated into an application or web page. When the ad control is to present an ad, the ad control requests an ad from an ad provider. Upon receipt of the ad, the ad control generates one or more hashes from the ad, and may extract one or more landing pages from the ad. The ad control then submits the one or more hashes, and the URLs of the one or more landing pages, to a reputation service for verification. The reputation service may then determine whether the ad and/or its landing pages are acceptable, and returns an “OK” or “not OK” message accordingly. If the ad and its landing pages are determined to be acceptable, then the ad control renders the ad. Otherwise, the ad control requests a new ad from the ad provider.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for dynamically adjusting advertisement (“ad”) time for a multicast channel. In one embodiment, a variable ad insertion function operates to receive one or more multicasts of media content from a core distribution network, insert ad timeslots into the media content, and optionally perform late-binding of ads to the ad timeslots. The media content including the inserted ad timeslots and late-binded ads, if any, is then multicast to associated client devices over a feeder network using corresponding multicast channels. For each multicast channel, insertion of ad timeslots into the associated media content is dynamically controlled based on the number of users currently consuming or predicted to consume the multicast channel, the number of client devices receiving or predicted to receive the multicast channel, or both.

Abstract: Extensible video insertion control is described. In embodiments, a media asset is received to render as video for display. Mapped video data is also received that identifies object insertion spaces in the media asset. A selectable display object is received that conforms to an object insertion space in a scene of the media asset. A composite video is then generated that includes the selectable display object inserted for display in the scene of the media asset at the object insertion space.

Abstract: A computer implemented method comprises analyzing a plurality of attributes of a sample of online documents using a boosted decision tree and generating a model from it. The model is used to predict a click through rate (CTR) of an additional online document based on the analyzing. The predicted CTR is output to a display device, storage medium or network.

Abstract: A virtual content server and method are provided for virtual content providers to provide multiple items of their virtual to users as part of an ordered virtual content campaign. A provider may define the order for the presentation of the content items, such as a linear sequence or based on a particular logic, e.g., a state transition graph or matrix, and such order information is stored in a campaign database. The server stores information regarding the state of the campaign for a particular user, e.g., how many or which ones of the content items of the ordered campaign have been presented to the user. Additionally, the provider may define certain performable actions with respect to particular states or content items. Actions performed by the user may be detected, and the server may store information regarding performed actions in association with the user id.

Abstract: A method of facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a buyer using a computerized system including a set of titles. The method includes storing the set of titles in a merchant site corresponding to a set of products for sale; browsing the merchant site using a client device and selecting a product for purchase; and generating a payment slip title for the product including information relating to a payment amount and a buyer identifier. The method further includes selecting a payment structure from a set of available payment structures; modifying the payment slip title to include information corresponding to the selected payment structure; releasing the product title to the buyer; and transmitting the payment amount to the merchant.

Abstract: A series of memorabilia pieces have markable areas for recording an autograph or signature and an information area for recording information about the autograph or signature (e.g., the person who signed it, the time, the place and other information). The pieces are readily autographed, signed, registered, collected, and displayed. The pieces can have many shapes and sizes and can include images related to a sport, profession, or pastime of collectability. For example, the pieces relate to a section of a collectable population, such as sports, music, acting, politics, auto racing and more. The pieces may be serialized to allow recording and identification. The items may be registered in a central recording archive.

Abstract: A system and method of procuring an advertising inventory over a communications network may include establishing a set of nodes defined by desired component attributes of inventory for an advertiser for an ad campaign. The established set of nodes may be stored. Valuation of nodes having unknown price and volume parameters may be estimated. The set of nodes may be explored to determine estimated price and volume parameters for the nodes. The set of nodes may be exploited for the ad campaign, where the exploitation may be inclusive of at least one extrapolated node having an estimated valuation. Results of the exploited set of nodes for the ad campaign may be generated.

Abstract: A lighting system for using illumination light of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide one-way data communication to user mobile communication devices is described. The lighting system includes illumination lighting devices at different locations within an area to emit visible illumination light illuminating the area. Each illumination lighting device includes: one or more LEDs producing visible illumination light; and a device lighting control circuit that modulates the visible illumination light to carry data and to broadcast the data in an illuminated area of the respective illumination lighting device which is modulated to carry the data. Each illumination lighting device also includes a device memory to locally store the data which is modulated onto the visible illumination light; and a device memory control circuit that updates the data stored in the device memory.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a method for generating targeted content, an indication of a geographic position is received from a mobile electronic device. An instance of targeted content is generated based upon the geographic position of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically classifying ads into a taxonomy of categories, the method including: extracting text features from ad images using OCR (optical character recognition) techniques; identifying objects of interest from ad images using object detection and recognition techniques in computer vision; extracting text features from the web-page of the advertiser to which the user is re-directed when clicking the ad; training statistical models using the extracted features mentioned above as well as advertiser attributes from a historical dataset of ads labeled by human editors; and determining the relevant categories of unlabeled ads using the trained models.

Abstract: A system and method for linking terrestrial mail to the global computer network, e.g., the Internet, are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure will enable a user, e.g., a sender and/or recipient of a document, to link all types of terrestrial mail to the global computer network, e.g., the Internet, so that they can digitally access, reply and/or utilize the content of the mail. The system and method provides for receiving an identifier associated with a terrestrial document; accessing an electronic version of the terrestrial document using the received identifier; creating a reply to the accessed document; and forwarding the reply to a sender of the terrestrial document. The reply document can be forwarded by e-mailing the reply to the sender, faxing the reply to the sender and/or printing the reply and delivering the printed reply by a terrestrial delivery service.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for operating a smart service robot. The system comprises: an integrated control server for storing and managing a plurality of service applications and providing a relevant service application according to a service application request from an intelligent service robot; and the intelligent service robot for requesting a specific service application from the integrated control server and downloading the application in order to provide a corresponding service. Accordingly, according to the present invention, when a user using the intelligent service robot needs an application which is related to the operation of the intelligent service robot and which is for a specific purpose, the application for the specific purpose may be easily downloaded online in order to be applied to the intelligent service robot of the user. Thus, the services that the robot provides may be optimized for certain purposes and used.

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: System of subsidized phone calls, is essentially a system (S) made possible by means of telecommunication networks in general to be used with great efficiency, using the existent technical resources that, organized of new way, allows the execution of calls with part or all of the chargeable time subsidized by a sponsor through the sending of advertising and/or institutional messages to the calling subscriber.

Abstract: Activity monitoring and replay techniques monitor and replay user consumption of content. To perform one of the techniques, event data from users that reflects the consumption of content is collected. The collected event data is used to infer one or more features in the content that are consumed by the user. The consumption of the one or more features by the user is replayed.

Abstract: A transaction handler receives, for forwarding to a sponsor account's issuer, a coupon authorization request message from a merchant's acquirer that identifies the sponsor account and a coupon for an item being purchased by a consumer in a transaction with the merchant. The issuer determines eligibility of the coupon for use by the consumer, and sends an authorization response message to the merchant via its acquirer and the transaction handler for the application of a corresponding discount for the item when the coupon is eligible. One or more coupon eligibilities for the purchase of the item by the consumer from the merchant can be derived from comparisons of the transaction to predetermined times, geographies, jurisdictions, sets of merchants, and/or the number of times that coupons have been used in other transactions. The transaction handler can further process the transaction for authorization the consumer's account to pay of the transaction.

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: An electronic service provides a sample of a media item to a user, along with a prompt. The prompt gives the user the opportunity to receive an additional part of the item substantially without further interaction with the user. The streamlined acquisition of the additional part of the media item is enabled by the user's establishment, in advance, of user identification information, payment information, and so on.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing financial service extensions. In one implementation, a financial cloud system including a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions is provided. The instructions may be executed to perform a process associated with providing the financial service extensions. The process may include providing a platform application to a client device. The process may also include receiving data associated with a financial service extension to be used in connection with the platform application. The process may further include receiving configuration data associated with the financial service extension. The process may additionally include configuring, by the processor, the financial service extension for use with the platform application. The process may also include providing, by the processor, the financial service extension to the client device.

Abstract: A potential source of revenue for the developer of an interactive environment can be to offer sponsorship opportunities within the interactive environment. These sponsorship opportunities can take the form of sponsoring virtual placement items within the interactive environment by displaying invitational content in conjunction with a virtual placement item. The sponsored placement opportunities can be pre-defined. However, to improve the success of the invitational content, the placement opportunities can be adjusted in real-time based on one or more invitational content placement rules. Additionally, each placement opportunity can specify one or more virtual placement item characteristics from a virtual placement item classification hierarchy. A virtual placement item classification hierarchy can be a semantic hierarchy specifying various characteristics for virtual placement items where the characteristics have telescoping specificity.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a number of service providers to respond to communication device user service invocations through a service invocation distribution center. A telecommunications switch is provisioned with a trigger that operates based on a service prefix code in a service invocation message. Calling events that include various service prefix codes that match trigger firing criteria cause the trigger to execute call control logic within the telecommunications switch to forward information concerning the service invocation to the distribution center. The distribution center matches a service provider with a prefix code in conjunction with the forwarded information and forwards the service invocation to the appropriate service provider. The service invocation message may include a service code that indicates the specific service requested.

Abstract: A notification method involves creating a template via a web server interface, where the template includes a statement having at least one tag, and triggering a transmission of raw data from a mobile communications device to the web server interface. The method further involves completing the template via the web server interface using the raw data transmitted to the mobile communications device. The template is completed by substituting the tag(s) with an alphanumeric expression deduced from the raw data. The method also involves uploading the completed template onto a remotely accessible social networking page.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving a content provider's bid efficiency in an auction are disclosed. A bid efficiency improvement module of a data processing system identifies a keyword on which a third-party content provider has placed a bid to serve at least one third-party content item. The module retrieves third-party content performance data for the identified keyword. The module determines that the third-party content performance data is sufficient to calculate one or more bid multipliers for the identified keyword. The bid multipliers are calculated based on the retrieved third-party content performance data. The bid multipliers are based on one of a geographic region in which the third-party content item is to be served, a time-of-day at which the third-party content item is to be served, or a type-of-device on which the third-party content item is to be served. The calculated bid multipliers are stored in a memory.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for conducting sales. A system configured to practice the method receives an inquiry with at least one parameter from a user associated with a sale of an item. The system identifies one or more discount items that satisfy the inquiry and filters the one or more discount items based on a time-sensitive sales opacity scale. The system identifies comparable items for each discount item at nondiscount rates dynamically using real-time data and presents one or more comparable groups to the user, each comparable group including one filtered discount item and respective comparable items. Then the system advances the sale of the discount item based on user acceptance of one of the presented one or more comparable groups.

Abstract: Detecting click fraud that includes a server that hosts a website that includes a web page containing an advertisement. The server provides an advertisement on a web page, provides pixel clusters on the web page with the advertisement, each pixel cluster having an associated mechanism for capturing whether a cursor on the web page has transited the associated pixel cluster, and collects information based on the capturing of each associated mechanism of information regarding the transit of the pixel cluster by a cursor. The collected information is useable in a determination of a confidence level pertinent to the determination of click fraud occurring on the advertisement on the web page. The server verifies the cursor on the web page has transited at least one pixel cluster on the web page prior to a controller of the cursor clicking the advertisement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to telecommunications, and in particular, to systems and processes for processing telephone calls and providing telephony services. In one embodiment, a call processing system, compromises a first telephony interface configured to receive a call from a caller, a storage device configured to store a greeting, and a call answering system. The call answering system is configured to play the greeting in response to receiving the call, record a voice message from the caller, determine when the caller has completed recording the voice message, after determining that the caller has completed recording the voice message, play a prompt regarding the caller becoming a subscriber to call services provided by the call processing system, receive from the caller information used to establish a call services account, and establish a call services account for the caller.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to invoke a service over a signaling channel in a communication system with a communication device such as a mobile phone. The user dials a series of digits into their phone and enters them into the disclosed system, for example by pressing the send key on a mobile phone. The digits entered by the user include a prefix or routing code, and a data code. The dialed digits are transferred to a call switching system, which determines, based on the prefix code, a processing system to which a message is sent. The processing system further determines, based on the data code of the dialed digits, the service to provide and how the service should be fulfilled. The service can be fulfilled by content over the signaling channel or a transport channel, or both.

Abstract: A computerized method, apparatus and system for interfacing with one or more advertisement publishers across a network. The method includes receiving an advertisement and associated metadata from a client node over the network using a general purpose application programming interface (GPAPI); determining a list of recommended publishers for the advertisement based on at least the advertisement and the associated metadata; and placing the advertisement with one or more publisher nodes of publishers selected out of the recommended publishers, wherein communication with each publisher node of the selected publishers is performed using an application programming interface (API) of a respective publisher node.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for queue management that allow a person waiting in the queue to choose to receive at least one warning communication, for example on a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone. In some embodiments, the person agrees to “buy” the warnings and concomitant free time by agreeing to pay for at least one warning communication and/or by agreeing to accept advertisements.

Abstract: A method and system is presented for the creation, delivery, processing, and overall management of surveys across and on sites and applications that display online and mobile content that is tracked using an audience validation system. Improvements on the functionality of an audience validation system include creating a marketplace for content and application publishers to make their audiences available for general market research surveys. In one embodiment, the system significantly reduces the overheads involved in market research for all parties concerned including publishers, the consumers of the publishers' content, and market researchers wishing to survey the consumers of the publishers' content. In one embodiment the invention affords both publishers and marketers access to self-service portals to make their audiences available and to survey them respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implementing a reality overlay device. A reality overlay device captures information that is pertinent to physical surroundings with respect to a device, the information including at least one of visual information or audio information. The reality overlay device may transmit at least a portion of the captured information to a second device. For instance, the reality overlay device may transmit at least a portion of the captured information to a server via the Internet, where the server is capable of identifying an appropriate virtual billboard. The reality overlay device may then receive overlay information for use in generating a transparent overlay via the reality overlay device. The transparent overlay is then superimposed via the device using the overlay information, wherein the transparent overlay provides one or more transparent images that are pertinent to the physical surroundings.

Abstract: An electronic advertisement method and system for an Internet browser with a book-like page-based flipping interface. Full pages of electronic advertisements presented on the computer screen are possible without obstructing the viewing and reading of other contents. This benefits both the viewer as well as the advertiser. An advertisement matching/delivery system provides a novel method of inserting advertisements into content as well as a novel method for revenue sharing among the parties involved.

Abstract: A method is provided to allow the use of paid promotional advertisements within physically printed document, either by using the blank space on a printer cover pages, or through insertion of useful document fragments on a target basis to the user, printer, room, user group, or other easily targetable criteria. Printer cover pages provide otherwise unused target are available for printed advertisements to a user. Additionally, the use of extended length paper stock in 8½ by 14 inch paper is provided having an 8½ by 11 inch upper portion integrally formed with a 8½ by 3 inch lower portion, integrally connected an separated by a foldable, tearable perforation laterally across the demarcation.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting short message service (SMS) messages between a vehicle and a central facility includes determining an authentication tone having a unique characteristic, generating an SMS message that includes computer-readable data representing the authentication tone; sending the SMS message to a central facility, establishing a call between the central facility and the vehicle using a vehicle telematics unit and a wireless carrier system, generating the determined authentication tone at the vehicle, and transmitting the generated authentication tone over the established call to the central facility.

Abstract: Software for use on a client device that is configured for communications via a communications network instantiates a communications function that effects an advertisement download communication link between the client device and an advertisement distribution server system via the communications network, at selected advertisement download times, an advertisement download function that downloads advertisements identified in a playlist(s) generated by at least one playlist server, via the advertisement download communication link, at the selected advertisement download times, an advertisement storage function for storing the downloaded advertisements on a storage medium associated with the client device, and an advertisement display function that effects display of at least selected ones of the stored advertisements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting user-generated content in an easily accessible manner using an interactive media guide are provided. In particular, a user may be able to peruse user-generated content through an interactive media guide which is also used to access non-user-generated media content such as linear programming (e.g., over-the-air broadcast, cable, and satellite scheduled programming) and on-demand media. The interactive media guide may include a provider of user-generated content populated with user-generated content according to the user's interests or most recently added to the provider.

Abstract: A method for offering a promotion to a user. A stimulus is received from a broadcast directed to a user location, the stimulus having unique coded information encoded therein. The unique coded information is extracted from the stimulus by decoding this information. From the decoded information, there is determined routing information for routing over a network to a promotion location on the network, which promotion location is operable to offer a promotion. The promotion location on the network is then interconnected in accordance with the determined routing information. A promotion is then offered over the network in response to the interconnection thereof by the step of interconnecting.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for generating a real-time advertisement are provided. An advertisement candidate that accepts one or more items of real-time data is generated, having one or more advertiser extensions associated with the advertisement candidate. The advertisement extensions accept items of real-time data that are retrieved from an advertiser data provider, according to a mechanism for retrieval of real-time data items. A real-time advertisement is generated, having at least one of the retrieved items of real-time data and the advertisement candidate. Upon receiving a search request from a user, a real-time advertisement may be presented. The real-time advertisement may include items of real-time information incorporated into the advertisement candidate, as well as other advertisement content responsive to parameters of the advertisement API call.

Abstract: A coupon dispensing module for use in conjunction with a vending machine includes a selection mechanism adapted to interrogate a database to determine whether a desired coupon corresponds to the desired product, a printing mechanism adapted to print the desired coupon, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the desired coupon upon the receipt of an actuating signal, and a control circuit coupled to the vending machine, the control circuit operating to interrogate the database to determine whether the desired coupon is available, operate the printing mechanism based on requirements of the desired coupon, and provide the actuating signal to the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: An approach for regulating the allocation of network bandwidth capacity based on user responsiveness to advertisement content is described. A bandwidth allocation platform determines, based on a metering of content delivered to a device via a network, the amount of content delivered is approaching a predetermined threshold of bandwidth allocated to the device by a provider of the network. The bandwidth allocation platform further determines, based on a monitoring of a duration or type of interaction or response of a user, an amount of additional bandwidth to be allocated to the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors, as well as systems and methods for using this information for a plurality of useful purposes, are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed. This information is then used to support a variety of useful methods, such as clinical trials, marketing studies, biofeedback, entertainment, and others.

Abstract: Persistent, electronically anchored currency notes (PEAC notes) may be generated by a transaction provider and maintained in a datastore. Each PEAC note may be associated with a respective unique identifier and an asset held by a custodian. The transaction provider may provide for assigning ownership of the PEAC notes to various entities and/or transferring ownership therebetween. Ownership transfers may be performed by the transaction provider while maintaining the PEAC notes in the datastore and/or maintaining the asset(s) associated therewith with their respective custodian(s). The transfer of a PEAC note may be tied to one or more transfer conditions. A PEAC note may be provisionally transferred from a first entity to a second entity subject to one or more transfer conditions. When the transfer conditions are met, the PEAC note may be permanently transferred to the second entity.

Abstract: A method of targeting an advertisement to users of scheduled transportation operating at a transportation facility having a set of programmable signs at distinct locations in the facility includes in a first computer process determining a dynamic profile of users proximate to the location of a selected programmable sign of the set for a relevant time window. The method further includes in a second computer process selecting from an advertisement database an advertisement having a set of selection criteria that are compatible with the dynamic profile for the relevant time window and in a third computer process causing display of the advertisement on the selected programmable sign during at least a portion of the relevant time window.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are related to leveraging mobility management techniques implemented in mobile networks to distribute advertisements to mobile devices. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, advertisements can be transmitted on a broadcast control channel of a base station and in at least one embodiment the advertisements can be relevant to the area the base station services. Mobile devices that detect the broadcast control channel can store the advertisements. If for example, a user is interested in the service, e.g., a product or service, that is offered in the advertisement they can initiate a purchase procedure.

Abstract: A method for advertising household items by placing a graphic display of the household item in the vicinity of the household item at a retail location. The household item in the household display is shown in the environment in which it is intended to be utilized. The ability to view the household item in the particular environment for which it is design enhances the consumer experience and facilitates a confident decision by the purchasers. The method of advertising household items also entails preparing the graphic display, printing the graphic display, framing the graphic display, and placing the graphic display in the vicinity of the household item.

Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating payments with a mobile device are discussed herein. Circuitry in a networked-based central system, which may be a promotional system or payment system, may be configured to receive payment information from a consumer device. The consumer device may include circuitry configured to receive wallet identifying data from the central system. The wallet identification data may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and another device, such as a merchant device, over a wireless link. In some embodiments, the consumer device may receive promotional offers, such as deal vouchers or rewards, and make payments to the other device via the wireless link.