Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for preventing and detecting fraud in the secondary gift card market are disclosed herein. An example system can identify an event associated with a prepaid gift account associated with a secondary market for reselling prepaid gift accounts, the prepaid gift account having a verified initial balance established prior to the event. Based on the event, the system can perform a reverification of the verified initial balance of the prepaid gift account to yield an updated balance. If the verification indicates that the updated balance is different from the verified initial balance, the system can perform a corrective action. The event can be receiving the prepaid gift account, listing the prepaid gift account for sale, transferring the prepaid gift account between parties, converting the prepaid gift account to a different form, an elevated fraud risk, a user request, a regular balance checking interval, or random selection.

Abstract: A control system and method of advertisement exposure are provided, in which the control system for advertisement exposure includes: a communication unit for communicating via a network with a multiplicity of client terminals, each including a web browser having a main area where a predetermined webpage is output and a sub area different from the main area; a storage unit for storing advertisement information and information about an incentive created to correspond to the advertisement information and offered to a user; and a control unit for outputting the advertisement information to at least one of the main are and sub area, and accumulating a corresponding incentive depending on an amount of viewing by plural users for the advertisement information to output information about the accumulated incentive to the sub area of the web browser. Accordingly, the advertisement information can be exposed more effectively through the web browser.

Abstract: Provided are a method and computer system that provide a virtual world. A server of the computer system includes a storage subsystem that stores two or more items of different personalized information about multiple different users, including different user identifications and passwords associated with the user identifications respectively representing the users. The server computer system is programmed to accept login credentials including a user identification and password and validate the login credentials. The server computer system is also programmed to control formation of a first user account and storage of the first user identification and first password. The storage subsystem stores information about registration codes that have not yet been entered.

Abstract: There is provided a method, comprising: establishing, by a first network node, a communication connection to at least one advertising device located in a geographically limited service area; establishing a communication connection to at least one advertisement-receiving device; generating at least one security key for encrypting and decrypting at least part of the data which is to be transmitted in D2D communication links, wherein each security key is valid for a predetermined validity period, and common to those at least one advertising device and at least one advertisement-receiving device within the service area which fulfill predetermined criteria; causing transmission of information indicating the generated at least one security key to those at least one advertising device which fulfill the predetermined criteria; and causing transmission of information indicating at least one of the generated at least one security key to those at least one advertisement-receiving device which fulfill the predetermined c

Abstract: Computerized techniques are described for detecting performance degradation during features ramp up. A first version of web content is sent to first client devices. The first version of the web content lacks a particular feature. First performance data that indicates performance of each first client device with respect to processing the web content is received. A second version of the web content is sent to second client devices. The second version of the web content has the particular feature. Second performance data that indicates performance of each second client device with respect to processing the web content is received. The first performance data is compared with the second performance data to determine a difference between a processing metric associated with the first version of the web content and a processing metric associated with the second version of the web content.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mobile terminal and a control method thereof. The mobile terminal includes a radio communication unit, a memory storing one or more applications each including one or more tasks, and a controller performing a specific operation corresponding to the one or more tasks and generating at least one stack by placing in turn the one or more tasks on top of one another. The at least one stack is sent to at least one another electronic device through the radio communication unit such that a task included in the stack is executed in the at least one another electronic device. The stack generated by the mobile terminal can share the stack with another electronic device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for providing substitute item recommendations in order status messages are described. In various embodiments, a customer may submit an order for one or more items to a merchant. In various cases, the merchant may fulfill the order by preparing a shipment that includes the one or more ordered items and shipping that shipment to the customer. In some cases, at least one item of the order may be delayed or canceled for a variety of reasons. In various embodiments, the merchant may utilize an exception management component to generate an orders status message (for the customer) that specifies the item has been delayed or canceled. The merchant may also utilize the exception management component to generate the order status message such that the order status message also includes a recommendation of one or more substitute items that the customer may be interested in.

Abstract: A method of providing an ad extension includes selecting an advertisement for display. The method also includes selecting additional information related to the advertisement. The method also includes transmitting data representing the advertisement to a browser. The browser interacts with an expandable API to render an inline frame having an advertisement slot. The browser renders and displays the advertisement in the frame. The method also includes transmitting display data representing the additional information related to the advertisement to the browser. The browser receives an input to activate the ad extension. In response to the input, the browser interacts with the expandable API system to expand and render the frame. The browser renders, in the frame, the advertisement slot containing the advertisement. The browser also renders, in the frame, the additional information. The browser displays the expanded inline frame, such that the displayed frame covers a portion of the content.

Abstract: A communications hub receives a messaging job creation request sent over a network connection. The messaging job creation request includes a destinations uniform resource locator (“URL”) plus an inline contents list containing content specifiers, a contents URL plus an inline destinations list containing recipient specifiers, or a destinations URL plus a contents URL. The destinations URL identifies a list of recipient specifiers, each with a delivery address and mode. The contents URL identifies content specifiers for content to be delivered. Some recipient specifiers include merge fields for merging values into message contents. The contents URL itself may include a merge field for merging to obtain a merged contents URL which then identifies a content specifier location. The URLs and the merge fields can appear in various combinations, thereby supporting flexible message customization without hindering bulk messaging.

Abstract: A method of advertising tailored based on usage patterns of a portable electronic device includes determining if a portable electronic device has entered an area associated with a local area network (LAN). A link is established between the portable electronic device and the LAN if it is determined that the portable electronic device has entered the area associated with the LAN. User services are established between the portable electronic device and a remote server using the established link based on a user profile associated with the portable electronic device. Devices associated with the remote server communicatively coupled to the LAN are controlled using the portable electronic device. Actions and/or behaviors of a user are tracked based on use of the portable electronic device. Advertisements are displayed and/or played on at least one of the controlled devices based on the tracked user actions and/or behaviors.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for interactively displaying large amounts of related data using a geometrical pattern is provided. The geometrical user interface permits users to view, navigate and interact with large amounts of related data in a single display window without going through multiple clicks, menus, drop-downs and scrolling events.

Abstract: A method comprising determining that, at least a part of, content of a section of a document is being displayed, determining at least one character identity, determining at least one location identity indicated by the section, and determining at least one visual representation of the location identity such that the visual representation of the location identity comprises a visual representation of the character identity that indicates a relationship between the character identity and the location identity is disclosed.

Abstract: Audio fingerprinting and other media matching technologies can be used to identify media, such as movies, television shows, and radio broadcasts. A user device can record image, audio, and/or video information and upload information to a matching service that is able to use matching technology to identify the media and provide supplemental content or information to the user. The user then can share this information with other users, such as by uploading to a social networking site or passing the information to peers on a peer network as part of a container. Users can have the ability to add tagged content, provide comments and ratings, and otherwise interact based at least in part upon the tagged media content.

Abstract: An interactive waste receptacle combines a waste receptacle, a display device, a sensor, a camera, a speaker, and a variety of interactive media to receive and process waste, and perform an assortment of interactive functions in a public venue. The interactive waste receptacle detects events from a user, and responds to the events with interactive functions, including; receiving, compacting, and processing a waste; detecting proximal images, sounds, and smells; and displaying advertisements, text, graphics, animation, video, audio, and games. The waste receptacle receives and compacts the waste. A display device integrated with the waste receptacle displays images of advertising, messages, and pertinent information. A sensor detects events from the user. A camera records a user image. A speaker emits and receives audio signals to the user. Interactive media also record user events. The sensor, camera, speaker, and interactive media perform an interactive function in response to the event.

Abstract: System, including a code scanner, for using multi-function codes, such as multi-function QR codes, MobiTags, ShotCodes, 2-dimensional bar codes, 3-dimensional bar codes, or images to open multiple ports of a telephone device. One of the ports is a text port, enabling the system to obtain the telephone number of a device that reads a code associated with an item and then generate a lead for follow-up by an agent. The lead is sent to the agent via a text or email message. The system may also pass the lead to other agents if the first agent doesn't respond, and it may also send additional information to the telephone device. The system may include a database of item-associated information and the capability of accessing the item-associated information for inclusion in outgoing messages to the agents and/or the telephone device.

Abstract: Methods and systems facilitate facilitating notifying a user of potential savings associated with a parts order. According to various implementations, an order file containing order information associated with a first part is received. A determination is made, based on inventory information, that the first part is available from each of a first and second part sellers. Based on a price matrix, a potential cost savings is determined associated with ordering the first part from the first part seller rather than the second part seller, and a savings beacon associated with the part, and indicating the potential savings, is generated and provided to the user.

Abstract: Disclosure is directed to projecting holographic images in connection with a program service such as cable or satellite television. In one instance, the projected holographic image may be an image of product that is featured in advertisement or other portion of program service. In another instance, the projected holographic image may be an image of a electronic programming guide with screens or menu displayed on sides of a cube or other geometric form. In still another instance, the projected holographic image is a video that supplements an instructional video or live broadcast.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of techniques or systems for intelligent data presentation are provided herein. Data can be presented on similar devices having different characteristics in different manners. For example, data may be rendered in a first manner on a first device having one monitor, the same data may be rendered in a second manner on a second device having two displays or a different display size. Financial information, sales data, banking information, etc. may be presented in a variety of ways based on capabilities or properties of a device accessing the information or data. Similarly, renderings may be selected based on interaction capabilities or interaction options a user may have with different renderings or presentations. In other embodiments, user interaction with an automated teller machine (ATM), call center, vehicle, or other interface can be based on device properties or device capabilities.

Abstract: A broadcast system provides consumers with inducement to consume portions in which they may not have an active interest, such as commercials. To dissuade consumers from leaving the vicinity of the broadcast receiver or from switching to other broadcasts while a first broadcast airs such a portion, the first broadcast is augmented by a second content entity calculated to be of interest to the consumer. Interaction is required of the consumer in order for him to receive the second content entity, which necessitates his presence and attention.

Abstract: A micro-cell base station subsystem at a premises of an enterprise includes a base transceiver system configured for wireless communication with a mobile station over a frequency band allocated for mobile traffic in a macro cellular network. A communication interface is configured to send and receive communications for one or more mobile stations when at the premises via a packet data network. A controller coupled to the base transceiver system is configured to operate the micro-cell base station subsystem to appear as a base station similar to a base station of the macro cellular network, including enabling mobile station registration. A softswitch coupled to the packet data network enables mobile station registration with the macro cellular network through the micro-cell base station subsystem.

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: Advertisements are served over the Internet to clients on demand. A client module executing on a client device fetches advertisements over the Internet from an advertisement server. The client module stores these advertisements in a cache on the client device. When an application executing on the client device needs to display an advertisement, instead of contacting the advertisement server directly, the application makes a call to the client module. The client module, instead of contacting the advertisement server immediately, determines whether the cache on the client device contains any advertisements that satisfy criteria specified by the application. If the cache does contain advertisements that satisfy the criteria, then the client module provides those advertisements to the application. Otherwise, then the client module requests criteria-satisfying advertisements from the advertisement server at that time, and provides at least one of those to the application.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to advertising, and more particularly to cooperative offering methods and systems. In one embodiment, a cooperative offer generating system is disclosed, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing processor-executable instructions comprising instructions for: obtaining one or more parameters; identifying an item related to the one or more parameters; determining a plurality of offerors corresponding to the item; obtaining cooperative offer parameters for the offerors; generating a cooperative offer related to the item, including: determining a cooperative offer value, and determining a cooperative offer value share for at least one of the offerors; and providing the generated cooperative offer. In some embodiments, the cooperative offer is an online advertisement bid to advertise the item.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server comprising a memory to store executable instructions and a controller coupled to the memory. The controller, reponsive to executing the instructions, performs operations comprising presenting a graphical user interface enabling selectable advertisements or a selectable channel distribution service for delivery to a set top box, presenting filters for targeted delivery of advertisements to subscriber equipment based on information descriptive of the subscriber, selecting advertisements from an advertising server based on detected selections of advertisements or a detected channel distribution service preference, transmitting a globally unique identifier of the set top box to a billing server, initiating storage of the selectable advertisements at a remote advertisement delivery server, and presenting the selectable advertisements to the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for interfacing a decision engine and a marketing engine in order to provide vendor-related data in response to decision-related data is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system and method may include providing a decision engine on a user-accessible network; interfacing a marketing engine with the decision engine on the network; receiving a plurality of user inputs with the decision engine; processing decision-related data with the decision engine in accordance with the plurality of user inputs; sharing the decision-related data with the marketing engine; processing the decision-related data with the marketing engine; and transmitting vendor-related data via the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are for identifying online advertisements to display to a user based on historical user data collected across the user's use of a plurality of Internet devices. One method includes receiving, over a network, a request for an advertisement to display at a first device of the user, the request including a unique identifier stored on the user's first device; accessing, in a database, a demographic or browsing history information generated from the user's use of a second device, the demographic or browsing history information being stored in the database in relation to the unique identifier; and identifying, based on the demographic or browsing history information, an advertisement to display at the user's first device. The demographic or browsing history information is synchronized based on the unique identifier being stored on the user's first device and the user's second device.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for creating a virtual community network for incentivized multimedia content viewing is provided. A first viewer receives the multimedia content for viewing on a client device from a server provided in a networked environment. The first viewer refers the multimedia content to one or more second viewers in the networked environment for viewing and further referrals. The server controls access to the multimedia content and confirms viewing of the multimedia content by the first viewer, the second viewers, and nth viewers from further referrals using a random challenge. The server generates response reports based on viewing of the multimedia content. The server credits the first viewer, the second viewers, the nth viewers, etc. with one or more items of value based on referring of the multimedia content, multimedia content view confirmation, and/or registration of the second viewers, the nth viewers, etc, with the server.

Abstract: A device includes a memory for storing digital media, a transfer module, and a processor. The media includes first data that associates the media with the device, second data authorizing the device to play back the media, and third data authorizing the device to transfer a copy of the media. A transfer includes transfer data identifying the copy uniquely relative to the device. The processor implements instructions to receive a request to transfer a copy of the media to a peer device, create a copy of the media that includes the first data and the transfer data, and direct the transfer module to transfer the copy to the peer device and send a transaction record including the first data and the transfer data to a server.

Abstract: A system for serving localized advertisements receives data that defines an advertisement from an advertiser and determines a geographic location of the advertiser. The system also receives a request to serve an advertisement from a browser operated by a user and determines a geographic location associated with the user. The system communicates the advertisement to the browser if the geographic location associated with the user matches the geographic location of the advertiser.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method of operating a nearby function of the electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a low-power short-range communication module configured to perform a scanning operation and to collect advertising information as a result of the scanning operation, a display module configured to display an item for performing at least one of a short range communication connection and a remote communication connection with at least one reception-side device corresponding to the collected advertising information, and a control module configured to control the scanning operation of the low-power short-range communication module and the displaying of the item for performing the at least one of the short range communication connection and the remote communication connection with the at least one reception-side device corresponding to the collected advertising information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, for providing a method that includes receiving an indication from a user to promote an item that is included in an activity stream associated with the user, the activity stream being presented in a social context by a social application; receiving a request for an advertisement; determining the item is responsive to the request; determining one or more advertisements responsive to the request; ranking the item and the one or more advertisements; and providing the item in response to the request rather than the one or more advertisements and based at least in part on the rankings.

Abstract: A content delivery system, a mobile subscriber terminal and method for mediated access to a data facade are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the mobile subscriber terminal includes one or more applications that may request advertisements, a mediator client, and a delivery client operating as a data facade that interfaces with a delivery server. The mediator client may generate an application profile based on advertising preferences of the applications and may register with the data facade using the application profile. The mediator client may identify, filter and select advertisements to provide targeted content in response to requests from the applications.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for creating data sources for a variable data publishing (VDP) marketing campaign pattern. The method and system can be utilized to generate a data source from external sources, such as Encyclopedic knowledge-bases, when desired data is not locally available. A user can specify a conceptual identity, and the method and system automatically map the conceptual identity to an appropriate database, generate semantic queries, and query the database to develop the data source for use in the campaign.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for keeping popular advertisements active are provided. Example embodiments may include identifying one or more expiring online content from a plurality of online contents. A popularity of the one or more expiring online content may be determined; and an expiration date of the one or more expiring online content may be extended based on the popularity.

Abstract: A system for experimentation includes an experiment engine which can define an experiment relating to various treatments for a set of content elements. The experiment engine conducts the experiment by delivering treatments to control groups over the network. The selection of the treatments to deliver is optimized to provide treatments having a greater likelihood of satisfying an objective of the experiment.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for displaying contextually relevant advertisements to users as media objects are being rendered. One or more data sources with contextual information for different portions of each media object are maintained. From this contextual information, keywords may be generated and used to locate contextually-related advertisements. The advertisements are selected based on contextual information about the media object in order to match or otherwise be contextually relevant with the media content being rendered. As the subject matter of the media object changes during rendering, different advertisements related to the new context are provided that replace the prior advertisement. The advertisements are displayed in an area that could be used for other purposes when the rendering device is not rendering media objects.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which syndication spaces for a webpage are identified, each syndication space defining a location on the webpage in which one or more content items are displayed at a client device, and each syndication space is associated with one or more attributes. One or more of the attributes are selectively displayed on the webpage at the client device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for enabling the automated selection of keywords for rapid keyword portfolio expansion are disclosed. Various embodiments are operable to normalize a plurality of keywords received from a source, filter the normalized plurality of keywords against one or more keyword filtration lists, produce site-specific variants of the filtered plurality of keywords, associate at least one level of dimension data with each of the plurality of keywords, and store the processed plurality of keywords and dimension data in a keyword database.

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

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a product promotion method. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a product promotion system. In one specific example, the present invention provides a product promotion method, comprising: selecting at least one winning prize for the product promotion; selecting a time period over which the product promotion will be run; selecting a number of prize-winning items that are sold in a store; and providing at least a portion of the winning prize to a person who purchases from the store, during the time period over which the product promotion will be run, all of the selected prize-winning items.

Abstract: An input device of the present disclosure is an input device which performs change of a content in conjunction with a display of a content of a signage terminal, the input device including a change instructing unit configured to input a change instruction with respect to the content displayed on the signage terminal, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit a device ID, which specifies the signage terminal, and the change instruction.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are directed to making multimedia content available over a network to users on-demand. In one representative embodiment, a method of providing sponsored downloads of multimedia content to a user on-demand comprises receiving a request to sponsor one or more downloads of one or more multimedia files by one or more users. The request can originate from a sponsoring entity, and the one or more multimedia files can be available through a multimedia provider service. The method can further comprise receiving a request originating from a multimedia player to download a multimedia file from the multimedia provider service, and transmitting the multimedia file to the multimedia player. The multimedia file can be transmitted to the multimedia player with a commercial message from the sponsoring entity.

Abstract: A multimedia product placement marketplace is provided. A media player presents primary media content received over a first channel. A media component presents auxiliary media content received over a second channel, and selects a portion of an auxiliary media content related to the primary media content, which may have been presented by the media player during a previous time period. If the selected portion of the auxiliary media content is associated with at least one item of information, the media component receives the information over a second channel, and displays the received information via a user interface on the handset. The received information includes a link to a commerce server that provides a commercially available product and/or a commercially available service related to the selected portion of the auxiliary media content to enable a transaction. The link may be based on a highest value bid within a period of time.

Abstract: A distribution device includes a distribution unit which distributes a control program for controlling content to be displayed on a user terminal, to the user terminal. The control program is a display program to be executed in the user terminal, and controls the user terminal to execute a sound playback procedure for playing back a sound when content is included in an area specified by the display program for displaying the content, a viewable area acquisition procedure for acquiring the area specified by the display program in the content as a viewable area, a display area determination procedure for determining whether a display area where a video is displayed corresponding to the content is positioned in the viewable area, and a video playback procedure for stopping playback of the sound and starting playback of the video, when determined that the display area is positioned in the viewable area.

Abstract: Content delivery is provided responsive to mediacast content consumer requests by providing personalized mediacasts to each of a plurality of mediacast content consumers. Each of the personalized mediacasts includes a variety of replaceable programming and non-programming content segments and a variety of non-replaceable programming and non-programming content segments. Replacement programming and non-programming content segments may be targeted, for example selected based in part on one or more selection criterion associated with the mediacast content consumer, or provided by the broadcaster or Webcaster. A buffering scheme may be employed to inherently adjust asynchronicity between a broadcast or Webcast and a personalized mediacast. Actual insertion of replacement programming and non-programming content segments may occur upstream of a content consumer device or at the content consumer device.

Abstract: A system for advertising on footwear by displaying promotional content on an electronic display of the footwear and wherein the promotional content being displayed occupies 25% to 100% of the outer surface of the footwear. Additionally, the content can be displayed according to a plurality of conditions including time of day, rate of motion of the footwear and environmental lighting conditional around the footwear.

Abstract: An advertisement is associated with an advertiser-sponsored theme. An application generates a page that includes the advertisement. If a first user input event is detected with respect to the advertisement, the advertiser-sponsored theme is temporarily applied to the page, thereby providing a preview of the advertiser-sponsored theme. If a second user input event is detected with respect to the advertisement, the preview of the advertiser-sponsored theme is removed from the page. If a third user input event is detected with respect to the advertisement, the advertiser-sponsored theme is selected for use with the application. A notification may also be provided to other users indicated that the advertiser-sponsored theme was selected for use.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for providing location-based services to consumers of a shopping facility. In one embodiment, a consumer creates a user account, user profile, and registers one or mobile devices. The system monitors for the presence of the registered mobile devices within one or more shopping facilities. The system transmits advertising material corresponding to the user created profile to a detected registered mobile device in response to the registered mobile device being within a specified range of a store associated with the user created profile.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process and a device for managing the execution of an administrative operation to which the issuing of an administrative document is associated.

Abstract: A system for shopping for goods and services includes central communications facilities and remote communications facilities connected by communications links and means permitting data communications between them. Central communications facilities offer goods and services in competition with each other. Central communications facility may store, in addition to data, graphics in the form of video, and audio in the form of computerized voice and music. Computer input devices at each remote communications facility permit customers to access the data, graphics and audio. Computers at each remote communications facility also enable that facility to receive and download the data, graphics, and audio. Remote communications facilities may be adapted to enable a customer, after viewing the data, graphics, and audio, to determine a price for the purchase of the goods and services.