Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure target advertising to a group of related users of a social networking system. To target advertising to a group of users, the social networking system receives targeting criteria specifying a group to receive an advertisement at substantially the same time. To identify a group of users of the social networking system satisfying the targeting criteria, the social networking system observes the interactions of connected social networking system users. Connected users interacting with each other in a manner that satisfies the targeting criteria may be added to a group. The social networking system serves the advertisement to a set of users included in the group because the served users are members of the group.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure simplify the design process by drawing inferences based on data input by the user and making design suggestions to the user. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, apparatus are provided that assist users in the design of a personalized marketing campaign. A user interface is disclosed that allows the user to input data and receive information. A personalized marketing campaign knowledge database is disclosed that contains data encoding concepts extracted from complete personalized marketing campaigns and semantic definitions of those concepts. A semantic inference engine is also disclosed which draws inferences based on a comparison of the semantics of the data entered by the at least one user and the semantic definitions of the concepts encoded in the knowledge database, and communicates those inferences to the at least one user to assist the user in construction of the marketing campaign.

Abstract: The system provides personalized marketing combined with the satisfaction of gamified applications and playing games, which provides a unique offer presentation entertainment solution with the computer implemented capacity to personalize offers. The system includes a learning module that collects data and behavioral information from each user and customizes advertising, offers, and even application utility/play for the user. Over time, the system provides interaction with the user that provides consumer opportunities that are more likely to be accepted by the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for targeted and customized marketing to customers and, specifically in some embodiments, customers having a previous relationship with the entity implementing the marketing tool. The embodiments of the invention herein disclosed provide for efficient identification of previous customers based on their current product, service or property and/or their previous, and in some instances, ongoing financial obligation related to the current product, service or property. A replacement product, service or property is identified and a financial transaction proposal, such as a sales or lease proposal, is generated for one or more of the identified previous customers based on customers meeting criteria associated with variable parameters of the proposed transaction.

Abstract: An ad creation interface for use in an interpersonal electronic advertising system is described. The ad creation interface is configured to enable an ad suggester to create interpersonal ads for a product or service for provision to an ad recipient. The suggested ad can lead to a purchase of the product or the service by the ad recipient and in response the system can compensate the ad suggester. The ad creation interface allows an individual to create a suggested ad. In particular, via the interface an individual can 1) specify an ad recipient that is to receive the ad, 2) search for and select a suggested ad to send to the recipient and 3) request the system to send the selected suggested ad including a personal message to the ad recipient.

Abstract: Customized electronic advertisements are delivered in an interactive communication system. The advertisements are selected based on consumer profiles and are then integrated with content. The communication system may interconnect multiple consumer computers, multiple content provider computers and an advertisement provider computer. Whenever a consumer directs one of the consumer computers to access content on one of the content provider computers, an advertising request is sent to the advertisement provider computer. Upon receiving the advertising request, the advertising provider computer selects an advertisement based on the consumer's profile. The advertisement is then combined with the content from the content provider computer for display by the consumer. A credit is requested from the advertisement provider computer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to encode and decode audio for shopper location and advertisement presentation tracking are disclosed. A method for tracking a shopper includes receiving a first audio signal at a first location with a decoder attached to a shopping implement, determining a first code encoded in the first audio signal, receiving a second audio signal at a second location with the decoder, determining a second code encoded in the first audio signal, and transmitting the first code and the second code to a data retrieval device.

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

Abstract: Systems and methods of selecting advertising content are provided. A method of selecting advertising content includes analyzing first data associated with a first display element of the plurality of independent display elements. The plurality of independent display elements are associated with a representation of a three-dimensional object. The method also includes analyzing second data associated with a second display element of the plurality of independent display elements. The method further includes selecting, based at least partially on the first data and the second data, first advertisement content for display via an advertisement window separate from the first display element and the second display element.

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

Abstract: A method for outputting information about a person includes identifying the person utilizing a wireless system upon entry into a physical location, and also includes locating the person within the physical structure. An engagement plan is retrieved based on the identification of the person and output. The engagement plan has information useful for interacting with the person. The engagement plan is created based at least in part on personal information of the person, the preferences of the person, and the past transactions of the person. A system for outputting information about a person, such as a customer, includes an object carried by the person, which is capable of being identified by a wireless system. A wireless interface communicates with the object. A computing device correlates the identification of the object with the person. An output device outputs information relating to the person.

Abstract: A method of providing advertising from a central database server connected to a global computer network to distributed sites via interactive television. A representative icon is presented to a subscriber on a television screen indicating an advertisement. When a the icon is selected, an advertisement information detail is retrieved from storage in a local memory, or from the central database server and presented to the subscriber on the television screen.

Abstract: An advertisement system includes an advertising manager that receives a content-event indicator, which indicates playback of an advertisement for viewing on a first display screen at a media-playback device or indicates playback of recorded content that includes advertisements. The advertising manager can determine an optimal time offset as a duration of time before or after playback of an advertisement to the start of an event that is associated with the advertisement for viewing on a second display screen at a mobile device. For recorded content, an optimization schedule is determined that replaces and time-shifts advertisements during playback of the recorded content. The advertising manager can also determine a fulfillment criterion for a product or service based on latency constraints to indicate a duration of time within which fulfillment of the product or service is expected when offered as a second advertisement corresponding to a first advertisement.

Abstract: A method of providing advertising from a central database server connected to a global computer network to distributed sites via interactive television. A representative icon is presented to a subscriber on a television screen indicating an advertisement. When a the icon is selected, an advertisement information detail is retrieved from storage in a local memory, or from the central database server and presented to the subscriber on the television screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for personalizing interaction between an information/service/product provider using a knowledge management (KM) system that tracks data exchanged between users and the provider over multiple communication channels. User requests to an information/service/product provider can made via multiple different channels, such as by using ATMs, PDAs, cell phones, computers accessing web sites or other Web Devices, Voice Response Units (VRUs), and others. User requests submitted over these multiple channels are routed into an integrated KM system that services these requests. The user requests are serviced in such a manner that they are personalized in multiple aspects to enrich the user's experience.

Abstract: A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services or events. Plural electronic options are provided based on a priority ordering scheme. The plurality of electronic options are not supplied or governed via a central government agency and are not supplied or governed via security laws. The plural electronic options includes a plural different electronic option terms for a plural different suppliers and a priority ordering scheme. The electronic option terms for a desired supplier are unique to the desired supplier. The electronic options include personalized electronic reservations and personalized electronic coupons. The purchased electronic option is exercised for preferred or priority access or entry to events or places or goods or services based on the priority ordering scheme.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a group identity for an audience associated with an event, accessing a plurality of announcements, identifying at least one announcement of the plurality of announcements based on the group identity, and providing the identified announcement to the audience at the event. The group identity is indicative of at least one characteristic of the audience. The plurality of announcements are processed to identify at least one announcement that approximately matches the group identity.

Abstract: Information about the context of electronic media may be extracted automatically. The extracted information may then be used to select ancillary services or applications that may be of interest to the user. The context information may be developed from ancillary information associated with the media, such as metadata or electronic programming guides. It may also be extracted from the media itself, including identification of image elements, audio elements, or other depicted features within the media in order to obtain information about what is being displayed.

Abstract: A method for providing recommendations to a user based on user activity. A plurality of activity data tracking a plurality of activities of a user is obtained. The activity data may be obtained over a wide area network such as the internet or downloaded from a data card which stores activity data whenever the user participates in an activity. The activity data is either stored on the data card or transmitted over the network whenever the user uses a card when participating in any activity such as when making a purchase of goods, paying for services, watching television, etc. The activity data is processed to identify a plurality of user patterns. The user patterns are used to form a user profile and may include user habit data. Recommendations specific to the user based on the user patterns are then created for and provided to the user. The recommendations are provided to a user when the user logs onto a computer network such as the internet.

Abstract: A method and system for making marketing campaigns discoverable to non-recipients via, for example, the Internet. In one example, information from a VDP marketing campaign is used to generate metadata that is embedded in web pages that support the VDP campaign. A non-recipient Internet user may discover the VDP campaign through various paths, such as via search engine results returned to the user during a web search.

Abstract: A system and methods for management and delivery of content and rules is disclosed. An exemplary method may comprise managing, for an organization, a plurality of data and a plurality of content in separate database entities, wherein the plurality of content is associated with the plurality of data based on a plurality of rules; packaging the plurality of rules with the plurality of content in a carrier that is independent from one or more presentation channels, wherein at least part of the plurality of content is integrated with at least part of the plurality of data; delivering the plurality of data and the carrier to the one or more presentation channels; integrating, at the one or more presentation channels, the plurality of data with the plurality of content based on the plurality of rules; and distributing the integrated data and content through the one or more presentation channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods display and manage wireless electronic menus that are capable of connecting to a computer terminal, a server and/or a database via one or more communication networks. The systems are capable of managing wireless electronic menus within a single site establishment or within multi-site establishments The menus have one or more sensors for determining if the menus are in motion, idle, in use not in use or docked to a charging base to define a menu status for each menu. The terminal updates the menu content of the menus based on the menu status of each menu. A proximity sensor determines a location of the menus to define a configuration of the menus with respect a table or a table configuration of tables on a floor plan. Sensors, a user input and/or the computer terminal associate the menus with a menu grouping or with the table in close proximity of the menus so that common menu content may be display by each menu.

Abstract: An approach is provided for providing personalized advertisements. A personalization platform determines, at one or more user devices, context information, user profile information, or a combination thereof from one or more information sources associated with one or more users of the one or more user devices, the one or more user devices, or a combination thereof. The personalization platform further processes and/or facilitates a processing of the context information, the user profile information, or a combination to cause, at least in part, a generation of one or more requests for advertising information. The personalization platform also causes, at least in part, a transmission of the one or more requests to at least one advertising engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing a fast channel change mechanism to insert targeted/addressable advertisements into video streams delivered to users.

Abstract: A method includes receiving message data at a mobile communication device from a user via a user input device of the mobile communication device. The message data is associated with a text message to be sent to at least one intended recipient device. The method includes receiving at least one address associated with the least one intended recipient device. The method further includes instructing a transmitter to send the text message to the at least one intended recipient device via a wireless network. The method also includes receiving advertisement data associated with at least one advertisement in response to a determination that a threshold number of messages have been sent by the transmitter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selling one or more advertisements and displaying the one or more advertisements a fixed placement for a set duration of time on a web page within an Internet website in combination with displaying advertisements from the same advertiser in contextually relevant locations within the website.

Abstract: A user with a cell phone interacts, in a personalized session, with an electronic sign system. In some embodiments, the user's location relative to the sign is discerned from camera imagery—either imagery captured by the cell phone (i.e., of the sign), or captured by the sign system (i.e., of the user). Demographic information about the user can be estimated from imagery captured acquired by the sign system, or can be accessed from stored profile data associated with the user. The sign system can transmit payoffs (e.g., digital coupons or other response data) to viewers—customized per user demographics. In some arrangements, the payoff data is represented by digital watermark data encoded in the signage content. The encoding can take into account the user's location relative to the sign—allowing geometrical targeting of different payoffs to differently-located viewers. Other embodiments allow a user to engage an electronic sign system for interactive game play, using the cell phone as a controller.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for collecting data and presenting media to a user are provided. The systems generally includes a data gathering module associated with an electronic device. The data gathering module communicates gathered data to a management module, which manages at least one user profile based on the gathered data. The management module may select media for presentation to a user based on the user profile, and the selected media may be displayed to the user via a media output device co-located with the user, such as a display of the user's mobile electronic device or a television, computer, billboard or other display co-located with the user. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: As set forth herein, computer-implemented methods and systems facilitate providing an approach for using defined patterns of variable-data campaigns to enable a marketing service provider to express a non-expert user's desired campaign intent, using natural language and campaign intent terms, as well as to accurately capture the non-expert user's intent by communicating using non-technical campaign terminology. Communication of semantically robust campaign intent to variable-data campaign graphic designers and developers is facilitated by the described systems and methods, as is automated creation of a variable-data logic (plan) file based on semantic campaign intent. The described systems and methods facilitate the creation of variable data publishing (VDP) marketing campaigns by the non-expert, as well as communication and collaboration with the rest of a VDP design team.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer-readable media are provided for high-volume production of personalized print pages to be included with fixed print content associated with a print publication. The personalized print page content is personalized for a specific reader, and includes a reader-specific visual element, such as a machine-readable code, that allows the reader to access electronic content pertaining to the personalized print content. The electronic content presented may include content that is personalized or customized for the reader such as content based upon the location of a computing device employed to access the content. Information associated with the readers' access of the electronic content may be tracked to allow further customization or personalization of print and/or electronic content for the reader.

Abstract: An on-line community for individuals with similar interests to meet and play/discuss their favorite casino games and for casinos and individuals to negotiate terms and conditions of a gambling vacation is provided. Such an on-line community provides a location for gaming content developers to have on-line digital version of their casino games vetted by the individuals who would play the live version of the games on a casino floor and, also, have their games reviewed and purchased/leased by casino operators.

Abstract: A data processing system issuing electronic certificates through “online” networks. Each electronic certificate includes transaction data and identification data, and can be printed out on a printing device linked to a consumer's personal input device, or electronically stored in a designated data base until a specified expiration date. Consumers access the data processing system online, browse among their choices, and make their selections. Certificate issuers have online access to the data processing system and can create or revise offers, and provide various instructions pertaining to the certificates, including limitations as to the number of certificates to be issued in total and to each individual consumer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for estimating segments from key values for advertising impressions.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for generating a digital pass is disclosed. The method may comprise retrieving a plurality of identity attributes, and grouping a subset of identity attributes in the plurality of identity attributes to generate at least one digital pass. The method may further comprise grouping a subset of static identity attributes and a subset of dynamic identity attributes to generate a digital pass.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for generating a digital pass is disclosed. The method may comprise retrieving a plurality of identity attributes, and grouping a subset of identity attributes in the plurality of identity attributes to generate at least one digital pass. The method may further comprise grouping a subset of static identity attributes and a subset of dynamic identity attributes to generate a digital pass.

Abstract: A method for distributing a digital image of a customer includes receiving a request from a customer to a human representative (i.e., a “roving” photographer) for an image to be taken of the customer at a site. An image of the customer is captured by the “roving” photographer at the site in response to the received request. The image is transmitted to a remote processor. An electronic request is received from the customer to view the transmitted image, and the image is transmitted from the remote processor to the customer's communication device. If the customer decides to purchase the image, a transaction is finalized by receiving payment data from the customer, and the final image is provided to the customer. A commission is then paid to the photographer for the transaction. In another embodiment, the cost is at least partially subsidized by advertisement pushed to the customer's communication device.

Abstract: A system and method for context and community based customization for a user experience is disclosed. The apparatus in an example embodiment includes a user experience customizer to gather context information, automatically produce user experience customization selections based on the context information, collect user activity feedback from a community of users, and use the user activity feedback to adjust the user experience customizer to automatically produce user experience customization selections likely favored by a user based on a correlation of the user activity feedback with the context information.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes receiving message data at a server from a first remote device. The message data is associated with a message and the message includes text of one or more words, one or more characters, one or more symbols, or any combination thereof. The method also includes determining an intended recipient of the message and parsing the message data to identify text that matches criteria associated with an advertisement campaign. Further, the method includes composing an advertisement based on characteristics of the intended recipient and based on the text that matches the criteria associated with the advertisement campaign. Additionally, the method includes creating an audio file based on the message data and the advertisement and sending the audio file from the server to a second remote device, the second remote device associated with the intended recipient.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for generating customer-specific vehicle proposals based on ongoing vehicle finance pay-off information received from a third party entity. The embodiments of the invention herein disclosed provide for efficient identification of potential customers based on their current vehicle and the ongoing financial obligation related to the current vehicle. A replacement vehicle is identified and a vehicle proposal, such as a sales or lease proposal, is generated for one or more of the identified potential customers.

Abstract: Television program availability and recordings are personalized by learning the program preferences of the TV and PDR user. This is effected over a period of time by observing, recording and processing user activity. A viewing record module agent (VRM) and a program information viewing history agent (CDM) are software agents that, according to built-in algorithms, operate on user activity and other events to ultimately produce preference profile information in special purpose relational databases (CDB, viewing history database).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to infer a user's preference or profile with a good precision. A user preference inferring apparatus 100 includes a receiving means 2 which receives information related to an article from a tag attached to the article, an article name determining means 3 obtaining an article name of the article on the basis of the information related to the article received by the receiving means 2, and a preference determining means 4 which infers a user's preference on the basis of the information related to the article received by the receiving means 2. On the basis of the article name obtained by the article name determining means 3, the preference determining means 4 obtains preference information corresponding to the article name from a database that stores the article name and the preference information corresponding to the article name, and determines the user's preference.

Abstract: User generated targeted advertisements is described. In embodiments, a selection of an advertisement template for a targeted advertisement can be received when initiated by a user. Advertisement content to incorporate in the advertisement template can be received, as well as selections of recipients to receive the targeted advertisement. A program grid can be generated for display from which a television program and advertisement time slot can be selected to display the targeted advertisement for viewing. Confirmation to purchase the targeted advertisement for delivery to the recipients can also be received to initiate the targeted advertisement being displayed for viewing during the selected television program and advertisement time slot.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting advertisements online to a user involves an interface that interacts with a user to develop a user profile. Specifically, the user profile, which is jointly created by the user and the interface, will include a plurality of personalized indicators that pertain to an identifiable behavior, or behaviors, of the user. A customer profile is also created by the interface, with a product/service provider (i.e. advertiser), that includes product/service presentations directed to predetermined customer demographics. The interface then weighs the product/service presentations in the customer profile according to a relative pertinence of indicators in the user profile, and matches a customer profile with a user profile to select a pertinent advertisement. The pertinent advertisement is then personalized and presented on a web site for exclusive viewing by the user.

Abstract: A method and system for generating advertisement sets for keywords automatically extracted from data feeds is provided. An advertisement system receives various data feeds. The advertisement system may on a periodic or an ad hoc basis request a feed server to provide the latest feed having feed items. Each feed item may include a title, a description, and a link to an associated web site. To generate an advertisement set, which includes an advertisement, a keyword, and a link to a landing page, the advertisement system extracts a keyword from a feed item, identifies a category for advertising using the extracted keyword, generates an advertisement (or “creative”) for advertising that category, and generates a landing page link associated with the category. The advertisement system then submits the advertisement set to an advertisement placement service for placement along with content that is somehow related to the keyword.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting and customizing an advertisement for a known user are disclosed. The advertisement is customized responsive to social distance between the user and members of the user's social network.

Abstract: A content distribution device includes a first receiver which receives, from the broadcasting station, the program content having the commercial image data and electronic program information; an commercial extractor which extracts the commercial image data and creates commercial metadata based on the electronic program information; a first storage which stores the commercial image data and the commercial metadata that are associated with each other; a second storage which stores distribution contents; a content selector which selects the distribution content according to a request from the view terminal from the second storage; a third receiver which receives, from the viewer terminal, viewing history information of program contents; an commercial inserter which selects the commercial metadata from the first storage based on the viewing history information and inserts the commercial image data corresponding to the selected commercial metadata in the distribution content; and a distribution unit which distribu

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) and method (300). The method (300) can include: providing (310) advertizing content including prioritized locations of advertizing entities; requesting (320) directions to a destination from a navigation application; and generating (330) a primary route to the requested destination and a secondary route to the requested destination, the secondary route adding less than a threshold percentage of additional time or distance to the primary route, the secondary route includes the prioritized locations. Advantageously, the method (300) allows a user to travel a secondary route with minimal additional time, in order to patronize an establishment or run an errand, provides for a more intelligent travel experience and provides cost and time efficient and effective shopping and commuting.

Abstract: For use in a wireless communication network, a method and system for targeting advertising for a mobile device is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of advertisements from an advertising distributor. The method also includes filtering the advertisements based on meta data for each advertisement. The method further includes receiving ratings of the advertisements from a plurality of mobile devices. The method also includes further filtering the advertisements based on an end user profile and the ratings from the plurality of mobile devices. The method still further includes transmitting a selected advertisement to the first mobile device.

Abstract: An advertising system and method are disclosed for generating advertizing content based on a user's images. These can be photographs owned by a user of a web page. An advertising template for an advertising sponsor is provided. For a user viewing the web page, a set of the user's images is categorized, based on image content of the images in the set. The categorization is performed with at least one classifier which has been trained on a finite set of image categories. An advertising image is selected for advertising content based on the categorization of the user's images. The template is combined with the selected advertising image to form the advertising content. The advertising content can then be displayed to the user on the web page. A user profile is also disclosed which can be used as the categorized user images.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: receiving via internet a time, a date and a telephone number for a reminder telephone call (such as a wakeup call); storing in a database the time, date and telephone number of the reminder telephone call; and delivering to the subscriber via telephone the reminder telephone call at the specified time, date and telephone number. In one embodiment, the reminder call comprises a marketing message. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: receiving via the internet demographic information corresponding to the subscriber; matching the marketing message to the demographic information; and delivering the matched marketing message to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call. In other embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of receiving via the internet a personal reminder message or a selection for information, and delivering the personal reminder message or selected information to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call.