Abstract: Device for distribution of promotional material is disclosed that allows distribution of web based content through the capture or scan of a machine readable Quick Response Code with a portable electronic device such as a smartphone. A method and system are disclosed that access and display on-line promotional content through the scanning of a novelty device or tag containing an imprint of a machine readable Quick Response Code. The consumer/user scans the Smart Code (or QR code) and lands on a special offer page and then the brand can capture the digital profile of the consumer once they opt into the offer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining content to be displayed includes determining a first size aspect of first content that is to be presented in a graphical user interface. The method includes obtaining second content and causing the second content to be presented in the graphical user interface with the first content, wherein the second content has a second size aspect with a predefined relationship to the first size aspect. A system includes a size determining module determining a first size aspect of first content that is to be presented in a graphical user interface. The system includes a content module obtaining second content based on the first size aspect, the second content having a second size aspect with a predefined relationship to the first size aspect. The system includes a page generating module causing the second content to be presented in the graphical user interface with the first content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for facilitating a commerce transaction over a distribution network. According to one embodiment, a method for facilitating a purchase transaction over a distribution network is provided. The method may include transmitting advertisement content associated with at least one product or service to a viewer device associated with a viewer, wherein the advertisement content presents at least one commerce command. The method may further include receiving a selection of the at least one commerce command selected by the viewer and transmitting at least one message to initiate a commerce transaction for the at least one product or service with a marketplace system responsive to receiving the selection of the at least one commerce command.

Abstract: A system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption provides customers making online purchases to automatically retrieve and redeem all applicable rebates and coupons during an online purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system makes purchases from merchants or manufacturers using all applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system automatically retrieves coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site and to retrieve manufacturer's and merchant's coupons prior to an online purchasing activity for subsequent submission to an online merchant during a subsequent purchasing activity.

Abstract: Promoting a candidate content item included in a plurality of content items is disclosed. A preference event by the first user is detected. A plurality of user reputation scores is received. For the candidate content item in the plurality of candidate content items, a content reputation score is determined based at least in part on a portion of the received user reputation scores. A determination of whether to promote the candidate content item is made based at least in part on the content reputation score. The candidate content item is promoted if it is determined that the candidate content item should be promoted.

Abstract: User action in the form of movement of a tracking device on a webpage, represented by cursor gestures on the webpage, is used to detect if a user intends to leave the webpage. Upon detection of an intent to leave the webpage, an advertisement may be displayed to a user. The advertisement may be targeted to the user and/or based on the content the user was viewing on the webpage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for a content wheel displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI) for scrolling through a set of content. The content wheel can present various types of content for which the user can view and interact. The content wheel provides a circular scrolling path for which a user's gestures are tracked. As the content wheel is spun, the content is programmatically changed. This allows continual visual interaction with the associated content and creates a visibly stunning interaction for the user. Additionally, there can be any number of content items displayed on the content wheel, as the school wheel's display and functionality allows for scalability of the interactive and displayed content.

Abstract: A method of performing a user related operation includes, with an optical reader, reading an encoded on-line address being displayed on a display of a pocket-sized card to be carried by a user; decoding the encoded on-line address; requesting access to remotely stored data using the on-line address, the remotely stored data being related to the user; and, upon the requested access being granted, loading the remotely stored data.

Abstract: A CAPTCHA method executed by a CAPTCHA system is provided, comprising: receiving a CAPTCHA request comprising category information of an application service from an application server; responding to the application server with a token identifying the CAPTCHA request and a CAPTCHA image comprising a distorted advertisement word associated to the category information and a series of randomly generated and distorted characters, both the advertisement word and the characters being a CAPTCHA text intended to be typed by a user via a user equipment connected to the application server; receiving from the application server the token and a CAPTCHA answer submitted from the user equipment by the user; and verifying the token and the answer and returning to the application server a result of the verification. This provides an improved CAPTCHA system and method with better advertising effects and security.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-storage media are provided for distributing advertising content with improved accessibility for users and with a reduced-cost architecture for the web site provider. An advertising service directory (ASD) intercepts advertising requests containing registered words and phrases so that their location can be determined in a data structure. Through user profile, web site preference or additional information in the reference data structure, the delivery format of the content can also be detected. The request is then forwarded to the provider, removing the need for the first web site provider to actually serve the advertising content. Users can use a phrase or format in order to “push” for advertising content. Thus, brand names and products can be accessible without the need to bid for ad placement. The effectiveness of advertising across many platforms can be increased by offering users an easier-to-remember retrieval method.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for dynamic integration and non-linear presentation of advertising content and media content. The method includes receiving a request for media content; combining the requested media content and advertising content to provide an interactive advertising unit; and transmitting the interactive advertising unit for presentation on the remote computing device, wherein the advertising content and media content are presented concurrently. The interactive advertising unit includes a first content layer including the requested media content and a media player, a second content layer including the advertising content, and an integration module for coordinating interaction between the layers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable and executable instructions are provided for assigning an advertisement. Assigning an advertisement can include constructing a graph of events between a number of visitors and a number of domains, iteratively calculating a set of domain scores for the advertisement using a spreading function on the graph, and assigning the advertisement to a domain based on a domain score of the domain, wherein the domain score is among the set of domain scores.

Abstract: It is provided an apparatus, comprising advertisement receiving means adapted to receive an advertisement message according to a first network layer protocol, wherein the advertisement message comprises a flag, a network layer address according to a second network layer protocol different from the first network layer protocol, and a first link layer address; flag detecting means adapted to detect if the flag is set in the advertisement message; routing table setting means adapted to set the first link layer address as a router address in a routing table of the second network layer protocol if the flag is set; and directing means adapted to direct a message of the second network layer protocol to the router address as a first hop router.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method, a selected online advertisement is automatically directed to, or online activity is automatically tracked and recorded from, an online user interface device which corresponds, at the time the advertisement is directed or the activity is tracked, to a first online access identifier. The advertisement is directed or the activity is tracked based on information from a user profile that references or includes a first set-top box identifier. That information is derived at least in part from automatically collected data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the first set-top box identifier. The first online access identifier is associated with the first set-top box identifier, by being referenced or included in the user profile, by being associated in a database, or otherwise.

Abstract: A retailer computer system receives from a first computing device a shopping recap having data indicative of one or more products that were shown to a customer by the sales associate while the customer was within a retail establishment. The received shopping recap is stored within a data repository where it is linked to a customer identifier that is associated with the customer and an associate identifier that is associated with the sale associate. If the customer later purchases a product, data indicative of the product being purchased is compared against data within any shopping recap that is linked to that customer to determine if a sales associate that is also linked to any shopping recap linked to that customer is to be awarded a commission for the product being purchased. The purchase of the product by the customer may further generate a digital receipt where the digital receipt includes a notice that the customer is being awarded an incentive, such as a coupon.

Abstract: A system for determining predictive models associated with online advertising can include a communications interface, a processor, and a display. The communications interface can be configured to receive a partial dataset. The partial dataset may include user information. The processor can be communicatively coupled to the communications interface and configured to identify the partial dataset. The processor can also be configured to determine a first predictive model corresponding to at least part of the partial dataset and a second predictive model by combining a probability distribution with the first predictive model. The display can be communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to display the second predictive model.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of job listing advertisement.

Abstract: A service provider facilitates consumption of goods, brands, or services on an interactive network using characterizations of consumers, behavior, brands, consumable goods, advertisers, and advocates to determine a three-way match between a consumable good, a consumer, and an advocate. The matching method determines one or more goods likely to be benefit from the marketing scheme by maximizing the estimated contextual value of personalized advocacy. Further, the service provider captures the value of the personalized advocacy in each match, and distributes that value in the form of various marketing incentives.

Abstract: The instant invention is a method of organizing and displaying independent social club and social club events through a social network environment in which social club links and social club events are stored, organized, displayed and linked in such a manner that an individual may investigate a social club and join if desired or a member from one club may investigate and access another social club or another social club event for participation.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for electronic commerce using streaming media. (1) E-commerce opportunities are combined with incentives (e.g., random, pseudo-random, skill-based, or responsive to aggregate buying) for participation by recipients, enhancing the likelihood of responses from recipients and the value of distribution of the promotional information. (2) Techniques are applied to a server associated with e-commerce opportunities, to avoid unduly burdening that server. An applet may conduct the interactive process with the recipient and present results to the server, implement the incentives, conduct e-commerce transactions with the recipient, and select one or more recipients for an incentive reward. (3) The promotional material is associated with elements of the streaming media being presented, such as an actor or object.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems allowing a merchant to market its brands, products and/or services through its customers' social network platforms. In particular, a computerized advertising platform generates and tracks social network activities of participating customers in exchange of honoring related marketing incentives. Using this platform, a merchant can submit bargain items, and in exchange for receiving a bargain item, a customer authorizes an echo message regarding the merchant and bargain item to be posted on his or her social network account(s).

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating collaboration on gift ideas for a receiver are provided. An example method according to the disclosure includes creating a group for discussing gift ideas for the receiver in response to a request from a user, receiving a gift idea from a member of the group, and providing a group collaboration interface in which members of the group can post messages discussing the gift idea.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for processing and display content. Web page data for a first web page is received from a remote system, wherein the web page is to be displayed on a terminal associated with a user. An automatic identification is performed of a first content in the first web page data. A user-defined profile is accessed. A second content is automatically selected based at least in part on the user profile. The first content is replaced with the second content so that if the first web page is displayed on the terminal associated with the user, the second content is displayed and the first content is not displayed.

Abstract: Advertisement delivery capable of providing data to satisfy advertising requests for displaying information to a user accessing an online computer system, generally includes using a first server that is structured and arranged to deliver advertisements to a first region of a display, and a second server that is structured and arranged to deliver advertisements to a second region of a display that is different from the first region.

Abstract: A service provider facilitates consumption of goods, brands, or services on an interactive network using characterizations of consumers, behavior, brands, consumable goods, advertisers, and advocates to determine a three-way match between a consumable good, a consumer, and an advocate. The matching method determines one or more likely consumers by maximizing the estimated contextual value of personalized advocacy. Further, the service provider captures the value of the personalized advocacy in each match, and distributes that value in the form of various marketing incentives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing advertisements on websites. In an embodiment, a method for providing an advertisement on a website includes obtaining purchase information submitted by a user making a purchase on the website, determining at least one advertisement for a product or service related to the purchase but of a different type than the purchase, and displaying the at least one advertisement on the website when the purchase is completed. In another embodiment, a system for providing an advertisement on a website includes a purchase server, an advertisement source, an analyzer, and an advertisement server.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating and utilizing photo advertisements (“ads”). In one embodiment, a photo advertisement is posted as a status update for a user via a social networking service. More specifically, first, one or more photo ad templates are obtained for the user, where each photo ad template includes one or more photo wells. A photo advertisement is then generated based on one of the photo ad templates such that a filler image of a different one of one or more participants identified for the photo advertisement is inserted into each of the one or more photo wells in the photo ad template. The photo advertisement is then used as a status update for the user. In another embodiment, the photo advertisement is stored and subsequently used to serve ad requests.

Abstract: A method for digital emulation of cash-based transactions wherein upon a server receiving a request for digital currency for a nominated amount, the server generates and sends a unique link, the unique link comprising one of: a short URL, URL, unique web address, and unique identifier; and wherein the unique link has attached to it at least one selected from the group comprising: image(s), picture(s), video, audio, document(s), advertisement(s), check-in functionality, geo-tag location(s), and metadata.

Abstract: An advertising system includes a server that is provided on an external network and that stores advertising information, an external network-compatible device capable of acquiring the advertising information from the server via the external network, and an external network-incompatible device that is not capable of acquiring the advertising information from the server via the external network. The external network-compatible device is configured to acquire, from among the advertising information stored in the server, certain advertising information that corresponds to the external network-incompatible device, and send it to the external network-incompatible device.

Abstract: Among other things, the present invention provides an efficient rights management system that can accommodate many pricing and royalty rules so as to be able to deliver digital media to a consumer at an efficient price, preferably a lowest price. In an embodiment, options can be presented to a consumer that affect the price of an item of digital content. For example, a consumer can be presented with an option to receive the digital content at a lower price if he is willing to receive it along with certain advertising. In another situation, a user may be presented with the option of receiving digital media in color, grayscale, or black and white. In each of these and other situations, the consumer can be presented with options that result in differential pricing for digital content. In this situation, a consumer is allowed the flexibility to consume digital content at a price point of his choosing.

Abstract: A client-side editing application allows advertisers and/or customer service representatives to easily and efficiently view, navigate, and edit ad accounts, even those with large numbers of campaigns, ad_groups, keywords and ad creatives. Information viewable in a user interface screen may be limited in scope by a node selection of a hierarchical tree representation of ad account information and limited in type by a tab selection. Ad information, represented in table rows, may be cut, copied and/or moved among different ad group and ad campaigns.

Abstract: Techniques for socialized commercial incentives are provided. A commercial incentive is displayed in a page displayed by a browser. A user interface element is displayed in association with the commercial incentive that enables a function to be performed with respect to the commercial incentive. The user interface element is determined to have been interacted with by a user. In response, the function associated with the commercial incentive is performed. The function may be a saving of the commercial incentive to a list of commercial incentives for the user, a displaying of the list of commercial incentives, a generating of a digitized version of the commercial incentive, or may be another function.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for scanning web sites and/or parsing web content, including for testing online opt-out systems and/or cookies used by online systems. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided for testing an opt-out system associated with at least one advertising system that uses cookies. The method includes transmitting a first request to an opt-out system, wherein the first request corresponds to a first test for testing at least one of the opt-out system and an advertising system; receiving a first stream sent in response to the first request; determining a first outcome of the first test based on the first stream; and generating a report based on the first outcome.

Abstract: Products and processes are provided in which information is received about a post for an item to be sold. The information may include type data identifying the item for sale as being a specific type of item. Based on the received type data, a posting payment amount is determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating and utilizing photo advertisements (“ads”). In one embodiment, a photo check-in process is performed for a user located within a geographic check-in zone which results in a photo advertisement that is utilized as a photo check-in for the user. In another embodiment, a photo advertisement is posted as a status update for a user via a social networking service. In another embodiment, photo advertisements are created by users and stored for subsequent use in serving ad requests.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods that give selling actors the abilities and means to sell products and services by providing dynamic offers to buying actors subject to buying actors locations and information received by a selling actor sever. 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 dynamic offers on a selling actor server.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, a television transmission that a user is viewing at a given time is determined and a website that the user is viewing at the given time is also determined. A first advertisement transmitted at the given time on the television transmission is further determined and a second advertisement transmitted on the website is synchronized with the first advertisement transmitted at the given time on the television transmission.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating and utilizing photo advertisements (“ads”). In one embodiment, a computer server obtains and stores user-created photo advertisements. Each of the user-created photo advertisements is generated based on a corresponding photo ad template having one or more photo wells such that filler images of one or more participants are inserted into the one or more photo wells. For each user-created photo advertisement, the one or more participants include at least a user by which the photo advertisement was created. In addition, the computer server effects use of the stored user-created photo advertisements as sponsored advertisements.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box (STB) having a controller to present a plurality of advertisement categories, detect a selection of one of the plurality of advertisement categories, present an advertisement template associated with the selected advertisement category, detect a plurality of entries in the advertisement template for constructing a consumer classified advertisement, generate an advertisement graphical user interface (GUI) corresponding to the entries, detect one or more demographic patterns in the plurality of entries, identify a plurality of users of a media communication system from which the STB operates according to the detected one or more demographic patterns, and provide the plurality of users of the media communication system accessibility to the advertisement GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing an advertisement that provides an interface for an integrated payment for products in an integrated e-marketplace. The system for providing the advertisement may include: an advertisement receiving unit to receive advertisements associated with products or services sold by a plurality of affiliate stores, an advertisement providing unit to provide at least a portion of the received advertisements to a user connected to a website, an information processing unit to store information on an advertisement selected by the user and providing the information on the advertisement, and an integrated payment processing unit to receive product information from the plurality of affiliate stores associated with the advertisements, and process an integrated payment with respect to products or services selected by the user.

Abstract: A method and a system to promote a publication are provided. In example embodiments, data is received from a user that is used to create a publication for placement on a networked-based system. An indication to promote the publication on the networked-based system is received. A user interface through which the user selects an option to promote the publication on the network-based system is presented. The publication is published on the network-based system, whereby the publication is promoted based on the option selected to promote the publication.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for apparatus and methods for pricing on-line advertisement inventory. In one embodiment, a method for pricing on-line advertisement inventory includes (i) receiving a request for a price of a new product, wherein the new product includes a plurality of specified characteristics of a type of on-line advertisement display, (ii) providing a sample of new impressions that are predicted to be delivered for such new product, (iii) for each new impression, determining which bookings could be served by such new impression so as to define a set of overlapping bookings, (iv) determining the price of each new impression based on a weighted average of a plurality of prices of such each new impression's corresponding overlapping bookings, (v) determining the price of the new product based on an average of the prices of the new impressions, and (vi) returning the price of the new product for use in a booking negotiation with a potential buyer of such new product.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for protecting consumer privacy. According to one implementation, a method is provided for protecting consumer privacy in an online advertising environment. The method includes receiving an ad-related communication with associated ad notice metadata containing information about the ad-related communication, analyzing the ad notice metadata, and executing a consumer privacy response based on the analysis.

Abstract: A service provider facilitates consumption of goods, brands, or services on an interactive network using characterizations of consumers, behavior, brands, consumable goods, advertisers, and advocates to determine a three-way match between a consumable good, a consumer, and an advocate. The matching method determines one or more advocates by maximizing the estimated contextual value of personalized advocacy. Further, the service provider captures the value of the personalized advocacy in each match, and distributes that value in the form of various marketing incentive.

Abstract: A method for testing a candidate creative by inspecting a technical attribute of the candidate creative; determining that the candidate creative is a fixed creative; classifying the candidate creative according to a content attribute thereof; and queuing the candidate creative for re-inspection of the technical attribute.

Abstract: Users are rewarded for viewer interaction (based on tracked eye-gaze patterns) with Internet advertisements rendered on a display (such as a computer display), wherein the reward is computed based on the visual activity of the viewer. Payments are disbursed to any of the following: viewer, sponsor of the advertisement, creator of advertisement. Examples of reward computations include, but are not limited to, computing payments based on: the level of viewer interaction with the rendered advertisements, the amount/proportion of content interacted with by the viewer, the value of the text interacted with by the viewer. In one example, rewards are based on a combination of previously recorded viewer interests and computed payments based on user interaction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for promotion and networking of at least artist and fans which enable artist to upload media files to a web site which can be searched, played and rated by fans. Demographic information profiles of fans can be created from fan ratings for each artist which can then be used for various purposes including artist marketing and providing targeted advertising when fans plays or views an artist's media.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking a user's off-line commerce and merging that data with online activity are disclosed. The off-line transaction data is associated with off-line purchases of a user and includes identification information that can be used to identify the user. A scone or modified cookie is created that includes the off-line transaction data. Online activity can also be tracked and merged with the user's off-line commerce data.

Abstract: A cellphone with a camera takes a photo of a barcode in a screen that can show different images. The barcode is decoded into a URL, and the cellphone uses wireless Internet access to visit the website of the URL. The website then makes a different image, that also has a barcode of a URL, and sends it to the screen for display. This can increase the interactivity of the screen and its value to advertisers. Several users with cellphones might simultaneously interact with the screen in this manner.

Abstract: A method for customer promotion includes sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order. The price of each item is accumulated after processing. A marginal discount associated with each item processed is generated. This marginal discount is generated in response to a signal that indicates the accumulated price exceeds a predetermined threshold. Unapplied marginal discounts are accumulated for application to the customer order. A discount is applied to the customer order in response to a signal that is generated that indicates the accumulated discounts exceeds a predetermined minimum.