Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for promoting a service using a gifting model. For example, a gifting model, for a service (e.g., a multimedia content service that provides movies, music, apps, etc.), may specify what types of online users are eligible to be promoters and/or what online promotional gifts are available for promoters to gift to online recipient users. In an example, one or more online promotional gifts (e.g., a television show, a song, etc.) of the multimedia content service are exposed to an online user. A gift request is received from the online user. The gift request may specify an online recipient user and a selected online promotional gift (e.g., an action movie). The online promotional gift is provided to the online recipient user. In this way, online users may promote a service by providing promotional gifts, such as for free, to online recipient users.

Abstract: According to an example, an apparatus may include a controller and a non-transitory computer readable medium on which is stored instructions. The instructions may cause the controller to predict that a user is to instruct a printing device to perform a printing operation, in which the printing device includes a dryer, identify the user in response to the prediction, to access a user profile corresponding to the identified user, in which the accessed profile identifies a type of document that the identified user typically prints, and to adjust a setting of the dryer according to the identified type of document in the accessed profile.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for providing confirmations for list modifications. A network page is sent to a client. The network page includes one or more components for requesting that one or more items be added to a list of items. The item(s) are added to the list of items in response to a request from the client. A display region is encoded for rendering in the client as a layer superimposed on the network page. The display region includes a confirmation that the item(s) have been added to the list of items.

Abstract: A derivative trade order at a home marketplace is routed to an away market place having a better price for a counter position to the order where it is executed. The executed order triggers creation of a “balance derivative trade” at the home marketplace to balance at a home clearing house the away trade. The home clearing house uses the balance derivative trade to create derivative positions of the balance derivative trade and informs a balancing clearing entity which manages the balance derivative trade obligations. The balance derivative trade order account permits netting and reduced margin benefits for the trading participant. A dual derivative exercise operation allows balance derivative positions to be performed in one day to reduce overnight risk for the clearing entity.

Abstract: There is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system, platform and method to provide shared order management based on a shared order platform used by buyers and suppliers. In some embodiments the order management platform includes an order server in a communications cloud, coupled to an order database; a shared order platform adapted to facilitate usage by one or more authorized buyers and/or suppliers, wherein the shared order platform includes a shared structured document with order related data layers; and a tokenized link with an address linking to the shared order platform, where the tokenized link is adapted to allow entry into the shared order platform via entering a page defined within the tokenized link.

Abstract: A processor marks non-linear attributes of each member of a known cohort by marking fields associated with the non-linear attributes in a database used to store information about members of the known cohort, where the known cohort is a task directed community that has a known agenda, where each of the non-linear attributes is individually unrelated to the known agenda, and where there is no logical nexus between any of the non-linear attributes and a particular person's membership in the known cohort. The processor utilizes marked fields in the database to identify common non-linear attributes that are shared by multiple members of the known cohort, and defines a paradigmatic member of the known cohort. The processor maps and tags the paradigmatic member in the database for future retrieval.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and method for managing social networking system for-sale groups. For example, systems and method described herein identify sale listings within social networking system for-sale groups and aggregates the identified sale listings into a personal town square for a particular social networking system user. Furthermore, systems and methods can reorder the personal town square based on likes and interests of the social networking system user.

Abstract: Approving a group purchase request for a group of articles. A sub-group of articles is selected, wherein a unique article approval index is assigned to each of the articles and a highest article approval index is determined among the unique article approval indexes of the articles of the group, wherein the article of the group is selected into the sub-group if the article of the group complies with at least one of following article selection criteria: the unique article approval index of the article of the group is above a predetermined approval index threshold and the unique approval index of the article of the group is equal to the highest article approval index; approving the group purchase request for the group if the group purchase request for the sub-group is approved; and rejecting the group purchase request for the group if the group purchase request for the sub-group is rejected.

Abstract: Methods and system for providing a list of recommended items in response to a query includes obtaining user navigation information relevant to the query from a plurality of user access logs associated with the plurality of users. The user access logs define the navigation sequence followed by a plurality of users for a plurality of queries. The navigation sequence represents the users browsing behavior and identifies answers to the queries. A set of temporal parameters for analyzing the user navigation information is identified. The temporal parameters define time frame for analyzing the user navigation information. A list of recommended items to navigate is dynamically generated by analyzing user navigation information obtained from user access logs using temporal parameters. The generated list includes items that are most relevant to the query. The generated list of items is returned in response to the query and represents an optimal result.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for defining subcategories of items to be used in merchandising. The subcategories may be defined on the basis of item data and/or sales data for the items. Based on a distribution of the items in accordance with one or more of the item and/or sales data, implicit groups or subcategories can be identified and selected for merchandising purposes.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling tasks associated with controlling access to databases. The system and method relate to scheduling tasks for data requesting systems that satisfy particular conditions. For example, data requesting systems that satisfy the conditions may have associated tasks stored in a queue during a first processing phase. Data requesting systems that do not satisfy the conditions may have associated tasks inhibited from being stored in the queue during the first processing phase, but these tasks may be stored in the queue during a later second processing phase. Tasks stored in the queue during the first processing phase may be processed before tasks stored in the queue during the second processing phase. For example, the tasks may correspond to accessing a database for querying data representing access rights to a resource.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recommending and implementing network documents for users to offer items in a marketplace may be provided. A system can obtain user data that includes an item offered by a user in a first electronic marketplace. For example, the system can identify and catalog items offered by a particular user. The system can identify a second electronic marketplace for the user to offer the item. The system can determine implementation information for the second electronic marketplace. The system can generate a network document for the at least one item that is configured to be presented in the second electronic marketplace based at least in part on the implementation information.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an information management application that provides users with the ability to create and customize matrix displays of information relating to a particular product or service for navigation by other users is provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes: acquiring inventory information related to the number of stock of a product, from a product storage means which stores the inventory information and acquiring a product image showing an image related to the product, from a product image storage means which stores the product image (S1), generating a web page for causing the product image which changes in response to the number of stock to be displayed on a terminal device and transmitting the generated web page to the terminal device to display (S3 to S7).

Abstract: A method and system for piece-picking or piece put-away within a logistics facility. The system includes a central server and at least one mobile manipulation robot. The central server is configured to communicate with the robots to send and receive piece-picking data which includes a unique identification for each piece to be picked, a location within the logistics facility of the pieces to be picked, and a route for the robot to take within the logistics facility. The robots can then autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility by recognition of landmarks by at least one of a plurality of sensors. The sensors also provide signals related to detection, identification, and location of a piece to be picked or put-away, and processors on the robots analyze the sensor information to generate movements of a unique articulated arm and end effector on the robot to pick or put-away the piece.

Abstract: A network-based graphical progress management tool generates information for providing a graphical user interface to a plurality of users using a plurality of processing devices on a network, to enable a user to create a graphical representation of a process, and to enable the plurality of users to view and edit the graphical representation of the process collaboratively via the network. The tool further receives, from at least one of the plurality of users, user input specifying progress made in performance of the process, and updates the graphical representation to indicate the progress visually, in response to the user input.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an electronic catalog for online computer users is disclosed. The system and method in an example embodiment include generating a tagged webpage template corresponding to a seller site; using the tagged webpage template to extract item information from the seller site; storing the extracted item information in a database of item listings; enabling selection of a plurality of item listings from at least some of the item listings provided in the database; enabling arrangement of the plurality of selected item listings on a plurality of pages in a computer-generated electronic catalog; recording an identifier of the computer-generated electronic catalog; and recording information associating each of the plurality of selected item listings with the identifier of the computer-generated electronic catalog.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for the facilitation of authorized in-store pickup in conjunction with online ordering. A request to process an order of an item selected by a customer and placed through a website may be received. The website may be transformed to a cart fulfillment web page including a fulfillment interface. Through the fulfillment interface, a selection of an option for in-store pickup by a third party may be received from the customer. Through the fulfillment interface, identifying information regarding the third party, pickup details associated with the in-store pickup of the item by the third party, and a preferred notification method for contacting the third party may also be received from the customer. An authorization pickup record related to the in-store pickup of the item by the third party may be generated. The authorization pickup record may be transmitted to the third party via the preferred notification method.

Abstract: A customer purchasing workflow management functionality related to a customer account hosted by a vendor system is presented on a client computing device in a dashboard page. The system allows a customer to visualize purchasing workflows and processes by authorized purchasers and by authorized approvers, including the spending and approval limits associated with each, and the relationships therebetween. The system further provides for editing of the stored information comprising the purchasing workflows and processes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for storing data classification structure. Based on an initial classification structure tree, a reorganized classification structure tree that stores data classifications structure differently from that of the initial classification structure is generated. As the reorganized classification structure tree is flexible, when maintaining data and searching data by using the search engine, the present techniques may quickly find the desired data, thereby reducing the heavy burden of the search engine under the conventional techniques to conduct data search and high pressure of conducting data maintenance and data search. Further, the present techniques may not only reduce the burden of the search engine, but also relieve the pressure for maintaining data and searching data.

Abstract: A user requests a package delivery from a package delivery system. The package delivery system provides the user with a machine-readable code for display at the delivery location. An aerial delivery device receives, from the package delivery system computing device, information associated with the delivery location of the package. The information comprises information matching the information in the machine-readable code associated with the delivery location and a delivery address. The delivery device secures the package for transporting to the delivery location and transports the package to the delivery address. The delivery device locates the machine-readable code on a display at the delivery address and verifies that the information from the machine-readable code is associated with the package. The delivery device deposits the package on the display.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method for peer-assisted shopping, the method includes initiating, on a first endpoint corresponding to a first user, a display of media content. The method also includes initiating, on the first endpoint, an interactive feature configured to allow the first user to interact with the first endpoint in response to the display of media content. The method further includes initiating, on the first endpoint, an option for the first user to invoke a communication request with at least a second user corresponding to at least a second endpoint. Moreover, the method includes, upon selection of the option, initiating a connection request with the at least a second endpoint.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a web page presented to a user includes a header section that substantially spans the top of the web page and provides a menu of selectable options as well as a search input box. A product display region may be presented below the header and display images and information about a selected product. A product carousel may be presented below the product display region and show information about other products in a horizontally scrollable list. Two columns of various types of product review information provided by sources such as professional reviewers, existing owners, and the user's friends may be displayed below the product carousel. A sortable and filterable grid of products may be displayed below the review information such that the user's attention is drawn to the variety of products available for purchase.

Abstract: A method of initiating a telecommunication session for a communication device include submitting to one or more telecommunication carriers a proposal for a telecommunication session, receiving from at least one of the one or more of telecommunication carriers a bid to carry the telecommunications session, and automatically selecting one of the telecommunications carriers from the carriers submitting a bid, and initiating the telecommunication session through the selected telecommunication carrier.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable cartonization of products for store replenishment based on the individual store layout of each store of a group of stores to which the cartonized products are to be provided.

Abstract: A user requests a package delivery from a package delivery system. The package delivery system provides the user with a machine-readable code for display at the delivery location. An aerial delivery device receives, from the package delivery system computing device, information associated with the delivery location of the package. The information comprises information matching the information in the machine-readable code associated with the delivery location and a delivery address. The delivery device secures the package for transporting to the delivery location and transports the package to the delivery address. The delivery device locates the machine-readable code on a display at the delivery address and verifies that the information from the machine-readable code is associated with the package. The delivery device deposits the package on the display.

Abstract: Adjusting search results ranking is disclosed, including: receiving a search query comprising one or more keywords submitted by a user; determining intermediate ranked results comprising a plurality of sets of product information matching the one or more keywords; determining a trust level value associated with the user with respect to a first seller of a plurality of sellers associated with the intermediate ranked results, wherein the trust level value is determined based at least in part on one or more historical user product information evaluation records associated with the first seller submitted by the user; and adjusting ranking associated with the intermediate ranked results based at least in part on the determined trust level value associated with the user with respect to the first seller to determine final ranked results.

Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein provide methods, systems, and devices for capturing broadcast streams, analyzing the broadcast streams to obtain information about the media content transmitted in the broadcast streams, obtaining additional information about the media content if available, and assigning a unique event identifier specific to the instance of broadcast of the broadcast stream and/or media segment transmitted in the broadcast stream. In other embodiments, the unique event identifier is broadcasted to broadcast receiving devices. With the unique event identifier, broadcast receiving devices can access the obtained information associated with the media content.

Abstract: A method of initiating a telecommunication session for a communication device include submitting to one or more telecommunication carriers a proposal for a telecommunication session, receiving from at least one of the one or more of telecommunication carriers a bid to carry the telecommunications session, and automatically selecting one of the telecommunications carriers from the carriers submitting a bid, and initiating the telecommunication session through the selected telecommunication carrier.

Abstract: A method and system of conducting online group purchase is implemented through a computer network including a seller's computer device and a purchaser's terminal device. The method includes showing a product on a website and displaying an initial price and a time period of an online sale of the product, starting a time counter, tracking and displaying a cumulative total quantity of the product currently ordered by all purchasers since the beginning of the online sale, and updating in real time the cumulative total quantity each time a new order is received from a new purchaser. When the cumulative quantity reaches a volume threshold value, a discounted price is released for the product, which is displayed on the website. Once the time period of the online sale has elapsed, all the purchasers are notified to proceed to payment based on the discounted price.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to electronic commerce and/or procurement in which buyers and suppliers are linked via an electronic marketplace in a cloud computing environment. Orders are placed by buyers to be executed and delivered by suppliers. An efficient electronic procurement network uses a mathematical optimization algorithm to minimize order costs while adhering to buyer requirements, optimization parameters, and supplier constraints. Suppliers input updated product information, as well as various constraints relating to the products, into the electronic marketplace to be used by the optimization algorithm. In some embodiments, multiple transaction options are provided to the buyer, with the multiple options determined by relaxing one or more of the buyer requirements and optimization parameters in the optimization algorithm.

Abstract: Offers are provided based on an aggregate need. Data is collected data from a plurality of different communication devices. The data collected from each respective communication device indicates a need for a product associated with the respective communication device. An aggregate need for the product is determined based on the collected data. A determination is also made whether the aggregate need for the product meets a threshold. Responsive to determining that the aggregate need for the product meets the threshold, an offer for fulfilling the need for the product is sent to each respective communication device from which the data was collected that indicated the need for the product.

Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates purchase of a commerce item by a prospective buyer. The prospective buyer submits information associated with a commerce item that the prospective buyer desires to sell. The information is posted, available to prospective sellers of the commerce item. The prospective sellers submit bids, and the prospective buyer selects from amongst the submitted bids to purchase the commerce item.

Abstract: A method for managing a B2B electronic commerce community, wherein a plurality of B2B partners interact with a hub entity via a plurality of B2B applications, includes receiving interaction information describing interactions of a B2B partner with at least one of the B2B applications. The interaction information may describe a material flow, correspondence, transactions, notices, relationships, and so forth, between the B2B partner and the hub. Based at least in part on the received interaction information, the method develops a community manager that supports a common set of community management modules in communication with each of the B2B applications and maintains a single, hub-wide view of each of the B2B partners. The modules may include, as examples, modules for new partner on-boarding, community maintenance, improvement, and networking including social network tooling.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for providing subscriber eligibility verification using community validation. The method comprises: receiving credentials to verify a user as eligible to be a member of a group; matching the credentials to member information of a plurality of verified members of the group; requesting a reference from a plurality of matched verified members of the group, verifying that the user is eligible to be a member of the group; and validating the user as a member of the group upon receipt of at least one of the requested references.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for group discount pricing for mobile content. The system first provides a group invitational content associated with an item for presentation at a display, the group invitational content indicating a discount price provided for the item if a number of offers are made to purchase the item within a period of time. Next, the system receives an offer to purchase the item at the discount price according to the group invitational content. The system then sends an indication of the offer to a list of purchases associated with the group invitational content, the indication prompting the offer to be added to the list of purchases.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: an information offering unit that offers information on joint purchase of a commodity to a plurality of candidates; and an adjuster that performs adjustment about the commodity. Alternatively, an electronic device includes: an information obtainer that obtains information on a purchase commodity or a purchase scheduled commodity of a first group; and an information offering unit that offers information on a commodity relevant to the purchase commodity or the purchase scheduled commodity of the first group to a second group, based on the information obtained by the information obtainer, the second group being different from the first group.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems, computer program products, and methods for a financial and social management system that provides improved tracking and management related to how, where, when, and with whom a user enters into activities. The financial and social management system captures activity information and images from various sources of information, including but not limited to social networking accounts, e-receipts, calendars, contact lists, location determination devices, and the like, and associates the activity information and images with the activities. The financial and social management system captures past and future activities based on a future location or future time period, and assembles the activities into packages. The proposed packages are supplemented with the images and the activity information related to past and future activities captured from the various sources of information, and the activities, activity information, and images are displayed in a package interface.

Abstract: A platform facilitates buyers, sellers, and third parties in obtaining information related to each other's transaction histories, such as a supplier's shipment history, the types of materials typically shipped, a supplier's customers, a supplier's expertise, what materials and how much a buyer purchases, buyer and shipper reliability, similarity between buyers, similarity between suppliers, and the like. The platform aggregates data from a variety of sources, including, without limitation, customs data associated with actual import/export transactions, non-public shipper records, and facilitates the generation of reports as to the quality of buyers and suppliers, the reports relating to a variety of parameters that are associated with buyer and supplier quality.

Abstract: A method for a global supply chain and a quality control method for its quality management, using IT technology. Local Headquarter or Overseas Subsidiary partners with best Local Factory, Third Party Logistics Provider, IT service providers and professional Middlemen. Thus devote itself in supply chain and product quality management. All of the products produced in the same period, from same material and out of a same machine will be assigned a serial number. This number contains the real performance of the products. The testing result of product performance is directly recorded and cannot be revised. Everyone can track it online by providing this number.

Abstract: Managing rental items using hierarchical storage locations without putting away returned items. One method comprises receiving units of a rental item at a processing facility. Each of two or more local storage locations is associated with a different successively longer time period of subsequent processing for that storage location. The rental item is associated with a net average shipping quantity and a buffer inventory quantity for each time period. An excess number of the units is determined as the rental item units that are not needed for current orders. A first quantity of the excess units is placed in a first local storage location. The first quantity is based on the net average shipping quantity for the first location; in a second location, a second quantity of the excess units is placed. The second quantity is based on the buffer inventory quantity for the second location and a growth factor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for updating pricing information for participation in a group activity for a plurality of users. In one embodiment, a method comprises enabling definition of group activities for participation by the users, definition including at least attributes desired of users to participate; creating personal profiles for users of the system, including one or more of personal attributes, data regarding activity preferences, activity participation history, user location, and user calendar of pending activity; determining initial pricing to be enforced for participation in a pending group activity; evaluating information about users scheduled to participate in the pending group activity periodically after the initial pricing is determined; adjusting the pricing for the activity based on results of the periodic evaluation; and publishing an updated pricing accessible to the participating users over the network.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing products where the product is shown, presented or advertised via a first communication method and a request to purchase that product is issued substantially simultaneously with the listening or viewing of the product. The request is then transmitted via a second communication method to a distributor who fills the order for such products.

Abstract: A dynamic social-buying platform that provides a consumer with the necessary tools to leverage social media outlets (e.g. email, blogs, posting, etc.) in order to achieve specific levels of scale in assembling a specific group interested in a specific product or service, which in turn forces a retailer (who has previously committed to the platform) to furnish a given product or service at predetermined discount levels (which are directly correlated to the size of the group). In essence, a consumer forms a virtual group (for a specific product of interest), the consumer then recruits members to their virtual group via social media channels, and upon achieving certain levels of scale for that particular virtual group the consumer can force a retailer in the network to furnish the given product at a set discount level.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to dividing ownership of indivisible assets. More specifically, the present invention discloses a system and method for dividing, recording, transferring, and verifying ownership of art, collections of art, artifacts, land marks and architecture, sports franchises, rare or collectible items, and other trophy assets which are otherwise physically indivisible. These assets are often too expensive to be owned by most individuals. Particularly with respect to museums and artwork, the system allows organizations to generate revenue from selling fractions of artwork to a plurality of owners while keeping physical possession and stewardship over the artwork.

Abstract: Some examples provide systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products for providing virtual aggregation groups using a market platform. An example method may include establishing, using a market platform, a virtual aggregation group comprising at least two members. The method may also include generating a committed pricing agreement between the virtual aggregation group and at least one supplier. The committed pricing agreement may include compliance terms that determine at least one price parameter for a product purchase by the at least two members of the virtual aggregation group from the supplier based on a market commitment of the virtual aggregation group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to affinity transactions devices, systems, and methods, including a community-incentivize exchange (CIE) comprising one or more computer systems configured to permit aggregation of purchasing power of social community members along aligned interests to facilitate purchases of desired nods or POS transactions from one or more vendors willing to exchange the nods or consummate POS transactions for consideration from the members and to return compensation to the social community in exchange for incentivizing the members to effect such purchases.

Abstract: There is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system, platform and method to provide shared order management based on a shared order platform used by buyers and suppliers. In some embodiments the order management platform includes an order server in a communications cloud, coupled to an order database; a shared order platform adapted to facilitate usage by one or more authorized buyers and/or suppliers, wherein the shared order platform includes a shared structured document with order related data layers; and a tokenized link with an address linking to the shared order platform, where the tokenized link is adapted to allow entry into the shared order platform via entering a page defined within the tokenized link.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to generate group transactions for an item are described. An item may be one or more of a product and a service. An acceptable price for an item may be obtained from a consumer. The consumer may be categorized into a group characterized by common price range. A group offer may be provided to one or more sellers and/or one or more buyers.

Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a supply network plan, a supply network plan configuration and/or a supply network planning aggregate hierarchy business object.